The Book Of Flowers
Determinedly
-- A Few Hours Later ---
"So that's how it is. The point is, we're still on the boat right now" I explained to Veskal
He was busy rearranging his lying position on the bed, only after he realized I was done talking
"I've been a long time, but you didn't even respond"
"You talk at length. Then, where's Verdea?"
"He was nauseous probably from catching a cold and cold. He was sleeping in the cabin accompanied by Ivor and Lyralia"
The weather is also very windy in the sea. Perhaps, we are now between Hortensia and Cassiopeia. The journey became fast because of this wind, but the cold also made the body weak
"Then give the seed to her when she wakes up" Veskal said
Just split up and now he already misses Verdea hm?
"Alright, alright. You should also keep the seed in your hand. I don't want to go that far to give you another one, listen?" I avenge it
"Yes, yeah. You're the bouncer"
"Then I'll see you, you stink"
"HEY!!"
But the connection was cut off. Veskal stayed there while trying to reconnect our connections
Only I can get us to talk through that seed, so he certainly won't be able to talk if I decide which one to connect with
Veskal grumbled when he realized his efforts were not paying off. He put the seed back in his bag and rolled over on his bed
...
To be honest, he still hesitated that he should follow this mission. But, the more hands, the faster things get settled. That was what caused him to insist on leaving
But his heart was still worried. He still hesitates to leave me and Verdea. Even when he realized he might not return until the Flower Festival was over, his heart grew heavier
...
She did not feel crowded in her room for long. Therefore, he then started walking out of the inn to look for the Black Hunt crew
He checked all over the city, but most people there avoided him as if he was a bad person. Meanwhile, the one who was willing to answer him could not give him what he wanted at all
"Well... Where are they trying?"
He had checked into the shop before, but none of them were there. They might be in the harbor, but he wanted to avoid the area because there were many soldiers of the Orion kingdom. He wanted to avoid those rude gazes and mouths while he could
...
...
"ah! Troublesome!"
"Yes? What's so troublesome?"
"TOW!!"
Just a few seconds Veskal exclaimed, Erin suddenly appeared from behind and surprised him
"What the fuck did you show up so try!? Wanna kill me!?"
"No. I just happened to see you walking around from that coffee shop, so I came right up to you"
"But there's no need to surprise me, right?"
...
Suddenly, Erin clasped Veskal's hand, then dragged him away somewhere
"... Then, my friend I'm looking for a bookstore. I want to read all the legends from Orion"
"T-Wait a minute! Why are you dragging me to try!?" Veskal who was surprised spontaneously asked
And anyways...
"Isn't there a book in your hand...?" Veskal asked again
Erin simply smiled with a face that somehow looked cynical
"I'll give you a book like this. So we better find it first" He replied and said nothing more
......................
...
...
'Why did I end up here try?', Veskal thought
He did intend to find his friends, but he never expected that he would be dragged by Erin into the bookstore guarded by an old grandfather
"A-what is this place according to the convenience of gentlemen?" Grandpa asked them
Erin only gestured by fusing her index finger and thumb towards the grandfather. He left with a worried face, leaving the two people ready to read while accompanied by a glass of warm tea
"The grandfather seems to be scared of us" Veskal said with a glance
"How else? We're still suspicious in their eyes, aren't we? But I don't have a problem. This is better than being kicked out" Erin responded
He was too focused on reading the book in front of him, until Veskal felt that there was no point in looking for a topic with Erin right now
Therefore, he also came to read by taking one of the books from the pile that Erin had borrowed
The pile is quite mountainous. Erin is a bookworm who loves to read...
"Let's see... Romantic Novels. Romantic Novels. Romantic Novels..."
All the books in that pile are filled only with Romance Genres...
"Erin. No book but Romantic Novels?"
"No. Please just take it on the bookshelf there if you're not interested in my reading"
"... Hid. Invite people but treat them unworthy..."
Veskal was busy grumbling, then started looking around for books he wanted to read from some of those bookshelves
The shop was quite narrow, so there were not many bookshelves there. That made it easier for Veskal to find the reading he wanted
It seems that the contents of the bookstore are only filled with unscientific reading only...
'There are no reading books to hone your skills.?', Veskal muttered in his heart.
Novel Bela herself is not here. The average novel is completely filled with romance genres
"Well... Looks like fairy tales are better..."
