Bab 85: The Underworld's King
"..."
Wisteria frowned as she looked at the documents in front of her.
"Your Highness, are you not concerned?"
Hound glared at Wisteria from the side. To refer to her as 'your highness' even though they were inside Blue Rose's base, she must really be confident in its security.
"Of course I am. Maybe I wouldn't be too concerned if it was some other person but this is Sebastian we're talking about."
"Mmm..."
Wisteria was restless. Her leg continued to shake while her finger rhythmically tapped on the desk.
"When is he going to get here?"
"Soon, soon."
It wasn't like Wisteria to lose her cool. She was always calm and collected no matter the enemy she faced. However, Hound understood why she was acting like this.
Every event that surrounded Sebastian was weird, but it was within reason.
But, whoever was trying to frame him is doing so with an alarming speed and success. It felt like everything that Sebastian had been involved in was orchestrated to make him the perpetrator.
In the entire continent—nay, the world, the number of people that could have so much influence could be counted on two hands.
"What does a Sage gain from framing Sebastian?"
Wisteria's expression sank at Hound's mutter.
"Something that only Sebastian has. I can't think of anything."
And that was exactly the problem they were facing. Neither Wisteria nor Hound knew what the Sage desired of Sebastian. Anything he had could easily be acquired with a Sage's influence.
"The only thing unique to him is his engagement to Amira Luna. But, even then, the Sage could just dissolve their engagement with a word, he wouldn't have to go through all this."
"..."
Hound fell silent. She had been busy with Wisteria ever since she had gotten back. The two of them were making plans and trying to see what the Sage wanted of Sebastian.
However, there was another problem that they needed addressed.
"Even after this long, we still can't figure out this Sage's identity?"
"They're the peak of Inheritors for a reason."
"You're underestimating the Blue Rose too much. Even Sages are wary of our influence. The only Sage able to ignore us..."
"?"
"The only Sage—the only person in this world able to ignore us so freely is the King of the Underworld!"
Wisteria stood up and slammed her fist on the desk. While Hound didn't show it through her movements, she was agitated underneath her mask as well.
"...If it really is him, then neither of us can shield Sebastian."
"..."
Wisteria frowned and sat on her seat once more.
"...you're right. Neither of us can shield 'Sebastian'."
"What are you implying?"
"If we can't shield Sebastian, then isn't it fine if we shield someone else?"
"...Hooh."
"We'll have to talk to him, but he has no other choice. The only path he can take other than this is death."
Hound voiced her agreement.
...
"There it is, Aurum."
Sebastian held Sana as he pointed at the city in the distance.
"Wooow..."
Sana muttered in a mix of surprise and anticipation.
"It isn't blue!"
"Hehehe..."
Amy couldn't help chuckling at Sana's comment. If anyone else from the city had heard her, they would've looked at her strangely.
Coloring buildings and cities so much with one color is native to Tidas. For other countries, the norm is to use an array of light colors that weren't a strain on the eyes.
"Sana, our home is..."
Sebastian was about to point at the House of Sol but stopped. He looked at Amy.
"Uh... Where will Sana live?"
"Mmm..."
The two of them hadn't thought about it prior. It would be fine for her to live at either place.
"Why don't we let her stay at your place for now? I frequently visit and stay over anyway."
"Alright then."
"Mama won't be together with Sana?"
Sana pulled on the hems of Amy's clothes and asked with upturned eyes.
"Ugh..."
Amy held her chest and then got down on one knee to hug Sana.
"I'll be there often! I promise!"
Sebastian shook his head while sighing. Amy had a lot of administrative work to do and even more miscellaneous work. Just visiting Sebastian had a huge impact on her schedule and now she says that she'd visit often?
Sebastian wanted to tell her that he'd take care of Sana and she should focus more on her work but stopped himself. It felt like she would throw him off the airship if he did.
"Sana, be a good girl when you stay at papa's place, you hear?"
"Un!"
Sebastian winced slightly but he let them do as they wanted. About him being called papa at such a young age... well, he didn't want to think about it so deeply.
"We'll be landing shortly."
The guide appeared from behind them and informed them. While it wasn't really necessary to tell them, it would be dangerous if they were by the edge and were blown away.
"Got it, thank you."
Sebastian thanked the guide and held onto Sana's hand as they held onto the railing.
"Oh. Amy, your father is here."
"...I see."
Amy looked at Markus in silence. Once Markus met Amy's gaze, he walked away and sat inside a carriage bearing the House of Luna's emblem.
"Sebastian."
