Author's Note: Hello there, readers! Welcome to the last Psyche chapter featuring Luscia for this volume! I know that there is still space for tomorrow but, I think that the last chapters for the week and the entire volume should have Alex. Alright, go ahead and savor Luscia's last appearance before this volume ends! Enjoy!
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(Starting with the Emperor's point of view)
I feel a bit bad.
I just exposed some information to young Luscia that could give her a negative reaction. I was surprised by the fact that she had no memory of everything that happened but, now that I think about it, it makes sense.
An encounter like that will deeply traumatize anyone present, especially if one of the people who witnessed it was a young girl who was only 10 years old. The human mind has the ability to block a memory that it finds too wounding, which I think is what happened here. I saw many instances of this happening before when I was younger so, I know.
However, I felt that she had a right to know what had happened as she was literally one of only a few people who were directly involved with the one we suspected of killing Firon. And yet, even though I thought that she might be able to give me some details, I suddenly remembered what my daughter, Callisto, said at breakfast time earlier today.
'Have you noticed something different with Luscia?'
Those words resounded in my head. I knew something felt off with her but decided to say nothing as I didn't want to worry her father, Duke Roscelto, as he already appeared to be someone who worries a lot. He might have gone into a full-blown panic if he realized his daughter has changed.
That was when I saw that Luscia was trembling a bit. So, did my words awaken her memory? I'm sorry that you have to relive such a scary experience but, that memory could help us ascertain why he assassinated Firon and who he was working for as there was no way an event like this was orchestrated by him alone. He must have been acting on the orders of someone else. He might even be in a group of people who were dispatched everywhere in the world.
Ah, there goes my mind again. It always starts running and considering every possibility, no matter how outlandish it would sound at first glance. Before I knew it, Luscia had already stopped shivering and was completely still. I looked at her face and knew that something had changed.
Her eyes were... somehow different from before. They seem more... empty. She looks so serious now as well that I was momentarily shocked by her sudden transformation. That was how I met the Luscia that would exist for, at least, 7 more years.
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(Switching back to Luscia's point of view)
After reigniting my resolve to make sure that I will never suffer for the consequences of trusting people, I look at the Emperor with the most serious face I could make. I... can't change like this so suddenly but, this is necessary, so that I can protect others from having to sacrifice things and feel pained, as well as to protect myself from those things.
"Emperor, you said that you wanted to have information, correct?"
"Yes, I did."
"I... have remembered everything. Every single detail of the incident, of course, before I passed out. Well, I'll tell you everything that I found suspicious during the entire incident. Firstly, for some reason, he seems to have two abilities, much like the people who attacked the city of Quaran. This led me to believe that Animus is somehow related to these people or is a member of their group."
"Hmm. That makes sense. However, how did you know that the people who attacked Quaran had multiple abilities? That kind of information wasn't leaked to the public... ah, I see now. You must have heard it from the King, perhaps?"
"Yes."
I knew about that only because I actually eavesdropped on the reports a messenger made to my uncle. It was purely coincidental but what was even more amazing was the fact that I wasn't caught at all as I was someone who shouldn't be privy to that kind of information.
"So, what were his abilities?"
"I think his abilities were some sort of Invisibility power and Emotion Manipulation."
"Why do you think so?"
"I think he has an ability that makes him invisible as I remember him disappearing from my sight when I tried to confront him. I only found his location when I felt something go past me, which means that he doesn't completely hide from you as he only evades your sight. Plus, he didn't have any time to chant any sort of magic that would make him invisible and, well, I would detect it if he had used magic as I am extremely sensitive to Mana flow."
"Alright. How about the other ability? Any concrete evidence that it is the manipulation of something abstract like emotions?"
"That is a good question. However, I do have evidence. Firstly, I heard a bit of his backstory and, apparently, he was a homeless man picked up by Firon just a few weeks ago. If that was true then, it would be strange how Firon brought him to this important meeting, despite all of those factors. Another piece of evidence I have is... sitting right in front of you."
"... So, you were lying when you said that nothing was wrong then."
"Yes, I was. You see, ever since I woke up, I have been experiencing this sort of emptiness and an inability to express real emotions. And, just now, it got worse and now, I don't think I can ever feel again, unless Animus comes and removes it."
"Okay... Any other pieces of info for me?"
