Warlon...it's quite unusual for you to call us all the way out to a place like this.

......

I wanted to discuss something, just the three of us...in absolute secrecy.

Oh? Is there an issue with the Federation?

I received a message from the Federation government about the Abel Faction...

...forces we've been fighting. They claim that the Faction is entirely unaffiliated with them.

I see...

The Abel Faction is currently in rapid decline within the Federation, to the point you could say it's barely keeping it together.

Moreover, you lot seem to have left the Federation's leadership quite shaken up when you defeated Rahnas.

They're purging anyone suspected of having ties to the Faction from positions of authority...

...and making sure everyone knows exactly what they're doing and why, all in an effort to put the whole matter behind them.

The Abel Faction did use excessive force to expand its power under Rahnas.

I suppose with him gone, this was inevitable.

......

That's the Federation's excuse. You might think this is crass of me, but...

...but I'm inclined to sit back and let them do it.

Indeed... After all, we have no desire to invade or rule the Federation.

Hmph.

Is that all you wanted to tell us, though?

I can't say it seems worth calling us out here for.

There's one other matter. Actually, it's the real issue at hand.

It's about Bertz.

Ho...

He ignored the Federation's wishes, and attempted to obtain the true power of Summoning for himself.

Normally, under ordinary circumstances, he would be tried for his crimes...

...but due to a certain, shall we say, situation...those in power have decided not to speak of him any further.

What kind of situation?

The set elimination of the last Abel Faction holdouts...Garrett and Mel.

...!

As I just told you, the Federation's leadership has disavowed all ties with the Abel Faction...

...and is eager to bring matters to a close, both internally and externally.

Which means that they cannot allow anyone who knows of the ties between themselves and the Faction to live.

Those two got away from me on Valdroar, but...

...I never imagined things would turn out this way.

In all likelihood, they're hesitant to lose Bertz so soon after losing Rahnas.

From their perspective, it would leave them without any officials who could stand in opposition to the Empire or the Summoners' Hall.

Meanwhile, they are also concerned with whether or not they can count on Bertz to follow their orders in the future. His actions were tantamount to betrayal.

This is most likely intended to test his loyalty to the Federation; ordering him to eliminate the Faction holdouts.

......

...I know you, Warlon. That's not all you had to say. Keep going.

Yeah...

Given the circumstances, I would like to dispatch someone from the Summoners' Hall to assist Bertz.

To assist Bertz? Are you serious? You can't possibly mean...

That's exactly what I mean. To ensure there are absolutely no misunderstandings between us, the Summoners' Hall will eliminate what remains of the Abel Faction ourselves.

Warlon, that's...

No matter what it takes, we must ensure Bertz recovers his standing within the Federation.

He may well lead the Federation someday. We cannot afford to lose him!

Even so...is that enough reason to stain our hands with two murders?

We of the Summoners' Hall have maintained a neutral position in the Federation and Empire's quarrels for countless years.

But that is no longer good enough!

We must break free of this three-pointed conflict between the Federation, Empire, and Summoners' Hall...

...and build a unified future for all of Elgaia!

......

Humanity has overcome its external threats. The war with the gods is over, and the demon threat is neutralized.

And now, internally, Rahnas is gone and the Abel Faction is losing power in the Federation...

...while Paris is back home in the Empire...

...moving to form an organization entirely separate from the Imperial Guard.

In all likelihood, she will gain political leadership of the Empire at some point in the future.

There is no better time to sow the seeds of a unified future for Elgaia!

......

Something bothering you, Owen?

Do you find the thought of asking one of your Summoners to do such a dirty job distasteful?

Yet, you know everything I said is true, don't you?

......

Hmph.

I'll take that to mean you can't deny it.

I wouldn't say he agrees, either...

And you, trying to win us over with irrefutable logic, you never change, do you?

Hate me if you like.

But I have spent many years now, acting as a bridge between us and the Federation. I did it all out of a desire to see lasting peace in Elgaia.

What about you, Grahdens? What do you think? Are you with me, or opposed to my idea?

Hm... I will not object to your plan.

But I will be the one to select who will carry it out.

Agreed. You are more familiar with our people than I am, after all.

Hey, Hans...this looks like the place. Those two from the Abel Faction are hiding here, um...

...the old man was Garrett, and the girl was Mel, right?

According to Elder Grah, Bertz should already be in this region too.

Let's get going, Hans!