I fell silent as I watched them, unsure if I should really be doing something like this. However, prompted by Z's words, I stomped my foot, sending them flying backward.
I continued forward, approaching the Prince who was now trying to stand up. The round object was not far from him and still spinning rapidly. I moved over there, stepping on the Prince's hand as he reached for the object and took it.
"GIVE IT TO ME!" he shouted in desperation. Fear was clearly visible on the Prince's face.
Before I could destroy the object, something came crashing in, pushing me forward. As I turned around, Ren was there with the glass ball in his grip.
He handed it to the Prince, who then restored the power, causing a golden light to shine in the distance. In the midst of it, three young elves appeared frightened, tears streaming down their faces, pleading for help.
I lunged forward, with the main focus on the object, almost getting hold of it. However, an arrow shot through and struck me directly in the shoulder, causing me to fall to the side with blood flowing out.
The arrow was shot by one of the soldiers, desperation evident in their empty eyes and trembling body. They knew what they were doing was wrong, but they were forced to do it for the sake of their family waiting in the underground chamber.
Ignoring the arrow, I stood up again only to be attacked with two more arrows, pushing me two steps back. My gaze remained fixed on the glass ball in front of me; all I needed to do was destroy it, and their lives would be saved.
But every time I attempted to move, arrows were shot again, and now there were seven of it on my front. Two in my legs, one in my left arm, and the rest on my torso.
I took a deep breath and swiftly moved, seizing the ball. I held it tightly, causing cracks to form, but unfortunately, they relentlessly attacked it again.
I dodged and continued to evade, trying not to be hit by the onslaught of arrows and sword swings, countless cuts covered my body.
Although I could move quickly, I couldn't avoid everything, especially with so many people attacking and limited space, as I had to protect the three young elves behind me. I didn't want them to have to kill the three of them with their own hands if they were forced to later on.
Unbeknownst to me, all of those scenes made the three of them cry even harder, not wanting to see the figure who had spent time with them severely injured. Especially after that figure had brought them happiness and warmth.
It was temporary, indeed, but so precious that it allowed them to sleep peacefully for the first time and wake up in the morning with a wide smile. They knew that eventually they would part ways, and that morning they were ready to accept it, promising themselves to live even better lives so that the smiles on the faces of those three adults would never fade away.
Little did they know that those three individuals were also trying to save them when the pirates attacked. At first, it was only those two people in long robes who led them to safety. They expressed their gratitude and asked where the handsome white-haired man had gone.
However, upon seeing the sadness on the faces of the two, they simply asked to send their regards and the same smile reappeared on the faces of the two.
When the pirates managed to infiltrate and they saw with their own eyes that those two people had been defeated, instead of seeking shelter, they were searching for the white-haired man because, in their belief, he could resolve all of this.
With that warm smile that made them feel comfortable and at ease, they believed he could stop the war and restore everything to its original state, peaceful and full of tranquility, even though they rarely experienced it.
They didn't want to see these people suffer because they already knew what it was like to endure every day, going through each morning with the hope that things would get better.
When the white-haired man appeared in the house with that warm smile, they, who had started to lose hope, instantly found a bright light again. They missed him, longed for that warm smile, and yearned for his embrace that made them feel wanted.
It was something they had only experienced once when they spent time with him. They never had parents, only Elfi who acted as their older brother and parent figure. Elfi never mentioned anything about their parents because he only vaguely remembered them, just a collection of fading memories that couldn't be recalled anymore.
That's why Zent's warmth became the reason they finally experienced the unexpected love and affection they longed for. And seeing him suffer because of them, they couldn't bear it.
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The three elf siblings exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts, and nodded. Elfi stepped forward, picked up Glory, and held it tightly, then responded, "Stop attacking him! We will perform the ritual."
I turned around in disbelief at what I had just heard.
However, as the older brother turned to the twins who nodded in agreement, my heart seemed to sink into a pit. My breath became heavy, imagining them having to do such a thing made it difficult for me to think clearly, to find the right words, and it felt as if I had lost my soul and body.
As I was about to run and snatch Glory from their hands, Elfi used that cursed cube to create a transparent dome where I couldn't enter at all. But when the Prince stepped inside, he simply continued walking as if there was nothing there.
I pounded and pounded, hoping that the dome would shatter into pieces, begging them not to do what I was thinking.
I didn't want it, I hated it.
"PLEASE STOP!!"
Tears began to flow, falling to the ground like a broken dam, mirroring the pain in my heart, causing my body to feel weak. Then I remembered the additional power I possessed and intended to destroy the dome in front of me, which was being held back by Z for unknown reasons.
