The Meaning of Friendship
I fix my gaze on the path where Emilia fades among the trees, a sense of powerlessness envelops me as I can't do anything to ease her burden. Anger bubbles inside me as I watch her leaving, feeling incapable of offering help to my friends in this critical moment.
It's then that I feel Crusch's comforting hand on my shoulder, her attempt to console me amidst the despair. Crusch, my friend, has undergone a remarkable transformation since we met. Her figure, once impassive and firm, now reflects a sensitivity that barely peeked through her gestures.
It reassures me to see her change, although the gravity of the situation allows no distractions. Lives hang by a thread, and we cannot afford to falter in the midst of pain.
"I can't deny the despair Marco and Emilia must feel right now. When I learned of Beatrice's situation, I also felt a profound sorrow," I share my thoughts with Crusch, finding in her amber eyes a reflection of understanding and solidarity. "I thought they could overcome it on their own, but as a friend, I feel the responsibility to act."
Crusch's gaze silently nods, indicating she's willing to join me in this endeavor. Together, we will confront the shadows threatening to consume them, seeking a glimmer of hope amidst the surrounding darkness.
"For both their sakes and mine, I must do something at this moment," Crusch concludes, instilling in both of us the determination to act.
'Sir Otto...'
The image of Rem assaults my mind, her serene gaze and smile as she finished sewing a dress. It's a presence engraved in my soul, my comfort, and someone I miss.
'But... what am I thinking?'
"We'll gather information," I say as I walk alongside Crusch towards the forest's exit, but before we can proceed, someone blocks our path.
It's Luan, his serious expression emitting a fiery aura that instinctively makes us step back.
"I want to go with you," he declares firmly, his penetrating gaze revealing his determination.
More people mean more resources, and if it's Luan, I know his offer is sincere. However, I face a dilemma: I must gather information without revealing the situation with Roswaal. I've already made mistakes in this regard, revealing more details wouldn't be helpful at this moment.
Marco informed me that he's tied up, so the responsibility falls on me to act. I'm Otto Suwen, and the least I can do is help my friends out of the abyss they're in. Crusch smiles, giving me her approval.
"Then, let's get to work," I affirm, taking the lead from this moment on. I look at both of them, outlining the first steps to take.
"The first thing is to buy some time. We know Miklotov will postpone the trial for a few days, but if it takes too long, they might think we're fleeing," I observe the metia, which lights up when connected to Irlam. I open it and see one of the ministers: the press minister, Helena, who holds my metia in her hands. Normally, I would be the one returning to Irlam, but if I want to resolve this, I must stay.
"Good morning, Miss Helena," I greet with a smile, noticing she's in her office. She returns the smile while taking a sip of tea.
"Mr. Otto, it's a pleasure," she responds, showing me the newspaper they're planning to publish. The only way to grant us a reprieve, something I requested from Helena in hopes of gaining a few days. We have the necessary reputation to achieve it.
Maybe before they wouldn't have believed us, but now, undoubtedly, they will.
Crusch glances sideways, recognizing the falsehood of our construction. "Unusual behavior has been observed near the route to the Ganacks mines. Lugunica hero, Marco Luz, has decided to join the army in search of the Witch Cult." The highlighted part is backed by evidence of his connection to Count Costuul.
This evidence is accompanied by a drawing of his soldiers transformed into a dark mass. Information about Costuul's dealings with the demihumans will be made public, raising suspicions. Our reputation comes from fighting against the Witch Cult; it's the only way to buy some time.
Miklotov should contact me soon...
"Is that Marco's metia?" Crusch asks, to which I nod, holding it in my hands. He's given up. I grip it tightly. But I will never give up on my friends. No matter what I must do, I'll get them out of there. My loyalty is to everyone I care about; the plans are in motion, and now we just have to move forward.
"Did you expect this to happen?" Crusch asks, with a hint of surprise.
"No, I didn't know," I look up, seeing the rays of light piercing through the trees. "It's just contingency measures, things we had already considered in case events like this occurred. We had planned several situations; using our reputation to conceal things is not uncommon. We may be betraying the trust of those who believe in us, but there's no other way to buy time."
