Chapter 80: Embers (3)
Headquarters of the professional organization Phenomenon, Eden Hamelot’s personal office.
Eden Hamelot, the No. 1 professional, was enjoying the peace that had only recently come.
‘I haven’t heard from you since then.’
After honoring the souls of my dead colleagues, falsely reporting that the mass deaths occurred in a fight with a monster, and returning to my hometown to see the faces of my parents and younger brother, today.
Eden finally felt the gears of his life turning again.
After the Mana Potion Incident, the stock price of Phenomenon, the headquarters of which Eden belonged as a leader, rose significantly, and its image in the imperial palace also improved.
Of course, there was no need to mention Eden, who personally went to the imperial palace and received high praise from Empress Fili.
“At the time, I thought I was caught by Her Majesty the Empress, but seeing as nothing much happened, I guess that wasn’t the case.”
If Frontier’s involvement in that incident had been discovered, his family would have been killed instantly. By the hands of Frontier.
From Eden’s point of view, who thinks Frontier holds all the information, he has no way to stop Frontier from killing his family.
Of course, he could aim for Frontier directly, but the fear of Frontier was already deeply ingrained in Eden’s mind.
It’s a fight where you don’t know which side will win unless you’re in Frontier’s defense, but in the end, you end up hesitating.
‘Well, thanks to you hiding it, Phenomenon will grow even bigger, and so will I. If he doesn’t do anything useless like this,’
It was as if he had been waiting for Eden to think that way.
Whoops, his phone rang.
“… … .”
Eden looked at the phone screen with a frown.
Should I say it was as expected or as I guessed? Rather, I would say it was surprising because the timing was so unfortunate.
I received a text message from that guy.
[Please prepare.]
What are you saying, you bastard?
Do you really see me as your subordinate now? And what do you prepare after cutting the front and back?
But the next letter.
[Mangot is coming.]
Eden’s expression turned cold.
The text messages continued.
[All of Phenomenon’s troops are needed.]
From Noble mtl dot com
[This is not a threat.]
[This is a matter that depends on the lives of all citizens of the Empire.]
“… … Rotten.”
Eden clicked his tongue.
Eden also knows about Cape Bay. The fact that its existence poses a clear threat.
From Eden’s point of view, Frondier is a guy who wants to rip him to death right away, but I know that he is the thorough and cautious type. There is no way Frontier would have sent this text message as a joke.
Whether you call it a threat or not, what Eden will do is fixed.
Eden pressed the button on the Sage phone and put it to his ear.
“Yes, it’s me.”
Eden doesn’t trust Frontier anyway. The same goes for Frontier.
But it has nothing to do with that.
Anyway, Eden has to listen to Frondier’s orders, and Frondier just throws up excuses in advance for Eden to listen to his orders.
“We need to hold an emergency meeting.”
If the lives of all citizens of the empire were at stake, Phenomenon would naturally have no choice but to step forward.
* * *
Frontier headed to the imperial palace.
There were no family members and the driver was not present. There was no need for that.
He explained the situation to Aten in advance, and Fili, who received the message, immediately called someone and brought Frondier to him.
Frondier arrived at the imperial palace in a luxurious vehicle, receiving unprecedented escort and hospitality.
However, there was kindness in the process of taking Frontier, but there was no pomp. This is because it was not something that would attract attention.
“Mr. Frontier, your expression is dark.”
Aten, who had driven with him from Constel, looked at him worriedly.
“Is there anything you’re worried about?”
“no. “I’m a little nervous.”
Frondier smiled and shook his head. No, I shook my head. Like someone with dust stuck to their hair, it seemed like they were shaking something else instead of the dust.
“… … is it so.”
Aten did not believe Frondier’s words. Now, I know full well that Frontier is not nervous about things like this.
However, I also know that even if I ask questions, I will not be able to get a proper answer.
“Welcome! Frontier.”
Empress Fili welcomed him.
It was because I guessed why Frontier came back.
Frondier bowed his head and followed Fili’s guidance toward the living room.
Fili made Aten and Frondier sit down and did not allow anyone else to enter the drawing room.
“sorry. It’s late because I’ve been doing a thorough investigation to see if there are any remaining shadowy figures involved in the mana potion. There was a reward to give to Mr. Frontier. Is there anything you want? “I will achieve anything within my power.”
