Chapter 20 : So I Earned The Trust of The Elves

- "But, they are elves. You don't have to...."

- "But I need to. I am human, and you are an elf. So what? Differences of races don't change the fact that we are created by the same God. And when God gives me enough power to help one of his children, I will put my life on the line to help that person. That person's race doesn't concern me. His or her innocence is all that I care about."

Thalorien looks at me for a moment. Then asks with a serious voice, "What if that innocent person is a demon? Will you save him?" I say, "I will save a poisonous snake if I can feel that it won't bring any harm to other people. And I can kill a dove if it intentionally harms others." 

- "Why do you think violence is the answer for everything? We can achieve more without violence. Just love and understanding each other."

- "If love and understanding each other clears all evils, I am more than happy to agree with it. But some evil-minded creatures don't understand the concept of love. They understand only violence and fear. If I set them as an example with violence, others won't ever think to follow their path. You want peace? Then set an example of violence." 

Thalorien sighs and says, "You possess morality. But our perspective is different." The guard from before returns with 10 male and female elves. Thalorien says, "Mr. Agni and all of you, please follow me. Let's sit and discuss." I say, "Sure, Your Majesty." Thalorien starts walking, and we follow him.

He takes us under a big tree. There are many chairs under the tree. Thalorien says, "Please take seats, everyone." I sit beside Vaelya. Thalorien says, "Everyone, this is Agni Roy. He rescued and brought back our 5 lost children." One of the elves asks, "Where were they, Mr. Agni?" I reply, "They were in slave prisons of Corlious, Prince of Alnovir." Everyone is surprised to hear my answer. Another elf says, "But I thought humans were friends to us!" Orinar says, "They prove us wrong. They dare to touch my sister! Our sisters! My lord, please give me permission to annihilate every human." Thalorien says, "Orinar, don't forget that a human also rescued our children. Not all humans are corrupted. Let's hear what Mr. Agni wants to say." I say, "As your majesty said, not all humans are corrupted. Killing innocent humans will be nothing but an evil act. Corlious and his father were killed. So there goes your channel for taking revenge." 

Orinar says, "Then we won't do anything at all? Your people dare to touch our sisters, and we won't do anything just because two of them are now dead? Our sisters are innocent, but still they suffered. So we will make sure innocent humans will suffer." One of the elves says, "General, no. Since those humans who hurt our daughters are dead, we won't harm them. After all, the Sanctus Dominion always respects us. We won't disappoint them." All elves nod.

I burst into laughter. Everyone looks at me. That elf asks in a serious voice, "Anything funny, Mr. Agni?" I stop laughing and say, "Sure is. Your children returned home alive, and those who were behind their sufferings are dead. So you just forget everything. Have you thought that not only five elves were missing? There are many females from different races who are now suffering in the same way as your daughters and sisters suffered. Don't you want to rescue them?" An elf says, "It's not our duty to help other races. Especially those evil races." I say, "Why? They don't feel pain? They don't have honor? Oh! They must have hurt you. Please remind me when demons or demi-humans attacked your kingdom." 

Everyone remains silent. An elf says, "But the Sanctus Dominion says...." " The Sanctus Dominion was behind Faelira's and others's abduction and selling them as slaves." Everyone is shocked to hear that. I say, "If you don't believe me, ask your daughters." Faelira says, "Yes. Hero Agni is telling the truth. The Holy Knights of the Sanctus Dominion even put collars on our necks so that we can't use magic or strength." 

Orinar stands and shouts, "I'll kill them all." I say, "Wait, general! They possess magical weapons called Holy weapons, which can kill you instantly. So don't rush blindly." An elf says with a surprised voice, "But holy weapons only work on evil beings like demons, demihumans, and beastkins. They won't work on elves." I laugh again.

Thalorien asks, "What happened, Mr. Agni? The Sanctus Dominion summoned a hero who can convert any weapon into a holy weapon just by touching it. And those holy weapons are only harmful to demons, demihumans, and beastkins. That is true, isn't it?" I reply, "No, your majesty. They fooled you." He asks, "What do you mean, Mr. Agni?" I tell everyone the secret of the Sanctus Dominion. Everyone remains silent for a while, hearing all that. 

