Chapter 66 - 6-5
Euryas Convent is welcoming a short summer.
For Lucy Alish, it is her first summer since becoming a nun. The blue sky is high as far as the eye can see, and the clouds, tinged with gold, billow up like flexing muscles.
The first-year students have finished their tedious research exams and regained their daily routines along with a sense of liberation. It is a daily routine spent entirely on farm work and prayer. The weather is fine, so there is no need to shut oneself away in the library. Everyone seems to be working in good spirits.
Behind the scenes, however, some maidens were operating in the shadows.
Chloe's group succeeded in recruiting two nuns from Amalfi's group.
Prima's group also poached two nuns from Amalfi's group. One was a traitor—in reality, Neeshka, a spy whom Prima had infiltrated. The other was a girl named Erna, whom Neeshka had apparently talked into joining.
Prima's group had messed up the research exams. Their grades were the lowest. Despite that, far from reducing their numbers, they had increased them by two. Lucy had no choice but to take her hat off to her. It could be said that the groundwork of slipping Neeshka in had paid off.
Despite the good result of second place in the research exams, Amalfi's group suffered a heavy blow, losing seven people. While it seemed they would become unsteady on their feet due to the massive bleeding, the opposite was true. To put it simply, it was as if they had shed excess fat to become smaller; by having fewer people, they became easier to manage. Amalfi was bringing discipline to the group.
When it was Carmilla's group, they had been like a gang of crude, delinquent girls, but Amalfi's group was now becoming a refined group that could be mistaken for Chloe's.
The most unsightly was Lucy's group. Lucy often got into arguments with the newly joined Carmilla. If she acknowledged Carmilla's leadership even slightly, the group might be taken over. Thinking this, every time Carmilla made a proposal, Lucy rejected it.
Amalfi's group: nine, Chloe's group: eight, Prima's group: seven, Lucy's group: six.
While feeling threatened by Carmilla within her own circle, Chloe, who was steadily increasing her group's numbers, was also eerie to Lucy.
Perhaps she had been too naggy with Carmilla. Lucy was gently admonished by Sheri.
"About the person called Carmilla," Sheri said. "I think she reads the wind. She's the type of person who rides the momentum of the wind."
"How do you know?"
"There are people like that. She was insulted by Chloe in front of us, wasn't she? I think she just wanted to get back at her. She might have just wanted to establish hegemony here once and surprise Chloe. She doesn't seem to have the energy to go after the Representative position anymore."
"I wonder. She might just be making it look that way."
"If she were to say it, she's come to know herself. That she's not suited for Representative, that she doesn't have the capacity."
Lucy remembered what Headmaster Dagsaw had said on the first day. Lucy, you will be made to realize who you truly are.
"It's okay, Lucy. I'll try to probe Carmilla's true intentions."
Sheri, who was generally reserved, began to act proactively.
During the free time after dinner, accompanied by Yuffy, she began to drop by Carmilla's room.
Because of this, the time Lucy spent alone in her room increased.
It was a humid night.
Lucy was lounging on her bed, cooling off with the night breeze entering through the wide-open window. The sound of a knock echoed in the room, and she forced her heavy body up.
Daphne was standing at the entrance.
"What is it?"
When she spoke, Daphne entered the cell and closed the door. She gazed at Lucy's face.
Daphne was a beauty with flaxen hair, and she was Carmilla's lesbian lover.
"Um... I thought you might be bored."
"You came to talk? Please, come this way."
Lucy had never spoken with Daphne in depth. This was a good opportunity.
"Come, sit."
Lucy sat on the lower bunk and invited Daphne to sit beside her.
Daphne sat next to her with cat-like movements. Then, with a natural motion, she placed her right hand on Lucy's thigh. She began stroking the thigh.
While Lucy was bewildered, wondering Hm?, she was suddenly pushed down by Daphne.
"I love you, Lucy. I've loved you ever since I first saw you."
"Wait, hold on."
"I know. It's okay." Daphne's face was right in front of Lucy's. "I'm really, really good. I think I'm probably the best here."
