Chapter 63 - 6-2
The movements of the world create a slow, powerful vortex that inevitably sweeps up the modest lives of the people. There are girls, obedient to a narrow order, who have not yet noticed this. Compressed and crowding together, they held a boiling heat. The Euryas Convent was facing the first-year research examinations tomorrow.
"Everyone has done truly well."
At the dinner table, Chloe looked over her subordinates.
Thanks in part to Chloe's education, they all possessed the air of elites.
Chloe called out to one of her subordinates. "Moi."
She was a girl with a slightly plump, plain face. Despite having a grand name like Aksana, she went by the nickname 'Moi' among the first-years.
"What is it?"
Moi was absorbed in her meal and didn't even try to look at Chloe.
She was an oddity who had somehow ended up in Chloe's group before anyone noticed. However, her loyalty was certain, and above all, she was capable.
"There is something I would like to ask of you specifically."
"Whatever you wish."
"Investigate Lucy."
"Lucy? The one from Lucy's group?" Moi stopped eating and looked up. "Is this about the research examinations? Like, we crush them in the exams and snatch someone away, or something?"
"No. I want to know about Lucy herself."
"But, we also have the matter of breaking down Carmilla's group—"
"We will handle that ourselves."
"Lucy, huh... Well, I'll do it."
Moi brought her plate to her mouth with a thoughtful expression and scooped up mashed potatoes with a spoon.
Chloe permitted her lack of manners. It was a concise example of the meritocracy prevailing in Chloe's group. If she failed, the loosened reins would be tightened all at once. Freedom is given only so that it may be taken away someday.
Chloe spoke pleasantly. "Let us gather tonight for tomorrow. Please come to Room Seven."
Chloe was a dedicated child.
Fifteen years ago, she was born to parents who fervently desired a boy.
What kind of face her father made when he saw the baby girl born? That, perhaps, only God knows.
As nobles who were not blessed with sons often did, her father offered his daughter to the church and prayed for the next child.
'I offer this child. In exchange, please, grant me an heir.'
How sincere that prayer had been—the second child was a boy, and the contract with God was fulfilled.
A daughter of nobility offered to the convent through such circumstances is called a dedicated child.
It would be a lie to say Chloe felt no unhappiness.
She had been born without being wanted; she was an obstacle.
When she thought of that fact, she shuddered. She felt a chill.
It seemed that faith was powerless against this matter. The Tenshu, who possessed infinite power, had granted her father's wish, but had looked away from the cry of Chloe's heart.
Still, she did not become an infidel. The convent had protected Chloe firmly. The nuns cared for Chloe's emotions. The girl who had been whimpering changed by believing in the church. She grew dramatically and beautifully, like the emergence of a butterfly.
Once one accepts the teachings of God, the clouding of the eyes clears. Chloe began to see the system of knowledge held by the church. It was a technique for acting upon the heart. A system of techniques for persuading one's own heart and the hearts of others.
—It is political.
Chloe thought this, in a manner befitting a daughter of nobility.
What existed here was a culmination of tricks to make oneself and others do as one pleased.
It was similar to, yet different from, politics—which levels order through temptation and military force—and could only be called a part of this world, the church, the part situated at the highest position.
The church's status in the secular world was high.
Both monks and nuns stood one step above the people of the secular world. Officially, one could even say they were greater than the King. Even her father, from the church's perspective, was nothing more than a lost lamb.
Moreover, they were free. From the outside, monks and nuns might look as if they were locked inside narrow buildings. Inside, it was different. Unlike lords or farmers bound to the land, clergy could go anywhere across nations, following paths like water veins that connected church to church. Though they could not become birds flying in the sky, they could become fish traveling the rivers.
In the distance Chloe surveyed, there were several stages to overcome.
First was becoming the Representative of Euryas.
The Euryas Representative was a clue to advancement. The church was a world of merit. Birth and upbringing did not matter. There was little discrimination between men and women. It was merit. If one had merit, they could soar higher and higher, until they were by the side of the Tenshu-sama.
