War clouds were gathering over the Sea Dragon's territorial waters.
Osian hoped it would be just a simple isolated incident, but looking at Amenora's expression, it seemed like mere wishful thinking.
"How dangerous is that Sea Dragon?"
"It depends on the situation, but if water exists, even I cannot face it."
Amenora started to speak but then realized the comparison was inadequate and immediately corrected herself.
"Perhaps it might be even more dangerous than my corrupted older brother from back then."
More dangerous than Numenox, the Sky Dragon, one of the most powerful and dangerous bosses even in the game? Of course, there were conditions. The Sea Dragon couldn't properly exert its power without water. Outside of water, it was weaker than even the Earth Dragon.
This was precisely why the Sea Dragon had a lower danger rating. If you didn't go to water, the chances of encountering it were even slimmer than with the Sky Dragon.
"Is it fine as long as we don't approach the sea?"
As its name suggested, the Sea Dragon possessed unique scales. It moved by kicking against water using these scales. The Sea Dragon swimming rapidly underwater was similar to a human running by stepping on the ground. That's why the Sea Dragon's other name was 'the Dragon that Walks on Water.'
The Sea Dragon's flight through the sky was based on the same principle.
When it rained, the atmosphere filled with water. Countless footholds for movement appeared in the void. The Sea Dragon's scales could use falling raindrops as stepping stones to demonstrate multidimensional movement.
This was also why the Sea Dragon could perform ascension-like flight on rainy days.
"So it's fine as long as it doesn't rain?"
"That's part of it, but that's not the only thing to be careful about. You can't let your guard down even on cloudy days. The moment the Sea Dragon makes contact with clouds, it can move through them like water too. Though it can't exert as much influence as it would underwater."
"But if the opponent is an ancient dragon that has lived for a very long time, the story would be different."
Amenora nodded.
"This is also why I've been away from my post. The current state of the Sea Dragon's territorial waters is far too abnormal."
"That makes sense. It's not just anything else—someone targeted an ancient dragon's eggs."
The possibility that some mentally deranged aquatic creature ate the Sea Dragon's eggs according to natural law? That was out of the question. The Sea Dragon was literally a dragon species. Dragon species had been at the apex of the ecosystem alongside giants and special mythical-grade beasts since ancient times.
Especially since it was an ancient dragon that had lived for so long, there would be no rival in the surrounding area that would dare oppose it.
"No creature would dare approach the Sea Dragon's territory."
Even if aquatic creatures were stupid, they wouldn't go looking for a place to die.
The Sea Dragon must have thought its eggs were safer than anything. Yet the fact that the eggs disappeared meant that an external entity had intentionally stolen them.
"It wouldn't be an ordinary expert. The Sea Dragon's nest would exist in the deep depths of the sea. No matter how careless the Sea Dragon was, stealing eggs from a nest deep in the ocean...that would be impossible with ordinary skills."
In other words, an expert of that caliber, or perhaps multiple experts, had moved into action. Who could it be? Beings from outside Tirna? The work of coastal kingdoms? Or something else entirely?
The timing of the Sea Dragon's egg theft was also very coincidental. For such an incident to occur when Tirna was embroiled in chaos like now? Didn't it seem like it was deliberately aimed?
Amenora had reason to worry. Though clues were still insufficient, this incident involving the Sea Dragon might possibly be connected to Tirna.
"I have to keep watching the Sea Dragon's territorial waters, so I cannot stay in the city. I'm truly sorry that I cannot help you."
Amenora hung her head low, seemingly feeling guilty about the fact that she really couldn't do anything.
Osian said it was fine. Rather, she was busy in her own way, so he wondered if he had made her worry unnecessarily because of himself.
"It's not just me. Aspirex is also helping me right now, doing his best to check external areas. In fact, this is also something that Aspirex has no choice but to step forward for."
Osian paused for a moment before speaking.
"That looks like someone is intentionally trying to turn Mayor Aspirex's attention outward. Isn't it too far-fetched to assume that whoever benefits most from that situation is likely the suspect?"
"I have considered that. Especially Deliphiros—I thought that cunning bastard might have plotted something."
Osian thought of Deliphiros. He wanted to rebuild a city only for humans. Since he was politically opposed to Aspirex, there were more than enough reasons to cause trouble.
However, Deliphiros wasn't the only political enemy of Aspirex in Tirna.
"I don't think the others should be excluded from the list of suspects either. From what I hear, there's one more human mayor besides Deliphiros."
"Yes. Allen Huton. He's also a mayor elected by humans."
Allen Huton, one of Tirna's five mayors. If asked to describe his impression, Osian found it hard to define him specifically. Not because he was some mysterious being whose identity was unknown.
"But he doesn't have as much charisma as Deliphiros. So much so that there are even rumors that he was elected instead to assist Deliphiros from the sidelines."
Allen Huton was the person with the narrowest position among Tirna's mayors. Though he was elected by humans, Deliphiros held most of the interests and power in this area. Mayor Allen had such little presence that there were rumors he was elected by accident because most of Tirna's voters were human.
"I see. Then what about the other side?"
"Are you referring to Mowen Helianus?"
Mowen Helianus, one of Tirna's mayors. Her race was elf, and she was said to be an outstanding elf respected even in elven society. Though her race was elf, Mayor Mowen didn't only look after elves' interests. To be precise, she was elected by the votes of other 'demi-human' races excluding humans.
She was essentially a leader chosen through internal voting among the leaders of beastmen, dwarves, elves, orcs, and others.
