Discussion Off the Record

"Now we can talk for real," stated Falix, dropping all of his bravadoes. "What do you know about their deaths?"

"Apart from what was reported to the public, I know that they encountered the Toxin God during their return from Briston. And the Toxin God escaped with grave injuries due to Bil deciding to focus on Silphy's survival." Tiberius explained, "After returning to the palace, all doctors failed to recognize the toxin so they isolated themselves until they passed. Only Constance was allowed to visit them in their dying moments, to accept the title as the next emperor."

"Hm, you don't know much after all!" Falix laughed, pointing at Tiberius like they were kids on a playground. "No wonder none of you believe he's alive!"

Unconvinced, Tiberius stated, "If you know so much, then please share. And if you promise to share everything you know, I won't tell Constance about you crossing the border."

"Deal!" Dropping the playful act, Falix got serious. "I don't know much, and I don't have enough evidence to prove anything without a doubt. If I did, I would've gone storming Constance's palace years ago…

"But I know that only one body was buried."

"..." Furrowing his brow, Tiberius replied, "That's it? And how do you know that?"

"One of my men checked the coffin, getting captured and tortured in the process."

"That was your man?!" Tiberius questioned, caught off guard. "But he died during questioning from his devil pact–"

Nodding, Falix added, "How else could he have died before giving up any good info? Because he was under contract with me directly. I was the only one to know about that man's double life, and I'm the only one given his report via our devil pact."

"And that's why we thought he was a demon spy…" Tiberius wiped a hand across his face. "Leave it to the Demi-devil to outsmart us, as you do with everyone.."

"Regardless of the means, I know for a fact that only one body was in that couple's coffin. And it wasn't Bil," stated Falix. "Why else would they do a closed coffin ceremony, but because he wasn't in there to begin with?!"

Tiberius paused, mulling through his own memories of the event. "... It was decided to be a closed coffin ceremony to stop the spread of the toxin, or so it was reported…."

"I know, I was there too! I wasn't allowed to see him in the palace, even as a fellow emperor! Of course I planted someone to get the information I wasn't allowed to get myself," argued Falix. "Do you really think Bil would fall to an illness? After all the years we've fought and lived together, do you think he'd succumb so easily?"

"I don't know what to believe.." answered Tiberius. "I don't see why they would lie. And Constance isn't the sort of man that would–"

"Of course Constance couldn't overthrow him!!" shouted Falix. "It must've been Bil's orders! There's no other way!"

".. Then why are you prying if that's what Bil ordered?" reasoned Tiberius. "If that's what Bil wanted, then we shouldn't dare try and get involved. Even if I believed he was alive, I wouldn't try and upend everything Bil could potentially hide from us. He's the last person I would want to anger…"

"So what?! Coward! We both want the truth, even if you're too scared to search it out!" Falix roared, "Someone going by Bil appeared here and disappeared in this exact direction, where an enemy half-god followed and disappeared. And why else would the walking stick be fully wrapped if it wasn't Ifrit?!"

"....." Tiberius swallowed some stagnant saliva, trying his best to take everything in. "I… I can't offer a better explanation. But there's not enough evidence to say that Bil didn't die, especially given how you supposedly killed your only witness. And given that, there are not enough ties to determine that a random blind man with two kids could possibly be the strongest man humanity's ever known returned from the dead."

Scoffing, Falix shook his head with disgust, "You still doubt his strength… And you call yourself a close friend of his? Hmm. I'm done. If you're not convinced from just knowing Bil, then any more talk is pointless."

"Falix, we–"

"You can say what you want and believe what you want. But I know the truth. I know he's alive. I don't need to prove that to you or anyone." The emperor picked up the trinket, putting it away as one of his rings glowed softly. "I've upheld my promise, so don't go telling Constance about our little chat. It's for the best."

Disappointed, Tiberius replied, "I'll have to report a Demon General's unannounced arrival, but that should convince the soldiers of your little lightning show."

"That's fine. It's not hard to make amends." Snickering, Falix shook his head, "If anyone's gone soft, it's him."

"Becoming an emperor affects people differently," remarked Tiberius. "Constance has chosen a path of peace. Though you're exactly not wrong…"

"Don't forget what I've told you! And if you figure out Bil's whereabouts, I'm just across the border."

With that, Falix zipped away as he flew through the air. His electric trail vanished after reaching the Briston camp just west of Emor's remains.

Tiberius was left alone to sulk and ponder everything he had just learned. Feeling a new, unexpected burden crashing atop his shoulders, the lord mumbled to himself, "You've no evidence, but I trust you… Leave it to that weasel of an emperor to learn something so ridiculous…"