Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 4-16: Then Who Was It?

Meanwhile, on the top of the bell tower, Rollo is still watching the event while he's on safer ground.

Rollo says, "Ah... I hear the firelotuses rustling..." and soon frowns and his arms crossed, "Those wretched Night Raven College mages are making their way up the tower, aren't they? Villains are always so stubborn. Such futility. Why resist at all? Why oppose it? It would be so much easier to surrender to the firelotuses. Those flowers are going to expunge the sin of magic altogether. Then no one will have to suffer as I have. We will all be freed from that cold, dark despair..."

Back in the bell tower, Briar and the boys are able to reach the next upper floor.

"...Well, this is a conundrum. I wasn't expecting the stairs to end before we reached the top. We should be getting very close..." Azul says.

Idia calls out, "Yo, party leader! Got some leadership for us or what?"

"Why are you heckling me? We're in the same boat, you know!" Azul questions.

"It seems Flamme wasn't joking when he said this place was so vast someone could live here," Malleus says, "It felt like a straight path upward when we climbed the tower earlier today... But that must've been due to Flamme's familiarity with the layout."

"Only an extremely agile person could live in a place so full of obstacles," Azul says.

"Maybe," Briar says.

And Idia says, "I blocked the stairwell leading down with some crates to keep the firelotuses out... But that's not gonna hold 'em off for long."

"So be it. We'll have to break through the ceiling to proceed further," Malleus says.

"No Mal, we can't," Briar says.

Azul agrees, "AGAIN, any destruction of this structure would be unacceptable..." but a loud thumping sound catches his attention, "...Hm? What's this?"

Briar notices, "Hey guys, look over there."

The group turns to where Briar is looking. To their surprise, they see the gargoyle they've seen earlier.

"That's the gargoyle we saw on the top floor earlier," Malleus says, "Why is it down here now?"

"Could it be a different one that happens to be identical?" Azul asks.

But Malleus says, "No, I assure you this is the exact same gargoyle. See how the wings have a 10-degree difference in their angles? And the tasteful centimeter scratch on its head?

It's unmistakable to me."

"Wow. that's impressive, Mal," Briar says, actually impressed.

"Those are such trivial details, it's a little off-putting that you had them memorized..." Azul says.

"Wow, this must be what otaku look like from an outside perspective," Idia replies.

Confused, Malleus asks, "Why give me such dubious looks? I find it stranger that neither of you noticed those details. Look at how expressive it is. It's most distinctive. Such a fascinating piece. I could study it for ages."

"Wow, hardly anybody gives us that kinda respect," Someone speaks out," Talk about an ego boost!"

Idia reacts, "Uh, what was that...? Azul, this is NOT the time to goof around in that falsetto voice."

"I would never do such a thing and you know it. How about you stop goofing off instead?" Azul says.

Confused, Idia says, "Huh? I didn't say anything."

"Then who was it?" Azul questions and turns to Malleus, "Malleus?!"

"No," Mallues answers.

"Not me, it sounds like a man's voice," Briar says.

Feeling uneasy, Idia asks, "Then... Was it...?"

The group soon hears, "MMMNNNGH."

And turn their heads to see the Gargoyle moving and stretching his arms.

Then the Gargoyle says, "Geez Louise! One stretch ain't gonna cut it with how stiff my back is. I've been sittin' still for ages! What's a guy gotta do to get a back rub around here? Mine's as hard as a rock."

"Wha...?!" Malleus says, shocked.

"Oh my!" Briar says, surprised.

Stunned Idia says, "Th... The..."

"The gargoyle..." Azul adds, shocked.

All four say in shock, "TALKED?!"