President Alva’s answer was straightforward.
"The only real resolution," she said, "is eliminating the creatures themselves."
She paused briefly. "But to do that, I would have to mobilize Gritnia’s awakened forces. And that is not sothing I can afford."
"Gritnia cos first. If I deploy our forces to Lohansburgh, I leave our own borders exposed. Unless the King says so, I cannot make that call."
It was a harsh and ugly truth.
"I’ve been attempting to reach Grand-class individuals on their behalf," she continued. "Anton Reeds, for one. But he’s... difficult to contact, as usual."
There was a brief pause. "And the few I can reach are either unavailable or unwilling to engage."
Ethan sighed and went quiet, but in understanding of Alva’s position.
The eting carried on for a short while longer, working through so details of the containnt strategy before finally drawing to a close.
——
Outside the DSB headquarters, the S-tiers assembled filtered out in small groups, continuing their conversations as they moved toward their vehicles.
Ivan was engaged with a few others while Bernadette and Ethan exchanged a few final words.
"Take care of yourself," she said, offering him a smile. "And send my regards to Eduardo."
"I will," Ethan replied.
She held his gaze for just a mont longer, then turned and made her way toward her car.
"Ethan."
He turned.
Anna stood a short distance away, with hands loosely clasped, as though uncertain about approaching, but she had done it anyway.
"Anna," he said. Then his expression changed a bit. "Were you also called to the eting? I didn’t see you."
She shook her head. "No. I’m... more of Miss Bernadette’s assistant now. I ca with her."
Ethan nodded. "I thought you were still part of a squad."
"That changed," she said. "After Harold... went missing, the squad was disbanded and everyone got reassigned."
Ethan nodded slowly, acting so normal as though he didn’t know how Harold had gone missing. "I see."
"That’s a good change... i guess" Ethan added. "She’s soone worth working under."
Anna nodded. Then she went quiet for a mont, as though weighing sothing.
"There’s sothing I’ve been aning to say," she started.
Ethan looked at her.
"I’m sorry," she said. "About that day. On road, when Harold and the squad ca for you."
Her gaze dropped briefly. "It didn’t feel right just standing there. But I didn’t know what else to do.."
Ethan didn’t respond imdiately. Her words made him reflect on sothing for a brief mont.
Then he exhaled. "It’s fine, Anna, that was a long ti ago."
She studied him for a second, then gave a nod. "...Take care, Ethan."
"You too." He replied, and with that Anna turned and walked back toward Bernadette’s car.
A mont later, Ivan walked past and gave Ethan a brief nod.
Ethan returned it.
Ivan reached their car and slid into the back seat beside Bernadette. The door closed and the car pulled away.
Ethan had already turned toward his car, where Hayley sat in the passenger seat, idly scrolling through her phone.
He reached for door, but then stopped.
Hayley looked up. "What’s wrong?" she asked, eyeing him. "Why are you just standing there?"
Ethan didn’t answer imdiately. Sothing was turning over in his mind.
Then he said, "I’m sorry, Hayley. Give a mont."
He turned before she could respond and walked back toward the building.
Hayley watched him go, with a puzzled look crossing her face but said nothing more.
——
He returned back to President Alva who looked up from the desk when he entered.
Ethan didn’t waste any more ti. "President Alva," he began, "I won’t be part of the forces stationed at the borders."
She looked confused. "Why?"
"I understand the position," he said. "And I understand why Gritnia has to prioritize itself. That’s the right call for you."
He paused. "But Lohansburgh is already collapsing. Every hour that passes, the death toll climbs."
Alva said nothing, but listened.
"So I’ll be going there myself. I’ll help however I can and kill as many of those things as possible," Ethan Continued. "Gritnia has enough capable people to defend its own borders."
A brief silence followed.
Alva leaned back on her seat. "You do understand what you’re walking into," she said. "There are hundreds of those creatures. Even registered as S-tier, you are still one person."
Ethan smiled. "You don’t have to worry about that, and I’m not asking for permission. I’m only informing you that I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning."
Alva studied him for a second then gave a nod. "...Very well."
She turned slightly, already reorganizing. "Wait here. I’ll have detailed work prepared for you. Everything we have on the breach, the creature behavior, and the affected zones."
"That would help," Ethan said, watching her leave.
——
Later that night, the living room of Stark Manor was full.
His team, his household and the Princess, Isabella.
They had gone through everything; the briefing, the scale of it, and what Ethan intended to do.
And by the end of it, the decision had been unanimous. No one was letting him go alone and there had been no argunt about it.
Eduardo had already begun ntally cataloging everything that needed to be prepared. "I’ll start organizing everything for our departure tomorrow."
Ethan gave a nod. "That’s fine."
Then a voice cut in from beside him.
"I’m coming too." Ishtar said
Ethan turned to her imdiately. "No, You’re staying here." His eyes moved briefly toward the house’s cook. "With Francesca."
Francesca ca a nod with a little smile on her face.
Ishtar’s expression hardened. "I don’t want to stay behind. You’ve seen what I can do, Lord Ethan."
She stepped forward. "I can boost everyone and my firepower isn’t small anymore."
"That’s not the problem," he said. And in a gentle tone, he added "Rayleigh is out there right now doing everything he can specifically because he believes you’re safe here."
"I can’t take you with . That would put you in danger and it’s not sothing I’m willing to do to him."
Ishtar’s expression faltered, but before she could find a response, Valerie spoke out "Master Ethan, may I say sothing?"
He nodded.
Valerie continued. "I think she should co."
Ishtar turned towards her, with a surprised look.
"Her healing ability alone goes beyond anything a regular Greater Heal can achieve," Valerie continued. "It’s faster. "
She gestured slightly toward Ishtar.
"These creatures are airborne and she can fly. In that kind of engagent, I think Ishtar would really be useful"
From his position at the base of the staircase? Eduardo gave a nod. "She’s right, Master Ethan."
Ethan exhaled slowly, then turned back to Ishtar who was watching him, with waiting eyes .
He stared at her for a few seconds, then said "I’ll consider it."
Her face lit up imdiately. "Thank you!"
Then she turned, making her way towards. "I’ll go get my things ready—"
"Wait."
She stopped.
"I said I’ll consider it," Ethan reminded her. "Not yes."
Ishtar turned back with a smile. "Yes, Lord Ethan. I understand completely."
And then she walked off. Ethan stared after her as she went upstairs, before letting out a slow sigh.
Around the room, there were expressions of amusent passed between the others.
No one said anything, but they all knew that was as good as a yes.
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