Her father and mother would regret the treatment they gave their own daughter.
—Therefore, I no longer resent Father and Mother.
There was no longer a need to cry.
Chloe even pitied her father, who would someday be punished.
"There is nothing better than this."
Chloe smiled at the subordinates gathered in Room Seven. Since everyone could not fit inside the room, several were overflowing into the hallway.
In Chloe's hand was the manuscript she would read tomorrow.
"This is what is called the royal road. We will fight fairly and squarely, and demonstrate our strength."
Everyone nodded with faces full of confidence.
After dismissal, Rosary, her roommate, and Moi remained in Room Seven.
"What about the other groups?"
Chloe asked Moi.
"Lucy's group is well-made, but they're no match for us. Carmilla's group is the same. They worked hard, though."
"Did you read them? Should I ask for more details about that?"
Moi shrugged. "I just picked up the scraps of paper they discarded. More importantly, Prima is the problem."
"It's well-made, then."
"If we're not careful, we'll be tripped up."
"Rosary, I will rewrite this entire manuscript into my own words once. You re-examine the parts that seem redundant. And, Moi."
She stopped Moi, who had been about to leave the room in silence.
"I'm counting on you regarding Lucy."
"Yeah, but, Ojou. That girl might be a noble's daughter, you know? There's no talk of which convent she came from."
"So what? I want that girl. No matter what."
If she had entered Euryas directly without experience as a nun, it would be unforgivable. Even if she were the daughter of a good house in the secular world, this was the church and Chloe's territory.
However, she liked that almost eerie beauty. She was perfect as a flower to decorate Chloe's group.
The morning of the research examination day was as clear as could be.
The presentations were scheduled for the afternoon. Until then, there was work outside.
As time passed, the sky grew dark. Birds flew away like arrows across the darkening sky. The rain began to fall shortly after noon.
After lunch, the first-years followed the instructor's directions, pushing the dining hall tables to the sides and lining up chairs. The sound of rain only grew more intense. For an instant, lightning turned the dining hall pure white, followed by the arrival of thunder. Because it was so dark, lights were lit in the candelabras. A podium was prepared at the front, facing the chairs for the students and four chairs for the examiners. Chairs for the presenters to wait in were lined up beside the podium. Instructor Pias looked around the whole area and nodded to Headmaster Dagsaw.
"Now, let us begin. Everyone, take your seats."
The Headmaster announced in a dignified voice, and the nuns began to move.
"Group representatives who will present, come forward. Everyone, be quiet. You must not make a sound even when walking. This is a matter of courtesy as a human being, rather than as a nun. Quietly."
Lucy moved to the side of the podium along with the other group leaders. The hand holding her manuscript was ice cold.
"Quietly, quietly."
Even though not a single person was making a sound, the Headmaster continued to speak.
Once all the nuns were seated, the faint sound of rustling clothes that had been audible until then ceased. The sound of rain drumming on the dining hall roof suddenly pressed in.
The group representatives all gathered beside the podium. Lucy looked at the other three. The black-haired Carmilla rubbed her nose uncomfortably. The red-haired Prima, with a pale face, let her gaze wander. The lead-colored-haired Chloe had her eyes closed and was taking deep breaths.
Instructor Pias approached quietly.
"The order of presentations will be decided by drawing lots. White is first, blue is second, black is third, red is fourth. Understood? The order is white, blue, black, red. We shall have the representatives from the groups with the fewest members draw first."
Lucy drew one of the four straws held by Instructor Pias. A blue thread was tied to it.
Everyone drew their lots, and the order was decided as Chloe, Lucy, Prima, Carmilla.
There was no sound, as if time had stopped. She looked back toward the seats. Among the tanned faces, there were countless open eyes. Each of those gazes was feverish, as if they had absorbed the daylight, reflecting the flickering lights in their pupils.
Chloe, the first presenter, placed her manuscript on the podium and began to speak quietly. The slight stiffness she had was gone instantly, and she presented as if speaking to the nuns, without directing her gaze toward the instructors or the Headmaster.
