Chapter 5-10: A Fitting Punishment
Seeing the students, Rollo demands an explanation.
He questions with anger, "What is this? Have you taken pity on me? Am I so weak and pathetic to you? SPARE ME YOUR PITY."
"Ugh…" Idia groans in response, "Some people just take their own ideas and run with 'em."
"What do you mean?" Rollo asks.
Then Azul says, "I thought you would've realized by now that Malleus isn't some sap.
"Explain yourself," Rollo demands.
"I've come up with a fitting punishment for you," Malleus says, "Will you confess to your misdeeds or continue to feign innocence? The final decision is yours to make."
Rollo laughs it off, "Heh... Hahaha! What a feeble punishment! All I have to do is keep quiet, and I get off scot-free!"
"That's acceptable to me," Malleus says. He then explains, "You'll be able to deceive others, of course, and even yourself. But you'll never deceive the Bell of Solace that's watched over you all this time."
"The Bell of Solace...?" Rollo questions in shock.
"Indeed, "Malleus explains, "You hold it in high esteem, do you not? And yet you sought to misuse it for your own ends. How you live with your deeds is up to you."
Rollo remains silent in response.
"You can come clean or hold your tongue. Either way, you'll regret it," Malleus says, "No matter which choice you make, you will spend the rest of your days racked with the fires of remorse. There's no greater punishment I could inflict upon you, Flamme. Wouldn't you agree?"
In her thoughts, Briar says, "I see. Whether he confessed or not, it won't change the fact that Rollo will know what he has done for the rest of his life, and no matter what, he'll have to live with it. And we'll also know what he has done as well."
"...Touché," Rollo replies, "You villains are quite well-versed in tormenting others. Hmhm... Mmhmhm... Hahaha…"
Then Malleus turns to the others, "I trust the rest of you are fine with this?"
"Malleus... You've turned this into a matter of conscience for Rollo. What a brilliant decision. I agree it's for the best," Silver says.
"If such is your wish, Malleus, no one would dare object! Oh, how truly lucky I am to serve such an incredible liege!" Sebek says.
"I have to agree. It's your decision, so I'm willing to accept it," Briar says.
"So theatrical…" Azul says. Then asks, "Speaking of, aren't you forgetting something important?"
"What's that?" Rollo asks.
"THE BALL," Azul answers, "You know, the main event of the social? The ball's to be held on the second night. Which, if I might remind you, is tonight. It's been bad enough dealing with those fire lotuses. If word got out that the Noble Bell student council president was behind them, the ball would be called off in a heartbeat. If you're going to confess, I ask that you save it for AFTER we've left."
"Agreed. Do as he asks, Flamme," Malleus says.
"How self-centered can you people be...? Were you that excited for the social? Are you truly so eager to attend a ball?" Rollo questions.
"YES," Briar and Malleus respond.
"YOU HEARD MALLEUS! DO AS HE SAYS!" Sebek sternly says.
But Idia says, "No, no, it's okay! You can call off the ball if you want! In fact, please do! Everyone's exhausted. Any reasonable person would cancel it after such a huge catastrophe! Call it off!"
Rollo sighs, "...Fine. People will be amenable if I tell them you Night Raven students insisted on it. You saved the day, after all. The ball shall proceed as planned. I'll take responsibility for that, at least."
"WHYYY?!" Idia cries out.
"Excellent. Now I can truly say that I've been invited," Malleus says.
Briar giggles in response.
"Indeed. Now, I suggest we all enjoy a well- deserved rest. We certainly look like we need it," Azul says.
"I have to admit, I'm very worn out," Briar says.
Malleus chuckles, "Heh heh... Yes, we do look rather scorched and sweaty. We must ready ourselves for the ball."
"Oh nooo... This means we still have to do the thing…" Idia says.
"Why are you so against it, Idia?" Briar asks.
"Because there's going to be socializing with people," Idia answers.
Briar rolls her eyes, "Oh brother."