Ed was startled when he emerged from the translucent "door" - Nigel Lowe poked straight out like a statue.

“...... Mistress Laval is inside. He uttered a dry nonsense.

Nigel nodded at him, and as he brushed past him, he suddenly said, "That elf is looking for you." ”

Before Ed could react, he stepped through the door without a word of explanation.

- Can't you be a little more patient with your friends?

Ed thought a little depressed, looking at the crooked, silent passageway.

- Isn't there anyone to take him out? Is he so reassuring of him? He doesn't get into it, but he might get lost!

No one could hear the cry of his heart, and he was the only one who groped his way out silently. The crystals embedded in the wall vanished as he walked by, pointing him in the right direction.

Terrible.

He sighed, and quickly touched the precious gem while there was no one around. He had not gone far before a young priest greeted him and saluted him respectfully, raising his eyes with curiosity, but not saying much.

Dinner and a room were arranged for him in the temple. Ed struggled with whether to stay and see how Laval was doing, or to find Is, but stopped as he walked to the hallway to the hall, frozen by a cold, harsh breath.

Sethyana stood not far away, staring at him in silence. The hall was not as extravagant as in the dark tunnels, and only torches were lit when night came. Light and shadow jumped on the elven's ice-carved face, and the undisguised, sword-like killing intent that Ed hadn't seen for a long time.

The last time he saw such a sword dancer, he was a killer hired to kill Is. His twin swords were hidden in their sheaths, which he himself had lost at that time. Then he gradually reined in the edge that hurt others and hurt himself, and the last few times they met, he stood beside Rosa, almost gently...... And Ed had forgotten how dangerous he could be.

The young priest seemed to realize that he stepped forward, and Ed quickly reached out to pull him away.

"It doesn't matter," he said, "that's my friend." ”

A friend of Tess's friend, of course, his friend.

He found the term "friend" useful. When he walked in front of the elf, the formidable killing intent had faded, and there was even a bit of confusion in his hazel-green eyes.

“...... They said you helped Payne kill my mother. ”

He said it bluntly before Ed could ask.

Ed was startled again - I don't even know who your mother is!

Then he reacted.

"Helenor Driftfire is your mother?!" he blurted out.

The elf's muscles tensed again: "You really ......"

"No!" Ed hastened to deny, "I just made a bet with her, and she lost...... You didn't lose your life to me!"

His voice sounded so loud in the empty hall that it kept echoing, lest anyone else could hear it.

Rosa sighed silently and stepped out of the shadows, smiling, "We might be able to find a place...... Have dinner together?"

.

The dinner was very rich, but before I could say it, it was clear that no one could eat it.

Ed roughly described what it was like that day. There were some things he didn't know very well, and he didn't know much about Grivar's infighting, but Helenor Flowfire designed to use the Silver Leaf King and Panasses, the leaders of the two elves, as pawns, and one or both of them as sacrifices to gain some kind of great power, which was still confirmed.

She also killed another Elven Elder, threatening the others with the Scythe of Light...... In short, although Ed did not know what her ultimate purpose was, what she did, regardless of the laws of any race, was a capital offense.

But at least, she was still alive when Ed left, and with Payne's character, he shouldn't have killed her easily. And Ed, all he did was save his friends.

Sethiana sat stiff, clasped hands on his laps, his eyes lowered staring straight at the table, realizing his stupidity - he had listened to the enemy's instigation.

But that's it, his mother.

At that moment, he couldn't think at all.

It's not that he doesn't know Helenno's ambitions, and it's not that he doesn't know how much unwillingness she hides in her heart. She was proud of her ancient and noble lineage, and felt it was her duty to carry the future of the elves and guide them in the way. She has such a noble purpose, then, pay some price, sacrifice some of her kindred...... Those who are "paid" should also accept their fate.

It's not that he doesn't know this. He was willing to sacrifice everything for her—the flame that burned in her eyes was the brightest star in his heart.

He even had his teacher slashed by his sword for her...... Looking back now, he didn't understand what he was thinking.

It wasn't meant to be that bad...... It was he who lost control.

Dripping blood flooded up from the depths of memory, staining everything red. The moment he never wanted to think about suddenly broke through all barriers. Once again, he seemed to see clearly the surprise and disappointment, anger and sadness in the teacher's eyes.

"Sword dancer ......," he said, "control yourself...... Don't let the curse come true. ”

He died by his sword, and in the last moments of his life, he was left with not hatred, but hope—that he would be free from the bigotry and brutality that may have been inherited from his father's bloodline.

The candlelight jumped, his eyes blurred, but there seemed to be the crisp sound of a sharp blade striking in his ears, and someone was pointing out every slightest mistake in his stern and cold voice.

The expectations that had stabbed him with anger and resentment, and which he regarded as accusations and criticism, were now no longer available.

.

When the elves' tears suddenly fell, Ed was startled for the third time today.

He stayed there in a panic, not daring to move, except to turn his eyes to Rosa as if asking for help. The warrioress held up a finger at him and stood silently, and Ed followed her on tiptoe out until he reached the door before letting out a long breath.

He was most afraid of seeing people cry.

"Thank you. Rosa thanked him softly.

Ed shook his head blankly - he didn't do anything, did he?

Rosa laughed, "Perhaps, I should thank those guys who tried to provoke." ”

She had always known that elves had wounds in their hearts that could not heal. He didn't say it, and she never asked, even if she was worried.

If the wound is covered for too long, it may gradually heal, or it may rot and stink.

Now, stabbing on an old wound that has been deliberately ignored may be painful and even dangerous, but it is not necessarily a bad thing.

It's just that he's probably ...... Won't stay with her anymore.