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Chapter 86

Sybilla’s Five Predictions That Reveal the Cause of the Town’s Health Problems

 

「I see, that must be tough.」

 

「Yeah, and dad seems to screw up again… But he said he’d do better, so I’ll wait.」

 

「That’s great. I hope you’ll get along with everyone.」

 

Frederica stroked his head, and the boy nodded shyly.

 

After we’re back at the orphanage, Sybilla told Frederica about the kid.

She explained that the father had committed a crime, that they were a single-father household, and that he had been arrested.

…Of course, she left out the matter regarding the Crimson Salvation Church.

 

Frederica, who raised me and Emmy, has a knack for taking care of children.

I’m sure it will be fine if I leave this troubled child in her care.

 

As I looked at Sybilla’s profile while she teased the kid and laughed, I remembered the conversation we had on our way home——.

 

「——I might have discovered the cause of the illness plaguing the town.」

 

She’s talking about the unexplained disease plaguing Madeira.

It was the greatest mystery, one that wouldn’t be easily solved.

 

「What do you mean?」

 

「I had considered several possibilities. After all, predicting outcomes is my job.」

 

As I thought, she had already considered multiple possibilities beforehand.

She’s as reliable as ever.

 

「I thought none of the information we got was decisive enough… that is, until I got a hint.」

 

「And just what is this hint?」

 

「Before I tell you what it is, let me explain my initial prediction.」

 

Sybilla said as she raised a finger.

 

「One. It’s a poison caused by a disease-type magic that has been spread somewhat indiscriminately.」

 

「How high is the probability?」

 

「I’d say it’s almost zero. It’s too large-scale, and the effect is way too weak for its size. Such useless magic doesn’t exist.」

 

She’s not wrong.

Magic is meant to be used in dungeons. If there’s such useless magic that takes forever to take effect on the monsters, I’d actually like to hear about it.

 

「The second possibility is… this is a phenomenon often seen in villages cursed with death, but it involves cases where poison is detected in the village well.」

 

「That’s… terrifying.」

 

Water is the foundation of all human life.

We need water for everything, from drinking to cooking, washing our bodies, and washing our clothes.

 

But then Sybilla shook her head.

 

「The damage is too great, and even the 『Crimson Church』 won’t be safe from harm either. What’s more…」

 

Sybilla raised two fingers, and a small fireball emerged from her index finger.

She then dropped the chantless fireball onto the ground, where it suddenly vanished without a sound.

 

「Households that use their own magic instead of relying on magic stones to create water will be the only ones free from illness. As a result, any poison will get noticed right away.」

 

Now that she mentioned it, that’s true.

Even if you poisoned the water the townsfolk normally use, the plan is already a failure since there’s bound to be someone who can use water-attribute magic and isn’t a member of the Crimson Church.

 

Sybilla raised her third finger, and immediately afterward, she raised a fourth.

 

「The third is airborne transmission. This involves mixing poison into scents or fragrances, but I didn’t find any tools or scents that indicated such things back at the orphanage. The fourth is that if it’s an illness, it could be transmitted through direct conversation or physical contact, but that would also cause too much damage to the Crimson Church.」

 

「…Then just what caused it?」

 

I stare at Sybilla’s finger.

If she went out of her way to explain all this, she must have known the answer, right?

 

「There was one final explanation of how this kind of disease can spread, and it fits the hint I got, that is——」

 

Sybilla raised her thumb, spreading her fingers wide… then clenched them tightly.

 

「——the foods.」

 

She said as her gaze was fixed on the orphanage.

 

Since we had returned early, Sybilla also raised her hand and said she wanted to cook with Frederica.

However, Ashley shook her head at Sybilla’s request.

 

「No, no, no! I couldn’t possibly let our guest cook! I mean, look at how cramped the place is! Sure, the building’s huge, but the kitchen’s tiny! Classic bad design!」

 

「Ahh, I totally get it. Like, they made the living room extra spacious, but it ended up being useless, or they didn’t think about a place to put the washed dishes, or worse, they didn’t even consider a space to put down a cutting board in the first place.」

 

「Ughh, I get that! This place is exactly that! It’s basically just a glorified oven! It’s designed for one person to work in it! So three people working together here? You can forget about it.」

 

Even when I’m listening to their high-tension conversation, I don’t quite get what they’re fussing about.

Personally, it’s pretty whatever to me… I mean, is it taking up space really that bad?

 

「Alright, then, can I at least stay and watch?」

 

「It’s really not something fun to watch, you know? Actually, could you keep an eye on the kids for me? Those little rascals come flocking to me while I’m holding a meat cleaver, it’s a real headache.」

 

「Ah, that’s certainly a problem. I got it. Well then, you should stay in the kitchen, Russell.」

 

Bothering someone in the kitchen when they’re holding a knife is definitely dangerous… Still, kids are the same everywhere, aren’t they?

But why should I stay in the kitchen again?

 

「Russell-sama, too, please just take a rest in the living room.」

 

「I’ll consider it if you would drop the 『-sama』.」

 

「Well, Frederica-san looks like she’s so fired up too, so I’m just gonna leave it as is, okay, Russell-sama!」

 

…I completely botched up my dialogue choices.

