His head wobbled.

　The old elf, Largias, held his eyebrows to clear his vision, then stopped shaking his head and went to his desk again.

　There was still much work to be done and many things to be done. Night had long since fallen, but he couldn't rest yet.

　The pen, held in his wrinkled fingers, runs over the parchment. The ink seemed to have faded considerably.

　There should be a messenger from the human nation soon. If so, I must write another letter of friendship. And you will have to make the preparations for their arrival with your own hands. Ragias' deep wrinkles made a darker valley.

　My brother is great. He was indeed a great elf. He had done this hard work of Finn for hundreds of years and kept Gazalia at peace. A land of elves. For hundreds of years.

　His hand tightened around Lagias's pen. His eyelids close slightly.

　If only elves could live in this independent land, how happy they would be. If we could just live and enjoy the bounty of the forest, there would be nothing more.

　But that's a pipe dream now. It is buried in the history of the past.

　The eyes of Lagias, still bright with age. It has seen many things in the land of men.

　Soldiers clad in materials stronger than iron. Magic systematized rather than relying on individual wisdom. Goods that do not stay in one place, but flow like a great river. The skill that makes it possible.

　They were far more advanced than the cities of men we had once heard of. While the elves lived as they had for hundreds of years, relying solely on spirit magic.

　Some elves would call this development foolish. Some Elves would say it was against the will of the earth. But what does such a thing do to a man?

　It will come to these woods. The day will come when custom will be broken, the fear of elves will fall, and the trees will be burned to the ground. Lagias understood this deeply as he spent time in the cities of men.

　Will we be able to resist then? Can we, who are all about constancy and staying in the forest, hold back those who are all about change and expansion?

　For Lagias, the changing nature of humans was nothing short of terrifying. In just a few decades, they would change drastically. As he watched, he felt a certainty in his heart.

　Elves don't change. But the world has changed a lot in that time.

　So has the appearance of magical beasts. For a while now, there have been many sightings of Hexenbiests even in the vicinity of Ghazalia. There have been no attacks on the interior of Ghazalia yet, but they may eventually erode this great tree.

　We can no longer remain unchanged. And the elves. If we try to remain constant in a changing world, we will be left behind and abandoned.

　We needed to change. Not to be left behind, not to be swallowed up by the world. A change that would bring the world in on itself.

　A loud cough escapes from Largius' throat. His whole body shivered and ached.

　I wonder how long my body will endure this. I've lived too long.

"Finn. I'm sorry to bother you.

　I put down my pen and sat back down in my chair.

　There was barely any light in the room, and the only person who came in was a soldier under Largias' command. The only person he could trust.

　Rahgias knew very well that even among the distinguished men who served him and the soldiers of the royal court, there was now hostility towards him.

　Change always has hostility as a friend, and there will always be a backlash. Especially the elves, a species that hates change. Naturally, there will be enemies, both internal and external.

　But if we are to bring about change in the future, we must make sure to stop that backlash. If we do this one by one, there will be no end to it. Such hostility and the will to rebel can be troublesome and inherited.

　Even if you kill your parents, your children, and even if you kill your children, your grandchildren will continue to have that will.

　The only way to get rid of it is to uproot it.

　Lure them in so that there is no escape, and call it a decisive battle to cut off not only the branches and leaves but also their roots. That will be the most important thing.

　A soldier whispered in Lagias' ear. He nodded exaggeratedly at the words and his wrinkles deepened.

"You have moved at last, my niece. Yes, this is good.

　The smile on his face was unmistakable. It was a smile of relief.

　The elven princess, Largias' niece, had begun to make her move with the elves who supported her. It would take some time before it became a clear movement, but that was fine.

　Now, this country can no longer remain stagnant. The worst thing that could happen to Lagias was that nothing would be done here.



　The princess is confined to her tower, and those who have rebellion in their hearts end up biting their own lips in the forest. It would be most troublesome for them to meet such an elfish end.

　I don't want things to change forever. Even when their hated enemy is in charge. I was beginning to think there was no future for the elf species if they were all like that.

　But it seems there is. Someone who will move. Well done.

　Lagias's shoulders shook with amusement.

"Good. Keep watching. I'll burn your chest for you. Give your pale face and cowardice to your men.

　You can bring them all here anyway. Let's change this Gazalia big time. The soldier nodded quietly and disappeared back into the darkness.

　His eyes narrowed and he stared at the lamp that illuminated the darkness slightly.

　Now, one way or another, this Gazalia will be exposed to the waves of change. If you win, everything that opposes you, everything that opposes the pressure, will disappear. This is good. Then we will make Ghazaria a nation until the end of our days.

　But if, at the end of the battle, the princess wins... That, too, would be a transformation. The reign of a budding young man will no longer be the same. And with so much change in such a short time, even the dullest elf will realize that this world is constantly changing, despite itself.

　What this Ghazaria needs now is change. It will come, no matter how it comes to pass.

　And that's fine. But of course. There's always a best outcome to things.

　If you ask me who is the best master, myself or the princess, I'm sure Largius would say.

　--I am. I am the one with the power and the wisdom to overthrow this Gazalia.

　I have no intention of losing. You will be the cornerstone of my old bones.

　Oh, if my brother had been here, he would have mourned you. He was a very compassionate man. He believed in me until the moment of his death. The wrinkles on Ragias' cheeks twisted with grief.

　I don't mean to say I had to kill him. Ragias knew in his heart that he had to kill his brother because of his own inadequacies.

　That's why I can't lose. He could not bear the pain of killing his brother and being kicked by the princess.

　I will use everything I have, everything I can wield, to end my beloved niece's life.

　Ragias's lips quivered as he realized that this was his role in cutting off his brother's head, the great Finn.

　There was no one to stop him now.