And Mowen's biggest characteristic was that she was both a mayor and a mage. She represented the demi-humans while simultaneously receiving support from magic towers and schools. Though few in number, her influence was by no means small.
"She wouldn't be it. Since Mowen was elected, she has never broken neutrality in any incident that occurred in the city until now. I don't think she has any reason to join hands with Deliphiros, who is human."
Moreover, she was a demi-human. If forced to choose sides, she would pick Aspirex over the human supremacist Deliphiros.
And the last remaining mayor was the witch, Rumpelstiltschen. The founder and eldest sister of the Witch Tea Party, and the strongest witch in Tirna. She also wasn't known to have a particularly bad relationship with Aspirex.
Considering the discrimination witches faced outside, Rumpelstiltschen would want Tirna to continue existing.
"We won't get an immediate answer. But seeing how they're moving so secretly, they're certainly not opponents we can take lightly."
Amenora said this and stood up from her seat.
"I've been away from my post for too long. I should go back now. Lord Osian. Once again, congratulations on safely resolving this incident."
"Thanks. Yes, we'll both have a lot of hardships ahead."
"I believe that no matter what happens, Lord Osian will be able to resolve it well. Because you did so in the past too."
Amenora smiled gently. Sometimes her excessive trust was burdensome. But from Amenora's perspective, it was understandable.
"I hope you reach the moment of the star you desire."
Amenora left with that farewell. She and the other Celestial Chimes would do their utmost to check what was happening outside the city. Their help would be hard to obtain.
'When one incident ends, is it a continuation of yet another incident?'
In this gradual chaos, Osian felt mental fatigue for the first time in a while. A cold chill suddenly approached Osian's side.
When he opened his tightly closed eyes, he could see the source of the chill. It was ice cream in a glass bowl. And the one who handed him the ice cream was Greta.
"What's the matter?"
"You looked a bit tired. How about having this?"
"Did you make it? Or did you buy it?"
"Ena unnie made it for me."
"Someone who injured her hands still managed to make something like this."
Ena had done something really significant during the baptism of fire. Without her witchcraft, there would have been tremendous casualties.
For that, Ena had to desperately endure the fire of matches. Even with Martinez's help, there was no way she didn't have aftereffects.
Having thought that far, Osian realized that Greta was still holding out the bowl to him.
"...I'll enjoy it."
"Hehe."
Osian scooped up part of the ice cream with a small silver spoon and put it in his mouth. The cold, sweet taste made his complicated head feel somewhat clearer.
Then he felt a gaze staring intently from beside him. Greta was quietly watching him eat. Osian pondered for a moment, then held out the ice cream to Greta.
"This is enough for me. I don't particularly like sweet things anyway. You eat it."
"Eh, eh. But is that really okay?"
When he nodded that it was fine, Greta shamelessly began eating the ice cream instead. No matter how much she tried to act grown-up, she was ultimately a young girl.
'Still, she looks better than before.'
Currently, Greta was staying with her siblings in an empty house near Violet Fox. Since their place in District 44 had been blown away by bombing, it was a natural arrangement. But there was also the promise Osian had made to get her out of District 44.
So Greta was currently under Osian's protection, living well with her siblings. Occasionally she came alone to play at Violet Fox like this.
'Still, her social skills aren't bad, so she quickly becomes friends with others.'
She was especially fond of Ena, following her like an older sister. Ena also cherished Greta like a real younger sister and took good care of her. Since the two got along well together, Osian thought it was fortunate.
"Why, why are you looking at me like that? Even if you stare like that, I won't give you any."
Did she think he was looking because he wanted to eat the ice cream? Greta immediately swept the bowl to the side. Osian couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"I won't steal it from you, so don't worry. So how are your siblings doing?"
"Yes, well. Since we moved from that cramped train to a spacious house, everyone's happy about it. And now we can study what we want too."
Greta bowed her head to Osian.
"Thank you. It's all thanks to you, oppa."
"It was just a fair trade."
"I may be young, but I'm not stupid. That wasn't a fair trade from the beginning. I also know very well that fair trades aren't necessarily kept. The world isn't that beautiful. That's why I'm grateful."
"I can't win against you."
"Anyway, I've said what I wanted to say."
Greta ran away making pattering sounds, perhaps feeling embarrassed for no reason. Even looking like that, thinking that she probably used the ice cream as an excuse to deliberately convey these words made him laugh naturally.
Finally alone, Osian left Violet Fox. He walked the streets alone for the first time in a while. He simply wanted to take in the sight of the streets again.
There were no more demonstrations. Though protest-like activities were still happening in other places due to remaining emotional divisions, that much was an extension of daily life.
The streets that had regained tranquility looked peaceful. However, behind this visible peace lurked irresistible danger.
The biggest problem was the outer god targeting this world, the Star Devourer. To face it, he had to meet the remaining [Mage] and [Dark Mage].
Then the empty space in front of Osian rippled, and a person appeared like a mirage.
"Seren Gracia."
A fixer belonging to Violet Fox and Osian's workplace senior who came in third after Basilio and Mist. She who had been away for a long time appeared boldly before Osian.
Though she had always been elusive, he hadn't seen her face for a long time recently. However, the joy of meeting her was erased the moment he saw her expression.
"Haa. Haa. Can we talk now? No, even if we can't, we absolutely must."
Her expression, which was always overflowing with leisure, was rarely hardened with seriousness.
"What's going on?"
"The White House."
Seren said.
"Those crazy bastards have created something dangerous."