"That's not it, wait—ah,"
There was a poignant stimulation in her lower body, and when she looked, Lucy's habit had already been pushed up toward her stomach.
"I understand, calm down."
Lucy gently pushed Daphne's shoulder. The reason she didn't push back strongly was that she remembered a rumor. A rumor she had heard back when she was a princess. It said that lesbians were irritable and became violent when their advances were rejected.
Even though she hadn't believed it, thinking it was a rumor made up by heartless people, it seemed to have been firmly etched into her mind.
Daphne did not become violent and quietly moved away from Lucy.
Lucy straightened her clothes. "Daphne, I am not like that—"
"It's okay. I understand perfectly." Daphne said in a soft voice tinged with flirtation. "That's exactly why I want to teach you properly. You have to learn pleasure. You'll understand once you try it."
"You have Carmilla, don't you?"
"No, Lucy. Carmilla isn't like that."
Though she usually had the expression of a glamorous adult woman, when Daphne smiled, she was as cute as a child.
"Carmilla doesn't mind who I sleep with. Carmilla, Lyudmila, and I are like three sisters who grew up together since we were little at Delacoon Convent. Carmilla treating me like her own woman is just because she wants to protect me."
"In other words, you don't do anything with Carmilla?"
"Well," Daphne looked away. "We do love each other when we're lonely."
"How appalling." Sensing a chance to regain the initiative, Lucy assumed an air of dignity. "We have been wed to the Tenshu. We must love only the Tenshu and dedicate everything to the Tenshu."
"But the Tenshu would be pleased to see His own brides getting along."
"...What?"
"The person who was my mentor nun at Delacoon Convent said so. She's over fifty, but her body is amazing when she undresses. I was taught many things. I'm not smart, I'm slow, I have no strength, and I'm terrible at hymns and often laughed at, but I'm truly confident in only one thing: pleasing girls. Right, Lucy, so—"
"No. I will not. You must have a more wonderful talent."
"Even though everyone is doing it?"
"No. Everyone is not. There are no such stories in Chloe's group, are there?"
Daphne burst out laughing. "No, sorry, Lucy. They are. Everyone is. Chloe certainly pretends to be pure, but thanks to that, Rosary is agonizing."
"Rosary is the most learned person among the first-years. A person who would do such a thing—"
"She is a person who does such a thing. The first person to give me a love letter after coming here was Rosary. If she and I were in the same group, I'd do it to her every night until her hips couldn't stand—of course, the one I like is you, Lucy. A person as beautiful as you—"
"Wai—wait." Lucy stood up from the bed and escaped from Daphne.
She felt a flash of inspiration.
"Wait a moment. Let's summarize. First, you're bad at hymns, right?"
"I don't know myself, but it seems so. They say I'm terribly tone-deaf. Why?"
"You're not good at singing, but, uh, you're quite the... practitioner, aren't you?"
"The best. A practitioner of fingers and tongue."
"Can you charm her?"
"Rosary? Hey, Lucy. I want to show you. I can make her head-over-heels. Rosary is undoubtedly a natural lover of women, but she probably doesn't have much experience. I can make her completely melted with peak after peak of ecstasy. Of course, you too."
"Is the thing about Rosary's love letter certain?"
Daphne nodded innocently. "Because her name was written on it. It said 'throw this away after reading,' so I threw it away."
"It's better that way, as it would be troublesome if the instructors found it. And, did Rosary say she was agonizing over you?"
"I don't know if she still thinks of me. Well, I feel her gaze."
"If you have the chance, you want to do it with her... and make her happy. Is that right?"
"Lucy. There's no need to be jealous. The one I want to make happy is you."
"I like you too, and I don't want to hurt you, but Daphne, I do not do those things."
"You shouldn't say it like that, Lucy. Only the Tenshu knows what the future holds, you know?"
Lucy shook her head, trying not to be swept up in Daphne's pace. "I cannot grant your wish. However, you can help me, Sheri, Yuffy, Carmilla, Lyudmila—everyone in the group."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a request for you."
"Got it. I'll do it."
"No. I don't want you to agree so readily. It's not a simple thing."
