279 Art. 278. "Congratulations that bite the body with...




 He really hasn't changed, Erdis thought, rolling his blue eyes and letting a smile creep into his cheeks. Her eyes closed slowly and a very nostalgic scene danced on the back of her eyelids.

 It was the memory of the time when I was still in that tower. It was a scene from the days when he could only crouch timidly, when his mind was corrupted, when his knees buckled, when he wished he could curse everything.

 He said, forcing Lugis to take his hand, which was like that. He said it with the same selfish forcefulness as now. I remember it was a terrible thing to say.

 --Who are you to give up, Elddis? You do. You're the one who's trying to give up.

 Those words still burned strongly in Elddis's long ears. And it was not going to come off. Of course, Elddis herself had no intention of forgetting it.

 When Erdis first heard this, he thought what a selfish and arrogant man Lugis was.

 How dare he say what he wanted when he knew nothing about himself? He must be a fool, I thought, forcing him to come to me, and finally making him whine in front of me.

 However, the end he led to was something else. He spoke out loudly and tore up the battlefield, unaware of his own intentions, and finally rescued himself from the tower.

 Of course, that doesn't change the selfish nature of Lugis. In fact, I'd say he's even more so now. No doubt about it.

 He goes into people's territory at will, grabs their hearts at will, and then goes away again as if he doesn't care.

 Truly, he's selfish. I'm a terrible person.

 But if that selfishness saved this Finn-Erdis Elf... There's no way you can deny all of that. It is a terrible contradiction to love him while hating him for his selfishness. Without realizing it, Elddis ridiculed herself.

 She wrapped two white gloves around her fingers and let out a sigh.

 When Lugis said that he was heading to the great northern mountain range of Flimsulat, the spirit gear he wore told him that it was not some kind of deception or falsehood.

 At the very least, it was his own logic and conviction that determined his destination.

 I don't know if that's where the enemy witch, Alueno, the heart of the Great Sacred Church, really sits. But Lugis said so without falsehood.

 Then there is no reason for Erdis not to believe it. That's what your knight says when he's sure. I will obey his words alone, even if all other words come in great waves to deny him.

 It is said that Flimsulat is a place of extreme cold. For an elf who has never been to a place where the temperature varies too much, the journey would be unbearable.

 Yet, for some reason, Erdis' hands never stopped. After hearing Lugis' words, the only thing running through his brilliant mind was how to trample Flimsulat.

 After all, Rougis taught me how to kill resignation, of all things. The fact that the destination is extremely cold is no reason to stop at all.

 What does it matter if that's where the giants sleep? After all, giants are a race of people who were defeated in the past and were forced to face extinction. Even if they were once the natural enemies of the elves, how could they be frightened to show their backs to such beings now?

 It was about this time that Erdis finished his preparations for the journey, and his characteristic slender sword draped over his waist. The breath of emotion rolled through the great tent of Gazalia.

A breath of emotion rolled through the great tent of Gazalia, "Are you really going to step foot in Flimsulat, Master Elddis?

 It was the voice of Valet, Elddis's handmaiden.

 The tone of her voice was one of rage, sorrow and pity. Elddis's brow furrowed as she realized that this was a very rare and wonderful emotional swing for an elf.

 Not many Elves could be so sensitive to the emotions of others.

"I will. I don't want to be a self-inflicted fool like I used to be.

 I don't want to be the fool who strangles himself like I used to be." Yes, it's no joke to be cowering in fear like that, looking for reasons to give up. If Lugis wants you to be like that, then you can't be like that again, unless you want to be like that.

 Valette's fingertips trembled as she heard Elddis' words. Emotions that should never have been directed at the queen were about to spill out of her mouth. Erdis could see that her eyes were fighting to stay open.

"You are Finn of Gazalia. You are Finn of Ghazaria, favored of the spirits to guide us elves. Many of our people are longing to hear your voice and your will!

 Truly, for better or worse, Valet is not an Elf. If you're a normal elf, you'll simply tell the truth and if you can't do it, you'll just give up and give up sooner.

