kscans

Chapter 214 - Report on the Investigation's Findings

The night after the exploration of the lake building ended, Hayato logged in again.

Right after the exploration, Hayato had work at his cafe, so he had logged out immediately and had only just returned.

After an exploration, there was the fun of examining the treasures they had found, but Hayato, who had his cafe to run, had no such luxury. The number of customers wasn't low enough to be in the single digits, and Ash's father, Veru, and his group were regulars.

He couldn't afford to take a day off, so he came back after working diligently. Besides, Hayato liked to entertain people. He wasn't doing it reluctantly, he was doing it because he wanted to.

For the current Hayato, both were rewarding activities, so he wouldn't slack on either. He would occasionally prioritize one over the other, but only rarely.

Hayato stepped out of his room at the campsite base and happened to run into Ney.

"Oh, Hayato. You logged in. Good work today."

"Looks like your spirits are back to normal. Were you on all day?"

"I logged out a few times for meals and such, but I've mostly been here. As for my mood, being able to have a vacation with everyone helped me calm down."

After the exploration, Ney had enjoyed a vacation at the lake with the other women. Last time, she couldn't participate because of preparations for the council, so she finally got her revenge. Her mood had settled, and it seemed she was back to her usual self.

After that, Ney started talking about the vacation, which was a bit awkward for Hayato.

He didn't know how to respond to stories about a vacation only women could attend. And the members who participated were who they were. If Ney said anything careless, Hayato's life would be in danger.

"A-alright, I get it. You shouldn't go around spreading stories like that. It's dangerous. For me."

"Hm? Is that so? I thought I could share a little of the fun. Then I'll go tell Esha. She's probably logged in already, right?"

"I think she'll be here later. Well then, I have to talk with Relic-san and the others, so..."

Hayato parted ways with Ney and headed for Relic's room.

He had arranged to speak with Relic, Sonia, and Diite later on.

The topic was what Relic would do from now on. While Hayato thought he didn't need to decide so quickly, he respected Relic's opinion, figuring it was a way of finding closure.

Hayato knocked on the door to Relic's room. A voice from inside said, "Come in," so he opened the door and entered.

Inside the room, Diite and Sonia were already gathered, seemingly waiting for Hayato. They were sitting at a square table, with only one chair empty. Hayato sat down there.

Relic was in front of Hayato, with Sonia to his right and Diite to his left. The three of them appeared to have been drinking the coffee Hayato had prepared and left in the shared storage.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all, we're the ones who insisted on you coming. Now then, right away..."

"Relic-kun, now, hold on. There's no need to rush to an answer. Would you listen to what I have to say first?"

Diite interrupted Relic.

Relic seemed a bit surprised by this. He started to say something, but then prompted her, "Please, go ahead."

"Then, allow me to report the results of my investigation. It's about Anneliese-kun."

Relic gasped.

Anneliese was the woman Relic loved. But that was a story from one hundred years ago. She was no longer alive. Relic and Sonia had rescued her after she was wrongfully imprisoned, but no one knew what happened to her after that.

It was a matter of curiosity not only for Relic and Sonia, but for Hayato as well.

"Relic-kun, it seems you sent information about her and others who were wrongfully imprisoned to a certain wealthy individual, correct?"

"Eh? Yes. At the time, I sent the information to someone who had enough wealth to oppose the warden who managed Prison, and who possessed a moral compass even in that era. I don't recall who it was, though."

"Hmm, it seems there's a strange connection here. I looked into it, and it was Ney-kun's ancestor. The first head of the Foundation at its establishment, you could say."

All three of them were surprised by Diite's answer.

"Ney-kun's ancestors seem to have been people of fine character. They not only got the wrongfully imprisoned people out of Prison, but also protected them. It seems Anneliese-kun was also protected and was able to live a happy life."

"Is that... so. That is wonderful news."

Relic closed his eyes, as if savoring the happiness.

"Is there any chance Anneliese became Ney's ancestor? She was a beauty, so it's not impossible she became that wealthy man's wife, I think."

When Sonia said that, Relic's eyes shot open and he looked at her. He then immediately turned his gaze to Diite.

Diite shook her head.

"There was talk of that, but Anneliese-kun apparently never agreed. She said there was a man she was waiting for. And that man never appeared before her again. No one knew who that man was, but Relic-kun, do you happen to know who he might be?"

Logically, it would be Relic. Diite must have asked with that in mind.

Relic gave a small, bitter smile and shook his head.

"I do not know. And let me be clear, it wasn't me either. There's no way she would know me."

"Eh? Is that so?"

Hayato couldn't help but interject.

He found it strange that someone could hold feelings for a person who didn't know them for so many years.

He could understand if it was a temporary thing, but in Relic's case, he had gone so far as to get himself deliberately captured and sent to Prison. He couldn't believe the situation was one where Anneliese didn't know Relic.

Relic smiled, as if sensing Hayato's thoughts.

"Yes, I am certain. A very long time ago, her life and my life came close for just a fleeting moment. And I was saved. That is why I helped her. She wouldn't remember me in the slightest. Besides, would a hacker like me leave my information somewhere without a reason? It's impossible, both in cyberspace and in reality."

At those words, Diite smirked.

"Is that so? But it seems that man had a scar between his eyebrows. I don't know the circumstances, but it was apparently from when he protected her from the warden in Prison. She also said that he was her neighbor who used to live in the same apartment building, but he didn't seem to recognize her. She said she planned to thank him when he got out after serving his sentence. Relic-kun, are you sure you don't know a man like that?"

Relic was uncharacteristically flustered, and Sonia was clutching her stomach, laughing.

Hayato was at a loss for what to do. Anneliese was already deceased. One could say that Relic's feelings had been returned, but it was all in the past.

While he hesitated, Diite spoke.

"However, Relic-kun. It seems you were a first-rate hacker, but a third-rate man. Anneliese-kun ended up passing away single. You could have done something, couldn't you?"

"...Honestly, what a foolish thing I did."

"Was it she who was foolish? Or was it you, Relic-kun?"

"...Of course, it was she."

"Perhaps so. But I don't think it was a bad life. Do you know what her profession was?"

"I believe she was a teacher. I remember she was quite intelligent."

"That's right. After she was released from Prison, she established a school with the support of Ney-kun's ancestor. It seems she had many students, including Ney-kun's grandfather and grandmother. Her contributions were apparently a major reason why Ney-kun's Foundation was able to grow so large. When she passed away, she was surrounded by many of her students, and she died peacefully with a happy look on her face."

Relic closed his eyes again. Then he bowed his head to Diite.

"Thank you. Just hearing that is enough for me."

"Think nothing of it. No thanks are needed. By the way, you said you had made a decision. Will this story change what you've decided?"

"...No, my apologies. I would like to think about it a little longer."

"Then you should take more time to think it over. It's not something to be rushed. Now then, let's call it a day. You must be tired from the exploration, right? And tomorrow you return to the surface. It would be best to get some rest early."

"Yes, I shall do that. Hayato-sama, my apologies. You came all this way, and I couldn't give you an answer."

"Please don't worry about it. It's not something you need to rush. I think it would be best to think it over slowly after returning to the base."

"Thank you. Then I shall rest for today. See you tomorrow."

"Yes. Well then, good night."

"Good night."

Relic gave a light bow with a smile. Hayato, Diite, and Sonia each said their goodbyes before leaving the room.