Elzer still hadn't fully recovered from his shock, his eyes fixated on the brand-new book in his hands. His voice trembled, filled with bewilderment.
- Elzer: This... this is...
- Mei: The secret you've always wanted to know.
With shaking hands, Elzer gently turned each page of the book, as if afraid to damage something so priceless. At the end of one page, a small message caught his eye, written with a delicate hand yet full of sincerity.
"My dearest son, Elzer... if you are reading these words, it seems I am no longer with you.
I am so proud of you for having the courage to do this difficult thing—to burn this disgraceful book to protect my honor. I imagine you must have endured so much pain and torment to make this choice, haven't you?
I had no other option but to hide these heartfelt words within the book. All the secrets, all the things I never had the chance to tell you... they are all preserved here.
I am truly sorry, Elzer. I did not fulfill my duty as a father; I left you and your mother to live in misery. Please forgive me...
I love you very much, Elzer."
Elzer’s eyes blurred with tears, and a sob caught in his throat. An uncomfortable feeling rose in him; he wanted to close the book, to escape this painful truth. But deep down, a fierce longing urged him to read every last word.
His hand involuntarily turned to the next page. One by one, the heartfelt words of his deceased father felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
After reading the entire journal, Elzer's emotions overflowed. He couldn't hold back any longer and wept uncontrollably like a child.
- Elzer (sobbing): My father... he was truly wronged. He wasn't a traitor, and he wasn't someone who sold his conscience.
Elzer's heart felt as though it was being squeezed, a wave of pain washing over his body, like thorns pricking his bleeding heart. Tears streamed down his face as memories of happy times with his parents flooded his mind.
“This is a composition I wrote myself, Father. It’s a gift for you.”
Khemusanta took the paper, read it carefully, then smiled as he ruffled his son's hair.
“Haha, indeed! Our son is different from the rest; he has a natural talent.”
His mother smiled softly, her gentle voice agreeing with his father.
“Isn’t it so? The boy is just like you.”
He couldn't recall the exact details of the memory, only the sounds of happy laughter and the deafening boom of fireworks drowning out all else. A profound sense of regret overwhelmed his mind.
There were still so many things he had never gotten to tell his father: that he was his role model, that he was his greatest source of pride. The words of love had no chance to be spoken, the apologies were regretfully left unsaid. Now, Elzer felt more pain than ever before.
Witnessing the scene, Diluc's heart also ached. He was reminded of the happy moments he had shared with his own father, Crepus. As a child, he too had grown up with his father's love and expectations, always telling himself he had to work his hardest to not disappoint him.
“Well done, my son.”
A single word of praise from his father was enough to make him happy all day, a source of pride and good fortune. Diluc most vividly remembered a casual remark his father had made when he saw a dishonest merchant, covered in expensive jewelry, swindling a poor hunter, buying his valuable wares for next to nothing.
“Sometimes, the brilliance on the outside is just a shell, isn't it?”
At the time, Diluc was too young to fully grasp the meaning of those words. He simply brushed past it and strode forward to expose the merchant. But now, recalling that moment, Diluc found it more heartbreaking than ever.
Crepus was right; in this world, there were still many wicked people hiding behind a facade of glamour. Diluc had witnessed things he should never have seen, things he had once strived for, now shattered into nothingness.
Seeing Elzer still sobbing, Mei felt a bit awkward. She had never experienced a father's care like this, but witnessing Elzer in this state, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She walked over, gently offering him a handkerchief.
- Mei: You've learned the truth, at least. Do you feel a little lighter now?
Elzer took the handkerchief from her, giving a slight nod without replying. Mei knew he needed more time, so she went to sit in a small corner, giving him some space.
At that moment, Diluc walked over to Mei, his voice tinged with wariness.
- Diluc: How did you know there was such a big secret hidden in that book?
- Mei (giving an awkward laugh): I spent all night reading books and researching how to solve it.
Diluc continued to press, his sharp eyes seeming to look straight into her soul.
- Diluc: So, what exactly was the secret?
- Mei (thinking to herself): Why does he ask so many questions?
After a moment of hesitation, Mei finally spoke.
- Mei: The book was covered with a layer of “golden dust”—an ancient art from the underground kingdom.
Diluc's eyebrows furrowed, as if thinking deeply about something.
- Diluc: You mean this “golden dust” can conceal the true information of an object?
- Mei: That's exactly it. Because it's made of ultra-fine particles from ancient technology, it only reveals its true effect when it comes into contact with fire.
Diluc raised an eyebrow, his voice showing a mix of surprise and skepticism.
- Diluc: Is there really a book that talks about such a thing? How interesting. Could I perhaps borrow it for a while?
- Mei (stammering): That... that...
- Mei (screaming internally): I don't even have that book to lend you! Can't you live without making things difficult for me?
At that moment, Elzer was the one to break the tense atmosphere. His eyes were still a little red, his voice tinged with a slight sob, but he was still able to speak clearly.
- Elzer (sadly): Thank you very much for today's help, Mei.
- Mei (waving her hand): Don't be so formal. It's normal for friends to help each other.
- Elzer (nodding): As you said, my father used the "golden dust" art to hide a secret... but I still don't understand why he didn't just tell me the truth back then.
- Diluc: Perhaps it's because he felt too guilty. He couldn't face you directly, so he chose to remain silent.
Elzer fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment. Then, clutching the book tightly, he spoke with newfound certainty.
- Elzer: But now I can be sure of one thing, my father didn't give up being a writer because he created a "worthless piece of work". He gave up because he had already written "the greatest work of his life."
- Mei (giving a thumbs-up in agreement): Yeah! You're absolutely right, Elzer.
After everything that had happened, Diluc had a better opinion of Mei, and he looked her up and down as if reassessing her once more. After a moment of thought, he offered his praise.
- Diluc: Well done.
- Mei (surprised): Haha, it's nothing really.
- Mei (feeling shy): OMG! Did I hear that right? The old man is praising me?
With everything settled, Mei excused herself and left first. Elzer and Diluc watched the small figure of the girl disappear, and their feelings about her had changed slightly.
- Elzer: I think I have a different opinion of Mei now, sir.
- Diluc: Hm. At the very least, we can confirm that she has good intentions toward us.
- Diluc: That's enough for today. You should also prepare yourself mentally for the day after tomorrow.
- Elzer (now calm again): I understand. Don't worry, sir.
- Diluc: Let's go. This feeling of being watched is very unpleasant.
Elzer seemed confused by his boss's last words, but he pretended not to have heard. The two of them walked away, bathed in the gentle breeze, which seemed to console their lonely souls.
In a hidden corner, unnoticed by others, a pair of pale blue eyes like sapphires had witnessed everything. The figure ran a hand through his orange hair, revealing a knowing smile as he murmured to himself.
- ???: Ha, ancient technology from Khaenri'ah? This is truly something to look forward to!