Nastrond (6)
A meeting was convened in the Terst Empire.
A meeting that summoned all Zodiacs, promising Pros, and high nobles.
The scale was comparable to the Manggot War, but
one person was absent.
Frondier de Roach.
The man who stood before the conference room and issued operational and deployment orders to everyone. He was not present.
Instead, another person entered the conference room.
“I am Elodie de Inies Rishae.”
The person who entered spoke in front of everyone. In the very spot where Frondier once stood.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, and to all of you who are the light of the Empire. I stand here because I have something to say.”
Everyone gathered in the conference room looked at Elodie.
But their gazes were not kind.
‘Inies.’
The child loved by the five Gods.
Once a promising prospect on par with Aster, a girl who was the light of the Empire more than anyone else.
But a traitor who left this continent following the devil, Frondier.
“The Gods are coming.”
Elodie met their gazes and spoke.
“The Gods consider humans as enemies, and they will descend upon this land to ravage the Empire.”
“…….”
Everyone fell silent at her words.
Elodie's statement was not welcome, but neither was it shocking.
Because.
“Why should we believe that?”
One of the Pros spoke.
They were already suspicious of Elodie.
Elodie lowered her gaze.
‘As expected, they don’t believe me.’
Elodie was a highly anticipated mage in the Empire. No, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she received all the expectations one could have as a mage.
And yet, she suddenly left the Empire, and the first thing she says upon her abrupt return is that the Gods are attacking?
As a companion of Frondier, who is suspected of being a devil, it was difficult for her to gain trust.
However.
“Say, Elodie.”
Daisy Foster, a Zodiac, opened her mouth.
“Where’s Ludovic?”
“……Yes?”
“He went to the continent you were on, after leaving the Empire. You didn’t run into him?”
“……Ah, well, we did. He got a room near the house where we were staying, so we’ve been together.”
At that, Daisy grinned and looked at the Zodiac Monty.
“See, I won.”
“Hmph.”
A few coins flew through the air with a clink, and Daisy skillfully snatched them with her hand.
Monty spoke, seemingly dissatisfied.
“I misjudged him. I thought he’d return to the Empire as soon as things were over. Isn't he the type whose loyalty is all he has?”
“The sea wasn’t in a good mood, you know. He wouldn’t have been able to come even if he wanted to.”
Daisy was right.
At that time, Poseidon was extremely sensitive. The only reason Elodie could reach here was because she was acquainted with Poseidon.
Although Poseidon was being used by Frondier, he still considered Frondier to be on his side.
On the other hand, Aster had thrown a spear and wounded Poseidon's cheek, and Ludovic was the one who carried Aster away. It was best for both of them to stay out of Poseidon's sight.
“I see. So the Gods are coming, huh.”
Daisy sighed and raised her head. The other Zodiacs had similar expressions.
Their reactions were so perplexing that Elodie couldn't help but ask,
“……You believe me?”
“Huh?”
“I thought you wouldn’t trust my words.”
At Elodie’s words, Daisy smiled bitterly.
“Elodie, do you have any idea what the Empire was like after you and Frondier left?”
“……It, it was tough.”
“It was chaos.”
Daisy let out a deep sigh.
“The crime rate skyrocketed like never before, monsters that were dead from lack of Internal Energy came back to life and attacked the barrier, and people’s anxiety grew. Especially Ludovic, he was the biggest problem.”
“……Ah.”
She had heard it from Frondier.
That Ludovic was carrying immense guilt.
The only worry Frondier had when he chose to leave to ensure the Empire's smooth operation. As if it were his own fault, Frondier had said.
“Is Ludovic healthy? Was he the Zodiac you knew?”
“……To my eyes, he was.”
“That’s good.”
The corners of Daisy’s eyes softened.
“Then it’s alright.”
The moment Elodie saw that expression on Daisy's face, she understood many things.
It was a face Elodie herself had made before.
“If Ludovic is back to his old self, then what’s right is clear.”
“……! You can’t just simplify it like that!”
One of the Zodiacs, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke up in a strong tone.
“We still haven’t cleared Frondier of the suspicion that he’s a devil! As long as there’s no proof that he isn’t a devil……!”
“That’s right! If Frondier is a devil, then we can’t trust a word you say, his companion!”
Another Zodiac chimed in, and the palace became noisy.
Emperor Terst and Empress Philly watched with deepening concern as the chaos continued.
‘Even now, this disorder won’t stop.’
Philly’s head began to ache.
But then.
“……Still,”
A pure voice cut through the noise.
“Do we still have to fight amongst ourselves?”
Her words were not loud, but they were clear and resonated deeply within their hearts.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Aten Terst.
As always, she stood there, a beacon of pure white in that dark and somber place.
“Mr. Osprey.”
“……Yes, Your Highness.”
Osprey bowed his head deeply.
“At the scene of Azier’s death, you told me. That you had entrusted him with a request.”
Osprey's eyes widened at that. Heanswered immediately.
“That is correct.”
Those who had gathered at the site where Azier’s body lay, at Frondier's request.
Among them were Aten, one of the three Empresses, and the Headmaster, Osprey.
Osprey had spoken then, as if reminiscing about his memories with Azier.
─I asked him to prevent the division of the Zodiacs. Now, he can no longer fulfill that request.
Osprey had said, a deep sigh carrying his sorrow.
As if remembering that moment, Osprey’s eyes drooped.
“……Division……”
Someone muttered quietly.
Osprey had always been worried about the potential division of the Zodiacs.
Azier, too, had been aware of this concern and had accepted the request.
“He said he would certainly do it.”
Osprey said in a regretful voice.
Aten looked at her face for a moment.
Then she spoke.
“You know Azier’s father, Enfer.”
“……? Of course.”
“He never allowed a single monster to intrude, and so he was called ‘The Iron Wall.’ Perhaps inheriting that temperament, I heard that Azier has never failed a request since becoming a Pro.”
Azier wasn’t highly ranked among Pros.
He hadn’t been a Pro for long, and he hadn’t taken on many requests.
He only accepted requests he knew he could fulfill.
“I,”
Aten said.
“Believe the same is true this time.”
With her pure white eyes,
As if believing that everyone’s eyes were the same as hers.
“I believe, without a doubt, that he fulfilled his request.”
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