The news will be prioritized to the capital; it should take a day, plus the few days Miklotov has managed; we should have four or five days to sort this out. That should give us enough time to prepare for the tribunal. I've never witnessed one; this is something reserved for the high nobles, but when it affects all of Lugunica... to think we would have such importance. In less than a year, we've come further than many other great cities.
"My friend, truly, is someone incredible," I walk alongside both, knowing what our next step will be. I must gather information from the townspeople, learn about Garfield. The first step is to know the enemy; the townspeople hold a good image of us for providing food and everyday items.
I'm sure they'll pass on information. I'm worried that people might be deceptive, but with Crusch here, nothing can escape us.
According to what Marco told me, this is the sanctuary, where the Witch of Greed experimented on them. They can't leave; so, Miss Emilia is also trapped. The only way is to overcome the trials. But I can't do them, Luan can't do them, Crusch can't do them, not even Ram or Rem, who isn't here, can do them. If none of them can, then only one person remains.
I must make Garfield do them.
"Marco's bet says that Miss Emilia should do them, but in her current state, she'll only hurt herself more," it pains me to see her like this, so I believe it's the right choice. "Garfield must face the trials, as he has been accepted by the tomb."
The thing is, I don't know him, and he seems to hate me. I know they suspect Marco because of his curse, but what's important is that I manage to convince him.
"Won't Emilia do them?" Crusch looks at me surprised, as if she doesn't agree. "I know she's hurting herself, but it doesn't seem right to give her an escape."
"The urgency of the situation warrants it," I look Crusch in the eyes, and Luan grabs my shoulder. I don't want to see her cry anymore; it's pointless; there's only one attempt left.
"I think...," Luan stops mid-sentence. "Forget it."
Crusch seems to reluctantly accept, so we must move forward. We arrive at the village, knocking on the door of the person who will give me the information. The houses, which would normally be made of stone, are now made of wood, with a concrete floor.
Frederica sent builders to remodel the place, all with the intention of making it a more pleasant place for the people who live here.
Knock, knock.
A tall, muscular man with a penetrating gaze that seems to want to crush you entirely. I can't help but feel afraid, but with the women behind me, there's nothing to fear. I could defend myself, but it's better to leave it to the professionals.
"Hahaha..."
"Sir, I'm Otto Suwen, the mayor's secretary of Irlam," I announce firmly, trying to convey the importance of my presence in that place.
The man's eyes widen suddenly, as if he immediately recognizes my identity. A smile spreads across his face, and that gesture relaxes me slightly. But before I can react, the door slams shut in front of me, creating a gust of wind that makes me step back.
"What has happened?" I ask bewildered, while staring at the door in surprise.
"It seems he won't welcome you with open arms," Luan comments with laughter, but I can't tear my gaze away from the door. "You're definitely not cut out for this."
"Don't mock me! I don't even know what I've done to deserve this treatment!" I exclaim frustrated, aware of my bad luck in situations like this.
"If you want, I can help you," Crusch offers while knocking on the door, while I stay behind her.
The man reappears, this time with an axe resting on his shoulder. His face is scrunched up, and his round, hairy ears give the impression that he's ready for combat. Crusch seems to notice but doesn't pay it any mind.
"I'm Crusch, commander of Irlam's army," she announces with a military salute, setting her rifle aside.
The man looks at her, though without showing fear. It's evident that nobody here properly recognizes this weapon, but Crusch only shows it to make it clear that we're not there to cause trouble. Crusch then makes a move to reload the chamber, while exposing her mana; only then does the man change his expression.
"Marlon," the man replies, visibly nervous in front of Crusch.
It's normal that they already know about the army here, but it depends on whether they read the newspaper or not.
"Mr. Marlon, we're interested in speaking with you, we'll offer benefits to those who cooperate with our investigation," Crusch says with a slight smile, causing him to open the door wider.
Marlon's eyes light up with greed, and he lets us in.
"You should have said that earlier. You can come in without any problem," he says, inviting us inside.
We head towards a cozy wooden table, where the chairs seem to have been carved by himself, as they have his name engraved on the backrest.
