She is not an investigator.

…………

"Hmm... I didn't expect it to turn out this way, but it did save me a lot of trouble."

Nolan walked out of the conference room with a rare smile on his face.

This was unusual, because every time she came out of the meeting room, her face was almost frighteningly pale, but this time was an exception.

She knew that Ivan's decision was undoubtedly influenced by certain people behind the scenes, but she did not expect that Ivan would agree so easily, and even openly oppose the mayor of Frostville at the meeting.

Internal conflicts should never have occurred, and as the supreme commander of the united forces, he couldn't possibly be unaware of this. However, this time, contrary to his usual behavior, he did not back down again.

Perhaps this is the change that comes with becoming a father?

"Yo."

"...Isabella?"

"it's me."

A slender figure descended from the eaves and landed beside Nolan.

“I heard about that meeting. He tacitly approved of it, and he also tacitly approved of me going with them. But more than that... what I didn’t expect was that you would actually support him. I thought you would be worried about getting into trouble with the witches and would just keep your neck down and not say a word.”

Nolan pursed his lips and explained, not very happily.

"That was the original plan, but I also learned two things during this meeting. First, Ivan is very resistant to what is happening in Frostville. Even though he can't do anything because of his emotions, he does have the right to check what is happening there."

Then, she raised her second finger.

"Secondly... I didn't expect the Special Investigations Department to get involved. They originally supported the plan, but judging from everything so far... they seem to be preparing to change direction and continue their research. And what really caused all the changes in this meeting was their attitude. Obviously, they are preparing to settle scores."

"Heh... That guy probably never imagined that he would one day be used as a pawn when he was using the entire city as test subjects."

"...You know?"

"Otherwise, why do you think I'd be here? Also, when I came to see you yesterday, you made it sound so scary, but it turns out Ivan is actually quite easy to talk to and not as dangerous as you imagined."

Nolan glanced at Isabella in silence, shook his head, and sighed.

"You don't understand him, that's why you gave that answer. But he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards you, at least for now... You should be glad."

"Whatever. Anyway, once this is over, I'm not going to go looking for him again. And... how do you plan to help them? Call a few adult witches over as thugs? I don't think that's your style."

Of course not, after all, every witch was precious to her, and she could not tolerate any witch getting close to danger.

But she can.

"I will go in person."

"They won't allow it."

"I know…"

As he spoke, Nolan touched his face, and the next moment, a witch with equally exquisite features, but completely different from the one before, appeared in front of Isabella.

"How's this disguise?"

"Is this how you keep pretending to be young?"

"...Sometimes you really should watch your mouth."

Isabella shrugged dismissively and continued asking.

"You can go, but what about your child? Are you really okay with not being there for her?"

“Shaltie is a mature witch now, she can take care of herself... Besides, it’s not like I’m not coming back, it’ll only be a round trip of less than two weeks, right?”

"I wish I were as optimistic as you..."

The Gods' Fool's Play - Beyond the World: Chapter Fifty-Seven, Meanwhile

“Igris—”

Isabella pushed open her door and saw Igris lying on the bed, wrapped in a blanket, deep in thought.

"Are you awake?"

"How could I..."

"Don't tell me you've forgotten why you're here. You weren't like this when you were crying and begging me yesterday."

Igris covered her face and shook her head shyly.

"Stop talking... I must have been out of my mind yesterday... Oh right, I need to go back..."

"Don't worry, I've arranged everything for you."

Seeing that Igris was about to get out of bed, Isabella pressed her back down and casually tossed the cookies she had bought from the roadside into her arms.

She remembered that Igris liked desserts.

"Have you... arranged everything for me?"

Igris stared blankly at Isabella, and then casually popped a cookie into her mouth.

"Of course, anyway, we'll set off tomorrow."

"Me? Us?! Are you going too?"

What nonsense are you spouting?

Isabella sat on the bed with some dissatisfaction, watching Igris chew on a cookie, and couldn't help but tug at her cheek.

"You eat my food, sleep in my bed, and come to me for help in the middle of the night. After I've solved everything for you, you want to kick me to the curb? You're dreaming."

"It hurts! Stop, stop pinching! I was wrong!"

Seeing Igris begging for mercy, Isabella finally released Igris's face, watching her writhe in pain as she rubbed her reddened cheeks, while also stuffing a cookie into her mouth.

"Actually... that's not what I meant. I still remember everything that happened last night, but... it seems I owe you a sincere apology, and you haven't truly forgiven me, have you..."

Isabella glanced at Igris's guilty look and reached out her hand again, but Igris suddenly stopped her, so she gave up the idea of ​​continuing to pull her cheek.

"Whether I forgive you or not depends on whether I still hold a grudge against you. I have no feelings for you anymore, so I certainly won't hate you anymore."

"Oh, I see."

Igris ate a cookie with lingering fear and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

This is a good outcome, although Igris plans to apologize to her properly when the opportunity arises in the future.

No, it wasn't just an apology; she also had to thank Isabella properly.

Not only did they help her solve her problem, but they also took her home last night when she was so weak she was almost dying, and took care of her.

He even bought her cookies.

How can there be such a good person in the world?

Thinking of this, Igris couldn't resist eating another piece.

"Okay, stop eating... I'll take you out for a meal later. You won't be full just from eating this."

"Let's have dinner... I'll treat you then. You've helped me so much, it would be unfair if I didn't do anything in return."

"You think I helped you just for a meal? Fine... whatever, do whatever makes you happy."

Isabella sighed, and seeing Igris about to take another cookie, she simply snatched it away and stuffed it into her pocket.

"You are not allowed to eat before your meal."

"……Oh."

…………

Poke.

"..."

Poke.

"!"

Felina was jolted awake from her sleep, and the mysterious sensation on her face quickly faded away.

She opened her dazed eyes, and then, with the sunlight streaming into the church, she saw the culprit that had woken her up.

A vine.

“Millie…”

"you're awake."

Millie peeked out from behind the vine, and the vine then retracted and disappeared without a trace.

Felina nodded, looking around somewhat blankly.

"...Where is everyone?"

"They're outside the church. They didn't want to disturb you because you went to bed so late last night, so they let you continue sleeping."

"I see..."

Felina got up from the cold floor, shivering involuntarily.

Sleeping on the floor during this season is definitely not a good idea; you should at least find something to cushion your fall.

…But then again, why do they insist on living in the church when there are so many empty houses here?

However, before she could finish her question, an uninvited guest slowly drifted into the church.

An embryonic creature with a peculiar and somewhat disgusting appearance.

However, there was no malicious intent.

"Felina, now that you're awake, shall we set off?"

"Set off...where to?"

Looking at Millie beside her and the strange creature in front of her, Felina began to wonder if she had accidentally returned to that red world.

"Go to their home."

Millie pointed to the creature in front of her and said with a serious expression.

What kind of place will their home be?

Is it those houses, the city itself, or...?