He also picked up a book of fairy tales at random. The book he got was a fairy tale titled, 'Two Spirit Brothers'. Veskal immediately knew what the book was about just from the title. And for a fairy tale book, it was very thick
He brought the book first back to the reading table. Erin had a slight glance at the book that Vescal brought, but not long after she returned to focus on the book, put on an uninterested face
"Why did you take the book?" Erin asked Veskal
"I just took a random. I'd rather read this book than come here and read nothing at all"
Erin silently did not respond after that. Veskal sighed as he was busy turning the pages of his book. As silence came between them, Veskal began to open the book he wanted to read
And as expected. The book contains 2 great spirits, Marcellus and Lazarus. The story begins with the reason they were created, the war they ended, the betrayal of a brother in the midst of a momentary peace, and the death of both of them
The two brothers have been dealing with each other for 10 years. But, they did not place any hatred on each other. Marcellus wanted to protect the humans, where Lazarus wanted to destroy them. Unfortunately, this book only describes Lazarus as a man who does not care about anyone, even his own brother
"I can't imagine having to antagonize a brother I've loved for 10 years" Veskal muttered
He had to kill him with his own hands. How tragic it is to be when it comes to someone
"But the book is just bullshit"
"Did?"
Veskal was surprised to hear Erin's sudden response
It was not because he suddenly spoke or because he had clearly said that inside a public facility, but because he did not expect Erin to have the same mindset as him
"Lazarus never intended to do anything evil. The destruction he caused was what made him 'evil'. Destruction helps people to be aware of what they are doing. The destruction that makes them learn that a heinous act, no matter how small it is for them, can make a person's life shatter into pieces
But man sees only the evil that Lazarus has done. They missed what Lazarus meant when they sinned. After all, all that Lazarus did was due to the sin of man. So-so"
"Erin. Take a breath first"
Veskal felt limp seeing Erin not stop talking like that. He was not even seen taking a breath while speaking earlier. Erin did not even look limp after she finished talking because of the Veskal cut
But, what impressed him was, that Erin had exactly the same thoughts regarding this story, just like herself
I told him and Verdea that there is no good or evil in this story. Everyone has a gray color, and humans alone distinguish who with whom. That's because they need a villain in a story about a hero
They deliberately described Lazarus as such in the books written. A man who is evil, vile and has no pity for any creature. But for Veskal, he was a crime against humanity. He does not intend to harm people, but he intends to harm their humanity and force them out in times of threat
With the betrayal of Lazarus, man becomes one to face it. But what Lazarus dreamed of could not continue to survive. Humans will not change in this matter
They again tried to overthrow each other in a war of thrones. Theft and murder are not uncommon in all circles. Persecution and rape also occur a lot to leave an incurable mark
Whatever Lazarus did was futile and only made a mess. That's why everyone drew it as 'evil'. But truly, he is the one who is between black and white. He only wants to make people aware of their mistakes through violence, but not even a little bit of the people want to change. They saw the violence of Lazarus as a crime, but they forgot about the more heinous things they had done
...
"Why do you think that this story is nonsense, Erin?"
"Because I know very well all the things that were done, all the intentions that Lazarus had, were not at all as described in the book. That's why there are so many versions of this story, because no one knows the real truth. They only judge based on what they see"
"... Also true. I'm impressed and salute you for coming to such a conclusion"
"So you have the same opinion?"
"so. But I do not want to describe Lazarus as a good man. That was because after whatever his intention was for man, the destruction he caused was not something he should have done, even if it was the quickest shortcut"
"Then we are different. If I think our people deserve the 'atrocity' of Lazarus. There are many who do not deserve it, but such reprimand is indispensable"
Veskal nodded his little response
It felt...
"It was the situation of Lazarus at the time... Just like us and the Elves now. Lazarus never had a chance to prove himself"
...
"It's unfortunate, isn't it? But, we only pray for them right now, at least
And for ourselves, I hope we'll all always be okay. None of us will be consumed by bad fate"
"... Thank you, Erin. Thanks for helping me calm down"
"It's okay, kid. All the things that would be in front of him would not stop deteriorating, just like the waves of the sea. So you have to get used to it"
Erin's words just now had been enough to calm her down and was convinced, that she should continue this work
If he had indeed been swept away by a big wave or eaten by a snake later, at least he had made his best effort with his strongest determination. Least... He can help me and Verdea to the best place in the world. The place where our names come back is clean, and tranquility always comes to us
'That's why I was born. I live to serve, so it is by serving that I die. As long as the two of them were fine, it was enough to make the biggest smile on my face'
...
"By the way, about the book you brought..."
"First of all, how old are you?"
"I'm sure this year will be 20 or something...?"
"alright. Then you can read it"
Veskal wondered why he should be allowed to read a book
Till... He read the contents...
His face immediately flushed. He wanted to stop reading, but somehow wanted to continue as well...
"There's still a lot if you're curious. I'll give you some that I've read for you" Erin who started smiling broadly said to him, as Veskal continued to be in a dilemma
......................
He was already ready to head for the Lao Continent. All the preparation is done, both mental and material. All that's left is to get on that ship. The ship that will bring destruction to Walter
The Black Hunt Crew looked fiery, until it felt like they were ready to burn someone
"All right, my loyal clowns! Let's avenge Captain Alice, once and for all!"
