Raym heard those words from Leo… and in that instant, his state began to crumble...
Mr. Lonz???(He remembered all the moments when Lonz was there, supporting him...)
And Zak as well???(He remembered their battles, and how Zak stood beside him in the hardest situations...)
Leo continued speaking:"Alright, let me finish first, then we can return to this discussion.Yes, as I was saying—there are also two other types of dragons… truly terrifying beings. Thankfully, they do not exist in our world. Otherwise, it would be catastrophic..."
He paused briefly, then continued:"The important thing now is this: as you've seen, with Commander Seroh's weapon, we now possess two legendary weapons. The road ahead is still long if we wish to find the rest."
Then Leo took a breath."And before returning to the core of the matter… we have made a decision. All missions and external communications are frozen for now."
He looked directly at Raym."Raym, I'm sorry for this… but Mr. Lonz is currently the strongest suspect among us..."
Raym shouted:"What are you talking about??! You know Mr. Lonz isn't that kind of person!!!! Didn't you see how he sacrificed himself for us!?! He lost an arm!!!"
Leo sighed."I understand your anger… but didn't you notice that he cares about you too much??? And that this coincided with the awakening of your power??? Don't you find that strange???"
Raym was taken aback.For a moment, it almost sounded convincing...
But then he remembered something important."It was a coincidence. The moment my power awakened was the same moment I lost my friend Lance. Of course he felt sorry for me... And besides—you don't have solid proof against him..."
Leo raised his voice."That's nonsense. What you're saying isn't based on evidence or logic at all... He probably saw your friend's death as the perfect excuse to get close to you."
He then continued coldly:"As for proof—"
Leo pulled a paper from his pocket... It bore Lonz's handwriting… and his signature.
He read it aloud:
'Please, Sir Leo, or Commander Seroh, or any of the leaders…We are approaching something extremely dangerous.I beg one of you to follow this matter with full support...'
Leo looked at Raym again."So??? Do you think this is a coincidence too??? He knew about the disaster..."
Raym froze.He lost the ability to speak, barely muttering:"So… that's what he was doing in your room…"
Leo heard him."Oh??? So it really was him..."
Unable to defend Lonz, Raym tried another approach—diverting suspicion."You said both Lonz and Zak are suspects. Then why aren't you accusing Zak like this??!"
Leo slammed the table."Zak has no real suspicions surrounding him!!! I may not be on good terms with him, which is why I placed him near the circle of doubt—but despite being one of our newest recruits, his achievements and actions clear him of suspicion."
Vail shouted:"That's enough, Raym. It's almost certain now. Mr. Lonz could be the spy among us. Believe me—we all wish this wasn't true… but it's what the facts point to."
Raym lost his voice entirely.In rage, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Vail tried calling after him, but Raym didn't listen...
There was only one destination in his mind...
Mr. Lonz is innocent...
Without realizing it, he found himself forcefully opening Lonz's door.
Lonz, barely able to stand, was startled."Oh!!! Raym, my boy!!! You scared me. What's going on??? How are your injuries??? And everyone else's??? Are they alright??? I hope no one got hurt like this old man… hahaha."
A pang of sadness struck Raym, but he didn't mention anything."We're all fine… but how are you???"
Lonz smiled gently."Hm, that's good to hear. As for me… I'm not important. I've lived long enough... You should take care of yourself—and not lose yourself to that power of yours..."
Something about him felt… unclear.Yet Raym once again convinced himself this was just the same old Lonz.
Lonz decided to step outside for some air.
While he was gone, Raym quietly entered the room, searching through his belongings.
Then—He found a piece of cloth...
It was identical to the robes worn by the strange cult that attacked them...
At that exact moment, Zak stepped into the room as well...
Their eyes met...
Not a single word was spoken...