Chapter 45: Picnic with the Eldritch Godness

A week had passed since the incident, and Emilia was finally discharged from the hospital.

"Emilia! Are you really okay now?"

"Yes! I'm completely recovered!"

Emilia smiled brightly as she said this.

"I'm so glad you're safely out of the hospital. When I saw you getting stung here, I was absolutely terrified."

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Iris. The doctor said the first aid I received here was done perfectly and that it saved me. That was you, wasn't it?"

"J-just a little. The school nurse did most of it."

I'll keep it my little secret that I mixed some of my familiar's essence into Emilia's treatment. I just hope it doesn't cause any strange side effects later... Like growing tentacles or something...

"Still, thank you. You saved my life."

"That's too much praise. I just did what any friend would do."

I can't honestly accept her gratitude because of my guilt over mixing in my familiar's essence~

"Now that you're better, Emilia, shall we go somewhere fun?"

"Great idea! Emilia, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

As I made the suggestion, Freida turned to ask Emilia.

"Well... actually, I had a dream while hospitalized that I can't stop thinking about. I'd like to check if it was real."

"A dream...?"

Freida tilted her head at Emilia's words. I started getting a bad feeling about this.

"There was something like a church, and beneath it was a heretical chapel similar to what we found at the academy. I can't get it out of my head... I need to know whether it was just a dream or if it meant something."

Wait, isn't that the cult hideout Father took me to...? This is bad. Very bad! Did mixing my familiar's essence give Emilia some strange sensitivity?!

"Emilia, that sounds a bit too dangerous for an outing. Let's pick somewhere more fun?"

"You're right. My apologies. Where shall we go then?"

"How about just outside the imperial capital? A picnic with everyone could be fun."

"Oh! That sounds wonderful!"

Oh! Nice save by Freida! As for the cult's underground temple, I'll report it to Felix and the others later, so no worries there.

"Shall we invite anyone else?"

"May I invite Lord Albrecht?"

"Then I'll invite Lord Leonhardt."

Oh my? Is this how it's going?

Following this pattern, I should invite Felix, but honestly, having Felix along might be for the best this time.

Because if what Father said is true, even after they suppress the cult, Claudia and the Witch Association might still run amok saying it's none of their concern. There's a chance they could attack us during our outing.

If it's just us girls, we'd be in trouble. Neither Freida nor Emilia can fight, and if I have to fight, I'd need to use my familiar or such.

And then...

'Go, my familiar! I choose you!'

'Eek! A disgusting monster came out of Iris! So Iris was a horrifying Elsritch Godness all along! I'm cutting ties with you! Stay away!'

'Eh!? No way!'

...this scenario might happen.

I want to maintain our friendships, so this would be problematic. Freida seems to vaguely suspect something, but she hasn't truly seen my evil god side yet. The same goes for Emilia.

That's why having reliable male companions would help keep my true nature hidden in emergencies. Especially if they already know my circumstances - that would be ideal.

"Then I'll invite Lord Felix."

Guess I'll be counting on you when the time comes, Felix!

"Alright then, let's finalize the concrete plans. If we're having a picnic anyway, we might as well pick somewhere with a nice view."

"That's true. Should we go to a park?"

"A park? Sounds great!"

Several nature parks had been established in the imperial capital's outskirts. I remember visiting similar parks for so-called "picnic dates" in the game too.

"How about Gärtner Memorial Park? It has a beautiful lake where you can go boating."

"That might be nice. Iris, does that work for you?"

Frieda checks with me about Emilia's suggestion.

"Yes. That sounds lovely. I'm looking forward to it."

Right now, I want to create as many memories as possible with my friends. After the Golden Festival in December ends, I'll have to leave the capital and drop out of the academy.

"How about this weekend for the date?"

"I don't have any plans."

"Then it's settled."

Now we just need to invite Felix and the others.

I head to the student council room to meet Felix.

"Lord Felix, do you have a moment?"

Felix was at his usual post in the vice president/treasurer's seat.

"Yeah. What is it?"

"This weekend, Frieda and the others are planning a picnic. Would you like to join us?"

"A picnic?"

"Yes."

Felix looks extremely dubious. Did I say something wrong...?

"No... I'm free that day, but..."

"Are you sure this is wise regarding the cult matter, Lady Iris?"

Klaus asks this instead of Felix.

"Well... I can't say everything's completely resolved. While my father and his people are handling the Starless Wisdom Cult, we haven't taken measures against the Witch Association yet."

"Which means there's still a chance the Witch Association could attack you during this outing."

"...That's correct."

Ughhh. So I can't even go on a picnic? Give me a break~!

"Don't worry, Lady Iris. We'll figure something out."

Felix steps up with this assurance.

"Are you sure?"

"I understand wanting to make memories with friends. I'll help."

"Thank you so much, Lord Felix!"

Yay! Felix really is the best~! This'll work out somehow~!

"Then I'll look forward to this weekend."

"Right."

I leave the student council room practically floating with excitement now that the picnic with Frieda and the others is confirmed. I'm practically skipping with joy.

Some time after Iris left the student council room, another visitor arrived.

"Pardon the intrusion."

"Lady Elizabeth, Professor Matthias. What brings you here?"

It was Elizabeth and Matthias from the Rosenkreuz Society.

"We came to report back regarding the cult matter—at least to those who assisted us."

Elizabeth spoke first, and Matthias shrugged before adding:

"The Starless Wisdom Cult has suspended its activities. At least, that’s what they claim. Marquis von Lauenstein suddenly showed up at the Rosenkreuz Society—despite our operations supposedly being confidential—and declared their cessation. Who knows what methods he used."

Felix’s eyes narrowed.

"The Marquis von Lauenstein?"

"That man has dabbled in some seriously dangerous knowledge. I’m just relieved we didn’t have to fight him. Between the Witch Association and a mage like that, the Rosenkreuz Society’s meager pay wouldn’t be worth the trouble."

Matthias’ tone was dry, almost sarcastic.

"Additionally, we secured the cult’s hideout that Iris mentioned. Though, it was already abandoned by the time we got there."

Elizabeth’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

"Seems they’ve built quite a few secret bases beneath the capital."

The underground chapel beneath the church—the one Iris had reported—had been seized by the Rosenkreuz Society. But from there, the underground network stretched even deeper.

Felix’s expression darkened as he asked:

"What about the Witch Association?"

"Nothing yet," Matthias replied. "Those witches don’t leave tracks so easily."

"I see."

The Witch Association.

A gathering of heretical witches who worshipped and pursued blasphemous knowledge.

What would they do next…?

……………………