Koneko and Erin got taken to an indoor garden located on the higher floor of the castle. It’s an enclosed place where there isn’t a single window and the only thing they can see and hear is the artificial light, the variety of flowers, and the peaceful water flowing by.
There is a table located in the center of the garden in which Rias, Gasper, and Valerie are already sitting. Koneko and Erin sit on the unused chairs after the maid allowed them to come in.
The Goddess glanced to the side and saw Crom Cruach, who is leaning his back on the wall. After he takes a single glance at the newcomers silently, he closes his eyes right away.
“That person over there is my bodyguard. His name is Crom Cruach-san.” Valerie chuckled lowly.
A cup is placed in front of the Goddess and Valerie pours the tea for her.
“I had Rias-sama tell me about the lifestyle Gasper had in Japan. I hear that Japan is a very peaceful country, Vermillion Erin-san.” Valerie finished with a smile.
“Yes. Japan has many delicious foods and entertainment, Valerie……I mean your highness.”
Valerie chuckles as if she’s finding it funny.
“You don’t have to speak to me so politely, Vermillion Erin-san. I’m also asking Rias-sama to talk to me casually as well. Please call me Valerie.”
“Yes, you should do as she asked, Erin.”
Erin made a small nod towards Rias before responding.
“Yes, I understand, Valerie.”
“Ufufu, thank you.”
Though Valerie is speaking cheerfully, her smile had shadows in them where she looks empty. It is painful to look at and the members can only imagine what kind of environment she has been living in.
“Toujou Koneko-san, you know many delicious sweets, correct? What kind
of sweets are there in Japan?”
“Well, the ones I like are—”
The conversation drifted to casual topics. The daily lifestyle is something new and interesting for Valerie, so she asks the members many questions due to the interest she has.
“I see. The reason why Gasper dresses like a girl is because I played with him by making him wear it when we were little. He was against it in the beginning, but he suddenly started wearing them on his own……ufufu♪”
“G-Geez! Valerie, you can’t tell them that!”
“Oh yes, did you fix your habit where you can’t go to sleep without holding a doll?”
“T-That……”
“Ufufu, I guess not. That's just like Gasper.”
Both of their behaviors are something which puts them at peace. Gasper is also talking without holding back.
“How lucky. I also want to eat cakes in Japan. I’m sure they have a sacred taste in them. I prefer sweets over blood. Human blood must taste thicker, ufufu.”
Valerie is showing a similar response to a normal girl. However—at times she talks to places where there is no one present.
“Yes. ……——I know.... However, that is……”
Koneko whispers to the Goddess.
“There is a negative spiral of ki in the direction Valerie-san is talking towards. You won’t be able to see them with your eyes but even I can sense it due to its presence.”
Valerie suddenly looks up the ceiling and mutters with a sad face.
“……So Gasper has seen the sun before.”
“Yup. Since I have the power of a day-walker……but the same applies to you as well, Valerie.”
Valerie makes a faint smile at Gasper’s words.
“You’re right. But I…..won’t be allowed to go out of here…… Even once will be fine, I want to drink tea with Gasper under the sun. Picnic is a very fun leisure, correct?”
Rias makes a smile after hearing that and makes a suggestion.
“If that’s the case, let’s have one together. Let’s go to the Japanese resorts with the members of the Occult Research Club and you, Valerie.”
Light returns to Valerie's eyes upon hearing the words.
“Oh my, that will be wonderful. Having a picnic under the sun with everyone seems really fun.”
“Yeah, let’s go around the good places of Japan with everyone else. Gasper, you also know many good locations in Japan as well, right? You just have to show them to Valerie!”
Gasper makes a bright expression and nods his head many times at Erin's
words.
“Y-Yes! She’s right, Valerie! Let’s go to Japan together with me! It might be
difficult since you just became a Queen… but once this entire ruckus settles down, you might get some free time! No, I’ll come to get you! Japan is filled with many kind people, there are lots of delicious foods, and the four seasons of Japan are always fascinating!”
“Hahaha, that’s quite the enthusiasm coming from the shut-in Gasper.” Erin said teasingly.
“G-Geez! Erin-senpai! P-Please don’t tease me~! I-I am suggesting this to Valerie really seriously here~!”
“That’s right, Senpai. Gya-kun is asking for a date for the first time in his life. So teasing him is not allowed.” Koneko said.
“Ufufu.”
Rias also laughs as if she’s finding it amusing.
While the group is having their discussion with so much joy, a different voice comes and interrupts all of that.
“I wonder what all of you are so excited about.”
Marius walks towards the group while putting on a fake smile. That instant, lights disappear from Valerie’s eyes. She then answers Marius with an unnatural smile.
“Marius-oniisama. I was just talking to Gasper and Rias-sama.”
Marius greets the members once again.
“Hello there. Sorry for my intrusion. Since I heard Valerie is meeting the guests, I thought I should show myself as well. Am I a bother?”
"I’m sure he is thinking that we are planning on doing something, so he came to check upon us." thought Erin with an eye roll. Even Rias who had her usual smile until now responds with a sour look.
“No, you are not. I also caused a lot of trouble to you before due to my servant 'Knight'.” Rias apologizes for Xenovia’s actions. Marius makes a bitter smile and says
“No no, there are things those from the lower class can’t come to understand when they come into this world.”
“E-Excuse me!”
“What is it, Gasper Vladi?”
Gasper doesn’t even back down and ask Marius forwardly.
“Can you please release Valerie? I will do anything if it is something I can do. So please! Please don’t make Valerie suffer any more than this……”
Marius starts to think while putting his hand under his chin. He then answers and smiles.
“Very well. I will release her. Except, please give me some time. The political power just changed so having Valerie who just reigned as a Queen stepping down right away won’t look well. If you give us a bit of time, then I’ll hand Valerie to all of you.”
Marius faces Valerie.
“Valerie, you may go to Japan. You may live over there peacefully with Gasper Vladi.”
“But the Holy Grail is……”
Marius smiles as he puts his hand on Valerie’s shoulder. The latter is putting on a confused look.
“You don’t need to worry about it. You don’t have to use it any longer. You did fulfill a lot of your duty. So you may be “released” from the Holy Grail.”
“I-Is that true? Oh my, Gasper. It seems like I can go to Japan.”
“Yup! I’m so glad! T-This really is good news!”
The two childhood friends take each other’s hand in joy. Gasper then bows his head to Marius.
“Thank you very much! Thank you very much!”
“No, it’s okay. Fufufu.”
Erias and Koneko keep their mouths closed. They looked at Marius with doubtful eyes since his offer is just suspicious.
Gasper and Valerie are simply in joy without even doubting Marius' words.
"Shall we do something about it?" Erin communicated with her gaze towards Rias. The red head just smiled faintly and shook her head. She caressed Erin's hand on top of the table as if to say "No. It's enough for now." since she thought that the situation might get complicated if they act brashly.
- End of Chapter -