The voice that came then was Aten's.
Aten looked at Aster and asked.
"Why did you go that far?"
"…Because I couldn't forgive siding with the demons."
Aster used an honorific when speaking to Aten.
Because Aten's appearance now was that of a 'princess.'
Aten's penetrating gaze goes through Aster.
"You wouldn't move just by blind faith. Especially not against Mr. Frondier."
However, his trust in Frondier is thicker than anyone else's.
They all have experienced war and grown from it. And they know well what Frondier has done in that war.
"Do you have something in mind?"
"...It's not a thought, it's a worry."
Aster spoke in a sigh-mixed voice.
"I trust him. I guessed that he would have deep thoughts no matter what he does. He is the one who waited for me to guard him as I pleased, following Baldur's words to grow me."
He knows well that Aster trusts Frondier. That's why it's hard to accept the current situation.
"He said he would protect the demon. Whether it's sincere or not, we can't help Frondier who says so."
"......No one in the Empire will understand."
"Right now, we are the only ones who can understand that guy. But."
Grinding his teeth, Aster chewed on his molars, his face turning fierce.
It was an expression rarely seen on him.
"He's speaking like that on purpose because he knows. If that guy wanted to make me understand, he wouldn't have said something like 'demons and humans are the same.' But by deliberately saying that, he wanted to make himself look dangerous."
"The conversation just now, he was kind of rejecting us. He had already prepared all the reasons and motives to tell us not to follow him from here on."
That's why Aster was angry.
The reason why Frondier was rejecting them was obvious.
Because what lies ahead is dangerous.
In the end, Frondier hasn't changed at all. Just like when he tried to pierce the heart of Manggot alone during the war with Manggot.
"......And one more thing."
Then, a voice murmured softly.
"That guy, he might be enchanted."
Elodie, who was next to her, asked.
Lunia tilted her head and said,
"No, no matter what, you can't just easily say that you've become a devil's ally. Maybe he's bewitched without knowing it?"
"It didn't seem like that. He looked the same as usual."
"Of course, he's not completely out of his mind. But we, you know, remember? The old Frondier, the days when he was mocked as a 'human sloth'."
Hearing that, Elodie understood what Lunia meant.
"According to the rumors, wasn't it because he was cursed by the devil? But among all the people in Constel, no one realized that. The students in the same class, the teachers, even the principal. They just thought he was extremely lazy. Isn't being bewitched by a devil similar?"
"So, people who are bewitched by a devil, on the surface, can't know it......?"
At Elodie's words, Lunia nodded.
"Since he's the one who endured the curse, even if he's really bewitched, I don't think it would have a big impact. I agree with Aster. Frondier doesn't want to drag us into dangerous situations, so he deliberately said that. But if the devil's influence is at the root of such behavior, no matter how wise he is, can we just leave him alone? If such a smart guy is bewitched, it's even more dangerous."
"Well, in fact, it might just be fine. What I said is just one possibility."
Elodie wanted to say that it couldn't be.
But there was something that came to mind for Elodie after hearing Lunia's words.
─If by any chance, I make the wrong choice. Please stop me.
The words Frondier had asked Elodie.
Upon hearing it, Elodie realized that she would never be able to do it.
Did Frondier know that this day would come someday?
Elodie's lips, which had been biting and deep in thought, slowly opened.
Frondier was at Lily's mansion.
He was standing quietly in Lily's office, facing her.
Lily, having completed a few documents, gathered them, tapped them on the floor to organize them, and then said,
"Congratulations, Frondier! The contract is complete!"
Frondier, bowing his head.
The promise with Lily, he would be her knight for a month.
The promised month finally came to an end.
"It's a shame, Frondier. I wanted to work with you a bit more."
"I see. You must be disappointed."
"You should say 'I'm also disappointed' at times ! Even if it's just lip service!"
"But even if you know it's lip service, Miss Lily, you would still try to hold on to it and keep me here."
...Is that the end of the conversation?
While Frondier was rather taken aback, Lily spoke.
"So, there's no risk of war for the time being, right? You did well, Frondier. I'll take care of this and write a nice report to submit to the royal palace."
"Please clearly describe the rune and the merits for Elysia."
"I got it. You're a guy who can't beat around the bush, even if you're with a woman."
"I know! I'm not interested in you, you!"
Ria Lis, who suddenly got angry at an unexpected timing.
Hearing that, Frondier, who had a subtle expression, suddenly said as if he remembered something.
"I have something to say to you, Miss Lily, about that matter."
As if suddenly remembering.
Frondier takes a light breath and tells Lia Ries.
"Miss Lily was a subordinate of Satan."
Lily, who stares blankly at Frondier.
As she knows very well herself, Frondier's eyes are just black.