"What do you mean they can't take him in? How is that even possible?"
"Apparently, it is. It seems this situation is rooted much deeper than we initially thought."
The members of the Special Selection Unit, Astral, were currently facing an unexpected hurdle regarding the boy they had rescued.
Lydia insisted that a country refusing to take a survivor into protective custody was unheard of, yet that was the cold reality being conveyed by the local authorities.
"Supposedly, the village where the boy lived was a... unique environment," Abby explained.
"Unique how?"
Since the other members were away on separate assignments, Lydia was listening to Abby’s report inside the garrison base provided by the host nation.
A week had passed since the boy’s rescue. During that time, the unit had been assisting with the cleanup and processing of the conflict’s aftermath.
"Yes. It was technically within this small country’s borders, but it had functioned as an independent village since its founding. Its affiliation with this nation was nothing more than a formality."
"Even so, that shouldn't matter. Is there really a country out there that would just abandon its own citizens?"
"...The 'Cursed Village.'"
Abby muttered the name under her breath.
"A cursed village?"
"Yeah. Rumor has it they performed rituals to summon a god or some such thing."
"A god, huh? I didn’t think anyone still talked like that in this day and age."
"We can't dismiss it entirely. Ritualistic practices have existed since ancient times. Even the Kingdom has its own history with them."
"I know, but we’re living in an era where magic itself is being unraveled by Code Theory. Who would still be talking about the existence of gods at this late stage?"
It was a blunt, honest assessment.
As Lydia said, the world had undergone a technological revolution through the systematization of Code Theory. Phenomena once hailed as the "works of God" had been logically dissected and explained.
While there were still those who held onto religious faith, their numbers had dwindled significantly in the modern era. Moreover, Lydia had never heard of a secluded village still practicing traditional rituals in secret.
"We likely feel that way because we’re from a Magical Powerhouse. But the reality is that such a village existed right here."
"Does that mean this conflict was related to those rituals?"
"Most likely. I want you to take a look at these files."
Abby, who had already received the materials from Henrick, passed them over to Lydia.
"...Guerrillas attacked to seize a 'village treasure.' However, in the end, both sides were wiped out... is that the gist of it?"
"The treasure. We still don't know what it actually was. As for the guerrillas, we’ve confirmed the bodies, but we can't identify their origin. They were too badly mutilated. Furthermore, regarding the boy—it doesn’t seem like he was at the village when it happened."
"Wait, what? What does that mean?"
"The fighting broke out two weeks ago. That means he was wandering on his own for about a week. We’ve concluded that it was pure coincidence that he ended up at that location."
Lydia fell into thought. She had only noticed the boy's presence because she had sensed a leak of Prima Materia.
However, after speaking with the others later, she found that no one else had been able to perceive it.
Was he special, or was it her?
Either way, Lydia felt certain there was something significant about that boy.
"So, what’s the plan for him now?"
"The paperwork to take him into our custody has already been processed. It seems he was quite literally unwanted over here. We’re in the middle of arranging a spot for him in a Kingdom orphanage, but given the current state of affairs, it’ll be difficult to transport him back immediately."
"I figured as much. So, we're looking after him for the time being?"
"That's the plan. Fortunately, the local conflicts are dying down. Besides, Carol and the Major aren't on the front lines, so they’ve offered to watch over him."
Lydia breathed a small sigh of relief. As these magic-fueled conflicts spread, she had been forced to witness many lives she couldn't save.
She was genuinely glad there was a life she had been able to rescue. It felt good to know she could still protect someone.
Yet, a lingering sense of unease refused to leave her heart.
"All right. Let's go see how the kid is doing."
"I should have mentioned this sooner, but I heard he regained consciousness."
"What?! You definitely should have mentioned that sooner!"
Lydia barked a light reprimand, but her voice trailed off when she noticed the shadow over Abby’s face.
"Did something happen...?" Lydia asked, her tone shifting to one of serious concern.
"The boy must have seen something horrific. You saw that battlefield, didn't you? He was out there alone for two weeks. It's no wonder his heart is closed off."
"...I see. Well, I'm going to go check on him anyway."
Lydia left the room and headed toward the boy’s quarters. It wasn't a long walk—just a room within the same base.
When she arrived, Carol was already there, trying to talk to him.
"Um... do you know what your name is?"
"..."
"Do you know how old you are?"
"..."
The boy was sitting up in bed, staring blankly ahead. His eyes were open and he was breathing normally; his physical condition appeared stable.
Carol spoke in a gentle, slow voice. She had lowered herself to his eye level, patiently trying to bridge the gap between them.
"—Carol."
"Lydia-chan."
Carol turned around, revealing slight dark circles under her eyes. She had been so busy lately that sleep was a luxury she couldn't afford, and she was clearly reaching her physical and mental limits. Even so, she remained by his side, determined to reach him.
She was a person of deeper compassion than anyone else Lydia knew.
"How is he?"
"Physically, he's stable."
"And...?"
"Yeah. It’s not just me. He hasn’t responded to anyone’s voice at all."
Lydia stepped closer.
The boy looked heartbreakingly small. His eyes seemed to reflect nothing but a profound darkness. There was no vitality in his frame; he simply stared into the void.
"Hey, what’s your name?" Lydia asked.
She already expected there to be no response. As several seconds passed in silence, she confirmed her fears.
"Doesn't look like it's going to work."
"Yeah... but I'm going to look after him properly. To be abandoned by your own country... it’s just too cruel."
Carol’s voice wavered, her eyes brimming with tears. She was clearly moved by the boy's tragic circumstances.
"There's nothing more I can do for now. Carol, I'll leave him to you."
"Okay. See you later, Lydia-chan."
Just as Lydia turned to leave, she felt a tug on her military jacket from behind. At first, she thought it was Carol, but that didn't make sense. If Carol wanted her to stay, she would have just said so.
If not Carol, then who had stopped her...? It was—
"...Ray."
The tiny voice reached both of their ears. Lydia immediately knelt back down to meet the boy’s gaze.
"Is your name Ray?"
"...Yes."
His expression was still vacant, and his eyes were still clouded with shadows. But for some reason, he had answered Lydia.
"Do you know how old you are?"
"...Five."
"I see. Thank you."
Lydia pulled him into a gentle hug. Perhaps exhausted by the brief interaction, the boy soon drifted back into sleep.
"...His name is Ray. And he's five years old."
"I wonder if he remembered you, Lydia-chan?"
"From when I saved him?"
"Yeah. I think that might be why he answered you."
Lydia didn't have a definitive answer, but she felt that Carol might be right.
Regardless, they now had a name and an age. That alone was a massive step forward.
"Maybe so. Anyway, let’s go report this. He’s going to be with our unit for a while, right? We’ll need to get everything ready."
"Right!"
It seemed it would still be a long time before Ray truly opened his heart.