My sunset

I was on the roof, watching the setting sun slowly dip below the noble hill district, casting the entire city in gleaming gold.

It was a beautiful sunset. Were they always so beautiful? You rarely see the sun in Helman, so I never took the time to watch them.

…

Once Femto said her part she simply left. I didn’t want to face anyone, I couldn’t face anyone and so I climbed on the roof.

…

Below me, at the base of the arena, the hustle and bustle of Rasheul was still on going but I was surprisingly calm.

But this wasn’t because I came to terms with what Femto told me. I simply rejected it.

She could be lying.

Devils aren’t supposed to lie but that in itself might be a lie. Didn’t Femto screw with me ever since we first met?

My sister can’t hate me. It doesn’t make sense.

It wasn’t my fault! I never asked her for this! She didn’t have to give up her soul just to safe me!

…

I didn’t want to think.

Thinking about it, trying to wrap my head around the implications. It was simply all too painful.

I just want it all to end.

Slowly, I stood up.

The plan I crafted. My fight against Minerva. There is no way I could pull that off. Even if I somehow could bring myself to agree to the contract. I could never train with her.

In that case.

The sunset was really beautiful.

I took a step forward.

…

..

.

BANG!

Something hit me in the back of my head.

“GAH!”

I almost tumbled over the railing! Holy shit, that was close!

I immediately turned myself around.

“What the hell do you think you are doing, you moronic, maladjusted, malfunctioning malinger?”

That was Beatrice (of course) who stared at me very angrily, holding a large metal pan.

“That is my line!”, I shouted at her. “You almost killed me, you psychotic brat!”

“Oh, really? Because it seems to me I just saved you from killing yourself like an idiot, you idiot!”

“I was just having a moment! I wasn’t actually going to do it!”

The ex-witch glared at me. “Good, because it looked to me like you had an unbelievably stupid idea like, duuuh, I just kill myself to save everyone while completely forgetting that half of us would follow you right after!”

...ah!

Right, the safety orders!

...I wasn’t actually going to do it, right? No...not really, right? Shit, my mind is a complete mess. I can’t think straight at all.

Instead of saying anything else, Beatrice merely stepped forward and hugged me.

Eh?

“Hey, Mari?”

“...”

“Femto is your sister. Right?”

I broke down.

I collapsed right then and there and started crying.

Beatrice merely continued to hug me.

We spend a long time like this.

…

..

.

“I had my suspicions pretty much ever since we went on that first date.” Beatrice explained to me. “Then the second one was just all confirmation. Femto wasn’t exactly subtle about this, you know. I think she really wanted you to figure it out.”

“I…” I took a deep breath. “I was so focused on you. I was so sure that you were my sister...I..I completely ignored anything else.”

“Well, I do have that effect on people”, Beatrice cheekily smiled up at me. “But aren’t you glad, I am not? We did have sex, you know.”

I sniffled. “The things Femto did to me in the void...the training...I..the thought that this was Ceri all along. That she hates me so much. I almost go mad, just thinking about it.”

“Then don’t think about it”, Beatrice responded. “Haven’t we established yet that you should leave the thinking part to me?”

...

“Then tell me, Beatrice. What am I supposed to do?”

“Well”, the ex-witch sighed. “Knowing your irritating penchant for dismissing my brilliant plans, I came up with two this time. Want to hear them?”

I nodded.

“The first is to just make you forget.”

“Forget?”

Beatrice nodded. “We get snakegirl up here and put you under hypnosis. We make you forgot the conversation you just had with Femto. Tournament is obviously called off. We flee the city tonight and get someone in Zeth to cancel your tracking spell. I think Cass had suggested something along those lines already.”

“She did”, I agreed. “I refused her.”

“Yes, but I am the person you thought was your sister. What I say should count about 74 times more then that unlearned harlot. Oh, we also need to bound and gag the maid, obviously. Or we can take her with us, if you want to keep her as a pet. She would make a cute Doggie.”

Despite everything, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was exactly a plan as insane as I thought it would be. But I shook my head. “I can’t just ignore reality like that. And I can’t leave Valkyrie behind.”