Daphne nodded. Daphne's smile was reminiscent of an angel. "I understand perfectly. You want me to seduce Rosary, right? But, there's a problem. It's forbidden to make moves on nuns from different groups. If we're caught, no one will deal with us anymore."
"Leave that to me," Lucy said. "I will surely get you into Chloe's group."
"You really are the lowest kind of woman."
Carmilla said.
After sending Daphne back to her room, Lucy immediately visited Room 13, where Carmilla was.
In the room were her roommate Lyudmila, as well as Sheri and Yuffy. Since the convent rooms are small, there was no space for Lucy to sit.
"I don't think it's an elegant strategy either."
"It's not about elegance. I'm saying it's cruel. But, you know, I like it. It might actually work."
Carmilla said this and licked her lips.
Lyudmila shook her head.
"It won't go well. Lucy, you don't understand Daphne. That girl falls in love with anyone who pushes her forcefully or treats her kindly. She falls for people instantly. If you send Daphne in, she'll just settle in as Rosary's lover, and that'll be the end of it. She won't come back."
"That's not where the cruelty of this strategy lies." Yuffy ruffled her chestnut-colored short hair. "Lucy, you're too immersed in the struggle for group numbers. You've lost sight of what's important as a human being. You're playing with the feeling of someone falling in love with someone else, aren't you? You're making a fool of Daphne, and besides, Rosary too... it's too pitiful."
"I," Lucy began to speak. "I think it's fine even if Daphne can't bring Rosary over. If Daphne finds love in Chloe's group and that love is fulfilled, that's fine. If she can do well in Chloe's group, I want to be happy for her."
"Wait," Yuffy raised her voice. "That just sounds like you're saying you don't need Daphne."
"I'm not saying that. I'm just saying I'll prioritize their thoughts. Listen, my goal isn't to hurt Daphne and Rosary. What I'm aiming for is—"
"Chloe, right?" Carmilla said. "Since Chloe is such a high-minded person of integrity. Physical relationships within the group are naturally forbidden. Though, it's probably not that strict a rule. She likely has the magnanimity to overlook it if the subordinates are doing it all over the place. However, Rosary is different. Chloe must demand the same nobility from her confidante, Rosary, as she does from herself. And that confidante will fall through Daphne's tricks. Ha, it'll definitely be a sight to see."
"What is the point of hurting Chloe?"
To Yuffy's question, Lucy answered.
"As things are, I can't beat Chloe. Unless I isolate Chloe even a little, I can't even imagine winning. If a rift is put between Chloe and Rosary, it will work in our favor. Beating Chloe isn't easy. Rosary finally showed a gap; we must take it."
"Even if you win that way, you'll just be despised."
"It's the same being despised if I just keep losing like this."
"Lucy, I," Sheri opened her mouth. "Regrettably, I agree with Yuffy. Setting aside Rosary and Chloe, Daphne is our comrade, isn't she? At the very least, unless Daphne is convinced, I cannot agree to your strategy."
Yuffy nodded eagerly. "That's right, Daphne's own will should be the most important."
"I understand." Lucy said, staring into the depths of Sheri's green eyes. "If Daphne says she hates it, I won't force her. I'll withdraw this proposal."
Yuffy stood up. "Let's go, Sheri."
Likely to confirm Daphne's will, Yuffy and Sheri left the room.
"I'll go too." Carmilla got off the bed. "Leave it to me. Daphne will listen to what I say."
The cell suddenly became quiet.
Lyudmila lay her large body across the bed.
"Sit down, the chair is empty now."
"Yes. Thank you."
While Lucy was searching for a topic, fearing the awkward silence, Lyudmila let out a low voice. It was a calm voice, close to a whisper.
"Sheri is a good girl."
"Yes. ...Why?"
"Saying 'I cannot agree unless Daphne is convinced' means, conversely, that she'll agree if Daphne is convinced. She probably already knows you've already persuaded Daphne. She probably took on the role of the peacemaker for Yuffy."
"That might be so."
"Why do you want to be Representative?"
There was a sorrowful ring to Lyudmila's tone.
Lucy hesitated on how to answer.
