BXBX NOVEL Chapter 236: Elders' Discussion
As for whether he still has more in store, well, the Elders wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. The Young Sage held many secrets that were only meant to benefit humanity in the long run, so they wouldn't pry.
"Ai, he's too young to carry so much burden." Gabriel broke the silence, muttering his words softly.
"Indeed. And due to his past experiences, he grew up not relying on anybody other than himself. If he wants something to be done, he has to do it himself since nobody would willingly give him a helping hand without any ulterior motives. He doesn't fully trust anybody other than himself, and we can't blame him," Lissandra commented.
Her analysis of Cedric's character came from the perspective of an educator. As the headmistress of the Starlight Royal Academy, she interacted with many geniuses and learned how to analyze their behaviors at a glance.
"The prophecy of your founder also didn't help with that." Fiona pursed her lips as she said this to Gabriel.
"Oh, don't be mistaken, Madam." Gabriel replied, "He came to us like that. It hasn't even been two months since he became our Holy Son. Additionally, the prophecy of our Founder only gave him an option. We never intended to force him into anything that he didn't plan on doing himself. Our Founder was very clear when he told us to only stand by his side. Our Holy Son has full autonomy on his actions."
"Haaah...yeah, my bad. I just don't like the idea that someone so young had to carry an immense burden like that. As adults, we should be the ones propping up the skies to give them a comfortable life. Children should never be afraid to simply exist and show their colors under our shade.
That child has to meticulously plan every action he makes just so that he won't get assassinated, all because he thinks that he's more useful to the race alive than dead. My god...what has our race come to?"
Fiona's expression turned ugly, as did the other two. As much as they hated this, their hands are similarly tied.
The Demon Race was simply too strong; humans are extremely outnumbered. It's easy to forget that the ones roaming their world aren't all of them—that there are more outside of the planet, waiting, bidding their time until their nefarious plans bore fruit and captured their world in one fell swoop.
Fiona, Lissandra, and Gabriel are among the people to whom Acala gave access to Cedric's conversation with the Demon Lord, who has infiltrated their civilization and started the cult.
From this recording, they learned that the demons wanted to capture Acala simply because she's a rare resource in their eyes. To humans, though, Acala was their world. If she's taken away from them, what will happen to this world or their race? They shudder to think about the implications of that.
And now, they're on the cusp of another great war. Humanity is under a lot of pressure. Even children had to be drafted simply because there weren't enough people in the army to defend the race.
Truly, what a sad state of affairs...
"Let's look on the bright side here." Lissandra dismissed the disheartening atmosphere and stated, "In a way, this counts as him trusting us, adults, for once. He didn't hesitate to impart his knowledge with us because he had an idea how useful they were. It's an improvement."
"It would've been greater if he didn't get drafted and stayed at your school instead. That would've mellowed out the effects of his past experiences," Fiona commented.
"That's as mellow as it can get, Fiona." Lissandra sighed. "Finishing his academic years or even extended therapy hardly makes a difference past that point. You and I know that."
"..."
"Being useful fills him with purpose, something that has been lost to him since the death of his family. It's also something he grappled with during his time at the RMC. The idea of contributing for the greater good makes him fulfilled and happy. That's his crutch—his remaining hold to his sanity," Lissandra added.
"It doesn't sound healthy, and it isn't. But it works for him, and fate is rewarding him. As awful as it sounds, he's getting better this way. Plus, there are his girlfriends who genuinely care about his well-being. The longer it stays that way, the better his mental state would be and a complete recovery would be possible," she continued.
"We're on the cusp of a great war, Liss," Fiona sighed. "He's bound to witness things that might negatively affect his mental state."
"He's jaded, Fiona." It was Gabriel who interjected this time. "The trauma of being branded as a criminal for 7 years and personally putting down someone whom you thought was your best friend does that to people. You've also seen how easily he adjusted to life on the frontlines. Anything he sees out there might momentarily surprise him, but none would cause any fluctuation in his mental state."
"Gabby's, right," Lissandra replied, causing the archbishop to cough in surprise at the nickname. "Have some faith in our Young Sage. He's tougher than he looks. As sad as this might sound, we are lacking the means to protect him. Additionally, the Outer World would, sooner or later, be his playground. Whether the Great War happens or not, we can't keep him caged."
"Argh, fine," Fiona grumbled. "Let's move on from this. The more we talk about how unfair his life was, the more pissed I am. How should we reveal this discovery to the public?"
"It doesn't have to be made public just yet," Lissandra replied. "Come with me to the Army HQ and let's have a private meeting with the High Marshals and the Lord Commanders. The army needs to know this first before the public does."
"I'm thinking of the same thing." Gabriel supported the idea. "Besides, our people are still distracted by the discovery of Essence Souls, and that would last for a while. We can delay this and give the army priority since they need it more than the public."
"Sounds good. Alright, I'll come with you."
**
After the Elders left, the serene and comfortable atmosphere returned to base. Currently, Elric is talking to Cedric in private.
"Yeah, man. Sorry, I didn't know that you were this generation's Sage. I should've guessed since that explains how you're able to achieve this much so quickly."
"Oh, please. Don't worry about it." Cedric waved his hand casually in dismissal. "Like I said, it's private for a reason. I'm not ready to be under the spotlight just yet. Besides, it truly doesn't change much. I'm still me."
"Yes, you are." Elric chuckled. "Wait, do the girls know?"
"I never told them." Cedric shook his head. "I think they have some clues, but even then, they never asked. I guess they also knew that knowing that doesn't make a huge difference. Our relationship isn't built on the fact that I am a Sage, after all, and I kind of prefer it that way. It makes me feel more at ease."
"True." Elric nodded in agreement. "I didn't tell anybody either. I think that it's best that this news comes from you instead of me. It's your status after all."
"I appreciate it." Cedric grinned. "Anyways, I think I better start working now. I have to make a lot of equipment, after all."
Elric's eyes brightened upon the mention of this.
"I'm surprised that they're actually willing to part with that many True Demon Bones."
That's right. The compensation that Cedric asked of the Elders, after discussing it with the team, was enough True Demon Bones to outfit everybody.
He initially thought that they'd feel the pinch, or at least ask the HQ for permission first, but Lissandra and Fiona just unceremoniously unloaded loads of them in front of Cedric. It didn't look like they were bothered either.
Cedric didn't ask for this compensation to indirectly tell the team that their equipment stinks. But truthfully, what they currently have is insufficient for the dangers of their task, especially in sensitive times like this.
That's why Cedric took this opportunity to increase the team's capabilities while giving them equipment that grows with them.
Cedric was already familiar with the material; he had made a complete set of armor from the True Demon Bones he got for himself, after all. However, forging everybody's equipment was bound to take time, and in this place, nobody could tell how much free time they still had. That's why he thought to start right away to take advantage of the current peace they have.
Leaving Elric's tent, Cedric made his way to his forge and began designing new equipment for the team. He already had their measurements from the equipment he repaired earlier.
Just like that, Cedric was once again unable to be disturbed.