After she finished telling me everything, Dr. Vier exhaled and looked at me.
[...This is what I've been keeping from you. Do you despise me now?]
[No, well, to be honest, my mind hasn't quite caught up yet but... as for despising you...]
[I see... Thank you.]
I'm not going to criticize her for the fact that Dr. Vier was the Demon King.
However, because I received so much information, I couldn't put my thoughts together and could only give a vague reply.
Seeing me like this, Dr. Vier smiles and speaks.
[...That's why I'm not going to the Six Kings Festival... I can't go. Even though you went out of your way to invite me, I'm sorry.]
[Ah, n- no...]
[However, I'm glad that Miyama-kun invited me. Well then, I'm sorry to call you so late at night. You're able to return using Teleportation Magic, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Have a safe trip home.]
After saying that, Dr. Vier let out a very sad smile and turned her back to me, before starting to kneel down and pray before the moonlight.
She seemed to be saying that she had nothing more to say, I wasn't able to say anything... Bowing once to Dr. Vier, I left.
I could have directly gone back with Teleportation Magic, but I wanted some time to clear my head, so I decided to walk down the dimly lit street for a bit.
Surrounded by the quiet, cool night air, my footsteps were the only sound that could be heard.
[...Hey, Alice.]
[...What is it?]
[...Does Kuro know about Dr. Vier...]
[She knows. It doesn't seem like they've personally met though....]
When I called out, Alice appeared next to me and answered my question as she walked down the street at night, having a slow stride like mine.
[...Doesn't Kuro... ummm... "walk around Symphonia Kingdom's royal capital often"?]
[...Yes, Kuro-san enjoys eating while strolling, so she goes here and there... but she visits this royal capital much more often than other places.]
[Then, as I thought...]
[Well, she's definitely checking on how she's going... That's why she often brought Hikari with her when she came to the capital.]
[I see...]
As I listened to Alice's words, I continued thinking, even though my mind still hasn't caught up with everything.
Is this really something that I, a third party, can easily step into?
If Dr. Vier was as arrogant as the Demon Lord I had imagined, I might have been able to condemn her.
However, Dr. Vier regretted her past actions and continues to suffer in atonement.
[...Hey, Alice. What do you think I should do?]
I found myself saying these words. I don't think I can do anything about it, but I can't forget about it either.... I also don't think it's okay for it to stay like this though.
[...I don't know. It's not my place to say anything about it.]
[...I see.]
[However... I will respect Kaito-san's opinion.]
[...Thank you.]
Depending on how you look at it, her opinion might have sounded cold. However, the words Alice said... were very gentle words….. as she said it didn't matter what path I chose, and when I needed help, she would always be there to lend a hand.
After thanking Alice, I walked through the night streets for a while before I used Teleportation Magic to return to my room.
Even after a night of sleep, I still felt fuzziness in my mind. I also didn't think this is something I could talk about with Lilia-san and the others.
I was so troubled that I didn't go out that day, which was unusual for me, and stayed in my room, lost in thought.
But no matter how long I thought for, I couldn't come to a conclusion on what to do. No, I don't even know what I'm worried about anymore.
The easiest choice would have been if I could dismiss it as none of my business, but I guess it's in my nature to get in
volved in these troublesome matters.
[...Kaito-kun?]
[Eh? Yes, come in.]
I smiled a bit awkwardly back at Kuro, who had been in the room before I knew it.
Since it's Kuro, I think she knew that I talked to Dr. Vier. That's probably why she's a bit sad.
[...So you've met Vier.]
[Unnn. No, well, it's more accurate to say that we already met before without really getting to know each other...]
[...Hearing Vier's story, what did Kaito-kun think?]
[...My honest opinion is that I don't know.]
No, it might just be that I'm being slightly partial towards Dr. Vier's side.
I didn't see Dr. Vier with my own eyes when she was the Demon Lord. The only Dr. Vier I know of is the current Dr. Vier.
She might be a bit klutzy, but she's a kind person who always thinks of others... That was the impression I had of Dr. Vier.
[Hey, Kuro? Can I ask you one thing?]
[Unnn.]
[...Do you want to meet Dr. Vier?]
[...Unnn. I want to see her. After all, she's my "family"... I want to see and talk to her.]
With a lonely look on Kuro's face... she called her "family"...
Dr. Vier said that she used to be Kuro's family member, but Kuro told me that she was her family without hesitation. No, I think Dr. Vier still thinks of Kuro like family too.
She even tried to start a war for Kuro's sake... I think that deep down inside she also wants to see Kuro.
[...However, I think Vier will feel hurt again if she sees me... that's why I can't meet her.]
[...I see.]
I guess that's probably the biggest factor? Dr. Vier felt guilty for making Kuro cry. Kuro also feels guilty that Dr. Vier became the Demon Lord because she didn't speak her true feelings.
I think it's because they both felt guilty about each other that they have misunderstood each other even though they love each other very much.
Ahh, I see... I finally understand why I had been so worried about this matter.
I want to... "try do something about it"….. I want to bring Dr. Vier and Kuro together again.
However, both Kuro and Dr. Vier said that they couldn't see each other. That's why I was having a hard time figuring out what the right thing to do was.
Maybe it's none of my business to get involved in a family matter as an outsider. I'm sure it would be easier if I could dismiss it as none of my business.
However, as I thought, this won't do. It seems like I'm the kind of person who can't give up on something once I'm involved in it.
Then, there's no point worrying about it... I'll go meet Dr. Vier again tomorrow.
To be honest, I don't even have a plan, but I think I should start by talking with her first.
I don't have an answer to what I should do. However, I understood what I wanted to do.
So, the day after I talked to Kuro, the 20th Day of the Light month... I came to the front of Dr. Vier's clinic with Teleportation Magic.
However, in that place... someone unexpected was waiting for me.
[...I knew you'd come.]
[...Neun-san?]
A few meters in front of where I teleported leisurely stands Neun-san, holding a sword similar to a Japanese katana in her hand.
[...My apologies, Kaito-san... I can't let you through here.]
[....]
[I don't mean you any harm, but I won't let you pass... Please leave.]
The prickly, strong emotions conveyed by my Sympathy Magic made it painfully clear to me that Neun-san was serious about not letting me through.
Dear Mom, Dad————- After talking with Kuro, I understood what I wanted to do. That's why I thought of talking with Dr. Vier again... However, the one who stood in front of me was the one who once defeated the Demon Lord————- The legendary hero.