It was around a little after midnight now, as I laid on the bed unable to fall asleep due to the churning of my stomach. I was scheduled to depart from Dormou in the early morning, and yet, thanks to my earlier screw up with Marna—I would possibly be starting said trip completely sleep deprived. At the very least, I was still able to move about and was conscious after the fact. Through the grapevines that were the chatty maids—the Captain had suffered far more than I did.

“Maybe I should just walk around for a bit...”

Lifting myself slowly out of bed, I headed for the hallway. The castle was in complete silence, quite understandably so, since everyone was most likely already fast asleep. Though, it wasn’t as if the Elven Castle had been chocked-full of people to begin with. There weren’t many that actually resided inside these walls in the after hours. Even the Elven King, in whom I had yet to even see yet, had apparently been housed in a separate building behind the castle.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never really explored during the night. It shouldn’t be an issue, right? Since it’s my last night, I’d rather not get into any trouble. I could also probably use this chance to finally revisit that place. Hm. Though the only problem is; how do I get there exactly?

“Esteemed guest, Sir Albel, do you require any assistance?”

“Huh?!”

Standing outside my room, a familiarly perceptive, red-eyed maid made her presence known to me in the form of a sudden question. It was a maid whose name I had learned a few weeks prior, and one who had assisted me time and time again ever since my arrival. Her name was Amara, and she now stood at a slight bow near my doorway.

It was rather rare for me to go anywhere after midnight, so I hadn’t expected anyone to be there. I couldn’t even recall seeing her on any previous nightly outings to the restroom either. Despite her and I being in contact frequently, I still knew very little about her. Well, besides her name and what her status had revealed to me a while back.

Name: [Amara]

Rank: [Elven of Dusk]

Level: [42]

Class: [Phantom/Rogue]

Alignment: [Lawful Neutral]

INFO:

Titles - [Survivor]

[Sword of the First Princess]

I still had yet to ask her, nor Marna, about what I had seen. Though, it wasn’t as if I was owed an answer to begin with or anything. I didn’t initially think much of her besides how keen she had been ever since we first met, but as I got more assimilated with the city and its residents—I had realized that she was the only dark-skinned Elven in Dormou. It was only then I decided to confirm a gnawing suspicion by checking her status.

An Eleven of Dusk. Amid scattered flavor texts that referenced them, we had yet to receive a concrete depiction of their overall appearance in MO. They were simply known for two things, their darkened skin and the fact that their territory had been destroyed and their people—written in as extinct. It was said to be at the fault of an incident that took place prior to the beginning of the game’s lore—it's starting point.

Due to the story of the Elven of Dusk being shrouded in mystery and dread, one that lingered around the downfall of their people—I decided to just to keep that further gnawing curiosity to myself. It didn’t help that she also held a title called, [Survivor], as well. It wasn’t my place to ask on a curious whim.

“Ah, Amara? I was just thinking about taking a short walk around for a few, since I couldn’t really get any sleep.”

“Do you have anywhere in particular you wish to go, Sir Albel? I will more than happily escort you there, if so.”

In her usual stoic manner, she offered her services without any hesitation. A part of me felt as if she were simply baring those same old perceptive fangs of hers one last time before the day of my departure. A feeling strengthened by her random appearance in the dead of the night. It seemed like an odd habit of hers, where she had a knack in appearing at times like this one.

“Well, actually I do. Since it’s the last night and all, I was wondering if I could head up to the rooftop once more? Where my summoning originally took place.”

“Very well, please keep close and follow me.”

She was holding a lit magic lantern in her left hand, and with it, she began guiding me through the dark hallways of the Elven Castle. As the dim, dancing light bounced ever so slightly with each step, the projection of the light would make slight shifts—up and down—as it made contact with her deep, purplish hair. Slowly walking through these long, empty hallways, it had consumed my attention as I didn’t have much else to really occupy my time with as we both kept quiet.

“Sir Albel, do you mind if asked you a question?”

A soft-spoken inquiry, one I hadn’t expected in the slightest coming from one accustomed to an aloof demeanor. Especially when her voiced seemed to deviate from her usual monotone.

