"Y-yeah?"
"W-what did you just say? Aias?"
Eribóea was suddenly flustered. She was so flustered that even Aias became flustered.
"P-Pielott is going to the capital?"
"No, after that!"
"P-Professor Frondier?"
"W-why are you calling him Professor?!"
"Then what should I call him, if not Professor?!"
Ah, right.
Eribóea finally calmed down. She asked again,
"So you're saying, Professor Frondier's vacation dates coincide with Pielott's trip to the capital?"
"W-well, I don't know if it's the exact same date. I'm not even sure if he's on vacation."
"Then why do you think he's on vacation? No, how do you even know his schedule in the first place?"
"You said I was going to train with Pielott, right? That's Professor Frondier's class..."
"You! You're even taking lessons from that man?!"
"Of course I am! He's my teacher! What's gotten into you?"
Ah, right.
Eribóea shook her head.
"R-right. Go on."
"We were supposed to have separate lessons with Professor Frondier during vacation, but he said he wouldn't be available for a while. I just thought it was coincidental that it overlapped with Pielott going to the capital."
Eribóea felt a headache coming on.
She was happy that Aias was getting close to Pielott, but to think that the ominous devil, Frondier, was involved in their friendship? Not only were they training together, but Aias was also learning from Frondier?
And the dates of the canceled classes coincided with Pielott's trip to the capital?
"......Aias, is there any chance that Pielott and Professor Frondier are related?"
"W-well, I'm not sure. If anything, it seemed like Basileo and Professor Frondier had some sort of connection."
Eribóea's mind raced.
Pielott going to the capital for vacation, and Frondier taking a break from classes around the same time.
Just looking at it like this, it was a meaningless coincidence. During vacation, most students would go on trips, and many of them would visit the capital.
It was only natural for teachers to want to rest when they weren't working. It was actually strange that he had been teaching until now, even though it was vacation.
Therefore, Pielott and Frondier were not related in any way.
They weren't related in any way, but…
‘......But of all places, the capital…….’
The location Pielott was going to for vacation bothered Eribóea immensely.
It was like this: If there was a gamble with a less than 1% chance of losing, she would naturally take it. However, if the cost of losing was something too high, like her life, she would hesitate.
What if Frondier and Pielott were somehow connected, and it was actually Frondier who was headed to the capital, with Pielott tagging along?
And what if Frondier's objective was to leak information that was literally a matter of life and death for Eribóea to high-ranking nobles or even King Palma himself?
‘It's a long way from here to the capital. Using a phone is too risky, and letters wouldn't allow for a proper conversation. Meeting in person is the best way to convey information.’
Furthermore, the distance was only a disadvantage before departure. Once Frondier arrived in the capital, that disadvantage would turn into an advantage.
If Eribóea found out about Frondier's arrival in the capital even a moment too late, she would be forced to watch helplessly as he did whatever he pleased.
“......Aias.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Eribóea smiled sweetly.
“Let's go to the capital too. We haven't been on a trip lately, and a family vacation is long overdue.”
At her words, one of Aias's eyes twitched.
“......Why the capital?”
“Just because?”
“Can't we go somewhere else?”
“Why? You don't like the capital? It's not a place we can visit often.”
It wasn't that he disliked it. In fact, he rather liked it.
Atlas was a renowned educational institution and the pride of Palma, equipped with ample facilities. However, it couldn't compare to the splendor of the capital. The seat of the king. That alone made it a place abundant in sights and delicacies.
But for some reason,
‘......Why do I feel so uneasy?’
He really didn't want to go to the capital. Not this time.
Was it instinct or intuition? He felt the same nauseating and ominous feeling he had experienced while watching Glaucus and Pielott's spar.
......No, this felt different.
* * *
Frondier's meeting was drawing to a close.
With most matters settled, Arald asked, "So Poseidon isn't real. Is confirming that all we need to do?"
"No, we need to check on Aphrodite and Hera as well. There's a high probability they aren't gods either."
"How do we confirm that? If they're truly devils, they won't reveal themselves easily."
"It doesn't matter if they make a move or not."
Frondier's eyes narrowed.
"If they truly are devils impersonating gods, they must have formed contracts. So, we need to meet the two humans who supposedly received Hera and Aphrodite's divine powers."
Third parties couldn't differentiate between gods and devils.
However, those who had entered into contracts would at least know. They would know what they had made a deal with.
If they had met a devil, they must have made a contract. And they couldn't all be fools like Antero, who forgot their own memories because of the contract.
Lily asked, "What are we going to do when we meet these humans? They're not just going to tell us willingly."
"They'll tell us, eventually."
"──Okay. I won't ask anymore. Do what you need to do."
Lily sensed a familiar chill in Frondier's voice and backed down.
Frondier removed his hand from the desk.
All preparations were complete.
Carla, who had been observing him, spoke up, "Antero is a Royal Knight. If he holds a grudge, it could be dangerous."
"Whatever that guy does, it'll be insignificant compared to what we're trying to prevent."
"Right, of course."
Carla nodded in agreement.
She was slowly getting used to Frondier's way of thinking.
She didn't want to, but she was.
"Well then."
Frondier lifted his head. His gaze swept over everyone present.
Naturally, Pielott and Basileo were among them.
"Let's go. To the capital."
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Tiers starting at 10$ per month and you can access upto 40 advance chapters! Choose your tier by clicking the 'Support me' button! Join our discord server for latest release updates and novel discussions. Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones. Happy reading!