Sakuya's Perspective.
Part 1: Afternoon (Manor's Orchard)
We ventured to the serene backside of the manor, where a tranquil orchard welcomed us. The surroundings exuded a sense of calmness, the sunlight filtering through the leaves casting dappled shadows on the ground. As I gazed around, my grip on the hilt of my sword felt strangely comforting, a reminder of the world I had grown accustomed to.
"Why?" Aya's voice trembled as she finally broke her silence, her gaze lowered and arms wrapped around herself. The emotional turmoil within her was palpable, as if she sought some form of solace amidst the chaos.
I maintained my silence, allowing her to voice her questions and concerns. It was clear that she needed an outlet for her pent-up emotions.
"Why did you save me?" Her question hung in the air, laden with a mix of frustration and despair. Her life seemed to hang in the balance, caught between her desire to escape her pain and the mystery of her newfound circumstances.
My response was measured, devoid of any overt emotion. "No reason. I merely required evidence of our actions, nothing more." My words were simple, direct, a reflection of the calculated nature of our existence. Survival and benefit were our primary motivators, and sentimentality often took a backseat.
Aya's disbelief and anguish were evident in her retort. "Is that all? Is my life just a prop for you to showcase your accomplishments?"
"Yes," I affirmed, my voice unflinching. "Our role as villainesses demands that every action we undertake serves a purpose, a calculated outcome. We aren't heroes of justice, nor do we play saviors. We navigate a world where the pursuit of power and survival is paramount."
Aya's voice wavered, her emotions spiraling as she grappled with the implications of my words. "So you're telling me that my friends and family perished just to further your own ends?"
"I don't have all the answers," I responded, my voice unwavering. "But I do know that your continued existence at this very moment is a result of my choice."
The weight of my statement seemed to crash down on her, a realization that her life was intricately connected to my decisions. The gravity of the situation was inescapable.
"How can you say that so casually?" Aya's voice quivered, a mixture of disbelief and incredulity. "Aren't you human too? Don't you feel any empathy?"
"Empathy," I echoed, the word heavy with contemplation. "Human, monster, or villainess – in the end, we all share a common fate. Mortality is a certainty, and it is up to each of us to determine the course of our lives and our deaths."
Aya's response was a gasp, her realization that her existence hung in the balance, governed by the whims of a force greater than herself.
As if to punctuate the gravity of the situation, I raised my sword, the blade glinting in the sunlight. The edge of the blade pointed directly at Aya, the weight of its presence a stark reminder of the power I held.
"Wh-what are you...?" Aya's voice faltered, her eyes widening as she recognized the danger she was in. The icy realization that my actions were not a mere threat but a genuine life-and-death choice struck her like a cold gust of wind.
"To end your life," I declared calmly, my gaze steady as it locked onto hers. "If you hold no purpose beyond burdening our group, then I will grant your wish for death."
Aya's breath seemed to catch in her throat, her body freezing as the reality of her situation crashed down upon her.
"Please... stop..." Her voice was barely a whisper, her plea a fragile thread in the face of her impending demise.
"This is my decision, just as you must decide your fate." My words were unwavering, my resolve unshaken. The blade remained steady, a symbol of both judgment and choice.
The tension in the air was palpable as the sword's tip touched her throat, a testament to the fragile line between life and death.
"Please, let me live..." Aya's voice trembled, her eyes squeezed shut as she pleaded for her life. In that moment, her desperation was raw, her desire for existence laid bare.
She begged for mercy, her voice carrying the weight of her suffering and the memories of those she had lost.
"Choose life, and choose how you'll face death," I said softly, the blade lowering as I replaced its threatening presence with an embrace. In that moment, I held her, offering her not just a chance at survival, but a chance to shape her own destiny.
As I hugged her, she was enveloped in warmth, her world no longer one of impending death but of newfound possibilities.
After a few days had passed, a different scene unfolded within the study room. Blanc's inquiry was direct, as always, and I responded with a calm certainty.
"She's no longer among the living," I replied, my tone even and devoid of remorse. The decision had been made, and it was one that aligned with the principles we operated under.
Tatiana, however, seemed unaware of the events that had transpired. Her quizzical expression revealed her lack of understanding.
Before further explanation could be offered, a knock echoed through the room. Lily's entrance heralded the presence of someone new – Aya, standing with a determined posture, her introduction resonating with purpose.
"Nice to meet you, Master Sakuya. I'm Aya, reporting for duty." Her words were filled with determination, a testament to her newfound resolve. Aya had chosen her path, shaped by the choices she had been presented with, and had embraced her new role as a disciple under my guidance.
Part 2: Night (Manor's ??? Room)
Lily's Perspective
Darkness shrouded the room, lit only by a faint, eerie glow that seemed to emanate from the corners. The air was heavy with anticipation, and a sinister smile danced across my lips as my eyes locked onto the toy that had just been unveiled, a chilling centerpiece for tonight's entertainment.