Sebastian turned his head back to look at Amy.
"What?"
"Do you know who that is?"
"?"
Sebastian followed Amy's finger and saw a woman waving at him. She wore an extravagant dress and had adorned herself with fancy jewelry. Putting it simply, she was a beauty who dressed herself up for the occasion.
"..."
It was Sebastian's turn to be speechless. It wasn't that he was fazed by the woman's beauty, it was because he was dumbfounded. What was the leader of an assassin organization doing showing her face in public?
"Ah, she's an acquaintance."
Just then, Sana pulled on Sebastian's sleeve.
"What's wrong?" Sebastian leveled himself with Sana and asked.
"Cheating?"
"PFFT!"
"Ew! Dirty!"
If Sebastian had drank water, Sana's face would've been drenched. Unfortunately, Sana still wasn't spared from being hit by Sebastian's spit.
As Sana hurried to wipe herself, Amy spoke. "Finish your business with her by the afternoon. Father has to speak to you."
"Yeah, it won't be long."
Both Wisteria and Markus had urgent business with Sebastian. He can't hold off his conversation with either of them.
The airship had finally landed a few minutes later. Other than the guide who greeted them once more after they landed, there was still quite a few people.
Most of them were people that came to see the airship and who would actually ride on it and had no actual relation to Sebastian and Amy.
"I'll take Sana first."
Amy carried Sana and walked to her father's carriage. Sebastian looked at them until they boarded and headed off to meet Wisteria.
"Seriously, do you have to show your face?"
"How rude. I personally came here to welcome you back, and this is how you treat me?"
"..."
Sebastian wanted to retort but he was already used to her antics and ended up holding back.
"Follow me."
....
"A Sage..."
"That's right. You're meeting the head of the House of Luna after this, aren't you? He will tell you the same thing."
"..."
Sebastian frowned. It wasn't a surprise to know that Wisteria knew that he was going to talk with Markus, he was just worried.
"Amy—"
"What is with you? Whenever you end up in a situation like this, you always worry about her first."
Wisteria rolled her eyes. He was the one being targeted but he was worried about his fiancée?
"You already know why I do."
"Her life is more important to you than your own, yeah, I get it. Look, she won't be implicated in this, the Sage has shown absolutely no interest in her, you're the one in danger."
"Then, what do you recommend I do?"
"This."
Wisteria threw a few papers at him. One of them had a portrait while the others were full of writing.
"Who is this? A target?"
Sebastian looked through the papers. Could killing him have to do with the Sage?
"No," Wisteria shook her head with a smile then poked Sebastian's chest with her finger, "you."
"Excuse me?"
"That is my recommendation. Sebastian Sol will die. There is no getting around that. However, you can still choose. To die for real, or to die and bide your time."
"You're telling me to abandon my name and live as another?"
"Not permanently, that's your choice. You can wait until you are able to kill the Sage and come back."
"Can I not negotiate with him?"
"No. There's no way for this man to compromise."
Wisteria's voice was firm. She didn't doubt what she had said in the least.
Sebastian opened his mouth but closed it after he couldn't think of anything to say. Wisteria was mischievous, sure, but she didn't like to fool around with no goal in sight.
Telling him to abandon his identity was equivalent to saying that she couldn't do anything else. It was above her power to do anything else.
"...Let me think about it."
"Sure. You don't have to respond immediately. Just... make sure that it's not too late."
Before you die for real.
Sebastian took in a deep breath and left the papers on the desk before leaving.
...
Sebastian loitered around the area before heading off to meet Markus. The advice that Wisteria had given him had yet to properly register.
"You look distracted." Markus commented.
"Because I am."
"Then, do you still want to hear what I have to say?"
"...yes."
Sebastian answered after hesitating slightly.
"The House of Luna isn't able to do anything to the one framing you."
A straightforward message.
Markus continued.
"But, it isn't as if you're helpless."
Markus handed him a small stack of papers.
"What is this?"
"A contract."
"A contract...?"
Sebastian looked confused, prompting Markus to explain.
"The reason that you can be framed is due to the lack of witnesses in these events."
Markus leaned forward and pointed at a part of the contract.
"With this, you'll be able to move freely. Under the name of Luna, you will be my, Markus Luna's personal guard."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
SeverTheHeavens
SeverTheHeavens The delay in posting was because I had a fever.
This is the volume finale, and, to those who read the synopsis I placed before chapter 1, I apologize because I mixed up the chapter numbers. The synopsis for volume 2 should be for volume 3 and so, I just removed them.
Thanks for reading.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone