After the interrogation with Scarlet Evande concluded, Sylvia returned to the mansion with her, glancing down at Scarlet, who seemed to have fainted and was now sleeping on the bed. She took hold of her hand.

From their clasped hands, a warm heat could be felt.

It was a warmth only the living could possess.

With that warmth, Sylvia finally felt the reality that Scarlet had safely returned, and she breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring softly.

“…Thank you for coming back safely.”

Once, she had promised Scarlet that if the moment came when she needed help, she would do everything she could to assist her.

Yet, when Scarlet truly needed help, Sylvia found herself powerless to aid her.

When Scarlet was willing to sacrifice herself for everyone, she could not even rush to face the witch, and when she heard the news that Scarlet was alive, she could not contribute to her rescue.

Although she thought herself relatively strong among her peers, in reality, she was utterly weak, unable to do anything for her.

The only thing that the weak Sylvia could do for her was to fervently pray to the stars for her safe return, just like when she was little.

That brought her tremendous regret.

To have promised to help in such a loud voice, yet, when it mattered, the only thing she could do was pray.

Still, perhaps it was because of such deep regret that when the time came, she was able to act without hesitation.

“…I suppose I will get scolded a bit, won’t I? For acting on my own accord.”

Looking at Scarlet, Sylvia forced a bitter smile.

She knew it well.

How heavy the words “Astra will take full responsibility” were if any trouble arose.

Such statements were not to be made by a mere figurehead, detached from the power of the family.

Although the elder had overlooked it on that occasion, it was certain that Sylvia would face some sort of discipline or punishment later on.

In the past, such things had terrified her, but now, the thought of anything happening to Scarlet was far more frightening.

Sylvia leaned forward and gently lifted Scarlet’s hand, placing it atop her own head.

Just like when Scarlet had once praised her for a job well done.

This small act seemed to ease her lingering anxiety a bit, and Sylvia, slightly embarrassed by her childlike behavior, addressed Scarlet.

“But I won’t regret it. I’m glad to have been able to help just a little bit for Scarlet.”

The position of heir to Astra, which Sylvia had always despised.

However, today, for the first time in her life, she felt grateful to be the heir of Astra.

Because she had been able to assist Scarlet.

So, she resolved not to regret it.

With that determination, Sylvia left Scarlet‘s room.

“……Sylvia, let’s have a quick chat.”

At the words of the elder, who was waiting outside the room, she was able to nod without trembling.

*

Sylvia followed the elder into his room.

The one who had called her was Astra’s first elder, who had participated in the interrogation with Sylvia the previous day.

He was involved in many of the affairs of the Astra family and held considerable power. Thus, Sylvia felt a bit tense at his summons.

Though he always wore a kind smile, he was the one who worked diligently for Astra more than anyone else.

Normally, he would treat her with respect, but the fact that he called her without using honorifics meant that their conversation would be strictly personal from this point on.

Previously, whenever he had addressed her like this, it was usually to point out mistakes she had made in official settings.

Sylvia, who had always bowed her head and apologized when called in such a manner, decided not to do so today.

She did not believe she had done anything wrong.

Thus, as she arrived at the elder’s room, she swallowed nervously but held her head high to face him.

As Sylvia looked at her, the elder opened his mouth with the same kind and gentle voice as always.

“…So, Sylvia. You said that girl was a friend you met at the Academy? You helped her stay at our mansion because her circumstances were difficult?”

“…Yes,”

“…I see, then. Assisting those in need is a virtue of the wealthy… That said, I called you because I wanted to talk about what you said during the interrogation—that you would take responsibility.”

The elder’s slightly narrowed eyes gazed at Sylvia, who awaited the disciplinary action she anticipated would come her way.

If it were light, it might just be a moral lesson, but in the worst case, she might have to transfer from Aegis Academy, which she had forcefully entered…

But if that was the price to pay for rescuing Scarlet from her predicament, she was prepared to accept it gracefully.

Yet, what reached her ears while she waited, eyes closed, was something entirely different from her thoughts.

“You did well to say that you would take responsibility for that girl.”

“……Huh?”

At the unexpected praise, Sylvia unintentionally blurted a foolish sound.

The elder burst into laughter and remarked to Sylvia.

“Ha ha ha, the heir of Astra should not react so shockingly to a mere compliment.”

“Ah, I… I’m sorry… But, what do you mean I did well? I thought you would definitely tell me I did wrong…”

“Did wrong? No, as you said, it is the spirit of Astra never to forget our debts of gratitude. That you acted on your own volition is commendable. Others would have realized that Astra is still Astra by witnessing your actions.”

With that, the elder smiled gently and slowly stood up, casting his gaze at the framed picture hanging on the wall.

Sylvia followed his gaze.

The inscription on that frame was the saying displayed throughout the mansion: “Astra never forgets its debts of gratitude.”

The elder stared at it and slowly continued speaking.

“Sylvia, do you know why Astra was once able to thrive better than any other in the world? It wasn’t because of our long lifespans or outstanding abilities. It was because of that very spirit. To not forget our debts may seem frightening at first glance, but beneath that lies a call to always act rightly. Astra will always pursue righteousness and justice, and within that, there is a meaning to treat those who strive for the betterment of the world kindly. That is why people would eagerly step forward for Astra.”

In the elder’s room, numerous records passed down from Astra throughout the ages could be seen in the cabinets.

The records of how Astra had endured through the flames that consumed their world tree, the infinite forest that was their homeland.

The elder gently swept a hand over the cabinet where those records were kept.