Beatrice stared at me for an uncomfortably long time.

“W-what?”, I asked, eventually.

“Just making sure”, she nonchalantly responded. “I actually set up a trap to put you under regardless if you agree to it or not. In case I deemed it necessary.”

I immediately recoiled. “How did you even...I mean, what?”

Beatrice responded by cackling. “Have no fear. Would I reveal that information if I intended to turn you into my loyal, mindless puppet? Your mental state is adequate. Congratulations, my champion. You have passed.”

Of course, Beatrice had to be extra until the very end.

“So Plan B. What is it?”, I asked.

“Oh, nothing much, really.” Beatrice grinned at me.

…

..

.

“And that is my plan. What do you think, everyone?”

Once Beatrice enthusiastically shared what we just discussed the reaction was once more one of complete, deafening silence.

“This is even more insane then the shit Daddy came up”, Cassandra finally pointed out.

“If only I had found the Holy Blade…”, Sanakia said while gritting her teeth. “Then my Lord would not be in this frustrating position.”

“And Rice would be a naked jester instead of spouting such cooky hogwash”, Fisti added with a frown.

“Hmph, such an absurd reality in which that comes to pass will never exist, Punchy”, Beatrice spat back.

“Eh, I love it, I'm game”, Sylphid said with a big grin as she patted a bound and gagged Maria. The maid didn’t seem terribly inconvenienced by it. “Let’s do it!”

“Lady Sylphid! No!” Fisti shouted. “Ya can't! We just discussed this! This...This…!”

“Relax, Fisti”, Sylphid smiled. “I get ten more years. That's plenty for me. I didn’t really plan to life past forty anyways.”

Yes. There were many aspects of this plan that didn’t sit well with me. But this was the worst.

Basically Sylphid and I switched positions. Instead of having to just give up her strength, Sylphid will now lose her soul.

It wasn’t fair. Why should my soul be saved while hers was not?

But even if I wanted to offer my soul. Femto refused me.

“Yeah, sorry, Sir but no”, the devil said. “No offense, but based on my new calculations, I just no longer think you’re a good investment. And I don’t do cigarette butt investing.”

“Oh stop your whining already!”, Sylphid gave me a slap on the butt. I yelped. “Valk is my friend! It goes without saying that I’m the one who’s gonna pay the bill. And hey, I even get to keep my strength until payday. Pretty amazing deal if you ask me!”

“It IS an amazing deal”, Femto grumpily agreed. “We are talking about a Dark Lord here. These guys are usually off limits for devils, you know. And that ten years grace period? Give me a break, I’m barely making a profit here, even with Sylphid’s soul.”

These ten years were the only reason I accepted the proposal. Beatrice promised me she would come up with a way to free Sylphid from her contract within that time. As ludicrous as that plan was, I decided to put my trust into her.

“In that case I offer up my soul!”, protested Fisti.

Femto laughed at that. “Sweetie, you’re cute, but if I took that deal I would have to file for Chapter eleven immediately. Your soul isn’t even worth an off brand tohacco cigar.”

...

Femto was back to her old self. And acted like nothing happened. Neither Beatrice nor myself informed the rest of the girls about her true identity, although the way Hebi-san was staring at her. I had the feeling she knew all along.

Beatrice’s plan of course included working together with Femto. Right, Femto. I have to call her Femto. Ceri died that day. This is someone completely unrelated. If I want myself to go through this I have to steel myself and close my heart.

Perhaps that was not healthy, but the harsh reality of the situation was that I did not have the luxury to wallow in self pity. Not when lives are on the line.

Off course, as much as I may say that, training with Femto for a year was absolutely out of the question.

But I can put up with her for thirty minutes.

Right, that was what Sylphid’s soul will get us. 30 minutes. It sounded absurd for the price Sylphid had to pay, but according to Beatrice it would be enough.

Fisti aside, the girls all eventually agreed. Some more enthusiastic then others.

And thus, it was decided.

Operation Valkyrie was officially approved.