Chapter 209: [209] Eliron’s Answer

Alexander stood in the quiet room, patiently waiting for an answer.

It was odd. He knew about the state of things in Artaris. They were being treated as subhuman by the high elves.

Donia on the other hand was a mighty kingdom. In a normal setting, it would be them begging for his aid.

Yet, because of the strength of one man, an enigma among the wood elves, the situation was the reverse.

Alex did not care about what his elders had taught him. He did not care that the prince of Donia was not to make any requests, only demands…

All he needed right now was a yes, and it did not matter what he needed to do to get it.

Alex did not know the depths of Eliron’s strength. But considering that he was able to defeat the grand mage with ease, there was a chance he was far above his level, perhaps he was even stronger than the Archmage?

’We need him on our side!’

If things moved the way they were going right now, Kasket would fall, and every single person in that battle would die.

Alex had run the calculations repeatedly, he had added all the variables. The results were the same.

Watching his people die one by one, it was not a sight Alex wished to see. He glanced at the girl standing next to him, then looked away.

They had received news from Stonewall recently. Ciera’s brother was still at large, likely buried under the rubble of what used to be their walls.

She would not suffer the same fate, not if he could help it.

But sadly, when Eliron opened his mouth, it was the exact words Alex loathed to hear.

“No.”

There was no speech behind it, just a plain answer that felt like a slap to the face.

“Please reconsider. Let’s not be rash.” Alexander smiled nervously, sweat forming on his face.

“I may not have mentioned it yet, but you will be fairly compensated for your efforts, more gold than you can carry, anything you need, you will get.”

Even after so many tantalising rewards were placed before him, Eliron’s answer remained the same.

“Your request is a bit much, Prince Alex. We are only a team of four people, how do you expect us to turn the tide of a war?” His tone was low, maybe regretful.

“Just as Donia is important to you, these people are like a family to me. Even if I can survive, what are the chances that I will not lose one of them?”

“If that is your worry, we can exclude them from this battle, send them home if you wish.” Alex took a step forward, his voice sounding desperate.

“I am afraid I cannot be separated from them.” Eliron replied.

They had messed with the high elves on two occasions now. If even a peep was to leak from the magic tower, then the high elves would definitely strike back.

He could not be apart from them for too long.

Alexander opened his mouth, the words dying on his lips as his hand tightened into a ball.

“We came to Donia for business, not to fight in another man’s war.”

“So you would condemn thousands to death for the sake of a life?!” He was no longer able to hold it in, so he let it all out at once.

Ash’s postures shifted defensively.

Alex knew what he was doing was unfair, it was hypocritical because even he himself would abandon a hundred humans if it meant saving Ciera.

But still, the thought of what would happen without Eliron, the most likely conclusion, the likelihood of Ciera’s death…

Before he knew what was happening, his body… the other part of him began to react.

His iris suddenly began to narrow, his grey eyes glowing like a torch. Alex could feel intense heat growing inside him, his nostrils flared.

“Are you sure you want to do this here?” Eliron sounded amused, a small smile playing on his lips.

Then he felt a soft hand wrap around his arm. “Let’s go, we can’t force them.” Ciera was clearly disappointed, but she put on a fake smile for his sake.

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out. You always do!” She encouraged him with an even wider smile.

But her smile only caused a darkness to creep into Alexander’s heart.

How was he to tell her, that unless a miracle were to happen, everyone she has ever known, loved… they would all die before the next crimson moon.

Alex sucked in a deep breath. “I believe you still need more time to consider our offer. Please, give it some more thought.” Alex’s brows creased as he spoke. When he was met with silence, he turned around and left.

Eliron stared at the door for a few seconds before he got up.

Ash was about to speak when he raised a hand. “Later…”

“I need to get some air.”

<•••>

The sun had begun to descend, casting the last of its light upon the world, a vibrant orange that painted the clouds like an art piece.

Eliron was seated a few blocks from the inn on a roadside bench, watching the passing traffic.

After about ten minutes, the last of the orange glow vanished, and then all the streetlights flickered on, compensating for the rapidly diminishing visibility.

While he was resting, Eliron was scrolling through his skill tab, taking note of new skills he had not used.

One of the skills that had caught his interest was the spell the vampire mage used to summon demons into this realm.

It was an interesting spell, and Eliron would have added it to his arsenal if not for one annoying reason.

It needed the ’Death’ affinity. So far, Eliron only had: Auro, Tiris, Lightning, Hydro, Ice.

“I guess I should try to get a few more…” he muttered to himself.

While he was going through his skills, his mind couldn’t help but wander to Prince Alex’s words.

But each time, Eliron would shake it off. There was just far too much at risk.

’Prehaps…’ Eliron mused. ’If he could somehow improve his group’s chance of survival….’

“Would that be enough?”

“It seems you have taken to talking to yourself?” A very familiar voice reached his ears.

Eliron turned to the side to see Artie approaching him. “Are you alright? It would be a sad thing if our precious lord was to run mad.”

She sat down on the space next to him. The bench was rather spacious, yet, Artie chose to sit so close, that their shoulders were brushing.

“Not yet, but I wonder how long I can keep my sanity intact.”

Artie laughed in response.

For a few seconds, both of them just sat in a comfortable silence, watching as the carriages went by.

Then after some time, Artie turned to face him, then said, “Thanks, you know.. for today.”

Eliron waved his hands dismissively as he would usually do. “It was nothing—” But this time, Artie caught his hand, a mischievous smile on her face.

“…”

“Remeber that date you promised me back in Kingsbridge?” Her green eyes glinted with an emotion Eliron couldn’t place. “Let’s have it now.”

He tilted his head to the side, unable to hide his shock. For sometime now, Artie had seemed distant, and now she was suddenly asking him out?

’What the heck is going on?’

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