"Rather than wanting to be Representative," she eventually revealed the honest truth. "I want to fight. I don't want to lose for nothing."
"So you just like fighting. Are we being sacrificed for your entertainment?"
"I want to increase our value. Everyone's value. I want to make it known that our one vote is a heavy vote. A meaningful vote that isn't easily obtained. To do that, I have no choice but to fight. Why do you ask such a thing?"
"I'm worried, about you."
"Worried? Why?"
"You'll throw us away someday. I have a feeling."
Lucy frowned. Lyudmila, in her reclining posture, reflected the candle light in her eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"Because you fight, that's just your true nature."
—Lucy, you will be made to realize who you truly are.
She remembered Headmaster Dagsaw's words again.
"You fight, dominate, and rule. You possess that kind of nature."
"—What are you trying to say?"
"You know, Princess Luchentin."
This must be what it feels like to have one's heart gripped in a fist.
Wanting to hide her bloodless face, Lucy looked down. Words would not come.
"My father was a gardener in Malfa City. He died young, but he was skilled. He was often called for work in the detached palace's courtyard. I also occasionally went to Sigihild Palace to help my father. You were full of energy. On bad weather days, you'd bring along a white-haired maid and such. I've spoken with you too. Though you probably don't remember."
"Lyudmila..."
"I hope you're not thinking of boring things. I'm not threatening you. I'll never mention this again. What I want to confirm is whether the princess is just playing with Euryas's group system to kill time. You'll return to the palace someday, right?"
"I have no intention of doing so. I am a person of the church. I will not return. Even His Majesty cannot bring me back."
"Can I believe that?"
"I swear that this feeling alone will not change."
Lyudmila sat up and corrected her posture. In stark contrast to before, her expression was bright.
"Then, I'll swear too. This is the first and last time. So, let me call you Princess."
"What?"
"Princess. You were truly beautiful, Princess." It seemed a distant past was reflected in Lyudmila's eyes. "Everyone loved the Princess, and everyone wanted to talk to the Princess. And yet, the Princess spoke to me, the ugliest and most awkward of all."
"Did I—say something rude?"
Lyudmila smiled brightly and leaned forward. "You praised the color of my hair. Even though I was teased a lot for this hair."
"I'm glad. In that case, my childhood self was not wrong. Your hair is beautiful even now."
—Come to think of it.
Lucy remembered vaguely. Come to think of it, there was. A clan with wonderful orange hair.
"Are you Mr. Raster's daughter?"
"Lyudmila Raster."
"I am Luchentin Alish."
Lucy and Lyudmila both began to laugh.
At that moment, there was a sound. From outside. It was a humid night, and the window was wide open.
She clung to the window with Lyudmila and looked outside.
The voices of insects could be heard. There was no sign of a person.
Lucy and Lyudmila looked at each other's faces.
While Lucy was devising her plan, Chloe was also polishing her own. Her thoughts simmered in the darkness of the night. Though hesitation continued into the next morning, when the morning sun began to rise, it felt as if everything had been clearly illuminated.
In the time before breakfast,
"I wish to hold a representative meeting."
She used her subordinates to convey this message to the representatives of each group. Favorable replies came back from all groups. Group representatives are the kind of people who are troubled if things proceed without their knowledge. Naturally, that's how it would be.
The place and time were that day's lunch.
At a corner of the dining hall table, the representatives of each group gathered.
"Thank you for gathering. I give you my thanks."
Chloe looked over the faces at the table.
Prima was smiling in good spirits, and Lucy was observing the attendees with a composed face. Amalfi had a listless expression.
"I have a proposal for all of you. You've probably guessed it. There aren't many things that group representatives gather to decide. As you imagined, it is about a ceasefire."
The reason for a ceasefire now was that the harvest was about to begin in earnest.
The busyness of this period could be called harsh. Some nuns even break their health. Moreover, if they were preoccupied with squabbles between groups, it would undoubtedly affect the work.
"It's strange, isn't it? We should have just been united from the start."
Prima put both arms behind her head.
"Since we are deciding on a leader to be united, the group system is not strange."
