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Everyone assumed the topic of today's meeting would be about the alliance with the Kronos Union, but what came out of Agnes's mouth was entirely different.
Carl Marcus.
The older brother of Lania Marcus—one of the core members of the Kronos Union—and despite being an outsider, a man who was steadily building considerable influence within Ark.
The subject of this Rose Cross Knight Order meeting was precisely him.
"Carl Marcus is an outsider, yet he's accomplished much in Ark in a short time. From the Red Line and Orange Line where he was active, to now the frontline Rose Line—it's rare to find anyone who doesn't know his name."
An outsider who one day arrived at Ark.
In truth, just up to this point, there wasn't anything particularly extraordinary.
After all human cities outside of Ark were destroyed, refugees continued to flow in, and outsiders weren't exactly rare in Ark.
Even the refugees who had arrived with Carl Marcus were growing into excellent soldiers, but compared to other Ark soldiers, none stood out quite like Carl Marcus.
At the very least, his uniqueness wasn't due to his origin or the fact that he was an outsider.
"Of course, Carl Marcus has acted in Ark's interest so far. It's undeniable that most of his actions have greatly benefited Ark."
"Then what's the problem?"
At the question from a member who usually held favorable views of Carl Marcus, Agnes nodded.
"You're right. There's no problem. At least not yet."
Now came the part Agnes truly intended to address.
"Carl Marcus is an outsider. He's also the brother of Lania Marcus, a key executive of the Kronos Union."
"Are you saying Carl Marcus is suspicious because he's an outsider?"
"In a way… yes. I don't want to judge someone solely by their origins, but Carl Marcus has gained too much in his hands to dismiss it as mere coincidence. If he were to wield what he holds carelessly, it's entirely possible that Ark could be harmed."
She used the word "harmed," but everyone present knew that if Carl Marcus ever did harbor different intentions, it wouldn't just end there.
From the general level of supplies he obtained through the quartermasters of the Red and Rose Lines, it was evident just how active he'd been on the battlefield.
Even among the famed soldiers of Ark's frontmost Rose Line, it was hard to believe anyone could achieve the same level of accomplishments as Carl Marcus.
"Carl Marcus isn't just Lania Marcus's brother—he also has deep ties to the Tripathi family. And there are even reports he had contact several times with the Young Lady of the White Line."
"...The Young Lady?"
To most people in Ark, the "Young Lady" was regarded as a noble princess of the White Line—but not to the Rose Cross Knight Order.
Contrary to the publicly known noble demeanor and image, peel back the surface and the Young Lady was highly suspicious.
No one could say for sure what exactly she was scheming, but for someone simply labeled as having wanderlust, she went missing far too often.
Considering her background and the fact that she was a very powerful Ether Adept, this couldn't be ignored.
"The Tripathi family and the Young Lady… That's not something we can just brush off as a mere bridge between us and the Kronos Union."
In fact, the Rose Cross Knight Order had tried several times to investigate the White Line's Young Lady.
But every attempt ended in failure.
So naturally, when her name came up, their wariness spiked.
"That's right. Carl Marcus now wields too much influence in Ark. The Kronos Union played a large role in this war, and as the one who secured that alliance, Carl Marcus's influence will only grow stronger."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the Ark–Kronos Union alliance was practically led by Carl Marcus.
Add Lania Marcus's presence to that, and now Carl Marcus had become a figure in Ark who couldn't be touched carelessly.
If someone recklessly challenged Carl Marcus, it could easily escalate into a diplomatic issue between Ark and the Kronos Union.
"Agnes, but all of Carl Marcus's actions up to this point have been undeniably in Ark's interest. Even the trade route he helped establish was no different."
That was true.
Although it wasn't yet operational due to the Wave, word had already spread that Carl Marcus had spearheaded the creation of a major trade route between the Sandstorm Caravan and the Kronos Union.
Thanks to the support of the Sandstorm Caravan during this recent Wave, Ark had received enormous aid.
"Exactly. If Carl Marcus hadn't led that trade route, Ark's damage from this Wave would've been far worse."
"That's correct."
Several members voiced agreement.
The Rose Cross Knight Order had gathered under the banner of protecting Ark.
Naturally, they couldn't help but be favorable toward Carl Marcus, who had worked so much for Ark.
"I understand that very well. But betrayal is most lethal when it comes from someone who should never betray."
If the trade route were to become fully operational, Carl Marcus's name and influence would undoubtedly skyrocket even further.
If the Knight Order had to act, now was the time.
"The important thing is Carl Marcus's true intentions."
"Indeed. That's what we must determine. Is Carl Marcus our enemy, or is he our ally?"
Agnes continued.
"If Carl Marcus is sincerely someone who supports Ark without any ulterior motives, then there's no need to restrain him. His goals align with our Knight Order's goals."
