Face stiff, Mora objected. “That’s far too great a demand. Your actions nearly brought about Chamo’s death.”
“And we do apologize most sincerely for that. However, that was not our original purpose,” Dozzu countered. “We wanted to meet with you earlier to make this proposal, but we were unable to do so. By the time we arrived at the Bud of Eternity, you had already left. We immediately set off after you, but you were running hither and yon in the Cut-Finger Forest trying to avoid Tgurneu, and it was impossible to pin down your location.”
“So if we’d stayed a little longer at the Bud of Eternity…” Adlet trailed off.
“That’s right, Adlet. In that case, this battle never would have happened at all, since we would have had no reason to deceive you or fight with you.”
This was an absurd tale indeed. That meant this whole day of fighting had been completely unnecessary.
“Please, I beg that you agree to this alliance. I believe this proposal will be of benefit to both parties,” Dozzu said, and it bowed its head one more time.
All eyes gathered on Adlet—the final judgment was his responsibility.
Chamo, beside him, offered her opinion. “Chamo is way not convinced about this. Adlet, can you just tell us to kill ’em?”
“But, Addy,” said Rolonia from his other side, “we’d have more allies. That’s a good thing.”
Adlet sat sandwiched between Chamo and Rolonia and their conflicting opinions.
“But would they truly be our allies, Rolonia?” said Mora.
Dozzu spoke. “I won’t pretend that this is a noble act. Let me be frank: We’re your enemies. We would be cooperating solely to defeat Tgurneu and Cargikk. After their fall, I’m sure we will end up fighting one another.”
“S-so then…”
“Nevertheless, I would still hope you accept this offer of alliance,” said Dozzu.
Adlet asked, “What’s in it for us?”
“I am a considerable asset in combat, and Nashetania as well, once she’s recovered. We can also offer your group much information about the Howling Vilelands, fiends, and the Evil God.”
“Would that information be useful?” asked Adlet.
“I believe so. You haven’t even managed to find a way to cross Cargikk’s Canyon, and beyond the ravine, many more obstacles await you. Without our cooperation, you’ll never arrive at the Weeping Hearth,” said Dozzu.
Adlet couldn’t counter any of that. It could’ve been all true.
“And we have still more intelligence to offer. While we don’t know the identity of the seventh among you, we have a clue—information I can say with certainty will lead you to discover their identity. We can also tell you about the origin of the fake crest.”
Adlet fell silent. Like him, the others all had their eyes on Dozzu. This wasn’t even something that needed consideration—he wanted that knowledge so badly he could taste it. Adlet scanned his allies’ faces. Judging from their expressions, none of them opposed this alliance. Even Chamo and the deeply doubtful Fremy didn’t seem to object.
“Goldof,” said Adlet.
Still holding Nashetania, Goldof shifted his eyes to Adlet.
Adlet had come to realize that the knight was probably a real Brave. Would it even be possible for him to work for Tgurneu without Nashetania and Dozzu noticing at all? The very idea that a master and retainer with such a strong connection could each be communicating with different enemies was just so improbable. And in the end, Goldof had saved Chamo and thwarted Tgurneu’s scheme. Goldof opposed Tgurneu and therefore couldn’t be the seventh.
“…What is it…Adlet?” asked Goldof.
“Are you in favor of this alliance?”
After a silence, Goldof spoke. “I want to protect Her Highness. If it will help me accomplish that…I’m in favor.”
When Adlet heard that, he thought, He’s already left our side. “Goldof, after we’ve killed Tgurneu and Cargikk, will you fight with us?”
“…I will…protect Her Highness. That’s the most important thing. The Braves’ victory…is second most.” Goldof didn’t explicitly say he would fight them, but he had essentially declared that he would be apart from the Braves of the Six Flowers. Something that should not be, something that they all had thought impossible, had just happened.
One of the Braves had betrayed them.
There were eight humans here. Nashetania sided with Dozzu, and the seventh worked for Tgurneu. Now Goldof had joined Dozzu’s side, too. It was enough to make Adlet dizzy. Three of the eight humans here were enemies. How should they fight in a situation like this?
“So, Adlet. Will it be possible for you to accept this alliance?” Dozzu pressed him.
Adlet wanted to do everything he could to avoid fighting Tgurneu and Cargikk. Their goal was, ultimately, the overthrow of the Evil God. But he wanted the information that Dozzu had, by all possible means. He concluded that they would join forces for now, and then eventually cut them loose. In proposing this, Dozzu had most likely anticipated Adlet’s choice.
“I’d like to accept, but first I want to ask something,” said Adlet.
“Then I’ll answer. Go ahead,” Dozzu replied.
“You said before that you want to create a world where humans and fiends can live together. How do you plan to accomplish that?”
“I simply cannot answer that question. If I do, then our victory will slide even further from our grasp.”
“Your ambition just sounds like a crazy delusion to me. I don’t want to join forces with lunatics. Just tell me part of it, whatever you can.”
Dozzu glanced at Nashetania, and she gave a tiny nod. “Understood. If we’re going to cooperate, then it can’t be helped.” Adlet’s whole group gave Dozzu their full attention. Goldof, too, leaned forward to listen.
“Our goal is to replace the Evil God.”
“What?” Adlet didn’t understand what Dozzu was saying. The Evil God was the Evil God. You couldn’t just replace it like a king or a temple elder.
“We will destroy the current Evil God…that ugly, mad monster, and birth a new deity. It will have a righteous heart, love fiends,
