Chapter 85

‘I have to go to them to know what my gift specifically is?’ Adrian couldn't help but be speechless.

He felt like he was being dragged into a game of tag that village kids like to play. And when he finds someone important there, will he just be referred to another person again?

His face must have betrayed his thoughts, as Sir Sylwen spoke with a smile. "Lord Harrow, perhaps you can read tales of the Heroes of Light. I'm sure some churches, well, further north where the influence of the Church is higher has it."

Adrian found the idea appealing, but before he could speak, Sir Sylwen continued, "Or... if you are able..." Sir Sylwen looked at the other elves, whose expressions were filled with confusion. "You can come with us. Our records are surely more extensive than human ones, despite reading not being an activity we often do."

The offer was a shock to Adrian, and apparently to the other elves as well. They attempted to convey a message to Sir Sylwen through eye contact while Adrian was lost in thought.

An offer to go with them? To an elven kingdom?

The young and adventurous side of him flared up, eager to see what an elven kingdom was really like. But then he thought of moving so far away from the places he was familiar with, and uncertainty began to rise inside him.

However, one detail about the offer still confused him. "Truly? Do you usually just invite random people into your territory?" he asked, doubtful.

"No. The number of humans who have visited our kingdom can be counted on two hands throughout our entire history… of course that doesn’t count the uninvited ones."

Adrian was even more stunned by that revelation. What kind of honor had he earned to be one of them? Actually, why were the elves so welcoming to him in the first place?

"Why? I mean, to be offered that... I don't think I did anything special." Adrian voiced his doubts.

"Ah, but you are special. You know it, don't you?" Sir Sylwen said simply. "You're not just an ordinary human."

Adrian blinked and nodded, a little dazed, before attempting to take a sip of his wine, only to realize his glass was empty.

Setting the offer aside for a moment, he moved on to another topic. "What about that dark stone from underground? What is it, exactly?" he asked, hoping for a clearer answer this time.

It was Lyris who answered. "Like we said, it's corruption from deep within. It is the source of monsters, or at least, a twist of nature." she said.

And then Sir Sylwen spoke, "Our goal was... to see if this source had risen and neared the surface, to find its trace, as well as to check its concentration."

Adrian's heart skipped a beat. "And from what we've seen, it is near the surface. If so, what will happen?"

The elves turned solemn for a brief moment before Sir Sylwen face broke into a smile, shook his head. "The result we found is actually quite mild. Do not worry."

"Oh.." Adrian uttered. "But what if it hadn't been?"

"Then the surface would be plagued with continuous trouble."

"...Like the Dark Ages?"

The elves didn't respond, merely exchanging silent looks.

Adrian had an urge to grab another cup of wine, but doing so would require him to step away from the conversation.

"What does... what does that dark stuff do? Create monsters? Infect and twist creatures? How does it work? How does it infect? Can it be reversed?" He asked a slew of questions, the things he wanted to know most after the strange black spot had appeared on his chest.

One of the elves lightly frowned at him while another shook his head.

"You've seen what it can do, and the corruption happens over a long period of time. Otherwise, none of the light races would have survived if it could corrupt someone so quickly." Sir Sylwen said, as if placating Adrian's uncertainty. "But we cannot provide all the answers, unfortunately, Lord Harrow."

Sir Sylwen continued. "You are still young, and with a touch of life, perhaps you'll find the answer soon. Or... you can come with us. Perhaps some older elves have answers, elves who lived through the Dark Ages."

Adrian was taken aback once more. For someone to have lived through the Dark Ages, they would have to be over five hundred years old.

Before he could filter his thoughts, he blurted out, "How old are you guys?"

Sir Sylwen smiled. "I am 103 years old, about two decades older than the rest of my team."

Adrian was stunned by the number. 103 years old, and the others in their eighties, yet they looked to be in their early twenties to early thirties at worst by human standards.

‘Are their organs different from humans?’ he wondered, almost blurting it out before managing to hold himself back.

Adrian released a breath, then asked one last question regarding the corruption. Verging on suspicious, he pushed on. "What if this dark stuff touches a human? What happens to them?"

