Chapter 198

[Third Person's PoV]

"Tell me you all didn't just send me to fight that monster for nothing," Cid said, his expression blank as he looked up at Captain Haitani, standing on the wall.

"We're sorry. We didn't know it would turn out like this…" Captain Haitani apologized, looking a bit awkward.

Cid's shoulders slumped. "It's whatever, I guess. At least I had my fun."

"Hey, we're about to have a meeting about what just happened. Why don't you join us?" Captain Haitani invited him.

Cid shrugged and decided to go along.

Captain Haitani turned to the others. "Though the monsters are taken care of, don't let your guard down. We don't know if more will show up on our doorstep."

The group nodded and began following him to the meeting room. On the way, Akane filled Cid in on what he'd missed, with Zeta joining them shortly after.

"The weird part was the baby on his shoulders," Akane said, looking pensive. "I assume it was his daughter, but it was still strange."

'I feel like I've seen that baby before,' Akane thought to herself, 'but I couldn't get a clear look because of the mask and outfit.'

When they arrived, everyone took their seats while Cid and Zeta stood by the back wall as guests.

"I don't need to say much," Captain Haitani began, glancing around at everyone's weary expressions. "You all saw it—the power of that being, the Black Knight, the one who calls himself Shadow."

He looked around the room before continuing, "What do you think of his words?"

"I say they're bogus," Saejima scoffed. "You seriously can't expect us to believe everything he said, right?"

"Arrogant as he was, some truth was in his words," Akane said apprehensively. "We are frogs in a well. We don't know where these monsters come from—only that they appear through those wormholes and cracks that showed up years ago. That's not telling us anything, but now it seems someone is behind this, sending monsters to attack us."

Captain Haitani became pensive. "If you think about it, his words make sense. These monsters always act too well-coordinated. That's only possible if someone else is controlling them."

"I don't like the ultimatum he gave us: Submit or perish…" Akane muttered.

Before they could continue, Akira, Akane's older brother, and Yuuka, the camp nurse, entered the room. "Since this concerns the camp's future, I hope you don't mind if we join the meeting?" Akira asked, looking tired.

"Do you have something to add?" Captain Haitani asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. There's no need to submit to this stranger," Akira said with a scoff. "He says someone controls the monsters? What if it's him? Have any of you considered that this is all a ploy to make us submit to him?"

'I've never wanted to murder someone more in my life,' Cid thought as his eye twitched, listening to Akira's rant.

Everyone seemed to ponder Akira's words, finding some basis in them.

"But what if it isn't?" Cid interrupted.

"Excuse me?" Akira asked, raising a brow.

"You mention, 'what if he's the one controlling the monsters,' and so I ask you: what if he isn't?" Cid said nonchalantly. "You'd be turning hostile towards possibly the only person capable of ending this once and for all, and in doing so, you could doom us all."

Some in the room began to see Cid's point, nodding in agreement.

Akira, however, remained undeterred. "I'm not suggesting we make an enemy out of him. What I'm trying to explain is that the solution to all of this has been right in front of us the whole time. We don't need his help to defeat whoever is sending out the monsters. We already have that person."

"Pfft!"

Everyone turned towards Cid, who was covering his mouth. "I'm sorry, I know what you said is meant to be taken seriously, but I can't help but laugh."

Akira's expression turned cold. "And what's so funny?"

"What's funny," Cid began, "is that this camp has almost been wiped out by monsters on several occasions, and those were just the minions. Now you claim there's someone capable of defeating the being who controls an army—an army that's likely in the millions. Whoever controls that force isn't exactly weak.

So, if you've had this person all along, where have they been? Why haven't they helped out? Someone strong enough to take down the 'ultimate boss' should've brought peace by now. So, where are they?"

Akira's face twisted in irritation as he glared at Cid. "This person has been missing for some time. The reason they haven't achieved peace is because no one knew who to direct her towards, to finally end all of this."

"Brother, who are you talking about?" Akane asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Isn't it obvious by now?" Akira said, his tone triumphant. "The Original Knight. If we can find her, with her help, we can put an end to this."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock at the mention of the Original Knight. The mere possibility of her return made many reconsider Akira's words.

The room fell silent as they heard a tired sigh. Cid was shaking his head, massaging his forehead. "What now?" Akira asked sharply.

"For a scientist, you're pretty stupid, aren't you?" Cid said, rolling his eyes.

"What did you just say?" Akira snarled, gritting his teeth.

"There's so much wrong with what you just said, it's unbelievable," Cid continued, unfazed. "First, you mentioned finding the Original Knight. Don't you think people have been trying to do that already? Why hasn't anyone found her? You speak as if finding her is easy.

Second, the Original Knight massacred the entire utopia she had created. What makes you think she's in any state of mind to help us? For all you know, she could slaughter the rest of us the moment she sees us.

And finally, you didn't even know someone was controlling the monsters until Shadow told you. Yet, now you claim to know where the big bad is, and you're talking about victory like it's assured. You don't know a damn thing about your enemy, and here you are, acting like you've got it all figured out. That's the kind of arrogant thinking that'll get us all killed."