“Hm? Sure, go ahead. Ask me anything you want.”

“It’s quite the serious question. One that’s rather important to me, so please try and provide a truthful and unrestrained answer to the best of your ability.”

Her wording made me feel as if I were told to stand at attention all of a sudden. I could feel my back straighten for some reason as I responded.

“O-oh, all right...”

“Lady Marna has already informed me that you have the ability to see other people’s statuses. Due to that, I’d like to hear your honest thoughts in regards to my own, if you would so kindly?”

A handful of surprises. With how quiet she normally was, I hadn’t ever figured she would be the one to bring it up herself.

Hell, this might also be the most I’ve heard her speak since the first day or so we met. But I guess if she doesn’t mind me discussing it with her...

“...As long as you’re okay with answering some questions of your own, then sure.”

“Yes, that is fine. Please do not hold back for my sake.”

Once again, her voice felt more rattled than her usual stoic-driven tongue. It seemed easier to catch thanks to how empty the hallways were.

“First of all, I feel as if I should make something very clear to you. I don’t have much knowledge at all about the Elven of Dusk, nor about their history. From what I’ve read, they went extinct due to a “foreign and unforeseen” enemy. One that continued to remain unknown even long after their downfall. With that being said, allow me to ask you this—is that true?”

A momentary silence came and went before she finally decided to respond.

“Yes, it is.”

“Then do you know the identity of who it was?”

“...No, I barely have any memory from what happened back then, nor can I recall who or what had attacked us.”

Revealing this, her reply had answered a separate question I had wanted to ask too. I hadn’t known Amara’s age, so I could only gather from her response that she did live through the Elven of Dusk’s downfall.

This also means that the lore from the game was correct after all. And even if she’s considered a “Survivor”, she barely has any memory of it? Was she too young or was it just that traumatic? The downfall wasn’t that long ago, right? Or was it? Hm. I’d rather not ask her about her age, but—

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“Cough. Sorry if this seems a bit too personal of a question, but may I know your age, Amara?”

“I see, Lady Marna was indeed correct. Correct about the shamelessness in your ability to ask certain questions in such an outright manner.”

I could feel a stake being driven through my reputation with her words. A needless wooden post of slander—chain attached and all—becoming now inseparable from who I was. I was one to take such a thing rather seriously.

“Y-you don’t have to answer the question if you don’t want to, you know!?”

“That’s just a semi-joke, Sir Albel. I am barely older than Lady Marna—25 years old.”

Semi, she says. What exactly is Marna going around saying about me anyways?! And is there more?! That Princess, I swear.

I could only sigh at the idea of Marna going around and gossiping this and that about the things we’ve talked about during our afternoon lunch sessions. That aside, Amara had help confirm my speculation. The downfall of the Elven of Dusk had to take place within the past two decades or so.

Hm? Hold on. I remember Marna saying that the last set of Effigies had also been summoned around two decades ago as well, right? Could there be some sort of connection between the two?

Slowly but surely, as I remained lost in thought, we had finally reached out destination. I was greeted by the entrance to a large spiraling staircase that apparently led to the rooftop. As we came to a sudden halt, Amara turned toward me while wearing her normal, stoic expression once again.

“Sir Albel.”

“Hm?”

“Did you possibly want to know my age in order to determine how long ago the downfall took place?”

“Ah, you noticed, huh? Perceptive as ever. Yes, knowing when it took place could help with finding out what exactly happened back then. It’s a part of history that even I don’t know much about after all.”

Her eyes turned downcast, seemingly in thought. I could just make out a small amount of movement on her face, yet I couldn’t tell if it had just been coming from the flickering of the magic lantern’s light.

“I can’t give you an exact day or time frame, but I can guarantee you that it happened when I was a child, if that helps.”

“I see. Indeed, it definitely does help. And if that’s the case...”

My suspicion was possibly correct after all. A hinting connection with the previous set of Effigies and the Elven of Dusk’s downfall. Like oddly-shaped pieces falling into place, it felt like an eerie puzzle was taking form. One that held the full image—the truth—of the fall of an entire race. It was something I would have to make sure to keep in mind going forth.

