Fracture (3)

[I beg of you, please protect my family.]

The vision ended with Ardains voice.

As soon as the vision ended, Vera left the room.

He was heading to where Friede was.

You must not go any further.

He recalled the words that were spoken when Friede stopped Gorgan.

Please cease your anger. Mother said its not the time yet.

What if I must go?

Then I have no choice but to use force.

He remembered Friede charging at Gorgan with the ring shown at the meeting.

What?!

You may resent me all you want. No, I wont blame you even if you resent me for eternity.

A ring on a white finger.

The army of beasts that fell one by one.

And Gorgans screams at the end of it all.

Vera engraved all those scenes in his head as he stepped forward.

Bang!

The door slammed open.

At the end of Veras gaze was Friede, an androgynous elf who was looking at him with wide eyes.

What is it at this late hour?

Thump.

Thump.

Vera stomped on the floor as he walked ahead, and stood in front of Friede.

Was it you?

What are you talking

The one who drove the Karel to extinction. Im asking if it was you.

The black beasts, the Karel.

The Children of Gorgan.

The ones who brought them to extinction in the vision he saw were definitely Friede and Aedrin.

Friedes expression hardened at the question as if confirming it.

Vera crumpled his face.

You guessed it right.

Now, he finally understood.

The reason why Gorgan was targeting Aedrin.

How Friede knew so much about Gorgan.

As well as why Ardain had to die, and Alaysias goal.

There was a lot to think about, but since there was something important at hand, Vera simply glared at Friede.

The gaze of the two people crossed.

Friede stared deeply into Veras eyes, then soon dropped their gaze.

Come to think of it, you said that Orgus is keeping a close watch on you.

It was an admission.

The chuckle that accompanied it was so weak.

Vera clenched his fists so strongly that the tendons on the back of his hands stood out and asked Friede.

Why?

Because it had to be done.

Friedes head snapped up again.

Vera saw the remorse in Friedes face.

We had to stop Gorgan. Everything would have gone wrong if Gorgan went to Alaysia right then and there.

Give me a proper explanation.

Ardain.

Veras eyes widened.

What?

Ardain sent a message to Mother.

Friede arose from the seat, then slowly walked and stood before Vera.

He made a statement. He said that the ones who will stop Alaysia are not the Parents First Children. That the fight between them will solve nothing.

The stiff face and the firm tone held an unshakable conviction.

It had to be done. Mother knew all too well that he wouldnt stop, and Ardains plan shouldnt fail because of us.

Veras expression crumpled.

What the hell was his plan?

Dont you know?

Flinch

Veras movement stopped.

Friede smiled sadly, then spoke to Vera.

You should know better than anyone. Whose sake his plan was for.

Vera couldnt answer.

I beg of you, please protect my family.

It was possible to notice who Ardains plan was built for by those words.

A silence emerged.

Then, Friede took out the ring and spoke.

Im sorry for hiding it. Yes, Gorgans anger is justified. But I, too, have something to protect. Furthermore, its a fact that Gorgan will target the continent after destroying the Great Woodlands. And Gorgon will not stop until Alaysia is found.

The long explanation wasnt something Vera could understand.

Theres no other way except for sealing Gorgan again. There shouldnt be any movement until were done with Alaysia. Of course, when everythings over, we, too, will gladly pay for it.

Vera stared blankly at the ring.

It was a ring made from Aedrins first branch.

A seal made only for Gorgan.

The reason Gorgan awoke and is rampaging like this is because Alaysia disappeared, right?

Thats right. Gorgan must have felt her aura as well, so she must be Gorgans next target after Mother.

The reason Gorgan is stopping in front of this fortress

Gorgan knows Im here and is waiting for me.

Friede laughed bitterly.

Vera let out a deep sigh.

Indeed, as Ardain had said, their situation was a tragedy.

It was a tragedy born of someones greed, which made it unstoppable.

Vera finally realized it.

The War of the Ancient Species that ended the Age of Gods was a conflict between those who wanted to protect the dying wishes of their loved one and those who could not overcome their grief.

When in fact, there was only one enemy they had to face in the first place.

Buzz

The shortsword pulsed.

Vera gripped the shortsword tightly, staring at the ring in front of him.

In a way, what Friede said wasnt wrong.

It was right that Gorgan had to be sealed to protect the continent.

In this situation where facing Alaysia alone was beyond their capability, he had no power to stop Gorgan as well.

However

Thats a ridiculous excuse.

Vera couldnt admit to such a thing.

His hand reached out.

He grabbed the ring that Friede was holding.

Snap!

The ring shattered into pieces.

Friede gasped.

Vera looked at Friede straight in the eye and said.

You havent changed a bit.

Thuddudthud

As Vera opened his hand, the shards of the ring fell to the ground.

