Grandfather's Gift
Only two remained in the conference hall: Sione and Herhata.
Sione gazed at Herhata before her.
"What are you thinking, Grandfather?"
"What do you mean, what am I thinking?"
"No matter how I look at it, this is a loss for Ortara. Why borrow outside hands for beings we could subjugate in our own lands?"
Though Sione could read minds, even that had its limits. The hearts of those with strong wills weren't easy for her to peer into, so she couldn't glimpse Herhata's true thoughts. She could grasp the rough outline, but the essence of his heart... that she couldn't see. Herhata's mind was an impregnable iron wall.
"It's for you."
"Me, you say?"
"You're angry, aren't you? I saw your expression change when you heard the name Salvation Cult. That furious look is just like Itara's—still the same."
"Hah."
Sione chided herself for her immaturity.
"You're right. I'm furious, and a thirst for revenge wells up. How dare they reduce Solemnute to that state."
"That's why I'm giving you a gift. A grandfather has to save face by giving his granddaughter something, doesn't he?"
"......"
"The people of Solemnute will be thrilled, actually. I know their temperament well. And it's not limited to the Terra Church."
"What we receive, we must return."
"Exactly. Ortara's not so different. We have no reason to let those who dared tread our lands go free. We hunt them down to the end and sever their heads. Their numbers don't seem that vast anyway—might as well crush them thoroughly this time."
"......Thank you."
"Those in high positions must weigh political priorities. Remember what I told you back when you were a student at Solemnute Adem?"
"Yes."
"But as time passed, I realized living too rigidly isn't good. When there's no need, you can let loose. If the king is lazy, the people suffer; if too aggressive, they suffer all the same."
"Are you saying to make time for leisure?"
"Yes. Even those at the top are human. We carry our own anguish, anger, sorrow on our heads as we live. Pile them up like baggage, and eventually, you hit a limit."
"......"
"Before that happens, it's good to indulge a little. Sometimes you need to vent your emotions fully—like now. Normally, I'd weigh every detail, but seeing your troubled face, I decided it wasn't necessary."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Kings of foreign lands and crown princesses of empires—we're allies from the same root, after all. Ortara's warriors don't sweat the small stuff. They live as their hearts desire. We help when we want, accept repayment when offered. Now, I've put you in my debt. But I won't collect it. I'm the king of hearty warriors, after all."
"Yes, Grandfather."
With the conversation wrapped up, Herhata set aside his kingly self and presented his grandfatherly side to Sione.
"Sion. How's Tara doing?"
And so, like a neighborhood grandpa, he began prying into this and that.
Sion was Sione's childhood nickname—like a boy's name, one she didn't particularly like.
"She's doing well. By the way, I've told you before I don't like the nickname Sion..."
"I like it better. Anyway, if you hate it, fine. Sione, then. No one catches your eye?"
"I don't think I'm at an age to worry about that."
"You're at that age. You should have at least one prospect."
Sione's expression began to crumple bit by bit. Her face, which rarely twisted over ordinary matters, couldn't help but sour at talk of romance or marriage.
Didn't she want love too? But she simply had no time for it.
"I don't have time—time. Don't you think I'd want to date if I could? Being the sister who started dating later than her little sister—it's downright tragic."
"Dating? Little sister? You mean Heydel?"
"No, I'm talking about Tara."
"What kind of guy is he?"
Herhata's eyes narrowed. It was much like a father's reaction upon hearing his daughter was dating someone he disapproved of.
"Ludenberg Lavante—do you know him?"
"Lavante? Leonard's son, the one who didn't awaken divine power?"
"Yes."
"I've heard. They say after that, he gave up all outside activities and devoted himself solely to training?"
"Yes."
"No divine power, yet he's strong?"
"Among Solemnute Adem's students now, there are only a handful stronger than Ludenberg."
"Hah. Blood will tell, huh? Leonard was a monster himself, but his son's an even bigger one."
"Anyway, Tara insists she's not dating him, but you can tell just watching from the side. They like each other. It's fun to watch, so I never pointed it out."
"Teasing your little sister is fun, eh?"
"Immensely."
