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Odovish's gaze passed through Elufiel toward the distance, empty and faraway. In that moment, Elufiel suddenly felt that the mage seemed more like an old man than she did.

"The power of forbidden spells was unstoppable, and it became a turning point in the War of Light. My father and mother married soon after, but no matter how powerful Arcane energy was, it could not stop betrayal from within. A Saint-tier grand arcanist betrayed Italigis. He stole the imperial capital's defense plans and list of arcanists, then added a potion that suppressed mages' mental power to the water supply... Combined with the Holy See's surprise attack, Italigis's imperial capital—the holy city of Falan—was breached by the griffin army."

"My father paid with his life to buy the mages time to escape. My uncle and aunt also died covering my mother's return north, leaving behind only a young daughter. I think you can easily guess what happened afterward without me saying more. The arcanists gradually went underground, while nations across the continent enacted policies forbidding arcanists from entering. The north became the only place where magic was not banned."

"The War of Light finally ended with Pandor's fall. That colossal city, the pinnacle of alchemy, plunged from the sky and sank to the bottom of Ice Lake. I was fifteen that year. Afterward, my mentor took me on the road to escape, until the Council was successfully established. As you can see, I am now also a Saint-tier grand arcanist. When I gained enough power, I did some exceedingly cruel things. My mentor locked me beneath the Council's mage tower, and I was not permitted to leave until a few years ago. Goliath was my cousin's child. Only after I left the tower did I learn that she had married and had children. She and her husband were both brave warriors, and they died on the battlefield against the barbarians two years ago."

"Wait a moment." Elufiel rubbed her temple. "I think I need to sort out the timeline. My dear guide, may I ask how old you are this year?"

"One hundred and twenty-three." Odovish lifted his black tea and took a sip.

"Oh, very young." Elufiel counted on her fingers. "By your account, your cousin was also over a hundred years old. Then she was obviously a high-level warrior as well; otherwise, she would have been an elderly woman long ago and could never have gone to war against the barbarians. But aside from shamans, there are few high-level practitioners among the barbarians. The deaths of your cousin and her husband..."

"The Holy See was involved." Odovish spoke blandly. From his tone, Elufiel could no longer hear any trace of hatred. Perhaps hatred alone could no longer express the enmity between mages and the Holy See.

"I..." A sudden silence fell. Elufiel realized she was not good at comforting people. She could not find any words to console the mage—or did he truly need her consolation?

"All right, that is the entirety of my story." Odovish glanced toward the dining room. "Are you hungry? I think Sharon has dinner ready." He stood and took two steps, then suddenly turned back. "Elderly elf grandmother, do you still think I am a young man fresh out into the world?"

Elufiel smiled. "I think so, young Spell Saint. But the things you have experienced would be enough to write an epic. I think that many years from now, bards will surely sing of you."

Odovish said, "As a failed supporting character?"

Elufiel said, "Why not as a hero people remember?"

The corner of Odovish's mouth lifted for an instant. He said nothing more and walked straight toward the dining room.

Dinner was lamb chops with rosemary sauce. Elufiel felt that Butler Sharon's cooking skill must have been maxed out. After dinner, Odovish invited the elf to tour Gryphon City at night, and Elufiel agreed. The two left under Sharon's watchful gaze.

At night, Gryphon City hung wind lanterns everywhere, lighting the main streets brightly. Before the Adventurer's Guild stood two griffin statues, built as enormous hollow structures. Flames burned within them using some unknown material, casting an orange glow through the griffins' eyes.

"What is... burning inside?" Elufiel caught a faint scent of magic.

"Burning Dust. An alchemical material. It used to be a cheap fuel; just a little could burn continuously for a long time. After the magic ban was imposed, it became a luxury consumed more sparingly with every use. Now, only powerful organizations like the Adventurer's Guild can use it in such quantities." Odovish answered casually. With his experience, there was little on the continent he did not know, especially when it was within his field of expertise.

"Doesn't the Holy See stop them?" Elufiel asked. "Isn't alchemy also a discipline that requires Arcane energy as support?"

"What if I told you they use alchemical items themselves?" Odovish asked in return.

Elufiel raised a brow. "An undisguised double standard. I have to say, they can be very straightforward at times."

The two stood outside the Adventurer's Guild for a while longer. Elufiel saw a griffin pass through the main gate and circle around to the rear courtyard. As it passed her, the elf abruptly reached out and stroked its white wing, drawing a shriek from the tamed mount.

Odovish said, "..." He had already grown accustomed to the elf's occasional impulsive behavior. An energetic "grandmother" full of childlike innocence.

After touching the griffin, Elufiel was drawn to a roadside stall selling hand lanterns. Odovish followed behind her, watching the elf touch this and examine that. He could not help feeling like a family elder taking a child out; even Goliath, as he recalled, had never made him accompany her through a night market.

Just as the two rounded a corner, a young man dressed as a ranger stared blankly at their backs for quite a while.

"Eli." The swordsman carrying a greatsword called out to him. The archer beside him added, "What are you looking at? You have already wandered around outside all day. Hurry back. Charles and the others must be waiting for us already."