Orinar says, "I never thought that they could do such a thing!" An elf says, "So, that's why they didn't want to sell us any of their holy weapons despite our endless demands. They feared that we might find out one day." 

Thalorien says, "Mr. Agni, I don't think you came here just to tell us all this. You want something from us. Don't you? What do you want?" I smile and say, "You are indeed a king, your majesty. Yes, I want something from you." An elf says, "We can't give our army to you." I say, "I don't need your army." Thalorien says, "Then, what do you want, Mr. Agni?" I reply, "I want a type of magical power that will allow me to communicate with my army from a very long distance. Can you give me that?" 

Thalorien says, "Why do you want such a thing?" I say, "I am creating a team. They will search for people who are now suffering as slaves all over the world. Every time they find one, they will inform me, and I will be there as soon as possible to rescue them. That's why I need such magical tools to communicate with them." 

Thalorien thinks for a while. Then says, "You are not lying. If one person like Faelira gets to return home, it will be our pleasure. We will help you in this. We will provide such magic crystals as much as you need. But why do you want to help others that much? Who are you exactly?" I say, "Thank you very much. And I already told you why I want to help others. As for who I am, I am Agni Roy. Also known as The New King of Alnovir." 

Everyone was surprised to hear that again. Thalorien says, "Why didn't you say that earlier?" I smile and say, "Because it's my second identity in this world. And if I told you my first identity, you would look at me in a different way." Thalorien says, "Why? What is your first identity, Mr. Agni?"

I smile and say, "I am the hero of the Demon Realm." Everyone immediately stands up with shock. Vaelya looks at me with wide eyes. I just keep smiling. 

Orinar shouts, "How dare you!" And points an arrow at me. Thalorien says, "Stop, Orinar."

- "But my lord, he is with the demons. He has come here to harm Elafeyra."

- "If he wanted to, he would have done so. Don't forget Faelira returned here because of him."

- "Maybe it's his plan to act this way to have an audience with you, my lord, and attack you afterwards."

- "Then why did he reveal his identity? I can feel that he is a good person."

- "No human is good. We trusted the Sanctus Dominion, my lord."

- "He isn't one of them. He wants to help others. The holy knights never help anyone. He is different. I can trust him."

- "No one can say for sure that this human won't betray us. And if he does betray us, who will take responsibility, my lord?" 

Faelira says, "I will take responsibility, brother." Orinar says, "Stay quiet, sister. You don't understand anything." Faelira says, "Do you have any idea what I had been through in all those days? Where were you, brother, when Corlious was...where were you, brother?" Orinar lowers his head. Faelira continues while sobbing, "Every second of those days, I only wish for death. Why couldn't you even find me in a year? You are a high elf, right? The second most powerful elf, right? Where were you, brother, when your sister was being tortured in the worst way by a human? If this human...Yes, if the hero of demons hadn't found me, I would have suffered till my last breath. And your brother couldn't do anything at all. You didn't do anything, brother. So, brother, you are the one who doesn't understand anything."

Orinar kneels down on the ground. Thalorien says, "Faelira, child, calm down. Listen, everyone, what Hero Agni said is right; demons never harmed us. Hero Agni saved our daughters and brought them back to us. We are in debt to him. Even if all this is his evil plan, I will help him. For I owed him that much. If Hero Agni ever brings any harm to Elafeyra, I will take full responsibility." 

An elf says, "All those days, I've waited for my daughter Enriya. Her mother and I almost thought we would never get to see her again. But this human brought her back. For this gift, I can gladly give my life to him. I know how painful those days were for me. And if there are more parents like me who are still waiting for their daughters to come home, I want to help them. A parent can feel another parent's pain. I am requesting all of you, please help Mr. Agni."

Other elves nod their heads. Thalorien says, "Hero Agni, we will help you with anything you desire." I stand up and bow before every elf and say, "I am honored to receive your support. I promise that I won't disappoint you."

I look at Vaelya. Vaelya is smiling beautifully at me.