I already told you in the Great Woodlands. We do not believe in a sacrifice offered against ones will for the sake of righteousness.

Sealing Gorgan was an easy task. There would be sacrifices, and dealing with future tasks would become easier.

However, Vera couldnt accept that.

He couldnt just turn a blind eye to someone in grief.

He couldnt turn a blind eye to someones screams for the sake of efficiency.

Vera was no longer someone capable of doing such a thing.

There will be no sealing.

What?

Be it persuading him with words or beating him until he cant move, I will face him straight on.

The shortsword cried once more.

Friedes face filled with confusion.

In the room, a man and an elf stared at each other for a while, seemingly trying to understand each others intentions. Finally, Friede let out a bitter laugh.

Really, its hard to understand you.

It was a wistful, almost relieved laugh.

***

Did the talk go well?

Renee asked.

Vera answered with his head lowered.

Yes. The talk ended with the cancellation of the sealing.

Vera hesitated.

It was because he knew that this choice was driven by his greed.

Of course, Renee also noticed it.

Vera.

Yes.

Can you come closer?

Vera looked up.

What filled his sight was Renee, who was opening her arms to him.

Vera showed a brief hesitation at that sight, but soon walked over to her.

Renees arms folded, embracing him.

Leaning her cheek on Veras head, Renee caressed the back of his head and asked.

Do you regret it?

No.

Then, are you not confident?

Thats not it, either.

So whats the problem?

Renee laughed.

It was because of Veras hair that had grown quite long.

Recently, or more precisely, from the moment he had taken over Vargos work, Vera hardly had any personal time. Renee thought this might be the cause of his current unease.

He had no time to take care of himself, so he was starting to worry too much.

This is the problem with Vera.

What do you mean?

Youre trying to be too perfect. Even if the people around you advise you, this side of you doesnt change.

Veras mouth closed shut.

For some reason, he felt embarrassed because of the gentle hand stroking him.

Am I?

Yes. Everyone will help you, but you think as if this is only your problem.

Renees hand, which had been caressing Veras head, gently moved to cup Veras cheek.

Your skin has turned rough.

Is that so?

Your lips are dry, too.

I need to drink more water.

And you have dark circles under your eyes. Have you been sleeping well?

Was it that obvious?

Had he really pushed himself to the point it became so noticeable like this?

As Vera pondered, Renee pulled Veras head out of her arms.

Itll be okay.

Renee resented her blind eyes.

In moments like this, the best thing to do would be to look him in the eye and reassure him, but it was a shame that she wasnt allowed to do that.

Everyone is in this together, and Im also with you.

This was the most she could do at the moment.

Well have to change our plans. Well leave the army to protect the fortress, and Ill come with you.

But

Youll try to convince them, right? Wont you need me for that?

Itll be difficult to avoid a fight. Gorgan is furious right now.

Its a good thing I memorized the defensive spells. I should be able to withstand a few attacks if I use what I know.

Saint

Renee laughed.

Yes, like you said, Im the Saint. Thats why I shouldnt be hiding in the back.

A sphere of white light appeared on Renees hand.

It gently brushed against Veras cheek and began to energize him.

About the thing Orgus showed us I couldnt see it with my eyes, but still, theres something I thought of as I listened.

She continued to talk in a hushed voice.

It occurred to me that maybe this is the reason why the power to manipulate fate is needed in this land, the reason that Ardain decided to give that power to humans.

I wonder if it was because we would need this power when a catastrophe we couldnt resist came upon us. Maybe this is the power he left behind to protect us.

Vera looked at Renee with his mouth shut.

In other words, this is the moment when Im needed.

The sight of Renee as she spoke of her duty was as dazzling as ever.

The light he had been trying to chase after was now walking side by side with him, and in front of his very eyes.

Vera.

Yes.

Im here with you, so Vera can do anything.

The words were followed by a mischievous joke.

Oh, except for being King of the Slums. Thatd be too embarrassing, wouldnt it?

Vera couldnt help but smile at that.

How long are you going to use that one?

Until you become a grandfather.

Youre awful.

So, you dont like me?

Veras lips twitched.

He paused for a moment, and then his lips drew a soft arch as he answered.

Theres no way I dislike you.

Renee giggled at Veras answer and replied.

Well, that settles it.

Renee leaned her head forward.

It was really a good thing that she could use her hands to locate his face.

Their lips overlapped.

Their breaths intertwined.

He should have gotten used to this kind of contact by now, but it still made his insides melt.

After some time had passed, Renee pulled her lips away slightly and spoke.

As expected, your lips are too dry.

After saying so, she stuck out her tongue and tapped Veras lips.

The corners of her mouth lifted.

We should moisten them a bit.

The cheeks that began to blush were so lovely.

Vera thought so, and this time, he moved his head towards Renee first.