I make an effort to contain my laughter at the peculiarity of his decoration. Marlon takes a seat and looks at us with a serious expression.
"How can I help you?" he asks, indicating that it's my turn to speak.
"Mr. Marlon, have you had any encounters with Garfield Tinsel?" My question makes him widen his eyes, his hands sliding under the table. It seems he really knows something.
At this moment, the faction that refuses to leave the sanctuary must be plotting something. I had already obtained information about their members in a previous investigation that Frederica had requested. Marco couldn't delve into the investigation without alerting Roswaal, so I helped Frederica gather a preliminary list.
Yes, it was a good decision.
"What's the matter, Mr. Marlon? We are the army of Irlam, our intentions are nothing but to assist the community. As part of the Marquis's territory, you are under our protection," I smile fully, placing my hand to rub my chin. It's a clear statement, although he may see it as empty words. Nevertheless, I must say them. "While Irlam may be independent, we still uphold the security of Marquis Roswaal L. Mathers's territory."
Now comes the test. "Any activity that poses a risk to the community must be investigated. Therefore, we suggest that you share with us what you know... Marlon Uppercart," I maintain my smile, looking him directly in the eyes. His gaze becomes surprised, opening his eyes wide.
His hands then rest on his thighs, and his gaze remains anxious. The main carpenter of the place, part of the group opposing the sanctuary's release. He's the one in charge of repairing the houses, enjoys a good deal, and, of course, fears for his job if the sanctuary residents are released.
Or at least that's what I believe.
"How do you know my full name?" he asks, getting up from the table and looking at us with fear, his lips and eyes trembling.
I invite him to sit, keeping calm and smiling.
"That's not relevant at the moment, Mr. Marlon. What's important now is for you to tell us what you know about Garfield Tinsel," I gesture to Crusch. "My companion can detect your lies, so let's avoid complications."
Crusch smiles, causing the man to begin breathing with difficulty. It seems he's someone really important. If he has valuable information about Garfield, it will be of great use to us.
"Are you referring to the young brown?" his question surprises me.
Luan lunges toward him. Despite being twice his size, Luan uses her mana to bring him down to the ground. The man, astonished, can only watch in terror as Luan.
"What have you done to him!?" Luan grabs him by the shirt, small sparks emanating from her hair.
"I! I didn't do anything!" Marlon tries to break free from Luan's arms, but as he does, he starts screaming. "It burns! AHHHGG!"
Crusch runs towards them and pulls Luan away, who seems surprised by her own actions. Luan steps back, and Crusch examines the man's hands, finding no serious injuries due to his fur.
Marlon desperately blows on his hands. After a few seconds, Luan leans towards him.
"I apologize for my behavior. I'll make sure to send appropriate compensation."
The man nods fearfully, apparently too nervous to make a conflict.
"So, tell us about it," I urge him.
The man sighs and shows some blueprints. It's a pair of intertwined wooden handcuffs with ropes.
"Garfield ordered me to make this to keep him captive. I just followed orders, but when I went to deliver it, he told me it wasn't necessary."
"Not necessary?" I ask, bewildered.
Marlon looks me directly in the eyes.
"I'll tell you everything I know about Garfield."
He gets up and rummages through a drawer. After a few minutes, he places a small statue on the table.
It's the figure of a young woman. From the meticulous details, I can see that she's human, but I'm unaware of her relevance to the story.
"It's beautiful, a great work," Crusch comments, causing the man to nod his head.
Marlon admires her for a few seconds before looking away.
"The person I love," he says softly, caressing the statue.
He closes his eyes, as if it's difficult for him to remember.
"Garfield's mother."
I open my eyes in surprise, understanding the situation. This explains why Frederica mentioned this person to me. She wanted to help Garfield, and it seems this person knows more than usual.
'So, why hasn't she acted yet?'
"Is Garfield your son?" It's a stupid question, I know. Luan and Crusch look at me with a disappointed expression.
'It hurts how little they trust me, ha-ha.'
Clearly, they don't share the same characteristics. Marlon's brown fur, his round ears, those aren't the features Garfield has. I'm doing it for another reason. His gaze is fixed on me.