Sione's lips curved into a bright smile.
"Heydel and I both wanted to treat Tara as well as possible, but Ludenberg eased our worries. Without him, our siblings wouldn't get along like this."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ludenberg mended things between us when Tara was little. That's why Heydel and I think he's acceptable."
"Intriguing. Tell me the details."
"Sure. The hunt for those damn Salvation Cult bastards will end quickly anyway... Their forces aren't that strong. And with me stepping in personally, losses should be minimal."
"I see."
Sione slowly unraveled the tale of Ludenberg and Ashytara for Herhata. At first, feeling like some punk was chasing his granddaughter, Herhata's eyes softened more and more as he listened.
"Anyway, that's how it is."
"From the story, he seems flawless."
"Right? Good family, personality back to normal thanks to Tara, solid in strength... No one's better. I approve."
"Still, we should watch a bit more."
"Of course. Anyway, Grandfather, I should head out. Time to prepare."
"Alright. Oh, Sion."
"It's Sione."
"Have you seen Heydel?"
"Yes. Glad he's doing well."
"Good. That's enough."
"I'm really going now, Grandfather."
"Take care. We'll meet again at the friendly matches."
"We will."
Flashing a soft smile, Sione bowed to her grandfather and slipped out of the grand conference hall.
"So, the friendly matches have been postponed."
The students tensed at Hainkel's words. They'd just heard that the Salvation Cult was scheming something in Ortara.
"What about us?"
"Her Highness the Crown Princess said that since we're on the offensive this time—not defending like the Solemnute raid—anyone who wants revenge from that raid can join."
"We can... join?"
When Ludenberg asked Hainkel, he nodded.
"Yes. The Imperial Knights will be with you, and Her Highness will lead us. In truth, we'll probably just watch."
"What about Ortara's side?"
"They're dispatching a warrior unit to join the hunt. Anyway... anyone want to go?"
His tone was as casual as suggesting a stroll. It sounded a bit complacent, assuming minimal danger, but it also conveyed that preparations were thorough—come without worry.
Moreover, the students carried memories of the threat to their own safety during the Solemnute raid, and the injuries or deaths of loved ones. Without exception, they all declared their intent to participate.
"Good. But remember: never stray from the Imperial Knights, and stay calm. You can enjoy watching them get crushed or hone your combat senses. We'll depart as soon as preparations are done. Understood?"
"Yes!"
The students hurriedly prepared. Though only a few days with Ortara's belligerent folk, their fear of battle gave way to a fierce desire to strike back. They armed themselves fully, formed ranks swiftly.
Students from each academy, Imperial Knights, Ortara warriors and priests. A lavish display of forces unfolded—overkill, needing no real strategy. All marched to the frontlines in high spirits.
"This is bad."
At Hector's low mutter, the Salvation Cult executives spoke up.
"What do we do?"
"Run. At this rate, even taking the vessel will be tough. Mission's a total failure. Focusing on the vessel risks our necks."
"Release the erosion beasts?"
"Have to. How do we face the High Priest...?"
"How many?"
"All of them."
"All?"
"Ortara has no sense of restraint—they'll come en masse. One slip, and Solemnute will join, tearing us limb from limb. Sione Solenute, that madwoman, is capable of it. So, release them all. We can't die here."
Harsh words spilled from Hector's mouth. Jepita echoed them gloomily.
"Too careless. Rushed to gather the vessel and botched it."
"What about the vessels?"
Karema answered Daneb's question.
"Can't abandon them or it's total failure—we take them no matter what. The followers... we discard them. Already told them: if things go south, we leave them behind."
"......Reactions?"
"Willing to martyr themselves."
The executives' faces darkened momentarily. But they had to survive for the cause, so escape was essential. Their position exposed, even Ortara intelligence slipped away under pressure. No choices left.
"No time to dawdle—let's run. Open erosion first?"
At Daneb's words, Hector nodded.
"Yes. Open it."
The four executives began gathering divine power. Black auras flowed from their bodies, seeping into the ground. Soon, the energy surged skyward, forming a massive rift. With the sound of heaven tearing, erosion opened, and countless erosion beasts poured forth.