"So that's how it is. I always suspected Fontaine's leadership had more tricks up their sleeves, but I never imagined they'd leave us no way out."
"According to Miss Navia, the residents of Fleuve Cendre now face only two paths: either to carve out a new settlement in the monster-infested wilderness, or to seek refuge in other nations..."
The man spoke, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he pondered.
"But is that truly the case? Miss Navia must understand that Fontaine's leaders would never allow a settlement of tens or even hundreds of thousands to slip from their grasp. If we choose that path, we'll either have to surrender the fruits of our life-or-death struggle to the nobles, or be branded as rebels."
"While seeking refuge in other nations might be feasible—there are friendly countries willing to accept us—the journey would be long and arduous. Miss Navia must prepare for at least half of our people to perish along the way."
Navia knew all this already. That's why she was so tormented and uncertain. Yet as President of the Spina di Rosula, she had no time for hesitation. Delay would only worsen their situation.
"Even Monsieur Grett has no other options?"
Faced with Navia's expectant gaze, the man simply shook his head.
"If you're asking for a way to save everyone, there isn't one."
"So, Monsieur Grett, you still have your own plan, don't you?"
Navia keenly noticed the unspoken part of his words: he hadn't said there was no solution, only that there was no solution that could save everyone.
"I thought Miss Navia understood my intentions when she saw me dismantling these weapons and taking them away," the man replied with a smile, gesturing to the weapons from the dismantled Gardemeks in the corner.
Navia was stunned. She hadn't expected his plan to involve outright defiance of the decree, even preparing for armed conflict.
However, instead of questioning his decision, she asked, "Monsieur Grett, can you modify and use these weapons?"
The Gardemeks' weapons were designed to prevent enemies from using them directly. The firing mechanisms and energy sources were completely separate, requiring significant modifications for operational use—a daunting task for someone with no prior experience in this field.
"Is it difficult?"
Navia fell silent.
Seeing the man's slightly puzzled expression, she immediately regretted asking the question. She shouldn't have brought it up.
"But Monsieur Grett, even with weapons, these people alone can't possibly stand against Fontaine's nobles, can they?"
"No, Miss Navia, you misunderstand. When I helped these people, I never intended to lead them into rebellion. They will be relocated according to your plans. I'm the only one who will be taking action."
The man looked at Navia and smiled with remarkable ease. "I know the strength of Fleuve Cendre is far from sufficient to challenge Fontaine's authority. Even the Gardemek would overwhelm us, let alone the more mysterious and terrifying Marechaussee Hunters."
"But with Poisson and other cities unable to accept most of Fleuve Cendre's residents, no matter how hard you try to persuade them to leave, many will ultimately choose to stay and share the fate of Fleuve Cendre."
The man's words weighed heavily on Navia's heart. She had been so focused on finding a better way to relocate the Fleuve Cendre residents that she had overlooked a crucial point: not everyone would follow her lead and leave the Fleuve Cendre when the future was uncertain.
Even her father, Callas, couldn't achieve that. At best, he could persuade slightly more people to relocate than she could.
This meant that no matter how well she managed the situation afterward, if she chose to lead everyone out of the Fleuve Cendre to a new place, thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, would remain behind to share the fate of the Fleuve Cendre.
These would likely be the frail elderly and those unwilling to abandon their loved ones.
Without intervention, their chances of survival would be virtually nonexistent.
It dawned on her that she had walked straight into a death trap designed by Fontaine's nobles from the very beginning, yet she had naively believed there must still be a way out of this desperate situation.
Melus had already realized this, but he hadn't known how to break the news to Navia.
Meanwhile, the man continued to outline his plan.
"I want to stay and protect these people. I'll teach them how to wield weapons to defend themselves and those around them. I'll soothe their spirits with music, preventing them from falling into the abyss of despair. I'll smash the heads of Gardemeks before their eyes, showing them that the enemy isn't invincible!"
"Whether any of this matters, whether it will succeed, I don't care. At least I'll have tried."
His words were deeply stirring. Navia, consumed by fierce anger toward Fontaine's nobles, nearly voiced her support for his plan.
But the weight of countless lives resting on her shoulders forced her to swallow the words. While agreeing would bring immediate satisfaction, with such slim chances of success, her decision would doom countless innocent lives that might otherwise be spared.
"Give me... give me some more time. I believe there must be a better solution."
Navia spoke with a complete lack of confidence, but she couldn't bear to see this man, who reminded her so much of her father, meet such an end.
"Ah..."
The man sighed, his gaze toward Navia tinged with helplessness and disappointment.
"There's no better way. To ensure their own safety, the nobles will never give Fleuve Cendre a lifeline."
"If you do see one, it's undoubtedly a trap they've laid."
"Miss Navia, I understand your desire to save everyone, but reality is harsh. There's no way to save them all."
"Instead, focus on persuading more people to evacuate with the Spina di Rosula. That would lighten my burden considerably—that would be the greatest help you could offer me."
With that, the man rose from his seat.
"I apologize, but I must prepare for what lies ahead. I no longer have time to entertain you, Miss Navia."
"Feel free to look around the house, but please close the door when you leave to prevent the noise inside from disturbing the neighbors."
Upon hearing this, Navia immediately stood up, assuring the man she wouldn't disturb him any longer. She prepared to leave with Melus and Silver, but at the last moment, she glanced back. She saw the man holding the scrap metal she had brought earlier, his hands moving with astonishing dexterity as he meticulously polished it against an Aranara doll placed before him, his expression utterly focused.
Only then did Navia understand why the man had requested unwanted scrap metal as payment, bringing it home to work on.