Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 28: Thinking, the result of thought and thought (Part 01)

Note: This story is not suitable for children under 18 years old. This story does not intend to gossip or denigrate any group, race, religion, or party. The author has no ill intent in making it.

It has been half a month since the incident that occurred in the coastal City port area. The snow is still falling though it is no longer as heavy as it has been in recent days. In his private room, Odo seems busy taking care of some of the documents he needs to build a company office and his license.

Because of the prohibition from Mavis not to go first to the Coastal City after what happened before, the black-haired child could only rely on Shieal to take care of his license papers with the Government Headquarters in the Coastal City. While he himself just sat in the room, taking care of the letters brought by his servants after the management of the conditions was completed.

Mavis already knew what kind of plan the boy wanted to do in the Coastal City of Fiola and Julia. After what happened in the port area it would be very natural to forbid his own son to come to a place that not long ago almost killed him. But strangely Odo is still allowed to make a company in the place, even though he is not allowed to come directly to the place.

Sitting at the table, Odo rechecked whatever needs were needed. Some tables in parchment paper he ticked as a sign of the fulfillment of the items needed. In some of the things recorded in the paper, special tables for building materials have not been checked.

“Because it is still winter, building materials such as wood, brick, or limestone cement stock in the city is really very limited. We have to wait until spring, yes. If the new spring is looking for materials, surely the construction is late ...”

Putting the parchment on the table, Odo sighed again. He picked up another paper, then examined it and found something that made his heart grow grim. This paper contains reports from Gariadin and Imania that in the past week examined the condition of the city after the incident.

In the report, there were losses from damaged storage warehouses that turned out to contain food supplies to deal with the winter that would still last about two months. Not only that made Odo sigh, something like a report about the strengthening of the potential spread of understanding spread by the people of Moloia also became a strong threat that could interfere with his plan.

“Hmm, it feels troublesome once .... Why is there something like this? Do they not understand? Though there has been such an incident—Wait, is it because the incident that this kind of movement is getting stronger? Haaah ..., if you know like this, I better restrain myself and catch one of the Moloias to be an example.”

Odo placed the parchment paper onto the table, then stacked all the paper and tied it with a fiber rope. A little lazy face, he felt like he was constrained because of his mother's own prohibition to go to the city where Baron Mylta was in power. Such a ban is natural to come out of a mother who is anxious for her child, but for Odo it is the same as putting a chain on the neck and making it tight.

“Ah, bored. All plans if not implemented it is only an agenda .... It is a great relief that Mother does not prohibit or question how I got the connection and funds to build such a business, but ..”.

The boy got up from the seat, walked to the door and was about to get out. When he opened the door of the room, the first thing he saw was Fiola who stood obediently guarding Odo not to just walk away from the Mansion. He had been guarded like that for the past week, more precisely after Mavis saw the black box brought by Odo.

“Mbak Fiola ..., when to stand like that? Hasn't Miss Fiola been tired here all day? It's ... it's noon, loh.” Odo stared in annoyance, feeling like he was locked up because of Fiola's whereabouts. Actually he had tried several times to sneak out, but it was useless because the supervision of Huli Jing was stricter than Julia.

Slowly opening her eyes gracefully, the kimono-clothed fox girl said, “Take it easy, I've been used to standing for hours. You don't need to worry ...”

“That's not what I mean! Why should I be kept like this? Is that as cool as Mother about firearms? Though the time I fight monsters is not too much problem, but why seka—”

“Mistress Mavis doesn't mind that,” cut Fiola firmly.

“Keep what?”

“After you show the box, the letter from the Capital comes,” Fiola said as he walked closer to the window and leaned lightly with a slightly grim face.

“Letter? Not that Linkaron and Brother Xua Lin said a little late to the Capital because of Drake's condition, why the letter from the capital datan—”

His words stopped, Odo realized that the letter had nothing to do with the matter of the incident at the port or the attack on the kingdom of Moloia. Slightly squinting and staring intently, he asked, “The letter ... What's it, Ms Fiola?”

“Haaah, in fact I was ordered by the Madam not to tell you this, but if this keeps Young Master will definitely run away, ‘kan? The secret letter was written by Mr. Dart himself before Linkaron and Xua Lin arrived .., its contents ... about the notification of the candidate of the future king of the Kingdom of Felixia.”.

