Sylvie POV

            Thankfully, we managed to acquire the aid of the Players even without Fitts. As I treated the injured Elves in our camp, I noticed the Player who attempted something on my mind a while ago looking around nearby

            “Is something the matter?”

            “Not really. I just wanted to observe the Elves. There’s another reason, but I’ll tell you if it happens.” the Player replied.

            “I’ll answer any questions you may have, so feel free, err… what’s your name?”

            “Hawk. I’ll be blunt. Based on the number of tents here, you lack the numbers to clear the Goblin Camps here; did the Elven leaders not know how many Goblins were here?”

            Surprised by Hawk’s words, the other Elves stared at him then looked down sad. I myself felt sadness after being reminded of the truth due to Hawk’s words and Father’s request.

            Since he already noticed so much, I might as well tell Hawk the truth. I left the injured in the care of other medics and brought Hawk to the nearby river at the border of the camp.

            “There’s no need to force yourself to tell me. I can already guess that it isn’t something pleasant.”

            “No. On the chance this camp gets wiped out, it’s best that at least someone knows.”

Hawk remained silent seemingly waiting for my answer.

 “A year ago, former Queen Sylva passed away and her daughter Selena, who at the age of eighteen, became the youngest Queen in Alfheim history. Selena hates us. Sending us here is a win-win scenario for her. If we eliminate the Goblins, it’s great. If we died, it would satisfy her hatred for us as well.”

            “Why does the Queen hate you so much?”

            I bit my finger, took out a wine glass and filled it with river water. I then mixed a drop of my blood into the water and casted the Ancient Elven Spell: Betrayer’s Word. The blood then dispersed into the magic symbol of the spell.

            “This is the Ancient Elven Spell, Betrayer’s Word. If you drink it, it lets me forbid you from conveying to others something of my choice. In this case, it’s the reason for the Queen’s hatred. Will you hear it and be unable to tell others without my permission or will you refuse?”

            Without hesitation, Hawk drank the water. Having Betrayer’s Word casted on did not give any feeling to the target; however, it can only be casted with the target’s knowledge.

            “So will you tell me?”

            “Former Queen Sylva is my mother. Selena is my younger half-sister. While Former Queen Sylva did not discriminate among all her lovers, Father was not the official husband, making me an illegitimate child. It has become tradition in Alfheim for Queens to hate their illegitimate sisters. This hatred is further fueled by my ability to use Ancient Elven Spells exclusive to the Elven royal family when Selena can’t.”

            “Sigh… it seems even other races cannot escape from political issues. Wouldn’t it be easier for the Queen to just assassinate you?”

            “No. Suspicions would rise if we died within the kingdom. Elves don’t die due to age or sickness.”

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            “Keeping your enemies closer actually increases your survival chances… whether here or in real life, nothing made sense.”

            “I’ll take my leave here. I need to attend to my duties.”

Salvador POV

            If I recalled correctly, the Player’s name was Hawk. When we first met, it felt like he was stopping himself from doing something. Despite him being one of the top Players in Naut City, I saw nothing special about him. In fact, his two Party Members felt far more fearsome than him. Even so, Blitz said that he lost to him in a Duel. While I doubted those words then, I’ve changed my mind now.

            As exited my tent to check the area, I noticed Sylvie and Hawk speaking towards the river. He pointed our lack of manpower and guessed that a deeper meaning existed. He was not wrong. That’s when I realized it. Hawk could see what other could not.

            Sylvie brought Hawk to the nearby river to explain our situation to Hawk. She was fulfilling my request to tell at least one Player about our situation. The reason was simple: even if we were to return to Alfheim alive, we would be assigned to another death mission. Thus, I’ve made my choice. I already consulted most of the Elves here. I would be the only one to return to the Queendom should we succeed. The rest of the Elves would begin working in Naut City from the bottom up. I was the sacrifice. As the leader, if I returned and claimed that they all died, I would save the life of all of my allies.

            Of course, I would do my best to give Sylvie a better life. If possible, I wanted the Player who learned about us take her in. While she may be unable to enter Dungeons and join Parties, Sylvie could still support the Players with her Ancient Elven Spells.

            I secretly trailed after Sylvie and Hawk as they went to the river to talk. I hid myself in the bushes and eavesdropped in their conversation.

            After confirming Sylvie returned to camp, Hawk spoke up, “Eavesdropping is bad, you know?”

            Hearing that shocked me. When in their natural habitat of forest, Elves were near impossible to be detected. Even the greatest hunter would not find an Elf in the forest, yet Hawk realized my presence.

            My surprise created a movement in my body, which caused the bushes I hid it to move as well. Looking at my direction, Hawk waited patiently for me to reveal myself until I did.

            “How did you know I was eavesdropping?”

            “I didn’t.”

            “What!?”

            “Every time I held an important conversation, once the others left, I would always shout that line.”

            “Wouldn’t that make you seem crazy?”

            “No. Let’s say Sylvie heard it. She would naturally assume that I thought she was another person and was being cautious. If someone was eavesdropping, which is the case, he would come out. If I was wrong, no one would hear it anyway.”

            “My initial impression on you was indeed wrong.”

            “So? What do you want from me?”

            I revealed my plan of returning to Alfheim alone.

            “Please take care of Sylvie in my place. While she is talented and capable, Sylvie fears being alone like the day the Former Queen died. She was supposed to meet with her mother, yet she in the middle of their meeting, her mother died due to poisoning. She’s really good at cooking and fixing stuff, so I’m sure she won’t be a bother.”

            “I don’t mind, but I have one condition.”

            “Which is?”

            “Tell Sylvie about your plan.”

            “She would try to stop me!”

            “Probably, but the regret you would have if you didn’t tell her is far more difficult for you.”

            “Fine. I accept.”

            As I walked away from Hawk and back towards the camp, Hawk spoke up yet again in a low but firm voice, “Don’t get killed by the Queendom until I go there.”

            “I’ll do my best.”

            “In that time, I will save you.”

            Big words declared by Hawk. This was neither joke nor hope. Hawk truly believed in what he said and will reach his goal. It was not as if he did not fear what lay ahead; he simply believed in himself and his allies enough to overcome that fear.