[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4Q1QloC.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nBgNtpQ.png[/img][/center] After her talk with Dina, Justine spent her time resting at the lounge, and returned back to the spectator seats, only to see the aftermath of what became Penny and Sam's duel. Neito was singing on the stage, though Justine didn't get much of a chance to listen before Lily was shaking her shoulders. [color=fff200]"Oh, Justy! You won't believe what just happened! Penny and Sam both injured themselves in the match!"[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"Wait, what?"[/color] She grit her teeth, as her hand balled up into a fist. [color=bc8dbf]"I didn't think it was possible...So what now? Has Dan called it off?"[/color] Lily shook her head. [color=fff200]"No, I don't think so...But it also looks like Betty's withdrawn."[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"That means I win by default and move on to round three...Probably against Freya."[/color] [color=fff200]"Are you scared, Justy?"[/color] Justine shook her head. [color=bc8dbf]"No...Even if I lose, it won't matter. What I'm more concerned about-"[/color] she glanced up at the spectator stands. The glint of her glasses could not be mistaken. [color=bc8dbf]"...Is her."[/color] [hr] "Here are the reports of the matches as you've requested, Inquisitor," Violette bowed as she handed the documents to Rachel, who was sitting in the audience seats. She was still miffed by the earlier encounter with Finn. "That bastard...If I wasn't currently occupied with this...compromising activity, I would have caved his ribs in right then and there." Violette sighed. "It's unfortunate how a Sinner has appeared in Penrose now of all times." "You mean two Sinners, correct?" Rachel adjusted her glasses from beyond the papers. Violette blinked. "Huh? What do you mean, there's two? Justine was confirmed to have been purified and having lost her influence. Sinner of Lust no longer applies as a title to her...Or was it Pride?" "If it was Pride, Justine wouldn't have been as easily defeated as she was," Rachel corrected. "A Sinner of Lust may appear fearsome, but their objectives and aspirations are shallow and limited, and they are short-sighted in accomplishing it. Even a disorganized band of magical girls can take one down, as happened with Justine. That is why we consider them the lowest in the Sinner ranking." Violette frowned. "I-I see. But, if it is not her, who is the second Sinner?" Rachel's answer was concise. "The Sinner of Sloth...Mariette Pedersen. FanFan gasped. "Her? But what about the previous one?" "The previous Sinner of Sloth has been neutralized. She was found in northern Europe, hosting some kind of killing game between magical girls. As her title suggested, she preferred having her 'contestants' kill each other instead of involving herself directly. It was a gruesome affair, but we managed to rescue some survivors." Violette and FanFan both grimaced, followed by Violette asking: "But why is Mariette designated that title?" "I had my suspicions for a while, but I was finally able to confirm it from seeing how she is involved." She took a look at the report. "Mariette is an expert at manipulating others, and making them do her bidding. This shows from how she presents herself as vulnerable and endearing with a redundant eyepatch and a toy she carries around at all times. She has a considerable following of underlings, and was behind the kidnapping incident in Penrose, leaving no evidence behind. Her unique magic allows her to extend her influence to a vast distance without moving a single inch, and she has the intelligence to utilize it as well, as evident by her duel with Justine. She is a risk which Beacon must prepare for." FanFan nodded. "I understand. I'll report this to Elora." "While you do, I'd also like for you to add in a report on the person Penny dueled against." She flipped through the pages. "...Samantha. A member of Crimson Cradle, and a reputed assassin with deadly skills. I have fought her once...And back then, she did not show half as much as she did just now. Have her assigned under 'Major risk'." Both FanFan and Violette saluted, and Rachel looked back at the arena. "This community is abnormal, yet..." Rachel found herself slightly smiling, before snapping back to attention. "...Pah. What a waste of time. The operation shall continue."