It was a study on how the role of women's convents had changed due to war. While there were countless religious facilities devastated by war, women's convents alone had consistently refused to vacate; rather, as the fires of war expanded, they expanded their territories in tandem.
Chloe demonstrated with numbers how much women's convents and nunneries had increased before and after various campaigns. Especially after Great King Aframa's westward war, it seemed that nunneries underwent a massive proliferation.
Why?
To save the people wounded by war disasters.
Early women's convents, like the monasteries operated by men, were places where recluses lived in groups. They were facilities for ascetic training. However, women's convents transformed in response to the needs of the people a step faster than general monasteries.
Chloe introduced three nuns. They were three women who could be called completely unknown historically, and each was born in a different place. One mastered medicine, one became a convent head, and one became a teacher.
Chloe stated their backgrounds, excluding all speculation.
What happened when they gathered in one place?
She stated that the prototype of the modern women's convent, which took charge of regional medical care, schooling, and the upbringing of war-disaster children, was created.
From then on, women's convents became so closely integrated with what the regions sought that they remained unshaken regardless of the nature of the war.
After the encounter of the three, women's convents became places of salvation in the true sense. When investigating the nunneries and women's convents that now function as regional central institutions, it is clear that they are sister or daughter institutions that branched out and increased from the now-defunct Magreia Women's Convent, where these three had been enrolled.
This Euryas was no exception.
Chloe did not say that just three women created the current form of women's convents.
"However, this is a matter that has value in continuing to research in the future,"
Chloe concluded.
Furthermore, at the end,
"It is not that there were no devastated women's convents,"
Chloe clarified that the devastation of women's convents occurred from internal corruption rather than external attacks. She cited examples, stating the causes were power struggles, disturbances such as demonic possession, and scandals that caused the loss of regional trust.
Chloe's presentation ended with loud applause.
Lucy also applauded while looking at Chloe's satisfied face.
—Chloe is looking ahead.
That was the impression. It was content that clarified 'what kind of existence they are' and declared 'how they will exist in the future.' It could be said that she showed her policy, looking ahead to what would happen after she became Representative.
Standing at the podium, she looked over the audience. Unnecessary thoughts were blown away. In the eyes of the nuns, there was a weight that permitted no impurity. This place was even sacred. Lucy read her manuscript. It was a good voice that resonated to every corner of the hall without being loud.
Maillard Casparhauser established himself as a merchant in his teens and acquired vast wealth in his mid-twenties. Maillard tasted that wealth for only a few months. He abruptly threw everything away. Wealth, work, and family. He built a shack in the forest and became a hermit. Popular legend says he lost his wife and children to a plague and became a recluse out of despair.
First, Lucy showed that the popular legend was nothing more than a legend. The plague outbreak was still further in the future, and records remain showing that Maillard's wife and children lived much longer than Maillard.
Then why did Maillard abandon his family?
Around the time Maillard became a wealthy man, the Kingdom of Siddim was at the peak of peace and prosperity, an era where all sorts of vanity were tolerated. It was certain that Maillard felt bitter about how everyone indulged in luxury. In his later writings, descriptions hating luxury and pleasure can be seen throughout. Moreover, Maillard had opportunities to see foreign lands on business. There, there were the shadows of plague and Siddim soldiers who reached the heights of arrogance.
Maillard predicted that his homeland would suffer a painful punishment. He became a man who shouted a future of ruin toward the arrogant people. He was driven by a sense of crisis.
It was around that time that he encountered the church and awakened to faith.
He was a merchant sensitive to the movements of the world, an internationalist, and a man influenced by various aspects of the era. He became a great saint who was later beatified.
Where Yufie excelled was in approaching his inner self to explore the process of Maillard's change.
When he was a merchant, Maillard frequently sent letters to his family. The words used in the letters had no color. They had no scent or shape. He called the sky a 'white space.' He described water as a 'blackish flow.' The forest was gloomy, and the bustle of the city was dyed gray. To him, the prosperity of the kingdom was only to that extent.
