Moreover, what weighed heavily on his chest was that, to them, it was strange that Azadin, though an Aragasa, still cared about the Hubris people.
"The people of Bruma seem to be on your mind, Azadin. When the Age of Jupiter comes, people will die anyway. We only act upon rationality."
"To sacrifice people of your own accord, and then feel no emotion about that sacrifice. That's nauseating rationalism. Do you know that the so-called rationalism of yours is in fact irrational?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't disregard human emotions. Emotions captivate people and can draw out all their potential. If you dismiss and insult human emotions simply because they aren't rational, then their anger will always be watching for the chance to seize your ankle. When you're doing well, it won't matter, but if you stumble on even a small stone, they'll tear you apart like a pack of starving jackals lunging at a single bone. Where's the rationality in that detestable attitude? That's not rationalism, it's just rotted character, isn't it?"
"That's another way to look at it."
Arael was genuinely impressed with Azadin.
"As expected, you aren't like an Aragasa. Hey, Azadin. In the Elder Council, Aldis and Kazas do favor you, but they must still keep in mind the eyes of the other elders. And the supreme decision-maker is none other than Chief Hatir. You haven't even spoken with Chief Hatir, have you? Meanwhile, the supreme decision-maker on our side is me. Winning the battle against the Elder Council benefits you more in spreading your will."
Still, Arael attempted to persuade Azadin based on rationality.
"You think I'm interested in such power struggles?"
"That is exactly why you should be more interested. You want to save the Hubris people, don't you? If you want to save someone, you must hold power. Even if you're not interested in power struggles, you should force yourself to care, to learn, to study, and to obtain power. Yes. If you have the ability and opportunity, but do not seize power, and do not do everything to protect people, then you are just slothful."
"Ridiculous. Arael, within your rationality, I'm sure what you say is true. But that's exactly why I cannot tolerate a being like you."
"Is that so?"
"I will stop the very massacre itself from happening in Bruma."
"You insolent wretch, you've gone too far."
"Lady Arael. Even if we don't kill him, shall we at least capture him? If we imprison him and release him after things are settled, he will naturally be persuaded by then. The only reason his mouth still runs is because he has yet to taste bitterness."
The Four of Beauty of Nature flared up at Azadin's declaration that he would stop what was to happen in Bruma. Yet Arael shook his head.
"No, leave him be. For Azadin to prevent another incident like Coral Sahar from happening in Bruma, he will inevitably clash with the Elder Council, which has allied with the Naga Empire. He may say with words that he will not side with me, but he will end up clashing with the Council. Isn't that right?"
"..."
"Let him clash to his heart's content first. Azadin. You may go."
In effect, Arael had revealed both their original plan and the Elder Council's next plan to Azadin.
"Hey, holy knight. You're letting him go alive."
Indim growled at his opponent, Zebeck, who had pointed a sword at him.
"You're one of the Four of Beauty of Nature, correct?"
"Yeah."
"And you're certainly Indim the lodger?"
"?"
Zebeck deliberately called him that. For a moment, Indim couldn't understand the situation.
That a stern-faced man like Zebeck, the one most distant from humor, would actually mock him—Indim had never imagined it.
"..."
"You seem to be of high status among the Herald Clan, but the way you bark like some street thug, unable to control your emotions, is unpleasant to behold. If you are entrusted with the weight of any tribe, you ought to at least make an effort to possess dignity."
"You bastard!"
"…Let's go, Zebeck."
Once again, Azadin stepped between Indim and Zebeck and declared their withdrawal.
Since Arael had decided to let Azadin go, Indim was left to seethe in agony at Zebeck's taunting.
"Ah, right."
As Azadin began to walk away, he suddenly turned back.
"What now?"
"What about the Blue Sky Order? If they rampage again, then what should be done?"
"Tell those who have become followers not to gather in one place. Especially not in swamps. And…"
Arael tossed Azadin a vial.
"If they do rampage, dip an arrowhead lightly into this and strike them. It's a concentrate, so even the smallest amount will take effect."
"What is this?"
"The blood of the Shadow Shark King. Be careful—it's pure."
"…You've drunk it yourself?"
"No. I just keep it. It's evidence that the Elder Council has been studying nether magic."
Arael spoke meaningfully and then turned his gaze toward the waterfall.
***
Azadin, leaving the Emperor's Treasury, retrieved both of the treasury keys that had been stuck in the door outside.
–Ku-ru-rurung!
Once again, the treasury door began to close.
"So that's how it works."
Azadin pocketed the treasury keys.
"…Is that alright, captain? Your noona is…"
"My younger sister."
"If your younger sister is trapped inside?"
Scott asked, and Azadin just shrugged.
"There was a waterfall, remember? Escaping from inside won't be a problem. There must be some kind of one-way passage."
