Zolf stood, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. “Do you know why I hold such influence and support on this island, Manasei?”

The boy stared at him, his pale blue eyes steady.

For the past year, Manasei had wondered about Zolf’s connections. Despite being a half bred elf, the man was unusually valued by the powers that governed this island, even though it was under strict elven jurisdiction.

Taking his silence as an invitation, Zolf continued. “It’s because this island, no, this world, desperately needs racial unison.”

Manasei’s gaze flickered briefly with curiosity, but he stayed quiet, letting the elf speak.

“But that is easier said than done,” Zolf said, his tone heavy with emphasis. “The hatred between the dan’yor and elves is far too deep, too entrenched, for even decrees and laws to put an end to it.”

Zolf began pacing the room, his steps measured. “That is where I come in. People like me, who promote racial unity, are vital to maintaining the political stability of this empire.”

“So you’re doing this because of that?”

Zolf turned to him, a dry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Disappointed?”

Manasei shook his head, his tone calm and collected. “No, not necessarily. As long as you’re genuinely looking after the well-being of those kids, I don’t see any reason to care about your motives.”

“There’s a personal reason accompanying that as well,” Zolf began, his tone quieter but heavier with emotion. “As you might have guessed, I’m a half-breed; part elf, part dan’yor.”

Manasei’s eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, listening intently as Zolf continued.

“For as long as I can remember, before I came to this island, I hated myself, and my parents even more,” Zolf admitted, his gaze distant. “My mother, a dan’yor, and my father, an elf… I thought they were selfish. Irresponsible. How could they bring me into a world where my very existence was a sin? A mistake in the eyes of both their peoples?”

His voice turned bitter, a harshness creeping in. “Even after their deaths, I despised them. I hated their love, their naïve belief that it would somehow be enough to shield me from the hatred of the world.”

Zolf exhaled deeply, his amethyst-red eyes narrowing. “When they were gone, I ended up in the hands of slave traders. It’s the most common fate for half-breeds in this world. To exist as I do is intolerable to both elves and dan’yor.”

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His words hung in the air.

“For years, I lived as a slave,” Zolf said. “The hatred I carried burned in me like a fire, consuming everything. I blamed my parents for their selfishness, for giving me a life that was nothing more than suffering. But… over time, as that fire dulled and I grew numb, I began to see things differently.”

Manasei leaned forward slightly, his focus locked on the man before him.

“Yes, maybe my parents were at fault to some extent,” Zolf continued, his tone almost resigned. “But the true fault lies with this world—a world so broken that it wouldn’t even allow my existence. A world where hatred between two peoples could overshadow even the simplest acts of love.”

Zolf’s gaze turned sharp again, the bitterness replaced by something akin to determination. “Even as a slave, I swore that I would change it. That I would put an end to the selfish feud between the two halves of my being. But swearing something doesn’t mean you can control it. Just like I had no control over my birth, I had no control over the scope of my ambitions.”

He paused. “After years of bondage, I was freed during a revolt. My master died, and I managed to escape, finding my way to this island. At that point, my hatred had been weathered by experience and age. My grand ambitions had shrunk into something smaller… but no less meaningful.”

Zolf’s gaze softened as he glanced at Manasei. “I decided that even if I couldn’t change the world, I could help this island. If I could do something; anything, to ease the racial strife here, even if it was just a small step, it would be enough.”

The room fell silent as his words settled between them, and for the first time, Manasei saw something raw and human in Zolf’s demeanor.

"That's quite the life you’ve lived," Manasei said, his tone neutral.

Zolf let out a dry laugh. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all my years, it’s this: physical wounds are easily dealt with, but the wounds to the heart... those can only be healed by time. And even then, only if you let them.” He paused, his red eyes softening slightly. “I’ve mostly gotten over it now.”

Manasei nodded slowly, the sincerity of Zolf’s words resonating with him, even if he couldn’t fully trust the man. “Your story is touching,” he admitted after a moment. “It gives me even more reason to trust you with the kids.”

Zolf smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m glad to hear that. Rest assured, young man, I’ll do everything in my power to give them the life they deserve.”

Manasei stood, his gaze lifting toward the morning sun as its golden rays broke over the rooftops. He pushed his cloak aside, revealing a small elastic pouch. A faint clinking sound emanated from within as he turned it over in his hand, weighing his next move.

His eyes narrowed as he studied Zolf, who now stood with his back turned. Then, breaking the silence, Manasei’s voice came, sharp and biting.

“Is it really worth it,” he asked, “coming all the way out here for only three dan’yor?”

The question hit Zolf like a blow. His shoulders tensed visibly, betraying the calm demeanor he’d tried to maintain.

Manasei smirked, his tone laced with mocking amusement. “Oh, oh… looks like I hit a nerve.”

But beneath the surface, Manasei was anything but amused. His nails dug into his palms as his fury simmered just below the surface. He wanted nothing more than to smash Zolf into oblivion with his pipe. Yet, he knew he couldn’t—not yet. He needed answers first.

“I-I… Impossible…” Zolf stammered as he turned back to face Manasei, his crimson eyes wide with disbelief. “A street rat like you shouldn’t know about something so… confidential!”

“That’s because,” Manasei replied coldly, his smirk fading into a dangerous calm, “I’m not just a mere street rat. So relax.”

Zolf’s lips parted in shock. “What are you saying…?”

“That’s right,” Manasei continued, stepping closer. “I’m a customer. I want to ‘sell’ those kids to you.” His voice dropped, carrying an edge that sent chills down Zolf’s spine. “After all, isn’t that what you do? You’re a Dan smuggling operator, aren’t you, frontman?”

Zolf’s expression darkened, the weight of Manasei’s accusation sinking in. “How do I know I can trust you?”

Manasei leaned forward, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “How about you consider the fact that I didn’t kill you ten seconds ago?”

The implication hung heavy in the air as Manasei straightened, his eyes boring into Zolf’s. “After all, we both know what happens to frontmen who get caught.”

Zolf’s jaw tightened, his calculating mind scrambling for a response.