Ciel got up, walked to the door, opened it, and saw Avena standing outside, now changed into a simple dark gray dress.
Though intended to be plain, the exquisite gold-embroidered black lace still hinted at the garnt’s considerable expense.
“Ciel,” Avena raised her hand, adjusting the thin gold-rimd glasses on her nose expressionlessly. “I have a plan I need to discuss with you.”
Ciel reached out, pulled Avena into the room, closed the door, leaned in close, and whispered in her ear, “Don’t go looking for Adele.”
“Huh?”
Ciel’s swift actions caught Avena off guard. Holding her breath, she leaned back slightly, putting so distance between them before calmly asking, “Wh-why?”
Ciel: “I just received intelligence. Any action you take now could lead to unimaginable danger.”
Ciel thought for a mont but decided against telling Avena about the “Radiance Bishop’s” arrival on the 23rd.
She still had tasks to complete in subsequent simulations and didn’t need Avena introducing more variables for now.
“Is it that dangerous?” Avena was taken aback by Ciel’s serious expression. Her earlier lighthearted mood vanished. “Am I in mortal danger?”
“Yes,” Ciel nodded. “Nia might be able to protect you, but I advise you not to take the risk.”
“What about Adele?” Avena asked curiously. “She doesn’t have a bodyguard.”
Avena wasn’t close enough to Adele to risk her life for her, but if there was a chance to warn her and help her escape, she would.
“My intelligence network will handle it,” Ciel shook her head. “If necessary, they will inform Uris at the Church of the Savior Goddess and ask her to protect Adele.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Avena asked.
This concerned her safety too. If Ciel and her network resolved the entire situation without her involvent, she would owe Ciel another imnse debt.
Two life-saving favors—she didn’t know how she could ever repay them.
What Avena didn’t know was that she had already helped considerably, just only within the simulations.
“Not at the mont.” Ciel thought for a mont, then added, “If I do need your help, I’ll let you know.”
“...Alright.” Avena nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Ciel. “If there’s anything I can do, please inform imdiately. Just co straight into my room.”
After saying this, Avena opened the door and left Ciel’s room.
Shortly after Avena left, Ciel sat back down on the sofa and opened the simulation interface.
Since she was prepared to complete the Reconstitution Ritual, everything was ready; she just needed the right opportunity.
Now, she could only hope the simulation timing would cooperate and not drop her into so abstract, inconvenient point in ti.
Past simulations were mostly out of the question now, as they would likely place her at a ti before she obtained the “Judicator” potion. Therefore, the simulation ti almost had to be in the future.
Preferably before the 22nd.
The simulation interface unfolded before her, her gaze fixed on the future simulation option.
【Future: 12h (Saint Year 741, June 21, 4:05 AM) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)】
12 hours later?
Perfect timing.
Ciel breathed a silent sigh of relief.
She hadn’t been overly worried, though. If the random ti had been later, she could have used the simulation to drink other potions whose rituals she had already completed, like “Instigator.”
It wouldn’t waste the simulation attempt, and she still had one re-roll dice saved, though she wouldn’t use it unless absolutely necessary.
As for the past simulation, she glanced at it—it was set for the 17th, three days ago.
At that point, Ciel had no abilities, let alone the “Judicator” potion. She naturally ignored this option.
“Future, No.2.” Ciel thought silently.
With only 12 hours, she didn’t bother leaving any instructions for her future self in the notebook.
Contacting Uris had to be done as the “Avenger,” and she needed the Radiance Bishop’s letter. Approaching Uris as an ordinary person, only to suddenly beco the “Avenger” after the simulation began, would be difficult to explain.
All necessary intelligence had been gathered. Now, she just needed her future self not to do anything reckless.
A blinding silver light enveloped Ciel’s vision, her consciousness detaching from her body...
...
【Future】
【Saint Year 741, June 21, 4:05 AM】
【Countdown – 23:59:59】
Ciel slowly opened her eyes.
Pitch black darkness surrounded her. She could feel the soft mattress beneath her and a faint, familiar scent lingering in the air.
I just told you not to investigate, and you decided to take a nap instead?
But Ciel couldn’t really complain. If it were her with nothing to do, she probably would have done the sa.
Doing more ans more chances for mistakes. Maintaining the status quo is often best.
Ciel turned over, preparing to push herself up from the mattress, but her hand brushed against sothing soft.
What is this?
“Mmm...”
A soft murmur ca from beneath Ciel, startling her. She quickly pulled her hand back, scrambling backward several steps, nearly falling off the bed.
A rustling sound ca from where Ciel had touched. With a soft click, a small bedside lamp flickered on, illuminating the scene before Ciel.
This is...
As Ciel stared dumbfounded, Avena sat up beside the pillows.
She wore a pale yellow silk nightgown trimd with white lace. Her left hand braced against the soft mattress, while her right pulled the blanket up to cover her chest.
Avena could no longer maintain her usual stoic expression. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she bit her lip, staring intently at Ciel.
“This... why are you in my bed?” Ciel asked, then imdiately realized sothing was wrong.
Though the light was dim and soft, Ciel could faintly discern from the headboard decorations that this room was much more exquisitely furnished than her guest room.
It wasn’t Avena in her bed—it was Ciel lying in Avena’s bed.
Instantly, Ciel roughly understood what must have happened.
Her simulated self had definitely played a prank on her.
So what exactly is the situation now?
Ciel glanced around but didn’t see her notebook anywhere—she hadn’t brought it with her.
“Sorry, I didn’t an to.” Ciel apologized instantly, without hesitation. After a mont of silence, she still had to ask, “Why was I sleeping here?”
By now, Avena seed to have cald down slightly, though a trace of pink remained on her cheeks. She took a shallow breath and said, “You don’t rember?”
Avena felt... that the Ciel before her was sowhat strange.
Not just her hair and clothes—though the face was Ciel’s, her overall deanor felt vastly different.
The previous Ciel had seed more reserved, speaking slowly and deliberately.
But this Ciel appeared more assertive, even sowhat rougher in her movents. Her words seed tinged with impatience.
If it weren’t for the familiar, beautiful face, Avena might have thought she was a different person entirely.
And most importantly, Ciel... had forgotten what she had done?
Was this the kind of mistake the ticulous Ciel would make? They had only been lying together for less than five hours.
As if testing sothing, Avena pulled the blanket tighter around herself, drew her knees up, and hugged them.
According to the notes of other “Psychologists,” this was a defensive posture.
Seeing Avena suddenly fall silent and curl up without answering her question, Ciel felt bewildered.
Although her simulated self could be a little rebellious...
She wouldn’t go this far, would she...?
I... seem to have actually done sothing to her...
A wave of guilt washed over Ciel. She crawled a few steps closer to Avena, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said, “I... I didn’t an to.”
What did I do?
Only then did Avena slowly raise her head. Her dark purple eyes shimred slightly. She looked at Ciel and asked expressionlessly, “Who are you?”
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