After ending the call, Frondier spoke to Philly.
"For now, it seems Aten is safe."
Philly and Elysia both looked relieved at the news.
Frondier briefly observed Elysia's expression.
'...It doesn't seem like she's acting. But...'
Elysia originally intended to ascend the throne before Aten. Whether she planned to kill Aten in the process was unknown.
Therefore, Frondier couldn't simply take Elysia's relief at face value.
More importantly, given the precedent of Selena, whose acting Frondier could never discern, he had stopped judging people's expressions with his own eyes.
"However, Lunia has been captured."
Naturally, they didn't know the person.
"...Hmm. There are many ways to describe her,"
Frondier pondered for a moment before continuing.
"She is a precious person to Aster Evans."
At Frondier's words, their expressions tightened. They looked as tense as if they had kidnapped Lunia themselves.
"...That's a terrible thing they've done. Even for devils."
Frondier genuinely agreed.
It seemed the devils, unable to execute their plan as intended, had resorted to taking Lunia. He wasn't sure if that was the right choice from their perspective. Ř
"Anyway, the devils have moved faster than I expected, so I should get moving too."
Frondier stood up, and Philly looked up at him.
"Will you be alright?"
"After hearing about the situation at Constel, I'm certain. The devils haven't received Satan's orders. They're simply following pre-established commands."
That's why they attacked Constel without fully understanding their strength. The resulting losses were significant.
It also provided Frondier with many clues.
"In any case, the devils' target is me. They want to threaten me, so they'll contact me somehow. I just don't know how yet."
"Certainly, it's hard to imagine them using phones."
Frondier nodded and smiled at that remark.
"I'm rather curious how they'll approach me."
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Frondier headed towards a certain noble's mansion.
It was the same place where Elysia almost died at the hands of the Devil of Bloodlust.
Naturally, Elysia, who was following him, had a look of despair on her face.
"Did we really have to come here?"
"Of course. Bart said he would summon the devils here."
Besides, there was no other place suitable for gathering devils. Doing it anywhere else would be too conspicuous.
Hitchcock Corporation could be an option, but he hadn't built enough trust with Chairman Arald yet.
"Don't worry. We don't need to go into that secret space. This mansion itself belongs to Bart, so the summoned devils will probably all be waiting in the hall."
"I, I don't need to go, do I? I won't be of any help."
Elysia protested in a voice that trailed off.
Of course, it was a plea that fell on deaf ears.
Frondier replied in an emotionless voice.
"Whether you're helpful or not, stop your nonsense and stay by my side."
In the end, Elysia slumped her shoulders and followed behind Frondier.
'Why do I have to listen to this guy?'
That was what bothered Elysia the most.
Since their first meeting at the mansion, Frondier had been dragging her around as if she were his actual servant, claiming to be her savior.
But from Elysia's perspective, Frondier was far from a savior; he was more like a thug. He hid his violence behind his back and used her as he pleased.
'He probably took me to the Imperial Palace for that reason too. To show me directly that Mother wouldn't take my side. That jerk.'
It was pathetic to think that way, but Elysia truly had no one on her side. Only Frondier, who claimed to be her ally.
But ultimately, she obeyed Frondier. She was scared, if nothing else.
Frondier opened the mansion door.
As soon as he did, a strange smell stung his nose. The scent of Mana. Since there were beings inside with no intention of hiding their power, the smell naturally wafted out. Elysia also scrunched up her face.
It seemed all the devils had already gathered, as they all focused their attention on Frondier.
The devils, gathered like a swarm within the hall, and Frondier, standing before them at the entrance.
Bart, spotting Frondier, approached first.
"Yes. Are these all of them?"
"Yes. I've gathered all the devils who were involved in the same business as me."
Frondier scanned the devils.
The large mansion was filled with them. Their number was several times greater than Frondier had anticipated.
Frondier wanted to retort, 'You call covering up each other's criminal acts business?', but the time and place were not appropriate.
Instead, he smiled at them.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Frondier de Roach."
Most of the devils showed little reaction to Frondier's greeting.
However, they didn't display as much hostility as he had expected. They just looked incredibly suspicious.
One of them asked Bart,
"Lord Bart, what you told us is true, right?"
Bart answered immediately. However, Frondier tilted his head in confusion.
What he told them? What did Bart say to these devils?