As I remained lost in thought once more, Amara simply stood at the center of the entrance. She was currently staring at me as if awaiting an order or for my next question. An awkward silence filled the air.

Was there something more I needed to say or ask? Wait, what was the question again? Oh! Right. It was about her status. Though now that I think about it, why did she bring this topic up now of all times?

Besides the usual morning greetings and her short stock phrases and replies—she barely said much of anything else to me these past few weeks. From the differing tone, to her talkative and more open dialogue; it all felt unusual.

“Amara, is there a reason why you suddenly decided to ask me about your status? It doesn’t seem like something one would normally bring up for casual talk, no? And even though I’ve known about it for quite some time, I never had any intention on saying anything about it to anyone.”

As she opened her mouth to say something, seconds had gone by without a single word uttered nor any other movement from her. Her eyes were lowered once again and she refrained from direct eye contact as a subtle shift in her tone was present.

“...Yes, as a human who has gained the absolute trust of Lady Marna—I wish I could say that I shared her faith in you holding your tongue, but...”

She pursed her lips, pausing for a moment. From what she was implying, her talks with Marna had led to being more detailed than I had originally thought. She was once skeptical of whether I would say something to someone about her status or not.

“...I’ve only ever discussed my past with Lady Marna, but as time went by, I felt it oddly necessary to speak to you about it too. And as the person whom once saved me and continues to do so—her trust is something I value very highly. To put it simply, I’ve come to trust in you as well, Sir Albel.”

Amara confessed this with a waver in her voice that I hadn’t heard before. It felt as if I were seeing a rare and sincere moment from the normally stoic maid.

“I’m honored you feel that way, but I haven’t done anything to deserve that sort of praise. That answers one other question for me though. On why someone of your Level and Class would simply work as a maid then, huh? Is it in order to repay her, is that it?”

“Yes, I owe her my life and my everything. And with that same life—I have become her Sword.”

Back when I had checked her status, that immediate question had entered my mind. Her title of [Sword of the First Princess] did give me an idea to an extent, but she was a Rouge—and not just any Rogue—but a specialized Phantom at that. A Class that was prime for assassination, and yet, also strolled along the borders of life and death with ease. Her skill set was probably nothing to scoff at, nor something one should ever underestimate.

What a strange maid, indeed. Well, I feel as if I’m now a bit closer to her though. To that perceptive maid that has been constantly watching over me since day one. What a turn of events.

“Ah, I should probably head up now, huh? Given how late it already is. I don’t think I’ll be up there for too long though.”

As Amara gave a slight and silent bow, she situated herself off to the side and stood in silence once more. I began making my way up the spiraling staircase, and halfway there, she spoke just loud enough for me to hear one last question.

“...I wanted to also ask you something else. Do you view me differently now knowing that I am from an extinct race...?”

It was a sudden question that struck me as a bit odd. I had known about her status for weeks now, treating her with the usual act of one-sided camaraderie as I always have.

Is that why she asked my opinion about her status?

As I looked down toward her, I couldn’t see her face from where I was standing. I didn’t really need to give it all too much thought as I decided to answer her question with whatever came to mind.

“Why in the world would I? I don’t think coming from an extinct race should beget some form of different image of you. The Elven of Dusk still remain alive so long as you—yourself—remain equally enduring. Besides, I’ve only come to know the Amara I see right here and now. And to me, you’ll always be that perceptive, purple-haired maid that has helped me considerably from time to time.”

I waited several seconds for a reply, and just as I was about to continue heading up, her usual monotone voice met my ears.

“...Understood. Please enjoy your time under the stars. I shall be waiting here for your return.”

“All right, I’ll be back in a few then.”

As I disappeared up toward the rooftop, an interaction immediately began taking place below that I hadn’t been aware of.

“Do you also plan on heading to the roof, this late into the night?”

As Amara spoke aloud to a seemingly empty area, a sudden voice responded.

“...Since when did you figure out that I was following you two?”

“Since the very beginning.”

“...As expected of you, Amara. And yes, I’ll be heading up as well.”

“Like that...?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing at all. Please enjoy your time together with Sir Albel. I shall be waiting here for both of you to return.”

“Mm!”