 The time of the elves is long. Therefore, perhaps, this race is less passionate or attached to any one thing. How many elves wish to be bound to something, but can be moved to do so?

 Perhaps that is how our elven ancestors chose to live their lives, like plants, without disturbing their emotions. In that sense, Valet is probably a heretic. And so is myself.

 Valet said with a strong tone and a lot of emotion in his eyes.

"Forgive me, sir. Your thoughts, Miss Elddis--

 It's not serious.

 Erdis's eyelids relaxed as he looked at Valette, who had unintentionally choked on what she was trying to say.

 As he approached her, Elddis slowly opened his lips. A voice that tickled the back of his ears echoed through the tent.

"Is it happiness to be true, Valet? As an elf, I'd still be in that tower, enjoying life as much as I'm not dead.

 That's true. Now that I think about it, from that moment in the tower when Lugis took my hand and I accepted it. I was no longer serious as an elf. I had strayed from the straight and narrow path I was on.



 But I've never thought of it as a misfortune. Not once.

 Oh, how happy it makes me to feel the emotions of thinking about him. What a joy! Even gold can't compare to this happiness. What a misfortune it is to be serious when you think about it.

 So... Erdis looks Valet squarely in the eye as she continues. Her eyes are moist, as if tears have fallen from them, and their luster reminds me of a wet mirror.

 In her eyes, the image of Erdis was clearly reflected. Erdis hugged Valet as one would a friend and said.

"Just give me seven days, Valet. I want to use the privilege of being Finn just for this.

 As soon as Erdis said this, the spiritual formula in Valet's body slowly transformed.

 It was a kind of mutation. By nature, spirit magic is not something that can be altered, it can only be used as is. The way it was transforming could be described as a runaway of a spirit.

 However, Erdis does not move even when he sees the impossible transformation. Because she understands that this is the essence of Valet.

 Scales of light bounce around in the air, transforming the formulas that make up Valet's body, and thus her very form.

 This is too different to be called necromancy, but it is still a little short of a miracle. Hence, the elves called it a spirit changeling.

 Elddis's eyelids fluttered. In that very blink of an eye, it was all over.

 As she slowly and regretfully let go of her body, Erdis saw that it was no longer Valet, but herself.

 She had clear blue eyes and hair of the same color. She had white skin and a beautiful figure that seemed to glower at her surroundings. There was a being there that looked like a mirror.

 That was the end of Valet's transformation of his flesh.

"Thank you for your trouble, Valet.

 The one who looks like you in front of you bows reverently.

"No, this is what I do - but, Master Erdis. I don't know if I can last seven days with the help of your spirit. Please return as soon as possible.

 Her voice and mannerisms were just like Elddis herself. Valet, who had always been good at likening others to herself, acted so much like her that it was almost funny.

 Erdis looked again at Valet's spirit art, nodded admiringly, and pulled his hat deeper.

 I never thought I'd be able to use a shadow priest in such a way, as it should be used in times of danger. I've been very selfish with Valette.

 When I return, I'll accompany her to her favorite game board. If we have to spend the night as we did before, let's accept it for once. Erdis's blue eyes softened and relaxed for a moment. Erdis had become lax when it came to Valet, and Valet was no different.

 She left the tent with Valet, who was dressed as himself. He hid his hair and wore a hat, so that the soldiers would not know that he was actually Erdis himself.

 When they were finally away from the Gazarian position, Erdis suddenly thought. What will Rougis say when he sees himself dressed in men's clothing again and trying to be close to her?

 Will she be pleased, dismayed, or angry? I can't imagine what he would say.

 But he said. He said he was counting on me. So it's only natural that I should be there to meet his expectations in some small way.

 Besides... There was one more thing that Erdis had to worry about. The spirit gear that Lugis wore.

 It would continue to give him the blessings of the spirits, but it would also leave a deep mark on his soul. Perhaps it was time for his body to become heavier without him by his side.

 Erdis's blue eyes, hidden under his hat, twisted into a thin line as a lustrous smile appeared on his cheeks.

 --Rougis. I give you all the blessings and happiness I can. I'll give you all the blessings and happiness I can.