In the writings after he encountered the church, the use of color suddenly became vivid. He described the sky and sea as 'the way blue explodes and turns white.' The rustling wind 'blushed and danced,' the night sky 'swirled in green,' and even a skull shone with the 'color of pearls.' The kingdom was devastated by the war with the Kosa people and presented the aspect of hell due to the plague. Maillard saw color there. Even so, the world continues; love this, Maillard shouted.
Lucy's presentation also received long applause, not inferior to Chloe's.
Seeing the dreamy expression Yufie wore, Lucy felt relieved for the moment.
Replacing Lucy, Prima stood at the podium. Prima's presentation truly stunned the room.
"One thousand years ago, the Deel people's faith was persecuted, and they entered a period of wandering lasting ten years. The gold bullion they managed to take from the temple was ninety nalions, which in the money of the time was about eight billion deni, convertible to about 3.26 billion Gilan in our currency. We have calculated the money the Deel people spent, their expenditures, during the ten years of wandering."
Prima actually began to calculate. The Deel people were refugees who traveled north through the wilderness. Over ten years, they found land without cities, drove out the indigenous people, and founded a nation called Karasunahi.
That was the cost. Ancient people left behind a large amount of writings regarding prices. By synthesizing those, indeed, their expenditures could be tracked to some extent. Before she knew it, Lucy was listening intently.
At the time, seedless bread which was commonly eaten, water, clothing, transit taxes, camels, and daily tools—everything cost money. The Deel people were gradually impoverished. By the time they reached Nufia, a quarter of the way through the journey, the gold bullion had become half.
Disasters were relentless. They befell the refugees one after another. Each time, large sums of money were lost.
Lucy was anxious as she listened. Karasunahi was still far. Moreover, they had to cover war expenses on site.
Prima hypothesized that in Bartea, they likely exchanged their money for new deni silver coins stamped by King Bupka. She suggested that was where they switched to horses.
Hearing that they purchased six thousand horses, Lucy felt anxious again. The remaining money would not last a year. In her usual bright tone, Prima explained the mobility of a group on horseback and stated that they must have arrived at Karasunahi in less than half a year.
"Here, they were attacked by barbarians. Let us begin the calculation of the expenses spent on the war."
The costs for procuring swords, bows and arrows, and fodder shaved away the remaining balance as if making a sound. Just when it seemed the money would finally run out, the war ended.
It was said they created a national flag, and hearing that the cost fit exactly into the remaining balance, voices of admiration leaked from everywhere. It was a development like a magic trick. Thinking calmly, it was too perfect. However, it was also certain that one could not immediately refute it. The investigation by Prima's group was thorough. The addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of numbers gave a precise impression.
Above all, it had originality. Perhaps Prima and her group were the first people in the world to take an interest in how the people of Deel spent their money.
Prima left the podium. The applause given could be called enthusiastic. The interest of 'money' captured the hearts of the nuns. To summarize the tragic suffering of the Deel people in such a way seemed very much like Prima.
Carmilla took the podium solemnly. Her expression was calm, as if a possessing spirit had left her. Although her way of speaking was somewhat hurried, it was not difficult to hear. Rather, it was refreshing, clear, and passionate, and Lucy was drawn in.
The topic was the spread and transition of the Roma Church in the north, which could be called a staple for this kind of presentation. However, the era she handled spanned a full three centuries.
Because she spoke of a grand period within the time limit, Carmilla spoke quickly. Carmilla recounted facts in rapid succession. Even when inserting anecdotes, she was brief. Lucy was simply overwhelmed by the volume of facts. Carmilla consumed facts without hesitation.
No one seemed bored. A map was being drawn in the minds of the audience. Carmilla added color to that map. Regions where conversion had progressed and regions where it had not—the contrast appeared clearly.
"In this region, there was a problem hindering proselytization. The Skesia people crossing the inner sea."
