After another meal and playing darts against Alde's family, Cedric was finally able to take his friend outside for a quick chat. Alde was still smiling, hearing his father bickering with Juliana. Cedric took a long look at their family and then turned toward Alde, who was staring at the night sky.
"You have to forfeit the fight against Tristan," Cedric said, but Alde didn't answer. His eyes were still glued to the sky, thinking about the words his friend said but not really surprised to hear them. "You must have heard about what happened."
"How his opponents turned to monsters?" Alde said with a smile. "The church denied Tristan using any enhancements or being involved. They say that it was a coincidence that two of his victims turned to monsters."
"The church will do anything to hide the truth," Cedric said with a frown. "They wanted to frame me for it, Alde. Tristan is their pawn, and fighting him would be foolish."
