A week had passed since Regulus was taken by Laplace, and during this time, while she was under the discretionary period, Madam Z and Isaac did their best to help her out.
The former wasn't allowed to do anything that much, though. At least, on the surface.
That was why the latter offered himself as her extension or synapse in decision. He was willing to be a pawn that can be easily disregarded, but from the start, that notion alone carried many risks — something she wanted to address first.
In her office, Madam Z waited patiently in silence before a gust of wind entered. Then, manifesting out of a gray mist, Isaac appeared.
Seeing her solemn expression, he raised a brow. "Is something wrong? Today's the day of your conference with Laplace... Did something to awry with the plan?"
"Your proactive analysis is unnecessary. Don't worry, nothing happened and the plan's on the right track." She nudged her glasses. "However, I do want to discuss something I should have asked much, much earlier with you."
"...go on." He made himself comfortable while eyeing her.
She paused for a bit before pointing out what had been lingering in her mind for a while now. "Isaac... When you first approached me for this cooperation, you mentioned that you were willing to become a disposable pawn for me. But..."
"I've never told my side about that matter honestly."
It was the truth. In her eyes, Isaac was indeed the perfect tool for her to use in this chess game — a rogue that can hardly be controlled and noticed but can accomplish tasks given to him without any problems.
Sure, he volunteered himself without any coercion from her, but the ethical problems of his actions and her acceptance weighed on her mind for a while.
"I can see your loyalty towards Vertin, and I commend that. But to place so little effort in your self-preservation seems a bit reckless, don't you think?"
Isaac remained silent for a while after listening to her. A moment later, however, he snickered — as if what he had just heard was amusing.
"Well, yes... Ultimately, you are still part of the Foundation, and looking out for an arcanist's safety is indeed one of your concerns. I respect that."
"But Madam Z... When I presented you with that offer, I meant each and every word I said."
Then, outstretching his arms wide, he shrugged his shoulders. "This is a game of politics. Your strong ethics is a quality that makes you stand out here, indeed, but both you and I know that you will have less opportunities with that mindset."
"So, when using me during this war, disregard ethics. See me as a tool — believe me, it doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I support you with that notion."
After rambling on like a madman, Isaac soon calmed down and collected his breaths before speaking slowly. "This is for the sake of everyone. For me, it's to upkeep my promise to Vertin, as for you, I'm sure you have your reasons too."
"...so you're saying that everyone wins with one feeble sacrifice?" After listening to him talk, Madam Z frowned. What she had heard him spew out was beyond her expectations and reassessed her impression of him. "Loyalty is a great virtue... But this is not the only way to show it. Are you perhaps a madman obsessed with the self-righteous idea of self-sacrifice?"
"Not really. Just doing what I do best." He shook his head with a light smile. He then continued, this time his tone measured and gentle. "Please, Madam Z, for the duration of this war, just see me as a tool. It's better for it that way. There's no need for you to feel guilty for something I want."
"If it's for Ms. Vertin and the others... I'm willing to do this much."
She looked at him in silence for a moment before sighing.
"You're a selfish man." She nudged her glasses as her frown softened. "But if that's what you want... Then I'll respect your decision. There's no reason to argue with a lunatic."
"I'm flattered? Not the strangest compliment I've had, to be honest." He joked before leaning forward with an amused expression. "Anywho... If we're done, then that means you're ready, no?"
Gathering all of the documents she needed, she turned to him and slightly nodded. "That's right. I'll be going now."
"Aha, good luck!" Still sitting on her office's sofa, Isaac cheered her on. "You can do this, Madam Z! Break a leg!"
"...thank you." She nodded at him imperceptibly before carrying the documents she needed and leaving.
Seeing her leave, Isaac stayed motionless for a bit before releasing a deep sigh.
"That's that... With her abilities, winning shouldn't be too farfetched."
There was a reason Madam Z was Constantine's Chief of Staff within the Foundation.
He lingered in the office for a while before deciding to get up and walk over the door. It was only then did he notice that it was locked, much to his surprise.
"Eh, did she lock me in...?" He whispered to himself while trying to turn the knob. "Must be her revenge for my behavior, haha."
Somehow, he found that oddly relieving.
---
After escaping Madam Z's office by turning himself into a fog, Isaac soon returned the suitcase to eagerly await the news.
Upon entering, however, he immediately noticed A Knight in the lobby polishing his sword.
