"Your adopted son, Kaen Elihim was struck by an unknown disease that only an Imagi could look at?"
A fat man in his fifties comfortably sat on a chair opposite Heron. The latter was evidently nervous and uncomfortable, the exact opposite as the former.
"Yes, Father."
"Heron, call me father again and I'll cut your tongue."
"I-... I apologize, Viscount Eirold." Heron lowered his head and gulped.
Looking at this, the fat man, Lyssa's father, Viscount Eirold rolled his eyes away.
"Explain, do you want our help in finding that Imagi you're searching for?"
Heron nodded.
"Speak!" Viscount Eirold suddenly slammed the table, "Is that how you respond to others as well?"
"Yes, Viscount, I... we want your help."
The Viscount then scoffed.
"You've lost a lot of your backbone. My daughter must be suffering to be your wife right now! Then your the child that you just took is now giving you problems."
"..." Heron was speechless, barely making eye contact.
"Listen here, Heron. From being a hunter to the city's representative in your small town, you've come a long way. It could be said that you have the highest position there. But here? You're no more than a commoner who had a bigger house than the others!"
When Heron expected the Viscount to shout at him, Viscount Eirold pointed at the large window that showcases the bountiful of the city.
Tall buildings with lively people going to and fro everywhere. Farther, there are mansions like the one that they are inside.
With luxurious decorations and beautiful furniture inside the lobby room, one could expect that the main hall, for example. to be grander. That should be the same as well for other mansions beside the common neighborhood.
"Is Hramm City big?"
The Viscount suddenly caught Heron off-guard with a question.
"Yes... Viscount."
"In estimate, more than ten thousand people are living here. However, how many Imagis do you think there are?"
Heron couldn't answer as he was oblivious to the exact information. He just knew that Imagis are exceptionally rare.
"There are less than fifty." the Viscount answered and continued, "Furthermore, in that number, most of them have yet to reach the Creation Stage. In exact, there are only seven people who are full-fledged Imagis... elite Imagis who could help you. However, why do you think they have the time to look at one insignificant child's health?" he then raised an eyebrow.
Seeing Heron's hopelessness, the Viscount sighed.
"I am not only scaring you. The fact is, I once tried to seek help from one of these seven Imagis. However, even though I have the blood of nobility, she didn't give me bat of an eye. Why? Because an Imagi's time is more precious than gold."
"..." Heron's eyes could roll down.
'There are so many things that are happening in the world, Heron. The more Artifacts we found, the more we require those who can understand them. However, the more Artifacts we understand, the more history is revealed... it is bigger than anyone thought. Archeologists need Imagis. The Capital needs Imagis. Researchers need Imagis. The rainy year will come after the heat and the heat is just around the corner. Crops will die then there will be a flood. At that time, we have to go out of the gates and fight beasts again! WE, the people, need Imagis! Do you think the seven of them have time for your son!?"
Heron began to heavily breathe. Feeling the heavy pressure, he spurted, "Elihim is special..."
"Hmm?"
Heron glanced at the Viscount's curious, yet, doubtful face.
'There's no turning back... This is for Elihim... have faith like before...'
"That child is special. He has the potential to become an Imagi."
Viscount Eirold scoffed, "The child that showed in front of your doorstep is, by heaven's blessing, an Imagi?"
'... have faith... have faith...' Heroin deeply breathed before glaring at the Viscount.
"Elihim is special."
"Reason?" the Viscount lifted his chin and looked down upon Heron.
"Because... I could feel it."
Feeling Heron's glare, Viscount Eirold nodded, "Let's say that he is."
Heron snapped out of his thinking when he heard this.
"However, you have to give something in exchange. As a representative of your town, do you want to cut your ties to the Hramm City so that you could have an audience with the Imagis?" the Viscount calmly proposed.
"..."
"Confused? You see, the reason why your town only becomes a... town right now is that you are connected to the city, because you, Heron, married the Viscount's daughter. If not, your town will stay as a village and when the flood comes, you have no defense whatsoever. Some of you will barely survive then rebuild the village, repeating the process. But if you're under the city, you're also under its protection. The Imagi will have to spare their time shielding you and your people too. Do you understand?"
Heron's mind almost went blank. But he was able to reply.
"Yes, I understand. By cutting off the connection, it is less burden for them. Meaning, there's a chance they'll do the favor in exchange for that."
"If what you say about your child is true, then you already have an Imagi in your town. He will definitely repay you and do shielding."
Heron nodded, fully understanding the situation - between a rock and a hard place.
'Have faith... have faith... once Elihim becomes an Imagi, all the problems will dissolve...'
"I will do as you ask, Viscount."
"Then propose that to the city's mayor."
When Heron was about to leave, the Viscount said a few more words to him.
"I will help as much as I could. This is not because of you or that adopted child of yours. This is for Lyssa, the daughter of mine and my late wife. Don't think of us as unloving when we left her with you. It's her choice and we respected her decision."
Heron deeply bowed in gratefulness before leaving and do what he must.
"Elihim can become an Imagi... he definitely can. This sacrifice is worth it. Even if the whole town I grew up in will hate me for what I am about to do, if it's for Elihim... he can do it."
A few years passed by... Elihim was still bedridden.