*Huff* *huff...*

That was a rough climb... Who would've thought we'd have to cover a sheer cliff with water flowing over it?

You said it...

It was like climbing up a waterfall most of the way.

My clothes are soaked!

Oh ho, that sounds interesting...!

Huh? Elder Grah!

Hmph. I got excited for a moment there, but it's just you lot!

I'm impressed to see you've caught up with me already.

Lord Grahdens!

Ah, Reda.

Good to see you safely met up with Hans and the rest.

Yes.

Lord Grahdens, what could you be doing in a place like this?

You said it was a personal errand, but...

Well, I wasn't able to find him, so I suppose there's no harm in telling you.

I was searching for the Abel Faction's commander, Rahnas.

For Rahnas?! Why would you do something so dangerous?!

Why, you ask...?

Why, in order to make a last-ditch effort to achieve some sort of understanding between the Summoners' Hall and the Abel Faction.

Elder Grah...

Well, that's really just an excuse.

The truth is, it's hard to give any sort of brief explanation for why I was searching for him.

I suppose you could say that I wanted to talk to him face-to-face, without anyone around to interfere.

I wanted to talk to him, and in doing so I hoped to learn...

...about how he thinks and feels now.

That sounds as if you know Rahnas personally.

Indeed, we are old acquaintances.

He is a former comrade of Owen's and mine, I suppose you could say.

A comrade of yours and Lord Owen's?

Wait, but...how?!

Hrm, well you see, Rahnas once belonged to the Summoners' Hall.

...!

Ho ho ho, your surprise is understandable.

It's been ages since we called him one of our own.

It was before we became such a large organization, around the time that Griff was a member.

Griff!

You mean Griff, as in the commander of the now-retired 4th Squadron of the Demon Slayers...

...who traveled to Ishgria long before we did?

It was that long ago?

......

Well, whatever he was in the past, it does not change the fact that he is now an enemy to all of us in the Summoners' Hall.

You lot needn't worry about pointless matters like this.

Um, actually, we were just with some agents of the Abel Faction.

Ho! Were you now?!

Ahh, I see.

Agents of the Abel Faction...

They're trouble enough on their own, but add to that the enchanted armor that's even more powerful than they are...

...and the even worse prospect that this world itself is a Sealed God...

The part about the Sealed God is mere speculation on my part, though.

No, if it's a conclusion you came to, then it is very likely the truth.

It seems we can't just stand around here forever...

...I will go with you from here. Let's hurry ahead!

Yes, sir!