She sought the subtle difference in the progress of proselytization in the geography.
"In regions directly ruled by the King, the spread of faith was favorable."
She sought it in the political situation.
"In the year 408, Lumod Dal—"
She sought it in people.
Amalfi's erudition came to mind. Vast knowledge related to each other, connected by threads to form the image of a map. Eventually, Lucy realized. Regions that were historically slow to be converted were still dragging that delay into the present; it connected to now. She found herself able to answer why regions where proselytization had not reached were so.
Carmilla's presentation ended in an instant. Because the content was dense, the time felt short.
The judging took time.
The sister nuns serving as examiners gathered beyond the podium and discussed in low voices.
All the first-years sat in their seats, staring at the four discussing examiners with glinting eyes. No one made a sound. It was as if they felt that if they were caught chatting, it would affect the judging.
The dining hall became steamy. Lucy wiped her sweaty palms on her habit several times.
Whether the collective will of everyone reached her, Headmaster Dagsaw finally nodded. She took the podium without a sound and looked over the first-years. The critique and announcement of grades ended abruptly.
"I will announce the results and give the critique. First place goes to Chloe's group. In a short time, they brilliantly conveyed the struggles of the nuns who stood against an era where violence prevailed, and suggested that this spirit has continued uninterrupted to the present. It can be called a presentation rarely seen in recent years. What should be emphasized is the lack of openings. They minimized speculation and constructed it by anticipating counterarguments; it gives the impression of being well-refined. Mentioning the internal collapse that women's convents are prone to was also a good point."
Second place was Carmilla's group. "The presentation was full of confidence, and it is well apparent that this was backed by the vastness of the reading of the geography. It was a dignified presentation and can be evaluated as flawless. However, while I evaluate the tackling of a subject without flashiness, it would have been even more excellent if it had a unique perspective."
"Speaking of a unique perspective," the Headmaster continued, "Prima's presentation was truly original. She identified the main foods of the time, investigated the prices, and gave it persuasiveness with concrete numbers. This quality of approach is rarely seen. However, there is far too much speculation. The way speculation was piled upon speculation looks like a deception of adjusting numbers. Also, as for the conclusion, 'Why not take this opportunity to remember the past of the Deel people and renew your faith,' I feel as if I am being teased."
"Finally, Lucy's presentation brought surprise. Despite being a study exploring the heart of a single human being, it was an extremely logical and natural development. It can be said that she showed a single cross-section indicating the transition of the era and faith. However, decorating a plain subject with gorgeous words and closing the end was unnecessary, and the hard-won emotion is halved. The emotional attachment to the subject was likely too strong."
"Therefore, third place goes to Lucy's group, and fourth place to Prima's group."
The silence of the hall seemed to increase by another level. It felt as if it had frozen. Looking at Prima, even her lips had turned blue.
Once the chairs and tables were returned, the Headmaster ordered dismissal, and the time until dinner became effectively free time.
The three members of Lucy's group gathered immediately and looked at each other's faces. Both Yufie and Sheri had their cheeks flushed, seeming happy with the result of third place.
"Wait for me in Room Nine. I will go immediately after I finish my errands."
"Ah, Lucy."
Waving to Sheri, Lucy headed for the library with quick steps. The library had free entry and exit. During the research period, everyone had been striving to create their manuscripts in the library.
It was in the opposite wing from the dining hall. She walked half a circle of the corridor and passed through a connecting hallway. The sound of raindrops shattering on the hallway roof echoed. Lucy shrank her shoulders and entered the library.
The transcription room was deep inside, past the bookshelves. It was a narrow private room with a window, where only a transcription desk was installed in the center. There were six rooms, and among them, first-years were allowed to use two; during the research period, Amalfi of Carmilla's group and Rosary of Chloe's group had monopolized them with faces as if it were natural.
Inside the transcription room at the very end, Lucy waited for Amalfi. She would come. Amalfi's writing utensils were left behind on the transcription desk.