Amalfi said in a low voice.
Prima leaned forward. "Really? Amalfi wants to be the leader."
"Everyone here is aiming for that. Isn't that right?"
"No, I'm just acting as representative because I was asked."
Prima was a bright girl with a strawberry-like outline. Though she had been smiling, she suddenly made a scary face. "I heard you bullied Neeshka quite a bit."
Amalfi laughed through her nose. "Someone advised me that it would be better to do so."
Saying this, she moved her light-blue eyes toward Lucy.
"Could you both leave the small talk for later?" Lucy lowered the corners of her eyebrows as if troubled. "We are in a meeting right now."
Though it was an amusing scene, Chloe spoke. "As Lucy says. I wonder if I could hear your opinions regarding the ceasefire."
"The deadline?" Amalfi raised her face.
"Until the harvest is finished," Chloe answered. "Until the end of the Harvest Festival would be appropriate. Until then, how about a total ban on transfers, poaching, and recruitment of subordinates?"
"I agree."
Prima reacted immediately. Chloe had thought that while Prima wouldn't welcome this proposal, she would likely accept it first. She would want to take time to rebuild the unrest in her group that had spread due to the dishonor of the research exams. The harvest work on the farm itself is a trial for each group. Prima pretends to be frivolous, but her true nature is cautious and steady. She would likely engage in the work by demonstrating splendid leadership. The subordinates of Prima's group would come to see Prima in a new light. That's fine. As long as she stays focused on her own group.
Chloe's target was neither Prima nor Lucy.
It was Amalfi.
The true purpose of this ceasefire was her and her group.
Stop the movements of Prima and Lucy, and prevent Amalfi from making moves. Chloe would take Amalfi's group entirely for herself. Naturally, she wouldn't keep the ceasefire agreement. For now, it was necessary to freeze Amalfi's group in its current form. That's why there was a ceasefire.
"I will agree to that plan."
That Amalfi said.
She fell for it, Chloe thought. She had only intuited that she would agree; there was no concrete evidence.
"What will you do?"
Chloe looked at Lucy. Lucy also harbored seeds of conflict within her group. She would want to resolve the conflict over time. She would take the ceasefire.
Lucy tilted her head.
"I also agree. However, there is one girl who wants to leave my group. She might go to your place."
"Oh, I wonder who that is?"
Chloe narrowed her eyes. It seemed she intended to slip in a spy. It would likely be Sheri, whom Lucy trusts most. Or, it could be Carmilla. If it were Carmilla, there would be a need to be wary of internal sabotage.
"I cannot say who. I'm still persuading her."
"If you cannot say who, I cannot promise that I will accept her."
"I don't mind if you refuse. However, I want you to wait until tonight for the ceasefire to take effect. I will reach a conclusion by then."
"Very well. The ceasefire is from tomorrow until the Harvest Festival. Any other opinions?"
No voices were raised.
The ceasefire was thus decided.
The news that there would be a ceasefire from tomorrow spread among the first-years in the blink of an eye.
"It's generally being welcomed."
It was at the dinner table.
Rosary reported.
"It's also widely known that it was your idea."
"I have one concern."
Chloe spoke about how Lucy was plotting the infiltration of a spy.
"As long as it's not Carmilla, there's no need to fear," Rosary said clearly. "If it's her, let's refuse. It's a hassle."
"Yes, you're right."
Once the problem was organized, there was no need to be afraid. Rosary was good at organizing problems. Moreover, Rosary was honest. She would point out things Chloe didn't want to hear, calmly and logically. Furthermore, her good background was also desirable. Though Rosary's family was not great, she was a donor child of a certain viscount's house.
Daughters of good families are difficult to tame, but once they are made allies, they can be trusted.
—Rosary understands the master-servant relationship.
Moreover, further still.
There was one more thing.
Rosary harbored an illicit love for Chloe.
From the so-called scent that Rosary exuded, Chloe was certain.
—That girl likes me.
Since she had been taught that she must not think of such things, she tried her best not to think about it. Even so, when it came to mind, Chloe felt a sense of intoxication. It felt as if she were being completely affirmed. The poison seeping from immorality was, strangely, sweet.
