Aside from her habit of speaking in riddles or not speaking at all, Konehl-Ghervil was always quite pleased to gain knowledge from Govet, especially when it came without any tangible cost.
“Do you truly expect me, upon encountering a lizard, to disregard its appearance and instead engage it in a protracted staring contest?”
“That method is quite suited to your particular nature.”
Govet bristled at her complaint.
“Juvenile Green Prairie Lizards are almost indistinguishable from common lizards in appearance, being remarkably adept at camouflage and transformation.
“One of their particular strengths lies in assessing the level of threat an opponent poses simply by observing their eyes.”
“So, you believe I, who cannot even utilize dream abilities, would pose a significant threat to such a creature?”
By her own estimation, Konehl-Ghervil’s current combat prowess was less than that of an ordinary girl her age; she constantly had to guard against the side effects of her illness and didn’t even possess a proper weapon.
“Consider it a suppression inherent to the bloodline, akin to an antelope’s instinctive fear upon encountering a lion.”
A faint note of pride resonated in Govet’s voice.
“You merely need to understand that the Ghervil family’s bloodline is exceptional.”
Pondering for a long while, she couldn’t quite grasp why the conversation had veered so extensively into the subject of Green Prairie Lizards, yet, despite her confusion, she found herself persuaded.
“Has Mrs. Penelope ever ventured into the desert?”
Closing the notebook and returning it, Konehl-Ghervil tilted her head inquisitively at Dandelion.
The contents depicted within the notebook spoke of events in the desert, a place of which she knew far too little.
A vague sense of overwhelm settled over her.
“In truth, The Order dispatches teams annually to investigate various ruins scattered across the desert; the most recent expedition took place in June, and she was among its participants.”
His response was forthright, and Dandelion continued to elaborate.
“These illustrated notes began to emerge gradually about two weeks after her return, leading me to suspect they chronicle the events and encounters of that very expedition.”
“That is highly probable.”
Konehl-Ghervil nodded, acknowledging the validity of his perspective.
“Do you recall any other participants?”
Dandelion carefully secured the notebook with its lock, then exhaled a profound sigh.
“I understand what you wish to inquire about…”
“My father once told me that Father Kern-Aylmer and Dr. Heinz-Blumberg were the leaders of the last expedition, and of the dozen or so members, only my sister and those two men ever returned…”
This was information of considerable import.
The threads of this disappearance wove a far more intricate tapestry than she had initially conceived.
‘Do you possess any knowledge regarding this incident?’ Konehl-Ghervil queried Govet within the confines of her mind.
“I believe you lack even the most basic respect; observe how others address their elder sisters.”
“Alright then, Sister Govet, would you be so kind as to enlighten me on all matters pertaining to this incident?” She painstakingly fashioned a voice in her mind, one that a younger sister might employ, imbued with a touch of innocence and fervent entreaty.
The sensation was, to say the least, peculiar.
Were she forced to utter such words in the waking world, she doubted she could manage even the first syllable.
Govet, clearly amused, let out a series of soft chuckles.
“What do you take me for? Having resided within Solis Abbey for such an extensive period, it’s naturally impossible for me to be privy to external affairs.”
‘At this very moment, she yearned to crush the plump furball into oblivion.’
“I can swear I’m not deceiving you!” Dandelion exclaimed, misinterpreting her twitching lip as a sign of disbelief in his words.
“I have no intention of doubting your words,” Konehl-Ghervil asserted, forcing a strained smile onto her face.
“Rather, I wish to inquire how much you know regarding this particular expedition.”
Dandelion let out a relieved breath.
“After all, I am not affiliated with The Order, and many matters remain obscure to me… as you are aware. Should you inquire with them directly, you would undoubtedly receive answers; they would have no cause to conceal anything from you.”
‘That, of course, would depend entirely on which identity I choose to assume.’
A profound sense of helplessness washed over her.
“Let us pivot to another topic, then. I am curious to know what kind of person your sister truly is.”
“It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but despite considering myself her friend, my understanding of her remains somewhat limited.”
“My sister is exceptionally clever, possessing a remarkable aptitude for interacting with others; indeed, everyone who knows her, without exception, offers similar praise, whether overtly or subtly.”
“She adores painting and has always been fervently devoted to her research into the Blood Rose, often forgetting to eat in her absorption.”