RELEASE ME, YOU BASTARD!!
"You will only hurt Elfi if you do that. This is their choice, respect it just as others respected your choice when you tried to use Glory first, even in dire circumstances.
Don't you realize that they chose this because they can't bear to see you suffer? You have given them an irreplaceable happiness, so they want to grant you a freedom that you will need in the future. Right now, you may not feel it, but someday you will be grateful to them."
NO! I DON'T WANT TO! I DON'T WANT TO DO IT!! RELEASE ME, Z!!!
Suddenly, someone came from behind, embracing me, pulling me into their arms. It was Euna, who was also shedding tears and couldn't bear to see Zent suffer like this.
She didn't say anything, just provided the support that he desperately needed right now.
The Prince's heart felt deeply wounded as he witnessed it, causing him to postpone the ritual and say, "Go meet him one last time. That's all I can give to you. I... truly apologize." Unable to hold himself back, tears began to flow slowly.
The twins smiled at him, trying to lighten the burden of the Prince, which they couldn't fully understand at the moment. However, they believed that their smiles could at least make the Prince feel a little better. "Thank you, Prince Alcya!" the twins exclaimed with such joy, causing the tears that were previously being held back to, now flow freely.
The three of them ran towards the weeping Zent. Their hearts ached seeing him like this, but they still tried to maintain their smiles, especially if this was the last time they would be together.
The last time Zent would see them.
"Zent!" they called out, then ran and pressed their hands against the transparent dome.
I approached, joining them by placing my palm on the dome as well. Their palms immediately pressed against it, as if reaching out but unable to do so because of my selfishness in wanting to stay with them.
It was only right for this dome to remain, as I was certain that I would escape with them. They might come to hate me, but I truly couldn't bear it.
Amidst the sobbing, they displayed their widest smiles, showing immense gratitude for having given them love and attention, even if it was only for a short while.
The memories of that night instantly played in our minds, filling us with a longing to experience it again. However, unfortunately, those memories could only remain as cherished moments that could never be repeated.
"Zent! Thank you!" they exclaimed. "Thank you for the meat! Thank you for your time! Thank you for everything you've given us! We love you, Zent! Please convey that to Zhao and the black-haired one too!"
"W-Wei, his name is Wei."
"Same to Wei as well!" they repeated, appearing both happy and sad at the same time.
"We will miss you, miss all of you. Don't worry, we will always be with you, watching over you and cheering you on!"
"I'm Elfo!"
"I'm Elfa!"
"And I'm Elfi!"
"Together, the three of us siblings!"
No, I'm not ready. Don't say that, please. Don't.
"Bidding farewell!"
"NO!! ELFI, ELFO, ELFA!! STOP!! DON'T GO!!" I screamed, but they waved goodbye with a parting smile.
"Bye bye, Zent."
They walked back towards the Prince, who had been waiting with the brightly shining glass ball, ready to perform the ritual. With all their strength, they tried not to turn around because just hearing his cries made them want to go back there, to be embraced by him once more.
The Prince lifted the glass ball high, allowing it to float in the air before emitting a bright golden light into the sky. Beautiful particles of light were created, along with a large intricate patterned circle that now also shine brightly, lifting their bodies into the air and illuminating them from within, where they felt so calm and comfortable.
It reminded them of being held in his embrace, feeling that warmth.
Their smiles bloomed for the last time, accompanied by their final words, "Once again, thank you."
Before finally disappearing, they merged with the strong burst of light, spreading rapidly and transforming the previously dull surroundings into a vibrant glow of warm yellow, reflecting their emotions.
The sun now appeared in the east, shining, bringing warmth, just like their words of gratitude. Words that echoed in Zent's mind, causing him to cry uncontrollably as he gazed ahead, where they had last been together.
Zhao and Wei appeared less than three seconds later, tightly clenching their fists, realizing that the golden energy was all from the three of them.
Suddenly, the voices of the pirates were heard from behind as well as the Captain, who seemed to have been seriously injured by Captain Varren, who was now on the verge of death
He had exerted everything to hold off the pirate Captain, even losing an arm in the process. Knowing that Zhao and Wei were now free, he could take a temporary rest.
I stood up, wiped away my tears, and turned to face the gate ahead, which was now being stared at sharply by Zhao and Wei. But before we could move, the elven inhabitants had already begun attacking the pirates.
They emerged from hiding, especially after hearing what had happened from one of the soldiers. If only they had known sooner, they would have intervened from the beginning. The scars from the Dark Elves were still fresh, but it didn't mean that the three young elves had to bear them.
That's why they were now going berserk, unleashing everything they had held back for the past few days, using it to confront the pirates without showing any mercy.