Fili thought that Frontier had come for this reward.
As an empress, she has and can handle anything, whether it’s money or power.
Even if we limit it to the scope of her abilities, it would be almost meaningless. Since Philly does not lie easily, his remarks are even more meaningful.
Previously, when Fili entrusted a request for a mana potion to Frondier, Frondier received the quest at the same time.
[Subquest: Weeding out]
•Explanation: The group that planned the mana injection belongs to the Dark Division. Execute them according to Fili’s orders.
•Goal: Eliminate the mastermind and collaborators of the plan.
•Compensation: Paid separately depending on quest performance. If you miss some of the masterminds or collaborators, or if you eliminate other people in the shadow, the reward will drop, and if you kill someone who is not a character in the shadow, you will fail.
•If you fail, you lose Fili’s trust.
However, this quest was not completely successful.
Because they were all killed by the devil before Frontier could eliminate them. The quest reward is still pending.
However, this is a quest reward, and what Fili gives is separate. From Philly’s point of view, I think the credit for this naturally belongs to Frontier and he should be compensated accordingly.
“… … “Her Majesty, just a moment before that.”
“Ah, that title again.”
“sorry. Please forgive me this time.”
Frontier’s voice has a different atmosphere somewhere.
Fili’s eyes narrowed with interest.
“Hmm. So, what is it? Frontier.”
“Please look at this.”
Frondier took something out of his arms.
A small object wrapped preciously in fine cloth.
As soon as he saw the small size lying in Frondier’s palm, Fili guessed its identity. However, because it is difficult to believe, the pupils naturally open.
“… … Mr. Frontier, no way, that.”
Aten next to me also had wide eyes.
“yes.”
Frondier removed the cloth and revealed its true identity.
“It’s Dragonheart.”
A thin triangular ring. A huge current of mana spewing out from within.
This is not an illusion created by Frontier through copying. However, it is not the real thing taken from the dragon’s body.
An original created jointly by Frontier and May. Even though it is a fake, it is a crystal of mana that can be compared to the real thing.
The dragon heart, shining brightly, spread a transparent and noble beauty as if you could even hear the sound of the melody. Fili, who was looking at it, asked.
“… … “Is this really Dragonheart?”
“They are not exactly the same materials. But I think you will get the effect you want.”
The effect Philly wanted. In other words, treating Bartello’s weakness.
If you have this Dragonheart, you can do it.
“… … .”
Fili was frozen for a moment despite Frondier’s assertion and was looking at Dragonheart.
It’s not that I doubt Frontier’s words. It’s not like I gave up on Dragonheart.
After Frondeer destroyed the Dragonheart to eliminate the gate to the devil, Fili was gathering information again to find another Dragonheart.
Dragonhearts are rare, but there is not just one. Even if you don’t do anything dangerous by targeting the dragon directly, dragon hearts are often seen on its corpse.
Of course, it is a slim probability. However, that was not a reason to give up, so Fili spent the night researching and dispatching data, desperately hoping to find the Dragon Heart.
… … so that.
“… … Frontier.”
Because Philly knows its value very well.
“Why are you showing me this?”
Fili’s habits stand out.
‘Doubt’ about the situation that has arrived in front of him, which has nothing to do with trusting Frontier.
The danger that arises when something a person desperately desires appears in front of him.
Most of it is similar to the scent emitted by carnivorous plants, so Fili cannot reach out.
“… … majesty.”
Frondier made a heavy voice and placed the Dragon Heart on the table. At a point located midway between Frontier and Philly.
“I am about to say something more rude and harsh than anything else to Your Majesty. “I know very well that no matter how much I embellish my words, there is no way Your Highness will not be able to read my true intentions.”
“… … That’s not the answer. Frontier. “I thought you were someone who wasn’t scared of things like that.”
Fili was a bit nervous, to say the least.
Dragonheart is on the table, and Frondier is afraid of what he is about to say. This is a frontier that is not afraid of most things. Aten also froze as he looked at Frontier.
Frondier took a deep breath and then spoke.
“I would like to make a deal with you, Your Highness.”
“… … “Is this the item listed in the transaction?”
