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I’d love to aid her, but I’ll settle for just cheering her on from the bottom of my heart. Just then, Sumiaria timidly spoke up.

「So Mistress Fiiyanamia and the young ladies really do have a connection to the gods?」
「Right, Sumiaria has only arrived here recently. This manor itself serves the same purpose as a temple, and that should be enough for you to know the answer.
At the very least, Mistress Fiiyanamia herself is an existence very different from us mortals.
The master of this place is not of mankind. Does that scare you?」

One would notice it sooner or later. And those too witless to notice are unlikely to be employed here to begin with.
So I relay it to her in an intimidating tone and observed her reaction.
If her attitude changes due to this, I will have to inform Mistress Fiiyanamia and the young ladies so this possible issue can be resolved.

Sumiaria backed away with a tinge of fear in her eyes, but she seemed convinced by my answer as well.

「It would be a lie to say that I think nothing of it. However, that does answer my suspicions. Central could only exist in the way it does because it is ruled by a being like Mistress Fiiyanamia.
I was not mistaken in my belief that usurping Mistress Fiiyanamia is nothing but foolishness.」

While it appears that Sumiaria already had her suspicions, her reaction is quite impressive.
I, at the very least, was horribly shaken up when I first knew of it.
Her eyes are once again filled with conviction. I’m sure that she’ll make an excellent servant.

◇◇◇

「I called you three here to talk about the matter of sending those two children to school. Saueluna, you, in particular, are highly against them going, it seems.」
「My apologies.」

As we arrived before Mistress Fiiyanamia, that was the first thing she said.
Being called out by name, Saueluna turned pale and lowered her head.

「I’m not actually angry about it, alright? On the contrary, I’m glad to know that there’s someone who cares for them to this extent. That’ll also help them understand that they are always welcome here.
Right, what I want to discuss are the reasons why I decided to send them to school as well as something else important regarding the two of them.」

I already anticipated the topic of the academy, but something else regarding Lady Ainsel and Lady Cielmer?
This piqued my interest, but I simply waited for Mistress Fiiyanamia to speak.

「There are a few reasons why I’m having them attend the academy, and warning an individual liable to commit a taboo is practically just a bonus errand. Even if they succeed in what they’re doing, divine punishment will simply be enacted. Frankly, the supreme god doesn’t care much about it either. It’s simply left in their hands because they can move about.」
「Then why is it?」
「Part of it is because, since it’s a good opportunity, I wanted to act like a parent for them.
I’ve existed for a long time, but this is the first time I’ve ever had children. Moreover, those two are simultaneously the most and least fitting to become my child.」

I understand Mistress Fiiyanamia’s sentiment.
She takes in people like us, but as servants, there is a clear hierarchy between us; we are not her children.
And even if we were to be raised as her children, we would be utterly crushed by the gravity of being Fiiyanamia’s child.

The two young ladies being completely unfazed by this heavy burden is simply worthy of respect.
By virtue of being Mistress Fiiyanamia’s daughter, they will have the attention of people and surely attract trouble as well.
In fact, trouble must have already befallen them a number of times.
However, they do not seem bothered by it at all.

They are powerful enough that it isn’t a bother for them. With all that in mind, they certainly are most befitting to be Mistress Fiiyanamia’s child.
However, they apparently aren’t fit to be her children as well.
With me still unable to understand why, the discussion continues on.

「Another is, let’s see… I think it would be good for them to interact with children of their age more.
Those two have lived their lives as hunters up until now, but one generally becomes a hunter at the age of 15.」
「Right, as the two ladies became hunters at the age of 10 and climbed to A-rank before the age of 15, they likely had barely any interaction with children of their age.
Their rank is far too high to interact with hunters of their age as well, so having a relationship of equals would be near impossible.」
「That’s right. Also, since they’re going to travel, being a graduate from Ostente’s academy will be of merit to them, you see?
For their goals, it’s best for them to be able to travel freely between countries.
Well, I don’t know if they will reach graduation, though. It’s frankly possible that they’ll return here prematurely out of boredom.」

Saying so, Mistress Fiiyanamia chuckles.
I don’t find it to be a laughing matter, but both Lady Ainsel and Lady Cielmer are not the pedantic sort, so I can see them leaving if they feel like their attendance serves them no purpose.
As the two of them are the mistress’ daughters as well as A-rank hunters, dropping out of an academy certainly would be a trivial matter.

「Lastly, they will have endless opportunities to go to school in the future, so I want them to experience it while they’re at their proper age.」
「What do you mean by that?」

I reflexively asked out loud, but Mistress Fiiyanamia didn’t seem bothered by it at all.
Rather, it appeared to me that she was waiting for this exact reaction.

「Let’s move on to the main topic now. Those two —it’s more doubtful with Ain, but indisputably true in Cielmer’s case— are undoubtedly humans.
Normally, they will grow as the seasonal cycles pass and gain a fully matured body.
However, that will never come to be. In the near future, they will step into our realm. No, in Ain’s case, one foot is already solidly planted on the side of divinity.
If she progresses any further, Ciel will be pulled to our side and lose the ability to age as well.
And with full knowledge of this, those two have chosen to continue on. Knowing this, will you three still remain in service to them?」

The mistress didn’t directly respond to my question, but she has practically given the answer.
And it seems that the true reason we were called here was to ask if we are willing to stay beside our soon to be nonhuman young ladies.
If we are willing to serve an ageless, clearly higher-level existence.
It is a bit daunting to think about the future, but Saueluna and I already serve Mistress Fiiyanamia to begin with, so there really won’t be much difference.

「Of course.」
「Naturally, I will continue serving them.」

Saueluna and I responded nearly simultaneously.
Seconds later, Sumiaria lowers her head and answers, “They saved my life. I will serve them until the end.”
Seeing this, Mistress Fiiyanamia had a seemingly delighted expression.

「Yes, yes. I leave them in your hands. But continuing on, I want you to prioritize their words above mine from here on out.」
「Will that truly be alright?」

While we are the young ladies’ personal maids, we are employed by Mistress Fiiyanamia.
Due to that fact, Mistress Fiiyanamia’s orders must take precedence.
However, Mistress Fiiyanamia simply replied, “Yes.”

「After all, those two… Ain, to be specific, is going to be much greater than I am. I’m still more powerful than her for now, but she will catch up, and overtake me in the near future.
When that happens, she will become a being of higher existence than I am.」

Mistress Fiiyanamia said such a thing so casually, it’s giving me a headache.
Still, now I understand why she considered them to be least fitting to be her child.

And that ends our first non-AinCiel POV chapter of this arc! For real this time.

It’s cute how Fiiyanamia is apparently trying her best to be a parent, lol. Not that she’s particularly bad at parenting, but she’s more bad at being… mortal? Or adjusting to mortals to begin with. And with how she quickly pointed out Saueluna’s issue with the girls leaving, you see how creepy/scary Fii can be. Like, seriously, you can’t hide anything anywhere within Central, and that’s even if you’re not hostile against her. Only Ain’s barrier has privacy.

Also, Mohsa being “I feel you, but I’mma mind my own business. Good luck!” with Saueluna was honestly funny. Certified non-confrontationalist right here.

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay healthy, stay safe, and have a nice day~!