37. Wishful Thinking

Arganan was eventually let out of bedrest. His metal arm was repaired, but his metal leg still needed a bit more time, since a new one was being made for him. Due to this, he had to take more days off from work than he'd like, which meant he also couldn't pay back his debt faster (it annoyed him, but he supposed it made sense, given the circumstances).

Frey finally came to visit him at the Clinic during one of his days off from work (he couldn't do much other than attend to the cash register, given that he couldn't exactly walk around too well without a second leg no matter how much he used his crutches), and he demanded an explanation for where she'd been while he was in bedrest. He wasn't pissed at her for not visiting him while stuck at the Clinic, but he had been worried about her and her safety. Last time she was gone so long, when trying to save Leon, he thought he might never see her again.

Frey gave him the general gist of things: She got to Idra cave, ended up defeating more Sechs soldiers in the process while investigating their base, and now she was on the way to Maya Road to find Ethelberd, the ruler of the Sechs Empire, and get the Rune Spheres back from him.

"And somehow, Ethelberd managed to make copies of all the native dragons, except for Venti." Frey finished. "I've already fought one, but I have a feeling I'll have to fight more of them."

"Are you bringing anyone with you?" Arganan asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. I've been bringing Vishnal along, and I also take Dylas or Forte on occasion. Mainly Forte, though. And Sir Therius just arrived in Selphia an hour ago, so I was thinking of taking him along so we could investigate the Sechs further together, if he comes with me."

"Good. Wait…" Arganan faltered, brows furrowing. "Therius is here? I remember Calista telling me that she'd send Therius back here to help, but I didn't expect him so soon."

"He's getting settled at the Inn right now." A sheepish chuckle escaped her. "I just hope he and Leon get along."

"Oof. I can't imagine it'll be easy." Given how stoic Forte was and how Leon managed to tease even her, Arganan couldn't imagine what sort of things Leon might try to disturb Sir Therius. Hopefully the two would get along, lest things not end well.

"It won't." Frey agreed. The Princess pushed a few bangs out of her face, sighing. "Speaking of absences and arrivals, though…how's Venti doing?"

"Still collapsed." He managed awkwardly. "I've only seen her once inbetween you being away from Selphia and coming back."

Of course, this was due to his metal limbs being destroyed earlier, on top of recovering from his injuries, but Jones had taken him out in a wheelchair one day when Arganan was feeling on the better side. One could not just carry the former Count to the castle, nor let him rely on his crutches alone due to a lack of metal leg, so the wheelchair was the only option. Arganan felt a bit responsible for Ventuswill, despite not being as close to her as someone like Frey was. He was just trying to do his part in helping the others stop the Sechs Empire and get the Rune Spheres back, after all, and Ventuswill didn't deserve to be alone and suffering while they were working towards restoring her.

He remembered what Ventuswill looked like; pale, collapsed, just like how

"I'm scared of seeing her." Frey managed, her gaze lowering down to her lap. "I mean…I'm not scared of her, per se, but…seeing her waste away like that, after all we did to save her and the Guardians…it's not fair." Her hands balled into fists in her lap, and she shook her head. "It's not fair that we fought for her, only for the Sechs to take away what literally keeps her alive."

"I know it's not fair." Arganan sighed, shaking his head. He tried to meet her gaze, extending his right arm towards her so he could give her a pat on the shoulder. "But we will find a way to make sure she's safe. And I know we will. The Sechs Empire may be fierce, but all of you in this town are some of the strongest, fiercest, people I know. As long as you keep the hope you have, I don't think all is lost."

"Thanks." She smiled up at him a bit. "I really needed that."

"You're welcome." He paused, thinking of how Doug came in the other day, and he spoke up again. "You know, I talked with Doug the other day. I think he'd be happy to help you out. He's been a spy for the Sechs before, right? He probably knows a way to get to their base."

"I did already ask him a while back. That's how I knew about Idra Cave….Arthur also just let me know about Maya Road, which is a long path to their hidden headquarters."

"I think you should take Doug with you next time. Maybe he might know a way in, or something. Or how to get past the guards, at least."

"You're right." She nodded, standing. "I'll go find him now. Thanks, Arganan."

"And he wants to make it up to you and Ventuswill." Arganan quickly added.

Frey blinked, staring at him. "What?"

"He regrets being a spy. He wants to work with you. So, give him a chance." Arganan explained, looking up at her. "Okay?"

Frey nodded, offering him a soft smile. "I'll keep that in mind. And I'm glad you told me. Thanks."

Frey soon left Arganan to rest, and the former Count sighed, leaning back in the bed. He hoped that things worked out with Sir Therius coming in to help, as well as Frey working with Doug. However, he knew that he had to wait if he wanted to do anything else other than encourage others to keep at what they were doing. After all, he couldn't straight-up leave the town to go help Frey without a metal leg, even if he was mostly healed of his injuries at this point.

He thought of Ventuswill, and he grimaced. At least he was getting better. But Ventuswill looked like she was wasting away, day by day. Volkanon and Arthur were also trying to keep the townspeople's spirits up regarding the Divine Wind's state, and Arganan could sense that everyone was trying to carry on with their everyday life, but he could sense the worry in their eyes whenever they did speak of Ventuswill, Frey, or anything that might involve the Sechs Empire. It made sense. They were worried for their safety, and for each other.

All he could do right now was hope that this whole situation would be resolved well. That the Rune Spheres would come back, Ventuswilll would be saved, and the Sechs Empire would just go away.

He knew it might be wishful thinking, but he hoped that was how this would end.