Join us on Discord
Click Here

Chapter 126: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 126



After Scarlet’s interrogation ended, Sylvia returned to the mansion with her. Feeling the exhaustion from the events they had gone through, she found herself gazing at Scarlet, who appeared to have fainted, sleeping on the bed. Sylvia gently took Scarlet’s hand.


She felt the warmth emanating from their clasped hands.


It was a warmth that only the living could possess.


Feeling that warmth, Sylvia finally realized that Scarlet had truly returned safely. She breathed a sigh of relief and whispered softly.


"......Thank you. For coming back safely."


There was a time when Sylvia had made a promise to Scarlet.


She had vowed that if Scarlet ever needed help, she would do everything in her power to assist her.


But when the time came, when Scarlet needed help, there was nothing Sylvia could do.


When Scarlet tried to sacrifice herself for everyone else, Sylvia couldn’t even confront the witch.


And when she heard that Scarlet was alive, she couldn’t contribute to the rescue efforts.


She had always considered herself one of the stronger ones among her peers, but when it came down to it, she was utterly powerless to help Scarlet.


All she could do, with her weakness, was pray desperately like she did as a child, pleading with the stars to return Scarlet safely.


And that was something she regretted deeply.


She had made a loud promise to help, yet all she could do was pray for Scarlet.


Still, perhaps because of that deep regret, when the time came, she didn’t hesitate to act.


“......I’ll probably get scolded, won’t I? For acting on my own.”


Sylvia smiled bitterly as she looked at Scarlet.


She knew as well as anyone what it meant to take full responsibility on behalf of the Astra family.


It wasn’t something a mere figurehead, distanced from the true power of the family, should have said.


Although the Elder had let it go at the time, it was inevitable that she would face some form of discipline or restriction later.


In the past, such things had terrified her, but the thought of something happening to Scarlet frightened her even more.


Sylvia lowered her head, gently lifting Scarlet’s hand and placing it on top of her own head.


Just like when Scarlet had patted her head and told her she had done well.


The remaining unease seemed to dissipate a little with this small gesture, and Sylvia, blushing slightly at her childlike behavior, spoke to Scarlet.


“Even so, I won’t regret it. Saying what I did. Because I’m glad I could be of some help to you, Scarlet.”


She had always hated being the heir of Astra.


But today, for the first time in her life, Sylvia was grateful that she was the heir to Astra.


Because being the heir allowed her to help Scarlet.


So, she wouldn’t regret it.


With that resolve, Sylvia left Scarlet’s room,


“......Sylvia, may I have a word?”


She nodded without trembling when the Elder, who had been waiting outside, spoke to her.


* * *


Sylvia followed the Elder as he led her to his room.


The one who had participated in the interrogation with Sylvia yesterday and who had summoned her now was the First Elder of the Astra family.


He was involved in most of the affairs of the Astra family and held the most real power. Sylvia was somewhat nervous about being called by him.


Though he always walked around with a gentle smile, in truth, he was someone who moved solely for the benefit of Astra, more than anyone else.


Usually, the First Elder always addressed her with the utmost respect, but the fact that he had called her without any honorifics this time meant that the conversation they were about to have was strictly personal.


In the past, when he had summoned her in this way, it was mostly to point out any mistakes she had made in official capacities.


Whenever she was summoned like this, Sylvia would always bow her head and apologize, but today, she decided not to do that.


She didn’t believe she had done anything wrong.


So, even though she swallowed nervously when she arrived at the Elder’s room, she kept her head held high as she faced him.


The Elder, noticing that Sylvia, even in a private meeting, did not bow her head, opened his mouth in the same gentle voice as always.


“...So, Sylvia. You said that girl was a friend you met at the academy? You allowed her to stay at our mansion because she was in a difficult situation?”


“......Yes.”


“...I see. Helping those in need is a virtue of the privileged...... That aside, the reason I called you, Sylvia, is to discuss the statement you made during the interrogation about taking responsibility.”


The Elder’s slightly narrowed eyes were fixed on Sylvia, and she calmly awaited the punishment that would be meted out to her.


