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Together with the members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, I go up the stairs of the Clan House.

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Cry since I arrived in the Imperial Capital, so it has been a while since we last met.

Maybe because it is already in the middle of the night, the Clan House is completely silent.

“It’s outrageous to suspend Cry-chan just because they’re incompetent, right~” (Liz)

“Well, I understand how you feel. But he is still getting paid, so isn’t it fine?” (Sytry)

The Clan Master’s~ room is located on the top floor of the Clan House. Marble flooring and large wooden doors. And in front of the door stand people in various costumes. They look exhausted and in a bad mood. They must be the ones sent to check on Cry’s suspension. It is already past 1 AM, so they really have it tough.

“Excuse me, we have something to talk to Cry-san, so we will go in.” (Sytry)

“…… We have no right to stop you.” (Guard)

So they are really just watching. They really have it tough.

Sytry knocks in a good mood and then opens the door.

The Clan Master’s room is a spacious room. It probably doubles as a reception room. There is a nice sofa and a low table. There are hardly any documents on the desk, and it is tidy and free of unnecessary items.

Cry Andrich is standing in front of a large mirror by the wall. He is speaking to something that looks like a small board placed next to his ear.

“Eh? You say it is not time yet? I know, I know. But you know, I might not be able to stay awake until 4 AM…… I have a mirror ready, so can’t you make it work somehow? Although I tried to have it work at 1:11:11 AM…………” (Cry)

That tablet――is it some kind of Symphonic Stone? Who is he talking to in the middle of the night like this?

Sytry stares at Cry in wonder. Cry doesn’t notice our arrival.

“Eh? Behind me?” (Cry)

Cry looks behind him. And at that moment, a little girl appears behind him.

“!?” (Saya)

She is even smaller than Lady, a doll-like girl. And she is holding a kitchen knife.

There is no doubt about it, it is a Phantom from that Treasure Shrine.

Lucia turns pale. But Cry *kyorokyoro* looks behind him and then looks in the mirror again.

“There is nothing there. Mary? No one is there. Un, right. Like I told you earlier……” (Cry)

!? The doll-like girl kneels down, tears streaming down her face as she *gangan* slams her kitchen knife against the floor. However, Cry pays no attention to that scene whatsoever. It is as if he truly couldn’t see her at all――.

The Phantom called Mary vanishes as if melting into the air. Cry continues talking in high spirits.

“Un, un, that’s right, thank you. Please take care of it. I will finish this right away.” (Cry)

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Just as he says that, it happened.

It is clearly visible to my eyes.

A gate opens in the large mirror, releasing a powerful purple light.

When the light disappeared――Cry, who should have been standing in front of the mirror, disappeared.

Behind us, the guards who have been peering into the room through the gap in the door raise their voices at Cry, whohas suddenly disappeared.

“Wha!? Where did 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 go!? Answer me!” (Guard)

Lucia shouts in a panicked voice.

“Eh? Ni-Nii-san!?” (Lucia)

“Aryaaah…… He certainly hasn’t left the room though.” (Sytry)

“But is this safe or out?” (Liz)

“Oooooooooooi, Cryyyyyyy! That’s unfaiiiir, take me toooooooo!” (Luke)

“Uuumu” (Anthem)

I narrow my eyes and look in the mirror. However, the gate that was there just a moment ago is nowhere to be seen. Maybe it has different properties…… It seems that the gate itself will not appear unless certain conditions are met.

Lucia looks at me. It hurts my heart, but I can only shake my head.

“No good. It cannot be opened. But how did Cry even know there was a gate here? He was suspended……” (Saya)

“Ahhhh, that’s coz’. That’s just how Cry-chan always works.” (Lucia)

Says Liz as she shrugs her shoulders. Come to think of it, when he conquered Code, he acted as if he knew things he shouldn’t have known.

“Hm, this mirror is just a regular mirror. It wasn’t here last time I came, so it is probably new. I am sure we can find out if we ask Eva-san……” (Sytry)

“There’s nothing on the mirror itself. This is probably――The Treasure Shrine’s rule.” (Liz)

The Phantoms of that Treasure Shrine use rumors to kidnap people. There is no reason for them to do it that way, so there must be some strange rules in that Treasure Shrine.

