"What?!" Infori was utterly shocked, not expecting such an opinion from Flynn. "Does the kingdom share your opinion? Or do they already know yours?"
Flynn then answered honestly, but with a hint of disappointment in the current situation.
"Unfortunately, not yet. I haven't had time to send a message to the kingdom because so much has happened lately. It's been quite a delay."
"I see..." Infori said softly, lowering his gaze.
The current situation didn't seem so good, especially since two kingdoms were fighting over a territory that wasn't even the size of a city.
Silence fell again, and no one spoke. Finally, Nathan broke the silence by addressing Flynn.
"Excuse me for being intrusive, but what are they really after?"
Everyone stared at him, while Nathan, oblivious, waited for his answer. Lilith and Iris didn't recognize the speaker, unlike Infori and Flynn.
"...?"
"I mean, if the two kingdoms you mentioned earlier are fighting over territory, what makes them interested in it?"
Infori turned to his left, meaning Nathan. He asked in surprise, "You didn't know?"
"No. I just found out now."
"You really are someone who just emerged from a cave, huh?"
"Stop calling me that," Nathan replied calmly. "I have my reasons. But clearly, I just want to know why, how, and where. That's all."
Infori nodded slowly, as if understanding. Then, Flynn answered, explaining in detail.
"Currently, the place with the most minerals ever discovered is in the contested area. That area is called… Eneral."
"Eneral…" Lilith muttered.
"The minerals found there include all the most abundant minerals, such as bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. It's even said to contain magic crystals that can fuel large-scale artifacts." Flynn continued.
"That's why the two kingdoms seem obsessed with the abundant treasures there..." Lilith suddenly spoke, putting her index finger to her lips and considering the matter.
"It's quite cruel, isn't it?" Iris whispered, but her voice was still audible.
Flynn sighed briefly, then said, "People in power certainly have their own obsessions. They usually think of themselves before anyone else."
"But they should also prioritize the interests of the people. If they rule this country, then they are also responsible for their power in this country," Lilith said, her tone very serious and her gaze unwavering. It was as if she had her own standpoint that she believed in.
"Yes. But, what do you think the events that happened yesterday have to do with the territorial dispute?"
That question prompted Flynn to make a tentative speculation, which he would only use for now, because clearly, he didn't know the cause.
"In my opinion, it's clearly something else. I didn't even know that Takechi could sacrifice all his comrades to summon a legendary creature, the Core, even with only a device similar to Knightley Queen's Knightley Road."
However, his tentative speculation was accepted graciously by everyone, including Lilith, who offered her opinion.
"I think I agree with your statement. Everything that happened recently is indeed unreasonable. We don't even know who Takechi is for sure."
"Right."
However, Lilith's gaze shifted to Infori. Her two jewel-like blue eyes stared into Infori's red ones, her face seemingly hiding a question.
"But, Mr. Infori."
So, Lilith intended to ask Infori something.
Infori turned her head.
"Hm?"
Without further ado, the question came out of Lilith's mouth. "Why are you here, anyway?"
"Huh?"
Flynn reflexively held his breath, his shoulders tensing. His brows furrowed, his eyes darting quickly to Lilith.
Nathan reacted. He had initially been looking at Flynn because he was listening to her speak, but now his gaze shifted to Lilith. His face clearly showed his surprise.
Iris's eyes widened. She stared at Lilith with a mix of confusion and anxiety, then glanced at Infori.
Meanwhile, Infori narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, but his body language clearly conveyed one thing: Lilith's question wasn't mere small talk, and the answer could change everything.
A silence ensued, until Infori finally let out a long sigh.
"Haah…" he then said calmly, "I have my reasons for deciding to journey in search of the Blades of Mirage."
"But why? Didn't I already say I would repay you once I found the artifact?" Lilith asked.
"…I just don't really trust Seraphim."
"…" Everyone fell silent upon hearing this, and Lilith and Iris couldn't even believe a Nephilim would say something like that.
"In short, there was an incident in my past involving someone from the Seraphim race. But unfortunately, that changed my view of Seraphim as well," Infori continued. "I apologize for saying that. I have no grudge or anything against you Seraphim. For now, I can only respect you, not trust you."
"…"
A silence enveloped the room, and Infori's words made the conversation even more unpleasant than before.
⟨⟩ ⟨⟩ ⟨⟩