The afternoon sun shines through the crystal clear, and the bright light seems to dispel the shadows in every corner, but it can't dispel the chill that spreads in the blood. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

Fingers twitched spasmodically under the wide long sleeves. Payne stared at the small wooden box on the table, but didn't open it.

The sound of soft footsteps approached - it was a deliberately intensified footfoot. The elves knew that their king was increasingly hating the silent approach...... Even if it's just because of their natural agility.

When he turned around, Payne's expression had completely regained his composure. Behind him, the wooden box had also disappeared from the table.

"How?" he asked.

“...... Those leopards are hard to catch. Arundel, the elf who appeared at the door bowed his head deeply, "and...... It is true that their owners are not nearby. ”

Payne frowned slightly.

The leopards brought by the elves of the Antlers Forest had never been as deep into Grivar as they had been before, although they had roamed the forest before. He thought it was the beginning of some kind of offense, but it didn't look like it.

The leopards scattered irregularly through the forest, seemingly quickly dividing their territories and began to rest, wander and catch their prey...... I don't see any purpose at all, but I can't ignore it.

However, they are only beasts after all...... Elegant and beautiful beast. The elves instinctively didn't want to hurt them, but Payne couldn't let them wander around.

There must be some force that can control them...... He also didn't want to hurt them, and he believed that the only way was to break the control and set them free.

They shouldn't be used as tools.

"How many have you caught?" he asked.

“...... Two. The elf's voice lowered involuntarily, but he was not very ashamed inside.

The leopard disappeared from Grivar a long time ago, and the reasons are somewhat complicated. The elves here don't know how to deal with this big cat, which is agile and powerful, beautiful and intelligent, especially if you have to avoid getting them hurt...... And these big cats seem to have a lot of experience dealing with elves.

The elves felt that even the two they caught were nonchalant with a look of "tired of playing, whatever you wanted...... But maybe it's better not to say it.

“...... Take me to see it. Payne spoke.

A small clearing was circled in the court. There were no fences, no chains, and the two leopards lay on the ground in a circle of elven warriors with wariness, curiosity, and admiration, basking in the sun and sleeping soundly, their bellies bulging and spreading, and beside them were piled up the best venison and a jar of water offered by the elves.

This is not a prisoner at all...... It is an extremely distinguished guest.

As Payne approached, one of the leopards glanced up at him and flicked its tail calmly, while the other didn't even bother to open its eyes.

The Elf King, who had never been ignored like this, couldn't help but smile a little on his lips.

He crouched down, his gaze slowly stroking the leopard's undulating, colorful fur with his breath, and before he realized what he was doing, his right hand involuntarily touched it.

It's not as soft as you think...... But unusually warm. A powerful heartbeat beat beat under his palm, but the monotonous rhythm seemed more moving than any tactful melody he had ever heard.

The offended leopard looked at him quietly, a low, muffled sound coming out of his throat, his pupils narrowed into thin lines in the sunlight looking a little dangerous, but his muscles were still relaxed, neither intending to attack him, nor seeming to fear that he would hurt it.

The round eyes are golden and green, like the sun jumping on the branches, bright and pure, full of the most primitive fearlessness of life. Payne looked deeply, looked at it for a long time, and suddenly quieted down in his soul for a long time.

It's nothing but a beast...... However, at this moment, he could feel the longing and awe that the elf had looked up at the starry sky at the beginning of its birth.

They didn't even know what they were and what God was...... They are in awe of life itself.

He withdrew his hand and stood up.

"Let it go. He said.

Frante, who was standing behind him, had just taken a step forward and tilted his head in some surprise.

"I haven't ...... yet," she said, pausing again, looking thoughtfully at the two leopards, still at ease, before turning her gaze to Payne.

She saw true calm, like the surface of the sea without waves. His power is hidden in every drop of water, and it doesn't need to be proven by monstrous waves and raging storms.

It was a peace she hadn't seen in a long time.

She smiled, lowered her eyes, and quietly backed away.

"Is it really okay?"

Arundel couldn't help but ask, and it was not worry that passed through her heart for a moment, but more like reluctance.

Payne glanced back at him.

“...... What do you think they think of me?" he asked.

Arundel was stunned, not knowing how to answer.

Certainly not the host...... But it doesn't seem to be an enemy either. He looked down at the round, calm and fearless eyes, as if he understood something.

It was a look that had never been hurt and believed that he would not be hurt.

"Send messengers. Payne commanded, "Let Vipri go...... Prepare gifts, inform the presbyterian church, and go openly. ”

Since you can't hide from those ubiquitous prying eyes, you simply don't hide.

The elves of Thornwater had been here for some time, and it had never occurred to him to send messengers - so what was the need? their purpose was so obvious that the old men didn't even bother to hide it...... There was no point in pretending to exchange courtesies, and he didn't have that idleness.

But now he's not so sure.

He thought he knew the elves, the people who had been separated for thousands of years. He thought that the leopards were nothing more than their pet pets, that their faith was nothing more than a stupid excuse with ulterior motives, that they pretended to live a simple life, but were ambitious and never gave up on regaining what they had lost...... But all he knew was news from other people—more than half of it came from the Presbyterian Church.

Over the years, I am used to it. That kind of subtlety made him subconsciously believe in something until now...... It's kind of scary.

However, those leopards are not pets...... It is not a weapon that only obeys orders. The elves who could make them want to accompany them might not be as bad as he thought they were.

"Wait. ”

He opened his mouth to stop the elf, who was turning to leave, and suddenly changed his mind.

"There's no need to call Vipri - I'll do it myself. ”

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