"What is the truth?
Although Linonclair Löwe-Lucion's question was sudden, it was of course expected by Leongande, and she was not particularly surprised.
The office that had been specially set up for the nobleman was spacious and well maintained. The luxurious-looking furnishings were probably the taste of the man who had once occupied this room as his domain. They were not bad, but they did not match Leongande's taste.
The same goes for the paintings on the walls. The portrait of a smiling boy was certainly artistic and wonderful. But as soon as he entered the room, Leongande had the urge to remove the portrait and throw it out the window.
It was, without a doubt, a chill.
The boy was Leongande Reus-Gandia - Leongande was ten years old, and his aunt Milandia had had the painting done by a budding artist.
The prince, with his beautiful red-faced smile, seemed to have no misgivings about the future, perhaps taking for granted a future full of light and hope.
It was frustrating, but it was inevitable. It was only a few years later that he was forced to change.
Leonganed his gaze away from his portrait and faced the large window. He wondered if the reflection of himself in the polished window glass was the future of that portrait, a decade or so later.
'You mean Setsuna?
Is he really your brother's trump card?
When did his sister's words start to have the sharpness of a blade - Leongand could not immediately reply to Rinon's question from behind.
The sky outside the window was cloudy. The cluster of leaden clouds that covered Muldaur's head looked as if they would burst into tears at any moment, and the only people moving through the cityscape from his office were soldiers in training.
The office where Leongande and Linonclair were currently located was on the fifth floor of Mardahl Tower, a structure built around a round tower that was tall enough to overlook the entire city. The view from the window was of the north side of Mardar, a town that had been rapidly fortified in the last six months, and it seemed far from peaceful.
It was no wonder.
A war was about to begin.
"No way.
Leonghand looked back at Rinon and gave a small laugh. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of such a question. He may have assumed that his sister would understand, but even so, it was a low quality question.
That was just an idea," he said. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. Even though he had defeated the demon child of Zarwaan, Lankan-Buner, his abilities were still unknown. The reason I invited him is because his teacher is Azmaria Artemax.
As he said this, Leongande remembered the look on the boy's face. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
The art of armed summoning is a skill that can only be exercised by accumulating extraordinary knowledge and training to the point of vomiting blood. There is no way you can handle it with talent alone, and you can't build a technique with ordinary effort.
Yes, an armed summoner should have a hint of intelligence and training in his appearance.
The boy had none of that. Of course, there were armed summoners who didn't show any intelligence, and it was possible that he was one of them. However, Leongande's intuition saw Setsuna as an extremely ordinary person.
Nevertheless--
"Azumaria is that dragon slayer?
Leongande felt no small amount of satisfaction at the fact that some surprise was etched into Rinon's iron skin. But it was only for a moment. Rinon's face immediately regained its usual cleverness, and at first glance it looked somewhat dissatisfied.
So. It would be nothing short of fortuitous if I could connect with the strongest armed summoner touted in the legends, wouldn't it? Well, it's also a testimony of a person with amnesia, so it's very suspicious.
"Memory ... loss?
It's not unreasonable for Rinon to have a dubious expression on his face. I'm not sure what to make of it. In spite of the fact that he had amnesia, there was a lot of detail in the report about him being Azumaria's disciple. But I didn't think that everything in the report was true.
I guess it's all a lie. I don't know why he told such a stupid lie, and I don't think he has the guts to go through with it.
How could he be so suspicious?
No, but... It is true that Setsuna defeated Rancain and prevented the damage from spreading. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.
Although Leongando said so, he knew that, in reality, it would not go that far. Faria-Belfaria was on her way to Callan. It seemed that she had arrived only after all was said and done, but if Setsuna-Kamiya had not defeated Lankain-Buner, Callan would have been engulfed in a huge fire even as she reached it.
The only reason why Setsuna, who was mortally wounded in the battle with Lankain, survived was because Faria's arrival was right after the battle. If her arrival had been delayed long enough to allow Lankan to escape, Setsuna would have died. That was how good the timing was.
And Faria would be more than capable of competing with Rancain. That is, if she can take it seriously.
Yes, Setsuna saved our Gandia from destruction.
That was an exaggeration, no doubt, but it was also a fact. It was not impossible that Setsuna would not show up and Faria would be defeated by Rancain.
There was no need to think about "what if".
It's fine that you feel that way, .... However, I disagree with the idea of adding an unknown person to the army. It was this careless and inadvertent decision that allowed the infiltration of the Lankan Bounel and led to the Great Fire of Callan.
Rinon's stern gaze and cold tone were, of course, due to her heartfelt concern for the country. Leongando nodded quietly, accepting her uncontrollable feelings.
Yes. You're right. But I think we'll be fine with him, don't you?
Where does your optimism come from, brother?
As expected, Leongande could not help but laugh at her tone of voice. It's not the way to treat the king, no matter how much of a brother he is. Of course, I would never shake my authority over something like that.
I'm not sure if it's because we met in person.
That's why!
And he's under surveillance, too.
I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll help.
"Surveillance?
He said his name was Kamiya. The Association will have to keep an eye on him, won't they?
Leonghand remembered the indescribable expression on Faria's face when she had asked him to accompany her to Mardar. She must have her own reasons. She must have her own reasons, reasons that she could not give up.
If she didn't, she wouldn't be allowed to leave Callan without permission. Faria was an officer of the Callan branch of the Continental Summoners Association. However, she left Callan.
She must have something more important on her shoulders than her work in Callan.
"Kamiya ..., no way!
Huh, Rinon. Her expression was instantly filled with astonishment, which in a way was natural, but it was also a bit too late to react.
I'm talking about possibilities. Just being Azmaria's apprentice is worth keeping an eye on.
Leongando turned again to the window of his office. He shook his head as he pictured the majesty of Fortress Balsay rising far beyond the polished panes of the window. Whenever I thought of Fortress Balsay, there was only one name that came to mind at the same time.
(Quon-Kamiya...?)
He was an armed summoner who suddenly appeared half a year ago, and was the biggest factor in the fall of the fortress.