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.

**********

Shrine was deserted at the point when Rey and Esme arrived, much

formality, so they both simply sped into the outer

who had already done away with her hood and was wearing her usual white robe and

"Yup!"

inner sanctum by Rey's Skill. The statue stood in its usual position, and the general

of that

fell to the ground,

"E-Esme—?!"

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

happening to you? Can you

coherent words. She just

Life Force or any

notice a Status Condition,

Linked Connection

with The Oracle? Is Esme

answers, and he feared that taking her out

it could be

didn't want to see

Esme!" He yelled out, but was met

was the last straw

guarantee that any of this is positive!' He gritted his

get out

~ZZZZTTTZZ!~

shrine, shrouding both Rey and

That wasn't all, though.

I teleport out?!' A bead of sweat formed on Rey's face as slight hints

'Damnit! Damnit!! Damnit!!!'

swiftly suppressed, but he couldn't help but constantly feel the anxiety rise as he found

something else—like destroying the barrier with brute force—a bright light suddenly covered

last thing Rey saw in the Shrine was the face of the statue staring intently at Esme; almost as if