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Shown the pendant, Professor Liens was befuddled at first, but then his eyes opened wide in shock. Finally, with difficulty, he opened his mouth.

「To think you were Central’s princess.」
「I’m not actually a princess, but I was indeed adopted by Mother Fii.」
「Pedantics aside, you are still the princess of Central.」
「I do understand that.」

Which is why I don’t refute it often; besides, there are times when it makes things easier for us. Having “princess” even just as a title also makes it easy to relay how much influence we have.
That aside, it’s safe to consider this experiment a success. People of certain positions at least know what this emblem signifies. In other words, it can function as material proof that we’re Mother Fii’s daughter.

If the time comes when we are forced to reveal that we’re Central’s princess-like figure, it’s easy enough to assert it, but there’s no assurance that everyone we meet will take our words at face value.
There’s no point in revealing our identity if it can’t serve as a deterrent. The people I’ve revealed myself to, like the royal family and heads of major organizations, were probably required to know the meaning of this emblem, so I wanted to see if it works on teachers and other middle-level professionals as well.

And since it worked on Professor Liens, commoners aside, it should have some influence on nobles.

「With you being the princess of Central, I suppose it’s no wonder that you knew I was researching a taboo, huh.」
「So you understand that much.」
「It’s commonly said that it shouldn’t be a surprise for the mistress to have knowledge of everything, after all. Besides, it’s speculated that she’s connected to the divine.」

She has occupied Central for several lifetime’s worth of time, so there’s sure to be speculation abound. Speaking of which, no one can keep secrets from Mother Fii within Central’s domain, but without this context, it’s not surprising if people to think that she just knows everything.
Regardless, I’m glad this conversation’s going smoothly.

「Since you already know that much, I will be carrying out my task, then. Please stop your taboo-aligned research immediately.」
「… That’s something I can’t do.」
「Is it because you’re under orders?」

I asked, hoping that this was the case, but considering how firm and resolute his response was, it’s probably not―even if he was, he’s probably a willing accomplice anyway.
And it seems like my suspicion was correct, as Professor Liens shook his head and gave a firm denial.

「No, it’s personal research.」
「Suspected as much. However, if this ever bears fruit, you’re going to die, you know?」
「I’m well aware of that.」
「The divine punishment erases your results without any trace for the world to remember, you know?」
「…―That is a bit sad. Still, not a problem with me dead by then.」
「Not even death would stop you?」
「Unfortunately so.」

Seeing Professor Liens answer with a carefree tone unlike before, I’m inclined to think that nothing can probably sway him.
He’s aware that he’ll die and won’t even stop even if his final product is destroyed without a single trace, and we don’t even know what motivates his research.

『Why is he so adamant about committing the taboo?』
『Let me try asking.』

「Why are you so adamant about continuing your taboo research?」
「Well… It’s because I want to create the greatest masterpiece I can, I suppose. A masterpiece so great that no one can refute its greatness. A masterpiece that no one can ever top even in the future.」
「And so, the taboo.」
「Precisely. Receiving divine punishment for your work would mean that you have crafted something acknowledged by the very gods themselves.」

Professor Liens responded with a weirdly excited tone, which is a bit scary.
No one can blame me for thinking that he has several screws loose for wanting to create something that would trigger a divine punishment just to get the recognition of the gods.

Still, it’s not like I’m any better considering how I previously planned to erase my very existence for Ciel’s sake. So it’s not like I can’t understand having something you deem more valuable than your life.

That aside, that did give me something to persuade Professor Liens with, so I’ll try it out.

「I was told that you will successfully achieve the taboo in the near future. Knowing that, there’s really no need to put your life on the line, is there?」
「There’s no assurance that you’re speaking the truth. Besides, if that is true, then that would confirm that I’m currently on the right track.」
「I thought you would say that.」

Persuading people like him is far too much for me.
Talking him out of this isn’t our goal anyway, so I guess we can go home now.

「Since it’s meaningless to persuade you any further, I’ll consider my task done and return home.」
「You think I can just let you freely leave with the knowledge of my research?」
「You have learned my true identity, so isn’t that enough?」

Since we know each other’s secrets, there shouldn’t be any concern that one of us will speak out, but Professor Liens seems unconvinced.

「Even if that secret of yours becomes known, it’s unlikely to be a fatal problem. Quite unfair, don’t you think?」
「When you put it that way, that is quite troubling. Still, you can’t really stop me from going home, you know?」
「If you do that, you might just lose your place in the academy.」

True, our secret isn’t necessarily life-ruining even if revealed. It might result in certain weird people approaching us, but it’s not unmanageable, nor does it negatively affect our social standing.
In that sense, it’s certainly not fair for Professor Liens, since his secret could ruin his life and even have him marked for death.

And while I don’t know if he actually means the *’losing our place in the academy’* part, Professor Liens is a teacher and we’re just a student. We are under him in the academy hierarchy, so I can’t deny the possibility of us being forced to drop out.
In other words, he probably wants a secret that we actually want to be kept hidden, but… *hmmm*…

『Ain, can we switch places?』
『Of course.』

*’I really wanted to avoid using force as much as possible…’* I thought to myself, but since Ciel requested it, I switched with her.

「In short, we just need to tell a problematic secret, right?」

As we switched, I was wondering what Ciel was planning when she suddenly gave that daring response.