EPILOGUE

In the center of Asterisk’s administrative area stood the Festa Executive Headquarters.

It was one of the tallest skyscrapers in Asterisk, and the office of Executive Committee Chairman Madiath Mesa was on its top floor.

The layout was similar to that of the student council room at Seidoukan Academy. The glass walls provided a complete view of Asterisk. All the furniture, including the sofas and desk, were of the finest quality, and overall, the room had a tranquil air.

Ayato and Julis faced Madiath in his office to hear his report on the earlier incident.

“Ah, thank you for coming,” he welcomed them. “There was a lot going on with the Phoenix tournament, so it took us some time to sort through it all. Oh—please, have a seat.”

They sat on the sofa across the table from him.

It had been a month since the Phoenix had ended. Their summer vacation of dawdling was already over, and the season had shifted into autumn.

“So, let me get straight to the point. Regarding the kidnapping of Miss Flora Klemm—I imagine you’ve already heard, but the leaders of the mafia group thought to be behind the crime were recently apprehended.” Madiath exhaled quietly.

Frowning, Ayato and Julis waited for him to continue.

“They were running the casino where Miss Klemm was being held and were involved in many other illegal activities, including a betting house for the Phoenix. They had fixed the odds a little too high, so they really couldn’t afford to have you two win. On the other hand, they would have had to refund the bets placed if you had forfeited. That was how they arrived at the idea to stop you from using the Ser Veresta. Most are denying the charges, but we were able to collect solid evidence from their headquarters.” Madiath slumped a little, smiling awkwardly. “You don’t look very convinced.”

“Of course not,” Julis said. “It was obviously—”

“Please, just a moment. Needless to say, the city guard takes your testimony very seriously, and we’re continuing to investigate along those lines. But we haven’t been able to find this Dante whom Miss Sasamiya and Miss Toudou allegedly fought. And, I hope you’ll forgive me for hesitating to name names, but nor can we find any evidence linking the crime to a specific school or to their intelligence apparatus.”

Ayato could almost hear Julis grinding her teeth.

“Of course, many members of this mafia group are current Le Wolfe students. So on that point, the school bears some accountability. We’re of course considering punishment, and depending on the outcome, severe penalties, such as deductions of Festa points, may be levied.”

Deducting Festa points was a harsh punishment, but Le Wolfe had been subjected to it more than a few times in the past. Hardly anyone would blink if it happened again.

“I’m also told that the head of the city guard has taken a strong personal interest in this case. The investigation is expected to continue, so I must ask for your patience.”

“…We understand.” Julis nodded grudgingly. She was tired of being angry about this entire thing.

Ayato could sympathize, but if he was the target, then Julis and Flora were collateral damage. If Dirk got away with what he’d done, he wouldn’t be able to let that slide.

“Speaking for the Executive Committee, this is an absolutely deplorable act. We’re considering strengthening security for the contestants, and their families and friends.” With that, Madiath stood. “If anything else comes up, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If it’s something in my power, I promise my utmost cooperation.”

Ayato shook his extended hand, and Madiath’s expression suddenly softened.

“By the way, Mr. Amagiri, I hear that you used your victor’s wish to request a search for your sister.”

“Huh…? Um, yes.” The change of subject caught Ayato by surprise, but then he nodded.

Winners of a Festa tournament were granted any wish they desired.

That was the selling point for competing, anyway. In actuality, of course, there were limits.

It was impossible to bring the dead back to life, for instance; and even in this day and age most wishes that significantly violated another’s human rights would not be granted. (Although it was said that there were plenty of loopholes around this latter stipulation.)

Julis had wished for money, as she had said she would, and the integrated enterprise foundation offered an incredible sum.

She used it to pay off the debts of several orphanages in Lieseltania and then bought the institutions. She was saving the rest for future administrative costs.

Ayato, for his part, had asked for his sister to be found. Unlike Julis’s wish, there was no guarantee of results, but if the IEFs could not find her, there was nothing else he could do.

“If she went missing here in Asterisk, there must be a clue somewhere,” Madiath said. “I’m praying for her safe return.”

“Thank you.”

There was something affectionate in Madiath’s words.

Even though it puzzled him, he left the room with a polite bow.

“Phew…”

With a sigh, Madiath sat back down in his chair after seeing Ayato and Julis off.

At the same time, one of his many mobile devices signaled an incoming call, and he opened an air-window. “…You’ve certainly managed to make a lot of work for me.”

“Peh! I was trying to do you a favor.” The rusty-haired young man on the screen scoffed irritably.

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“You should know the power of the Ser Veresta better than anyone. And he’s her brother. Sooner or later, he’s gonna mess up the plan.”

“Even so, your methods were too rough this time. I’d appreciate it if you exercised a little more restraint. Although I can see how you may have wanted to kill two birds with one stone by getting rid of unruly factions in the Rotlicht…”

As Madiath gave him a mild talking to, the young man only scowled deeper.

“I let them run around on purpose just for times like this. They have to be useful once in a while. Still, I lost one of my Cats, so I’d say I barely broke even.”

“Hmm… Well, no matter. I’ll let this one slide. What happened with her?”

“I convinced her to hear us out…but are you sure about bringing her into this? She’s better than that crazy bitch with Tenorio, but seriously, she’s got a few screws loose herself.”

“You saw what her Puppets can do. We need all the help we can get. Besides, I have no intention of telling her about the plan.”

“…That would be smart.”

“Well, I’m counting on you to carry out the negotiations. You know I can’t get involved directly. We’ll talk again.”

But just as Madiath was about to end the call, the young man interrupted.

“By the way, you feel like explaining your relationship with that girl yet?”

“Really, this again?” Madiath made an exaggerated sigh and a forced smile. “Sorry, but I’m not going to tell you. It’s a personal matter.”

This time, he did end the call.

“He’s more persistent than I thought…,” he grumbled, then touched his mobile device again.

The dark air-window displayed a new image. But this time, it was not a call. It was a feed from a monitoring camera.

The screen displayed a lone girl, asleep on a large bed.

“Now, what’s to be done about this…?”

Madiath let out another sigh as he gazed at the image of the sleeping girl—Haruka Amagiri.