Chương 78: Chapter 48:”The Purpose of the Masked Woman”

Karla-san began to talk about her past and the motive for becoming the Masked Woman.

"I intended to die." It was a shocking opening. But according to Katie-san, there was a story that Karla-san had attempted suicide before. So I wasn't too shaken.

"That day I lost my beloved him, my life ended. There is no hope in this world anymore. If I die, I can be with him. I thought so." To think she was brooding that seriously. She must have loved him that much.

"At that time when I was despairing of everything, the one who extended a helping hand was the Master." Master Megil made a devil's proposal to the weakened Karla-san. That in the lost Great Magic Empire Edel, there is magic that allows conversation with the dead.

"He said if I cooperate with the resurrection of Edel, he would give it to me."

"Such a thing..." It was a surprise. To think Edel has even such a thing!? And finally, the purpose of the masked group became clear. The Resurrection of Edel. That was the true aim!

"I want to meet him, who passed away, once more. From that day on, I lived seeking only that. I put on a mask and poured my heart and soul into the resurrection of Edel. For that sake, I didn't mind any sacrifice." To Karla-san floating sad eyes, I couldn't say anything. Trying hard desperately for the person you love. Although the process was unforgivable, I cannot deny that pure love.

"Soliciting juniors and investigating backgrounds. I approached you guys only for that. Acting the character of a friendly senior." I smiled.

"That is a lie, as expected. Actually, that side is your true self, isn't it?" Karla-san distorts the corner of her mouth self-deprecatingly and denies it.

"That 'me' died three years ago. She is nowhere anymore."

"That's not true. She is right here." When I looked firmly into Karla-san's eyes and declared, she didn't deny anymore.

"Right..." Words are cut off there. Karla-san, who was staring at me, thought of something for a while and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, glittering tears began to spill. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"While watching you guys having fun. I didn't know anymore. Is what I am doing really okay like this?" Karla-san was wavering all along after all.

"The empty me at that time thought that maybe, just maybe, I started to feel a new purpose in life in interacting with you juniors now." That's right. Because Karla-san, you always looked happy when you were with us. That was definitely not acting.

"When I became aware of that, I started to think that maybe it's wrong to seek him who passed away even by staining my hands with blood. Even though I couldn't think anything until then..."

"Karla-san..." I didn't know what to say yet. I was just accepting Karla-san's words sincerely. Wiping tears with her sleeve, Karla-san continues.

"But you know. I couldn't turn back anymore. I want to meet him again no matter what. Only this feeling is a truth without lies. Besides, if I stop here, everything I've done and numerous sacrifices so far will all be in vain." Karla-san, who said so, had a dark and bitter expression. A vicious circle where lives already taken bind herself and she runs further into sin. Although it is wrong, that might have been her way of fulfilling responsibility. I understand her feelings like that too.

Of course, that doesn't mean I can forgive the evil deeds. But, eyes of pity were directed naturally.

"But, it seems the gear once went mad couldn't return. You guys made me completely crazy..." She shakes her head slightly and speaks apologetically.

"If only you guys weren't here. I decided to kill you thinking so, but in the end, I couldn't kill. When I noticed, I had become so weak..." To Karla-san hanging her head powerlessly, I smiled as gently as possible.

"Karla-san just returned to normal. In the first place, you weren't suited for such things from the beginning. It was impossible." Karla-san opened her eyes wide as if startled. Then, trembling her shoulders slightly. Bit by bit, she mutters as if squeezing out suppressed emotions.

"Yeah. That's right. Like a fool. Even though I should have known such a thing from the beginning...!" Karla-san shed large tears again. This time, as if washing away everything in her heart.

"I'm sorry. Eike. I'm sorry. Everyone...!" It was the moment she stopped being the Masked Woman and returned to being our Senior. Milia's petrification, which couldn't be solved no matter what we tried, was easily canceled by the voluntary cooperation of the person herself who cast the magic.

"Petrification cancellation. With this, Milia should be back to normal." Karla-san said so casually. Except for the fact that she still can't move because the damage I gave was large, she seems to have completely returned to the tone of a Senior. Combined with Milia's revival, I feel very happy.

"Really!?"

"Yeah. I did a bad thing to that child."

"Surely she will forgive you if you apologize. Because I think she understood the circumstances the most." Karla-san smiled bitterly as if beaten.

"I was scared of that child. Because she guesses everything correctly."

"Ahaha. Yu was also cornered quite a bit about his true identity with that reasoning power." Hearing Yu's name, Karla-san suddenly makes an awkward face.

"Ah—... Over there, I did a bad thing too."

"What did you do?"

"What, you say... well, you know. Since I couldn't stand watching as expected, I stopped halfway though." I was curious and pursued, but I was evaded there. I wonder if she did something bad.

"Alice——! Are you safe———!" Suddenly, a boy's voice was heard from a distance. A slightly high-pitched voice I am terribly used to hearing. We were surprised with the momentum that seemed to turn heaven and earth upside down. Because. The person himself whom we were trying to rescue is running towards here.

"Eh, Yu!?"

"No way!? How on earth did he escape since then!?"