“In addition to this, this is a deal where I offer up all the compensation that Your Highness had agreed to give me.”
Fili’s eyes became sharper.
“… … Let’s listen first. What do you want? “It’s a deal worth risking everything for.”
“We need troops.”
Fili tilted his head at Frondier’s words. Aten’s tension also eased somewhat.
case history? I can give you just about anything. That’s what Frontier is betting on, isn’t it? The method of giving troops requires several steps, but there is nothing that cannot be done. At the very least, it would be possible to have Frondier become a knight in the imperial palace.
But next words.
“We need the entire army of the imperial palace.”
Fili, who was about to give a light answer to those words, stopped.
If it had been anyone else, the moment he said something like that, they would have sent soldiers to chase him out. No, it is worthy of being punished for a crime. Aten would have done something before Fili stepped forward in the first place.
However, Philly became more serious. Because the person who said that was Frontier.
“… … Something is happening.”
Frondier nodded deeply.
Suddenly, at the same time, Frondier looked at Fili with cold, shining eyes.
“Mangot is coming.”
That one word.
One word that seemed to explain Frondier’s somber expression weighed heavily on the room.
“… … Frontier, if Mangot really comes, the imperial palace will take care of it. Even if you don’t do any ‘deals’ or anything. “It’s not a matter for you to risk everything and tell me.”
Fili said. Mangot is an enemy of the empire. This is a well-known fact that everyone knows. This is not an item that Frontier would trade. Because the empire will move just as Frontier wants.
But Frondier shook his head.
“When Mangot is attacked, the empire will recruit knights and troops to prepare. I know that too. “What I deal with is what comes next.”
“next?”
“I don’t think the imperial palace has enough troops to prepare at all.”
“… … “Can you make such a statement without knowing how much you will prepare?”
“yes.”
Frondier nodded.
Of course, we do not know the specific number of troops the empire will prepare.
But that is not the concept that Frontier is talking about.
“After the Empire prepares its troops, please consider that the additional troops I want from there are the entire price I am paying now.”
“… … .”
Fili looked at Frondier with low eyes after hearing those words.
The price offered by Frontier. The reward and Dragon Heart that Fili had agreed to give.
Compensation is not important. Even more so if you limit it to what Philly can give you. Moreover, it is meaningless unless you decide what reward you will give in the first place.
The important thing is Dragon Heart. If you look at the price alone, this is not that high of a price. Of course, you can sell it for a fairly high price, but it would be too much to talk about the entire army that Frontier is talking about.
Yes.
What Frontier is offering for trade now is not Dragon Heart.
“… … okay. Frontier.”
Indeed, these are truly cruel words.
From Fili’s point of view, Dragon Heart is needed ‘right now’.
There is no way to know how Bartello’s weakness will develop or what further risks it may pose. It was at this time that Frontier showed the Dragon Heart.
The intention is clear.
“You have put the price of my husband’s life on the scale.”
“… … .”
Frondier remains silent at those words.
Frontier knows that Bartello’s weakness will not lead to his death.
He will simply step down from the throne, and Saleh, his second daughter, will become emperor.
However, there is no way to convince Philly of this. And because Fili is mindful of Bartello’s death, the value of this Dragonheart shines.
… … Yes. Especially since this is a transaction aimed at that.
Frontier was right to put Bartello’s life in the balance.
“Instead of saving the emperor’s life, move your entire army. “There’s nothing wrong with the balance.”
Fili’s voice was cold.
Frondier spoke with unwavering eyes.
“… … Cape Bay is the empire’s greatest threat.”
“is it so? What about the man in front of me right now? “I think it’s the biggest threat to me right now.”
The temperature in the room drops, and Fili’s magical power swells.
“It’s just you, me, and Aten in this parlor, with most of the guards so they can’t hear the conversation. With your skills, it would be difficult to win even if Aten and I attack at the same time. Moreover, this street is the worst for wizards.”
Fili’s words, muttering like frost, are fired at Frondier.
“After the troops prepared for the attack on Mangot, additional troops worth the same value as the emperor’s life? There is no such thing in the empire. So what you want to say is this. By ‘all troops’, you mean to bring all the troops that can be gathered through the power of the empire, not all the troops currently in the empire, right? Professionals, mercenaries, police, and even Constel. Literally the entire army of the entire empire. “That is the price of the emperor’s life.”
