The Kuoh Academy.
The next day, I arrived at the academy and was heading to the Student Council office, where I could sense Sona's presence. Tia and Morgan hadn't returned yet, which was surprising. The Servants were spending their weekend at their own pace, so the house was somewhat boring and gloomy.
There was only one day left before my visit to Greece, and I needed to keep myself busy, and Sona was perfect for the job. Besides, she definitely knew the current situation in the Underworld, led by Goetia, whom I hadn't heard from in quite some time.
I opened the door to the study and found Sona sitting at her desk, working alone. Her entourage was nowhere to be seen, and she had apparently given them the day off or something.
Although, come to think of it, behind the Kyoto archway was the tournament archway, where the heirs of the demon-Pillars measured their strength. It was strange that Sona wasn't training but working at the school, even if Mo-chan and Merlin had the day off.
- "Shouldn't you be preparing for the Rating Games, Sona?" I asked, going inside and sitting down opposite her. "Or are you no longer interested in that, and you've decided to become a magical girl after all, huh?"
- "Why are you here, Romani-sensei?" Sona rolled her eyes, pausing in her work. "I take it, you're just bored?"
- "Oh?" You know me well," I smiled. "But I'd still like an answer to my question."
- "I don't see how that's any of your business. Just tell me why you're here so I can get back to work."
- "You're not in the mood, are you?" I said, leaning back in my chair. "You see, a friend of mine hasn't been around for quite some time. Can you tell me what he's up to?"
- "A friend?" Sona didn't understand, but after thinking for a moment, a look of realization came over her face. "You mean His Majesty, don't you?"
- "Oh? Why so formal? But yes, that's who I'm talking about," I nodded. "Again, can you tell me what he's been up to these days?"
Sona got up from the table, poured herself some tea, and then sat down on the sofa. I raised an eyebrow, but waited patiently for her answer.
- "His Majesty has been very busy since his arrival," she began.
- "And sent the demon council to their deaths, I presume?" I asked.
- "No. His Majesty is very wise and reasonable, unlike you," Sona declared, to which I responded with an indifferent wave of my hand. "The council is still performing its duties, but under the complete control of His Majesty and the demon-Pillars. Of course, there was some violence, as there were some particularly foolish demons who wished to oppose them. However, they were quickly disposed of or found another use. To summarize all the changes affecting the Underworld, everything has become simpler, a little cruel, but better than it was before."
I thought about it.
In principle, everything sounds pretty much as I expected. Goetia took all the power into his own hands and is rebuilding demon society to suit himself, that is, with the maximum possible total control and elimination of unsuitable elements.
He and the demon-Pillars have already expressed their opinion about the local demons, so I have no doubt that they did not stand on ceremony. Although...
- "How interesting," I muttered. "Anything specific? Any major changes in the power structure or anything like that?"
- "I wouldn't say so," Sona shook her head. "However, now, both in practice and on paper, supreme power was in the hands of His Majesty. He was followed by the Demon Lords, and then the council. My sister was delighted that now they were, as she put it, no longer 'tame dogs on a pink leash'. The heirs, on the other hand, gained more freedom and support from their ancestors, including Sitri."
- "Hmm... I see," I nodded. "And what did Goetia decide to do with the faction of the former demon lords?"
- "Nothing, at least for now. I suppose he has enough on his plate," Sona shrugged. "Oh yes, if I were you, I'd think about your safety.
- "Oh? What do you mean?"
- "His Majesty has spoken very unflatteringly about you at every opportunity, Romani-sensei. I would even say that he is preparing something for you that you will definitely not like," Sona explained, making me smile.
Is he really planning something? Considering his ingenuity, I doubt he'll come up with anything worthwhile. Although, before using the Noble Phantasm, Goetia definitely promised that he would take revenge. Heh.
- "Well, well. Now I'm really curious to see what he wants to throw at me," I chuckled. "By the way, since your ancestors took you in, why..."