“Hmm, so it has been determined the fiancee of the Princess of our kingdom, yes. Fortunately, so the feud of nobles might have been avoided. Well, in this kingdom the system is Matrilineal anyway, so rather runyam when the position of Queen is empty and the candidate does not have a prospective partner before occupying the throne.”

Odo smiled slightly in relief as one of the potential obstacles of his plan was lost with the notice. But upon seeing Fiola's expression, the relief began to piqu and a sense of unease invaded his mind.

“A ..., why is it so moody? Is Mama not happy? Noble disputes can be suppressed, loh. Mommy would also be happy with that ..”

Fiola turned his gaze to hear Odo's words. Slightly glancing sharply, the nine-tailed fox woman said, “The candidate is you ...”

“A ...!!” Odo's mouth was wide open when he heard that, he really did not expect that. All the arrangements he had made seemed to be destroyed like a sand palace in the waves.

Covering his face with both hands, the black-haired boy crouched down with his face that started to pale. He was completely shaken by this, without realizing that his future had been decided without his consent.

Opening his face and looking at Fiola with a lazy look, he asked, “Wait? Why me? Not many other candidates? For example, the children of the Rein Family, not all of them? If you want to find a candidate for the King, is not there more appropriate? They're notoriously clever, loh! Seriously? This isn't a joke Fiola?”

Fiola gave a small smile looking at Odo's troubled face. Tidying up his kimono and squatting in front of the boy, he said, “Young Master, have you forgotten what you've been doing lately?”

“Hmm, fight the Black Dragon and expedition?”

“Terus ...?”

“Keep what?”

“When Mr Rein and the officials once came to the Mansion, what did you tell them?”

“A ..”

Odo only realized that he was talking too much unnecessary things at that time. Indeed, from what is said by children who have not even turned ten years old, it is indeed too excessive and abnormal to say about the system of local autonomy government that is used temporarily to overcome the crisis.

“In a letter written by Mr. Dart, he said that initially they wanted to make one of the children of the Rein Family as a couple Princess Arteria. But because of the advice of some important officials, they decided to vote for you. They say it is better to choose a King who has both Brain and Power.”

Odo was truly sorry upon hearing that explanation. He laid his body on the floor and curled up like a ball, completely frustrated to tears. Actually he is not too concerned about the engagement because he himself realized born in a noble family must be ready about arranged marriage, but what makes him frustrated is that the decision can be ascertained almost partially failed plans.

“Congratulations, Mr. Odo .... With this you enter into the disputes of the nobles at an early age. So don't do anything stupid and put your life at risk, yeah. If something happens, this Kingdom can move,” said Fiola while smiling widely.

“Memidir?” ask Odo annoyed.

Fiola only smiled, then stood up and began puffing out his lush chest proudly. “Come, wake. The King's candidates can't sleep on the floor! Uh! Get up, Mr Odo!” he said as he tried to lift Odo's body and make him stand. The boy instead relaxed his body and had absolutely no intention of standing with his feet.

Plaque!! Odo's ass hit Fiola hard to make the boy jerk. Odo stood up trembling. Stepping away while holding the buttocks in pain, the eyes of the black-haired child who always looked calm added to the glass.

“.... Sorry, Mr. Odo. My release ...”

Staring darkly at Fiola as if the fox girl was a pest, Odo immediately stepped backwards until his back touched the door frame. Without saying anything, he immediately entered the room and slammed the door. The sound of a key playing rang out and it actually made the distance between the two of them further and further.

“Ah ..., I do not fit in with children.”

««»»

In the Dart workspace Mavis now uses, the woman sits at a table with documents on the expedition's calculations and allocation directions to pay debts to each region. All his calculations and affairs had been completed, but the letter on his desk made the blond woman feel uneasy.

For what her husband conveyed in the letter, it is very certain that their son will enter into the dispute of the nobles for being the strongest candidate for the prospective fiancee for the Princess. Most noble families would feel very grateful if their son could become a King later with it, but Mavis did not expect that at all.

As a mother, she wanted to give Odo the freedom to choose his future. She often confines her own child and forbids him in some ways, but Mavis never determines the future of her own child or forces him to take the path of life.

