Team villains except me

"Come and bury me."

This was a love confession to Adagio.

Norvia thought that this statement best reflected the extent of Adega's collapse. No one can remain magnanimous day after day in the face of the fear of death; even the gentlest person will break down because of a hopeless future.

"Riley, sometimes I wonder, is it more painful to know that you will die, or to know that your loved ones cannot avoid death?"

Norvia looked up at the red threads on the clue board that seemed to crawl like worms, and she felt that love and pain were inseparable.

"For me, perhaps my own death would be more acceptable."

Yadaijia stood up and stretched.

“I share a similar view with you. So I often think that I was really careless before. I never understood the sadness in my parents' eyes. My happiness was only ended by the truth when they died. I don’t know how many sleepless nights they shed tears. I know they must have been worried about me when they passed away.”

Whenever I think about these things, I feel compelled to live, no matter the method. At the same time, this makes me hate Dantles so much. He caused my two parents so much suffering, simply because of his twisted desires… It's family revenge. But revenge alone is too lonely. From the beginning, I thought I needed to find a partner to work with, because sometimes I want to slack off.

But people in this world are too complicated. Those worse off than me have their own goals for revenge, while those happier than me can't understand why such things exist. Riley, you appeared a little too late. I'd hoped you'd come along a long time ago. I still want to thank Lelouch. If Lelouch hadn't asked me to take care of a child, I wouldn't have met you.

Thinking about it this way, the world becomes even more fascinating.

Adega sighed.

Nolvia nodded; she too found this world... fascinating. Because her family was here. Her home was in this world.

"Laili, although I'm a nocturnal creature, it's still too late for you. As Lulu's client, I think you should rest immediately. I think I've told you everything I need to tell you? Let's talk about it tomorrow. I'll take you for a walk around the neighborhood tomorrow. Finding Dantles isn't something that can be done in a day. Although I don't have much time left, I actually have plenty."

The guest room is next door; I've prepared everything I need. Goodnight, Riley.

Adaja got up and left.

Norvia looked at the cue board for a while, then opened her communicator and wrote down her thoughts in the memo.

Dantles slaughtered his entire clan, but spared his son, who was Adega's grandfather.

This reminded Norvia of how Dooku emerged from the abyss. Dooku used a tree near the abyss as a target for leaving, much like the gem necklace they gave to Abel… In Dantles's time, such devices were probably not yet fully developed. Perhaps Dantles intended to use his own bloodline as a means to leave the abyss.

But why did Adega's father and grandfather both die at the age of twenty? And how could Dantles guarantee that his bloodline would continue?

A curse? Or puppetry?

Is Dooku a descendant of Danteles? Because Dooku calls Danteles "grandfather," and Dooku's common language is not good. Even considering the age of that "master," Dooku could have chosen many other titles, but he says that was his "grandfather."

Dooku's memory is incomplete. Perhaps something happened in the past, but Dooku doesn't remember, and he still chooses the name he believes to be correct based on instinct.

Norvia lowered her eyes.

The night is already deep.

Tomorrow she'll be searching for information about Elrit's past, tracking down Dantles, and also visiting the Abyss scholar Becky Kokak at Yuto Academy. If time allows, she might also visit her senior, Tsukishiro Hana, who works in the military.

Norvia's communicator rang.

Norvia paused for a moment when she saw the video call request.

It's Erin.

When she answered the call, Norvia saw Irene in her pajamas, Fiana outside dealing with the rebellion, and Elrit, who was still awake despite saying she was going to sleep.

This is the squad communication. Hugh is probably busy right now, and Dooku and Spider should be asleep by now.

"What's up, little guy? Dooku's asleep, and Gillan's making me a midnight snack. Hey, Fiana and Nolvia, why aren't you two asleep yet?"

The succubus, with her flowing golden hair, bit down on a spoon, her voice clear but muffled.

Eileen rested her chin on her hand, looking somewhat troubled.

“I was designing the crown… I found a draft of a crown in my mother’s manuscripts. Aunt Qin’ao said that my mother had also thought about seizing power and becoming king directly, but in the end, she gave up the idea.”

The crown my mother drew was filled with elements of the Beast God; she was a devout follower of the Beast God, but I am not. I'm a little troubled… Actually, I'm not that troubled, but in moments of inner turmoil because of my mother, I want to look at you. I feel that as long as I see you, I'll have my answer.”

Fiana's gaze was never on the communicator; her jawline was sharp and defined, making her look like a sculpture against the boundless night sky, seemingly completely detached from the communication. But she quickly asked a question after Eileen finished speaking.

"So, do you have an answer now?"

"Yes! I got it!"

Eileen left satisfied, and Fiana also needed to move to another location. After saying goodnight to each other again, the video call ended up with only Ellit and Norvia remaining.

Norvia had arrived at the guest room, which Adaiga had tidied up meticulously. It was a very cozy room. Norvia took off her coat and told Ellit to get some rest.

Ellit hummed twice, then changed the subject.

"You went to the northern continent, right?"