Clearly, I'm appealing to his desire.
"I'm not his father," Marlon looks down, "Although, if given the chance, I'd be a much better father than anyone."
Resentment laces his voice, the way he says it, clearly he still loves her. Crusch's gaze confirms he's telling the truth.
"So, what happened to his mother?" Luan's question unsettles him, for a few seconds he seems unable to respond, his lips trembling, he adjusts his hands to stand up again.
He's a big, burly man, so imposing he seems invincible. Yet, his heavy, sorrowful gaze contrasts with the rest. The regret he carries seems to weigh him down. He walks towards the only window in the house, looking as if he's expecting something.
"That was my fault, the reason Garfield won't come out," I clench my fist, trying to make connections regarding what Frederica told me. Luan and Crusch say nothing.
The cold sensation of the cabin, where there isn't even a fireplace, makes every part of my skin freeze. I see the statue, trying to find a way to reach Garfield.
"She, her name is Reala. Garfield's mother wasn't a highly intelligent person, she was charismatic and, above all, flawed, yet she could never overcome her obsession," By the way he speaks, he seems to know something even Frederica doesn't.
"I... I was the cause of this, because of my jealousy, she," Marlon's trembling hands indicate the deep pain he feels. He looks towards the statue, his gaze filled with remorse, his emotions filtering through his furrowed brow.
What she meant to him still haunts him.
"She was a victim of several desperate situations, her mind was already ruined, so she didn't always act in the best way," A tea kettle starts making noise, interrupting this moment.
Marlon gets up and starts pouring several cups of tea.
"When I found out she wanted to leave the sanctuary, in search of the person she loved I...," None of us dare to speak, clearly neither can we tell him anything.
He serves us the tea, its flowery aroma filling my nose. Crusch and Luan seem attentive, but Luan, I can see it in her: she's upset, it seems the story doesn't sit well with her.
Marlon sits, looking at the steaming tea.
"I was in charge of repairing the carriage that was going to take her, so I decided to make the carriage break down when it felt a certain weight," A tear, from such a big man, the tear travels down his face until it falls into his tea cup, "The cargo was lighter than expected, so the weight didn't reach the proper size."
Marlon's hands tremble with increasing intensity, his voice breaking as he speaks, as if each word represents a colossal effort.
"My adjustments slowed down the carriage; earth dragons are extremely sensitive. He probably realized the carriage wouldn't hold up for long and chose to maintain a normal speed," Marlon looks up at the ceiling, letting out a deep sigh, "And to make things worse...," Marlon looks at the three of us, his gaze heavy, his hands clenched tightly, "A rockslide put an end to the rest. Her bad luck, her wretched life, came to an end there, with no possibility of intervening."
So, Garfield knows his mother has passed away. Additionally, it seems she intended to leave them. As if they didn't matter, or perhaps as a consequence of the abuse she suffered.
'Why do people commit such atrocious acts?'
Both Marlon, those who perpetrated that act against Frederica's mother, and the mother herself.
If I have something to say, it would be:
"It seems you have more information," Luan stares at Marlon intently, her presence completely dispels the cold from the room, "There's something you haven't told us, I can sense it in you."
Marlon smiles, holding Luan's gaze firmly.
"She survived, but as an atonement, I decided to let her fulfill her dream and completely disconnect from her children."
"DAMN YOU!" Luan punches him in the face with all her might, causing the man to recoil and fall from his chair.
The heat intensifies, and Luan approaches Marlon with more fury than ever. Crusch tries to stop her, but she dodges her; her hair begins to turn crimson, sparks emanate from it and fall onto the wood, causing small burns.
Luan is really furious now. She locks her gaze on Marlon's smiling face, and I can't help but do the same. It's the same look Marco Luz had when Garfield threw him to the ground.
"I've committed atrocities," Marlon spits blood onto the ground. "My sin is something I've been paying for all this time. I know the time will come to face it..."
"You've ruined those children's lives! You've shattered Frederica and her brother's life!" Luan extends her arms, her hair now completely crimson. "She was their mother! She was full of suffering!"