The real disclosure of that was Mavis' decision not to ban Odo again when the boy would do something, as long as it did not harm him and was still under surveillance. Whether Odo wants to become a businessman or a merchant before inheriting Luke's territory, Mavis will not force him to become anything beyond his will.

Mavis is aware and understands how much pain a life is determined by others, it reminds her of the original reason she was created in the world for a certain purpose only. The woman took a letter on the table and squeezed it straight away, then put it in the drawer.

The sound of the door being knocked on was heard, filling the quiet room with a slight crassness. Mavis raised her face and said, “Sign in ...”

Julia opened the door and entered while carrying a tray with a cup of herbal tea and a ceramic pot on it. The servant-uniformed cat girl walked up to Mavis, then served a cup of herbal tea to the table.

“Thank you ...” Mavis immediately drank the tea although it was still a little hot. It felt strange to Julia because usually her employer was inclined to wait for the tea to cool a little before drinking.

“What's up, Madam? Why do you look so moody? Is it because of the letter that came that time?”

Mavis finished her tea, then put the cup on the table. Staring at one of the servants of trust in Luke's residence, he said, “Ya. You don't tell Odo about this, yeah. If he knows, I don't know what he'll do next.”

“Ah ..” Julia's mouth opened slightly, turning away doubtfully.

“What's up?”

“Looks ... Fiola has already told her .... Last ... she told me so before I came here.”

“Eh?! Though deliberately replaced temporarily so that Odo is not aware, but instead .... Continue the reaction Odo?”

“Kata Fiola ..., she cogged.”

“Hah? Why? The kid?”

“Yes, his face glazed and stared as if Fiola was a pest, then entered the room. I don't know the rest ...”

Mavis as a mother could not understand the attitude of her child, she could only sigh and hold her forehead in confusion. Considering Odo's later often pushy attitude when he wanted to do something, Mavis thought that his son would definitely do and ask for something in a similar way to him when the news of the engagement verdict reached his ears.

“Why is he sulking ...? Confusing ...”

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.

.

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Before the day changed and the night had come, Odo did not come out of his room and remained confined. Fiola just stood in front of the room for half a day without daring to call his Young Master, full of anxiety and confused what to do.

Odo himself in the room just laid himself on the bed and re-created the plan in his spaciousness. He predicted what could happen later when he became the fiancee of the Princess and was involved with the disputes of the nobles. From the thought he did, it is certain that Odo had given up and resigned to the problem of him being the strongest candidate of the prospective companion Princess Arteria.

“Hmm, in hindsight the fiancee of the Princess was not too bad either. I can use the authority I can get later, with that .... Wait, then the movement will be limited. The proof is that I was also banned from going out for a while like this ...”

Sitting on the bed, the child re-thought things out and sought a breakthrough to the situation. Thinking, digesting information, and speculating, he thought of various things to find a middle path to the situation.

“What to use that way, yes .... But ... To be honest I don't know the personality of the Princess, if she's a haughty person can be serious. After all, I also know nothing about Princess Arteria other than the news that she made had made a contract with the Great Sword Spirit ..”

Suddenly the door was knocked as he was busy thinking. For a moment Odo thought it was Fiola, but when he heard his mother calling, “My son ...! Can you come out for a minute? Mommy wants to talk,” Odo gets off the bed immediately and walks towards the door to open it.

“Ya ..., what is it?” he said while opening the door. Seeing that there were also Julia, Gariadin and Imania, Odo's eyebrows shot up. “What's up, Mommy? Why everything ...”

“Mother wants to talk for a while ..., this is serious talk ... about the verdict made by important officials of the Kingdom.”

Odo immediately understood what his mother was trying to talk about. Putting on a calm face, the boy smiled as he replied, “Yes! Of course, I also want to talk about that with Mommy.”

They all moved into Dart's workspace. Right inside the room, Mavis and Odo sat face to face on the sofa, while Shieal stood behind Mavis to listen to the conversation. The momentary atmosphere felt a little quiet, the crystal lights in the room seemed to add to the atmosphere of silence with a very low-frequency swish sound that was heard because of the sun in the room.

Starting the conversation, Odo bluntly asked, “Bunda ..., is that true about me who is said to be the prospective partner of Princess Arteria?”

