53. An Important Decision

Arganan knew it was one thing to get used to living in Selphia, but it was a whole other thing to be working for both Lazulis and Selphia.

For instance, when just living in Selphia, all he had to worry about was his own state. Sure, he got roped into help Frey and Ventuswill and even defeating the Sechs Empire, but it wasn't like he had to worry about officially keeping the peace between places and maintaining trade routes. But with what Calista was getting him into, he knew too well that he had to do his research on Selphia and the entire kingdom of Norad at large. The next several days flew by with meetings, explanations, paperwork, and so much research that Arganan's head spun (not literally) at times.

And on top of that, there was one thing that was pointed out to him: The opportunity to return to Lazulis.

Calista had explained, to her uncle, that even though he wasn't the Count of Lazulis anymore and he'd been exiled, the fact that he was in such a position between Lazulis and Selphia now meant that he still could return. Besides, they were family. Calista wanted nothing more than to continue the mostly-peaceful relations they now had with each other. Given that Frey was planning to bring Ventuswill back from the Forest of Beginnings first, however, the time for Arganan to move back to Lazulis would be delayed until after Ventuswill was revived and all was relatively well in Selphia.

Of course, Arganan didn't have to go home. He could easily just stay here in Selphia like he had been, so far. Besides, given how he was already living here for over a year, it would do him good to be further associated with Selphia and the rest of the kingdom of Norad, especially if he was helping with things like trade routes, negotiations, etc.

"You look like you need some tea." Arganan looked up at Arthur, who offered him a cup. The two had been looking through the final details of some paperwork for a few trade routes to start in the next few months. "Would you like some?"

"Yes, please. And thank you." Arganan gratefully took the cup, taking a deep breath before taking a sip. It was a fragrant, Relax tea – a tea that Arganan knew that Illuminata and Volkanon enjoyed. At this point, he enjoyed it, too, and he could now see why the others drank it so frequently. "The tea is good."

"Ah, that's good to know." A soft smile appeared on Arthur's face, before a chuckle left him. "I've been thinking, lately, and I just find it so funny that we're in the same room without arguing."

"We've done it before." Arganan noted.

"But we were hostile, once." The younger man pointed out.

A sigh left the former Count as he recalled the day he barged into Arthur's office and yelled at him. "Right. I don't think I need too many reminders…"

"I'm just glad that things are better now. And speaking of things…" He looked up from his own cup of tea, "I heard that you are considering heading back to Lazulis, since you're reconciled with your niece?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure." Arganan put his cup down, swallowing lightly. "Granted, it won't be until Ventuswill is back and revived, at least, but it is something I'm considering. And I do want to continue to help Calista in any way I can. But at the same time…" His gaze drifted down to his cup of tea, then up at Arthur again. "I do like being here. Helping this town and watching it thrive, and being around the friends I've made."

"Friends…" Arthur mused, and he paused, before looking up at Arganan. "Are we considered friends now?"

"Given everything we've gone through, I'd say we might be." A chuckle left the older man. "And of course, I'm friends with Illuminata, and Frey, Nancy and Dr. Jones, and so many more people. I'm not lonely here. But…" He thought of Calista. Of Zael. "My family is in Lazulis. Politically, I know I can work from either Lazulis or Selphia, since I'm going back and forth between them anyway as is, but permanent residency is another question that's…personal."

"I think I understand. You're torn." Arthur managed. He took a deep breath, taking off his glasses to briefly wipe them with a cloth. "It must a lot to think about. To be honest, I did really consider leaving Selphia to return to the Norad Kingdom's capital, but I didn't because that was when Ethelberd struck."

Arganan raised a brow. "You planned to leave even earlier?"

"Yes. But I couldn't, because of Ethelberd. But after we finished dealing with him, I realized that I just cared a lot about this town. Its people. Porcoline's been nothing but generous, providing shelter for not just me but also for Dylas. Without Nancy and Jones making sure I went to my appointments on time, I'm sure I couldn't work as well as I could. And," A chuckle left him, "I do owe it to Frey to support her, given all that she's done for me, including ruling this town in my place. That's why I'm staying; because of the people in it. I want to support them as much as they've supported me."

Arganan wondered if he felt the same way Arthur did. But it was something to keep in mind, for sure.

Arganan still mulled about Arthur's words, on the way back to the Clinic after a few more hours of paperwork, when he noticed Calista and Jones speaking with each other. Whatever it was they were talking about, it seemed to be serious.

"We'll miss him if he leaves," Jones managed, looking towards the Countess of Lazulis, "But I'm sure he'd want to spend time with you and also get reacquainted with Lazulis."

"It's not official yet if he's staying here or leaving." Calista admitted with a soft sigh. The usually-sure Countess seemed…unsure. Arganan could tell from her hesitant wording, the fazed look in her eyes. "It's his choice. I'll be happy for him either way, but..whatever he chooses, I just want to thank you and Nancy, for taking care of him."

"It's what we do." The doctor offered her a smile. "He's also been a big help to the town. And I'm sure that whether he stays here or moves back to Lazulis, he'll still be a big help, given his position."

"I know." A sigh left Calista. "I just hope that he'll be happy with what he's doing. I know he…wasn't the happiest, back when he ruled Lazulis. But I also know he was a different person back then, too. Things were different. But I'm glad things are better now."

"Hey." Arganan heard behind him, and he turned to see Pico, smiling up at him. "Hi!"

