Organization (3)

Unlike before, I was able to receive quite the VIP treatment.

Well, compared to back then, we now have two apostles from the Pantheon Temple and two members of royalty.

No matter how angry Edge Forys might be, he couldn’t just throw us in prison. Of course, we did go through introductions first.

Our group had grown considerably, so Edge Forys must have been feeling uneasy.

Fortunately, since there wasn’t a single ordinary person in our party, it didn’t lead to any problems.

“With a coordinated attack, you could probably overthrow this place in a day. Yes, that would be a very wise move indeed.”

But the problem was that we were all too unusual.

Even after reducing our numbers following the battle with Phoenix, Edge Forys was already acquainted with Hecate.

Even if we tried to hide it, there was no way to conceal her presence.

With her existence exposed, Eremus, whom she treated with utmost respect, was naturally exposed as well.

Though it would be more accurate to say that he didn’t even bother to explain or hide himself. Thanks to that, there was a bit of commotion, but Edge Forys decided to let it slide once he realized Eremus harbored no hostility toward him.

“Do you understand, Ratatoskr? From now on, you’re just an ordinary squirrel leader. You’re absolutely not a trial, so you can’t act that way.”

“Why?”

“Because if your true identity is exposed, there’s a high chance Duke Forys will actually start swinging his staff around.”

Among our companions, the only one we could still keep secret was Ratatoskr.

We decided to pass him off as a spiritual beast that Titan had brought along from Alfheim.

It’s not like anything catastrophic would happen just from hiding that one thing.

“Besides, no one can guarantee how Duke Forys will react. I can’t even guarantee that he’s truly given up.”

I don’t know Edge Forys.

What I know is merely what I’ve guessed from our few meetings and conversations.

Before my regression, he died trying to block Eremus who was trampling his domain.

Yes, he’s someone who takes responsibility.

He’s the one who arranged the engagement between Another Hope and Siris Forys.

If that’s the case, is it so strange to think he would take responsibility?

I don’t think so.

But at the same time, I don’t think he’s a foolish person.

He’s someone who knows what would happen if he died now.

He’s a politician who understands the greater good, a nobleman who understands honor, but he’s also someone who sways like a reed.

“I wonder how things will turn out.”

That’s why I need to talk with Edge Forys more. Whether what he wants is revenge or responsibility. What he’s planning to do. Why he intends to do it.

I need to know all that.

“Then I’ll go meet with the Duke for a bit. Línea, you know what to do, right?”

“I monitor the Duke’s every move from a distance, correct?”

“Right.”

Conversation alone isn’t enough.

Either way, we’re currently lacking information. We need to observe Edge Forys’s choices through the stealth techniques Línea learned from Shade.

“The rest of you should get some rest.”

“Oh, Lost, would it be alright if I stepped out for a bit?”

It was Claire’s request.

It was surprising to see her, who usually prefers to lounge around, volunteer to move, but the reason was obvious.

“…Alright. But take Eve and Lilia with you.”

“I understand Eve, but why this baggage?”

“Having her around means you won’t get too depressed, right?”

“Heeheeheehee!”

“…Well, I suppose that’s true.”

Claire nodded after looking at Lilia, who was smiling like an idiot.

The Forys duchy is Claire’s hometown. This is where the Ryan barony was located, and where Burke Ryan, who had lived for her sake, had been.

For her, it’s a place filled with pain, but also a place with memories she shouldn’t forget.

“Let’s go, then. Hecate, Princess Ilina should stay here with Titan and Ratatoskr.”

“…You’re leaving me alone with these monsters?”

“Moving as a large group wouldn’t do us any good, would it? If you really want to do something, you could follow Claire.”

“Tsk… Fine. I’ll wait here.”

“That’s good of you.”

“So, don’t good children get some kind of reward?”

“I’ll think about it.”

Although Ilina Crowley is generally imperious and self-centered, she’s not clueless.

She too understands the kind of pain Claire is going through. She’s acutely aware that she wouldn’t be much help to Claire.

That’s why I assigned the innocent Lilia and Eve, who could support Claire mentally, to accompany her.

After distributing everyone like this…

-Hoeeee, what about me?

“Senior, why don’t you go visit your old friend? Isn’t there someone in the underground prison?”

-Ah! That’s right. I’d forgotten!

“……”

I just feel sorry for Bella, who’s been locked up in the Forys duchy’s prison all this time.

If this is what her boss is like, I would have impeached her too.

*     *      *

The meeting with Edge Forys happened more quickly than I expected.

I thought he might make all sorts of excuses and drag things out like last time.

Surprisingly, when I said I wanted to meet him, he immediately arranged a place.

Yes, he probably has no intention of avoiding this. He must know my purpose, so he’s chosen to confront me head-on.

“Come to think of it, with all the commotion, I haven’t had a chance to say this. I express my condolences for His Holiness’s death.”

“His martyred Holiness would surely be moved by Duke Forys’s sincerity.”

“It was truly a death befitting him.”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, could I hear a bit more about what happened? In fact, the reason I left Skadi in such a hurry was because I heard the news. I only know that His Holiness was martyred, but not the details.”

“Of course you can. After all, someone like you, who should be at the Pantheon Temple gathering information, rushed to find me instead—the circumstances must be dire indeed. I understand.”