Calmly, clearly.
"But if we detect even the slightest trace of anything suspicious from Carl Marcus... then we must stop him, even if it means betting the fate of the Knight Order."
The strength of the Rose Cross Knight Order was certainly enough to exert influence across all lines.
But when the opponent was someone as powerful as Carl Marcus, political maneuvers alone wouldn't be enough.
If they truly had to eliminate him, they'd have to stake the entire Order.
"Hmm."
One of the members murmured, in a voice tinged with fatigue.
"This won't be an easy battle. Personally, I'd prefer the easier path."
The easier path.
That meant simply trusting Carl Marcus and watching over him.
Given the information available so far, that did seem like the more reasonable choice.
"Would that really be the right call?"
"Still, wouldn't it be better to proceed cautiously?"
"Hmm…"
"I don't know."
But humans, by nature, tend to be wary of the easy option.
Precisely because it's easy, they instinctively suspect it may hide some trap.
"Alex."
Agnes called for Staff Sergeant Alex Hope, the Rose-15 Gate officer and one of the few who had met Carl Marcus personally.
"Yes."
"What was your impression of Carl Marcus?"
"...A man of few words."
Taciturn.
Far too little to understand someone by.
"But... at the very least, I didn't get the sense that the people from the Kronos Union were hiding any sinister intentions."
So, instead of speaking about Carl Marcus whom he didn't fully understand, Alex Hope shared what he had seen.
"Is that so? What were they like, the people of the Kronos Union?"
"Maybe because they lived outside Ark, they were a bit rough—but at least they didn't seem like the type to scheme behind our backs. They were also extremely brave and strong."
"Hoh..."
The Knight Order members who knew Alex Hope's usual demeanor were a little surprised by his words.
"If Alex is saying that, then... it seems the Kronos Union really is sincere about this alliance with Ark."
"This alliance is a great deal for the Kronos Union too. Ark has provided no small amount of support up to now."
The members shared their various opinions.
After some time spent discussing the Kronos Union, Agnes, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up again.
"Then, we must still consider how to handle Carl Marcus."
"But at the moment, we have too little information. Wouldn't it be better to withhold judgment for now? If we provoke him unnecessarily, we might end up with unintended consequences."
That was a valid point.
Carl Marcus had always acted for Ark's sake, and if the Knight Order were to move against him without understanding his true intent—even if he was genuinely loyal to Ark—it might change his actions.
In fact, the Order's interference might warp his intentions entirely.
"Come to think of it, I heard the new recruit has some history with Carl Marcus… Is that true?"
As Agnes turned to the new recruit, so did everyone else's gaze.
"Yes, that's correct."
"What kind of person is Carl Marcus?"
Many members of the Rose Cross Knight Order were survivors from the old Black Line.
The very reason this Order was formed was to ensure no one else would suffer the despair they once endured in the Black Line.
That was also true of Second Lieutenant Imosha, Red-17 Gate officer, a new recruit from the Red Line and a Black Line survivor.
"He's a quiet man."
"We've heard that. Anything more specific?"
Imosha's gaze drifted off to a distant place.
As if recalling old memories.
"I don't know if Carl Marcus is an enemy of Ark or not. But… I do know one thing."
"And what's that?"
"Carl Marcus is a man of integrity."
That was the judgment of Imosha, who had observed Carl Marcus over a not-so-short time.
Simply put—integrity.
Not that Carl Marcus was flawless or morally superior, but that all his actions had been consistent.
"Hmm… Looks like the rookie holds a pretty high opinion of Carl Marcus. One might think you're in love with him."
"What? I…"
"Just kidding."
Agnes gave a teasing smile.
"Looks like we've reached a conclusion."
The members of the Rose Cross Knight Order nodded in agreement.
Truthfully, the conclusion of this meeting had already been determined.
Imosha's words simply solidified that conclusion—but they carried real weight.
"All judgments regarding Carl Marcus will be put on hold. For the time being, the Order will simply observe everything he does."
But Agnes didn't stop there.
"And if it turns out to benefit Ark, we will offer full support to Carl Marcus, indefinitely."
At those words, the members flinched.
Observation was a natural outcome they could understand, but support?
"Agnes, even so, isn't that going a bit far…?"
"Don't worry. As I said, only for things that benefit Ark. And for that, one of you will need to step up personally."
Though Agnes spoke calmly, everyone's gaze had already shifted to a single person.
Naturally, the one who met her criteria best was someone familiar with Carl Marcus.
"The perfect candidate."
"Mhm, indeed."
Imosha, now the center of attention, could only look bewildered.
"What the…?"
"Looks like that decision's made too."
Agnes smiled warmly as she looked at Imosha.