"Since my shadow is connected to yours, Frondier-nim, I can sense any danger that approaches you. That's why I can prepare for any attacks or ambushes from behind. However, there haven't been any significant threats to you, and you haven't called for me either, so I haven't stepped forward."
"Selena, what are you suddenly talking about?"
"I cannot protect your heart."
I needed to say something, but my throat felt tight, and no sound came out.
As I remained silent, Selena seemed to speak in my stead.
"The Barnier family was cast out from the Empire, their name became one of scorn, and it became difficult to find my parents. That's why you couldn't keep the promise. Frondier-nim, you really only remember things that are disadvantageous to you."
"...Because it's the truth."
Selena smiled at that moment.
With a face I couldn't comprehend, how could she smile at a time ?
"That Frondier-nim saved me."
"Have you already forgotten?"
The request Selena made when she left me just before the war.
"It's not just about my life."
Selena's eyes lowered slightly.
"After meeting Frondier-nim, I received a life beyond my wildest dreams. I lived in a luxurious mansion, learned the ancient language from you, and met many people in Constel, making new friends."
"...That was the life you deserved. Anyone your age..."
"That's a slip of the tongue."
Selena chuckled softly.
"As expected, Frondier-nim intended to save me from the very beginning."
"Double spy, using the Manggot through the ancient language... You only said things I couldn't help but agree to due to the circumstances."
I did intend to use Selena, and I did use the Manggot through her.
But at the same time...
"In the end, the story I couldn't understand at that time was Frondier-nim's true intention."
"...I just used everything I wanted to use."
Selena closed her eyes gently and nodded lightly.
Then, with her serene face, she asked me back.
"Who else in this world would I trust besides you?"
"Please put aside your concerns and considerations about having a guard. My choice was made a long time ago, it wasn't even a choice to begin with."
As if her peaceful face wasn't an act from the beginning.
As if the two options I presented weren't even options in the first place.
"Frondier-nim, that's why I'm asking. Because I'm your guard."
Selena, with her usual calm face, and just a hint of worry, asked.
"Are you not hurt anywhere?"
Afterward, Frondier headed to Constel.
It wasn't easy to reach the classroom without being noticed by other students, but Headmaster Osprey helped me.
Osprey was already waiting there when Frondier arrived near Constel.
"Welcome, Frondier de Roach."
Osprey greeted him with a kind smile.
"I'm sorry. I've caused you trouble."
Osprey tilted his head.
"Ah, are you saying the Empire has caused you trouble? Indeed, I agree."
"How about this? If you just agree, I'll become an Archmage right now and turn things upside down."
Osprey spoke with eyes that didn't seem to be joking at all.
Frondier was grateful for that. So he smiled and shook his head.
"...As expected. That would be your answer."
Osprey smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Follow me. Everyone is already waiting."
Osprey said and led the way, with Frondier following behind.
Osprey opened the door of the nearest building.
And beyond it was the Constel classroom.
Inside, everyone who was close to Frondier was gathered.
After confirming that Osprey had brought Frondier, they all approached him.
"...Hello, everyone."
Frondier smiled awkwardly. His gaze naturally went to Aster.
Aster, who he thought might become an enemy. In the end, his intuition was right.
"Frondier, what happened?"
"...I don't know if you'll believe me, but..."
He answered as if it were obvious.
Frondier nodded and briefly explained the situation.
Everyone who had been listening calmly at first gradually grew grim as the story continued, and by the time he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the classroom had become solemn.
"...So, I'm thinking of going away for a while."
Sybil asked back, dumbfounded by his words.
"To a distant continent where you don't even know exactly where it is or if it even exists, and when do you plan to come back?"
"...Well, when I get the chance."
To be honest, Frondier hadn't made any concrete plans for after he reached the land.
There was a bigger problem than that.
'...That sea, will I be able to cross it?'
The further away from the barrier built by humans, the stronger and more ferocious the monsters become. And at the end of it, there are monsters of the abyss that almost all of humanity cannot defeat.
But if you apply that simple logic, the sea is even further away than the monsters of the abyss.
Frondier had never won the war against the Manggot, even in the game. So he had never reached the sea, and he didn't know what was sleeping beneath it.
But if something even more powerful than the monsters of the abyss appeared, would he be able to handle it with the power he currently possessed?