Location: Glaif Private Cemetery

Time: 7:45 PM, January 16th 2108

The sun was already starting to set, but I didn’t have any plans on leaving. Well, I didn’t have any plans on staying either. I suppose that was just an incredibly roundabout way of saying I didn’t know what I was doing. This empty plot of land had become my favorite location to think about things. What was I thinking about? That should be obvious.

Henry Henderson.

What? Were you expecting me to be focused on what Hana told me? Don’t make me laugh. Hana is a tool. And a tool only does what it is supposed to. I might not agree with her methods or reasoning, but in a twisted way she’s only doing what was intended of her. As a weapon myself, I can at least understand her simpleminded devotion to protecting Oakley.

The larger concern is the one holding her leash. In theory that should be Oakley Oldridge, but from how our conversation went I can only imagine that the Sanguine Princess is the one holding the real power. Considering that circumstantial evidence does link my father and the BAA to supporting Prince Eren I wouldn’t be surprised if Hana killing him was part of the Princess’s plan from the start. It was Allison’s information that doomed my father, but perhaps everything was set in motion without anyone realizing.

Considering that, holding any ill will toward Hana or Allison would be foolish.

So then why Henry?

Like I said, that should be obvious.

While he might only be another one of her pawns, Henry Henderson’s connection to the princess is far too substantial for me to just write it off as him being used. He’s a monster, just like her. I’m not sure why it was so important to go to such lengths to force him into the ATC; yet that doesn’t change the fact that he must be doing something nefarious.

Why did he always seem so busy? Why was he constantly showing up late and leaving early?

Why did even his simplest of actions seem to cause ripples that would eventually cause massive waves?

I mean, even today I experienced it first hand. What should have been a simple class exercise with him eventually led to me assaulting him, and then in the detention I took part in because of that Hana confronted me about my connection to Prince Eren; even promising to kill me three times, whatever that means.

Perhaps blaming all of this on Henry is unfair, but I can’t change the feeling I have. I can’t believe everything around him is simply a coincidence. Somehow Henry, or at least the princess controlling him, had us all dancing in the palm of her hands.

“Grant, I’d been looking for you.”

The voice coming from behind me was one that I instantly recognized. Devesh Darnal. On the surface, he was just another student from the ATC. I didn’t know him well, and before yesterday I’d never thought much of him. He had become someone that I had to be wary of though. During my brief meeting with Prince Eren there were three names singled out. Kathrin and I go without saying, but Devesh was the third. I had no proof of any wrongdoing, yet I believed it was prudent to keep an eye on him.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Based on Kathrin trying to convince me to join her yesterday I shouldn’t be surprised Devesh was trying the same thing.

“Clearly, I’m glad you didn’t try to act like meeting here was a coincidence, but I’m getting slightly annoyed with how you guys keep showing up here in the first place.”

“Doesn’t that say more about how much time you've been spending in this cemetery lately? Something on your mind?”

“If you have something to say about that, then just get out with it. I lack the patience and skill to participate in a game of words.”

I knew what he was getting at, and I didn’t feel like listening to the same speech again. Kathrin already tried that. Any attempt to use my feelings about my father and brother’s deaths to spur me to action would only waste my time.

“Sorry, I suppose you’re not the type of person to spend time on such pleasantries. Then let me just be out with it. This city is unbalanced, don’t you think?”

“Unbalanced?”

“Yes. Right and wrong, good and bad. Nothing has any value. Success is given out at random and punishment rarely befits the crime.”

“Corruption will exist in any government. That’s not news to anyone. It’s our job as citizens to keep it under control.”

Obviously I wasn’t in favor of things that flew in the face of justice, but discovering it wasn’t surprising.

“No, you're not seeing things. In a way, even corruption was balanced. Rewards are given to those who earned them, even if that game was immoral. The world we live in now has gone beyond that. Cheating the system isn’t possible when there are no rules. I shouldn’t have to bring this up to you of all people, but Prince Eren’s ambitions and your father’s life were ended due to an impulsive, emotionally unstable girl acting on nothing but instinct. Isn’t that ridiculous? Shouldn’t eliminating such arbitrary and random elements be our top priority?”

“If this is your way of trying to convince me to join with Prince Eren, you’re doing an even worse job than Kathrin did.”

I could understand what he was saying, but I failed to understand how entering into some kind of cabal with the prince would solve anything.

“No, Prince Eren and the Pacific Empire are no better than this city already is. Working with him wouldn’t solve anything.”

“Hmm? I agree, but then why are we having this conversation?”

“Because you failed to see the opportunity presented to us. I have no intention of helping Prince Eren accomplish anything, and I’m sure Kathrin feels the same way. He might think he’s using us, but we’re using him as well. There are things I need to fix in this city, and following him will give me opportunities to solve them.”

“As I thought, you’ve done nothing to waste my time.” Devesh’s words weren’t even worth considering. “Unlike you, I’ve no desire to hide behind another’s name or influence. Although you have convinced me of something: I was a fool for wasting even a thought on whatever Kathrin and you are plotting. Now be gone. I need to finish paying my respects before making my way to the Ministry of Investigation and Defense. After all, I imagine explaining all of this to them will take some time.”

Devesh shrugged his shoulders with a slight smile. Apparently, he wasn’t trying very hard to win me to their side from the beginning.

“Alright, but it won’t make a difference. Even with you reporting us for colluding with Prince Eren, nothing will come of it. Like I said, this city is completely unbalanced.”

“I’m sure.” The political faction that was supporting Prince Eren still had enough sway to make sure nothing would happen. “But that doesn’t change what I must do.”

Devesh left without another word, and I was able to return to my thoughts.

Despite my attitude, I was actually thankful to Devesh for something. He reminded me of something important. This city had problems, and it was my job to help solve them. There was no need for plotting or using others. If something was wrong, I needed to fix it on my own. That much should have been obvious. What problem was I thinking about? That should be obvious.

Henry Henderson.

What was Prince Eren plotting? What about his sister? Or Devesh and Kathrin? Was the prime minister plotting something? Or maybe the man who replaced my father as the Head of the BAA? For that matter, I’m sure Kalder Kaldsen was planning something within MID. I’m certain the creation of the ATC was part of some agenda, and we were all being used. Why was my father killed, and why did my brother need to die as well?

If you thought about it, the questions were endless. Uncovering the web of conspiracies and plots was pointless. I just needed to focus on what needed to be done.

And every bone in my body was telling me that Henry was a problem.