“Iya .., that's right my son,” he replied with a slight hesitation. “From the letter delivered by your father from the Capital, the meeting results of the elders and officials there decided you to be the main candidate fiancee Princess Arteria. Although it sounds rushed considering not long ago the Queen has just gone home, but it is true that is the result of the existing decision.”

Mavis placed the envelope with the wax seal already open onto the table. Looking back at Odo, he said, “The letter was brought by one of the knights assigned by your father.”

A little unsatisfied face, for a moment Odo squinted and showed reluctant to touch the tangled letter. But after a light sigh, he took the letter in the envelope and began to read it. In it there is a clear statement that the name Odo Luke is listed as the main candidate for the mount candidate from Princess Arteria.

Putting the letter back on the table, the black-haired boy lowered his head with a hint of relief from the look on his face. “With this the issue of the dispute of the nobles will definitely be finished, yes. Mommy .., this is good news,” said Odo with a big smile.

Seeing that Mavis and the Shieal behind her looked puzzled. They did not understand Odo's thoughts, could not understand why the child could smile like that given his very unflinching nature.

Slightly upholding the sitting position, Odo put on a face without burden. He smiled slightly and said, “Of course not, why am I angry, Mother? Mother has told me this, not to hide and say it directly like this. There is no reason to be angry. I was born into a famous noble family, something like an engagement was ready for me to face. Well, although a little regret there is also because you can not choose a life partner later when you are older, sih.”

Pride at the mature nature of his son makes Mavis feel happy, but in his mind he also feels like a bad parent because it limits the future freedom of his own son. He felt like he was doing the thing he disliked the most to his own son.

“Do you really have no problem with this, my son? Are you not burdened?”

“Bunda ..., of course I am burdened. But ... if this is canceled, there can be disputes like before the inauguration of the Queen and the King before, right? After all, this is a golden opportunity to improve the reputation of the Luke Family that has deteriorated for a decade

“But ...” Mavis got up from the seat and smacked her palms against the table, as if she herself disagreed with the thought.

“What are you against this?” ask Odo.

“If you do not mind it, Mother also object. But if you become the fiancee of the Princess and eventually marry her, it also means that you will become the King in this Kingdom of Felixia .... The path of a king is not smooth, full of thorns and pains ..”.

Odo did not understand what the path of a King meant as hard as what it was, but in the boy's head he only saw the position of the King he would get as a stepping stone. What the boy went to was more than just a country leader, for him it was all just media and tools. Be it engagement and so on, it was all just a method component to him.

“Tjal, yes .... If it can be avoided, I want to. They have already thrown this burden on me .., maybe even since the first reborn on this occasion,” Odo's mind while smiling wryly as if to underestimate the words of his mother. He did not really underestimate the saying, but just felt that it was too late to warn him.

“My son ..., Mother talk seriously ...”

“Ah, sorry, Mother. Not that I didn't heed Mother's words, but .. only I already knew that. I don't know why ... since birth, I have been burdened with these things. It's like fate.”

An insincere expression was clearly visible on Mavis's countenance upon hearing that. He understood what Odo meant, he understood it. The birth of her child was a great selfishness of the blonde woman, a wish from a woman who is envious of what is around her and cannot be grateful for what she has gained from her sister's sacrifice.

“Destiny, yes .... My beloved son, if you may know can you tell Mother what kind of destiny is it?”

Odo slightly tilted his head, then casually said, “Ah, sorry. That's not destiny, anyway. Just like the choice given to me.”

“Optional?”

“Yes, the option to change or be changed, move or settle, future or present. The millions of choices given to me, charged to me from birth. What shapes me now is the result of those choices. There is no destiny, only a choice...”

“You mean the situation that exists now is the result of your choice?”

“Not really, this is not just a pilahan. It's everyone's choice .... If the world wants to be destroyed, it will be destroyed. If the world wants peace, make peace. If the world wants prosperity, then prosper. The desire of the world is the desire of its inhabitants, it is the same as the kingdom. If indeed this kingdom wants that, I just follow it and choose what suits me.”

“Then like that it makes no difference to the restraint.”

“Indeed, basically that creature no one is free really. Every living being cannot choose the sex at birth, cannot choose where and from what family they are born. There are also those born within physical or mental limitations ..., but ... there is one freedom that every living being must have and that is absolute.”