I wish I could go back ten seconds and start over…

 

「Alright then, Frecchi. I’ll keep those kids well-behaved, so I’m counting on you to cook delicious dishes.」

 

「Yes~ I’ll be able to cook in peace knowing I can leave them to you!」

 

She waved at Frederica and began tickling the child who was about to enter the kitchen as she called out the newcomer.

 

「『Men became friends the moment they met each other.』」

 

「Ah! That’s Alec-sama’s…!」

 

「What say you we have a bout with sticks? I’m pretty strong, you know~?」

 

The son of the man from the Crimson Church, who’s clearly a big fan of the Sword Saint, was completely captivated by Sybilla’s invitation. His eyes were sparkling as he followed her out of the kitchen.

 

Only Frederica, Ashley, and I remain in the room.

Since I’ve already said it, I guess I’ll stay and watch over them.

 

「Fufufu, I’ve been teaching at the orphanage for ages, but after seeing Sybilla-chan with the children… I can’t help but feel a bit discouraged.」

 

「Emmy said it too, but… is it true that the way Sybilla closes the distance is way too fast even for Frederica’s perspective?」

 

「It’s true, she’s incredibly quick. It’s one thing if she got a hint beforehand, but no matter how I think about it, she seems to understand and bring up the thing the other person likes most the instant she sees them. I wish I had that kind of talent~」

 

「Even Frederica couldn’t keep up with that speed, right? Before I knew it, everyone was asking, 『Where’s Sybilla?』 I was like, 『For real?』 Like, for real.」

 

She must’ve been really surprised that she had to say it twice.

Frederica laughed at that reaction and nodded in agreement while cutting vegetables.

 

「She’s really amazing, isn’t she? I wonder how she does it. Ashley, hand me the salt and sugar, please.」

 

「Roger.」

 

The two efficiently pass seasonings back and forth while chatting.

They seem to be used to working together, as evidenced by their impeccable coordination in the kitchen.

It must’ve been the fruit of their long relationship.

 

I was standing behind them, absentmindedly watching, when something on the spice rack caught my eye.

Two bottles of white-colored powder. Then there was a thin-leaf rosemary and white peppercorns with their white berries… She’s got quite a collection of spices, huh. I wonder if these were Frederica’s particular preferences.

 

Frederica handles the knife while Ashley sprinkles salt.

It should be an ordinary cooking scene.

 

What is this sense of unease?

Could there be a reason why I have to stay?

…I guess I’ll ask Sybilla about it later.

 

Before I knew it, the meal was ready.

 

「The meals are ready~! I made a whole lot today so everyone can eat plenty.」

 

The pot Frederica had made contained delicious-looking meat and vegetables floating in it.

I see, she must have made the meals with extra portions since a new kid just joined the orphanage.

He’s a lively boy who aspires to become a Sword Saint. So he’s at the age where he had to eat lots to grow up properly.

 

「Good work there, Ashley.」

 

「Oh, it’s nothing~ Frederica really is the best, isn’t she? She can teach academics, yet her cooking skills were also on par with a chef!」

 

「Well, studying is work, but cooking is something I enjoy doing.」

 

「You’ll be a good wife someday!」

 

「Oh, stop that~! I’m already at the age where it feels like I’ve already devoted myself to the goddess, you know~」

 

The church doesn’t prohibit Sisters from marrying.

Although according to Jannet, there are countries that worship a male god, and some of those nations have traditions where Sisters dedicate their purity to the god and never marry.

In this country that worships a goddess, such restrictions don’t exist. However, there ARE Sisters who dedicate their lives to the Sun Goddess and devote themselves to her service, which is sometimes said as 『devotee who dedicates their lives to the goddess』.

 

Hey, Sun Goddess.

Don’t you see how hard-working Frederica is—surely she deserves a better chance at love, don’t you think?

 

「…What is it, Sybilla?」

 

The food was ready, so I started serving it, but Sybilla, who was sitting next to me, looked at me with an annoyed look for some reason.

 

「No~ it’s just, I kinda feel the need to retort a certain someone right now.」

 

「What’s that even supposed to mean?」

 

I tasted Frederica’s cooking while feeling exasperated by Sybilla’s incomprehensible nonsense.

It was mildly seasoned and warm, with a gentle flavor that mirrored Frederica’s character.

The new kid was still awkward, but he was eating so happily while chatting with the others. Which is reassuring.

 

However, even as I savored the meal, I couldn’t shake the words Sybilla had spoken when we were heading back earlier.

I couldn’t imagine Frederica mixing something like that in, and I don’t think Ashley would poison anyone either.

But the fact remained that the children in the orphanage had fallen ill.

And Ashley even rejoiced when the children recovered.

…I just don’t get it.

 

Well, once we’ve finished eating, I suppose I should talk to Sybilla about that strange feeling I had earlier.

Just like back in Seiris, you never know what might become the 『key to victory』.

 

Even the smallest piece of information can become a clue to the solution.

That, I believe, is the true value of this Goddess of Twilight.

Hoping for Sybilla’s impeccable analysis, I downed the water after finishing my meal.