Seeing Isaac enter, A Knight, whose body cannot be seen, looked up. "Bonjour, Monsieur Isaac. Comment allez-vou?"
"Ça va bien..." Isaac waved his hand while striding towards one of the sofas. Then, slouching down, he sighed. "Good day, A Knight... Anything new today?"
A Knight's tattered mantle shifted as if he was shaking his head. "Just like yesterday, non. Regulus and Mr. APPLe has yet to return, Ms. Druvis has been tending the suitcase, and young Sotheby has been frequently going out."
"I see... How about the farm?" Isaac pointed out one of his projects that he entrusted to A Knight and Mr. APPLe.
"Someone has been working on it and the fields have been well plowed. Seeds have already been planted, and proper irrigation is currently underway." A Knight finished his sentence.
"That's good... Before the seeds sprout, I should build a shed to store them away for preservation." Isaac murmured to himself. 'With this in place, we'd be able to have enough ration to last longer than in the story... Of course it still depends on how much we harvest.'
Isaac had never lost sight of his original intentions. Even though he had been helping out Madam Z lately, he was still lending some of his time in the preparation and improvement within the suitcase.
Leaning back, he felt the soft cushion of the sofa once more and sank, relaxing as he did so. He closed his eyes and aimed for a short nap to have more energy later.
Noticing Isaac's posture, A Knight thought for a moment before asking a question. "Someone must ask, does thy mind been weighed down lately?"
"Is it that obvious?" Isaac smirked, eyes still shut. "But yes... I do have a lot in mind lately."
"Might Someone ask why?" A Knight questioned.
Isaac thought for a moment before opening one of his eyes. "It's nothing serious... I think? It's just that I've had a brief argument with someone regarding my role."
Sensing that A Knight might be interested in his story, Isaac decided to entertain him. "...She questioned me about my loyalty. She said I was reckless — that sacrificing myself for someone else was the wrong way to show it."
He opened both eyes now, staring up at the ceiling.
"I get where she's coming from, really I do — It's not that I don't understand. But I've always believed that if you're going to stand with someone, then you should be ready to bear the burden they can't. Even if it means becoming something ugly to do it."
A Knight listened silently, his tattered cloak shifting slightly, as though weighing the young man's words.
"I told her it doesn't matter if I burn myself a little, so long as the people I care about don't have to." Isaac paused. "But she said that's not loyalty. And maybe… maybe she's right. Or not."
A heavy silence followed. The kind that lingers not in discomfort, but reflection.
Finally, A Knight spoke, his voice calm and deliberate. "Loyalty is noble, sir Isaac. But loyalty without restraint is a blade without a hilt — in serving others, thou mayest cut thyself far more deeply than any foe ever could."
Isaac's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.
"Self-sacrifice is often seen as valorous, indeed..." A Knight continued. "But there lies danger in mistaking ruin for devotion. For even the most stalwart of towers must have a foundation — and that foundation is thy self."
Isaac chuckled wryly. "Are you saying I should be more selfish?"
"No. Rather, be mindful of the line between service and surrender." A Knight replied. "To protect another is noble. To erase thyself in the process… is not. Would those thou care for truly rejoice in a world where thou art hollowed out, piece by piece?"
Isaac was quiet for a long time.
"…I don't know, but..." He ruminated, voice softer now. "I don't think they would."
At least, he knew Vertin won't support it.
"Then let thy loyalty not be a chain that binds thee to suffering." A Knight said gently. "Let it be a shield — not only for others, but for thyself. For only in keeping thyself whole canst thou truly stand strong for those thou cherish."
Isaac remained silent for a while, quietly digesting A Knight's words. They resonated deeply within him, yet — for another inexplicable reason, they cannot fully integrate with his person.
But A Knight's words did leave a mark in his mind.
"So you have a way with your words too... Not bad."
Isaac then leaned back deeper into the couch, his eyes now closed again — but this time, his body seemed lighter, more at ease.
"Thanks." He said quietly. "I needed that."
"Anytime, sir Isaac." A Knight replied. "Even the fiercest flames must rest in their embers now and then."
For a while, neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was serene, like the quiet hush of a battlefield after the dust had settled.
As Isaac quietly took his nap, he made sure to make new mental notes after hearing A Knight's words.
That's right...
Loyalty was one thing, but executing it is another.
Perhaps he should approach that topic with Madam Z again in another light... at another time, of course.