"Ah, you seem to have awoken," I purred with a twisted delight, my voice carrying the weight of secrets and malevolence. The corners of my lips curled up as I watched the captive figure before me, struggling against the chains that bound him to a chair. It was reminiscent of the time we had captured the informant in the depths of the Spider Queen's Cavern. His confusion was palpable as he tried to comprehend the situation, his gaze flitting around the room, the color draining from his face.
"Where am I?" he finally managed to rasp out, his voice a mix of fear and disbelief.
"Good morning," I responded, my tone dripping with mock politeness as I performed a graceful bow, an ironic gesture in the dimly lit room. "You've been brought here for an investigation."
His eyes darted back and forth, seeking an escape that was never meant to be found. The man was no fool; he realized that he was dealing with the same group of people again, but the realization only seemed to deepen his confusion.
"Now, now, there's no need to make this easy for me," I cooed, my smile widening into something almost predatory. "Why don't you go ahead and scream your heart out? Ufufu…"
As I spoke, my gaze shifted from him to the table beside me, where an array of tools of 'investigation' lay neatly arranged. Each instrument held the promise of pain and the potential to extract the truth.
The informer's silence hung in the air, his gaze locked onto me as if hoping to decipher my intentions. But, oh, he must have known deep down that escape was a fantasy. My words had already given away my purpose. I leaned in closer, my eyes narrowing with a dark amusement.
"Are you wondering how you can escape this situation?" I mused aloud, almost as if I were reading his thoughts. "Unfortunately for you, such possibilities are nonexistent at this moment."
A smirk tugged at my lips as I gestured toward a huge gallon of water that seemed out of place in this eerie room, its purpose far from quenching thirst. "So, why don't we indulge in a long chat and perhaps even a slumber party? I've brought snacks and drinks, you see." My finger pointed playfully towards the untouched water, a silent reminder of my sinister intentions.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he spat out, his frustration finally bubbling over.
But before he could continue his outburst, my gloved hand swung across his cheek with a resounding slap, the sound echoing in the room. "My, my, such uncouth behavior," I chided, my voice dripping with mock disappointment. "Remember, dear Mister, you shall speak only when I give you permission."
"Huh?" he managed to utter, his slip a testament to his growing desperation.
"Once again, it seems a lesson in manners is in order," I remarked casually, a wicked gleam in my eyes. I raised a fist clad in a white glove, my knuckles cracking ominously as if in anticipation.
"Wait, wait!" he pleaded, his voice laden with panic.
But his plea fell on deaf ears. The first punch landed, followed by another and another, each blow landing squarely on his face. His shouts of pain filled the room, and yet he remained tied to the chair, unable to crumple to the floor. His words were reduced to mere groans and muffled cries.
"Ah, that's better," I commented with chilling nonchalance, as if we were discussing the weather. "Have we learned something today? Don't… speak… until… you're… spoken… to. Ufufu." I let out a soft chuckle, my words punctuated by a sinister rhythm.
Knock knock
"?! Utter another word and I promise, you'll regret it," I warned the informant sharply, my eyes flickering towards the door as an unexpected knock resounded through the room. Swiftly, I slipped on a new pair of gloves, prepared for whatever might come next.
"Yes...? Lady Tatiana, what's the matter?" I inquired, caught off guard as Tatiana herself stood at the threshold, the door closing discreetly behind me to shield her from the scene within.
"Actually, I was just heading to the kitchen for a glass of water, but I heard an odd noise and thought I'd investigate," Tatiana explained, curiosity lacing her tone as she glanced around the dimly lit room.
"...Lady Tatiana! Why didn't you ring the bell? Venturing out like this at night—were you aiming for another one of my lectures?" I questioned with a touch of a pout, my frustration at her apparent lack of reliance on me simmering beneath the surface.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to trouble you," Tatiana stammered, her voice tinged with panic as she hastily apologized.
I sighed inwardly. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you? Just be a good girl and head back to your room to sleep, alright?" I spoke with a hint of exasperation, the worry for Tatiana evident in my voice as I wished her a good night.
"Sure thing, Lily. Have a good night," Tatiana chimed in, waving lightly before making her way back up the stairs to her bedroom, a gentle smile gracing her features.
"Sheesh, how can I ever keep an eye on her?" I muttered to myself, a playful tone underlying my complaint. With the coast clear, I turned back to the room, continuing my activities with a mixture of amusement and concern for Tatiana's naivety.
Resuming my position by the table, my fingers played with the assortment of tools, their metallic gleam catching the faint light. "Now then, where were we? Shall we continue our little slumber party?" I mused aloud, my voice dripping with dark amusement as I extinguished the faint glow in the room. The shadows embraced us, and I was left alone with my captive, the night unfolding with promises of secrets revealed and darkness unchained.
-End of Chapter 44-