“One freedom ...?” asked Mavis curiously, the Shieal behind him seemed to be absorbed in every word that the child threw.

“Every living thing is free to strive. I don't know what the result is, they have the right to try ...”

Mavis gave a small smile hearing that, she did not expect to be patronized like that by her own son. Buffing his head with his right hand, he said, “You're already very mature, yes. Though not even as young as a year .., indeed you are indeed very unique, my Son.”

“Hmm, if the matter is over, may I ask for something, Mother?”

“Eh?! Though just been praised has started, what do you want to do again?” mavis said with a little anxiety. Stop supporting the head, the blonde woman sat leaning against the sofa, then said, “As you know, now you are the future fiancee of the Princess. If anything happens, especially with the neighboring country, it is enough to load this Kingdom to war ..”.

“I understand .... Take it easy, this is not about such problems, kok.” Odo slightly grinned excitedly, his eyes looking very lively and full of energy instantly.

“Hmmm, so what? From your expression, My son ..., it seems like it's not a good thing ..”

“Do you know about the spread of understanding left by the Moloians in the Coastal City?”

“Ah, the matter is also in his report Imania,” Mavis said as she looked at the gray-haired girl standing behind her seat. The girl in uniform just nodded, and the dark red-haired man next to her replied, “Yes, Madame Mavis. Some residents in the city of Mylta think that the government system should be replaced. They are so silly and stupid, indeed thanks to whom they can eat and have the shade from the rain.”

“Tuh, what are you with, my son. They, in the population are indeed such people. Neighboring pages do look always greener, they do not try to make their own pages greener and just feel envious,” said Mavis with a gaze hoping Odo stopped his intentions.

“It's true, but as a leader instead the Luke Family can control such a thing. Hmm, how about as proof of my speed in leading, Mother gives me a chance to solve this problem?”

“Not that you just want to go to that Coastal City? Is there a kid you're appraising there? Said you also often come to one of the branches of Inkara Orphanage?”

Odo looked directly at Julia and Fiola who were standing behind Mavis, they both turned their faces in the opposite direction and did not respond to the child's annoyance. Slightly taking a deep breath, Odo firmly said, “It's not like that Mother, I just want to take care of my friends. Mother knows ..., for my age child ..., I have no peers other than them ...”

“Friends, yes ...” Mavis's face looked grim, looking at Odo he said, “Hmm, I think that's important too. But ... If you may give advice, I don't think it will last long.”

“Why?”

“Casta differences make friends relationship quickly turn into subordinates and employers. That's a fact, it can't be challenged. If you want to find a loyal friend, look for one from the nobility. Mother is not discriminating, but that is the unwritten rule in the society of the Kingdom of Felixia.”

Odo understood that, without being told, he understood. He will never be friends with the children at the Inkara Orphanage, even when they first come they do not consider it that way. In the perception of the people in the place, Odo is a figure who gives as bright a future light to the condition of the orphanage that is experiencing a crisis.

“Mother, can I go directly to the topic?” asked Odo by ignoring the advice of his mother.

“Hmm, sure. What is it, my son?”

“Can I borrow your reputation?”

“Reputation as a Light Witch?”

“Not, but Mother's reputation as a Saint. The Royal Religion of Felixia calls mother like that ‘kan?”

Mavis's eyes were slightly wide open, she was surprised her son to find out that too. Buffing the head with the right hand, the woman said, “Saint, yes .... Honestly, it's only those who like to call Mother like that because they have done some things first. Mother never felt like a Saint ..”

“It doesn't matter, all I borrow is reputation. Mother does not need to come or do something, just lend it as a sign that Mother is really considered a Saint by them.”.

“Tanda, yes .... Mothers feel there, they used to give a kind of Rosary as without respect ..... But, what is the reputation of Mother as a Saint?”

“Overview from the outside with the trust of this Kingdom of Felixia ..”

“A ..”

Without further explanation, Mavis immediately understood what he meant. In the room, only the woman understood Odo's words. The Shieal standing behind the sofa did not catch his point at all.

“My dear ..., using the names of the Gods for such a thing .... You may know the wrath of the sky, loh.” Mavis stared a little displeased, her two eyebrows until they got closer to each other in the middle.

“Is Mother also the type of person whose Religion is strong?” ask Odo.

