An Extra’s POV

"How strange…"

After hearing all of Rey's detailed narration of everything that happened in the Shrine, those words naturally proceeded from Esme's lips.

"Right? I thought about it for so long, but it still makes no sense to me."

"Yeah…" Esme mumbled. "Why would they request for me specifically? I'm the hated Half Elf vermin, after all…"

"Well, I think—"

"Guess we'll find out once I ask them." She interrupted Rey, snapping her fingers once she made her choice.

"Wait, Esme. It's actually dangerous to—!"

"I know what's going on in your mind. It's possible that they want to execute me or something. However, all of this lies in conjecture. Are you really willing to throw away all your efforts thus far for just that?"

Rey had a rather conflicted expression on his face. He wanted to open his lips to say "Maybe?" but something stopped him from speaking out loud.

Esme smiled as soon as she saw this, shrugging a little nonchalantly. "It's fine, Rey! I also have many questions I want to ask this Oracle person, so it's a win-win for both of us."

It almost seemed like Esme was the one trying to convince Rey to go at this point. The latter understood why she was doing it, and instantly realized that being more difficult would only be an insult to her resolve.

"Thanks, Esme… really."

"I believe I owe you even more thanks." She beamed with a smile. "I guess I really was relevant to this whole adventure, after all!"

Rey laughed upon hearing this. "Yeah, I guess I'll have to thank Ater later. He always has such good sense on matters like this."

"Yup! You should! Do you think he predicted that this would happen?"

"Pfft! No way!"

The two continued in this good spirit as they increased their pace, their attention fixed on the path ahead that led to their goal.

—The Elven Shrine.

**********

was deserted at the point when Rey

formality, so they both simply sped into the outer court

away with her hood and was

"Yup!"

Rey's Skill. The statue stood in its usual position, and the general ambiance remained the same—solemn, calm,

of that

out a sharp cry as she fell to the ground, clutching her head the

"E-Esme—?!"

her tight before she fell to her knees. Her expression depicted something akin to pain, but it was more as though she was overwhelmed by

to you?

coherent words. She just kept

her Life Force or any

did notice a

Condition: Linked

Oracle? Is Esme feeling it all at once now

her out now would completely disrupt whatever process was

if it could

didn't want to see Esme in

Esme!" He yelled out, but was met

the last straw

all I know, she could be attacking Esme's soul or something. There's no guarantee that any of this is positive!' He gritted his teeth and enveloped the both

out

~ZZZZTTTZZ!~

both Rey and

That wasn't all, though.

formed on Rey's face as slight hints of panic began to seep out

'Damnit! Damnit!! Damnit!!!'

suppressed, but he couldn't help but constantly feel the anxiety

with brute

saw in the Shrine was the face of the statue staring