Sonatine

How are you feeling?

Bell has already completed a full checkup and left the infirmary...

As for me, the senior maids keep telling me to stay in bed, so I haven't been discharged yet.

I can't help worrying. Without me, they're more capable of causing trouble.

I should've come sooner, but things suddenly got busy.

I know you've been looking out for me.

So, have things been handled?

The incident at Candle Square was officially concluded as the doppelganger incident.

We summarized it as a phenomenon caused by the power of Dissonance leaking from the black book.

Right, Carnelia's journal, I mean.

We took it in and investigated it pretty thoroughly.

Just as we thought, there was no trace of Void Force like in earlier cases.

Instead... the team detected something closer to powerful emotions or unresolved feelings.

It was too abstract for an analysis report, so I just took it as context.

I simply held myself together with the title of Master Maid, and...

...the fleeting light I managed to look upon for a little while.

Given who the book belonged to, that may not be far from the truth.

How has Ms. Carnelia been since then?

I expected as much when she let herself be taken in without resisting.

She acts like someone who has fulfilled her duty completely, with no wants or wishes left.

Well... Lady Alicia's placed her under special supervision after that.

At this point, even I can't access the matter unless Polaris authorizes it.

...So that's how it is.

She may be the former Master Maid, but she is at the center of an unprecedented incident.

I think even Bell would understand that much.

Though she will complain, as usual.

Honestly, you two worried me the most, considering your connection with Carnelia and all.

We likely couldn't have managed it ourselves.

Still, things worked out in the end, and at least now there's a precedent...

If anything similar happens again, we'll be much better prepared.

Team 3 is available whenever you need us.

I'll come see you at your office once I have a moment.

I also need to express my gratitude to Ms. Lugh.

...Oh, right.

I almost forgot to give this back.

The analysis team says the negative power appears to be completely gone.

But they said to be careful, since you never know.

Strictly speaking, our team should retain custody...

But since it belonged to the former Master Maid...

I thought it was right to return it to Candle Square's acting authority.

Thank you, Ms. Roberta.

Let's talk again soon!

The reversed form of Attunement, rooted in stability and tranquility...

The power to unravel and destroy what it touches.

So you used this power to create the small fracture in the Divine Barrier.

I was told the fracture is miniscule, yet impossible to mend with standard restoration magic.

You...

Or rather, would she consider this would suffice?

I doubt you called me here merely to discuss that.

You placed me under special supervision just to question me about what is already evident.

Surely the Grand Witch of Fairness didn't summon me to waste time on a little interrogation game.

Even if the Astro Sanctum failed to observe my approach to NOA...

I suspect you already knew things would unfold this way, Lady Alicia.

Or am I mistaken?

Just how much do you think I am aware of?

I may have betrayed virtue and justice because I had to, but that does not make me anything more than a Savior.

But I do know that seeing the truth and still refusing to intervene is your principle and your fairness.

To think the former Master Maid, once followed by admiration and praise, would speak so bitterly.

And what I have wished for.

I'm sure you know better than anyone.

And yet, this is where it led in the end.

...Very well. Then allow me to answer.

I certainly did not summon someone so esteemed just for some theatrical interrogation game.

Since you have completed the request of one witch... allow another witch to make one of her own.

What I offer is not an apology for the life you were forced to endure.

Just as one witch once made a request with compensation you found acceptable...

...I am simply offering the same.

Whether you accept the compensation, and whether you accept the request because of it... is entirely yours to decide.

But that is not the case.

It will not be long before the veil is lifted...

...Which means we should begin preparing on our side.