Exactly 30 minutes later, Theo arrived at Isabella's room, located on the top floor. Guarding the door was Claire, heavily armed.
"Hello, Knight. I've come to meet with the Saintess."
"I was expecting you."
Claire's usually stoic expression relaxed, resembling Amy when she enjoys something tasty.
"Go on in."
With a creak, Claire opened the door, and Theo stepped inside.
"Ah, hello?"
Isabella, sitting upright on the sofa, greeted him.
Theo slightly bowed to her.
"Good evening, Isabella. I apologize for the late hour. Waiting until tomorrow felt awkward."
"Would you like to sit?"
"Yes, thank you."
Theo sat on the sofa opposite Isabella, who then gazed into the void before speaking.
"So, what brings you here in the middle of the night?"
"You mentioned before that our Marquisate is in contact with some dark forces."
"Yes, I recall. What about it?"
"You might also know this, but one of their bases is in the Magic City."
Isabella's eyes widened.
"I had no idea."
She knew about the Waldeurk Marquisate's dark connections, but not that they had a base in the Magic City.
However, Isabella didn't reveal her ignorance.
Shocked by the news, she decided to hear Theo out before making any judgments.
Isabella stood up.
"This might take a while. Shall we drink something while we talk?"
"That would be great."
"Okay, but I only have one type of tea, and it's too late to call for staff."
"Anything but mint or pine-flavored tea is fine."
Isabella frowned.
"Do you really think I'd serve something so bizarre? Even as a joke, that's a bit much."
"Some people I know have... unique tastes. Just making sure."
Theo's thoughts briefly flickered to Professors Mari and Taylor.
As Isabella magically boiled water, she commented,
"Well, you're certainly unique, so it's not strange to have unique people around you."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Yes, you should. Ah, it's ready."
Isabella returned with two cups of tea in her hands.
Theo discreetly sniffed his cup.
'Plain... Americano?'
As someone who lived a disciplined life, drinking coffee at bedtime was concerning, but this was welcome.
Sip.
After taking a sip, Theo began,
"Let me explain further."
He started to share his prepared story, hoping to involve Isabella in his plan.
About 10 minutes later, Isabella spoke to Theo.
"It's a bit hard to believe. You're saying the Marquis of Waldeurk raised taxes in Polaris significantly over consecutive years to fund those scoundrels? And you suspect it's all to resurrect your mother?"
"Yes."
"And these people worship the Demon King, aiming to summon him into this world as their ultimate goal?"
"Correct."
The ultimate goal of [Turning White], as seen in the game, is the summoning of the Demon King into this world.
Theo told Isabella the truth.
Currently, Isabella seemed unable to use [Mind Reading], but that ability could return at any moment.
After a moment of contemplation, Isabella said,
"From what I've seen, Theo, you're not one to lie. But suddenly bringing up the Demon King... it's just too far-fetched, isn't it? There's no real evidence. Even during the era of the hero Ryuk, when demons ran rampant, the Demon King never showed himself."
"That's true."
"Well, you might already know, but the Order is a mess internally. Everyone's so focused on preserving their own position, fighting and checking each other. I'm no exception.
What I'm trying to say is, if I act on your words and mobilize the Paladins, and it turns out to be a wild goose chase, it won't just end there."
Isabella looked at Theo intently.
In summary, she needed solid evidence before she could mobilize the Paladin Order.
The Paladin Order is not directly under the Saintess.
If she were to move the Order and return without results, she might not lose her position as Saintess, but her standing within the Order would certainly diminish.
Theo pulled out a piece of paper from his [Subspace Bag] and handed it to Isabella.
"This is a copy of a memo kept in the marquis's study."
Isabella quickly read through the memo.
『------
The rumors about their demon worship were true.
I was invited to their base deep within the Magic City.
There was no evidence of contracts with the Demon King, but something was off.
The moment I stood in front of a door at the deepest part of the base, sealed with ancient demonic sealing techniques and high-tier magic, my blood began to heat up.
I couldn't verify what was inside.
However, 'something' inside, despite all the seals, was clearly making its presence known.
I've never felt anything like it before. I've encountered a mid-level demon up close, but this was different.
Of course, none of that mattered to me at the moment.
If I could see Alesia again.
I can sell even my soul to a demon.
------』
Isabella was silent for a long while, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
'Insanity... If this document is true, the Waldeurk family could lose everything they've built over centuries in an instant.'
The document was essentially a confession of Robert's crimes.
Of course, there was a chance the document could be a forgery.
But the likelihood of that was extremely slim.
Who in their right mind would hand over evidence to the Saintess of the Renimid Church, whose primary mission is the eradication of demons, evidence that could lead to the downfall of their family overnight?
Isabella, speechless, stared at Theo.
'Crazy bastard. I knew he had guts, but to this extent? What if I had other intentions?'
Unknowingly, her thoughts spilled out.
"What's driving you to go this far?"
"Because this is my path."
"Your path?"
"Not compromising with demons or anything related to them. That's my path."
Isabella gazed into Theo's eyes.
His eyes were firm, not a hint of falter.
There was a madness about him, a willingness to burn everything for his beliefs.
"Ah."
Isabella couldn't look at him any longer.
For some reason, he seemed to radiate light.
'Did the [Demon Sword] choose because of his unwavering conviction?'
Was it because she had seen too many people living aimlessly, only for survival, that Theo seemed like a completely different breed of human?
She was curious about the path he would take.
And she wanted to walk it with him, even if it meant burning in the light he emitted.
Isabella murmured,
"Let's walk it together."
"Thank you. I have some thoughts on when to mobilize the Paladins, when their spirits are high and the timing dramatic, for maximum effect. Would you like to hear them?"
Isabella shook her head.
"Let's talk in the morning. It's well past bedtime, and I'm very tired. The event starts at 2 PM, so we have plenty of time."
"Understood. My apologies for the late disturbance. I'll take my leave now."
"Alright. See you in the morning."
Thud.
Theo quietly closed the door behind him.
Left alone in the room, Isabella hugged a sofa cushion.
"Sigh."
Sleep eluded her.
Any drowsiness she had felt was gone because of Theo.
She had let him go because she was afraid of the expression she might have been making.
Isabella lifted her head.
"..."
She stared for a long time at the spot where Theo had been sitting.
I immediately returned to my room.
"Sigh."
I was exhausted from wracking my brain to come up with ways and words to persuade Isabella.
'Well, I must have done it well.'
After all, I succeeded in bringing Isabella on board.
When the outcome is positive, the journey there tends to be viewed in a more favorable light.
I changed clothes and lay down in bed.
That's when Nay spoke.
─Child. I have seen you anew. To think you hate demons to such an extent. A path that does not compromise with demons or anything related to them... Ah, truly the path of a hero.
─What are you talking about, Nay? I don't hate demons. As I've said before, all I want is to graduate from the academy safely. If I can just graduate, making a deal with a demon wouldn't be out of the question either.
─?!
