The curtain has once again fallen on the talks, and the chamber has taken on a rather empty appearance.

　Saint Mattia leaned back comfortably. Before she knew it, she felt a strange tension in her shoulders. I felt it slowly slipping away.

　Then, after a long pause, she said.

"What do you think? Is Lugis serious when he says that? If so, to what extent?

　The two shadows that received those words, which did not hide their skepticism, were the two shadows. Anne, his aide, and Erdis, Queen of Gazalia.

　There was a slight pause as they both heard Mattia's words. Anne had a small wrinkle between her eyebrows, showing definite anguish, while Erdis seemed to be plotting something.

　It was the latter who opened her mouth first. The long ears of the elves point to the air with pride.

"Lugis talks nonsense, even falsehoods when necessary. You can't take everything he says seriously, though.

　To be honest, Mattia doesn't feel like arguing with him on this point. Lugis must be a person who finds pleasure in playing with words.

　That's why he always speaks lightly in an aloof manner.

　Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the words of such a person are, if anything, frivolous. You often feel that it is foolish to take them seriously.

　If that had been the case with Lugis' words, it might have been better.

　But," Erdis said after he had said that. The sculpted features of his face were searching for words.

But he will not compromise or lie about what he says. But he is uncompromising and untrue in what he says.

　At Elddis's words, Mattia unknowingly let out a white breath and put his hand on his forehead. I'm sure you'll agree with me.

　Is that what she thinks too? I'm sure Anne, who looks away with a bitter look on her face, feels the same way.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

　--I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it. It's a good idea to get the support of other countries and save the Garlist Kingdom from crisis. In this way, I'll remind the nations that what they need is a religion that unites the people, and that it doesn't matter if it's the Great Sacred Faith or heraldry. This is an opportunity. Irreplaceable.

　A word that should have been dismissed as delusional. Nonsense. Mattia's reason tells him that he can't do that.

　In fact, the heraldic leaders in attendance had something similar in their eyes, though they didn't say it in words. Mattia could see the deep wrinkles distorting with suspicion and disgust.

　Mattia's small lips quivered as she pondered what to do. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll do it.

　That's not surprising. He has a terrible lack of respect for organization. He repeatedly goes off on his own, as if there is no such thing.

　It was almost as if he disliked the idea of an organization, or even a group of people.

　Even the heavyweights must have felt bitterness in their hearts at his actions. They must be filled with bitterness at his actions, especially when more and more of the people in the Church see him as a hero and praise him for his actions.

　So perhaps, Mattia thinks, he should have listened to the feelings of the leaders and appeased Lugis at that moment.

　I should have told him that he was too far removed from reality and that we should sit down and discuss it. He should have said.

　At the very least, Mattia can be sure that he would have done so if he had been a man of reason and had made decisions based on calculation.

　It's more beneficial to keep the organization together.

　But what's wrong with that? It seems to Mattia that this is not the right thing to do. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.

　After all, Mattia had seen it. She had seen him do all kinds of things with an irreverent will. His footprints stretched too far to be easily traced.

　So Mattia could not say anything. She thought that if he said it, then it would be done. As a saint, she knew it was wrong, but she couldn't even open her lips.

　I'm sure the chiefs felt the same way, and that's why they wrapped the abuse in skin and swallowed it.

"The complaints from the elders will be heavy again.

　Anne said in a resigned voice. Such complaints rarely reached Mattia directly. But in the ears of Anne, who was close to her, they would probably enter with a force approaching resentment.

　When you think about it, Anne might be the one who suffered the most from Lugis' arbitrary decision. In spite of that, she seems to be getting along well with him.

　As Erdis listened to Mattia and then Anne exchanging a few words, he said in disgust.

People really like to push others away under the guise of jealousy, don't they? It's almost morbid that they can't easily accept the one hero who has brought them glory.

　The words that came from Elddis's pointed lips were not directed at Mattia or Ann personally. The words that came from Erdis' pointed lips were not directed at Mattia or Anne, but were filled with uncontrollable disgust and sorrow.

　Humans are so quick to forget that they have been hurt. They forget the pain they once suffered and begin to denounce the person who took it away. Many stories of heroes end in tragedy, Erdis said.

　And now, with a lustrous expression on her cheeks, she continued.

I don't think I, or any elf for that matter--



　Mattia didn't pause for more than a blink of an eye before he spoke back. Her long hair bounced and waved in the air.

"He's human. I wonder if the elves will accept him.

　Her blue eyes and Mattia's large ones met for a moment. They both knew what each other was trying to say, and what they were trying to imply.

　That's why neither of them wanted to give in or even back down. Their eyes were wide open, and they were facing each other head-on with deep tension.

　For a few seconds.

　For a few seconds, no one said a word, only sharpened gazes and breathing.

　Only after that did Anne finally open her mouth. There was a sense of terrible fatigue in her voice.

"...... now, not the treatment of the hero. I'd like to hear what you have to say about that.

　It's not that I don't like it. It sounded as if something was being stuffed down her throat.

　Still, it seemed to make sense to move the time between them for the time being. They shifted their gazes without saying a word, and then Mattia said.

Whatever he chooses to do, I can almost understand his conclusion.

　He's the leader of the attack on the hexenbiest disaster, he says. How is he going to do that? I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　--As a matter of course, he will choose the one that will harm him the most.

　Not only Mattia, but also Anne and Elddis understood this. The biggest vice that Lugis has is that.

　It's as if she's trapped in an obsession that she must sacrifice herself.

　Recently, he's finally started to listen to what I have to say. Still, control hasn't penetrated all his thoughts.

　Not yet, not yet. If something big happens now, he'll get hurt again. So what do we do? Hold him down until he's under control.

　Just as Mattia's thoughts were about to reach a conclusion...

　Erdis muttered.

It's annoying. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　She continues to speak as if she is not annoyed.

　Her blue eyes flickered strangely, and her cheeks were filled with the unique beauty of an elf.

　--Then you'll understand that we have our own agendas. With your own body.

　In your blue eyes. In his blue eyes, the deep, seemingly bottomless passions of an elf emerged.