From the rooftop of one of the nearby houses, Monar rested while facing the landscape. Though he could not see, since he had no eyes and his eyelids were covered by a white bandage, the plants growing through the corners told him how everything looked.

He held a cup of hot black tea with a faint smile, and beside him, old Aslan did the same.

"This is very relaxing. It’s been quite a while since I was able to take a break like this," Monar said. "To be honest, with the kids around me, everything is always noisy and unpredictable."

Aslan laughed.

"I understand perfectly. It’s difficult taking care of the princess alongside Miss Ellegaard. They’re both young women, and youth always brings intense emotions."

"How wonderful it is to be young. At least among my race, I can still be considered a young adult, but after traveling so much, I feel like an old man. No offense, of course."

"Don’t worry, Lord Monar. I’ve already passed the stage where realizing my life is approaching its end makes me sad."

"It’s painful saying goodbye to a friend. As an elf, I’ve watched so many friends depart to the World of the Ethereals. Many times, I questioned whether the longevity of my race was some kind of curse, but eventually I understood it was nothing more than one of life’s trials. So when your time comes, my friend, I will bid you farewell with all the honors you deserve. A proud smile should be enough to bring your journey through life to an end."

With a relaxed smile beneath his goatee beard, Aslan looked at the sky nostalgically.

"I’m honored. There’s nothing more comforting than knowing those I know will continue being happy even after I’m gone."

"It’s the only thing we can do; keep living despite everything. I’ll keep a special place in my heart for you alongside my greatest friends. You won’t truly die as long as I don’t forget you."

"That’s quite a cruel thing to say, Lord Monar. After all, you..."

"I often say I’d rather lose my memories than lose my life, but the truth is that I would sacrifice any kind of memory except the memories of my friends. I know that without them, I would stop being myself."

Monar raised his arm, the one with the amputated hand.

"I may forget how to breathe, but never those who forged my path through the world. For them, there will always be a special place in the depths of my worn-out mind."

Aslan looked at the elf in silence. He smiled calmly, because in his eyes, there was no greater example of what it meant to belong to the World of True Men.

Monar was someone incredible.

Aslan drank a little tea in silence, the comfortable silence of two old friends.

After a few minutes, Monar spoke about something else.

"I’ve already been thinking about returning to Luxar. In fact, I plan on returning to my country, so I won’t be able to stay with the kids for a long time. I need to recover what I sacrificed; at the very least, one of my eyes must return, since I can always build a prosthetic for my arm."

"That must be something quite difficult. If you need anything from my household, you may ask."

"There’s no need. I already have everything I need. Besides, I already sent my familiar to inform Mountain that he should begin preparing the carriage. Azel and Marco must already be impatient to leave this place. As for Mitsuki, I don’t know whether he wants to come with us or stay with all of you, considering he seems rather attached to the Princess and Miss Ellegaard."

"Whatever it may be, his own decision will guide him. All we can do is wait."

"You’re right. And... has no one ever told you the tea you make is incredible? I haven’t even found leaves this delicious in my own country."

"Well, I was trained by the very best in that field. She would be happy to hear your words."

"Perhaps... She was a great person, a true warrior. She would be proud of what you’ve accomplished, I’m certain of it. She would also be proud to see that her husband finally stopped being a hopeless pervert."

Aslan immediately started coughing, choking on his tea after hearing that. Monar showed a bit of concern while feeling around the air with his hand until he gently patted the old man’s back.

"That’s something I had already forgotten," Aslan said, clearing his throat.

Monar laughed.

"An astonishing part of your dark past. It’s funny remembering it every now and then and seeing how much you’ve changed since your youth."

"It’s better if we don’t remember it again."

***

Mitsuki returned to the house, finding Azel and Jeanne chatting enthusiastically. He landed in his ash form and walked toward them.

Jeanne immediately noticed Mitsuki’s presence.

"Looks like things went well for you," she said.

"Yeah. I’ve learned a few things that will be useful to me. On another note, what were you talking about?"

"Well, it’s not every day you get to talk with a princess," Azel said. "But to be honest, we’re already planning our return to Luxar. If I stay here any longer, I feel like I’m going to melt."

"Our carriage is closer than theirs, so I was thinking we could give them a ride," Jeanne added.

"But I don’t know if Marco will like that idea very much. He’d probably walk back alone just to avoid being near nobles."

’His hatred toward nobles is starting to become funny,’ Mitsuki thought.

"There’s always the option of tying him up and knocking him out so he can’t move."

"That’s a bit extreme, Jeanne," Mitsuki said.

Azel let out a brief laugh.

"Maybe it’s the only option we’ve got. But anyway, I think that’s all from my side. A little while ago, Marco came back injured, and right now he’s probably complaining about the pain. I’ll go help him, and then I’ll let you know if I manage to convince that blond blockhead."

"Alright. Good luck."

"Bye."

Mitsuki waved briefly. Then, once Azel disappeared, Mitsuki stared blankly into space.

"Are you sure you don’t need to tell Ellegaard about this?"

"Why would I? It’s my carriage and my horses."

"I’m pretty sure there’ll be a lot of fighting..."