'So what if you learned all my secrets? Take them to your grave, foolish girl.'
Now, then... there was one more left.
Dealing with Helie turned out to be almost boring. Her Flaw made her a perfect victim for someone like Jest, after all — denied the power of her Aspect, she died powerlessly in his hands.
She did not stop struggling until the very end, though.
That, at least, was a bit fun.
In the end, he tossed her body into the same pit. Looking around, Jest let out a deep sigh.
"Ah. I feel like he'll reprimand me very sternly, this time..."
Even he was a little afraid of Anvil's wrath.
And Anvil would definitely be very angry about what Jest had done today... well, at least as angry as his cold iron heart allowed him to be.
Assuming his human form, Jest went about getting dressed. His clothes were designed in a way that prevented them from being destroyed when he Transformed — his shirt and trousers were, at least. All he had to do to restore them to their previous shape was fasten a few buckles.
The jacket, unfortunately, was completely gone. He clicked his tongue.
"Damn it! I just had this one tailored..."
Shaking his head, Jest picked up his cane, looked around one last time, and left.
***
Not long after that, Helie walked out from behind a tree and looked at Cassie, who was standing nearby, with a strange expression.
"...That's it? He just left?"
Cassie nodded tiredly.
"Why would he stay? I implanted a false memory into his mind. One of killing us brutally and disposing of our bodies. So, he has nothing left to do here."
She had erased the memory of what her eyes truly looked like when she transformed, as well — like she always did after using her Transcendent Ability.
Helie remained silent for a few moments, then shivered.
"Can you put your blindfold back on? I'm, uh... will feel better if you do."
Cassie did not comment and simply pulled the blindfold back into its place. Helie seemed to relax once she did.
That was the very reason she wore a blindfold, to begin with.
Eventually, Helie asked:
"So... I guess we are dead now? At least as far as Clan Valor will be concerned. What do we do now?"
Cassie turned to her, remained silent for a moment, and then smiled softly.
"Well, what else?"
With that, she faced the jungle.
"We'll have to defect to Song, I guess."