Vol 1 Chapter 11: Clashing Matters
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"Ely...is an Ancient Elf...?"
"..."
Master Shin turned his back on me, looking down as he replied
"That's what she said to me. She believes she was one, although I don't even know how Ancient Elves differ from other elves"
"There are more types of elves?"
"I don't know, maybe they're all ancient elves, or maybe its just a term for those elves who are adults...who knows?"
"..."
"One thing I do know, is that Ely's powerful, too powerful in my eyes"
"...So you also used that skill on her..."
"Yeah...and you can already guess the result"
He wasn't able to know how powerful Ely is, but because his Reading Eye skill doesn't work, he knows she's powerful than him...
...
"Where is she right now?"
"..."
Master Shin looked back at his home once again, smiling as he pointed it
"That's where she is right now"
"Huh...?"
...
...oh...
So that's why his house was glowing...
"So I wasn't the only one who's seeing your house glowing"
"What?"
"...?"
"It's glowing?"
"Wait, you can't see it?"
"..."
He then walks up to me with an agitated question
"You're...not kidding are you?"
"I'm not"
"..."
He then looks back at his house
"...Why..."
"...?"
"...Why are you still here?"
"What do you mean?"
"..."
A few moments of silence passes by, suddenly he started talking again
"You told me you're going to Nirvana...you told me that you're going to keep watch and protect me from over there..."
"..."
"...and you told me...who killed you that day..."
I was about to question his last statement, but I went beside him and pat him on the back instead
"...You see, Ely died on this house"
"She died here? how?"
"Back when I was an ordinary soldier for that kingdom, Ely would always either take a stroll or a bath in a nearby lake, or spend her time here in our house. She would always wait for me even if it gets dark, or even if another day starts to rise"
"..."
"One day, when I got back from my duty, I found Ely lying on the floor in a pool of blood, fighting for her life"
"...!"
"I told her to quickly cast her healing skill, but she said she got afflicted with a curse that seals all her skills and abilities"
No wonder Ely wasn't able to fight back...
"I was confused, agitated, paranoid. Surge of emotions came right through me that I wasn't able to think properly...it was then that she suddenly held my hand that I stopped crying. She then said these words to me:
'Shin...try to live a healthier life okay? I...won't forgive you if you don't do as I say...I'll be watching you over in Nirvana and protect you...' "
That must've been hard for Master Shin, even now when he's retelling what had happened...
"I asked her who did that to her, but she just said:
'The executioner...he came to execute me...I guess today's that day...' "
"The...executioner..."
...
"After she held my face for the last time with her hand...she finally fell to her death"
"I'm sorry for your loss, Master Shin"
"Don't be, I was the one who wanted to tell you that story. Moreover, I couldn't believe that Ely is the reason why there are no monsters coming near this house...even when there's a Rare Crimson Moon happening"
The executioner...Rare Crimson Moon...Ancient Elves...
...some terms I'm familiar with back in my old life, yet they hold different meanings here in this world...
"Thank you, Ely. Thank you for protecting me and our home this whole time"
Master Shin said, as he kneeled, breaking down once again
"I swear...I will kill that Executioner with my own two hands...even if it kills me"
So Master Shin does have a soft spot in him...
...
I went to comfort Master Shin, as we grieved once more for Ely
...
...
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"What?! The first demon lord has been born?!"
Ignis, the Fire Pillar stood up, re-questioning what Hikari, the Light Pillar had just said
"That's exactly the reason why I conducted a meeting with you all Pillars today. To further plan our next course of action"
"But what exactly do you suppose we do after learning that information?"
Aeris, the Wind Pillar said, showing signs of aversiveness
"After this meeting, I'm planning to meet with Our Majesty and discuss this further with him. For us Pillars, its best that we keep this information confidential to the citizens of Sol Empire while maintaining high alert on all our borders"
"Can't we just fight that demon lord right now? I doubt that demon lord is stronger than us right now, considering that he had just been born"
Casa, the Water Pillar suggested. Suddenly, Magnus, The earth of Pillar, intervened
"We can't, according to our Empire's upmost rule, unless the threat is calamity or disastrous, the Sol Empire will not fight any creatures outside of its specified borders."
"But this is a Demon Lord! isn't a Demon Lord a calamity class? The highest ranking class?"
"Calamity Class creatures are the highest ranking class in our records, but in other Empires, there's a higher class than Calamity Class"
"There's a higher class than Calamity Class...?"
"That's what the other Empires believe so, but I personally don't know what it is. I only heard them talking about it when I was once a Monk"
"That's exactly why I'm planning to meet with Our Majesty, because a Demon Lord is of equal to a Calamity Class"
"Will the King listen though? This empire's ruler is incompetent if you ask me"
Aeris spouted, while spinning a knife, whistling
"Can't argue with that, I got that vibes from that guy too. Sometimes he's too indecisive"
Ignis supported Aeris' claim
"I don't know, but Our Majesty has the right to know this crucial information. Its still worth trying"
Aeris just sighed, signalling Hikari to do what he thinks will work
"That's all, remember to keep in mind what I've told you. Dismissed"
...
Hikari then, left the meeting room
"*sigh*...It was an urgent meeting yet it was also a short one..."
"Hikari isn't the type to talk a lot in meetings. I'm pretty sure he was also being considerate of our time getting wasted"
"Ignis...you and Hikari really are in good terms huh? Why don't you guys smooch it over and bring us some good news!"
"What are you even talking about?"
"You two irritate me! You know that Hikari can't convince His Majesty, yet you didn't stop him to let us take this matter by ourselves!"
"Just believe in him! I believe that he'll be able to do it!"
"Ignis! Our Empire is on the verge of declaring war with another neighboring Empire! Do you really think his Majesty will make a once in a lifetime good decision with the news of a Demon Lord emerging?!"
"Thats..."
"..."
"..."
...
All of the Pillars present in the meeting room sat silent, as they reminded of another predicament that the Empire has to overcome...
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