Chapter 94. Rest for a Moment, Then Catch Up to Him
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"[I have already discovered the truth!]"
El-Melloi II suddenly declared this while being attended to by Gray.
It was the look of someone who had gathered most of the pieces.
Although it was unclear what El-Melloi II had uncovered along the way, it was certain that the mystery had been unraveled. The most crucial hypothesis had already been established.
"Have you already figured out who the culprit is?" Cyd asked as he wiped Olga Marie's head with a towel.
"It's almost enough," El-Melloi II nodded. "Now, all that's left is to verify it. While there may be some element of risk, I'm confident he will fall into the trap."
Ah, as expected, Gray's handiwork is excellent.
Oh, this warm towel feels so nice...
"I'm already an adult, so I can handle this on my own!" Olga Marie blushed as she struggled, but it was to no avail. "I'm not like that person over there who seems incapable of taking care of himself!"
El-Melloi II: ...
"Pfft, hahahaha!" Although Add said nothing, his grating laughter left El-Melloi II feeling somewhat embarrassed.
It seems... Gray usually takes care of him as if he were a child who couldn't manage on his own.
"Ahem, Gray, I can take care of it myself," El-Melloi II attempted to stand, but awkwardly realized...
He wasn't stronger than Gray!
"It's fine, Master, I'm used to it," the ever-innocent Gray mistakenly assumed that El-Melloi II was concerned about burdening her, so she somewhat forcefully pressed him back into the seat. "I want to repay you, so let me continue helping you with cleaning, changing clothes, and combing your hair."
At that moment, Olga Marie and Cyd looked at El-Melloi II with an extraordinarily strange expression.
Could it be... you really can't manage daily life on your own...
"Gray, you're a lifesaver," Cyd gave her a thumbs-up. "Without you, this guy might not survive."
"I... I just want to do whatever I can to help Master," Gray blushed and lowered her head. "Helping him with little things like this is all I can do."
"No, you've been a tremendous help," thinking back on what his life would be like without Gray, El-Melloi II felt a cold sweat run down his back.
At the very least, his room would turn into an unconventional garbage dump.
"Thank you!" Gray lifted her head, a bit surprised.
"No, it's I who should be thanking you," El-Melloi II covered his face.
Looking back, how much trouble have I caused Gray? She even maintains my favorite shoes. Ah... this is so shameful. I said I'd take her on as a disciple, but how much have I really taught her? I'm just treating her like a servant. What a useless adult I am.
"Hey! Don't go reading my thoughts! And when did you figure it out?" El-Melloi II yelled at Cyd, who was speaking to himself.
"From the first day. Did you think your muddy shoes would clean themselves?" Cyd slung the dry towel over his shoulder and clumsily straightened Olga Marie's messy silver hair. "Someone had to say it, you gloomy El-Melloi II."
"Please don't give me random nicknames," El-Melloi II muttered, his face twitching as he stood up. "It's about time."
"Time for a showdown?" Cyd clapped his hands.
"To reveal his scheme and crush his plans," El-Melloi II adjusted his glasses. "That is my way of fighting."
"I will never forgive the one who killed Trisha!" Olga Marie flipped her hair and stood up. Thanks to Cyd's "rough" methods, the pitiful little girl had returned to her former self—the imposing little princess.
"Let's go," El-Melloi II said, pushing open the door. "It's time to strike back!"
"Yes, Master!" Gray nodded, but after taking only a few steps, she felt a tug on her collar and her feet left the ground.
She was being picked up again.
"I'll take care of your disciple for now, El-Melloi II," Cyd said, swinging Gray in his hand. "Don't worry, I'm just letting her rest for a while."
"Hmm?" El-Melloi II's eyes narrowed slightly. Despite Gray's attempts to hide her face, he clearly saw the matted hair under her hood and the redness on her neck from the cold.
Am I... an idiot?
Charging ahead all the time, with Gray covering the rear against that Einnashe... how could she be alright?
I'm really an unfit teacher.
"Alright, I'll leave Gray in your care," El-Melloi II took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, but then placed his hand on Gray's head. "Rest for a bit. There will be more tasks for you soon."
"M-Master," Gray was stunned.
El-Melloi II's hand was warmer than she had imagined.
"Don't worry. As you can see, I'm just a helpless person. I won't get far," El-Melloi II coughed lightly. "You'll catch up to me soon."
With that, El-Melloi II turned and left the room.
"Hmph, what a stubborn guy... Why are you looking at me like that? Stop it!" Olga Marie couldn't stand Cyd's straightforward "Isn't that exactly how you are?" gaze, and she rushed out of the room, covering her face.
"Just as he said," Cyd placed Gray in the seat El-Melloi II had previously occupied, gently lifting her hood, allowing her silver hair to cascade down.
"You'll catch up to him soon enough. But until then..."
Cyd loosened Gray's hair and softly wiped it with a towel.
"Taking a brief rest is fine."
"I..." Gray lowered her head, clenching her fists. "As long as I can stay by Master's side, that's enough. No matter how hard or tiring it is, because... what's needed there is Gray, just Gray."
"Indeed, El-Melloi II only needs Gray," Cyd said, gently wiping her hair. "That guy is always moving forward, but his gaze is fixed on someone behind him. How far can he go like this on this path of no return? How much will he lose along the way? The king he admired wouldn't want to see such a scene."
"So, I'll stay by Master's side. Although it may be presumptuous, I'll do everything I can to help him retrieve what's been lost," Gray turned her gaze toward the nearby train window.
In the faint reflection of the translucent window, she saw her own figure—a silver-haired girl in a black robe—who, in a brief moment, transformed into a golden-haired girl in knight's armor.
"Before I cease to be Gray."