When the two of them arrived at the auditorium after moving quickly...
Most people were already there. Although Edwin had been the first to suggest gathering, Osprey had designated the location. That's why they were able to gather earlier.
Those gathered checked each other's faces. Almost no one was seriously injured, and only Ellen and Sybil were close to Mana exhaustion, putting them at risk.
However, there was one person.
A man with a deep wound was receiving treatment.
Elodie confirmed his appearance and rushed over. Aster was already nearby.
The former top troublemaker within Constel, a genius of combat.
"I got a little hurt. Sorry."
Robald had a deep wound on his abdomen and was being treated by Aten.
Robald couldn't defeat the devil.
In a dangerous situation, he was saved by Aten who had moved locations. Robald had come under Aten's surveillance, who could perform Mana care from a distance. It was a stroke of luck.
'...I see. Robald is more connected to Aster than Frondier.'
If Aster chased after Frondier, Robald chased after Aster.
Therefore, to keep up with Aster, who had grown stronger by following Frondier, he was one step behind compared to those who kept pace with Frondier directly.
That one step had made the difference here.
"...Wait, could it be..."
And Elodie realized a chilling fact. She was startled and looked at Aster.
To Elodie's question, Aster responded with an expression he had never shown before.
A short and sufficient answer.
Lunia had been kidnapped.
At that fact, everyone gathered in the auditorium looked at Aster.
Aster's childhood friend and a mage. In game terms, she was the closest to a female protagonist.
Of course, the game Etius didn't have a specific female protagonist. In the first place, no one had seen the ending of the game.
However, as players progressed through the game, they usually ended up choosing between Aten and Lunia. That's how important she was in the game.
That's right. Because the protagonist of Etius was Aster.
A character's importance in the game meant that they occupied a corresponding amount of space in Aster's heart.
"I was trying to grasp the situation and forgot something important. Those guys are still too much for Lunia, and I didn't realize it."
Aster had experienced rapid growth during this time.
However, that was only from the perspective of those around him; Aster himself wouldn't think that way. His goal was Frondier, whose strength he had never even fathomed. Ɍ
Aster didn't know exactly how strong Frondier was. He just kept building up an impossibly high wall in his imagination and putting all his effort into overcoming it.
Aster had gauged the strength of the enemies while facing the devils. He had judged the level of danger they posed.
From his standards, it was somewhat reassuring, but his standards were far too high.
"...We need to contact Frondier."
"The enemies' goal was Frondier from the beginning. So they'll try to threaten Frondier using Lunia. That's why..."
Aster's words stopped there.
What should he say to Frondier?
That Lunia had been kidnapped, so he should follow the devils' orders?
...Aster, what are you thinking?
Then someone spoke to him. It was Headmaster Osprey.
"Regardless of your thoughts, let's contact Frondier first and then decide. He needs to know the current situation."
Aster picked up his phone and contacted Frondier.
He didn't know where Frondier was right now. He might be somewhere out of reach.
With such anxiety, a few seconds passed.
Aster smiled bitterly. It was close to self-deprecation. The situation was serious, and that's why it was difficult to speak.
The greeting he always used came out of his mouth without him realizing it. As if he was trying to prepare himself before delivering bad news.
Frondier asked about the situation as if he had already heard everything just from that greeting.
Aster closed his eyes and sighed. He slowly but clearly explained the situation. The devil's attack and Lunia's kidnapping.
The expressions of those around him who were watching also darkened.
After hearing Aster's explanation, Frondier said,
-Aster, can you make my voice heard by everyone right now? I have something to say.
Frondier had actually imagined something like a 'speakerphone,' but this phone didn't have such a function. Instead, Osprey used magic to amplify the sound.
-It's been a while, everyone.
Frondier's voice reached everyone.
Except for Elodie, it had been a long time since they had heard his voice. Many of them hadn't seen Frondier since before the war began, after he had asked everyone for a favor.
Frondier's voice was as languid as ever. He hadn't changed. That alone made them feel the worries that had settled in their hearts dissipate.
-I can't help you guys right now.
At those words, everyone closed their eyes. It was a very Frondier-like thing to say. He was probably preparing for something bigger than this right now.
But there was something they didn't know.
-But I'm thinking of listening to the devils' offer.
Elodie asked in surprise.
-The reason they invaded Constel in the first place was because of me. Everyone has suffered because of me, so I have to pay the price.
Everyone's mouths fell open at those words.
Osprey's face became serious as he spoke,
"Frondier, are you saying you'll comply with the enemy's threats? You have a plan, right?"
Osprey had actually anticipated Frondier's response.
When Frondier had planned the operation at the Imperial Palace, he had formed a strategy to protect the entire barrier.
Frondier might seem cold-hearted, but he didn't make plans that involved abandoning something. In other words, he couldn't use strategies that sacrificed the few for the many.
No, to be precise, he did sacrifice the few, but those few were always Frondier himself.
So he assumed this time would be similar. That Frondier was thinking of sacrificing himself again. That this was a plan based on that premise.
-There's no such thing as a plan.
"...Frondier. Isn't that too reckless?"
Even for Frondier, complying with the enemy's threats without a plan was too dangerous, and more importantly, unlike him.
Then Frondier spoke again,
-To be precise, there's no need for a plan. I don't have much to do.
When Osprey asked, next...
Frondier's voice grew slightly louder.
When Frondier called out to Aster, Aster opened his eyes slightly wider and raised his head.
-Sorry to bother you while you're worried, but please save Lunia.
-As expected, I'm just a lazy and incompetent sloth, so I have no choice but to give in to the enemy's threats.
Frondier's voice was playful and nonchalant.
With those words, Aster understood everything.
No, everyone in the auditorium understood what he meant.
Frondier would follow the devils' orders.
-I think those guys made a huge mistake, don't you?
In other words, as long as Frondier followed the devils' orders, Lunia would be safe.
So, Aster. Come here.
Teach those guys exactly what they've done.
Lunia had been kidnapped. She was more connected to Aster than to Frondier.
What Aster had to do was crystal clear.
"It was a simple story."
Aster's eyes filled with a killing intent he had never shown before.