"Lighting up…?" Kira asked, making sure he had heard correctly.
"Yes. I think it was a sign," Nieza explained slowly. "Because when I saw the zombies attack Class 3-D, the only ones they targeted were students who weren't wearing the charms."
"…And that makes it look as if the charms actually work in the real world," Kira said quickly, disbelief creeping into his voice. "Ordinary people would assume the victims of Konets Sveta were attacked simply because they didn't wear Lumina's charms. That organization is truly clever at spreading terror…"
"…But I still don't understand why Mr. Zia was included among the victims," Nieza said thoughtfully. "He was the only teacher affected by Konets Sveta."
"Oh? So a teacher was targeted as well. Maybe Lumina wants this terror to affect everyone—students, teachers, even the school's janitorial staff," Kira replied.
"…For some reason, the pattern still feels strange to me. But I agree with you on that point."
"Hm… if Lumina really is the culprit, maybe we should ambush and kill their clan leader directly."
"Don't be crazy, Kira! We don't know the enemy's strength, or even where Lumina's clan leader is!" Nieza snapped.
"But isn't that the solution to curing all the Apathy Syndrome victims at Neopjevan?" Kira pressed.
"I know that. But we haven't confirmed whether Lumina's leader is actually the clan leader in Konets Sveta. We also don't know how many forces are guarding him. One wrong move and we'll die stupidly," Nieza warned.
"You're right… then what do you want to do? Focus only on Lumina's movements within Neopjevan School?"
"You can read my mind, huh," Nieza said coolly. "Lumina has started spreading across the entire city of Himinn Stigi. At the very least, I want their operations stopped at my school. I'm sure their activities here are led by a single coordinator. If we capture him, we can extract information about Lumina's clan… and then kill him."
"Hm… Aigis, was the giant zombie we fought earlier the highest-ranking one in the Neopjevan area?" Kira asked.
"You are correct, Sir Kira. That giant zombie was classified as The Avenger," Aigis replied.
"Then that means he was the coordinator of Lumina's movements at Neopjevan…"
"That giant zombie we chased earlier… I feel like I know that man," Nieza muttered.
"I remember he turned into a tall man when Konets Sveta ended. But he ran too fast—I couldn't catch him. Damn it," Kira said.
"…He's just like that man. The one who made Vesely collapse and fall into Apathy Syndrome. It has to be him. He's the culprit I've been searching for!" Nieza said angrily.
"Whatever the case, we need a strategy to capture him," Kira said seriously. "We don't know how many reinforcements Lumina will have in the next Konets Sveta. Honestly, I'm a bit lost. Aigis can only detect Konets Sveta five to ten minutes before it happens."
"Oh… Aigis, can't you determine exactly when Konets Sveta will occur?" Nieza asked. "I mean the date and time?"
"I cannot, Lady Nieza. My ability is limited to detecting it five to ten minutes before its arrival," Aigis answered.
"Then it's the same as Aliniere. But I don't think we need to search for them," Nieza said calmly. "I'm their target. We can just wait for them to come."
"That's true. In the last Konets Sveta, you were the giant zombie's target," Kira agreed.
"…I don't think that's the only reason," Nieza added.
"What do you mean?" Kira asked.
"Come on, Kira… I'm the only daughter of the Puternic family. People are always chasing after me," Nieza said proudly.
"…You're proud of being chased by zombies? I guess the Puternic family's only daughter really is something else," Kira said dryly.
"Y-You idiot! That's not what I mean!" Nieza snapped. "Lumina is targeting me because I'm a public figure. If I fall into Apathy Syndrome, paranoia at Neopjevan will skyrocket!"
"Whatever the reason, you're their target," Kira said firmly. "For this mission, it's best if I stay close to you. That way, when Konets Sveta comes, I can support you immediately."
"Oh, I see what you want now… You want to be my personal bodyguard, right?" Nieza said smugly. "Be honored, Kira. Not every strong man gets chosen as my personal guard."
"Yeah… something like that," Kira replied. "In that case, I'll meet you at Neopjevan School tomorrow morning. As for my appearance… I can do something about it. Trust me."
"Tomorrow morning?" Nieza scoffed. "Kira, you became my personal bodyguard the moment I said so."
"Uh… what do you mean?"
"I mean from this moment on, you are not allowed to be more than two meters away from me."
"…You're joking."
"I'm serious. I've already prepared everything you'll need—daily necessities, pocket money, and of course, your salary."
"It's not that I don't want to," Kira said hesitantly. "But what about your parents' permission? They might think I'm some scumbag trying to deceive their precious daughter…"
"I'll handle it."
"With Istabene? With your servants who look at me with suspicion and contempt?" Kira asked.
"I'll handle it, Kira. You are my personal bodyguard. End of discussion."
"…I don't even know what to say anymore. Aigis, can you help your representative convince your partner here?" Kira sighed.
"I believe Lady Nieza's plan is excellent, Sir Kira," Aigis said calmly.
"See? Even Aigis understands me," Nieza said casually.
"…You're being very 'helpful,' Aigis," Kira muttered. "Nieza, don't you already have personal guards?"
"That's true. But they're useless when Konets Sveta arrives."
"I know. But staying overnight at your house… I'm not sure. I could guard you from outside, and when Konets Sveta comes, I could run in and—"
"From outside? You'd look like a stalker," Nieza said dismissively.
"That's not what I meant!"
"No. No. No. I'm not letting you stand outside like a stalker waiting for Konets Sveta. This is my decision. Relax—you'll be paid as my personal bodyguard," Nieza said, wagging her index finger in front of Kira's face.
Kira could only stand there, confused, watching Nieza's stubborn behavior. Still, he understood that she was looking out for her partner. All they could do now was wait for the next Konets Sveta to arrive.
"…I just hope this decision doesn't get me skinned alive by your father," Kira muttered.
"That means you agree. Leave it to me!" Nieza said enthusiastically.