—I like you too.
She would never say that. If she did, it would end. The superior feeling of being loved was enjoyable. She could not be equal with Rosary. It wasn't just that it wasn't interesting if she wasn't on top. Not being superior was also dangerous.
After dinner, Chloe lost her strength when she saw the nun who appeared in Room 7. Daphne was standing at the doorway.
"Is it you?" Chloe asked, putting doubt in her voice.
"It's me." Daphne was looking down shyly. "The treatment at Lucy's place was bad, so—"
"What kind of treatment?"
"That is, um, I'm treated as the lowest."
"Lucy told you to 'say that,' didn't she?"
"No." Daphne raised her face.
A desperate resolve could be seen. She likely wanted to fulfill the mission given to her by Lucy.
A serious girl, Chloe thought. It was a common tendency for those raised in convents. They ensure their safety by devoting themselves wholeheartedly to everything. Chloe didn't dislike these kinds of girls. These good girls often forget the fear lurking within themselves. They grow accustomed to safety. Even though fear is the only guide to obtaining safety. That's why they are taken advantage of by superiors.
The fact that she was quite a beauty was also good. Dolls, after all, have value simply because they are beautiful.
"Daphne, come here and sit. Close the door."
Daphne did as she was told and sat on the lower bunk. Chloe sat next to her.
"I'll bring some water."
With that, Rosary stood up from the chair by the window and left the cell.
Rosary was attentive. Indeed, she should give her water to calm her down.
"I have no interest in what you seek by coming to us. I don't even intend to try and find out."
Chloe whispered gently, never letting her smile fade.
"It would be a hassle to worry about you. It's for you to decide. You are the one who has reached the time to make a decision. You understand that this is a very wonderful thing, right? To be able to choose for yourself. Such luck is rare here."
"Yes..."
"You know, I intend to have the first ten people who swore loyalty to me be in positions to wield power. You are the ninth. How about it? Can you wield power?"
Daphne had an expression as if she were thinking about something. Suddenly, she made an innocent-looking smile. "If you mean taking care of the subordinates, I can do that."
"Good girl. But rather than taking care of them, it's more like commanding them. You'll be able to do as you please. If you could become that, what would you want to do?"
"...Um."
"Was I too roundabout? If you had power, for whom would you use it? For yourself? For me? For Lucy? Or for everyone's happiness?"
"Of course, for everyone—"
"No. You'd use it for a specific someone, wouldn't you?"
This process was thrillingly interesting. Chloe touched Daphne's flaxen hair.
"I'm sorry, Chloe. I really, really don't know."
"Was my question bad? Is it my fault?"
"No, not at all. Chloe, I really—"
"You received an order from Lucy, didn't you?"
"No way."
"You're lying. You received an order."
"I did... talk with Lucy."
"What kind of talk?"
"Just normal talk. I don't know. No, I, um—that's right. Singing."
"What?"
"I was asked about singing. If I was good at it..."
"Are you good at it?"
"No. I don't know myself, but apparently I'm not good."
"I see."
With that, Chloe looked down and laughed.
The nuns of Euryas Convent have a custom of performing hymns at the harvest festival of the nearby Fibril Village. If Daphne is tone-deaf, she might be a burden during the hymn performance.
However, if that was Lucy's aim, it was a complete joke.
If she's bad at singing, just don't make her sing. There are various ways, like making her open and close her mouth convincingly.
"You're in for a hard time from now on, you know?"
Daphne was frightened.
"The girls in my group are all born with evil natures. I wonder if you can endure it."
Chloe stroked Daphne's shoulder, intending to comfort her.
This is good. She's now level with Amalfi's group. Amalfi's group: nine, Chloe's group: nine. Prima's group is seven, and Lucy's group is five. If she can persuade Amalfi and take the group as a whole, the match is practically decided.
The door opened.
Rosary was standing there with a wooden cup. Her breathing was rough. It seemed she had gone all the way to the well to draw water, rather than using the water jar.
"Rosary, a newcomer. Take care of her. Don't bully her."