Her lightly oiled lips were twisted and her words leaked out. I thought to myself, "I'm not sure I've got the strength in my voice.

What do you think, Elddis? I think we're almost at the last point where we can turn back.

　As we trampled through all the snow, we could finally see the middle of Flimsulat below us. The cold wind was blowing, and if I wasn't careful, it would strip away my skin," she said.

"That's why I don't call myself Elddis. I'm just a traveling elf.

　With me by her side, she tipped her winter cap lightly and fluttered her lips, "Elddis, no, Lord Traveling Elf. No, you can't be serious. In fact, her blue eyes have a mischievous tint to them and her expression is somewhat amused.

　The tone of her voice and the expression on her face were very different from what Elddis would show as Queen of the Elves. It was as if she was a different person from the one we usually see.

　Or perhaps this was her true expression.

　A cool breeze caressed her cheek. And yet, there was a pain in her cheek, as if she had been bitten by a small insect.

　I narrowed my eyes and made a small movement of my lips.

When you step into a place that's not your domain, bad things usually happen. It's a myth.

　Erdis grabbed his hat with slender fingers, brushed a few strands of hair the same color as his eyes, and said.

I wonder who decided that my domain is only in the forest, and if so, why are you in the mountains when your domain should be beside the Lord?

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work. She lets out a breath. The breath immediately turned white, and then scattered in the air as if swept away by the wind.

　I don't want to do this, but I don't think I'm going to be able to talk my way out of this. It seems that Erdis has become much more eloquent in the course of her duties as queen. Unlike when she was in the tower, she has a very sharp tongue. If she were to step in, she might receive a painful reprisal.

　Besides, he's already stepped over the back of the Flimsulat Mountains, in the middle of them. It would be a very bad idea to leave here alone, and then get lost somewhere.

　Of course, this would not be the case with Elddis, but it would be insane for an elf to go alone in the snowy mountains.

　They are called elves, the forest people, but they do not live anywhere where trees grow. Rather, their habitat is limited to a very small area.

　They prefer warmer, milder places with less climate change. And yet isolated from the world around them. In this sense, the Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia is a fitting kingdom for the elves.

　The elves are a race that excels at constancy. Their bodies, their voices, their thoughts, even their way of life. Everything about them is the same throughout their lives. They believe in one thing and do one thing in hundreds of lifetimes.

　This is why elves are particularly averse to the idea of change, and have no tolerance for it. This is probably the reason why elves do not like humans so much.

　Humans can change their bodies and voices in a matter of seconds, and their thoughts and ways of life can change in a matter of days. For elves, none of this is possible.

　The elves would think to the humans, "What a shifty bunch, so uncommunicative. And the humans would think the opposite, how stubborn they are, how can they not change their minds after so many decades.

　In the end, maybe Elves and Humans just speak the same language, but they don't understand each other at all.

　At any rate, for those who have a severe aversion to change, the extreme cold that pierces their skin and constricts their whole body is a threat with bared fangs. Just being there is enough to make them feel a dull thumping sensation.

　No matter how well they are clothed, they are essentially incapable of responding to change. Unless, of course, they've always lived in extreme cold. Erdis's profile had also grown somewhat pale.

　Without realizing it, Elddis's long, slender fingers took my hand. Even though we were both wearing gloves, I could see that her fingertips were as cold as ice-work.

　I squinted at her for a moment, then squeezed her hand back with a light pressure.

"Well, it is said to be the bed of giants. It's no wonder they don't get along with elves very well.

　It's no wonder they don't get along well with elves," Fialaert said, brushing snowflakes from her dark hair with her fingers. Her hair was pulled up in a bun to make it easier for her to move in the snow, which gave her a slightly different look than usual.

　Fialaat was also from the East, and although he was probably not very good in the cold, his complexion was still much better than Erdis'.

　Elddis responded to Fialaert's words by blowing out her breath.

It was a long time ago that giants were the masters of the elves, even for us. Even Hexenbiests used to prey on humans. Change is your forte, isn't it?

　As soon as he finished his words, I saw the black and blue gazes cross for a moment. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. I raised my eyebrows.

　I'm not sure, but it seems that Fialat and Erdis, these two do not mesh well together. The same thing has happened to me from time to time. Is it possible that the nature of magicians and spiritists is now being expressed here? At least in the past, neither of them had ever shown any such pretense.

　But, come to think of it, Elddis was quite out of her mind on that journey. She hardly ever interacted with people. So it may not be surprising that she has changed her appearance and the way she interacts with people.

　And it's not just Elddis who has changed. It is not only Erdis who has changed, but also Fialaert, who is leaning slightly towards you, and Kalia, whose silver hair is swinging in the air in front of you.

　Each and every one of them has changed from what they used to be, as if something had been taken out of their spirit. There is no difference in essence, but there is still an unmistakable change.

　Whether this change is good or bad, I cannot say, because I am not a god. I don't have the eyes to see into the future, nor the power to judge things.

　Yes, everyone's changed. I'm sure it's the same for me. At least I believe I have, and I'm determined not to let myself be shackled by resignation and sidelong glances again, as I once was. My eyes naturally caught theirs.



　Kalia's silver eyes turn to look at you for a moment, and Fialaat and Elddis, despite their incompatibility, exchange a few words.

　In the present, there is no longer any trace of the past. I'm tempted to think that everything that happened in the past was just a dream.

　But still, I can't help but think of them when I'm with them.

　When I close my eyelids slightly, I can vividly picture the days when I still had nothing in my palm and couldn't even get my fingertips to reach out in longing. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.

　It's hard to describe in a few words, these swirling emotions. This is the past itself, a relic of the past still inside me.

　Oh, what a mess. Caria-Bardnick, Fialat-La-Borgograd, Erdis. The women I once longed for, the ones who watched my back, are now reaching out to me. And yet my consciousness is still on the same journey it once was.

　It's a terrifying thing. The past is a disgusting mud that oozes out when you add paint on top of it. It crawls up to you with a white hand from deep within your brain. As if to say, "I will not let you shake me off.

　Then you must forcefully expose it in the light of day and step over it. If you want to stand alongside them, the glorious heroes, why can't you go beyond that?

　I'm sure my childhood friend would say the same thing.

　I cut off the head of a rat in Gazalia, I cut off the feet of a coward in Belle Fain, and I crushed my former self in the Saanio Plain. Then there is only one thing left to do.

　There's only one thing left to do, and that's to finish the journey of salvation.

　That's what I have to do, that's what I have to do. I know very well that the peace that can be gained by turning away from the past and skulking around is not a good thing. If you don't, there is no way you can take Alueno's or anyone else's hand.

　The treasured sword at his waist made a tingling sound.

　Ahead of him, the decaying Great Temple, one of the destinations of his former journey, was poised in front of him.