Inside the meeting room, Arthur sat across from Erica.
Luna rested on Erica's shoulder with her tiny arms folded in annoyance. Yuna stood nearby with a calm, watchful expression, while Elizabeth leaned back with her usual unreadable grace, her crimson eyes fixed on Arthur.
The atmosphere was tense, but not hostile.
Arthur had finally agreed to explain what had happened during the days he had disappeared.
He spoke carefully.
Not everything was true.
Not everything was a lie.
He revealed just enough truth to make his story believable while hiding the parts he didn't want them to know. He told them that Sakura had died at the hands of the Demon Lord Astarte, and that the only reason he had survived was because he had made a contract with her. He also explained that his task had been to kill an enemy dragon, return the Dragon Queen's child to her, and avoid causing any unnecessary trouble.
He didn't bother telling them about the greater dangers or the things he had witnessed.
