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“So now the wretch went for the third time to the house-door, knocked at it and said:

‘Open the door for me, children, your dear little mother has come home, and has brought every one of you something back from the forest with her.’

The little kids cried: ‘First show us your paws that we may know you are our dear little mother.’

Then he put his paws in through the window and when the kids saw they were white, they believed that all he said was true, and opened the door.

But who should come in but the wolf!”
　—Grimms’ Fairy Tales (“The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats”) First Edition (1812)

♢♦♢♦♢

Now then, if I take a look around at everyone gathered here in the “luxurious hotel suite on the outside, fortress command center on the inside” AKA the Thera Maryth Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters’ VIP room, we have—

Deputy Guild Master of the Thera Maryth Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters, Tarki. Guild staff member, Marina. Three armed male guards, supposedly equivalent of B-Rank adventurers (all possessing combat skills).

The five members of the female adventurer group, “Twinfang of the Snowy Peaks.”

Lawrence, a Monastic Priest of the Saintess’ Church, belonging to the Sant’Angelo Sanctorium, along with his six templar knights.

Sir Simon, apparently a young nobleman from another country, and his attendant, Mr. Emil.

Eliza (Barbara), the Shrine Maiden of the Saintess’ Church of the Second District, and her female apprentice shrine maiden attendants.

And finally, myself, who is supposedly the Shrine Maiden of the Third District, along with Cestlavie, who is currently trying to keep as much distance from the Church as possible and working as a common adventurer. A total of twenty-three people.

Since the VIP room is practically one entire floor, it doesn’t feel cramped even with this many people, but the sheer intensity of the gathered individuals is overwhelming.

The guild guards, for instance, may be B-Rank adventurers with the strength equivalent to that of a company commander in the national army, but they’ve completely turned into Villager A, B, and C, their restlessness evident as they fidget by the walls, overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

As for me, someone who’s been nicknamed the “Ragweed Princess,” a former weed with the heart of a commoner, I’d prefer to blend into the background like a wallflower. But for some reason, that’s not an option today.

“—So, the crucial question is, what exactly is the ‘Red Ram’ after? Also, do the Shrine Maiden Princesses actually have any unique abilities?”

In a casual tone that sounded like mere chit-chat, Kaisa scratched her wavy reddish-brown hair roughly and looked back and forth between me and Eliza with an appraising gaze.

…Why is she trying to drag me into this conversation? And also, please don’t casually throw around titles like “Shrine Maiden Princess.” It’s my unofficial name in the Holy City, and Eliza and her group are clicking their tongues in utter displeasure.

Still, arguing here would be a waste of time. Without saying anything unnecessary, I slowly shook my head to deny it.

“At the very least, I don’t possess anything like that. All I can use are ‘Healing Arts’ and ‘Purification Arts,’ witchcraft—I mean, Theocraft Arts and such. I can’t use any sort of unique ability.”

“Hmph, I hail from a venerable lineage of Shrine Maidens of the Church. Naturally, I can use some Theocraft Art supported by proper bloodlines and faith in the Saintess, but the mere thought of using underhanded arts resembling dark sorcery or, heaven forbid, supernatural abilities like a certain someone makes my skin crawl.”

In response to my and Eliza’s answers, everyone present, including Kaisa, who had asked the question, wore troubled expressions, fists under their chins as they collectively murmured, “Hmmm…”

“…Then, what exactly is the ‘Red Ram’ trying to steal?”

Sir Simon’s innocent question prompted Father Lawrence to glance back and forth between us as if trying to gauge something.

The notice itself was vague from the beginning. If it said, ‘I shall appear at such-and-such date and time to steal such-and-such item,’ it would be stylish. But this one only said, ‘I will steal something valuable on such-and-such date,’ giving off a shallow intent that suggests, ‘If I get what I’m after, great, but if not, I’ll just grab whatever I can… Money, money! Ah, profit, profit!’ Hardly what you’d call a noble thief.

“Adelheid, are you really sure you’re not hiding some kind of trump card or secret ability?”

Faced with Eliza’s openly suspicious gaze, I quickly shook my head from side to side.

“I truly have no memory of having any unique ability.”

Although, if you’re talking about other hidden skills, secret techniques, ultimate moves, or special arts, I do have them by the dozen.

“Really…?”

And yet, suspicious gazes from all around continue to pierce me. Why am I the only one caught in the center of all this doubt!? Eliza should be in the same position as me as a suspect, yet everyone’s eyes are fixed squarely on me.

Even Cestlavie is giving me a squinty, accusatory stare. What’s that about!? Are you mistaking me for some kind of jack-in-the-box!?

“When it comes to unique abilities, there are cases where the person themselves is unaware of their influence on those around them. And honestly, that’s even scarier than visible effects like breathing fire or summoning lightning.”

Marina speaks up, recalling the threat.

“For example, ‘Jake the Slaughterer’ possessed the ability called ‘Apoptosis,’ which spread death around him simply by existing. Then there’s ‘Isabelle the Immortal,’ whose ability, ‘Catalyst,’ allowed her to steal the youth of others. And famously, there’s ‘Titania the Wicked,’ who, five hundred years ago, plunged the northern nations of the continent into a cauldron of chaos with her beauty, ‘Femme… Fatale’……”

For some reason, Marina’s words trail off with a horrified expression of “Ah—aaaaaah!” And at the same time, everyone else nods in unison as if they’ve all just figured something out.