An elderly man who had a strong look came in, wearing a long sleeve jacket and sweatpants.
He had a nicely trimmed gray beard along with well maintained sharp gray hair.
『Hey.』[Elderly Man]
Something about his attire reminded him of someone, but since he was here, it was more than likely that he was some palace staff.
『Hello. Did you have something you needed of us?』[Nova]
『Oh, yes. I have to ask for your cooperation with the case that you were involved in. You may call me old man,gramps, or Grandpa Edwin. I'm not much for formalities.』[Edwin]
『I'm Nova, and this is Mune. It's nice to meet you...』[Nova]
Nova had a hard time calling him old man, due to it sounding disrespectful, but...
『Alright, ask away, old man.』[Mune]
Nova stared in horror as Mune took over the conversation.
Edwin laughed jollily while nodding.
『Haha! I'm glad to hear it!』[Edwin]
His face turned semi-serious.
『You've been involved with more than one incident in the past two days. Please give me your alibi.』[Edwin]
A strange pressure filled the room, causing Nova to not be able to respond.
『I was visiting Nova's home with him, then...』[Mune]
He looked over to Nova, waiting for his statement.
『..Oh! Er… I heard a scream from a nearby alleyway and went to go see if it was someone that needed help.』[Nova]
『Then? What happened?』[Edwin]
『I saw a girl, who laughed strangely and acted strangely.』[Nova]
『Any particular features?』[Edwin]
『Uhm… I believe it was a black and white striped V-neck shirt, a skirt, and...』[Nova]
He struggled to come up with any other features.
『...How about her appearance. Long hair? Tall? Big tits?』[Edwin]
Nova had to double take on that last one.
『Big- wait, what?!』[Nova]
The old man started to laugh to himself.
『Gahaha! Playing with you!』[Edwin]
He sat with a soft smile in silence for a moment.
『...But were they big?』[Edwin]
Nova looked out the window, with knitted brows.
The window revealed a bright starry sky.
He turned back with a complicated look on his face and struggled.
Meanwhile…
Sarena sat on a chair, talking to Freyana when Freyana suddenly went quiet.
『Do you think Nova is-』[Sarena]
『Shh!』[Freyana]
Her ear perked up, trying her best to pick up on Nova's response to Edwin.
….
『Ahem. Anyways, the full details of the incident?』[Edwin]
『It's as Nova summed up. We encountered them, and the Yudola girl seems to have the power to form contracts and use them to be her soldiers. On top of that, she controls blood energy. She also has a seed ability that absorbs people and drains their vitality.』[Mune]
『Are the soldiers strong? If she controls blood energy...』[Edwin]
『Not at all. But their true strength lies in the fact that they aren't just mindless soldiers.』[Mune]
『Oh? And that is..?』[Edwin]
『They're civilians.』[Mune]
Edwin's eyes grew wide as he seemed to get a bit angry.
『...Unforgivable.』[Edwin]
Mune nodded his head in agreement.
『But… the ability that absorbs people… It was used on them? Are they deceased?』[Edwin]
『No. It was a massive giant of blood energy that would attack and absorb them in before using them as a battery. I was absorbed as well, and I couldn't find a way out.』[Mune]
『Then… how did you get out?』[Edwin]
Mune smiled and slapped Nova on the back, waking up Nova from his zoned out daze.
『My partner here saved me.』[Mune]
『He… is a second year student? How did-』[Edwin]
Mune corrected him quickly.
『First year.』[Mune]
『First year?!』[Edwin]
Mune nodded and grinned proudly.
Edwin also smiled after hearing this.
『...I suppose the standard of Genesis' students is growing. I'm glad to hear it.』[Edwin]
『Well... He's a special exception.』[Mune]
『So, how did you do it, Nova?』[Edwin]
Both of them directed their gaze to Nova.
『...I uh.. It's an ability that...』[Nova]
He kept wavering back and forth between telling them the truth and keeping Asmodasiah's existence secret.
「...Using her power to kill is… not right.」[Nova]
They stared at him, awaiting an answer.
「If I tell them, they'll have me use my power to take lives from others, right?」[Nova]
「That's right, Nova.」[Reischneid]
「And… Something about Asmodasiah's power is… Not natural.」[Nova]
「...It's okay to use it. Just… when you rely too much on a power that doesn't belong to you… you'll change, Nova.」[Reischneid]
Nova kept thinking hard.
「...You'll change.」
Reischneid's words locked in his choice.
He stared at them with his bright blue eyes that shined brighter than the stars outside.
『It's an ability that I can't use often, or else I might die.』[Nova]
Edwin's curiosity was satisfied and he smiled.
『...I see. I suppose it would be hard to imagine a first year student doing so much against blood energy with a low cost.』[Edwin]
『Are you alright, Nova? Didn't you cast it twice?』[Mune]
Nova nodded.
『...And the second incident. I know much about it.』[Edwin]
『That Kikhia girl. She's the protector of the prince, no?』[Mune]
『Correct. She's like my granddaughter herself. So by saving my granddaughters brother, you have my gratitude.』[Edwin]
He bowed down to Nova, who was overwhelmed.
『N..No! It was nothin-!』[Nova]
Before he could finish, Edwin got up and smacked him on the head.
『Cheh! Wh-wh-what was that for?!』[Nova]
When Nova looked up, Edwin looked genuinely angry.
『You fool!』[Edwin]
He slammed his hand onto his chest.
『Never say that the act of saving a life is nothing! If it is nothing, then what are the stories of heroes for?!』[Edwin]
Nova looked up at him with his mouth agape.
『When a life can be saved, you do it! No hesitation!』[Edwin]
Mune was amused by this, quietly laughing to himself.
『Hmm?! What's so funny, Mune?』[Edwin]
『Old man. You're someone special, aren't you?』[Mune]
Edwin's eyebrow raised, as if he was amused.
『Oh? I'm just a humble servant of the kingdom. Whatever could you mean?』[Edwin]
Mune stared back at him with a sarcastic smile.
『...So. What does the name Lucifius mean to you?』[Mune]
The reaction speed on Edwin's response was near instant.
『Why, he is the founder of the kingdom, of course! Our great first king!』[Edwin]
Mune seemed to be ready to call a checkmate.
『And… how about Reischneid?』[Mune]
『The s-』[Edwin]
He cut himself short.
『...You. How do you know that name?』[Edwin]
A serious pressure began to flood the room.
『Does it matter?』[Mune]
『...No. I suppose it doesn't.』[Edwin]
The energy shifted away from them.
『Regardless, there are some things that people aren't ready to know yet.』[Edwin]
『...Sure. What else do you want to know about the incident earlier?』[Mune]
『That's all. I just wanted to thank Nova for saving my precious grandchildren.』[Edwin]
Nova took his message to heart and bowed his head down, in respect.
『...It was my pleasure.』[Nova]