Erend let out a sigh. He suddenly felt uncertain about his own emotion now.
"I can't give you any answers right now, Conrad," Erend said.
Conrad was silent for a moment while looking at him. He was seen clenching his jaw, but then, he also let out a sigh.
"I get it. This must not be easy for you either," Conrad replied. "Maybe I should find my own way."
He looked the other way. But he didn't really look at anything in particular, just letting his eyes wander from Erend.
Erend looked at him. Feeling worried about what he will do. "What would you do?"
"I don't know, Erend. What is clear is that I will do something. If there is nothing else you can say I will leave now."
Erend could see that he was very irritated. He became worried that Conrad intended to plan something bad because of his despair to go the other side.
"Don't do anything reckless, though," Erend said while looking at him straight and firmly. He hopes Conrad realizes what he's trying to say.
"Sure." Conrad stood up from the hia chair. "And I'm being sincere. I won't do anything bad that could threaten the peace you've fought for."
Hearing that Erend felt relieved. He believed what he said because Conrad himself should be aware of what would happen if he played with his Magic. After what happened not long ago.
"I will call you if I find something that can help you," Erend said.
Conrad nodded curtly. "Thanks. See you next time."
Then he left that place with slow steps and drooped shoulders.
Erend stared at him until he disappeared from there. He again let out a sigh.
On the one hand he could understand what Conrad was feeling, for he himself also had Aurdis there.
However, remembering what happened when Conrad met the Elf woman, he doubted whether it would be wise to bring them together again.
Plus, the Elf named Eliriel is an outcast from the Elf Palace. Based on what Aurdis and Saeldir explained at that time.
'This is not something I can decide on my own.'
Erend left the bar after finishing his beer because there was nothing else he could do here. For tonight, he just wants to sleep.
Later, he intends to contact Aurdis and consult with her about Conrad. He hoped that Aurdis was not in the middle of something important.
Finally, after several days of preparation, King Gulben decided to return to his Palace.
The Elves felt enthusiastic and excited. Their king has decided to return from hia slumber and dormant state. Return to their Palace to rule again.
Even so, the King's face did not look as happy. It turns out that his own return to the palace did not immediately become something exciting for him.
Of course, there will be a celebration for him. However, after hearing what Aurdis and Aerchon explained about the current situation, his mood turned gloomy.
'Is this world really going to experience such a big disaster?'
It's hard to imagine what they're saying is actually true.
But that's not the only thing on Gulben's mind right now. He was shocked when he heard about Laston's betrayal. He really messed up the Elf Palace and made a deal with the Ogres Kingdom and the Daemon of Calamity.
Regret hit King Gulben when he heard everything. If he had returned earlier, he was sure none of this would have happened. He will stop Laston before his plans progress to alarming levels.
That's also what makes him even more eager to return. There's no point in regretting anything now. It had already happened.
Now, he had to figure out how he would restore order to his kingdom and also how he would prevent new problems from arising.
There will be no celebration. If what Aurdis and Aerchon said about the calamity was true, then he didn't have much time.
Aerchon rode closer to the king when they were several kilometers out of Sylvan Haven.
"(Father,)" Aerchon said. "(When we passed here there was a large pack of Direwolves ambushing us. I think they will try again.)"
"(Is that so? How many are there?)" King Gulben asked.
"(I don't know the exact number. But it seems like there are more than fifty of them.)"
"(Fifty?)" King Gulben looked surprised. "(I've never seen Direwolves gathered in such numbers.)"
"(Me too. Just like I said, anomalies happen everywhere.)"
"(The sign of Great Calamity, you say?)"
"(Yes, father.)" Aerchon looked at his father with a firm gaze.
"(I'm getting more and more convinced about that.)"
They ride at a fast pace. A few minutes later into the Icewind Pass, they saw a pack of Direwolves. Their bluish glowing eyes are visible from behind the trees and fog.
"(They're coming! Get ready!)" King Gulben shouted his order. All Elves immediately prepared for confrontation.
Even when he had not given orders for a very long time, the king's voice still contained authority and absolute power in it.
"(We won't bother fighting them. Fight the ones in front of you and blocking your path. Just focus on running faster!)"
After King Gulben gave his next order, the Elves immediately answered with obedient cries. Including Aurdis and Aerchon.
They ride at a much higher speed than when they first passed this route.
As they had expected, the Direwolves jumped from the top of the hills to their right and left with great ferocity.
King Gulben again ordered his Elf army to increase their speed and minimize their attacks.
He won't waste time fighting them.
Aurdis and Aercho exchanged glances. They felt anxiety rising in their hearts when they thought about how many Direwolves had yet to come out to attack.
There were more direwolves than they thought. They descended from behind the hills to their right and left like a wave of flood of beasts.
However, King Gulben didn't seem bothered by that. His face was flat and his gaze only continued to look forward.
He raised his hand, then a blinding white light filled the place.