"When I experience precognition, I feel it as a sensation or emotion. At that moment, I feel like many parts of my body are open. I don't know what precognition is ultimately based on, but I know there's a clear basis for it."
"...I see. So that's why you don't believe in fate."
"My precognition is a synthesis of information about the current situation. That's all. All living beings, including humans, live as they please, right? It's hard to believe that even that is predetermined. Precognition may seem like it's ahead of reality, but it's actually following behind. If you can't respond to everything that changes every moment, you can't know anything in advance."
Frondier nodded in agreement.
He understood Philly's meaning. He also understood how she perceived precognition.
It was truly fortunate.
"Actually, I'm the same."
Because his thoughts aligned with hers.
"I also don't believe in fate."
What did the public's voice towards Frondier have to do with fate?
"I understand that there may be misunderstandings about the things I've done so far."
Frondier reflected on his actions.
It was true that he had inadvertently left room for misinterpretation by third parties.
"But I can confidently say that the current wind blowing through the Empire cannot be a coincidence."
"...You're saying that the Empire wouldn't be this noisy just from misunderstandings."
Frondier nodded at Philly's words.
This was the fate that Frondier spoke of.
Unless fate had predetermined it, this situation made no sense.
"There must be someone stirring things up. That's what I believe."
"Do you still not know who it is?"
Philly crossed her arms and lowered her head.
Frondier watched her with a tense heart.
To be honest, even Frondier couldn't be entirely sure if there was someone behind it all. Of course, it was highly likely, but there was no clear evidence.
The most sensitive topic currently surrounding Frondier was 'devils'. It was a deadly word for the Empire.
Philly, despite showing favor towards Frondier, wouldn't be able to ignore that keyword either.
"Frondier, I'll ask you a few questions. Please answer honestly."
Philly raised her eyes and looked at Frondier.
Those emotionless eyes, that face still impossible to read.
Looking at him, Philly asked.
"Do you intend to leave Roach?"
"Are you originally someone else, not from the Roach family?"
These were predictable answers.
Questions that would be absurd to anyone who knew Frondier.
Frondier knew he couldn't lie here to gain Philly's trust.
However, the next question.
"Are you on the side of the devils?"
"Why the hesitation, Frondier? That was the question you should have answered most definitively."
That momentary hesitation. It was wishful thinking to hope Philly wouldn't notice.
"Was that answer just now a lie?"
Philly's eyes sank. She tilted her head. Her red pupils blinked.
Frondier's expression and eyes were the most difficult to read among all the people Philly had dealt with. Of course, it was equally difficult for Frondier to read Philly's thoughts. ŗÁŊօʙÊᶊ
But Frondier wasn't a doll or a golem. No matter how perfect a person's acting was, they would unconsciously set up safety measures within their hearts.
One of the simplest safety measures was 'not lying'.
'...If both Frondier's answer just now and his momentary hesitation were true...'
Having finished her thoughts, Philly spoke.
"Are some of the devils on your side?"
The red eyes questioned Frondier, who was prepared to answer honestly.
And for the first time while facing Philly,
Frondier clearly lost.
Elysia's anxious eyes looked at Frondier.
"You, are you really...?"
Elysia couldn't accept Frondier's silence.
Frondier, who had acted to return her to the Imperial Palace, to prevent war with the Empire.
That Frondier was acquainted with devils?
Philly's cold voice reached Frondier, who remained silent.
"You're making a dangerous bet with me, Frondier. Even if I understand you, the Empire won't forgive devils. This isn't a question of whether there are good devils or not. We cannot coexist with them."
Coexistence was impossible.
Frondier understood this better than anyone.
However, Frondier remained silent.
Philly watched him for a moment.
Philly sighed inwardly.
Even Philly didn't have mind-reading abilities, and she couldn't see through all lies.
One word would have been enough for Frondier. Just a single word, "No," would have sufficed. Even Philly wouldn't have been able to discern that.
In other words, Frondier had made a choice. To tell the truth. Believing that Philly would understand that he wasn't a threat to the Empire.
'That trust is heavy, Frondier.'
"Alright. I'll find them, the instigators."
"In addition, I'll catch all the rumors and gossip surrounding you and uncover the truth."
Philly decided to accept Frondier's request.
However, that didn't mean she was entirely on Frondier's side.
"Once I grasp the truth, if I judge that you are a danger to the Empire..."
Philly's eyes were still red.
"Then please comply with my words obediently. This is a condition of the deal."
Suppressing Frondier by force would be an incredibly difficult task.
Of course, the Empire had Zodiac, countless knights, and pros, but if the opponent was Frondier, the outcome was uncertain.
Not only was Frondier's individual strength formidable, but the power of his family and companions was also a concern.
If Enfer or Azier, or even Constel students like Aster or Elodie, sided with him...
Victory might be achieved, but it would come at the cost of bloodshed exceeding that of a war.
Frondier nodded, understanding her meaning.
"If we catch the instigators and everything is resolved smoothly, then that's good. But if that doesn't happen..."
Frondier bowed his head deeply once more.
"I will do as you say, Your Majesty, the Empress."