Those vague and hidden thoughts cannot be put into words. The Shadow Dancer, who had betrayed his family name www.biquge.info now his duty, stood stiffly in the shadow of an elven statue with his head bowed and caressing the harp, carefully concealing his breath, as he was accustomed to.

He didn't like to be exposed to the gaze of others like this—even the soft starlight was too dazzling for him.

But he had already made his choice...... He could no longer remain in the darkness that was gradually eating away at his soul.

He boldly raised his head. The young human priest had dark blue eyes like the night sky, and the gaze that stared at him was calm and curious, without the suspicion and contempt he had expected.

He believed him...... Just like the Silver Leaf King, he gave him a trust that he had never hoped for.

"Didn't the elders trouble you because of that?" Ed asked Payne.

"We came to some kind of ...... Trade. Payne chuckled softly, "Probably because I was too decisive before, and they still seem to think it's a good deal to be able to trade a shadow dancer who doesn't know any secrets for some kind of cooperation." Besides, I have nothing to hide from Finvi what she told you. ”

The Elven King, who was frank and relaxed, and even his words became more and more casual, was unfamiliar to Fenvi. But he liked the atmosphere, without suspicion and calculation, without the temptations and attacks that come and go under the mask of politeness...... Just like the Elven King did when he faced Fei Rui, his uncle, even if he listened silently in the shadows, he felt exhausted.

Ed's eyes flickered. He was tempted to ask what kind of deal it was, but he knew there were some questions that wouldn't be answered...... And there are some questions that he doesn't need to ask.

“...... You're worried about my situation. Payne smiled and looked at him with interest, "What kind of failed king am I?"

And ...... Not so. Ed rubbed his nose in embarrassment, not realizing how childish this habitual action would make him look.

"I'm really stuck here. Payne admits frankly, "But if a king can only rely on himself, it is too sad...... Focus on your friends, Ed, you can't save all lives at once. ”

It was a joke with no malice. Ed blushed slightly. It's not that he doesn't realize his inadequacy - no, he knows it all too well, as Tess once joked about, "If you get shipwrecked one day, you must be the idiot who tries to drag everyone onto your little wooden boat and kills everyone together."

"But ......" Even so, he was cheeky and muttered in a low voice: "In my heart, you are also my friend." ”

After a moment of silence, Payne laughed happily.

"It's a great honor. "Or should I say something more human...... I'm happy, my friend. ”

When he realized what that meant, the irrepressible joy lit up the eyes of the black-haired young man, who had always been worried.

He smiled heavily, making no secret of his shyness and smugness. Such simplicity and straightforwardness made Fenway can't help but envy.

"Let's tackle one thing at a time, Ed. The Elven King, who had lived for hundreds of years, couldn't help but laugh at his young human friend's overly blunt emotion, and couldn't even keep his tone heavy: "I know you're in trouble...... I might be able to give you some useful news about the bloody sacrifices of Stonebugch. ”

He pulled a scroll out of his wide sleeve and slowly unfolded it on the table. Ed leaned over, his eyes wide in surprise.

It was a map—a map of Stonebutch, but it was more detailed than any map that Ed had ever seen of man himself. Every corner of the city, above and below the ground, the layout of every floor in Lockburg is clearly displayed in great detail, even the Temple of Nethers, which was built just last year, has a place in it.

The only thing that remains mysterious is the silent black tower at the western end of Lockburg.

Ed closed his mouth slightly open, realizing that there was nothing surprising about this—when Casagrande I had established his dynasty and built fortifications and cities on the other side of Grivar, the elves across the river could not have been left unconcerned.

Someone in Stonebuch is dedicated to finding out all kinds of news about the elves...... Grivar was not without such a position.

"I was just over a hundred years old when Ston Butch started building. Payne stared at the map, lost in memory, "My father has more than once satirized the vain eternity that the human king is seeking, but he has not let his guard on that stone city relax for a moment. From the first stone that built the foundation to the last notch on the three-storied tower...... Your city of ten thousand springs was built as a great altar. ”

The elves, aware of this, raised their vigilance. Ancient magic was used in many of the young city's hidden places, and elven agents brought back news that worried the elders—that the increasingly mad human king wielded immense power, and that his devotion seemed to be dedicated to an unknown god.

It all feels familiar. The intense uneasiness made Payne's father, the Elven King at the time, think of sending troops to destroy the entire Staple Butch. That, of course, causes confusion...... After all, humans and elves have not faced each other in years. But what is this compared to the possible danger? Humanity is always in the midst of all sorts of chaos of its own making...... It is not difficult to raise up the heirs of a previous overthrown dynasty and claim that it is God's will.

However, the plan was terminated before it could be implemented – because it was no longer necessary.

The unfinished three-storied pagoda was completely distorted by another powerful force, Casagrande died by the sword of his former most loyal friend, the young king who was put on the throne knew nothing of the secrets of the entire city, and the regent who knew something about it did not say a word for the rest of his life...... The elves breathed a sigh of relief, believing that this was the true purpose, that God's will, just like the city of Anclan, which had fallen thousands of years earlier, and that there was no need to worry about it.

Two hundred years is a long time for an elf. Like all human cities, the once unique features of Stonebuch, which gradually prospered and then quickly began to decay, faded into the elves' memories...... That is, until Scott Criess, who was reborn from the flames, appeared in Grivar.

. (To be continued.) )