It was Eden who spoke.
“Mr. Azier is our key asset. Until we know the extent of the enemy’s strength, Mr. Azier cannot leave here.”
“What nonsense…”
Azier’s killing intent grew more intense. Eden did not back down and confronted him. Here, the justification was much stronger for Eden than for Azier. Even Azier could not move recklessly.
“It’s okay, brother.”
“Frondier.”
Frondier looked at Azier.
He was smiling, not just comfortably, but peacefully.
“It’s okay.”
Azier seemed to read something in that gaze, closed his eyes, and sighed.
“If that is your will.”
Azier allowed Frondier’s departure.
In other words, from this moment on, Frondier’s course of action was decided.
“…Then, let’s have Frondier investigate Constel, and we’ll continue as we have been, dividing into teams and selecting areas to move to.”
Eden spoke as if concluding the matter.
The pros felt a bit uneasy, but soon they each moved. As Eden said, Frondier’s abilities were surprising, but there was still insufficient evidence to trust him.
They just occasionally glanced sideways at Frondier, who was strangely quiet as he packed his things and moved.
──Of course, the pros’ disbelief in Frondier’s words was just their perspective.
Frondier himself was absolutely not like that.
He was convinced that the hideout and research facility where the mana injections were being administered were hidden within Constel.
‘Senior Ellen received an injection that had no symptoms.’
He didn’t know how she had received the injection.
But if she had known that an antidote was needed, she wouldn’t have taken it willingly.
These were the guys who would give such a dangerous injection even to Ellen. They wouldn’t hesitate with others.
‘In other words, they’re using the injections selectively.’
In places where they could mix in eyewitness accounts and false information, they would inject the type of mana with visible symptoms.
And in places where they couldn’t afford to be discovered, they would inject the type without symptoms but requiring an antidote.
Moreover, if there really was a place in Constel where they were researching mana injections, Eden wouldn’t leave Frondier alone.
The subtle interference during the meeting also proved that.
But he wouldn’t be able to stop Frondier from going alone. That’s why Eden would definitely make a move.
Frondier boarded the vehicle provided by the headquarters and quietly headed towards Constel. The driver was also provided by the headquarters.
Whether the driver was on Eden’s side or not wasn’t important right now.
Because nothing would happen until Frondier arrived at Constel.
Completely ignoring the driver who occasionally checked Frondier’s appearance in the rearview mirror, Frondier looked out the window with an unreadable expression.
* * *
Even though it was an educational facility, Constel was incredibly vast. It was a gathering place for all students aspiring to become pros.
Even if the mana injection research facility was hidden somewhere within this vast area, it wouldn’t be easy to find it.
More importantly, since he didn’t know what the facility looked like, even if he found it, he wouldn’t be able to tell if it was the place where they were researching mana injections.
Therefore, Frondier didn’t bother searching for such things.
As if he were just casually looking around, Frondier continued walking at a leisurely pace.
Some students recognized Frondier’s face upon his return and looked surprised, but they soon disappeared as if fleeing.
The recent Frondier was someone who was difficult to approach casually from any perspective.
“Hmm.”
After walking for a while, Frondier soon turned his gaze towards the field.
The field was still in the same terrain as during the joint mission. An urban area densely packed with buildings. Of course, the monsters were gone, but the buildings and terrain remained.
Frondier soon headed there. Constel’s field was vast, so the research facility might be hidden somewhere within it. Or perhaps their hideout.
──Of course, this assumption was overly unlikely.
After walking for a while, Frondier soon entered a building in front of him. It seemed like he had randomly chosen any place and stepped inside.
And then.
“You’re too unguarded, Frondier.”
A voice echoed within the empty field where he should have been alone.
Standing in the center of the empty building, Frondier raised his head.
Those who had been hiding in the shadows, walls, and pillars of the building began to reveal themselves one by one. It was a mystery how such a large number of people had managed to hide so well.
“Even if it’s just a test investigation, you should have taken minimal precautions.”
“Is that Pro Eden?”
The voice that responded to Frondier’s words did not answer.
The voice was disguised, but Frondier was certain it was Eden. However, it seemed he had no intention of revealing himself.
“Frondier, you’re too much of an eyesore.”
The building was filled with the killing intent of those who had surrounded him.
A vast, empty field, inside a building invisible from the outside. And Frondier had entered alone.
If they wanted to kill Frondier without anyone knowing, this was the perfect opportunity.
“Frondier, I heard you were quite a cautious person, but was that just a rumor?”
Frondier laughed at those words.
A cautious person, huh? It wasn’t entirely wrong.
In fact, just for this time, Frondier had taken every precaution he could.
“So, there really is a mana injection facility somewhere in this Constel.”
“Who knows?”
Frondier expanded his senses to their maximum.
Having obtained the mana of Helheim and gained the sixth sense, everything around him felt clear to Frondier.
That’s right.
Frondier had known about them from the beginning.
Frondier, who had figured out the location of the mana facility too quickly.
Frondier, who had come to Constel alone and walked into this place despite knowing the location.
Frondier, who had perfectly fulfilled Eden’s desire to isolate him.
That’s right.
Frondier had been desperately hoping for this.
“You touched Senior Ellen, didn’t you?”
“There’s no need for you, a dying man, to know that.”
“…It seems I need to reflect on myself.”
Frondier smiled.
It was a peaceful smile.
Within that smile, he muttered softly.
“This is what happens when I try to be subtle.”
“…What?”
“I can’t completely hide my strength, nor can I fully reveal it.”
Frondier’s voice gradually sank.
As if sinking deep into a sea of ink, all his presence submerged deeply.
“You dare touch my people.”
“What nonsense…”
Slash-
Before the disguised voice could finish speaking.
One of those surrounding Frondier was cut down.
Frondier didn’t care who it was or what their face looked like.
“You fools who don’t know your place.”