If what Frontier is offering is really Bartello’s life, then ‘entire forces’ means just that.
“Whether it is money or power, just gathering troops like that causes the empire to shed a lot of blood. However, if Mangot’s power is not that strong, no, if what you said about Mangot attacking is false. “If you have another agenda behind concentrating all your troops.”
Paaat!
Ice flowers bloom in an instant around Fili. Sharp thorns extending from the center of the flower. It aims at the frontier as if it will be shot at any moment.
“… … “What should I do with you, Frondier?”
Now, Fili’s lines and the ice thorns blooming around her.
All of that sounds threatening, but in reality, she has no life to live.
‘… … As expected, it doesn’t work.’
Fili turned to face Frondier, who was still looking straight at her.
Most people can be swayed by threats like this, but it doesn’t work on Frontier either.
‘Did Frontier really judge it that way?’
The behavioral principle of always suspecting everything exists at the foundation of Philly.
Philly grew his trust in Frondier by doing many things with him and receiving his help.
But that’s why Philly is in trouble right now.
The current situation is that she has to once again doubt the few people she trusts.
Does Frontier really have other plans? Was all the sincerity he had shown so far just laying the groundwork for this deal? What is that dragon heart? Where did it come from? Did Frontier have a Dragonheart from the beginning? Are you holding on to that and handing it out to Philly when he needs it most?
… … But for that, he saved Aten, saved himself from his first daughter Elysia, and even protected the life of Emperor Bartello? All of that was just laying the groundwork to make this deal happen?
‘… … no. Nonsense.’
This is ridiculous.
Frontier is not that kind of person. No, no one can do that.
Frontier was not safe under any circumstances. He risked his life to move.
That’s why Fili trusted him, and that’s why Fili is confused now.
‘In order to block Mangot, you must be prepared for the empire to collapse.’
However, it is too unrealistic to believe what Frontier says.
Cape Bay is a clear threat, but I don’t think it’s something the entire empire should do everything it can to stop it.
If Mangot’s power had grown to that level, they would have attacked the empire a long time ago.
However, Mangot was waiting for that moment to completely destroy the empire.
──The embers of Mangot will not go out.
──The day that flame goes out is the day when everything in the empire turns to ashes and Mangot itself collapses into flames.
Words from the past ring in Fili’s ears.
Little by little, my head hurts.
“Mr. Frontier.”
The transparent voice heard at that time.
Pure white eyes that seemed to wash away the dark emotions of Frondier and Fili.
“If we combine all the might of the empire, can we stop Mangot?”
Aten asked.
It was like a fairy tale. A line that would appear in a story that children would enjoy.
Frondier, who was dazed for a moment after hearing those words, eventually spoke.
“I think it’s most likely.”
“then.”
From Noble mtl dot com
This time, Aten looked at Fili.
“The empire must join forces. mom.”
“… … Aten. It’s not that simple. If you try to gather all the troops with the money and power of the imperial palace, the empire will definitely tilt, and you won’t even know if Frondier’s words are true in the first place… … .”
“Are you lying?”
Aten asked Frondier.
“… … no.”
Frondier answered, wondering if this answer had any meaning.
Conversations with Aten were always like this.
Even if the words seem to make sense, they are always out of focus.
Why was that?
“I said no, Mom.”
Was it because Aten was a princess, didn’t know much about society, and was immature?
“… … Aten, of course Frontier answers that way. “How can you believe that?”
or not,
“Then who are you going to trust, Mom?”
“… … “Aten.”
“Faith is achieved by building a foundation of doubt. Mom told me Who to trust in a world where enemies lurk both politically and in reality, and in the world of the imperial palace where no one can be trusted.”
“… … .”
Or is it because only she knows the answer from the beginning?
“The royal family is a person who stands on top to protect the people.”
Aten said. Only white color still remains in the weightless expression.
Pure white is easy to get dirty.
Aten’s whiteness always washes itself into whiteness.
“I have to save it.”
Aten acted as if the entire conversation between Frondier and Fili was meaningless.
It’s as if they’re asking why they’re dragging their feet on such an obvious answer.
He says it so innocently.
“That’s what we’re going to do.”