In a certain hall, a trial was currently underway.

“Luca Varethe! Such behavior is ill-fitting of the position bestowed upon you!” A long-eared man questioned fiercely.

Beside him, another of the same trait shouted as well, “Captain of the Flame Brigade—abandoning your posts and running off to who knows where—do you think the excuse that you could commune with the fire spirit is viable!? For all we know, you could be interpreting the spirit's words for your own benefit!”

Luca kept his silence. His crimson eyes matching the color of his hair closed slightly as he motioned his hand to stifle a tired yawn.

“Such impudence from an outsider!” Seeing his action, different people from the assembly yelled out one complaint after the other, trying to get Luca to admit to their allegations—with each claim becoming more absurd than the other.

“That's enough !” A shout came from the highest seat on the podium, along with a piercing and authoritative gaze that landed on Luca. With a weary tone, a question followed, “Luca Varethe, is it true that you left yesterday's assigned post to the brigade members present in the area?”

“Yes, elder.” Luca, who didn't answer any of the other questions, obediently replied. He could leave this place earlier only by responding to this man—the one in charge of this assembly of elves—the high elder of the Elder Council.

The high elder continued his interrogation, “What important reason, pray tell, do you have to validate your rash course of action? You do know that your absence could result in unforeseen complications? Your brigade members may all be decent fire adepts, but there is only you who the greater fire spirit has taken to. Remember that this is the only reason an outsider like you was allowed any authority, also...”

“—A boy,” Luca interrupted the high elder. “ It was to save a human boy.”

One of the elders stood up from his seat and pointed a finger at Luca, “A human boy!? He would've been fine if you picked him up the next day! What if another elf was preyed on because of your carelessness!”

The elder was about to spout more nonsense but was made to sit down by a piercing glare from the highest seat. After that, the room fell silent. For a few seconds, only the high elder's fingers tapping onto his armrest could be heard.

“And?” He finally spoke, “What of the boy?”

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Luca replied, “By the time we got to him, he was surrounded by Nifyr—they seemed drawn to him. Thankfully, he had just fallen unconscious. We were able to get him out before any harm was done.”

After a bit of pondering, the high elder nodded and waved his hand—declaring the reason valid and rousing reluctant groans from among the Elder Council. The elders could only assent and drop any intents on pursuing the matter. After dismissing the assembly, the high elder called for Luca privately.

With the two of them switching to a different room, the high elder asked another question, “Where is the boy right now?” The question sparked a short discussion which lasted a quarter of an hour until Luca was finally free to leave the Elven Hall.

“Bah!” Outside, Luca scratched the frustration off his head while looking back at the building—the elven dwelling built underneath the roots of a rather large tree which also served as the Elder Council's assembly hall. They called it the Elven Hall.

“Hey, brother-in-law! Is that farce of a trial done?” An effeminate man of light brown hair, slightly pointed ears, and emerald eyes—Simone called out to Luca. Only those invited by the Elder Council were allowed to participate in any discussions so he had to wait for Luca nearby until the assembly had ended.

“It's done. Watch your words, Simone. The ears of the council are still present.” Luca cracked his neck and shrugged his shoulders, releasing the stress from standing still at the podium.

“Doesn't matter. With the old man still sitting on that chair—most they can do is glare out those windows.”

“Geez, you know you can't always rely on your father's influence?”

“Father, hah...” Simone showed a complicated expression and didn't reply. He kept silent until they walked a distance away from the Elven Hall, then he started complaining.

“Those bunch of old fools keep reprimanding you like this. Aren't they just afraid for their own safety? I mean, they wanted nothing to do with you at first; now, the city needs you more than it needs them...” He spoke his mind, not bothering to separate his father's name from the aforementioned group of old fools.

Luca didn't comment, instead he mentioned, “Ashur said he wanted to visit the boy.” After he spoke, Simone's footsteps beside him came to an abrupt halt.

Simone said wryly, “Brother-in-law, you do know my sister wouldn't like that?”

“Yeah... Ashur wants to go in person to validate the excuse for my violation.”

Simone clicked his tongue, “The nerve of that old man. We'd better go and inform Stella in advance.”

Luca nodded in agreement and they continued walking towards the direction of the Varethe Residence.

“You think the kid's awake?” He asked Simone.

“Might be. I can smell my sister's fresh-baked bread from here.”

Luca raised his nose to take in the smell wafting from the dainty-looking house, “You're right. It's been a while...”

Arriving at the front door, Luca and Simone entered and made their way to the dining room. From the doorway, they could hear the voices of a sniffling woman and a child engaged in a conversation.