"Pico!?" Arganan tried not to be too loud as he glared at her. "How long have you been spying on me?"

"To be fair, you're also spying on them." Pico pointed out. "And Dolly and I saw you the whole time~!"

"Dolly…?" He looked up to see Dolce approaching with a sigh, shaking her head.

"Why am I not surprised?" Dolce grabbed Pico by the scruff of her neck, holding her up to meet her eye-level. "Pico, you really need to stop scaring him."

"But he was totally spying! Besides, I wanted to ask if it's true if he's moving out or not!"

"I don't know if I am yet." Arganan quickly interjected, shaking his head. "I'm still trying to decide."

"Then let me give MY opinion." Pico pointed out, staring at him. "Stay!"

"What?"

"It'll be so lonely without you here! I mean, I'm always by Mi'lady's side, but," Pico sighed, shaking her head, "It's nice to have you around, too!"

Arganan let that sink in for a moment. Pico and the others…wanted him to stay? He thought of Jones and Calista's conversation, of how Arthur said that he wanted to support the people here as much as they supported him.

Were they signs that he should stay? Maybe he should ask Frey about this. And Calista and Zael when they were by themselves, too.

"I'll keep all of that in mind." He finally managed, looking between Pico and Dolce. "And I'm thankful for your input. But I should really talk to my niece about this. And Frey. And my nephew-in-law."

Speaking of them, he hadn't seen any of the three (save for Calista, who was still speaking with Dr. Jones right now). "Where is Frey, anyway? Or my nephew?"

"I think I saw Frey run out of town a few hours ago." Dolce noted, frowning lightly. "I wouldn't be surprised if she already went to the Forest of Beginnings to get Lady Ventuswill."

"What!? Already?" Couldn't she have warned him before running off? Didn't she still need to make preparations? "Please tell me she went with someone."

"I think she took Vishnal with her. Clorica, too." Pico winced lightly, brows furrowing a little. "They said something about having to face a giant mammoth."

"A mammoth?" Was it like the beasts he'd fought before by Frey's side, like with the Guardians being in their previous-monster states? "Well, I hope it worked out…"

Before anyone else could say a thing, Frey, Clorica and Vishnal suddenly appeared in a flash of light, catching their breaths and visibly shivering.

"Frey?" Arganan was quick to approach the Princess of Selphia, taking off his coat and wrapping it around her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

"A-Arganan?" Frey looked up at him, swallowing. She still trembled, nearly collapsing into his arms. "Where are we?"

"Back in Selphia. Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine, but…"

A sudden 'thud' caught Arganan's attention, only for him to turn and see Clorica collapsed on the ground. Vishnal was by her side, eyes widening in near-panic as he tried to use healing magic on her. "Come on, Clorica, stay awake! This isn't time to nap!"

"I-it's…so warm…" Clorica was heard groaning. Dolce swallowed, getting to her knees and taking Clorica's hand into hers, shaking her head.

"We should get them into the Clinic." The former-marionette spoke up, looking up at Arganan and Frey. "You, too!"

It only took seconds to get Vishnal, Clorica and Frey into the Clinic, given that they were only a few feet away. Calista and Dr. Jones were quick to help with healing magic and medicines, and Nancy also was present to help. After about half-an-hour of fretting over them, however, it seemed that the trio would be fine; they just needed rest.

"I suggest you use some cold-resistant charms next time." Nancy gently suggested to Frey, while Arganan took a quick look at the medical bill Jones was charging Frey with (which was, to be honest, a lot of money and even more than his own airship debt). "I think it would certainly help you if you see that mammoth again."

"I thought we could break through this time." A sigh left Frey as she sat up in the hospital bed, shaking her head. "But thanks, Nancy. We'll keep that in mind."

Arganan looked towards Calista, who sighed. "I'm glad that you're safe, Frey. I think it's fair to say all of us were a little worried."

"Sorry." Frey looked up at them sheepishly. "I'll try to warn you next time if I leave for this."

"How many of those mammoths did you fight?" Pico asked, curious. "Was it just the one, or…?"

"Just one. But it was a pretty huge mammoth, too." A chuckle left her, before she continued. "It could send out waves of ice magic as defensive measures."

"Then we need fire." Arganan mused.

"If only we had Yurick here." Calista mused, before looking up at Frey. "Is anyone in this town great with fire magic?"

"Arthur is pretty adept at a lot of magic, fire included. But it was also the reason I brought Vishnal with me, because he also knows some minor amount." Frey noted. "Maybe we need fire-element weapons on top of the magic, too."

"That could help." Arganan noted. "As well as lots of healing in between."

"Hopefully I can make it work." Frey paused, before looking towards Clorica and Vishnal, frowning lightly. "I'm sorry I got both of you hurt."

"We're just glad you're safe, Frey." Clorica managed reassuringly.

Arganan offered her and Vishnal a smile, before looking towards Frey. "Next time, though…try to warn me if you're going to try to save Ventuswill or fight a mammoth? Just in case."

"Right." Frey could only chuckle a bit. "I'll remember to tell you next time."

Arganan could only hope Frey would keep her word and warn someone that she would be outside of town. Otherwise, who knows what could happen?

And in the meantime, he had a decision to make. To stay here in Selphia, or leave for Lazulis?

Author note: This chapter was fueled by the fact that I had an extremely hard time fighting the mammoth in Leon Karnak when playing Rune Factory 4. XD Did anyone else have a hard time with any of the bosses in the game? I'm curious.