- "Because I allowed it," came the sudden voice of the elder demon Sitri, who appeared in the room as a shapeless, misty tentacle with the corresponding symbol.
- "Great ancestor," Sona immediately bowed and greeted him.
- "Sona Sitri," the demon greeted her in return. "Has your answer changed?"
- "No, Great Ancestor, I offer my sincere apologies," Sona shook her head.
- "Answer"?
Interesting, interesting.
- "As you wish," said the demon Sitri authoritatively. "The Magician elevates personal choice to the absolute, and I, as a demon-Pillar, must respect that. But in your case? It is childishness and recklessness. Your vanity will strike you before you know it, and then it will overtake your entourage."
- "I understand, Great Ancestor," said Sona, still kneeling with her head bowed. "But this is my choice."
I watched the scene with interest, not really understanding what was going on, until the demon Sitri's gaze left Sona, who was staring at the floor.
What choice? And why is she so adamant?
The demon-Pillar would not waste words like that, certainly not Sitri. And if that was the case, what was behind it all? I could, of course, question Sona, but I didn't really want to resort to that. Not with Sona, at least. And the demon Sitri? I doubt he would tell me anything. Heh.
- "So be it," the demon Sitri finally declared.
- "Accept my gratitude, Great Ancestor," Sona bowed.
There was a certain idyll between them, a special atmosphere only for them, reminiscent of a scene from an old Japanese movie or anime, in which a teacher and a student were present. The connection they had formed seemed to allow them to communicate with each other on such a deep level that their mere presence was enough. I would have admired this, but...
- "That's all very interesting, but can you tell me what Goetia has in store for me?"
At my words, Sona's eyebrow twitched, which I could see from my position, and her glasses shifted as if I had done something wrong. The demon Sitri slowly turned his dry, tired gaze to me.
- "Have you been told that you are completely unable to read the atmosphere, Romani-sensei?"
- "Can you, or do you just not give a shit?"
- "Typical Magician," the demon Sitri said stoically. "All he cares about is what he wants."
- "Yeah, yeah, but again, I don't give a shit," I dismissed. "So, what's the deal with Goetia?"
- "I have no right to interfere in matters concerning you and His Majesty, Magician. It is beyond my jurisdiction, as it is beyond that of any other demon-Pillars," was all the demon Sitri said, and, glancing briefly at Sona, he disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared.
I shrugged, and Sona straightened up and returned to the sofa in the corner of the room.
- "Is that all you came for, Romani-sensei?" she asked indifferently, taking a sip of tea. "I need to get back to work."
- "Technically, yes," I nodded and stood up, heading for the exit.
- "When can I expect you at work, Sensei?" Sona asked suddenly, causing me to stop at the door. "Unfortunately, I can't fire you, so I can only hope that you have a conscience, which I know you don't. I hate to admit it, but you're the only one here who is qualified to teach at this academy."
- "When will you tell me what 'choice' you made?" I smiled and left the office, receiving only silence in response.
I didn't want to pressure her again, so it would be better to wait patiently for her to decide on her own. However, the demon Sitri didn't say this directly, but he might share some information with me on the subject. After all, I was really curious about what they were talking about.
As I approached the entrance to the academy, I felt a very familiar presence suddenly appear there. And it belonged to...
- "If you wanted to know about the situation in the Underworld, you should have come to me. I would have been happy to answer all your questions."
- "I thought I could forget about you. Besides, I didn't know how to contact you," I rolled my eyes and continued on my way, but no longer alone. "Rizevim."
- "Just call me, and I'll come, Romani Archaman," Rizevim giggled and took me by the hand.
- "And I'm not empty-handed. It's about your visit to Olympus. Want to hear about it?"
- "Why not?" I shrugged and listened to her.
I suppose it's convenient to have an extremely reliable informant, even if it's only for me, isn't it? Even if they have their own issues. Yeah, right.
-0-
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