“So many people assisted Astra in defeating the witch of fury, and it was for that reason that Astra was able to avoid complete downfall despite the odds. As long as we maintain that spirit, Astra will always be Astra.”

Then the elder turned to Sylvia and gazed at her with warmth in his eyes.

“Thus, for your sake—as the heir of Astra—if it’s to protect that girl who safeguards Astra’s future, you may use Astra’s name freely. Sylvia, you have that right.”

Sylvia was not quite able to adapt to the elder’s warm words.

She had always assumed she was just a superficial heir.

Never able to participate in the family meetings, always lingering on the outskirts as nothing more than a figurehead.

That is how Sylvia had viewed herself, and with a bewildered voice, she asked the elder.

“……Did you not consider me just a mere token heir? After all, you never let me attend family meetings and kept me in the dark regarding family matters…”

At her question, the elder paused to tilt his head, then answered with a wry smile.

“……Ha ha, a mere token heir? It seems there has been a misunderstanding… Sylvia, the reason we kept you uninformed about family matters wasn’t to exclude you. It was because you are precisely that important to us…”

The elder hesitated briefly, gazing at Sylvia before continuing.

“……In light of this, there’s a bit more I must share. Astra, since the world tree burned, has gradually drifted from the spirits of the stars over time, wandering aimlessly. We lost Astra’s identity and forgot the spirit of Astra. At some point, accumulating wealth and increasing power became our only purpose. Everyone believed this was truly for the sake of Astra. But that was no longer Astra. Perhaps that is why we have been forsaken by the spirits.”

With sadness on his face, the elder looked into Sylvia’s eyes.

How Astra had changed, the moment that led to that transformation.

The one who made them truly realize who they were.

“Bringing hope back to the lost Astra was none other than you, Sylvia. Your light allowed us to remember that we were Astra. And we believed that you could lead us once again as true Astra. That is why we chose you as the heir.”

The elder approached and gently took Sylvia’s trembling hand.

Then he looked at her and said.

“What kept you away from family matters was time for us to clean up those things that are unworthy of Astra. The dirty and filthy aspects of Astra that aren’t befitting. I didn’t want to disclose those facets to you, who would be leading the future Astra. I hoped the Astra you would inherit would always be remembered as just and righteous. I wanted to pass on the Astra we’ve already sullied only after having cleaned it up ourselves, ending up causing you distress. I’m sorry, Sylvia.”

Listening quietly, Sylvia then subtly asked him.

“……So, I was meaningless to Astra…?”

“……As I have said repeatedly, you are our heir and our hope. Moreover—”

The elder gently stroked Sylvia‘s head as he spoke.

“Before being a family, you are family to us. You are an irreplaceable existence to us.”

Hearing words she had never encountered before, Sylvia felt a swell of emotion.

For some reason, she felt as if tears were about to fall. Sylvia had to sit quietly for a while, feeling the hand that was stroking her head.

*

After some time had passed, as Sylvia, with reddened eyes, was about to leave the room, the first elder caught her.

“Oh, by the way, I had one question to ask, but I almost forgot.”

“……What is it?”

“I’ve not heard from Sator in a while. I wanted to ask if you’d received any word from him.”

Sylvia seemed to ponder this question for a moment before responding with a calm expression.

“……I haven’t heard anything either. He’s a busy man with research, so perhaps he’s just preoccupied enough to forget to reach out?”

“Is that so… Well, you’ve worked hard, Sylvia, so you should go in and rest.”

“Yes. You should also get some well-deserved rest, elder.”

Having exchanged those goodbyes, Sylvia exited the room, and soon after, the first elder received a call while remaining seated in silence.

“Yes, Second Elder. What can I do for you?”

“……I was wondering about that aforementioned issue. We have lost track of where Sator has disappeared to… Have you received any information about the primary suspects? Have you verified it?”

“I haven’t verified anything yet, just seen the information. I should check soon.”

As he received the call, the first elder lightly tapped one corner of the cabinet.

With that, the cabinet slowly parted, revealing a hidden secret space behind it.

From there, the first elder retrieved a document and slowly skimmed through its text.

The plan for the witch’s weaponization.

The experiment had failed.

Considering that a piece of the witch’s heart was missing from the scene, there were concerns that the subject might have escaped during the fire.

Current investigation results indicated that the most likely suspect was—

While reading through the document, the first elder picked up a magical tool that looked like an ordinary rock lying beside it.

The effect of that magical tool was simple.

If a piece of the witch’s heart approached within a certain radius, it would emit light.

As he gazed at the magical tool, the voice of the second elder reached the first elder’s ears.

“……You mentioned that the most likely suspect is Sylvia’s friend? What will you do if it turns out to be true?”

“Well, then it’s clear what needs to be done.”

The plan for the witch’s weaponization.

That was one of the matters from their past that must never see the light of day.

Moreover, if Sylvia were to be held accountable for it due to the resulting circumstances…

No matter how much of a benefactor Sylvia was for saving her life, she would merely be an obstacle.

The first elder recalled the resolution he made when Sylvia had once shown them the starlight in her childhood.

That all the dirty things of Astra would be cleaned up by their own dirty hands.

The past errors they had committed ought not to exist in the future Astra that Sylvia would lead.

“……As always, it seems we need to clean this up quietly.”

Responding thus, the first elder picked up the document that should not be revealed to the world and quietly set it aflame.

The photograph of the red-haired girl that had been enclosed with the document was consumed by the flames, vanishing without a sound.