“Oh, how rude is your question, my son. Well, Mother herself comes from the Miquator, Mother actually does not believe in miracles or blessings. In the way of the witches' view, everything in this world there is no such thing. Those who think of miracles simply because they do not understand the concept behind them.”

“Then it doesn't matter, does it?”

“It's a shame ..., your father was close to the Religious side .... If your father knew you were using it for personal gain, he would be angry.”

“Let's just relax, I didn't use that for personal gain. Mother, I want to use Saint Mother's reputation to make the government give in to their stubborn self-esteem not wanting to be close to Religion.”

“Hmm, it is true that the government in each city does tend to compete like that to get the hearts of its people. If it is like that .. it might not matter. All right, Mother allows it .... But promise not to miss it ..”

“Hmm, thank you, Mother.”

As Odo was about to get out of his seat, Mavis asked, “Oh, yes. My son ..., this may sound strange if Mother asks, but may Mother still ask?”

“Hmm, what?” The boy sat back down when he saw his mother's expression that looked serious again.

“Do you also believe in the main beliefs that exist in the Kingdom of Felixia?”

Odo was silent to the question, it was not something that could be answered directly. He already had an answer, but it could make all the trials that had been done collapse instantly.

Looking at Odo's stupor who was only speechless with a flat expression, Mavis was a little anxious and said, “Don't be too thoughtful, Mother is not a puritan. If you do not believe in that belief also Mother is not angry, kok.”

“Hmm, Mother .... Look .., I have my own beliefs. Basically Polytheism was not right to be a living hanger audience ...”

“Reluctly ...? Whatchu mean? Is believing in the Gods wrong?”

“It's not so, it's just that it's unacceptable common sense. Deities number more than one, only with it everything becomes unreasonable to worship.”

“Not making sense from where?” mavis asked confusedly.

“Many .... In other words, they would not be able to create a world if there were many. When a God wants to create a world that suits his will, other Gods will definitely oppose because it could have harmed him. The Gods also quarreled, fought each other and argued. That's why even forms of worship are scattered ...”

“Didn't there be anything in the teachings of belief that they were the Gods discussing to create the world and guard it? Not strange, kok.”

“When they talk to each other and compromise, it is clear that they are not absolute. Can an almighty person not have such a nature? How could? They need something else ..., that's been their absolute sign.”

In the mind of Mavis's confidence and the way his views began to waver. In thinking it is very reasonable, understand the many gods in Polytheism is indeed very strange to be the main race of belief. Imania and Gariadin who did have confidence in the belief also began to waver hearing Odo's words.

“What does Mr Odo want to say that our belief is wrong?” asked Gariadin with an unhappy look.

“Not at all .... Teachings, beliefs, everything you hold true. Basically trust is just a suggestion, a choice of the path of life.”

“From your way of speaking ..., it's as if you don't believe in any higher entities than Mortal beings. You are like the Mololians ...” Gariadin said.

“I have a figure that becomes a hanger and I think very worthy of worship.”

“ .... Whatisit? Which god?” asked Gariadin firmly.

“Not a God, but a substance .... Substance of the Real Supreme Being and the Esa, the Most Powerful and the Everlasting, the Way Giver and the fairest Judge.”

“Hah? Is there such a God?”

“I told you not a God .... Brother Gariadin, Big brother need not think too much about it further. If you do that now, you might hate me. Just hold onto what Brother believes is true, I will also do the same. I won't force what I believe in, so don't force what you believe. What I believe is mine someone in this world, I will never force anyone else to understand.”

In the room, no one really understood what was inside the boy's head. They are a little aware that the child's distorted nature may be because of this, the child's belief that was different from the beginning. Understanding it, Shieal and Mavis decided to give tolerance because the child also did not impose what he believed on others.

The conversation closed with a slightly awkward and tense atmosphere because of the conversation. Gariadin did not feel satisfied, as a person who steeped in trust seemed to be a little unacceptable if what he believed turned out to have a peculiarity. Unlike the man, Imania did not mind him at all and chose to be as tolerant as Odo spoke.

Unlike the two of them, Julia and Fiola who did have fundamentally different beliefs could not comment. They do believe in such things and higher existences, indeed, but it is slightly different because the beliefs of the two people tend to lean towards the Holy Empire which considers that the Emperor there is an Absolute figure who gives freedom.