"Well, Animus kept saying that what he did was justified as he said that it would be for the good of the entire world. When I asked for more details, he said that humans will destroy this world themselves and that he wants to restore the natural order. However, he didn't go into more detail and then he preceded to wipe my emotions."
"... We have a person who believes eradicating all of humanity will make sure the world will be restored. Worse still is that he could be part of the group who attacked Quaran, which would then make every member of the attack be someone with the same belief as him. And then, we have the leader, who would have organized all of this and is the one who is keeping all of the members under control. *Sigh* This is going to be a hard fight. Anything else?"
"He said that the people he might target in the future are influential people such as nobles and maybe even rulers of nations to remove their threat from humanity. He even went as far as to say that even the future generations will not be spared, even though he said that he cares about children. That is all."
"Then, you are free to go. Also, you'll be leaving tonight so, make sure to eat a hearty dinner and say goodbye to my kids as they seem to be your friends."
...
"... Alright."
I stand up from my chair and leave the room, all the while hearing the sighs of the Emperor and the furious scribbling of the pen the recorder was using to write down every detail of our conversation.
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I walked through all of the hallways as fast as I could so that I could spend the next few hours before leaving thinking on the bed in my room. Eventually, I reached the common living area where I saw both Kai and Calli sitting down patiently, as if waiting for something. They were probably just waiting for their father to come back so, I tried to go inside of my room when Calli called out to me.
"Hey, Luscia, we're right here, you know?"
"We... waited the entire time. Was the whole... thing alright?"
I looked back at them and remembered what I thought back when I got my memory back. I said that I will never trust a single person ever again and that I will never form any kind of relationship with anyone. Well, there is one loophole in that.
I was never that good at forming any kind of relationship so, keeping existing ones should be fine. But, if anything happened to those few people I liked, I would never forgive myself. So, I'll only have a few people be associated with me and I will keep my distance from those who only know me so that they won't be targeted.
"The ordeal was... alright. The Emperor said that I will be leaving tonight so, that means goodbye."
"What!? Well, if daddy said so then, fine. We'll miss you."
"Yes, we will. I hope you'll be alright."
...
"Yes. We won't be seeing each other but, we will, eventually. So, I give my best wishes to both of you."
After that, I waved to them before I went back inside of my room. I contemplated whether my interaction with the both of them hurt their feelings as I was, admittedly, rather blunt and indifferent. But, if they distance themselves from me, they would become safer as, like Animus said, all of my friends and close associates could be targeted.
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(The next day, back in Axanon)
"What?!"
"I'm sorry Sierra but, we might have to cut ties here."
"But, why do we have to?! I didn't do something wrong, did I? Do you not want to be my friend anymore?"
"It... is more complicated than that. I... am going somewhere where you cannot follow me."
I am now engaged in a conversation with Sierra. That itself is evident but, the topic of our conversation must be heavy for her. I come back after a long time and she finds me completely different compared to before I left. But, I have good reasons for this. The first is because I don't want her to get hurt. The second is because I have already decided that I will be going to the most prestigious school in the world: The Elysian International Academy for Magic & Arts.
That name is a mouthful but, I guess the founder just wanted to have a school that would accept anyone and would tailor to the interests of anyone as well. However, I don't think Sierra can come with me because...
"I-I will always follow you! You're my best friend and... friends aren't as easy to abandon as trash. They will always stick to you, wherever they might go!"
"Your mother, Lia. Will she be alright without you?"
...
This is one of the reasons why I can't let Sierra come with me. She still has a mother who probably won't be able to come with her to the Empire.
"Mom, will be okay. You'll be going to that school when you're 15, right?"
"Yes, I will."
"Then, I still have time. I'll make the most of spending time with mom and then I'll find a way. I'll find a way to become someone that both you and mom can rely on. So, when you have to go, I will be right there beside you."
That was when Sierra looked at me and I saw determination in her eyes. I... just lit a fire in her, didn't I? She won't back down so, I will let her come with me. It will be weird to have no social interaction at a school filled to the brim with students. I put my hand on my chest as I reflect on what I'll be doing from now on.
I feel something hard and pull out a small necklace with a locket at the end. Oh, I almost forgot this little thing from Alex. I open the locket and pour Mana into it and see the both of us sitting while looking at the sun rise at dawn. I can't feel anymore but, if I still could, I would probably cry right about now.