Ch.104Ideal (5)

“Do you think that’s possible?”

After the speech ended, the first thing Ortemilia did at the gathering was to give me a hard time.

Seeing my sullen expression, Ortemilia said, “I was an important talent in the clan, important enough to be assigned Hertol as my guard. But I was cast out simply for being associated with ‘Mother.’ Don’t you understand what this means?”

“What?”

“It means that Mother is that dangerous of an existence.”

Still seeing my sullen expression, Rte explained, “If this happened because of Mother’s mental manipulation, it means she can mentally control the highest ranks of the three clans. If not, it means the three clans are more than reluctant—they’re actively avoiding contact with Mother! These proud clans who choose to stand against the Empire!”

The Empire is one of the most powerful nations across the continent.

The Northern Tribal Federation was standing against the Empire with a small number of powerful individuals, a loose alliance, and a large population.

Unlike the Northern Tribal Federation, which could hardly be called a country and had many flaws, the Empire was a fully established nation.

It was a powerful country with excellent magical capabilities led by the War School, countless soldiers, and a well-maintained society with good public order.

In terms of national capability, even the clans were inferior to the Empire.

Nevertheless, the three clans had challenged the Empire multiple times, and if it weren’t for my sister who was silently watching me right now, the Empire might have already collapsed.

Something that could either control or make the three clans—who could topple such a powerful nation—avoid contact.

At the same time, a being at the core of the Empire.

Naturally, it had to be an immensely powerful existence. I knew that, but Rte was pointing out something different.

“Can’t you see the hidden disorder and chaos?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mother doesn’t act logically or consider consequences. But she’s not impulsive either.”

Rte’s expression was unusually serious. The dragon’s eyes showed genuine gravity.

“Even setting aside her capabilities, her behavior pattern is far from logical. Think about it. Even the Guardian General’s escape is because Mother is deep within the Empire.”

“That’s right.”

“No madman in the world would let their right arm fight their left arm. It would be different if they lacked the capacity to stop it, but does she seem to lack such capacity?”

When I thought about it, it was strange.

If the three clans weren’t being controlled, that could be seen as passive resistance at best, but if not, it was no different than having one’s own arms fight each other.

And she was just letting it happen.

It wasn’t sensible. The more I thought about it, there was something eerie about it.

“Yet she just abandoned a powerful being like Hertol. If Hertol received power from a being like ‘Mother,’ do you really think you could win?”

“…No.”

Although I might have aggressive tendencies and get cocky easily, I wasn’t someone who had lost all sense of reality.

Hertol had clearly been weakened. It was because he had attacked impulsively right after making the blood oath, influenced by Mother.

But with Mother’s power, she could have replenished his strength and even regenerated him, yet she didn’t.

That couldn’t be explained just by her wanting me to survive.

“The Red Beast is one of the strongest in the three clans. She’s something that discards such beings on a whim. She has both the ability and will to do so. How do you plan to face something like that?”

A direct hit. I kept my mouth shut, and Rte, after gauging my reaction, added, “You can’t simply recruit allies either. Any one of them could become a potential enemy. Mother can afford to fail multiple times, but for us, even one failure means the end.”

Failure means my death or my subjugation. Then there would be no hope.

“So I ask you: do you have something in mind?”

Only then did I understand why Rte was making such objections with that expression.

This was, in a way, care.

She was doing this to hear my detailed plan right here and now, to help me improve it.

It was an uncharacteristically kind side of Rte. Was it because of the charm of my father’s factor?

“…But I can’t do nothing just because of these concerns. Staying still only leads to death.”

“That’s true. So?”

“I’m not speaking without a plan either. Selma, Isla’s sister, mentioned something.”

Under everyone’s attention, I explained what had happened.

How Selma had used a walk as an excuse to take me and Isla out and shared information about Mother.

At that time, Selma had said:

Her sister Isla was immune.

“Immune…”

“If she could really control everyone’s minds, she would have done so long ago. The fact that she hasn’t means she couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t it just be that she chose not to?”

“Mother may not be logical and has impulsive aspects, but I don’t think that’s the case with mental domination.”

Lorian casually threw out a question, and my sister answered. I listened carefully, as my sister had mentioned betrayal in relation to Mother.

“Like a hungry child reaching for food… she has a tendency to take control of whatever she can.”

My sister made a grasping motion with her hand.

Indeed, as she said, that being called Mother had tried to dominate my mind multiple times in a short period.

“If she doesn’t do so… it means there are limitations.”

“Exactly. You’re smart.”

My sister smiled and complimented me. I desperately suppressed the corners of my mouth from rising and looked at Rte.

“As my sister said, I believe Mother’s mental domination has limitations, and immunity can develop.”

“Then?”

“Beyond that, it depends on what information we can gather immediately, but basic ally recruitment and alliances should be built around that.”

After all, my sister, who seems to be connected to ‘Mother,’ is here. If it’s truly a dangerous situation, she’ll let me know, and even if not, she’ll share necessary information.

There’s not much information available right now, so there’s not much to judge, but I thought that was enough.

Rte seemed unsatisfied, but she kept quiet at my next words.

“Anyway, I never planned to do this alone.”