The elves' gaze settled on him for a few moments. They didn't speak, a contemplative look passing over Sir Sylwen's face before he smiled. "Nothing. Like I said, the influence is a slow process. Should a human come into contact with it, nothing will happen quickly, so long as they stay far away from it afterward..."

"And if they don't?"

"Have you heard of goblins?" This time it was Valen who spoke to him.

"Goblins? I've read stories. What about them?" Adrian asked, confused.

Valen didn't answer and merely smiled, though it was more of a smirk.

Adrian looked at the others, but they only shook their heads. Seeing that he wouldn't get any more answers and realizing he had badgered them more than appropriate, he released a breath.

"Well, this has been an enlightening conversation, truly." Adrian bowed to them. "Thank you for answering me. Perhaps in the future... I hope the offer will still be available then." he added, addressing Sir Sylwen's invitation.

He had thought about it and decided to decline for now. Sir Sylwen was right, he was young, and he still had plenty of time left. The answers could wait, at the very least, he shouldn't rush toward them.

Aside from the black spot on his chest, his gift had never hurt him, nor did he have a reason to think it would. Thus, the black spot was his only immediate need for answers, and the response he got suggested things should be fine.

The only thing left was his eagerness to go back and examine his chest to see if there were any changes.

"What offer?"

A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He turned and saw His Grace Prince Bennett, Princess Skyla, and Lord Jayson.

"Ah, Your Grace... Lords.." Adrian stumbled, unsure how to properly greet such a group.

The elves nodded to the newcomers, though only Sir Sylwen verbally greeted them. Prince Bennett nodded back. "Pardon the sudden interruption. We couldn't help but overhear something about an offer?"

Adrian’s lips thinned, his eyes darting toward the elves, unsure if he should mention the invitation. The offer to visit the elven kingdom was undoubtedly rare, just as they had said.

He could feel Princess Skyla's narrowed eyes on him when he didn't immediately respond. Noticing his hesitation, the noble group turned their attention to the elves.

Sir Sylwen, however, remained calm and answered for him, a glint in his eyes as his gaze darted lightning-quick from Adrian to the newly arrived party.

Adrian got a bad feeling, and he was right.

"We merely extended an offer to Lord Harrow to visit our kingdom with us, should he so wish. However, Lord Harrow declined, hoping the offer might still stand the next time an opportunity arises."

Without even looking directly at them, Adrian could tell the lords' and lady's expressions had turned to pure shock. Princess Skyla, in particular, widened her eyes until they were nearly round, making her look younger than usual.

Adrian soon felt all their gazes shift back to him. He could only smile wryly at the elf, wondering why he would speak of such matters so openly.

Was this a political move? Had he just become a pawn on the board, destined to be used?

Something must have shown on his face, because Lyris actually chuckled under her breath.

"Truly?" Someone finally managed to utter. It was Lord Jayson. "For what reason could Lord Harrow possibly receive such an offer, I wonder?"

"Simple interest. Nothing more than that." Sir Sylwen responded, offering no further explanation, which promptly shifted all eyes right back to Adrian.

"Lord Harrow, to be extended such an invitation... you must be delighted?" Prince Bennett spoke.

"Shocked, more like. I didn't expect such an offer either. I am just as surprised and confounded as Your Grace likely is." Adrian could only say.

His words caused Prince Bennett to narrow his eyes slightly, but Princess Skyla spoke first. "Only a select few ever receive such an offer, Lord Harrow. To receive one, a person has either done great deeds that benefited our friends here, or they are unique in their own right..." She paused, taking a half-step toward him. "And 'unique' can mean a variety of things... such as being different from the rest of… us."

Adrian had no idea what expression he was making, nor could he know it from the others expression looking at thim.

All he knew was that, as unused as he was to reading hidden meanings in words, he knew exactly what the princess was implying. And judging by the looks on the prince's and Lord Jayson's faces, they were growing suspicious, too.

Adrian blankly took a sip of his drink, only to realize his cup had long been empty.

"Nice drink. What's it called?"