Luan, who has lost everyone she loved, has always been sensitive to these issues. Marco told me that the whereabouts of his mother are still unknown.
I observe my hands, reflecting on how to calm the situation.
"I know! I know it was wrong!" Marlon stands up, opening the windows to let in the fresh breeze. "I... I know I should have said it, but it was for their own good."
I stand up abruptly. Luan stares directly into my eyes, despite her burning heat, I approach her.
I can't touch her, but I can get closer. I stand in front of her; I feel my skin burning. Luan is strong, her emotions are intense, and she never fears expressing them. She's someone to admire, but she also has her own conflicts.
"As long as she's alive, there's still hope," I smile at her, trying to calm her down.
I'm often the subject of ridicule, but it doesn't affect me in the slightest as long as I'm taken seriously when the occasion calls for it.
This duality, far from being a burden, is my strength, my very essence.
Meanwhile, Luan's emotional turmoil begins to fade away, like waves receding after a storm, leaving behind the calmness in her hair.
"I know you're someone with a big heart, but if you let him affect you, then you won't make good decisions," Crusch comments, also approaching Luan.
At these words, Luan, surprised, contains her anger and returns to her seat. Marlon, on the other hand, remains serene on the floor, his smile undisturbed by the world. I know Luan's extraordinary strength well, but seeing her knock down Marlon so easily, a man of imposing stature.
'I'll never bother her more than necessary, hehehe.'
Meanwhile, Marlon gets up.
For now, I only have this information, so I must act on it.
Understanding Garfield's resistance to releasing the sanctuary is glimpsing the fear that nestles deep within his being.
Since childhood, he has conceived of an external world as hostile, an invisible prison that holds him inside. At this moment, his fear eclipses any other consideration.
"The kid thinks his mother died, or maybe he knows she survived but can't accept it," Marlon explains as he stands up, pointing us towards the exit. "I think you can understand why he refuses to release the sanctuary, why he's against it."
'Fear.'
"His whole life he has thought about how hostile the outside world must be. And he's right to think so, but right now that doesn't matter," I add.
Marlon, with his grave expression and clenched hands, offers his genuine repentance, an offering of redemption. But Luan's words, laden with the authority of one who has suffered and survived, cut like lightning in the night.
"You have no right to see her," Luan declares, standing up and leaving the house.
I sigh resignedly, but also with a sincere smile that emerges from the depths of my being.
"You'll have to answer for what you've done. I hope you can find what you're looking for," I extend my hand to Marlon, in an act of acceptance and demand for accountability.
"Thank you..." Marlon responds, taking my hand and squeezing it tightly.
Crusch, Luan, and I leave the house. The sun invades my vision, its rays penetrating my skin as the gentle breeze caresses my entire being.
We continue asking everyone we encounter, but the information starts to become irrelevant. Although people know Marlon, it seems they don't know beyond his imposing strength and carpentry skills.
The sunset is approaching quickly, so we must hurry. I need to reflect; now that I know what's on Garfield's mind, I must find a way to address it.
There's a crucial piece missing: Garfield's mother's whereabouts. Is she still alive? What condition is she in? What was the reason that led her to leave?
"If anyone knows, it's likely to be that person," Crusch points towards the cabin where he is. Roswaal. I doubt he's someone so careless, who would miss the opportunity to manipulate someone to fulfill his plans.
What if he was the cause of what happened to his mother? From what I understand, his soul has existed for four hundred years.
By this time, I should have contacts and information networks extended throughout Lugunica and the other countries. I have all the cards at my disposal to fulfill my goal.
It's time to speak with Roswaal alone, but I'm scared. He's much stronger than the three of us combined, and I don't want to risk them. Besides, he must know about Crusch's divine blessing.
My hands and legs tremble; my heart beats strongly, urging me to flee. I've always known when to intervene and when not to, but now is not the time to think about myself. My friends need me, my best friend needs me.
I must do it, so that we all leave here with a smile. And for that... There's one person I need by my side.
"Crusch, we need to talk," I say, determined.
Someone who will help us turn this situation around. 'I need to convince Ram to confront Roswaal.'