*San's POV

"So, you've made your decision?" Seon asked as we entered his office.

Layla, Kevin, and I stood in the middle of the room. Our bodies and clothes were dirty with sweat, blood, and mud. From the door to where we stood, you could see the trail of our footprints, but I doubted Seon would be upset about it.

The main field was deserted when Layla and I returned. Only a few people remained, sitting wearily before the dying embers. Layla had taken me to the main house to discuss the plan for our journey to Minerva. Kevin had been waiting in front of the Main House. He said he would join us—though I had no idea why.

Kevin only said that there was something he needed to do. Something he couldn't fulfill if he stayed here.

In his office, Seon was crouched in front of the fireplace, poking at the burning logs with a black iron rod. His white shirt was dirty, and his face looked more exhausted than ever. After a moment, he stood up, dusting off his hands. "Do you know why Minerva is called a symbol of peace?" He walked to his desk, sat down, and looked straight at me.

I remembered what Seon had told me before. He had explained a lot about the Kingdom of Minerva. "Because of all they've done in the past."

"Not just that. The people of Minerva are the only ones in Solaris who have never used their elemental powers. It's a vow that has bound everyone in Minerva since the kingdom was founded. As a result, Minerva has never experienced the major conflicts that are common in other kingdoms."

A land blessed by the gods. Just as Vena had told me earlier.

"Long ago, Minerva proposed that all the kingdoms in Solaris adopt the same rule," Seon continued. "But that idea never happened because no other kingdom are dare enough to take the risk. They were afraid that one day, the rule would be used by their enemies to attack. Because of this, Minerva has always been a reminder. That the peace they live in is the life that all Weavers truly desire. What do you think will happen if a symbol like that disappears?"

"Nothing will happen," Kevin replied. "After all, the rules of the Republic are more strict and absolute. The fall of Minerva solely makes them blame each other in meetings. But leaving the future of Solaris in the hands of the Council in the Republic isn't wise either. The decisions they make tend to be radical and dangerous. Besides, it's already been a month since Orion conquered Minerva. What have the other kingdoms done? Even the Republic, isn't their territory quite close to Minerva?"

"I'm sure they won't do anything," Layla answered. "Rather than risking everything for one kingdom, they would probably prefer to prepare for what's coming."

At his desk, Seon rubbed his tired eyes. "Layla is right. No matter what, the war will come. The impact of Minerva's fall might be felt more deeply when that happens. When the symbol disappears, everyone will lose their belief in peace. If that happens, they won't have enough reason to go to war."

"A war that can't be won," I muttered. "So that means I just need to stop Orion from doing it, right?"

"Why do you say it like it's something easy?" Kevin scoffed.

I turned and glared at Kevin. "What else should I do?"

"You're right. We sacrificed everyone so you could do that ‘easy’ thing."

"I never asked to be brought here."

Kevin looked shocked, glaring at me as if I were the strangest thing he'd ever seen. "You're not serious, are you? No, you can't be serious. So that's why you didn't help us when Nien attacked? Because we didn't ask? I'm sure you would have let us die if we hadn't asked for help."

"You don't know—"

"I know exactly what kind of person you are! I've seen plenty like you. Disgusting, selfish people. You only want to die, don't you? You don't care about anything happening around you. Even if it's dangerous, if you die, you don't have to take responsibility."

"Kevin," Layla interrupted. "We didn't come here for this."

"You're right. We're here because we hope for this person, but he doesn't even care about saving the world. Layla, he's not the hero you talked about." Kevin gritted his teeth. "No, you never told me that the person you knew in the past wasn't a hero but just pathetic trash."

Layla remained silent. She turned her face away, grimacing. I thought that was the answer. Layla didn't know anything either.

"Then why don't you just kill me?" I said quietly.

Kevin turned and looked at me again.

"If I'm not what you hoped for, maybe the next Enigma Bearer will fulfill all your expectations."

"I think that's enough," Seon cut in firmly. "If you want to resolve your issues, then do it outside. But if you realize our time is limited, can we get back to discussing Minerva?"

No one responded. The room fell silent instantly. Only the occasional crackle from the fireplace could be heard. Seon sighed deeply, took a rolled-up piece of paper from his desk, and handed it to me.

The paper was cold and rough to the touch. Its color had yellowed with age. As I unrolled it, I saw a map of Solaris. Two large crescent-shaped landmasses, separated by a vast body of water called the Rivera.

"Geographically, Minerva is on the same landmass as Calmora. You just need to head east. After passing the Black Hills, you'll reach Minerva. It may take two weeks."

"That's too late," I muttered unconsciously. Seon and Kevin immediately looked at me, as did Layla. Her gaze seemed to say that no one else needed to know.

"Minerva will fall on the lunar eclipse," Layla explained. "That will happen in four days."

"Can you open a portal near the kingdom? Maybe we can find a way to get in," Kevin suggested.

Layla furrowed her brow, perhaps imagining the possibility Kevin was proposing. "It's useless. We can't enter if the protective magic is still active."

"But Orion is controlling Minerva now, isn't he? The protective magic should have been destroyed when the attack began."

"Minerva's protective magic is different from other kingdoms," Seon replied. "Because they never use elements, they can't perform magic in the usual way."

Layla closed her eyes, "soul magic. The price isn't blood, but life."

Kevin sighed in frustration, dropping into the lazy chair behind him. "There's no way to get in, so how do we save them?"

Seon paused for a moment. "By killing the Stars. Or the people who exchanged their lives for the protective magic."

"You mean they're still alive?" Layla asked. "How..."

"I already told you that Minerva uses magic differently. The Stars are people who were released from the vow. They are criminals or just people who owe the Queen and the kingdom. They aren't allowed to live in Minerva and will continue living as long as they aren't killed."

I frowned, "if we kill them, the protective magic will disappear. But what if Orion already killed them during the attack on Minerva?"

Seon shook his head, "They're still alive."

"How do you know?" Kevin asked.

Seon took something out of his pants pocket. A dagger with a sharp blade shaped like the tip of a pen. The hilt was made of transparent crystal, shaped like a long diamond. It looked more like an expensive piece of jewelry than a weapon.

"If they're all dead, this crystal would be filled with golden light."

"Wait," Kevin interrupted, his eyes filled with suspicion. "If their deaths would cause the protective magic to vanish, isn't it reckless to let them roam free?"

"That's true, maybe it's something you can't understand. But it's Minerva's way of hoping that one day they won't need the protective magic anymore."

"How do you know so much about this?"

There was no change in Seon's expression. He continued to look at Kevin the same way. "I've lived long enough to know a lot. I've tried many things to learn even more."

This time Kevin fell silent. Though unsatisfied, he only turned his gaze to the fireplace. Seon handed me the dagger. "Cut your hand. When the blade is infused with Weaver's blood, you'll know the location of the First Star."

The dagger was heavier than it appeared, perhaps because of the crystal in its hilt.

"I think that's all for tonight. There's still time to rest. Gather again at nine in front of the giant banyan tree. You'll leave through a portal," Seon said, closing the night's session.

I still felt like something was wrong. Perhaps Layla's offer to leave made more sense, even though we'd only have four days left. Maybe Kevin was right too. That I never cared about them.

Why should I risk my life for a world I don't know? Why should I help them?

I don't want it. I... I just don't know what else to do.[]