Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The ones doing secret maneuvers

Part 1

A door was opened suddenly without even knocking.

Both Bernhardt, enjoying dancing after a meal, and Lapis, who served at dinner shifted their attention on the door.

The face that was very similar to a toad looked at the two with haughtiness.

"Is it over? "

"Yeah"

Vesalius asked without looking surprised and the toad - Utsumi Kousuke, nodded in a manner not at all related to modesty.

"I perfectly made the power you gave me my own. No one is able to defy me now"

"Good for you", replied Bernhardt uninterested.

Sensing that monotonous tone was teasing him, Utsumi raised his eyebrows.

"Do you have some complaint? "

"Never "

Unperturbed by Utsumi's question heavy with intimidation, Bernhardt slowly shook his head.

"I am truly glad. No matter how accomplished one is, you managed to jump over <<Second Class>> and go straight to the <<Seed>>. Isn't normal to worry? "

"Then......it's fine"

Although sullen like an infant, in outline Utsumi showed consent.

"By the way, I plan to stay here for a little while....."

"Don't mind me"

Bernhardt agreed without hesitation.

"This Pandemonium exists for the sake of accommodating you, the chosen ones. What's more, at present you're the only <<Second Class>> <<Seed>> - you can be called elite among the elite. You can use it as you will"

He was adding one thing to another.

"Luckily, there are plenty of guest-rooms. "

"............"

Utsumi's body trembled at the chill of having his true intention seen through. But he immediately smoothed his face over and showed a nihilistic smile.

"You saved me trouble"

Convinced of the fact that they didn't notice he became frightened from the bottom of his heart, Utsumi left the room.

"Fuu - "

At the small sound made by the closing door, Bernhardt showed a small smile and pressed the tea cup to his lips once more.

"No, he has a wonderful outstanding talent. If not for the issue of his outward appearance, he could be a prime field candidate. "

" - yes"

Lapis bowed her head slightly. Without missing that faint gap, Bernhardt observed his servant only by moving his line of sight.

"Are you dissatisfied? "

".....no"

"Say it. I won't get angry.

Repeatedly asked a question, after a faint indecision, Lapis opened her mouth.

"I'm not.......dissatisfied. Just - "

"Just? "

"I am unable to understand Master's intention. "

"Hmm "

After showing a contemplating manner for a brief period of time, Bernhardt spoke.

"I understand what you're trying to say. The data gathering is almost over. Keeping at it further has no meaning. "

In silence Lapis consented.

"In addition, detaining that boy not understanding etiquette in Pandemonium has no reason. "

The nod this time came slightly quicker. Perhaps he peeked inside her skirt.

"Certainly it could be said it's meaningless stopping in this country further, for the sake of executing the plan. "

"Then, shall we go back to Headquarters? "

"Don't say stupid things"

Bernhardt curtly refused the servant's words.

"Why would we go home now? From here on it will become interesting. "

"Interesting.......?"

"That's right. We certainly accomplished our goal. But people who only live to accomplish goals are miserable creatures. Enjoying the process of arriving at one's goal not only by pushing forward on the shortest distance but straying from it at times - such flexibility is essential for a human. Do you understand? "

Gazing at her master talking about triumphantly, Lapis bends her head slightly to the side, looking perplexed.

"It's because I'm not human........"

"It has nothing to do with that. "

Bernhardt concluded clearly.

"If so, as a being with a heart, let me rephrase that. I don't remember creating you like a doll. It would be troublesome if you didn't follow my orders but making you to obey blindly would have been in vain. "

"......Do even I hold the flexibility to enjoy myself in the process? "

"Hmm, the ingredients for it are all supposed to be there. Or else - you don't want to meet him again? "

At those remarks that seem to tease her, Lapis' facial expression shook for the first time.

"I - "

Little by little, slowly, she spoke with those trembling lips.

"I am - "

Bernhardt quietly looked at Lapis, unable to continue those words, becoming silent altogether. In that gaze, something similar with love dwelt beyond a doubt.

"Hesitating is fine, being worried is fine. Those experiences will make your heart grow. Your heart, still resembling that of a puppet will bud from your own will. Understand that's why I assigned the greatest mission to you. "

"........yes, Master. As you please. "

Although still confused, Lapis nodded meekly.

The gap between that puppet-like reply and her contrastively bewildered facial expression satisfied Bernhardt exceedingly.