Volume epilogue

"Va-ha-ha! I haven't had so much fun in ages," the two old instigators strolled through the empty corridor after a lengthy discussion.

"Indeed, it was amusing to push them toward conflict. I had hoped that after millennia, people might have changed somewhat, but no, everything remains the same," the old man said, patting his beard while keeping up with his grotesque companion.

"I fear it's the nature of humanity always to remember the bad and forget the good," shrugged the dragon queen, "though my kind isn't faring much better in that regard."

"At one point, I got worried they might start fighting right there in the courtroom. I couldn't decide which side I'd be rooting for," one of them chuckled.

"But still, I thank both of you for doing what I asked," a figure in a black cloak emerged from the shadows of one of the arches.

"Hah! You're playing with fire," Ignis smirked, "you could have had half the world against you."

"But I didn't," the figure replied calmly.

"I don't understand why you were so sure they would stop them," Ignis questioned.

"I simply subtly encouraged Katrina while you were heating up the nobles. She's predictable, and I didn't even have to exert much effort. Combining the determination of the Veranian Princess, the wisdom of the Dragon Princess, the cunning of the Leranian Princess, and the strength of the nordic Princess, I believed it would be enough to stop those reckless war enthusiasts."

"But if one of them hadn't stood up for the others, the old politicians would have crushed them with their experience. I've seen many young and energetic rulers yielding to the established system," the Rector frowned disapprovingly.

"You simply don't know them well enough. None of them will change the world on their own, but together, they might. Today, all the powerful figures of this world witnessed their readiness to face anything to protect their friends, and they have the strength to do so."

"Dangerous, young man, very dangerous. Such ardent reformers can either be tamed or eliminated if they cannot be controlled," the Rector warned.

"And this was only the first attempt. For them to continue on their chosen path, they need close friends they can trust."

"Are you implying yourself, Mister Black Swordsman?"

"Between you and me, I'm the one whom the Guild trusts least and most simultaneously. I doubt I qualify as their defender."

"Hah! Those conspirators had grand plans. I'd love to see them try to unite three countries. Although, I doubt there would be room in this world for my kind."

"Those were empty hopes. Severin was right; their mistrust and suspicions would have exposed their intentions, and the countries would have shattered once again. At best, they would have become easy prey for the Empire, and at worst, they'd plunge into another era of endless wars."

"That's true, but if someone capable of uniting them emerged, that's a different story."

"Unlikely. If you removed the princesses, the nobles would tear each other apart for power. Unity has never been among their ranks in any country."

"True, blood inheritance or the inheritance of power and wealth would have been the main obstacles, but if there were something else that could unite people…" The young man trailed off and walked away from the conversation. "Faith, yes, faith could unite them."

"Tsk, useless idiots. They could have used the right pawns and achieved what they wanted, but they are incapable of it, all because of those friends of the princess."

"Forgive me, Father, I did all I could."

"Did you? Yet I see no evidence of her joining your guild. Couldn't you simply break them apart or ruin them?"

"We hindered others from joining her, but it was all him, her deputy. He's to blame for everything."

"You're just pathetic. You lost the battle to that rootless wanderer and now admit that he's not only stronger but smarter than you? Don't disgrace yourself."

"I-I apologize. But just as you asked, I kept an eye on them and gathered information that could be useful to us."

"I ordered you to hinder them, not 'gather information.'"

"But it could be useful. Look at this," the young temple knight revealed a small octagonal crystal in his hands.