Naive. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

Ed could clearly see in Payne's unspoken eyes that he couldn't deny. However, in the face of a human who was not able to measure himself, perhaps a futile struggle, the Elf King's slightly helpless smile was more of appreciation, even envy, than contempt for cold eyes.

Ed thought that was probably why he was willing to believe Payne. Although he seems almost as cold and proud as his uncle, the Elven King's warmth and tolerance hidden beneath his calm exterior are more human...... Or his ancestors thousands of years ago. His blood had not yet cooled in the long years and surrounded by this suffocating forest of serenity and grace, and he cared about the world and the other races that lived in it, and in the face of adversity, he preferred to walk with his sword in the midst of thorns rather than rest on his laurels or leave everything to the gods.

"I'll get Norway back. Ed repeated, and the faith that came out of nowhere became stronger for no reason.

But where do you start?

“...... When did you find out that Norway had become ......" he asked, hesitantly not saying the name. It's not that I don't care about any curses, but I just feel that once I admit that it's Ankeland, it's like denying it...... That's Norvi.

Payne didn't give him a direct answer, but gave him a high-five.

"I think he's better suited to answer that question than I am. He said.

After a brief moment, Ed suddenly realized that there was a silent figure in the room.

The elf that seemed to emerge from the void fell to one knee with its head bowed, and its face could not be seen clearly...... Ed recognized the soft, short light brown hair at a glance.

His gaze unconsciously shifted to the elf's right hand, half-clenched into a fist—pale and slender, with bare joints exposed, and the blue veins under the skin were clearly visible...... Not long ago, this hand held a sharp short knife against his neck, and the cold touch seemed to stay in his neck at this moment.

"This is Finvi. Payne whispered, "One of the Shadow Dancers who was once ordered to hunt down Norvi. ”

Finway knelt there without moving. If it weren't for staring straight at him, Ed would have felt like he didn't exist at all...... It was as if he was really just a shadow, without a trace of the breath and warmth of life.

It's a strange feeling, but it explains why they're called "Shadow Dancers" - when you notice their presence, you're probably in the arms of death.

"As I told you, because of their concerns, the elders let Norway go and did not continue the pursuit. But when they found out that Norway and the red-haired girl had the audacity to sneak back into the forest...... Perhaps offended, or fearful that he had a plan, the Shadow Dancers were sent out again...... But it just proves how correct their previous caution was. ”

Payne smiled wryly and nodded lightly to the elf kneeling on the ground.

"Say it, Finway...... And, stand up, you're a warrior, not a dog. ”

There was so obvious anger in his tone that Ed couldn't help but sneak a peek at him. As far as he knew, there was no such thing as "prostration" among the elves...... Even to the gods. Although he had seen Norway kneel down on one knee to show his gratitude to the Elven King, Norway had become more human, and his behavior did not seem strange at all in that situation. The elf in front of him, with his head and neck hanging down, showed a servile, instinctive obedience and fear.

Who taught him this, seems to be self-evident.

Ed didn't expect the elven elders to learn from humans as well...... Although what I learned was really not a good thing.

Fenway stood up silently, head still hanging down, eyelashes fluttering, eyes darting over Ed's face.

Is that...... Still with a hint of panic in his eyes. Obviously revealing the coldness and hardness that a killer should have, but he was panicked like a frightened little animal with nowhere to escape, and people couldn't help but want to reach out and touch his head to show comfort, but they were afraid that they would be bitten by him.

Ed opened his mouth and said nothing. He vaguely felt that Fenvi probably hadn't accepted the Elven King's order to go to him just now.

The young elf's lips twitched slightly, and he didn't say a word for a long time. Ed could see that it wasn't meant to be silent, it was just ...... I don't know where to start.

He scratched his chin, laughed and cried, and almost blurted out how old he was - he didn't look like he was an adult!

But he managed to swallow back the pointless question, and asked in an almost gentle voice, "You...... Where did you find them?"

"Dragonthorn Glade. Fenway replied softly, "West of the Pond of Silence." ”

"What was Norway doing at the time?"

"Wash the mushrooms. ”

“......”

One question, another question. With great patience, Ed squeezed out every detail bit by bit. The Shadow Dancer is not good at words...... But he is very good at answering questions meticulously.

Finvi didn't act alone, his companions were Rettila and Falsindor, another shadow dancer who had hunted down Tess. Reltila was the eldest of them all, experienced and skilled, while he and Falsindo were familiar with the way Novi and Tess fought...... And weakness - Norway is a formidable opponent, and his only weakness is the red-haired girl. As a human, she may have been strong enough, and in the face of elves, her proud agility was not worth mentioning.

As long as they can complete the task as quickly as possible, the Shadow Dancer never cares what method is used.

Everything was going well. Even without taking advantage of Tess, Norway couldn't be a match for the three Shadow Dancers. When the girl is cornered by Falsindor, Norvi's momentary panic gives Retila an opportunity.

The sword burrowed into Norvi's chest like a snake, and Fenway, who could have slit his throat with a short knife at the same time, stopped at that moment.

He's dead anyway—the elf explains his hesitation.

What he couldn't explain was why he had slipped past Norvi's stiff body and stopped Falsindo's sword that stabbed Tess in the right eye.

Killing Tess was also on their command. Everyone knew how vengeful this human girl was, and even if they didn't take her seriously, the elders didn't want to leave such an unnecessary trouble.

Enraged by the unexpected stop, Falsindo did not hesitate to swing his sword at his companion, while Tess slammed his head into Falsindo's jaw. For a moment of confusion, no one noticed what had happened in the battle, which had been a foregone conclusion, a few paces away, until they realized that it was not Norvi who had fallen...... It's Retila.

In the dim moonlight, the Norvi Sunstrider stood calmly, casually dropping his beloved sword.

. (To be continued.) )