My abilities have limits.

I’m not omnipotent to begin with. What I’m good at is fixed, and beyond that, it’s better not to touch.

“I’ve only existed for about a year, and I don’t know much. You know that better than anyone.”

Rte quietly mumbled.

She’s probably remembering what she herself had said.

That they should have added an educational process.

In other words, homunculi are beings who don’t even receive basic education.

Even considering that I was diverted, it made sense that I wouldn’t know much.

“Not just military capabilities, but even as a warrior, I’m far from complete.”

Not just my level, but I can’t even properly handle my own abilities.

I just swing them around, without truly understanding or using them properly.

Even though Mourner is a relatively simple job, I still struggled.

My application skills and practical usage weren’t perfect.

When I got caught up in battle, I couldn’t properly utilize what I had. I didn’t even properly use the iron men wrapped around my body.

So I thought: I don’t need to take on everything myself.

I can’t be good at everything.

“I need all the help I can get. There’s not much I’m good at. Lorian.”

“…Hmm?”

“That’s also why I rejected the lord position you offered. I know myself well. I’m not suited for such a high position.”

I’m closer to someone who shouldn’t be placed in an important position. If anything, the position that suits me is…

“I’m better as a figurehead. At best, I can place someone suitable under my command in that position.”

I notice my sister reacting to the word “figurehead,” but what can I do?

I didn’t even intend to hide it anymore. My sister had already passed the choice to me, and I still needed time to prepare mentally.

My sister knew this and quieted down again, and Rte glanced at her before asking me:

“Then what are you planning to do now?”

“Form an alliance with the Black Knights.”

Rte’s eyes widened. Was it something she hadn’t expected?

I presented my reasoning.

“Of course, Mother’s power isn’t mana. But the Black Knights, who hate black mages, work for the public good, and are inflexible with strong self-censorship, are unlikely to become enemies.”

“Then.”

“The Black Knights won’t be the last alliance. The goal is to bring as many powerful individuals and forces into this temple as possible. That’s all for now.”

“Then what should I do?”

This time it was Melody. She seemed to have instinctively sensed it was her turn to step up.

And she was right. I don’t know anyone more capable than Melody in this field.

“Please gather information.”

“What kind of information?”

“Suspicious individuals, suspicious behaviors, anything that seems connected to Mother, whatever it may be.”

Melody crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

“I don’t know what her purpose is, but she’s definitely plotting something.”

“Definitely. Hertol, was it? That couldn’t have been a simple action. There must have been some trigger. He probably found something while tracking and investigating Mother’s activities.”

After speaking, Melody flinched. She looked at me.

“You don’t think it’s okay if I get controlled, do you…?”

Seeing Melody’s slightly tearful expression made me uncomfortable.

No, I’m not that much of a trash person, am I? I made an indignant expression.

“That’s not it. I just thought that during your journey with my sister, you might have had some contact with Mother. You probably met the Emperor too.”

“…Ah.”

“So I thought you’d be fine. Besides, Melody can take care of herself.”

I added that I trusted her, and Melody’s tearful face gradually turned into a smile.

“Of course. I’ll investigate perfectly, so don’t worry!”

Seeing her pride swell, I felt the urge to tease her a bit.

Probably the influence of Mother remaining in my body.

Mental domination was this frightening. I could understand why Hertol couldn’t resist.

“Let me know when you find something.”

“What will you do when you find it?”

“If it turns out to be Mother’s limbs or machinations, I’ll form a strike team to attack and destroy it.”

I answered my sister’s question with a firm attitude.

“Our advantage lies in the secrecy of our base. Therefore, the stance we should take is offensive.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Nothing will change if we remain defensive. Our opponent is the world. Vast and powerful. It could even be called an immutable existence.”

So there’s no chance of winning in a direct confrontation. What’s important is understanding the power difference and knowing and using the opponent.

Immutability means unchanging, and unchanging implies the absence of human dynamism, so…

I said:

“Therefore, we will actively launch attacks and then hide, repeatedly.”

“It’s a hunt.”

Like Isla’s words, tinged with subtle pleasure and vengeance, if I had to put it into words, this is a hunt targeting the world.

I made eye contact with Isla, nodded, and then clapped my hands to gather everyone’s attention.

“Well then. That’s all for today. Let’s do this.”

At my signal for dismissal, everyone gets up from their seats, each recalling their roles and creating tasks for themselves.

“Alright, I’ll go gather information. Sister?”

“Sure, I’ll help.”

“Then I’ll establish military training for the mixed-bloods and defense plans for any possible situations.”

“I’m counting on you. Rte, you…”

“I will further investigate the specimen in the prison. I’ll send someone if I discover anything.”

As the training ground, which had been used as a temporary meeting room, was emptying out…

I looked at the man who remained in his seat.

The Mourner old man who had attended the meeting but remained standing without saying a word.

“Old man, do you have something to say?”

He glanced at Isla, who was still there, hesitated for a moment.

“Well, yes. I can’t say it’s very important, but…”

What is it that makes him hesitate like this?

When I showed my thoughts through my expression, the words that came out of his mouth were unexpected.

“There’s something I need to say, man to man.”