A tale of peril, whispers low,

  A forbidden past, of long ago.

  Five centuries hence, the world did lie,

  Beneath Six Gods who ruled the sky.

  Each race in reverence did reside,

  By godly guidance, side by side.

  But then arose a rebel soul,

  Who dared to seize divine control.

  Such reckless pride, a foolish aim,

  He raised a blade, in Jasper's name,

  A dwarven master, lifeblood spent,

  He raised it high, on slaughter bent.

  God-clerics fell, and angels, too,

  His crimsoned steel ran starkly through.

  Brave Roland was the hero's guise,

  He roamed the lands beneath the skies.

  Through frost-bit peaks where cold held sway,

  Across wide plains and mountains gray,

  Through forests deep and mystic lair,

  And demon lands, devoid of prayer.

  So dauntless, and of mighty hand,

  In magic lore, and martial stand,

  A rare adept, his skills combined,

  And loyal comrades walked behind.

  Dusca：Darkmoon Dancer, in shadows deep,

  Veldana：Dragonblood Fury, secrets to keep,

  Marin：Azure Shield, where oceans gleam,

  And Raven, cloaked in traitor's dream.

  When Roland sought the heavens' height,

  To challenge gods in blinding light,

  By Raven's dark deceit he fell,

  Torn into shards, a tragic knell.

  His three true friends, a fate severe,

  By their own gods, held bound by fear,

  Eternal torment, sharp and grim,

  A punishment to overwhelm.

  The traitor then, by Six embraced,

  A seventh god, in power placed.

  The Nameless Lands, a reign begun,

  Of darkness, sin, beneath the sun.

  While Roland's name, and comrades three,

  By holy church, deemed villainy.

  Wicked, profane, their legends spun,

  As tyrants vile, their kingdoms won.

  But when the first brave minstrel came,

  To sing the hero's fallen fame,

  Then more arose, with voices strong,

  To weave his deeds in heartfelt song.

  Though outlawed, death the price to pay,

  They sang their truths along the way.

  Until the masses, far and wide,

  The holy lies could not abide.

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  They chose to trust the whispered word,

  Of one who challenged heaven's Lord.

  Thus lives the tale, though victory's lost,

  Of Roland brave, at any cost.

  Lux listened intently to Sylvie's recitation. Sylvie poured her entire being into it, as if floating in a void called "epic," using her lips and teeth to turn the pages. Just like the wandering bards she often imitated.

  'Could it be that Sylvie is actually a wandering elf bard?' Lux theorized. But she didn't ask, because if Sylvie truly was a bard, then Lux, as the listener, only needed to listen and applaud.

  "Clap clap clap clap clap." Lux applauded enthusiastically, like Sylvie's biggest fan.

  "Your recitation was wonderful," Lux began with praise. "But does this mean that what I absorbed was actually a shard of the Hero?"

  "I think it must be," Sylvie nodded.

  "That's terrible," Lux felt a... very awkward and terrible situation closing in on her, especially since she sensed that Sylvie was definitely a Hero Roland enthusiast. "I've had this shard inside me for three months already. I don't think I can get it out."

  "You don't need to take it out. This isn't your fault," Sylvie stopped her "bard" persona and spoke gently to Lux. "I believe that the shard, or rather the Hero's consciousness, chose you."

  "Are you saying..." Lux felt her face, if she could see it in a mirror, would definitely have turned several shades paler, with an effect far better than applying rouge and powder. Pure shock-white. "No, no, no. I definitely can't become any kind of Hero."

  Looking at the girl who had been so kind to her, and who was now gazing at her with eyes full of expectation and longing, Lux felt her brain about to explode. "I'll do anything else you ask of me. But I'm sure I'll disappoint you when it comes to being a Hero." The "anything" was partially a lie, because Lux knew she couldn't bring herself to do anything truly despicable, but her trust in Sylvie made her utter this promise.

  "Then Lux, you were guided here, right? What is it you're searching for?" Sylvie, not seeming too disappointed, changed the subject and asked Lux.

  "Okay, I'm looking for the Hero's shards," Lux said, fidgeting with her fingers. She explained her contradictory statement: "Because I want to revive my younger sister, Mitty."

  "Is that so? You believe that collecting the Hero's shards can eventually revive the dead?" Sylvie asked curiously, as this was something completely new to her.

