Chapter 409 – The Time of Change

“…Claudia. Are you alright?”

I called out to Claudia, who seemed to be deep in thought.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Claudia looked at me and nodded quietly.

“Even if the Demons were originally Moon Folk… I’m sure what I must do hasn’t changed. After meeting Theodore… when I decided to leave the Labyrinth, I resolved to fight for what I want to protect. Grace was the same way.”

“Claudia-sama…”

As Claudia gave her a gentle smile, Grace smiled back.

When Marlene worriedly took Claudia’s hand, she stroked Marlene’s hair in response.

“…If they only wanted to live in the outside world, they shouldn’t have needed to become Demons.”

“Indeed. Choosing battle and domination was the decision of the alliance leaders.”

Ashley nodded at Rosemary’s words.

…That’s right. Whether it was the alliance leaders who left this town long ago or Valros, if the Moon Barrier had been lifted, they should have been able to leave as they were.

And yet they chose to become Demons and fight. Part of it was probably because by becoming Demons, they became beings that feed on negative emotions.

Divided into predators and prey… and having gained great power, they chose to fight.

“…Valros is wrong too. Eternal rule could never work. Even I, who had measures taken to prevent changes of heart, struggled greatly with being confined and even came to not want to see the outside. And now… I’m here with everyone. Nothing can remain unchanged.”

“That’s true…”

Even the Demons I fought seemed to have grown weary of living.

At Claudia’s words, Forset and the elders listened quietly, perhaps reflecting on their own situations.

“The problem is… what we do from here.”

One of the elders spoke up.

“First, allow me to explain the current situation.”

From here on. In other words, whether they would engage with the outside world or seal themselves in the Barrier once more.

The Magic Array beneath Old Capital Naharbia was probably meant to seal this town within a Barrier again. If so, before making any decisions, it would be better to explain the current state of the outside world.

“Shall we have Sion and the others join us as well?”

“That would be wise. They have finished their own story.”

“Indeed. If they heard our true feelings about them, we would be forced to reflect.”

“We should be the ones bowing our heads to our guests.”

…I see. They cherish them like grandchildren.

As the elders crossed their arms and nodded, Forset gave a wry smile and stood up to go call Sion and the others.

“…So that’s how we fought Kahar and the others from Baharzard at the Castle Fortress ruins, captured him, then investigated Naharbia’s old capital before coming to the forest.”

After Sion and the others returned to the council chamber—we told them about the incidents involving Demons that started with Linette. The Orb and Miasma Orb, meeting Claudia in the Labyrinth, the story of the cult and Gardinis. Silvatoria and the Seven Sages… well, pretty much everything. It became a long story, but everyone seemed to be listening intently.

“…Regarding the purpose of the Magic Array beneath Old Capital Naharbia… if it was meant to seal this town with a Barrier… personally, I would prefer not to activate that function.”

Princess Elham said.

“That’s right. I believe that by forcing the responsibilities we should have borne onto the Naharbia royal family, we created distortions that led Valros to take such actions.”

Claudia stood up upon hearing these words and spoke in a clear voice.

“Your ancestors may have imprisoned me. They may have created Demons. But you, their descendants, bear no guilt. If it was the Moon royal family that exiled your ancestors to the surface… let me make a clear declaration here and now. You are no longer sinners.”

Upon hearing Claudia’s words, Forset and the others widened their eyes, then prostrated themselves.

Eventually raising their heads, they spoke.

“…Just as Your Highness Claudia has emerged from the Labyrinth to fight, perhaps the time has come for us to change as well.”

“For now… I suppose we should cooperate to resolve the situation.”

No one objected to the elder’s words.

“We must consider methods for that. Considering the feelings of Halvaronis’s people, suddenly lifting the Barrier and going outside would be difficult…”

“As my father King Melvin’s representative, I am here. If friction with the outside world is expected, Verdgar promises cooperation to resolve it.”

“Likewise, I too have come as King Eberhart of Silvatoria’s representative. The Silvatoria royal family shares the same opinion as the Verdgar royal family.”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana said.

“My father—King Farid—sent me here precisely because he desires friendship with the forest people.”

Said Princess Elham.

So that means cooperation and protection from three nations: Verdgar, Silvatoria, and Baharzard.

“…This is reassuring.”

“Let’s gradually explain things to everyone in Halvaronis. This isn’t an urgent matter. However, I believe we must quickly cooperate with Your Highness Claudia and Theodore-sama and dispatch combat forces. If we don’t stand at the forefront despite being involved parties, we’re not even sinners—we’ll be criticized as cowards.”

Upon hearing Forset’s words, the elders nodded.

“That’s right. We failed to stop Valros. We bear responsibility.”

“But who? If we’re talking about the strongest combatant among us…”

Everyone’s gaze gathered on Forset.

“If leaving this place won’t affect the Barrier maintained by the contract ritual, and if that’s my duty, I’ll gladly accept.”

“Hmm… then—”

“U-um, excuse me!”

Sion, who had been listening from the side, raised her voice. The gazes that had been on Forset now gathered on Sion. No, not just Sion. Sigritta and Marceska were also looking straight at the elders.

“If F-Forset-sama is going outside, could you take me along too?”

“What are you saying? While we bear responsibility, this has nothing to do with you, Sion.”

“That’s not it.”

Sion shook her head at the elder’s words.

“I know why we were created, and that the experiments failed. That’s why I’m grateful that you raised us like this, even though we should have become useless. I’ve always wanted to repay that kindness. But we made mistakes… acted selfishly and caused trouble.”

“This time… I want to properly repay the favor.”

“Yeah. If we’re talking about who can fight, we’re the strongest here.”

“So please, allow us to protect Forset-sama.”

Upon hearing Sion and the others’ words, Forset closed her eyes and bowed her head as if in thought.

“You all…”

“Hmm…”

The elders probably… were worried about Sion and the others, but also wanted to respect their feelings.

“…Could you give us a little time? We’d like to discuss and decide together.”

“Yes.”

When Forset spoke, Sion looked straight at her and nodded. …Her determination seemed firm.

“Honored guests, would you like to stay in our town tonight? We’ll prepare rooms.”

“Those on the ships should take turns resting as well.”

“Thank you.”

“Could we ask Sion and the others to show you around the rooms and town until we reach a decision?”

“Understood.”

With that, the council meeting came to a close.

“Ah. Theodore-sama. May I have a moment?”

Just as we were about to leave, Forset stopped me.

“What is it?”

“Could you share your impressions or opinions about fighting Sion and the others?”

Hmm… Since they don’t know the outside world, relative evaluation must be difficult.

“…Well, it was a fight under the promise not to inflict unnecessary injuries on each other… But I was quite surprised when they imitated the aerial movement method mentioned earlier during the battle.”

Their Sense must be quite remarkable.

“Marceska was strong too.”

Said Sheila, who had crossed swords directly with Marceska. Her movements keeping up with Sheila, and Sigritta’s Techniques were undoubtedly quite powerful.

After sharing various thoughts with Forset, she and the elders nodded understandingly.

Leaving the council chamber, we had Sion and the others guide us to rooms on the upper floors of the Tower.

“…Thank you.”

After walking a short distance, Sion hesitantly spoke up.

“Well, I just spoke honestly.”

“Even so, I’m happy.”

Sion smiled, then slightly quickened her pace as she guided us up the Tower.