Less than ten minutes had passed between the knight's appearance and the gradual extinguishing of the flames.
Before this, Kroya had never had anything to do with him. He had been a complete stranger, yet Kroya still felt sorry for the knight.
Ilyst had imprisoned him, and then, thousands of years later, he had been used as fuel and burned to nothing.
That was certainly unfortunate. But if he believed this was the best choice, there was nothing more to say. Ultimately, the choice one believed was best was the right one.
Kroya lowered his head and looked at the Golden Notes in his hand.
The note was scorching hot.
It hovered in his palm like a tiny sun.
He could sense that this note was definitely connected to the Golden Melody. It contained not only the knight's joy, but also... resolve.
Unwavering, unchanging resolve, enduring for eternity.
That, too, was a kind of power-a power that could take tangible form.
"What a wonderful gift."
"With this, I should be able to get an early glimpse of the Golden Melody."
He put the note away for the moment. The instant he received it, Kroya had gained a little insight into the Golden Melody.
Perhaps, with some careful study later, he might truly understand it and learn something from it.
For now, though, he still needed to deal with the Baron.
He turned his gaze toward the Baron, who looked back at him.
"Master Mage... I, I feel strange."
The Baron looked bewildered. "It felt as though someone just told me how to use these thorns and left me some power."
As he spoke, he extended his hand and curled his fingers, as though reviewing something he had learned.
The mana in the air gathered toward his palm, actually forming a