Episode 5: A Secret Plan to Resolve the Incident
Scene: The Kaon guild house.
The next morning...
Ayumi
Ah, Yuuki, you're awake. Good morning. Did you sleep well?
Ayumi
Huh? Why am I not in my pajamas? Well, um... It was embarrassing to stay in them for this long.
Ayumi
Um, Makoto said she was going out on patrol.
Ayumi
And Kasumi was already away once I woke up... Makoto said she was probably checking up on some things in her room.
Makoto
Oh, morning, Yuuki. Ayumi, thanks for watching the house.
Ayumi
Welcome back, Makoto.
Makoto
It looks like there wasn't anything amiss around here. We can relax for now.
Makoto
... But, the Grieving Goddess, huh. Yuuki, you've caught the eye of a really terrible being.
Makoto
Huh? Is Kasumi still shut in her room? Hey, Kasumi!!
Kasumi
Ahh, sorry, I was looking into something. Good morning, everyone.
Kasumi
I vaguely remembered reading a book that had some relevance, and I thought I'd try digging it up. From there, I was able to verify a few things.
Kasumi
Can I tell you all a little about it? "The Horse Race and the Grieving Queen"... It's an old folktale told in a certain part of the world.
Kasumi
Long ago, in a certain kingdom, there was a stern king and his daughter... A kind-hearted princess. The king decided that she was to be wed to a prince from an neighboring kingdom.
Kasumi
The princess was prepared to accept her destiny... Or, she should have been. But, at a kingdom-wide horse race, she happened to meet a certain man.
Kasumi
That young man was called the "horse race hero," and he and the princess quickly fell in love. ... The king was enraged.
Kasumi
The king had that young man assassinated in the middle of the race.
Kasumi
The princess knew her father was behind the crime, but also knew that he would never be judged guilty. Falling into despair, she took her own life so that the two might be reunited in heaven...
Ayumi
Ah, does that mean...
A flashback.
Grieving Goddess
Why not relax? There is nothing you can do.
Grieving Goddess
I know this well. You have the same scent that I once did.
Ayumi
Huh...?
Grieving Goddess
Resigning yourself to being unable to do anything... Cursing yourself as despair taints every part of your life... The scent of a fool.
End of flashback.
Ayumi
......
Makoto
Hey, Kasumi. This "horse race hero," is this the same guy we saw on the poster in town? I'd never heard that he was romantic with a princess...
Kasumi
All legends are subject to different interpretations, after all. It may have once been factual, but each time the story is retold, the storyteller is free to leave out the parts that are inconvenient.
Makoto
I see... So, you think the Grieving Goddess is the same person as the princess from this story.
Makoto
But as far as legends go... That story seems pretty hopeless.
Kasumi
It really is. If the princess's body has morphed into that demon, then maybe there really is no saving her.
Ayumi
I want to save her...
Kasumi
Ayumi?
Ayumi
Ah, s-sorry. I know this might seem inappropriate, since she's trying to kill Yuuki.
Ayumi
But if that story is true, then... I want to save her. She must have been suffering from all the sadness that was inflicted on her...
Kasumi
... Yes, you're right.
Makoto
Ha ha. You sure are ambitious, Ayumi. Wanting to preach to the Grieving Goddess at the same time as you protect Yuuki.
Ayumi
I-I wouldn't say I was planning to preach...
Kasumi
Ha ha. Well, whatever we want to do, we won't be able to start unless we locate her first. Which means it's time to make some fun deductions. Take a look at this.
Makoto
What are you planning to do with that map of Landsol you're unfolding?
Kasumi
I'm going to place these stamps on it. The site of yesterday's carriage crash was here. Makoto, where was the spot where the vase nearly fell on my assistant's head?
Makoto
Ah... It was here, I think.
Kasumi
Ayumi, you've been watching over Yuuki for a while now, you said. Can you mark all of the places where Yuuki has previously been attacked?
Ayumi
Y-Yes. I've got it!
Ayumi
Umm... The day before yesterday was here... And the day before that was here, and here. Before that, here. And even earlier, here. And before that, here, and then...
Makoto
(H-Hey, hey, hey. Just how many of these past incidents does Ayumi remember?)
Makoto
(Yuuki said he'd been feeling endangered for two or three days, right? Has she been watching him since even before then!?)
Kasumi
(A-Amazing. She might even beat out the Grieving Goddess at being a stalk... uh, never mind.)
