2025-04-21 21:11:01"Can we still continue this mission?" Anthonius was asked by Javier.
"We're going back to Filansia to have a face-to-face meeting with Meuz. We are waiting for more deaths to happen in order to gather bodies that we ought to have been able to save if we keep the current system in place. Because I cannot make a decision for this team, because the main investigative team has indeed been under the auspices of Meuz from the beginning." Anthonius made the choice to pull out and return the main investigating team to the City of Filanesia. They even disregarded a few of the victims' bodies that are currently waiting at the Charon River.
"Can I know what happened to the mithril mine?" Omar questioned, "Is what actually happened exactly like what we saw, or am I just having hallucinations? Did the mine collapse?"
"Isn't it obvious?!" Vanity answered. "The mine indeed will not last long. Since ten years ago, many people have anticipated that the mine would eventually be dismantled."
Terra is already on the verge of disaster. During the Western European witch purge in the past, Terra had saved a lot of witches. The witches' primary residence is currently the location that was first established as a second abode. Perhaps now people will wonder where all the wizards and other Terrans will go if Terra is destroyed!
Anthonius' suggestion was accepted by every member of the main investigation team. Then, using the supplies they had already organized, they got ready. This was intended to be utilized on the way to the Charon River. All members of the main investigating team departed Fort Solfini for the City of Filanesia as soon as the meeting was over. They were anxious as they traveled home. Because they are about to encounter the same thing that destroyed the City of Thori roughly 200 years ago. Destroying over half of the people and transforming the City of Thori, which was formerly Terra's second-largest city, into a dead city.
…
Anthonius approached Javier and asked, "Can we talk for a moment?"
Then Omar, who was by their side, urged Dima, Alyosha, and Vanity to pick up their speed.
"Yes?" Javier gave a perplexed look in response.
Javier was then asked to follow Anthonius. They purposefully took a little break from the other members of the investigative team. Anthonius then gave Javier a crystal bottle, which alchemists typically used to store the potions they created, when they arrived at the bank of a little river, which was quite a distance from where they had been before.
"For what?" Javier inquired. "I can't make medicine." When his older brother gave him the bottle of crystal, Javier was perplexed. Javier believed that Anthonius was requesting that he create an alchemical potion or elixir.
Anthonius grinned. He inhaled deeply, then let it out gradually. Anthonius inquired, "Do you think Luda is still alive? Is there any human capable of living up to 125 years?" Anthonius inquired once again. "This year... Luda will celebrate her 125th birthday. Even Wisteria, who has lived for years thanks to her alchemical expertise, is unable to live to be 120 years old. Is Luda capable?"
After a moment of silence, Javier grinned. A smile that betrayed disappointment, in fact. "I am not a foolish elf. I would realize that no human could live so long, even if I were a stupid elf. I keep telling people to keep looking for Luda because I want to fool myself, if you ask me why. I'm too scared to acknowledge that the girl may be gone. Even though she was only 15 years old at the time, surviving that far was enough to make one feel depressed, let alone reaching the age of 100. It's possible that Luda won't make it to her fifteenth birthday."
Anthonius abruptly said, "No," which just made Javier more perplexed. Anthonius remarked, "Not like that," gesturing to the crystal bottle that Javier was holding.
"Are you a reincarnationist? What do you think it is like?" Anthonius asked. "It's something I've read about in some books at the Crimson Knight headquarters library, but I still don't understand it completely. Is it true that people who have died can be reborn?" Anthonius repeated his question, but Javier simply gave him a perplexed look.
"What do you mean, suddenly asking about reincarnation?!" Javier is perplexed.
"By chance, I met someone who looks very much like Luda from 111 years ago. She was quite similar to Luda in terms of speech, voice, mannerisms, character, and even appearance, even for the smallest things she does; however, my reasoning disproved that the girl was Luda. She seems like just another person who somehow resembles Luda." Anthonius clarified.
Javier said nothing, looking at his brother inquisitively every now and then.
"She is the daughter of a craftsman who trades bear skin. When the girl's parents died, she was adopted by a small Cule Tribe household. At the moment, they are in Filaesia." Anthonius clarified, "Her new family sells salt in a caravan group that only stays in one city for three to four months a year before going back to get salt from the Black Sea."
Javier muttered, "I don't understand," as he turned to face his brother. "You... it seems you have information and are searching better than I am regarding Luda. Honestly, sometimes... it confuses me," Javier replied. "You managed to find Wisteria, the daughter and former maid of the Volkova family. Not to mention anything else you were aware of while Luda was still living. To be honest, do you like Luda?"