“In earlier years, Father even contemplated training her as his heir.”
As he spoke, Dandelion sheepishly scratched his head.
“Of course, it wasn’t my dullness that impeded my learning; rather, I simply held no genuine interest in such matters. What man, after all, truly cares for flowers…?”
‘You heard that, didn’t you?’
Konehl-Ghervil’s thoughts, sharp as an interrogation, echoed in her mind:
‘Other people’s sisters are so exceptional they earn universal praise, unlike a certain individual who seems only capable of eating and more eating.’
“That’s only because the Baron intended to groom her as his successor; who wouldn’t wish to foster good relations with a Baron’s heir?”
‘…’
‘She found herself utterly unable to refute it.’
“By your logic of comparison, those who sought to praise me in my time could have filled half the capital city; does that not equally prove my own exceptional merit?” Govet continued, twisting the knife with palpable satisfaction.
Konehl-Ghervil, however, seized upon a different point entirely.
“Perhaps I should address you as ‘Auntie’ or ‘Grandma,’ for who can truly say how many years have passed since your ‘then’? I remain deeply skeptical of your claims of youth.”
The voice within her mind abruptly fell silent for a beat.
“…Should you ever encounter our other sister, I implore you, never entertain such thoughts.”
“Why?”
“When she is angered, she becomes truly terrifying, and above all else, she loathes anyone who dares to mention her age.”
As if by some mystical means, Konehl-Ghervil was privy to a fleeting vision: over the churning sea, lightning, thick and twisted like a colossal serpent, cleaved through the atmospheric mist, briefly illuminating the profound darkness of the night.
The explosive crack of thunder shattered the ship’s cabin windows, unleashing towering waves across the ocean’s surface.
The colossal cruise liner was ripped asunder by a monstrous sea tornado, dragged into the abyssal depths amidst an cacophony of eerie, piercing wails.
“I am, of course, quite young; even among mortals, my years are few. Therefore, you may address me as ‘Sister’ without the slightest hesitation or burden.”
Govet’s voice gently drew her back from the profound shock of the vision.
To what unfathomable extent, she wondered, could the supernatural forces of this world truly reach?
This very thought now consumed her mind.
“What is the nature of your relationship?” Realizing a considerable silence had settled, Konehl-Ghervil broke it with another question.
“It’s simply a normal familial bond… If pressed to elaborate… my sister has always been one of the individuals I trust most implicitly, and I believe I hold a similar place in her affections.”
“That is rather good,” Govet remarked, seemingly pleased with both the inquiry and its response.
“What, in your opinion, compelled Mrs. Penelope to tear out those particular pages from the notebook?” Konehl-Ghervil inquired, ignoring Govet and aiming to catch Dandelion unawares.
Given Dandelion’s apparent shrewdness, Konehl-Ghervil immediately dismissed the possibility that he was the one who tore out the pages.
The likelihood of anyone else having torn them was minimal; anyone intent on concealing the notebook’s contents could have simply ensured it never surfaced for any faction to discover.
Any scheme to destroy or hide the notebook entirely would have been far less troublesome than merely excising its crucial contents.
“…You believe so as well!?”
Surprisingly, Dandelion evinced neither sluggishness nor excessive astonishment; he reacted swiftly, his mouth parting in a gasp of realization.
“I presented this very conjecture to those individuals, but they adamantly maintained that even if my words held truth, there were others who vehemently disagreed.”
“Thus, until my sister and the remaining notes are recovered, I shall remain under ‘surveillance’.” His eyelids drooped, and he could not quite conceal a subtle air of despondency.
‘They’ referred to the people from the Epidemic Prevention Bureau.
Someone desired the missing notes, and the Epidemic Prevention Bureau was consequently protecting the Baron’s eldest son.
One thing was certain: the Epidemic Prevention Bureau knew the general identity or affiliated faction of the person responsible for the disappearances.
A bolder guess would be that the individuals seeking the notes were the same ones who sought to assassinate her.
She now possessed leverage for a deeper discussion with Dr. Callan.
“One final question, which might seem a little presumptuous, but I need you to answer truthfully, as it is of great importance.”
Having a premonition, Dandelion rubbed his temples with his index fingers and nodded gravely in agreement.
“Then please tell me, what was the reason your sister relinquished the honor of Cambaton?”