Chapter 308: Assembled

It was more or less true. Tycondrius and Zenon were here on behalf of Maximus of Ezyria, Archbishop Crucis' wishes aside. 

The young Athena Vanzano had happened upon the truth, on her own... However, she seemed to be on the verge of tears, because of it. 

As this was not a training-environment, Tycon immediately began to panic, "Is uh... there an issue? Young lady?"

"It's fine," Athena wiped the corner of her eyes with her wrists. "We received the news a few suns back, that... that Maximus fell in battle... But it's fine, really."

She said it twice. From her expression and the quavering in her voice, Tycon judged that she may not have been entirely truthful. 

"Ever since Maximus left... and then Tancred left... and then the company losing its backers... and then dad's spending habits got worse... and then mom's drinking problem..."