  "Yes, I believe that's how it is," Lux said, though she wasn't entirely certain. She spoke with a firm voice.

  "Then good luck," Sylvie said. "After all, though many people admire the Hero, no one has ever discovered what the Hero's shards are actually for. And most of the shards are kept deep within the treasuries of the great temples. Then Sylvie said with some concern, "I know where the Hero's shard sealed away by the Life and Nature Church is, and I can tell you."

  "Sylvie, please do," Lux replied.

  "It's in the Holy Temple at the center of Radiant Glade, kept in the forbidden area deep within the temple. That's also where the Envoy and Vice-Envoys of the Life and Nature Gods are allowed to go," Sylvie explained, then shook her head. "The Envoy almost never leaves the temple except for the celebration, and the temple's defenses are very strict."

  "I see. Thank you for telling me these," Lux said, feeling a bit dejected because she was aware of her own limitations.

  "Don't give up, Lux," Sylvie said, looking directly at Lux. Her turquoise eyes seemed to want to transfer strength to Lux. "The celebration is held every ten years and will be in three months. At that time, there will be almost no guards. The Envoy and the three Vice-Envoys will also be there to preside over the celebration. Except for a small number of 'part-time guards,' there will be almost no security."

  "Really? I understand! Thank you, Sylvie," Lux nodded forcefully. She also knew that this was a rare opportunity, and if she missed it, she would have to wait another ten years. Ten years felt like a terrifyingly long time for someone who had just come of age.

  "Lux, don't push yourself. Be careful when the time comes," Sylvie said. "But ordinary humans aren't qualified to enter Radiant Glade, especially during the celebration, unless it's as an assistant to an elven mercenary."

  "How do I get that?" Lux asked, scratching her head in confusion.

  "I'm just a border guard, patrolling the area nearby, or rather, just doing some easy sentry duty. So I'm not qualified to apply for that status for you," Sylvie shook her head helplessly. Then she seemed to recall something and said to Lux, "But I know an elf who can help you. A... reasonably capable elf. I can write a letter to ask her to help you apply for the status of an elven mercenary's assistant."

  Lux noticed that Sylvie's expression was a bit melancholy.

  "So what can I do to repay you? I'm just a penniless human, but I really hope I can help you in some way," Lux said, feeling quite indebted to Sylvie, who had been so helpful.

  "Repay me, you say?" Sylvie pondered, stroking her chin as if seriously considering the matter.

  Lux was a bit worried. What if Sylvie insisted that she become the Hero? Then she would probably have to reluctantly play the part, like some kind of street performer.

  "Then I'd like to trouble you to become a wandering bard," Sylvie said to Lux, sounding as if she had come up with a brilliant idea, her face brightening.

  "Huh?" Lux was a bit shocked. "But I've never been to school. I barely know how to read."

  "Or I could memorize your poems and travel around to recite them for you?" Lux suggested. She figured that Sylvie probably couldn't leave this place to travel to more distant lands, so she needed someone to go recite the poems she wrote. This was perfectly fine with Lux, except that she would need to practice her elocution.

  "No, no, Lux. You need to create your own poems," Sylvie said, grasping Lux's hands with enthusiasm.

  "I think... that might be a bit difficult, since I really don't know how to write poetry," Lux said, a wry smile on her face. But she also made a decision. "But I will try my best. Though I'll need you to teach me how to read."

  "I could do that, but I really don't have time right now," Sylvie said a bit regretfully. "Lux, even if you become an assistant to an elven mercenary, you'll still need to make enough contributions to stay in Radiant Glade during the celebration. Three months isn't a lot of time for you. I don't think you'll have time to come to this border hut to learn to read from me."

  "Okay," Lux could only nod. "By the way, what does an assistant to an elven mercenary do?"

  "They help the Swiftblade Elves complete their missions and participate in battles. The level of contribution is generally assessed by the Swiftblade Elf who sponsored you, and the assistant is solely responsible for obeying that sponsor's orders."

  "I see," Lux nodded. It seemed she would be quite busy for the next three months.

  "And—" Sylvie's voice suddenly became louder, startling Lux a little. Sylvie then said to Lux very solemnly, "In the next three months, you will undoubtedly experience many battles. You don't need to show pity to those huge plant monsters, but, but please, you must treat any sentient beings who can speak as people."

  Lux saw the slightly sorrowful look in Sylvie's eyes, and she nodded earnestly. "I will."

  BayardAD