Though the Sage Council lacked official military forces, their guard corps consisted mostly of mages who also commanded quite a few airships. Against the aerial threat of New Parristol, they could provide considerable support in an aerial assault operation.
Unfortunately, Judith was just a minor researcher without the power to sway the entire Council's decisions, something the kingdom forces never counted on her for.
"Think of it this way - the Sage Council is inching closer to becoming a real nation. That's not so bad!"
With no better option, I could only encourage Judith to see the positive. But Alfreed overheard and turned back quizzically.
"Judith, wasn't it? That name seems familiar somehow..."
He stared at her intently for a while, but couldn't seem to recall where from.
"Heh heh, well, I was quite the standout at the research institute back then - making a bit of a name for myself isn't impossible!" Judith replied, her worried expression transforming into self-satisfied pride as she adjusted her glasses.
"Never mind then..." Alfreed gave up, perplexed by her attitude since he didn't know her true origins or what she referred to.
He then turned his questioning gaze to me. "And Feliciana, do you need help contacting Edenmere for reinforcements? I heard there's still an angel lingering in the capital who could perhaps..."
"Definitely not!" I waved my hands frantically. I'd snuck here against Elara's wishes - how could I reveal myself so quickly? My purposes here weren't fulfilled yet.
"Then why are you here? Don't tell me it's because of Adrian..."
Alfreed exchanged a glance with Eleanora, but didn't finish as he looked up at New Parristol overhead, shaking his head worriedly.
"I really don't understand what he's thinking. Does he truly intend to fight the kingdom to the bitter end?"
During this meeting, we'd analyzed the sky city's current state. Parristol's "divine punishment" seemed to originate from it. If Adrian as Loren royalty could control divine punishment, he likely commanded this city too.
So Adrian had essentially become the crux of all these issues. Subsequent events and how the situation developed may hinge entirely on his intentions.
Not just me, no one could fathom it based on our prior experience - Adrian never seemed the type to cooperate with monsters. Yet with the facts before us, anything was possible now, regardless of whether he was being controlled. The kingdom faced imminent peril.
"Maybe Adrian was deliberately hiding his true self all along!"
"No! I believe he must have his reasons. Don't think the worst of him - Adrian isn't like that..."
I rushed to defend him, but my words tapered off feebly as I realized I lacked evidence to support my stance - the very reason I came here seeking proof.
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In contrast, we hadn't actually seen him since parting ways at Sulide Volcano.
"I can't believe you still trust him so much..." Eleanora gave me a meaningful look, as if implying something more.
Before I could respond, Cyra's sharp ears picked it up as she bounded over excitedly. "Trust who? Does Feliciana have a thing for Adrian? You noticed it too?"
Damn her, always sticking her nose where it didn't belong and stirring up trouble!
Luckily, Eleanora recognized Cyra from previous encounters, seeing her as a kindred spirit rather than an intruder. They exchanged a conspiratorial look and nod.
"It's so obvious, yet Feliciana insists on playing dumb like we can't tell..."
"Exactly, you'd have to be an idiot not to see it!"
"The key is, a certain someone is just as much of an idiot pretending others are like her..."
Although they whispered, I overheard every word - likely their intention to provoke me.
"What do you mean I have a thing for Adrian? I'm not hiding anything, absolutely not!" I stamped my feet vehemently in denial. Rehashing this again was bad enough, but with Adrian now the kingdom's prime enemy, where did that leave me?
"Ah, young love..." Judith sighed wistfully, acting centuries older than her actual age. Infuriating me further by implying I was lovestruck in the kingdom military camp - wasn't that slanderous?
Yet no one took my denials seriously, waving me off dismissively as if accustomed to such protests already.
Alfreed then dutifully found us separate tents to rest per the commander's instructions, though we angels had no need. As a high-ranking six-winged angel, I received a spacious tent with soldier guards - lavish accommodations fit for General Douglas himself.
However, I had no desire to lie down, yet didn't want to draw more attention outside. Restless and vexed, I could only sit before the tent's entrance, gazing up at New Parristol in thought.
Did Adrian truly like me? Or did I actually like him, as others claimed?
But I once...
I shook my head firmly, refusing to dwell on that thought any further and considered other matters instead. The rest could wait until facing him again - if that was even possible now.
Truthfully, I felt disheartened. I thought reaching 6th tier meant fearing fewer monsters, but a string of new, stronger foes kept shattering my limits. Leaving the dragon Mirium aside as seemingly unbeatable for me, that "mysterious man" emerged even more formidable - casually dominating us with his demon taming arts until we narrowly escaped.
Though outwardly human-like, from the moment he appeared, that nameless man exuded an overwhelming pressure far exceeding Mirium's draconic presence. If I wasn't mistaken, Mirium surpassed 7th tier - so what unfathomable level did he represent?
The thought made my head spin. The road ahead seemed increasingly arduous. I almost regretted not just charging into Chromos Tower while in the city earlier. Even if I flew up to the sky city now, those two monstrous foes would likely obstruct me before reaching Adrian. As key operators of the entire city, they wouldn't simply let me meet him directly. And after Mirium spared Cyra and I before, she certainly wouldn't hold back next time.
Still, no matter the danger, I didn't want to give up! Discovering Adrian's motivations mattered deeply to me. I believed he had reasons, but wanted proof validating that belief. From an outside perspective, this reasoning seemed dubious. Yet strangely, no matter how dubious, I still yearned to prove it true.
As I fretted restlessly, music from the adjacent tent caught my ear - the melody of "City in the Sky" played on a lute!
Could it be Cysper?
I initially assumed so, but after a couple more clumsy, error-filled segments, it clearly didn't match Cysper's skilled playing. Indicating the performer was someone else entirely.
Following the music curiously, I discovered Cyra sitting outside the neighboring tent, intently playing a small lute while drawing a crowd of spectators, though she paid them no mind.
"It's you? Why are you suddenly playing that, and where did you learn?" I asked in surprise, sitting beside her. Observing closer, I realized it was actually Cysper's lute in her hands - explaining the source.
"From Cysper, of course! I asked him to teach me since he plays so well. Don't you think this song fits the moment perfectly?" Cyra answered, her usual playful demeanor replaced by wistful reflection as she gestured towards New Parristol overhead, a hint of homesickness on her face.
I knew she still yearned for her sole surviving parent back on Earth. But given our circumstances, returning seemed impossible now. So I gently consoled her, "If this is how it must be, your mother can persevere without you..."