Lucy had been waiting for this moment. If she were to take a nun from Carmilla's group, it was now, here.
Carmilla's group would be shaken whether they won or lost. That was Lucy's reading.
If they lost despite having the maximum number of people, Carmilla's leadership would be doubted, and she would lose her centripetal force. Conversely, even if they won, Carmilla would not be seen as the one who contributed most. Praise would gather for the greatest contributor, Amalfi. Here, a gap to exploit should be created.
To create this situation, the rank of Lucy's group was important. First place would probably be taken by Chloe's group. That was unavoidable. Second place if possible. If she could become second, it would be ideal. Third was also fine. There were ways. However, she wanted to avoid the lowest rank. If a weak group of three members came in fourth, it would be too obvious a conclusion and Lucy would be written off. If she were written off, there would be no way to act.
When she saw Yufie's draft, Lucy felt a response.
With this content, she thought second or third place was not a dream.
—And she won third place.
Yufie worked hard. Sheri and Lucy did too. Beyond this, she could not fail. No matter what, she would tear Amalfi away from Carmilla.
As she sat on the window sill, gazing at the flow of rain creating a mesh on the window, the door opened.
Amalfi was a girl with strong curly hair. She was always slightly looking down, and her expression was sparse. Now her eyes were wide open, looking at Lucy with pale blue pupils.
"Amalfi. I wanted to speak with you first, so I waited for you." Lucy smiled. "I would very much like to welcome you into our group."
The black-curly-haired girl shook her head. "I'll pass."
"I don't think you should decide instantly. Our group is the most suitable for you."
"Why? I'm satisfied at Carmilla's place."
"You should not be," Lucy said. "Truthfully, you should have been able to beat Rosary."
Amalfi glared at Lucy with an upturned gaze and sat in the chair of the transcription desk.
During the research period, neither Carmilla nor Lyudmila had shown their faces in the library once. The research had been dumped entirely on Amalfi. Carmilla and the others had apparently stayed in the monk's quarters with their subordinates, playing with handmade cards. Lucy had seen many times how the children who lost at cards came to the library to help Amalfi as a penalty.
"But you taught the way to proceed with the research without a displeased face. There must be many group comrades who hold feelings of respect for you. I want you to lead such children and come to my group."
"Why your group? Your group is the lowest in terms of numbers, and lower in rank."
"Even so, there should be nowhere else to go. At Chloe's place, Rosary manages the research. At Prima's place, it's a consensus system, so you cannot do research as you wish."
"At your place, Yufie is there. It was good research."
"Yufie says she doesn't mind if she is under you. She respects you deeply."
Amalfi looked slightly happy for a moment, but immediately withdrew that expression.
"I don't think any nuns will follow me."
"That's fine. But try it once. You accomplished the research examination alone. You must receive more trust from everyone than you think. Ah, and Neeshka."
Neeshka was a nun who had betrayed Prima's group to enter Carmilla's group.
"I think she is a spy planted by Prima. She will likely create a faction within the group and pull out nuns in bulk. If possible, bring the nuns Neeshka has her eye on as well. You and I will thwart Prima's treacherous scheme."
"You just want numbers," Amalfi said, looking sideways while looking down.
"That's not it." She certainly wanted numbers.
However, Lucy did not say that. "We can possess nothing. As Headmaster Dagsaw says, we can own nothing. But truthfully, it's different. We possess one single precious thing that cannot be seen by the eye."
—Our one vote.
"This one vote is our very existence. Our only power. Our will. To treat this carelessly is to treat oneself carelessly. Amalfi, your one vote is not suited for Carmilla. With Carmilla, we cannot win the Representative election. That person will not evaluate you."
"I'm not interested in the Representative election."
Lucy did not flinch. "Birds."
Amalfi raised her face. "What?"
"The things you are interested in. I heard from Yufie about your observation of the mockingbirds. For next year's research examination, if you wish, I think research on birds would be fine."
Amalfi looked at the air with a blank expression, but immediately shook her head.