If we examine the rumors investigated by the task force, I think we should be able to find out what rumors Cry used――At that moment, Sytry, who was checking the desk, lifts up a piece of paper and says.

“Everyone, I found Cry-san’s note here.” (Sytry)

The hastily scribbled note contains four words.

『Mirror』, 『4:44:44 AM』, 『Smartphone』, and 『Get What You Want』 and the last one is circled.

Liz says in disbelief after reading the note.

“…… I wonder where on earth Cry-chan gets this kind of info.” (Liz)

“And it is not even 4 o’clock yet…………” (Sytry)

It is only 1 o’clock. There are still 3 hours until 4 o’clock, and yet the gate has already been activated…… This meant that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 had completely seen through the nature of this Spirited Away incident――The nature of the Treasure Shrine.

“How could that happen? He swore he would never leave the room” (Guard 1)

“Hmmm…… But he didn’t leave the roooom.” (Liz)

“There’s no way that excuse will be accepted. We’re even compensating him, you know!” (Guard 1)

“Contact Franz-kyo! It’s an emergency!” (Guard 2)

As Liz looks up at the ceiling, the guards who have gathered around her begin to panic and *warawara* scramble around.

It seems authority does not affect 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. Or maybe he realized that the Foreigners have betrayed me and is taking steps to resolve the situation? If that is the case, I am terribly sorry.

Maybe sensing my feelings, Lucia speaks without changing her expression.

“…… Saya, Nii-san doesn’t think about things like that, so there is no need to worry about it.” (Lucia)

“But this is a problem.” (Sytry)

Sytry clasps her hands together, *nikoniko* smiles, and says.

“Aside from the mirror and time, only Cry-san has a smartphone…… It is a valuable Relic, so there is nothing we can do about it~” (Sytry)

“……………………” (Liz)

Her cheeks are slightly flushed. But she doesn’t seem particularly bothered. However, what Cry had, was called a smartphone, huh…… It is the first time I heard about it.

Unless a Relic that can only be found in a Treasure Shrine is extremely popular, it is impossible to obtain it without good luck. If a smartphone is a valuable Relic, it is unlikely that one can be obtained easily, even in this big city.

But why does Cry have a Relic like that?

Then, at that moment, Liz, who has been staring intensely at Sytry, puts her arm around her shoulders and says with a smile.

“S-y-t?” (Liz)

“Whaaat is it, Onee-chan?” (Sytry)

“………… Give it to me.” (Liz)

“!?” (Sytry)

Sytry’s smile freezes. Liz leans in close to Sytry and says threateningly.

“You have one, don’t you! Give it to me, Syt! Now’s not the time to hide this kind of stuff, you know!?” (Liz)

“Wait, Onee-chan, there is no way――” (Sytry)

She pins Sytry down as she twists her body to try to escape, and thrusts her hand into her robe. Sytry’s face turns red and rolls over, but Liz shows no mercy. It doesn’t take long for Sytry to give up.

“Hh…… Al-Alright! Aye’ll take it out!” (Sytry)

“So you really have it……” (Luke)

“Uuumu……” (Anthem)

Luke lets out an exasperated voice, and Anthem groans. Lucia runs her hand through her hair, glaring coldly down at Sytry. I feel like I am beginning to understand what kind of Party 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is.

Resigned to her fate, Sytry takes out a board that looks exactly like the one Cry had. However, the color is pink. Sytry says with a dissatisfied look on her face.

“After all the trouble I went through to get it……” (Sytry)

“Ain’t it fine, it’s useful. And it’s not like I’m going to take it away.” (Liz)

“I was looking forward to having a fun chat with Cry-san……” (Sytry)

“I will confiscate it and put it under the Party’s control. It is your punishment for hiding it during an emergency.” (Lucia)

For now, we have everything we need. All that is left to do is to wait for the time written on the note, and something will happen.

There are just a little less than 3 hours left…… Cry will surely be safe. After all, he is the man who dropped Code without ever engaging in a proper fight, so he isn’t someone I should be worried about.

But even knowing that, I cannot help but pray that Cry is safe.

Being what they are, no matter how good 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 may be, the Foreigners are not opponents that can be handled with strategy alone.

Thanks for reading! Lol Mary in a orz position and stabbing the floor because Cry can’t see her. Also Cry being Cry he can even bend the Treasure Shrine’s rule to fit his desire Master~ wa kami!

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