Aerchon's jawbone seemed to harden when he found the three of them in this room. Aerchon's face didn't look like he was welcoming them at all.
"Before you do anything. We should talk first. I don't want to beat you up like I used to," Erend said quickly when he noticed the unfriendly look on Aerchon's face.
Aerchon tightened his fists but he then sighed. His fist just slipped away.
"Aurdis who put you in here?" Aerchon asked.
"Yes. We asked for her help because we were in trouble," Erend replied.
Aerchon was silent for a while and tried to control himself as best he could. "Follow me. Explain everything."
Aerchon came out of the room and slammed the door shut.
"I hate that guy," Billy said.
Erend sighed. "We all hate that guy."
"Come on." Lt. Boartusk led them out of the room.
They left the previous room only to enter another room that seemed spacious.
This room has pure white walls with slight gold accents. In the center of the ceiling is a large round lamp.
The sun's rays shone through the room from the large window on the right side of the room. At the end of the room, there are two chairs with high backs.
The chair seemed to contain an aura of power even when no one was sitting there.
Aerchon stood with his hands behind his back. He looked at all of them with disapproving eyes as they entered.
Aerchon carried a sword hanging from the left side of his waist. Ready to be pulled whenever he wants.
Erend tried to stay alert. In his mind, he should always be ready when Aerchon showed any signs of attacking.
Aurdis is also standing next to Aerchon. She bit her lip looking at the three of them.
"Explain everything," Aerchon said arrogantly as if he was the ruler of this place.
He folded his arms across his chest and looked at them.
Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk were starting to wonder if escaping here was the right decision. But then they realized they had no choice.
The three of them started to explain everything. As they had expected, Aerchon looked angry.
"As expected. Humans are horrible creatures!" Aerchon barked.
Erend sighed. "I agree."
Billy and Lt. The Boartusk couldn't defend humans anymore now that they knew better.
"I was wrong for trusting you." Aerchon looked at the three of them as if they were disgusting creatures.
"We were betrayed too. You can't blame us all the time!" Billy, who did not accept it, defended himself.
"That's true," Lt. Boartusk said. "Now we should focus on more important issues instead of blaming each other."
"I'd better kill you guys right here now before you guys cause more trouble." Aerchon drew his sword. "Not only did you guys fail to get it. Now the key is also missing."
"You don't want this," Erend said coldly.
"Brother! We have to think of a way to get the key together! Why are you always like this?!" Aurdis looks frustrated to see his brother's behavior.
"The only way to get the key is to hit them even harder," Aerchon said. Still standing firm.
"Aurdis, please calm your psychopathic brother," Billy said.
Aerchon's sword had now completely escaped its scabbard. Erend advanced in front of his two friends to face Aerchon.
Suddenly the main door of the room opened. An Elf man came inside.
He has gray hair that looks almost the same as human hair when it comes to old age.
There were no wrinkles on his face but there was an impression of wisdom and serenity.
The elf walked over to them. He glanced at the three humans with an indescribable look.
"Uncle Laston," Aerchon said in a surprised tone. "Why are you here?"
"I just happened to have to pick something up. But I heard something's going on here." Laston said in an even voice.
"Are these the humans who are the representatives to retrieve the key?" Laston asked while looking at Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk.
"Yes," Aerchon replied. "But they failed and the key has disappeared again. I think humans will use the key for their benefit. You know how rotten human nature is, Uncle."
Laston did not take his eyes off the three humans. As if not hearing what Aerchon just said.
Then Aerchon's brows furrowed. "Why would they be here if they meant it badly?"
"They were framed, Uncle." The one who answered was Aurdis. "They were duped as scapegoats to blame. Then the human who tricked them took the key."
Laston nodded his head. "I see. That's why you ran here."
"Yes. But we're not just going to run. We'd like to ask the Elves to help retrieve the key," Erend said. "With the Magic possessed by the Elf, it will be of great help."
Laston shook his head slowly. "Our power weakened extremely in your world."
Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk were surprised because they had only just found out about it.
"But you choose to war with us," Billy said with an astonished expression.
"Yes. And have we ever won?" Laston asked back.
"If you know your power is weakening in our world, why do you want to fight?" Lt. Boartusk had no idea.
Laston cast his gaze at Aerchon. While Aerchon just hardened his jaw without taking his eyes off them.
After staring at Aerchon for a while, Laston didn't say anything. Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk seemed to understand the meaning of the gaze.
Aerchon insisted on attacking even though he knew that fact.
"I'm afraid we can't give you the help you need," Laston said.
"No. I think even if your Magic is weaker, it's still enough," Erend replied.
~~~
In another place, LTC. Coil and LTC. Ibis was watching with excitement a woman busy reading a thick leather-bound book aloud.
"How much longer?" LTC. Ibis asked impatiently.
"It still needs a long time. You have to be patient because the Elf language is very difficult to translate," said the woman.
Next to the woman, the crystal key gave off a soft glow.
"I think these words are close enough," The woman mumbled.
LTC.Ibis and LTC. Coil glanced at each other with a wide grin.
"The Fountain of Eternity is in our grasp," LTC. Ibis said.
~~~