Anthonius simply laughed when he heard what Javier had to say. "If so... what are you going to do?" Anthonius, he said, attempting to incite his brother's wrath.
Javier gazed at Anthonius as though he was incredulous. That his brother could say such a thing so casually astounded Javier.
"Maybe it's also because of curiosity... and, at the same time, pity when I see you. I have never in my life witnessed two elves fall in love or even remain together for an extended period of time. Elves don't naturally possess such an instinct. Even our parents married to assure our survival and prevent the extinction of the elves, not because they loved each other." Anthonius remarked, "You... are something different."
"Me?!" Javier asked back.
"Yes... you can like someone for a very long time. You give up your emotions in order to please her. For her, you will do anything. No elf I've ever met or even known has ever displayed such a trait. That's why I'm always intrigued by you. What do you really think about that girl? This is what ultimately motivated me to assist you," Anthonius clarified.
Javier stopped talking and looked at his brother in confusion. Curiosity kept Javier from realizing that his brother had been assisting him all along. After a minute, Javier grinned, seemingly amused by his brother's antics. Javier also came to the realization that elves don't usually appear to feel anything for their spouses. Anthonius may have been right when he said that most of them might get married merely to stay alive. Maybe that's why the elves are currently in danger of going extinct.
"So..., do you want to help me?" Javier smiled as he asked. Like he was making fun of his older brother.
"Yes," Anthonius replied. "But... do you believe in reincarnation? To be honest, I don't, but I'm not sure if people actually reincarnate. That's what I don't get. If not, why does a 14-year-old child have Luda's exact appearance?"
"Maybe they just happen to look alike?!" Javier repeated the question. Javier appears perplexed by Anthonius's remarks as well. "Don't we also have some soldiers from the Crimson Knight who have almost identical similarities, even though they come from 2 different generations and families?" replied Javier.
Anthonius remained silent. He asserts that Masha differs greatly from her two subordinates, who are in fact comparable, if not identical. despite the fact that they are from two distinct generations. Both troops were once mistaken for father and son due to their striking likeness.
Anthonius said, "Don't you want to meet him?"
Javier was fiddling with his bow when he suddenly fell silent.
"You have been searching for her for 100 years." Anthonius's statement, "Even though it might just be a replica created by God, at least you see her even if it's just once," seemed to be an attempt to convince Javier to see Masha, even if it was only once.
Javier said, "Maybe not this time," with firmness. "You should realize that what we're facing this time is not something that can be taken lightly. Azalea was personally involved in this case, wasn't she?"
Anthonius let out a sigh and then let it out gradually. He lost the argument with his brother this time. Anthonius held out both hands, indicating that he had forgotten his sign. After that, he turned around and left Javier to meet the other members of the main investigative team, who were going to report to Meuz in the city of Filanesi.
…
The main investigating team was surprised by the sheer number of soldiers on guard when they arrived at Kelana Field. Furthermore, all of the salt sellers' tents that were often lining the route to the city's main gate have vanished completely.
"What happened?" In what sounded like a whisper, Omar questioned Dima.
Dima said, "I don't know" in response. Then they both turned to face Anthonius, who was just walking next to them. "What took place? Did something happen that made the city increase security to this extent?" Dima said.
Anthonius said nothing. His eyes were fixed only on the spot where Masha's family's tent had once been. Now the place is deserted. Masha and her family may have left Kelana Field at the same time he left for the City of Sofia because the grass appears green rather than yellow.
"Is it possible that Meuz already knows what is currently terrorizing Terra?" replied Anthonius.
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Short-term withdrawal
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Examination
The creature doesn't appear to be moving from its spot. Although the amethyst crystals that covered the creature's body were constantly eroding, the creature genuinely paid attention to Anthonius's Rain Arrow. Alyosha, who had successfully moved Anthonius's body away from their former battlefield, saw this but said nothing, staying hidden.Anthonius asked Alyosha, "Can you hide your magical power for as long as possible? The creature will target someone with the greatest magical power in this area.""I can." Alyosha instantly concealed his magic, though it might not last long."Even if you walk in front of it, as long as you don't have any magic, the creature won't be able to find you. We return to Fort Solfini right now. That is the nearest safe place we can reach." Anthonius advised Alyosha to go back to Fort Solfini."Are you sure?" Alyosha questioned doubtfully as he observed the creature that had only moments before attacked them. "I might not be able to face it. You and Dima hav