SeeThat question rang in Commander Seroh's ears and mind for a few seconds... and the moment he heard that name, his expression changed all at once, as though he'd heard something no one wished to hear — a forbidden utterance. And he began to stare at Raym with sharpness.
Before long, Raym felt a strange pressure, rising and falling without warning, radiating from the Commander. He understood that what he'd said was no small matter, and tried to change the subject quickly, continuing:
"Oh — I apologize, Lord Seroh. I was only struck by some curiosity. I've heard that name mentioned once or twice, but when Lord Lorian spoke it, his tone changed at once into something close to fear, so I felt he must be a dangerous person, and so..."
Seroh cut him off with a sigh. Then he closed his eyes, lowered his head gently, and said:
"It's alright, Raym. No one's told you this yet. We were only waiting for the right moment... Very well, then... Magnum..."
Commander Seroh set his hand on his blade and tightened his grip, his arm beginning to tremble, and said in a voice laced with caution:
"Magnum is the one who rules the world here. He is everything. He is entirely beyond what you imagine."
With every description and every word, Raym grew more astonished. Seroh went on:
"Do you know??? When our group was first founded, according to my late father — our organization was established to fight him, not to fight SI. He is a person who should never exist!!! Honestly, I can't describe him. My father used to tell me, every day, how terrifying he was, and tales that barely seemed believable. Even myths and legends sound credible and ordinary beside what I was told."
He paused for a moment, then said:
"But suddenly... he simply vanished. He ruled the world with a fist of steel, and his activity grew, and that of those who followed him — they ran riot, and killed millions, perhaps more, and most of those campaigns were led by him personally. But suddenly, without warning... he disappeared. And his factions have run even more wildly since, as though he'd been keeping them in check or something of the sort. But I'm entirely certain that he's in hiding, or sitting somewhere doing nothing. Because that entity cannot be erased, or killed, or even harmed."
With those words, Seroh's body trembled more and more, goosebumps rising across it entirely. The same went for Raym, whose tongue seemed to have been tied; he felt the need to change the mood, but to no avail.
Then came the sound of a knock at the door.
The old woman opened it, bringing two hot cups with her, looked at them for a moment, and said in a gentle, tender voice:
"Oh — I hope I haven't interrupted anything important, you two."
Commander Seroh's expression changed at once, and he smiled at her and said:
"No, quite the opposite, Lady Senora. We were waiting for you to arrive."
Raym traded glances between the Commander and the old woman, as though he'd become even less able to speak than before. The old woman sat down and offered them each a cup of a hot drink that soothed the nerves. She watched the Commander with longing as she waited for him to take his first sip. The Commander held the cup before her, hesitated for a moment, but surrendered to her gaze and drank quietly...
The moment Raym saw the Commander drink, he followed suit. And the old woman smiled, then rose quickly, and said:
"Oh — wait! I forgot I have some sweets too. I'll be right back."
The Commander tried to stop her, but she seemed so eager. And in that moment, Raym sensed how close the bond between them was.
Suddenly, several scenes flashed through his head at once, and he said aloud:
"I remember!!! Lord Vail!"
Then he looked hard into the Commander's eyes, and said to him:
"What's become of him? I haven't seen him in a long time. I'd almost forgotten him!!!"
The Commander smiled with pride... then sighed, saying:
"Oh — dear Leo... this is the one thing you'll never succeed at..."
The Commander drank from the cup again... and then his lips moved without his will:
"Alright, kid... there's no point hiding it. You and Vail... you're very attached to each other. That thing... attachment... feelings, kid... it's what makes each of you depend on the other, leaving him unable to show his full ability."
He paused for a moment, his voice dropping:
"I've seen it happen once already, Raym... and believe me... I don't wish to see it again."
Seroh closed his eyes, and began to tell it in a quiet voice with a note of sorrow, after an image of Vail suddenly formed in his mind:
"Vail... I met him for the first time after that terrible night..."