“The Anbert ducal family?”

“Self-introductions can wait, given the circumstances.”

Haru questioned the man’s words, but he wasn’t the sort to bother answering every little thing. The moment he noticed her blindfold, he turned away from her and looked toward me.

“So where is Lady Roselia? Do you know?”

“I have an idea where she might be, but I’m under no obligation to tell you.”

“I may not look it, but I’m already exercising considerable patience. So if you know something, you’d best speak up now.”

“But how am I supposed to believe you’re from the ducal family? I saw the ship arriving, but even at full speed, you must have only just reached the shore.”

“…”

He fell silent for a moment at my words. He seemed to be debating whether to extend the boundaries of that patience he’d just mentioned. Fortunately, his deliberation ended in affirmation rather than denial.

“I landed ahead of the others. It takes quite some time for the ship to finish its preparations, so an advance party set out in a smaller boat first. I came alone because I was to scout the academy.”

“There must have been plenty of other people to talk to.”

“Not at all. Most of the students were in a panic, and the only adult was busy tearing those students apart. Besides, they weren’t exactly sending friendly looks our way either. Seeing that you two are also wearing gas masks, you seem to be connected to that woman, but still, I had a gut feeling I could reason with you. Is that answer enough?”

“But weren’t you chasing after her? Why approach us instead of her?”

When I gestured toward Lena, he smirked and shook his head before answering.

“Miss Lena, you mean. She’s the only one whose face I recognize, but she doesn’t seem to be in quite a normal state. Far too guarded—I doubt conversation would be possible.”

“Is that so.”

“Look. I know I seem suspicious, but there really is no time. Even at this very moment, something could be happening to the lady. So please, help me. I’m begging you.”

“…”

His final words didn’t sway my heart, yet I could tell he was sincere. Or perhaps I simply wanted to believe he was. Either way, my answer was already decided.

“Alright. Truth be told, we were looking for Roselia too. That’s why we were following Lena—she was the only one with any connection to Roselia. If anyone would know Roselia’s location, it’d be her. Is that answer enough for you?”

“Good. And I’m quite pleased our interests happen to align. I was just thinking I needed someone to explain what’s been going on here.”

“Are you suggesting we go together?”

“From what I hear, there are more people I need to take aboard. A student by the name of Lope, if I’m not mistaken. Would you happen to know that student’s whereabouts?”

“I’m quite close with Lope. Are you here… to take him aboard as well?”

“If you help me, I could put in a word with the head butler to take you along as well. He said anyone who is a friend of the lady is welcome aboard. Though… I’m not sure you’d want that.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You really don’t know anything, do you. Trapped on this island as you are.”

For a brief moment, emotion seeped into his otherwise frigid voice. Only then did he sheathe his sword and ask in a low voice.

“So what will it be? Will you help me?”

“…”

A small conflict welled up within me. But it didn’t last long. I lacked Lope’s ability to cautiously suspect everyone.

And above all, there was a story I needed to hear from him.

“Let’s go. We don’t have time.”

Lena continued deeper into the Annex. Her steps were still cautious, and a deep hesitation lingered about her, but her destination seemed clear. The ruins of an academy where no one lived anymore. We slowly walked into its depths.

It may have been my imagination, but the deeper we went, the more I felt as though someone’s breath was seeping into my lungs. Haru seemed to sense the strange presence as well, whispering in a small voice.

“It’s been a while since I was here. Something feels… a little different.”

“Keep your voice down, Haru. Lena might hear us.”

“Can’t we just catch up to her and ask? That would be faster.”

“We don’t know how Miss Lena might react. No need to introduce unnecessary variables. Let’s just leave her be.”

The man answered Haru’s question in my stead. Engermier, he’d said his name was. He surveyed the gruesome interior of the Annex and spoke evenly.

“To think mere students could do something like this. Or rather—perhaps it’s because they’re students that they could. Honestly, I still can’t quite believe it.”

“But it’s true.”

“Fair enough. Aside from the lady, most of the students on this island are ill-bred noble scions. There must be a reason they were banished to an academy on an island. I’m not talking about you two. I’m just saying most of them are like that.”

“I know.”

“…Still, better to be here than out there, I suppose.”

As time passed, sentiment began to mingle with his otherwise frigid tone. It grew even more pronounced after I gave him a brief account of what had transpired. My curiosity about what was happening outside only intensified.

“What exactly is the state of the mainland right now?”

“Do you really need to know right now?”

“Is it worse than here?”

“I won’t answer that.”

In a way, that was the worst possible answer. If he’d at least tried to scare us—said it was far worse, that we shouldn’t leave—I might have clung to hope out of sheer defiance. But his silence only amplified my anxiety.

But secrets held in the chest are like mischievous children, always scratching at the throat, trying to crawl their way out. Perhaps his throat tickled too, because he eventually spoke again.

“What do you plan to do once you leave the island? Do you have somewhere to go?”

“I’m going to… find my family.”

“Of course. But you’d better hurry, then.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Just that you should.”

…

I can’t even hurry anymore.

I swallowed the bitter story back into my chest. Unable to answer, I simply met his gaze straight on. He didn’t seem to notice my stare as he continued dropping hints.

