The journey to Kalaharis had been in the works for several weeks now, with preparations ticulously underway.
Learning from the mistakes of past expeditions, the selection process had beco exceptionally stringent.
The best emissaries among those who had undergone Candace’s training would participate, but since they had the choice to refuse Candace’s request, the list was greatly reduced.
In the building where they had settled, Dora was sitting in bed with his friends gathered around him.
As they stood side by side, Marie tenderly intertwined her arm with his.
The rest of the group gathered around, so seated while others stood.
"Here they are," announced the dean as she shifted her gaze towards the entrance.
As the door creaked open, a hushed silence fell upon the room.
Eryl stood there alongside a girl whose face remained hidden beneath a veil, leaving her identity concealed from prying eyes but quickly identified by the group.
"I rember only asking for Nosfera," Candace said seriously.
The maid lowered her head and kept her eyes closed.
"She was asleep when you sent that ssage, Miss Candace, I took the opportunity to solve two problems at once."
The dean grunted and turned her gaze to the girl next to the maid.
"So what’s about her? I said I didn’t want to deal with her lineage anymore. You’re not welco here either."
The young girl recoiled in reaction, seeking refuge behind the maid.
"I deeply comprehend the gravity of my actions, and I acknowledge that I am not worthy of your forgiveness. However, I implore you to have faith in in my intentions. My sole purpose from this mont forward is to seek redemption for the sins I have committed."
With a sudden awakening, her eyes sprang open, revealing a firm and unwavering expression etched upon her face.
"We have decided to betray the Queen and I want to join the expedition to Kalaharis."
Confusion clouded their faces as they gazed at the woman. Her statent was utterly incomprehensible.
The queen was renowned for her rciless nature towards those who defied her, making the servant’s suggestion of betrayal akin to a death wish.
"Is this another trick from her or are you just an idiot?" The dean asked.
"So much blood has been shed, so many lives lost, and all could have been prevented if she had just stepped up. I’ve been with her for the whole year, and I can say with certainty that she no longer fears Pride, yet she continues to ignore the situation. I refuse to be passive any longer, please, let join you."
In a solemn stance, she cast her eyes upon the crowd, seemingly anticipating their viewpoints.
The dean’s gaze lingered on her, studying her intently as if trying to decipher her thoughts.
Her gaze then swept across the room, acknowledging each present, as if silently urging them to voice their opinions.
"Why not? It doesn’t seem like a bad idea."
The maid turned around, only to find Agharita standing silently behind her, seemingly out of thin air.
Moving gracefully, she advanced towards the dean, her unwavering gaze fixed upon Eryl.
"What’s the fuss about? Is it because she turned her back on you? Please, don’t act like you’re feeling sorry now when you’re putting your trust in the most notorious criminal in society for this mission."
"I think I personally told you to stop insulting him."
"Oh, where are my manners? But I am not wrong, am I? Master?"
The dean rolled his eyes and turned to the maid.
"You’re wrong, I’m not betting on Dora for anything. The Kalaharis expedition will be done without him."
Eryl and Agharita exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowing in confusion as they tried to comprehend then, as their gaze fell upon her, their expressions transford into pure astonishnt.
Just outside the imposing edifice, a multitude of emissaries had gathered, engaging in relaxed conversations.
"I can understand too, I have a daughter, there’s no way I participate in this stupid expedition."
"Well, it’s either that or the Twilight of Gods."
"Maybe, but at least I’ll be there for my family... huh? Excuse , miss, looking for soone?"
A short distance away, their attention was drawn to a woman who stood captivated by the sight of the building.
anwhile, inside the very sa building, Eryl shook her head in utter disbelief.
"Miss Candace? Is this a joke? Tell this is a joke, you can’t be serious!"
"I’m too old to lie every week, if you don’t want to do it I’ll just call Nosfera instead."
"D-Dean, wait a second... I heard that you wanted to make him a murderer so that Sin would go after the Twilight of the Gods, that’s why he killed so many people, so why would you erase his mories again?!"
"I have no reason to explain it to you, can you erase his mories yes or damn?"
"Miss, people have died because of this!"
As the heated argunt unfolded, the nobles gathered around Dora, their eyes filled with exasperation as they observed the unfolding spectacle.
"It’s so complicated... but Eryl isn’t so wrong. Idiora, since you have your mory and you’re not the Sin, do you really have to do this?"
"The problem, you see, is that your idiora is the Sin. I’m not that Dora... I think?"
"What does it even an?" said Lilith, curling up on herself.
With keen eyes, Dora attentively watched the intense argunt and caught sight of the girl positioned discreetly behind them.
The girl often glanced at them quickly.
"... Solaria?"
Startled by the sudden recognition, she couldn’t help but flinch.
A shiver ran down her spine, causing her to instinctively wrap the veil around her like a protective shield.The words escaped her lips in a voice as dry as the desert.
"... D... Dora..?"
Candace and Eryl ceased their heated dispute, their voices fading into the background as they turned their attention towards the unfolding scene of distress.
"Yes... this is you? What happened? You... wait are you ok?"
With a narrowed stare, he honed in on the girl, watching as her trembling grew more intense.
she delicately lifted the protective veil, revealing the devastating aftermath of her relentless battle with depression.
The sight of her tamorphosis was so devastating that it left everyone speechless.
Her once radiant smile was gone, replaced by a haunting emptiness that reflected the depths of her inner turmoil.
Her body had transford into a re shell of its forr self, her bones visible through her paper-thin skin.
Her hair, once a crown of glory, now hung in disarray, a stark reminder of the neglect she had endured. Her eyes, once windows to her soul, now held a vacant gaze, reflecting the loss and despair that had taken root within her.
Nothing in her shone like Solaria should do, causing her forr comrades to struggle to maintain a stoic facade in the face of such heart-wrenching sorrow.
"Solaria what the hell happened to you?!"
Dora instinctively snapped his fingers, creating a healing sphere around the girl.
It was probably an unnecessary gesture, the girl in front of him was suffering from an entirely different illness, but this simple act filled the girl with a warmth that she had lacked for too long.
"... You rember ?" She walked over slowly and collapsed at the foot of the bed, right in front of Dora.
With each passing minute, the ambiance in the room started to wane.
In the midst of the room, Solaria savored a multitude of culinary delights, each one created by Dora.
She remained by his side, while the others dispersed throughout the space observed them with differents thoughts.
Candace glanced at her, a small ache in her chest.
Eryl noticed it and waved her hand.
"You don’t have to feel responsible, at most you took the logical decision, she is the daughter of Gluttony, if she hadn’t rebelled, she would still serve as her pawn."
"I don’t feel responsible, I’m sad it went to this, but everything is on the users of voracity."
"Uh...I suppose you’re correct."
As Agharita absentmindedly scratched her cheek, her attention was captivated by the remarkable scene of Dora taking care of Solaria with an extraordinary tenderness.
"Are you sure that this isn’t just another of his trick? You’re telling that this one isn’t the Sin?"
The dean nodded.
"Yes, the Sin left him all the control of his body. This one is the Dora we interrogated, the thing from the Rift."
"Like if it was reassuring..."
A pained expression crossed the dean’s face as she focused on Dora.
Eryl, with a thoughfull pose turned to the dean.
"Another reason why I can’t understand your actions. If this one is the sa harmless Dora, why erase his mories? I have a little mory of my ti in the Kalaharis but I can assure you that we need Greed’s power!"
"This is not a debate, I decided that we will not use him anymore so... Uh?..."
In an instant, the door flung open, exposing a woman with striking red hair, soaked in sweat and tears rolling down her face.
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