"No, impossible. Presentations are historical research and—"
"It's not decided. Everyone is just following precedent. I will have you do the research you want to do. Yufie, who understands you, will be the best consultant. The entire group will cooperate with your research."
"Just stop it already," Amalfi held her head.
"Think seriously, Amalfi. My offer should not be a bad choice."
Amalfi was highly intelligent. If she thought about it, she would know that what Lucy said was correct. In that point, Lucy had confidence.
However, Amalfi derived a completely different answer.
And it was with a swiftness that occurred the day after the research examination.
Lucy, Sheri, and Yufie had spent the previous day praising each other and talking about memories of the research period. While still in that mood, they sat in an empty spot at the long table, and Carmilla and Lyudmila arrived. A nun with flaxen hair was also with them. It was Daphne of Carmilla's group. All three held tableware.
"What is the matter?"
Lucy blinked.
"We're thinking of having you let us into your group," Carmilla said. "Joining, joining. You won't refuse, right?"
Because it was sudden, Lucy's mind didn't rotate, and she looked at Carmilla's group's table.
Amalfi, who was in the seat of honor, was staring intently this way with blue pupils shaded by her hair. She didn't know what it was. Lucy returned her gaze to Carmilla and smiled.
"First, please sit. Let me hear the circumstances."
"First, I want to hear clearly whether it's acceptance or rejection."
Lucy narrowed her eyes.
—Acceptance? Carmilla and the others?
She wanted to decide after seeing the faces of Sheri and Yufie. However, this was a matter where the group leader decided and took responsibility. Moreover, there was no way she could reject them. Lucy's group was currently attracting the attention of the dining hall. In that situation, the choice to 'reject those who come' was impossible.
If she rejected them, those around would see it as Lucy being afraid of Carmilla.
"Of course, I welcome you."
Carmilla looked down at Lucy with a scary face for a while. She let out a breath and relaxed her expression. "The story is simple."
In a familiar manner, she sat in the seat next to Lucy.
Carmilla said that her group had been taken over by Amalfi.
"Can you believe it? While I was shut up in the library, that woman firmly suppressed our subordinates. Everyone thinks that the reason we won the research examination was thanks to Amalfi."
"Isn't that actually the case?" Lucy said. "Did you do something?"
"I'm the one who presented. Were you sleeping?" Carmilla looked sideways.
"That woman is shrewd," Lyudmila took over the story.
Amalfi had cast doubt on Carmilla's leadership and requested her resignation as group representative. Most of the subordinates agreed with this, and Carmilla's resignation as group representative was decided. Once she saw that it could not be overturned, Carmilla had left the group without showing regret, so the story went.
Lucy looked at Daphne.
Daphne was a beauty with sloping eyebrows and voluptuous lips. The pictorially beautiful curves of her body were apparent even through her clothes.
"Ah, Daphne is my woman. I brought her along," Carmilla said something that made one's head ache. "More importantly, I think if you and I join hands, we can take it back."
"Amalfi's group? You want to take it back?"
"You must want it so much you'd reach for it with your throat."
Lucy tapped the table with her fingertips restlessly. "Why our group? Not Chloe's or Prima's."
"You, see, look like you're acting high and mighty, but you're a woman who's quite easy to talk to. I think we'll get along well."
That's not it, Lucy thought. Carmilla intended to dominate and take over Lucy's group. The fact that she had matched the number of people to three, the same as them, was also meaningful.
Lucy switched her thinking. Regardless, numbers were numbers.
"Let us get along well. Once again, welcome."
Lucy looked at Amalfi. Amalfi was still staring at Lucy. She was likely observing the reaction and checking it against her answer. Lucy smiled at her. It was a fact that her answer had been far more brilliant than Lucy's.
—However, she doesn't have the character of a group leader.
Amalfi's group: thirteen people. Chloe's group: six people. Lucy's group: six people. Prima's group: five people.
Lucy's group had made a leap forward. However, the three new additions likely held rebellious intentions toward Lucy.