“Yes. Hurry as much as you can. While there’s still a chance.”

“You say that as if you need to hurry yourself.”

“Shouldn’t everyone? You said you heard the imperial announcement in the classroom on the first day. The spokesperson must have said it then. That the dragons would come in 200 days. Has it been two or three months since that day?”

“Probably… a little over 100 days left, I think.”

“That’s what I figured. But we may have less time than we think.”

The second hand was already ticking too fast, and he seemed determined to accelerate it further. Knowing I wouldn’t get a positive answer, I asked anyway.

“Have you heard anything? About exactly when the dragons are coming?”

“Who could know? We could barely manage observation. We just make predictions based on that. Maybe the elves know.”

“…”

“Well. If even they don’t know, then only someone standing up there would.”

A mortal’s gaze ultimately turned toward an immortal whose very existence was faint. I couldn’t understand why humans always instinctively looked to the sky when they hoped for salvation.

When what was approaching from the sky right now wasn’t salvation but annihilation.

Perhaps it was because we wanted to deny that fact that we’d been trying to recreate the landscape of destruction here on the ground all along.

“…Ah.”

Just then, Lena’s footsteps stopped. She hesitated in front of a large lecture room door, then knocked carefully. Only the sound of that knock echoed desolately through the empty hallway.

“Roselia. It’s me.”

“…”

“I told you to come here if you found out anything. I know who received the marks. So open the door, Roselia. Please?”

“…”

“Roselia…”

Unconsciously, I swallowed dry saliva just like Lena as I watched the scene unfold. Was Roselia really in there? I strained my ears and thought I could hear someone breathing from within.

And when that suspicion turned to certainty, the door slowly began to open. The unidentified occupant regarded Lena in silence before letting her inside. I heard no voice and saw no figure, so there was no clue to identify who it was.

But a scent drifted out. A blend of high-end perfume and cosmetics—an unbearable scent of hypocrisy. That alone made her voice seem to echo in my ears.

…Oh my.

Are you bullying Saya again?

…

I squeezed my eyes shut involuntarily. Then quietly repeated that person’s name.

“…Roselia.”

“My lady…!”

Engermier, true to his loyal butler’s nature, immediately recognized her presence and hurried his steps. With her existence confirmed, there was no need to hesitate. Visibly shaken, he quickly positioned himself at the door.

But just before grasping the door handle, he suddenly turned his gaze toward us. Then he asked in a low voice.

“You are truly the lady’s friends, aren’t you?”

“You’re doubting us now?”

“There’s nothing wrong with being cautious. You there. Hand over your sword.”

“…What. You’re taking it now? Seriously. You’ve been fine with it until now.”

“I didn’t know what might happen. If you really are the lady’s friends, wouldn’t you trust me with it?”

“But—”

“Haru. Just give it to him.”

“What?”

“It’s fine. Just give it to him.”

I stroked Haru’s back to reassure her. Only then did Haru unfasten her sword with a reluctant expression.

“Handle it carefully. Is it this way? Here, take it. I can’t see, so…”

“Is that the only one?”

“Obviously. Unlike you, who seems to have two sticks attached.”

“Enough with the pointless jokes. Stay against that wall. And you, come to the door.”

“Why?”

“I need to confirm you’re the lady’s friend.”

As the long-awaited moment arrived, his caution reached its peak. It wasn’t hard to understand. He was about to reunite with his master after three months, her very survival uncertain. I obediently stood at the door.

“Huu…”

“…”

Then I heard a trembling breath from behind me. Even this stern man seemed nervous as he faced the reunion he’d been longing for.

Then how must I have felt, facing a reunion I’d been trying to avoid?

I couldn’t define it in a single word, but one thing was certain—my heart was pounding like mad. Facing her and the truth simultaneously, my bruised wounds trembled faintly.

Oblivious to my state, he knocked on the door. Then he spoke in an unprecedentedly respectful voice.

“My lady.”

“…!”

“My lady. It’s me.”

“No way… Engermier…?”

Soon, her low voice leaked from inside. Perhaps startled by the unexpected visit, she stammered quite unlike herself.

“That can’t be… is it really you?”

“Yes. It’s me, my lady.”

“Th… that can’t be… no…!”

Surprise. Disbelief. Then joy. After passing through the three stages of reunion, her footsteps rushed toward the door. As if seeing his face in person would finally put her mind at ease.

“Engermier!”

“…”

But the moment the door opened, the person she faced wasn’t him—it was me. Wearing a respirator gas mask instead of my usual mask, hood pulled up as before. Two pairs of eyes simultaneously reflected each other.

“Huh?”

“…”

“You’re…”

Once again, the same process repeated. Surprise. Disbelief. And this time, bewilderment. We weren’t close enough to be glad to see each other, so she wasn’t. She’d never missed me, so she had no words. I clenched my fist without realizing it.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind. Would someone like me—a loner—even remain in Roselia’s memory? Perhaps through everything that had happened, she might have forgotten I existed.

Let’s find out. With a touch of defiance, I lifted my chin. Her breath scattered before my eyes.

“No way…”

Roselia stared at me for a long time. Then, with an expression of disbelief, she uttered a name she’d once known so well.

“…Mute?”