"Can you really handle things that halfheartedly?"
Shati asked out of curiosity, but Azadin seemed quite confident.
"Arael said that the Aragasas had already looted this treasury, so why do you think the keys are lying outside? It was designed so that those who entered couldn't easily take the keys. The Emperor probably never even imagined that he or his supporters could ever decline. He must have thought that since he always had complete control of this region, and never allowed his enemies to even show up, he could just open and close the door freely."
"But won't you end up fighting that younger sister later, captain? She did, in her own way, look out for you. Even if she always spoke in the most annoying way."
At that moment, everyone except Scott gave wry smiles.
For Scott of all people to say Arael spoke in an annoying way? If it were anyone else, perhaps, but Scott?
"It's fine. Outside the baron's castle, the Blue Sky Order people and the Coral Sahar refugees must be waiting. Letting Arael meet them isn't a good idea. Don't you feel the noisy racket outside?"
"Not at all."
"Me neither."
Even Shati, the naga with sharp ears, tilted her head.
"If I was going to trap her by taking the keys, then Arael would've made her own arrangements. She would've left someone to guard the keys. The fact she didn't means she's fine with me taking them."
Azadin put the Emperor's keys into his pack and walked outside.
Sure enough, just as Azadin predicted, outside Baron Adirof's castle, the Taoist of the Blue Sky Order stood waiting with the people who had regained their senses.
More precisely, those who had lost family, suddenly rampaged as followers, and killed their own loved ones with their own hands had now become furious rioters, while the Taoist of the Blue Sky Order and the members who supported him were pale-faced, shrinking like dogs with their tails tucked in the rain.
"Y-you're unharmed. What happened? That woman?"
Everyone's gaze fixed on Azadin and his group.
"Hey, Taoist. Let's have a word."
Azadin beckoned the Taoist over.
"What is it?"
"Nothing much, but according to that woman, your followers will rampage if too many gather in one place. Especially in swamps or marshes, it gets worse."
"What?"
"Right now, with the Age of Jupiter, the power of the nether has grown stronger. If the followers of Grimslawn of the Marsh gather in the swamp, it's only natural that they rampage. It's like when the followers of the reaper gather for an assembly. If that's true, and that fact is made public, then today's rampage incident will be blamed on the Blue Sky Order for irresponsibly handing out potions. What do you think of that?"
There was nothing to think about. If the enraged people learned that this disaster had been caused by the mistake of the Blue Sky Order, they would tear the Taoist apart alive.
"N-no, that's not true. That's absurd slander. The woman must have plotted something."
"First of all, is it true that the nether being is called Grimslawn of the Marsh?"
"…Y-yes, that is correct."
"Then did that woman give you something to eat, or cast some magic on you?"
"I-I don't know for sure. M-maybe she laced the food with something?"
The Taoist of the Blue Sky Order insisted it was all Arael's fault. From his standpoint, that was the only thing he wanted to believe.
"Haa. Pathetic. Anyway, the woman's been locked inside. Tell the people she'll starve to death in there with nothing to eat."
"What? But if you say that without proof, will people believe it? They'll want at least a corpse to be convinced."
"You already persuaded the people, while we were gone, that she was behind it all, didn't you? You can't take back those words now. And are you going to try and capture her yourself? Let me warn you, that woman is a truly powerful Divine King Slayer. Even if everyone here attacked her, she'd kill half of you and escape with ease. Are you ready to witness that scene?"
"N-no… that…"
He had already once been subdued helplessly by Arael and her subordinates. The Taoist of the Blue Sky Order knew well that defeating Arael's group by force was impossible.
"It seems you're in a difficult spot yourself. Why not leave this to me? I'll settle it without bringing harm to you."
"You? You'll handle it?"
"Yes. Trust me. I'll make sure no harm comes to you."
As Azadin consulted with the Taoist, Zebeck opposed.
"They're cultists. No, worse, they're worshippers of the nether reaper, Grimslawn of the Marsh. That makes them not just cultists, but true heretics. If their actions really caused this rampage, then all of this is their responsibility. And they've already plundered people as well. It's time they pay for their crimes."
"I agree, Zebeck. But outside, there are people gathered who could turn into rioters at any moment. They've also seen humans transform into followers, into monsters. If we undermine the authority of the Blue Sky Order in this situation, the people will become rioters, turning on each other in slaughter. After killing the Blue Sky Order, they'll start killing their own, out of fear that followers lurk among them. Can you control that situation?"
"Ah."
Zebeck realized Azadin's reasoning was sound. To resolve this situation peacefully, they needed to preserve the authority of the Blue Sky Order and give them support.
"I am ashamed. My thinking was shallow."
"I don't like these bastards either. But let's do it. First, we need to disperse the people peacefully."
Azadin, together with the Taoist, stepped forward into the plaza before the baron's castle.