If she were weak, it might involve some kind of mental discipline, or at worst, she might have to transfer from Aegis Academy, where she had stubbornly forced her way in...


But if that was the price for getting Scarlet out of a difficult situation, she was willing to endure it quietly.


And as Sylvia, eyes closed, waited quietly for the Elder’s words, what she heard was something entirely unexpected.


“What you said about taking responsibility for that child as Astra was very well done.”


“......Huh?”


Caught off guard by the praise, Sylvia let out a foolish sound without realizing it.


At this, the Elder burst into a hearty laugh and said to Sylvia,


“Hahaha, for the heir of Astra to be so surprised by just a word of praise, is that any way to behave?”


“A-ah, I’m... I’m sorry...... But you said I did well? I thought you would surely say I was wrong......”


“Wrong? Not at all. As you said, never forgetting gratitude or resentment is the spirit of Astra. 


The fact that you acted on that principle is something to be praised. Others who saw you would also have realized that Astra is still Astra.”


Smiling faintly, the Elder slowly rose from his seat and glanced at a framed picture on the wall.


Sylvia followed his gaze.


In the frame was a phrase displayed throughout the mansion: *Astra never forgets a debt, whether of gratitude or resentment*.


The Elder, gazing at it, slowly began to speak.


“Sylvia, do you know why Astra was once able to flourish more than any other in the world? It wasn’t because of our long lifespans, nor because of our exceptional abilities. It was because of that very principle. Never forgetting a debt, whether of gratitude or resentment, may seem frightening at first glance, but beneath it lies the constant directive to act righteously. Astra will always pursue righteousness and justice, and so we must treat those who seek to make the world better alongside us with utmost kindness. That is why people were willing to go to great lengths for Astra.”


The Elder’s room housed countless records that had been passed down through Astra for generations.


The records of the gratitude Astra received, which they preserved even when the World Tree they served and the Eternal Forest they called home were set ablaze.


The Elder ran his hand gently over the cabinet where those records were stored.


“When the Witch of Wrath was subdued, so many people came to Astra’s aid because of that principle. And even when Astra’s fortunes waned, it was that principle that kept us from complete collapse. As long as that principle endures, Astra will always be Astra.”


Then, the Elder turned and looked at Sylvia with a warm gaze.


“So, it’s perfectly fine to use Astra’s name to protect that child who has protected you, the future of Astra. Sylvia, you have earned that right.”


Sylvia found it hard to adjust to the Elder’s warm words.


After all, she had always thought of herself as someone who merely hovered on the fringes within the family.


Sylvia, who had always thought of herself as nothing more than a mere figurehead—a successor in name only, excluded from important family meetings and constantly kept on the outside as a mere face for the family—asked the Elder in a confused voice.


“...Am I really not just a hollow successor? You’ve never allowed me to participate in family meetings, and you’ve kept me in the dark about the family’s affairs...”


At her question, the Elder tilted his head slightly, then answered with a bitter smile.


“...A hollow successor, you say. It seems there’s been some misunderstanding... Sylvia, the reason we’ve kept you unaware of the family’s affairs wasn’t to exclude you. It was because you are that important to us...”


The Elder hesitated for a moment, then looked at Sylvia and spoke.


“...Given how things have turned out, I suppose I’ll have to reveal a bit more. Sylvia, Astra... Since the World Tree burned, we’ve gradually become disconnected from the Spirit of the Stars, and we’ve been lost ever since. Astra has lost its identity, forgotten its spirit. At some point, accumulating wealth and increasing power became our only goals. Everyone thought that this was the way to truly serve Astra. But that’s no longer Astra. To the point that we even wondered if that was why the spirits had abandoned us.”


The Elder, speaking with a sorrowful expression, looked at Sylvia.


The turning point when Astra began to change.


The person who made them realize who they truly were.


“The one who brought hope back to Astra, which had lost its light, was you, Sylvia. Seeing the light you showed us reminded us that we were Astra. And we believed that you could lead us back to being the true Astra. That’s why we chose you as our successor.”


