Ep.46: The One Who Believed, Part 3

“You’re right… if we can find just one person to believe, someone whose word holds weight, then maybe…” Maka comments while thinking.

“Someone who’s word holds weight, yes.” A spark of independence shines from Ramsey’s eyes. “But maybe we don’t need an army,” he states.

I look at Ramsey, a little confused. “I don’t follow.”

Ramsey rises to sit on the floor and turns to face us. “We may be thinking about this situation the wrong way.” He holds up one finger, “First, that ash consumes everything it touches. So going in with an army wouldn’t be ideal.” He holds up another finger, “Second, the question still remains: who is the culprit behind all of this? When you look at it like this, we need to find someone we trust.” He holds up a third finger, “And the final thing is who? We need a mediator. Someone who believes in what we are saying, someone who has the knowledge of this land and could come up with strategies on what we need to do to save the Deep Jungle. I do have a person in mind…” he finishes, drawing his fingers into a fist.

Maka and I are on our toes, impressed with Ramsey’s intellect. “Oooohhh! That’s amazing! Who is it?!!” I prompt with excitement.

“I’m waiting,” Gwyn says while walking up, a little irritated. Not far behind him is his apprentice, Cinder. “I’m sure whatever lie you guys were brainstorming will be perfect.”

“Master, you shouldn’t tease your students like that. Cough.” Cinder interrupts while adjusting his glasses. Almost as tall as Gwyn, with a light beard coming in, his countenance tends to make him look rather gloomy. “And besides, I’m sure they have a lot on their mind. Cough.”

“I know, I know,” Gwyn responds before focusing his attention on me. “So, do you have something to say?”

“Nope, it’s nothing,” I reply, brushing him off.

“Wait, Fukai, he’s the person I’m talking about,” Ramsey says, pointing his thumb at Gwyn.

“Huh?” I also point a thumb at Gwyn, “You’re talking about this guy?!”

“‘This guy?’” Gwyn says, clearly irritated.

“Yeah.” Ramsey walks up to Gwyn. “There is something we have to tell you.”

“Hmmm… I think this is a good idea,” Maka concludes.

Anaea nods her head.

“Look, Professor Gwyn, there’s something that we need to tell you.” Ramsey pauses for a second. “When we…”

Gwyn stops Ramsey from speaking by raising his hand with his forefinger pointing up, while looking behind him. “I would love to hear what you have to say,” Gwyn smiles, “but not here.” His eyes fall on Ramsey. “You never know who may be lurking in the shadows.” He walks past Ramsey. “Come to my laboratory, we can talk privately there.”

The four of us follow Gwyn and Cinder to his laboratory. I glance behind me, wondering what Gwyn was looking at. “Hmmm… was it my imagination?” I wonder, then decide to not worry. There are more important things to focus on.