A Place to Return to
Alright, I'll start with the conclusion.
I agree that this black book is the most likely cause behind the doppelganger incidents.
...I thought as much.
But if you're asking whether it's the same type of disaster we've seen before...
It doesn't really feel that way.
How so? Is there something different about it?
For starters, Observers are supposed to act before disasters happen.
Not necessarily before any warning signs, but if something has the potential to become a disaster...
Us Observers are usually the first ones to act based on the observed data.
We never observed any indicators pointing toward a disaster in Candle Square.
...Hmm, is that so.
Still, we shouldn't rule anything out yet. Things can change quickly.
Candle Square has never experienced anything close to a disaster before though, right? Haha.
And that's probably thanks to the excellent Master Maid keeping things under control.
I'm just the acting Master Maid, actually.
All I'm doing is carrying on the work established by the former Master Maid.
Heh, fair enough. Maybe I'm being complacent, but I don't think it'll turn into anything serious.
My instincts are usually right. Occasionally in the most inconvenient ways possible.
Of course, I'm still taking this matter seriously.
I'm merely speculating that this isn't a disaster-level threat. The situation is still unusual.
We'll take this black book and examine it ourselves. Sound good?
Certainly. I appreciate the assistance, Ms. Roberta.
Haha, it's nothing. We'll get in touch later and go over the details—
Excuse me. May I speak with Ms. Roberta?
Lugh? What are you doing here—
Ms. Roberta, we have an emergency. A moment, please.
...What is it?
What?! How could that even...
*Sigh*... Damn it.
We'll move out at once. Get the team ready.
Sorry, Claire. An emergency came up that requires our immediate response.
Could you keep the book safe until I return?
Hm? That won't be a problem, but...
Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Claire.
Sorry for barging in like this.
Not at all. Think nothing of it.
If anything, we're the ones who owe you our gratitude.
As requested, I'll make sure the book remains sealed as it is.
Thank you, Claire.
...Alright. Let's move out.
What's with those two?
They practically bolted out of here. They looked terrified.
Apparently something urgent came up.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to ask for details...
It looks like the investigation will be delayed until they come back.
...Hmm, I see.
So that's the black book, huh.
That's about as pitch-black as a book can get.
Come to think of it, this must be your first time seeing it.
I tried to open it again before Ms. Roberta arrived, but it still wouldn't budge.
We'd make much faster progress if only we knew what's written inside.
...It wouldn't open? Let me see it.
...Wait.
This can't be...
...Bell?
Claire, where did you say this was found?
I was told it was first discovered in the library.
Since then, it's been stored in my office vault.
Claire, listen carefully. This book...
It's sealed with a spell from the Rhys family.
The seal isn't that old either. Less than five years old, I'd say.
Sealed...? With Rhys family magic?
That explains it. No wonder it felt familiar and unsettling at the same time.
So that creepy book was the source of it all.
You can tell just by looking at it?
See right here? The spell is inscribed along the spine in black ink.
It's a sealing method unique to the Rhys family.
It's designed so only the caster can break it. Think of it like a lock.
I see. Most people would never notice unless they knew what to look for.
Assuming the book's owner and caster are the same person, then this book might belong to someone from the Rhys family.
Since it isn't mine, I'd say it belongs to someone we know all too well.
...
But when Ms. Carnelia disappeared, no such book was found among her possessions.
If this belongs to her, why would it appear only now? What could be written inside?
Hmph, that's exactly what we're about to find out. Once I break the seal—
Hold on!
This book is likely the key to everything that's happening.
We don't even know what's written inside.
Considering the risks, it would be better to open it with Orbital Search Team 3 present—
Claire, I know you're thinking the same thing I am.
...
We all know Carnelia isn't missing anymore, Claire.
She literally showed up right in front of us.
Which means we should find out why she showed up that way.
And if there's a reason, don't you want to know what made her like that?
...Of course I do.
More than anyone else. But...
...Are you afraid that you might find out she wasn't the person you remember?
...
...I see.
I expected you to snap at me... but you're letting it go?
Normally, this would be the perfect chance to give you a piece of my mind.
I felt the same way before I left for Aganon.
I wanted nothing more than to see my dear sister again...
At the same time, I was... afraid.
Bell...
If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll find out on my own.
I don't care if this book doesn't belong to Carnelia.
Now that I know my family's involved, I'm not going to sit around doing nothing.
Even if you tell me not to, I'm doing it. So there's no use trying to stop—
No. We'll open it together.
...Hmm?
This is happening within Candle Square.
I can't let my personal feelings keep me from handling an important matter.
And, I truly want to know...
...as for who Ms. Carnelia truly was.
Please, Bell.
...Fine.
Here it goes.
I should be able to break the seal in no time.
...Huh? What?
What is going on—
Gah...!
Bell? What happened?
Don't worry...! I was just caught off guard!
Ugh, errgh...!
What the...?! Some kind of weird force, I...
Claire, watch out!
Bell, explain what's going on!
Damn it...!
Claire! Listen carefully! This book—
Ugh...
...Bell...
Bell?!
This place... Is it Candle Square...?
What just happened? Where's Bell?
Just what in the world is—
...Claire?
...
...Ms. Carnelia?