His tone is seriously no joke.

For a moment, anger surged within me, but I decided to control myself. Honestly, what right do I have to be angry at him?

I parted with Cotinus on bad terms and didn’t even try to stop him.

Given that, it would be embarrassing rather than infuriating to be called out for not knowing about his death.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? That the news has reached even here—do you know what that means? It means His Holiness protected people even while fighting against the demon.”

And apart from that, Edge Forys was showing considerable respect when speaking about Cotinus.

“They say he turned his back on people and fought against demons and half-demons. He fought, throwing himself into battle until they fled. A remarkable man. He took responsibility, considering the impact his actions would have.”

“That’s…”

“They say he fought for three days and nights, charging all the way to the Hope duchy, helping people evacuate while battling the demon. And then he died standing after breaking one pair of the demon’s wings.”

Edge Forys’s voice was tinged with solemnity.

The respect I sensed from him wasn’t superficial. It meant that Edge Forys as a person was captivated by Cotinus’s way of life.

“They say even that cunning demon expressed condolences for his death and left his broken wings as a medal. Do you understand? He left behind what his name truly means.”

Cotinus.

A name that means ‘smoke tree.’

And its flower language means ‘hope for tomorrow.’

Yes, having revealed the demon’s schemes and saved people, it’s fair to say he illuminated the hope for tomorrow.

I still find his death too rash and sudden.

But I can’t deny that his intentions were noble.

Doing what needs to be done knowing you’ll die. Upholding the principles you’ve established.

How difficult must that be?

And Edge Forys’s intentions in respecting and praising that were all too clear.

“Duke Forys.”

“Yes, now you understand why I said such things.”

“Are you determined to take responsibility until the end? Even though you’ll only meet a dog’s death if you go?”

“Are you saying His Holiness died like a dog? If that’s what you think, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“That’s sophistry. The situations are different, aren’t they? His Holiness illuminated a ray of hope through his death, but your death won’t leave anything behind. In fact, you might lose something even more important.”

“Are you so certain?”

“Let me be frank. The probability of Duke Forys winning against that creature is less than one in ten thousand.”

“You’re saying a fight wouldn’t even be possible. Well, if even someone as strong as His Holiness met such an end, why would I be any different?”

He knows.

He knows that his death won’t change anything.

It wouldn’t be taking responsibility; it would just leave behind an even heavier burden.

Despite knowing this, is he unable to suppress his anger?

The Duke Forys?

I can’t believe that. He might have a fiery temperament, but he’s not a fool.

“Are you confident?”

“Confidence? I’ve been in this field for 50 years. If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have started in the first place!”

“Politics and the battlefield are similar yet different. Do you think that demon would even negotiate with you?”

“Are you saying people only talk when there’s something to gain from each other? Getting him to sit in a chair—that’s where everything begins. If the investment for that is the life of one aging old man, it’s actually quite a bargain!”

Yes, now I understand.

He’s going as a duke.

Even if the result leads to his death, a nobleman doesn’t stop speaking on the political stage.

“If you know yourself, don’t you know the strategic value you hold as an individual? Do you think it’s worth discarding that?”

“You’re using your head to save your granddaughter? I’ve always doubted whether you’re truly a priest, and those tendencies seem to be growing by the day.”

“……”

“It’s as if you’re becoming more distant from emotions. At a glance, it might look like the demeanor of an ascetic, but I’m not so sure…”

Edge Forys examines me with a critical gaze.

It was hard to meet his eyes.

And I knew the reason. Frighteningly, Phoenix’s warning came to mind as I listened to Edge Forys’s words, so there was no need to look for the reason.

“A rational choice… That would be a good thing. If only it hadn’t come from the mouth of a priest.”

“Stop mocking me. It won’t make me change my stance.”

“I didn’t expect much anyway.”

“…Duke Forys. Would you consider taking us with you instead?”

“Was that your means of persuading me? You know I wouldn’t readily accept that?”

Yes, if he had needed assistance, he would have been using his brain instead of getting irritated when he met us.

Being the kind of person who calculates everything in his head, he would have found a way to ensure our cooperation.

But he didn’t.

He truly intends to charge into the Hope duchy alone.

It’s completely incomprehensible.

Must that responsibility be shouldered alone?

“I trust him. Whether he’s become a demon or remains human, if I go alone, he’ll meet with me.”

“Even if you meet, do you think it will lead to a negotiation? Do you think you can kill him in a one-on-one confrontation?”

“What I trust is my judgment. It’s what has sustained me for over 50 years. Demon or not, he’s still Wallace Hope, and we’re longstanding political rivals. So even if he can overpower me, we’re destined to have a conversation.”

“……”

I was at a loss for words.

Even though I was certain he would die like a dog.

Despite being so certain, I found myself wondering if I might be wrong.

“I’m not going to fight. I’m going to engage in politics with him.”

I was overwhelmed by his resolute gaze.

Edge Forys intends to meet Belial alone.

There are no mutual interests. Nothing they want from each other. Yet he’s confident they can reach a dialogue.

And the reason for that confidence…

“Even on the political stage, can you predict my chances of success?”

It stems from his life itself.