The Reincarnations of Veldanava

The Grieving Banquet

Quick to take action, Ciel toggled Thought Acceleration for Rimuru.

His mind was enhanced a billion folds, making everything around him stop, including himself.

During the skill's duration, only thoughts were allowed to move.

Ciel-san, is that really Lucia?

He was uncertain. How could he not? Rudra, whom Rimuru had talked to before, didn't tell him a single thing about Lucia being resurrected.

In fact, everything pointed to the possibility that she hadn't been revived yet. If that is the case, what do we have here then? I don't understand...

Ciel was running her analysis in the background.

She made no rush, setting out to find the undeniable truth. Thankfully, Thought Acceleration gave her all the times she would need for her analysis.

As expected, there was a tangled web of barriers around her.

Typical.

Because the barriers were made of Infons, it would protect her from being researched by those who didn't know how to manipulate the particle.

However, as a Manas, Ciel didn't just know what an Information Particle was, her entire existence was made of it.

She unraveled the barriers layer by layer as if they were clothes. In a way, she was undressing Lucia until there was nothing to protect her.

If she managed to make Lucia feel even a little bit vulnerable, then it would be worth it. It served her right for being a thief who stole a girl's first kiss.

Ciel definitely held grudges.

And look at this. It turns out you really are Lucia.

She reported the information to Rimuru. This woman possessed all the attributes associated with Lucia. She was a High Human who had reached the Enlightened level.

Her existence value was at the expected level, she had the God-grade weapon given to her by Veldanava in Spatial Storage, and there was nothing which could disprove her identity.

She is the real Lucia then?

«Affirmative.»

Ciel didn't know yet, but she had fallen for Manas Lucia's trap.

Born from the original Raphael, she could manipulate Infons as if they were a part of herself. What Ciel saw was just mere trickery.

«Master, I will recommend that you do not approach her directly. We don't know how others around her will react to that.»

Then what should I do?

«Please, remain calm. Acting as if you don't know her might be the best course of action; she looks to be doing the same right now.»

I see...

«If you manage to get her away from the main group, I will be able to create an isolated space which cannot be spied on. You two can have your reunion after that.»

While she held some grudges, it wasn't enough to make her hostile. She would do anything for her master's happiness, and being supportive was certainly one of them.

I understand. I have to suppress my feelings for now. I've done that for the last few years. I can do it. Ciel-san.

«Yes, sir?»

Thank you, as always.

○

"What happened, Guy? You look speechless," the Emperor asked with a self-indulgent smile as if mocking him. This might be Rudra's body, but Manas Michael was the one in charge.