Aerchon's eyes narrowed even more. His jaw tightened and suddenly his hands clenched tightly.
However, Saeldir didn't look scared. Instead, he was still looking at Aerchon with the same eyes.
A gaze that revealed firmness at everything Aerchon would say.
Saeldir did not back down. He decided to 'fight' Aerchon now. Something that no one in this palace seemed to ever do.
For a moment, Saeldir's mind went to Aurdis.
Laston now knows where Aurdis has gone. And that meant he was going to send a group, or maybe an army to intercept her.
'I'm sorry, Aurdis. I won't be able to help you now.'
Saeldir deeply regretted what happened. He told Aurdis that he would always be there if she asked for help.
But it turned out that he had to confront Aerchon in a very serious conversation.
Even so, Saeldir had a good feeling about Aurdis's journey. He felt that Aurdis would be fine.
She already has a resolute intention, so she will carry it out to the end.
'Yes, I have to have faith in her.'
Saeldir said to himself and started focusing on Aerchon.
"(I'm temperamental?)" Aerchon repeated Saeldir's words.
Those words seemed to throw a sword in Saeldir's face. Aerchon seemed to challenge Saeldir to take the sword - continuing his brave words.
"(Yes.)" And Saeldir took the sword without hesitation. "(You've made too many wrong decisions, Aerchon.)"
"(What do you mean? About that war on humans?)" Aerchon asked.
"(That was one of the biggest wrong decisions you ever made. Do you know how many of our troops have died in other worlds, and not properly cremated?)" Saeldir said.
"(They do it for this kingdom,)" Aerchon replied.
"(They did it because of your irresistible orders. Did you know that most of the dead soldiers don't actually want to go to war in another world?)"
Saeldir's words made Aerchon frown in surprise.
"(I talked to them one night and they said it all. We all know that our strength will drop drastically if we enter another world. That's why they don't want to do it,)" Saeldir continued.
"(Then why didn't they say it to me?)" Aerchon asked.
"(So that they can receive punishment from you?)"
Aerchon's mouth was tightly shut at those words.
"(You always think that your decision is the right decision. Without considering other people's opinion,)" Saeldir said.
"(In the end, you caused hundreds of thousands of our troops to die in vain. Besides, you also caused misery to the humans in that other world.)"
Aerchon wanted to say something. But Saeldir immediately interrupted before the words could leave his mouth.
,m "(You're saying that the humans are lowly creatures that deserve to die? Then what about your own army? Do they deserve to die? Because based on what I see, they got the same ending as the humans.)"
Saeldir took a break for a while.
He stopped to let the words sink into Aerchon's head and heart.
About a minute later, Saeldir continued his speech.
"(I'll get straight to the point now. Actually, there's still a lot I want to tell you right now. But an emergency situation is going on,)" Saeldir said.
"(Your sister is on her way to Dawnwood. And the traitor already knows about that. So he will send assassins to kill Aurdis.)"
"(He?)" Aerchon asked with his eyebrows knit together.
"(Yes.)" Saeldir nodded his head. "(That traitor is Laston.)"
Aerchon suddenly jumped to his feet from his chair. His eyes were on Saeldir.
Those eyes that had always been sharp with suspicion and annoyance had now turned wide with shock.
"(What you say?)" Aerchon asked in a trembling voice.
Saeldir looked at him. "(I know it will be hard for you to believe this. Unless you see it for yourself.)"
Aerchon felt the emotions in his chest begin to grow. Emotions that are like lava in a mountain about to overflow.
Laston was a figure he had considered his own father.
When his father was busy carrying out his duties as King, Laston came and took care of him and Aurdis.
Aerchon felt he got more affection from his father's brother than his own father.
And now Saeldir is saying that Laston is a traitor?
The one who had caused so much damage and loss in this palace?
But Aerchon saw Saeldir's gaze.
He could feel the faith and sincerity in his eyes.
A certainty that made him willing to oppose him.
Because of that, his anger that was previously about to explode shrank back.
Aerchon took a deep breath. Then exhale.
He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. Trying to suppress all his emotions and let Saeldir continue his words.
"(How can you say that?)" Aerchon asked.
"(I heard his name come out from a Dark Elf assassin.)"
Then Saeldir told about what happened that time. About the Dark Elf who had been ordered by Laston to lure Erend and kill him.
"(Erend lured the Dark Elf assassin and managed to trick her instead. After that he fought her. I came just in time and interrogated the Dark Elf.)"
Aerchon's expression still showed shock. The fact that there were Dark Elves involved was shocking enough.
But it turned out to be more than that. Saeldir and the humans even fought with her.
"(I heard it from the mouth of the Dark Elf assassin. She mentioned Laston's name,)" Saeldir continued.
Aerchon was still looking into Saeldir's eyes.
Trying to find traces of lies or unsureness there. But he didn't find it.
What he got from Saeldir's eyes was, an assurance that he was telling the truth.
Archon sighed.
He had been in disbelief. But hearing Saeldir's clear and firm explanation and the expression on his face full of conviction, Aerchon felt that Saeldir was telling the truth.
"(Do you have any other evidence?)"
Even so, Aerchon still needs stronger evidence to take firm action.
Seeing Aerchon who seemed to have accepted his words, Saeldir heaved a sigh of relief secretly.
He wouldn't let Aerchon know that during this conversation he was feeling tense.
"(You will get the proof,)" Saeldir said. "(But you have to wait.)"
~~~