Mistress Of The Evil Forest

L-N 2: Hope for the hopeless.

Upon coming back to consciousness, a tingling sensation spreads across my neck and back area.

''U-Ugh...''

Slowly gaining back my vision, the first thing I can make out is a vague visage of a person basked in the starlight pouring from outside. Strangely, their face is replaced by a sparkling... Something. No, this is...

''You're awake, Luxia Neveah.''

An indiscernible female voice sounds, welcoming me back to reality.

''...Miss G?''

The signature galaxy mask, hooded figure, and unreadable thoughts... No doubt, this is Miss G.

''I go by Silaerob.'' The woman closes the book she is holding. 

''Silaerob...''

Slowly, memories of the past resurface. I was walking down the streets, and then... And then what? I can't remember. Suddenly losing consciousness and waking up in Dad's office...

Unknowingly, a smile creeps up on my face.

''Interesting.'' I mutter. ''Mind bringing me up to date, Miss Silaerob?''

At this, Silaerob appears to let out a sigh before pushing a worn book toward me.

''Read it yourself.'' She says.

''Hm?''

The book itself has no title and is relatively small for a conventional one nowadays. Holding it up, I carefully open the first page.

[Diary]

[Today is the first day I've tried writing a diary. I'm not sure what's going on here, but the church people are kind and honest; I like them. They motivate me to become a priest even more!]

[11/2/1735]

Instantly recognizing the dates, I turn to Silaerob and seek the answer.

''This... Isn't this Dad's diary?'' I ask.

''Yes.'' She replies. ''Read from the day you were adopted.''

''Hm~ I'm not sure what you're onto right now, but reading other people's diaries is bad, you know?''

''How do you think I have access to it in the first place?''

''...''

Realization.

The fact that an outsider, who has no business being in Neveah, is sitting on the archbishop's seat right now means that something is critically wrong. What about Wings? What about Dad?

''You...'' I glare at the person before me. ''If something were to happen to Dad, I swear I will rip your body into pieces!''

Without any meaningful response from her, I have no choice but to do as she says. Flipping through pages—years worth of diary—I eventually land on the sole year of 1818, when I was adopted at the age of one.

[Today, a peculiar baby was found on the outskirts of Neveah. She had sparkling eyes and unusual pink hair. Really cute. She also had a lot of potential. Perhaps she would grow up to be a powerful priestess.]

[27/4/1818]

[The baby from the other day has been growing on me recently. She always acts spoiled, which only enhances her charm. Since no one had a good name, I shall give her the name 'Luxia.']

[14/7/1818]

[I've decided. I'm going to adopt Luxia. She is a great help in healing my mind after work. From now on, she is going to be 'Luxia Neveah.']

[11/2/1819]

[The more Luxia grows up, the more I realize her incredible abilities. She is bright and cheerful, extremely smart for her age as well. Perhaps... She could be a great Saintess candidate.]

[23/5/1820]

[This time, I'm convinced. Luxia is a gift from the heavens above. She has such good eyes for people, and her magic has been blooming, too. Mother Goddess, have you not truly left us?]

[03/11/1824]

Instinctively, I frown at the last sentence. An ominous suspicion rises in my mind. Nevertheless, I keep reading.

[Luxia, my dear daughter, has officially been crowned the new saintess. She has fairly beaten her competitors, which makes me proud as a father.]

[27/2/1827]

[An accident has occurred. Luxia has unknowingly absorbed the weaker pair of AEN-088. I initially wanted not to involve her in our plan, yet fate doesn't seem to allow me to. I need to come up with a solution.]

...Absorbed? Weaker pair? What does that mean?

A feeling of uneasiness spreads through my body. Anxiously, I flip the page once again.

[I have decided not to involve Luxia in our plan—not for now, for I fear it might end in failure, making her life miserable. If we succeed, I shall repent for my sins and give her all my powers. Luxia, I'm sorry for the burdens I might put on you in the future... But believe me, this is for humanity.]

[07/9/1831]

Plan? What plan??

How did I not know anything about it? I-I had the mind-reading ability...

In an instant, the ominous premonition seems to have consumed me, turning my mind to paranoia. My breath is getting out of control, cold sweat trickles down my neck, and my vision is getting blurry.

Tremblingly, I flip the page again.

The more I read, the more it is apparent that Dad has something to hide from me. Something so unimaginably big and consequential that it might shake the whole world.

When I reach the last page, my body doesn't feel like my own anymore.

[Tomorrow is finally the day we execute the plan. With this, the world will be saved. I know I will have to pay my price by then, but my dear daughter, Luxia, is going to live on and live my part for me. Please let it be successful, my little goddess Luxia.]

[21/12/1834]

''...''

Why... Why does Dad not pray to Mother Goddess?

Perhaps there are many, many more important questions I can ask, yet this is what my brain fixates on. Did Dad perhaps fall out with Mother Goddess? Is that it?

What about AEN-088? What about the 'plan'? Where is Dad? What happened to him?

Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confused. Confus—

''Calm down.''

Right then, Silaerob puts her gloved hand on my shoulder and reassures me.

''H-Hey, tell me what's going on!'' I hurriedly ask.

''You should see for yourself.'' Silaerob says as she gets out of her seat and pulls me over to the table. ''If you are still asking questions, it means the diary doesn't provide much information.''

She then grabs my hand and uses it to open a secret drawer under the table. Inside are numerous files, which are carefully wrapped in plastic holders. 

''These should give you a good idea of the situation.''

''...''

My hand is trembling, and my breath is short. Never before have I been this shaken.

At this point, even an idiot can decipher it. Although I can't piece every clue together, I know something terrible has happened to Dad. From the tone of Silaerob, the way Dad talks in the diary, the eerie feeling creeping up my mind...

Still, is it selfish of me to hold even a glimmer of hope, even if I am hopeless?

Right then, Silaerob's cold hand embraces mine, moving it down to grab the forefront file, and the title reads—

[Project Celius]