Ayumi
... Whew. Thanks for waiting -- this should be everything... um, what's wrong, you two? You're not saying anything.
Makoto
A-Ahh! Uh, sorry about that. I was just a bit surprised, that's all. Haha, ahaha.
Kasumi
I-In any case. Do you notice anything about the locations Ayumi has marked?
Makoto
Hmm? They're all in the market... No, wait, there are places outside, too. In the residential district, and in front of the assembly hall...
Makoto
Huh? These are all... places where a lot of people are watching, aren't they!?
Kasumi
Right. That's what I thought, too. Ayumi has shown us something important. The true nature of the perpetrator.
Kasumi
The Grieving Goddess. There's no doubt that she wants to inflict harm on Yuuki in plain sight of as many people as possible.
Kasumi
Yes... It's as though she wants to inflict the pain that she experienced on everyone else. It wouldn't be strange for her to be gripped by such strong delusions.
Kasumi
At the same time, I can see the idea of spreading terror among bystanders as being attractive to her as well... However, there is no reason to hesitate.
Kasumi
The Grieving Goddess has only come into contact with Yuuki this many times so far... What that means is, she likely believes that she can kill Yuuki at any time. She might well be overestimating her own power.
Kasumi
How fortunate. That's our opening to interfere.
Makoto
Umm, I don't really understand all the small details that well... But you think we can draw her out, is what you're saying?
Kasumi
An event where plenty of spectators will be gathering is happening soon, after all. The horse race that holds such deep significance to her.
Kasumi
If my assistant participates in that race, then what do you think she'll do? She'll have to appear, won't she?
Ayumi
B-But, then, something terrible will happen to Yuuki...
Kasumi
Yes... Something terrible and tragic... That's what she'd like, anyway. But this could be our ideal chance to ambush her.
Kasumi
That's why I'm leaving the choice of executing this plan up to my assistant's judgment. What will you do, Yuuki?
Yuuki
1. "I'll trust all of you."
2. "Riding a horse carriage sounds fun."
Option 1.
Ayumi
Yuuki... Then, I'll do my best, too! I'll absolutely protect you!
Makoto
What Ayumi said. Yuuki, leave it all to us.
Option 2.
Ayumi
Saying something like that to set our minds at ease... Yuuki is so cool...
Makoto
Ha ha, yeah. You really are that kind of person! All right, then leave the rest of it to us -- we'll keep you safe no matter what!
Kasumi
Actually, I think he was being totally honest there, but... Well, whatever.
End of branches.
Kasumi
It's decided. Then, first off, let's fill out the application to participate in the race.
Kasumi
Can I leave that part to you two, Makoto, Ayumi? I'm going to deduce just where the Grieving Goddess is going to attack Yuuki.
Makoto
Got it. Let's go, Ayumi.
Ayumi
Y-Yes. Let's work together!
Kasumi
... Though, to be honest, I think I already mostly understand the enemy's goal.
Kasumi
Assuming that the race is going to be quite lively, the location practically decides itself. I can hardly call this a deduction at all.
Kasumi
The problem isn't there...
Kasumi
Assistant, I'm sorry.
Kasumi
Eh? About what? Well, of course, about the plan.
Kasumi
I can deduce as many things as I want, but unless I put you in danger, we won't get a chance to counterattack against the Grieving Goddess.
Kasumi
This is all due to my lack of strength. My powerlessness is truly wretched...
Kasumi
Funyaa!? D-Don't pat my head so suddenly. Are you going to pet me and say "there, there?"
Kasumi
W-Well, it doesn't feel bad, but...
Kasumi
Huh? We'll rescue the Grieving Goddess together?
Kasumi
Honestly, you're such a character... But that's why we're all...
Kasumi
A-Ahh, never mind that. I was just mumbling to myself.
Kasumi
You and Ayumi both... You're kind. It isn't an easy thing to do, resolving to save the person who's been trying to kill you.
Kasumi
What is it? If I hadn't told you the true story behind the Grieving Goddess, you wouldn't have felt this way?
Kasumi
I guess that's another way to look at it. Then, I'm honored to have helped you come to this realization.
Kasumi
... Assistant. I'm going to promise you one more time. The three of us are going to protect you with all our might, no matter what.
Kasumi
So, together, let's rescue that princess from the darkness she's trapped in.