The president, Arni, sat in his chair, with Boja standing beside him. The members of the Second Squad stood before him. He looked over all of their faces—between the bruises and wounds, you could see the anger coloring the faces of the Black Souls… and the exhaustion and pain on the faces of the others.
President Arni said, "I know what you're thinking… I wanted to speak to you about this officially, myself." Mika said sarcastically, "After ten days… Oh my goodness, why did you take precious time out of your schedule to speak to us criminals?" Arni stayed silent, so Seeta, looking tired, said, "Why did you say it was Black Souls who committed the crime?! Maybe you don't see, but I saw with the eyes that you granted to their pure White Souls…"
Sabana shouted, "Seeta! Is that how you speak to the head of this country in front of your commander?!" Seeta clenched her teeth in anger and said, "I'm not asking to be awarded a medal or anything… But… Most of the people of Bial are dead… She's… dead…" Her body trembled as she went on, "But… You're still staining their memory… Accusing them of this crime…" She looked at President Arni, "We couldn't even burn their bodies…"
Mika folded his arms, smirking, "Seeta… Look on the bright side—None of the White Souls died." President Arni remained silent. Boja stepped forward slightly, nearing Mika. He drew his weapon and said, "You still… You're still the same spoiled brats… What do you want? You want the president to throw a celebration for you? To honor your victories? Have you forgotten yourselves? Have you forgotten who you are? Who your forefathers were??"
Boja shouted, spittle flying onto Mika's face, "No matter what you do… No matter what you do, you will never atone for the sins of your ancestors… So—Do what you were left alive to do! Save humanity and keep your mouths shut!"
Mika, standing in front of him, said, "I didn't see you in the battle, Commander Boja… Were you off atoning for your ancestors' sins somewhere else?" Boja's face twisted in rage, and he raised his weapon. But President Arni shouted, "Boja! That's enough…"
Boja turned to see Arni standing up from his seat, before bowing in front of them, until his forehead hit the desk. Boja and everyone else froze in shock. Berko muttered, "Don't…" President Arni said, "I'm sorry… I apologize on behalf of Frata… I know very well the extent of your losses… I know what you suffered… And I know you saved all our lives…"
He continued, "But… This is one of those difficult decisions you have to make sometimes, as the leader of this country. If the people of Frata found out what really happened, they'd lose the sense of trust and safety they feel… If they can't trust white souls, They wouldn't be able to trust each other…
All of this is for Frata's safety—For the very thing you pour out your blood and souls to achieve."
Mika said, "So we're scapegoats, then… Fine—there's no use for us except for things like that…" Arni went on, "You have every right to say all this… You saved us… Therefore…" Suddenly Arni shouted, "I owe you my life! And Frata owes you everything!"
Seeta's eyes and those of the others glistened. They hadn't wanted this… They didn't want everyone to thank them… Silence fell in the office… President Arni was still bowing… No one said a word… At last, Berko spoke up, breaking the silence, "President Arni…" Rin glanced at Elir, then back at Berko as he continued, "I want to report something that happened on our last mission… We…"
He avoided Rin's gaze, which he felt burning into the back of his head, and said, "One of the Black Wings turned into a Light." Arni stayed where he was for a moment, then lifted his head, a terrifying look on his face. His eyes opened wide… His face went pale… In a strained voice as his head bent at an uncomfortable angle, he asked, "Which one?"
They all remained silent until Elir stepped forward, saying, "Me." Nier clenched his fist in worry. Everyone stared at Elir and at Arni… who kept looking at Elir, as though his mind had wandered… They all waited for Arni's reaction… Boja said uneasily, "President Arni…" Arni remained that way for a moment… Anxiety tore at Nier's heart…
Finally, Arni stood up and spoke after a long pause, "Can you control these powers?" Elir answered, "No." Arni said, "Let me rephrase that… Will you use these powers to protect Frata and humanity?"
Berko interrupted, yelling, "Hold on, President Arni! You're just going to let him walk around among us—among the people of Frata—when he's a Light?! What powers are you even talking about??" Arni calmly replied, "He fought alongside you. Don't you trust him by now?"
Berko shouted, "I'm sure humans trusted them two hundred years ago, too!!" Sol spoke up, "Forgive me, Mr. President, but I agree with Berko… That boy's behavior isn't trustworthy… And besides, We can't let another Light walk this earth!" Nier cried out in alarm, "Wait—!" Berko shouted at him, "Shut up, you scum! Don't speak without your commander's permission!" Nier glared at Berko angrily, his breath catching in his chest.
President Arni asked, "So what do you suggest?" Berko answered, "We kill him immediately!" Nier exclaimed, "What!!" Arni said, "And what if you face another battle like that one?" Berko, stunned, replied, "What… do you mean?" Arni explained, "You had a Light with you… And yet you lost someone… Heemi's body is covered with burns; she can't even stand… Noel and Ino as well… They're still in the clinic!"
Everyone looked perplexed. Arni continued, "All of you are standing here with your bodies only at about 50% strength because of your injuries… Arlo died… What will you do next time without a Light?" Berko shouted, "We'll do what the squads before us did!"
President Arni was silent a moment, then he said, "None of the squads before have faced what you're about to face." They all looked astonished. Mika asked, "What do you mean?" Arni muttered, "You need Elir now, more than ever…" Andra mumbled, "All because the boy grew pigeon wings?" Arni went on, "There is someone you all have to meet… As soon as you finish your recovery period…" They all glanced at each other in confusion and worry.
Berko asked nervously, "What do you mean…?" Arni fell silent for a moment, as though he'd just come to, and said, "You can leave now…" Berko called out, "Wait…" Arni abruptly replied, "Dismissed."
They all moved slowly to the door, except for Berko, who was still standing in place. As they were leaving, Arni called after Nier, "Nier, could you wait outside a bit?" Nier stopped, and Elir stopped behind him as well. Nier nodded, "Of course, Mr. President." Arni motioned for him to close the door, so Nier shut it. Berko remained standing there.
Arni, shuffling through some papers on his desk, said, "Yes, Berko? Do you need something?" Berko looked exhausted, utterly worn out, "Tell me, Father… What would you think if I left the army now…?" Arni was quiet for a moment, then said, "Nothing."
Berko's eyes widened, "What?" Arni said, "There's no way to feel disappointed if you never had any expectations in the first place, is there?" Berko's eyes brimmed with tears, "You had no expectations of me?" Arni answered coldly, "Yes. You're Niether special physically nor intellectually… You're just like any other person in this army… Any one of them could have been my son, and I wouldn't feel the difference."
Berko's tears fell, "I could have died in that battle… but you… you didn't even ask…" Arni slammed his hand on the desk, "What do you want, Berko?! A medal for not dying? Being alive doesn't make a person special—rather, sacrificing yourself in battle for others, or leading them, or being the reason for their victory… Do you understand now? You came back to me like anyone else in this army… And you want me to praise you and clap for that?"
Berko staggered as though he was about to faint. Arni gestured to Boja, who was leaning against a wall observing, "Boja, could you signal for Nier to come in?" Boja walked over to Berko and said, "Excuse me, Commander Berko…" Berko stepped aside, opened the door, and walked out without looking at Nier, who entered behind Boja.