Embers (2)

I sat back down with Osprey and Jane. This wasn't going to be a short conversation.

Osprey took a sip from his teacup and said, As you said, we alone are not enough to extinguish that flame.

As he said, it wasn't realistic to resolve Manggot's attack within Constel.

I said, It's a threat to all of humanity, so all of humanity must join forces.

That's right. The problem is how to unite that strength.

Jane, who heard those words, said, By now, everyone must have realized that the Headmaster has returned. They must be sensing that there is a great cause.

Osprey is a Zodiac. And he is the closest to being an Archmage.

By now, the entire Empire would be on edge due to Osprey's return after disappearing from the world.

A person who had been completely forgotten had returned to memory, and it was none other than Osprey.

Something must have happened. Everyone would be aware of that.

But that wasn't enough.

I said to Jane, Everyone will suspect that Manggot will attack. If the Headmaster informs the Imperial Palace, and the Imperial Palace announces it to the entire Empire, they will know even if they don't want to.

Then can't we join forces?

Yes, on the surface.

Jane tilted her head at my words. She wouldn't understand why I used the expression 'on the surface'.

I said this to Teacher Isamaya before.

I recalled a conversation I had with Teacher Isamaya. The time when I got into her car and headed to the place where the air train was, to stop Indus.

At that time, Indus underestimated Manggot.

Even Osprey wouldn't be able to gauge the full scale and strength of Manggot.

But Osprey had just confirmed in another world who the god targeting him was.

In the process, he must have roughly figured out how dangerous Manggot was.

Even Indus, who gathered information from here and there, underestimated Manggot. Ordinary citizens would be even more so. The Pros and the Imperial Palace will be the same.

That was the problem.

Even if they believed that Manggot's attack was coming, how much would the continent invest to stop it?

...Frondier thinks that the support from the Imperial Palace and the Pros will be far from enough.

I think the Headmaster feels the same way.

Osprey nodded at my words.

It's not a matter of investment.

Yes. This is a matter of sacrifice. How much blood will be shed to extinguish Manggot's fire. That's the problem.

Jane opened her mouth at my words.

Perhaps the only person who agrees with this statement right now is Osprey. Most people don't know the danger of Manggot.

Manggot is a group that citizens learn about little by little through word of mouth.

Most people don't know, and even those who do, don't know properly. In other words, to the citizens, Manggot is close to an 'unknown fear'. Like ghosts or demons.

As if the threat could be reduced depending on their mindset, they treat Manggot with a loose fear.

I will try my best to appeal, but even if they understand my words, I'm worried whether the Imperial Palace will provide as much support as I want.

Osprey said in anguish.

I thought for a moment and then sighed.

Yes, I knew it would come to this. I had been preparing for this future that would come someday, because I was so afraid of it.

I will negotiate with the Imperial Palace.

You?

Osprey looked at me with surprised eyes. But soon he said as if he had remembered something, Right. I heard there was a Zodiac summoning while I was away. You made friends with the Imperial Palace and the Zodiac at that time. Is that what you mean, Frondier?

Of course, you are exactly right. However.

Even after making the decision, I put my fingers together, still with traces of worry.

Negotiations are not done with friendship.

* * *

Manggot wasn't going to attack tomorrow.

After discussing what to do next with Osprey, I went outside. This time, I wouldn't be caught again.

I left the Constel building and headed for the mansion.

Before negotiating with the Imperial Palace, I had something to do first.

...Phew.

After coming out to the open space, I confirmed that there was no one around through my 'sixth sense'.

I took a deep breath. At that moment, it felt like some kind of resolve flowed into my body.

"Selena."

I called out her name after a long time.

Her figure, which always appeared as soon as I called, was nowhere to be seen.

But I didn't bother calling again.

I wouldn't rush Selena. Whether she would come to me or return to Manggot, that was for Selena to decide. This was a promise I had made with Selena from the beginning.

So if she didn't answer this call, that was fine.

An unavoidable farewell,

"...I'm a little late. I'm sorry."

"..."

I was about to say, but Selena arrived behind me.

"It's been a while, Selena."

"...Haven't we seen each other every day in the classroom? And I'm also staying in this mansion."

There was a discrepancy in those words.

Since solving the drug case, meeting Mei at the Imperial Palace, defeating the devils, rescuing the lost Elodie, and until now.

I had barely been able to pay attention to Constel. And during that time, Selena had avoided interacting with me excessively.

Thinking about it now, Manggot's change must have already started from then.

"You must know the situation, Selena."

"...Yes."

"I wanted to give you more time, but I can't."

I looked at Selena. Selena, still kneeling before me, bowing her head deeply.

...That sight was so familiar, it made me feel uncomfortable.

Selena spoke in a flat voice, "I don't understand what you mean."

Selena said so.

"From the beginning, I am Manggot's body. You know that very well, Frondier-nim."

She spoke in a voice devoid of any emotion.

"I came to say goodbye today. Because I think that's the least I can do."