The Elder slowly walked over and gently took Sylvia’s trembling hand, which was shaking with emotion.


Then he spoke to her.


“The reason we kept you away from the family’s affairs was that we needed time. Time to clean up the dirty and grimy tasks that were unworthy of Astra. We didn’t want to burden you, the future leader of Astra, with the knowledge of those aspects. We wanted the Astra you would inherit to be remembered as the always righteous and just Astra. We intended to clean up the mess with our already tarnished hands and then pass it on to you, but we ended up causing you unnecessary heartache. I’m sorry, Sylvia.”


Sylvia listened quietly to his words, then gently asked him,


“...I was never insignificant to Astra...?”


“...As I’ve said repeatedly, you are our successor and our hope. And—”


The Elder slowly patted Sylvia’s head as he continued,


“Before being a family, we are a family. You are an irreplaceable, precious member of our family.”


Hearing these words, which she had never heard before in her life, Sylvia felt a surge of emotion.


Feeling like she might cry, Sylvia sat quietly for a long time, simply feeling the Elder’s hand stroking her head.


* * *


A little time passed, and as Sylvia, her eyes still red, was about to leave the room, the First Elder stopped her and spoke.


“Oh, by the way, there was something I wanted to ask you, but I forgot.”


“...What is it?”


“Lately, we haven’t heard anything from Sator. I was wondering if you’ve received any word from him?”


Sylvia hesitated for a moment before answering with a calm expression.


“...No, I haven’t received any contact either. He’s a busy man with his research, so he might be too engrossed in it to remember to reach out.”


“Is that so... Well, you’ve done well, so go ahead and rest.”


“Yes. Good night, Elder.”


After Sylvia left the room, the First Elder sat quietly for a while before receiving a call.


“Yes, Second Elder. What’s the matter?”


[...I was wondering what happened with that matter. We still can’t locate Sator... Have you received any information on the main suspect? Have you confirmed it?]


“No, I’ve seen the information, but I haven’t confirmed it yet. I’ll have to do that soon.”


As he responded, the First Elder tapped a corner of the cabinet, revealing a hidden compartment behind it.


From there, he took out a document and slowly read through its contents.


*The Witch Weaponization Project.*


*The experiment failed.*


*The shard of the witch’s heart seems to have disappeared from the scene, suggesting the test subject might have escaped during the fire.*


*Current investigation results point to the most likely suspect—*


As he read through the document, the First Elder picked up a seemingly ordinary stone-like artifact that was lying nearby.


Its function was simple.


If a shard of the witch’s heart approached within a certain radius, it would emit light.


As he stared at the artifact, the Second Elder’s voice came through the call.


[...The most likely suspect is Sylvia’s friend, right? If it turns out to be true, what will you do?]


“...The course of action is clear.”


The Witch Weaponization Project.


It was one of the darkest secrets they had committed, something that must never be revealed to the world.


If Sylvia were to be held accountable for it, even if the person responsible had saved her life...


They would be nothing but an obstacle.


The First Elder recalled the resolve he made when Sylvia showed them the starlight as a child.


That all of Astra’s filth would be cleaned up with their own tainted hands.


In the future Astra that Sylvia would lead, there should be no trace of the past sins they had committed.


“...As always, it must be dealt with quietly.”


With those words, the First Elder picked up the document that must never be revealed to the world and quietly set it on fire.


The photo of the red-haired girl that had been attached to the document burned away silently.


PREVIOUS | TOC | NEXT

Comments

  1. Welcome back to: ,,How Fucked up is Fucked up?" This chapter is fucked up 🗿

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you think this is particularly fucked up, then you aren't paying attention. Just look at Jeffrey Epstein and P Diddy.

      Delete
  2. Ironically the witch of wrath seems to be caused by astra’s ancestor that was tricked by the purple hair witch.. which makes their motto seems foolish in the bigger picture

    ReplyDelete
  3. Scarlet isn’t catching a break

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Join us on Discord
Click Here