Interlude

Young Menou gazed out at the waterfront.

The red-haired priestess had left Menou to wait at the harbor while she checked on something. Alone, Menou gazed out at the water, never tiring of the sound of the waves crashing on the beach and drawing back.

Big, constantly moving, vast beyond belief. Staring at the ocean made Menou feel like she might be sucked out to sea, and like if she were, she might melt away to nothing.

“I’m done. Let’s get back to the hotel.”

“…Sheesh, you’re a boring one.”

For whatever reason, Menou remembered their conversation right before entering the city.

Without a word, she jumped into the ocean.

“Huh?”

Behind her, she heard a gasp of disbelief. Then there was a loud splash, and she couldn’t hear anything else.

A world of water.

Her eyes still open, Menou began to sink, letting out a trail of bubbles. The surface of the water sparkled beautifully. As she stared up at it, an arm suddenly burst through and grabbed her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The red-haired priestess had yanked Menou out. Thoroughly drenched, Menou let out a sneeze. The weather was far from warm, and the sea breeze chilled her small frame to the bone.

“Um.”

“What is it?”

“The ocean is…so salty.”

“……” The priestess’s expression was indescribable. Menou didn’t let that stop her from explaining her impressions of the ocean.

“And also, the waves go…zwooosh. They’re very…loud. And it’s also sparkly and pretty…”

“Who cares? Enough. Zip it.” Menou’s Master cut her off brusquely. “We’re going to the bathhouse. It’ll be so annoying if you catch a cold.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Menou nodded. Then she noticed the smell of blood.

It was coming off the red-haired priestess. If she had noticed, then undoubtedly the priestess had noticed, too.

Her mentor spoke without looking back. “I’m a villain, remember?”

Even as a child, Menou could guess that she had just killed someone. That was why she left Menou to wait at the harbor.

But that didn’t really mean anything.

What should she think about murder? Menou’s heart was still too blanched white to form words to describe her feelings.

Menou clutched her mentor’s robes and walked along beside her.

The taboo entity Master had killed that day was none other than the mother of Manon Libelle.