Treatise Of A Failed Knight

"I deeply apologize, Javier Aditi… but I cannot accept your request."

Ciel and I currently occupy her room, a wide place that has the resemblance of a sacred shrine. I have come to realize that this is simply how the Vey'lithar's interior decoration looks.

The soft cushion of the mat is comfortable to my backside, and although the woman seated opposite me is much taller than I am, I feel no overwhelming presence. This is my first time actually meeting a Leviathan since I became one myself.

There's a complex feeling swirling within me as a result, but not one of malice.

It's recognition.

We both know the hidden struggles of this path, as well as the great power we wield. Surely, if there is anyone who would be able to understand me in this world… it would be her.

But, what a disappointing outcome.

Before I could even make my request, she had shut me down.

"May I ask why?" I speak in a polite, almost quiet voice, my gaze showing as much sincerity as I can possibly muster in this situation.

I already knew the chances of them accepting Brad's were low.

But I still have to try my hardest.

I need to fulfill my promise to Brad—no matter what.

"We don't trust Nowe'arns." She curtly responds, her expression more stern now. "I only invited you in because I knew your intentions, but it's still a big risk."

"I can vouch for them. Besides, what can a hundred people do against you?"

Ciel laughs bitterly.

"You may be right, but it is still a huge gamble." She solemnly shakes her head. "You felt it too, didn't you? How appetizing we are…"

"W-what?!"

"No need to deny it. We Vey'lithars have a very special constitution, and it makes us exude a sweet-smelling fragrance from our bodies. Our skin is soft and delicious, and even our hair… In fact, here…" Ciel grabs her hair and, after just exerting a small amount of effort, rips apart a small piece before handing it over to me.

"What… are you…?" I look at the soft pink cotton-like hair on my hand in confusion.

It honestly looks like a small cluster of pink clouds.

"Eat it."

"E-eh?"

I'm immediately taken aback by her words.

However, she nods at me with approval, her eyes flashing with hidden understanding.

"Okay…"

I decide to do as she says, especially after using Aego Sight to confirm that there's nothing wrong with the hair.

Then—

"A-ahhh…!" The moment I place the hair in my mouth, it melts to form an otherworldly flavor that I cannot describe.

It tastes like strawberry candy, but also all kinds of fruits encapsulated in one.

It's so fresh… so pure!

What kind of flavor is this? This… this delicacy!

How can it be hair?!

"See?" Ciel smiles at me, my expression confirming her position. "Every part of our body is delicious to those of other humans. It's one of the reasons why we are hunted, although everyone believes it's merely due to our Druid Arts."

I… am stunned.

I never knew anything like this about the Vey'lithars before coming here.

'If her hair tastes so divine, then what about the rest of her body?' As I stare at her skin, feeling the fragrance enter my nose, I feel my mouth water yet again.

Even when she notices this, Ciel merely chuckles.

"S-sorry. I wasn't going to do anything, I swear…" I quickly raise both my hands in apology.

"I know. And I don't blame you. People just can't help themselves…"

Now that I have experienced this temptation for myself, I understand what she means.

"We all trust each other in this Sanctuary. Exactly two hundred and forty-five thousand, three hundred and eighty-three people live here, and even without a leader, our personal bonds tie us to one another. No one restricts the other, and we are all free to live as we please. In such a society, bringing a hundred strangers is a major problem."

"But these are—"

"I know that they have been taught our ways by another Vey'lithar. But I still cannot trust them. No matter how much you vouch for them, we cannot guarantee their nature—especially over time." She shakes her head vehemently. "These hundred will have children, will they not? Everything prospers in this land, and it is only a given that they will prosper as well. What will happen when their numbers increase? What will happen when they fall in love and desire to cross-breed with our people? Do you not see that the situation is even unfair towards the villagers you are advocating for, especially since they will likely be segregated here?"

The more she speaks, the more I am unable to refute her words.

"Let me tell you a little secret about Vey'lithars. Our special constitution not only makes us delicious to outsiders, but it also allows us to develop characteristics of Magivores after prolonged contact with them. It's like evolution, and this change occurs slowly over time, usually taking generations to show the change."

"Is that why you are all so tall?" I blurt out my thoughts, to which she nods.

"We will continue to change and develop, and the Nowe'arns who are here won't experience the same. What will happen to their future generations who notice this vast difference and feel a degree of resentment within them? What happens when they cannot control their appetite and attack my people? What happens when the natural order of our Sanctuary is breached, and chaos ensues?"

"I—"

"And these are only the internal problems. What about external ones? Do you truly believe that the future generation of those villagers will not seek the allure of the outside world, especially when they know that more of them are out there? Would you prefer that we cage them inside this place, which is against our own way of life, or that we strictly observe them, something we don't do to our own people? Would this not lead to oppression? But if we let them have free rein, who is to say that one of them won't leave someday, and worse yet… lead even more Nowe'arns to this Sanctuary? What will happen then?"

"…."

To be honest, her words make me speechless.

It has just occurred to me how shortsighted I was this entire time.

"Let me tell you something else—the secret as to why we possess the natural ability to relate with our Magivore neighbors." Ciel continues, her voice calm and her tone smooth. "It is because we offer them our bodies. Our delicious bodies are offered up to them when we die, and in exchange for this meal, they protect us. We are their food, and they are our protectors. Nowe'arns cannot replicate this relationship, hence they won't gain the cooperation of the Magivores. We are just too different, Javier. Those villagers will never truly become a part of us."

"I… understand. But—"

"Maybe you can approach a different Sanctuary with this arrangement, but most of the Vey'lithars on this Continent dwell in the far East of Eariel. In fact, throughout the history of this Sanctuary, we have never encountered other Vey'lithars. It's either that they are that well hidden, or none exist anywhere nearby."

"How long have you been here?"

"Over ten thousand years." She reveals with a smile. "Our Ancestors migrated here during the late period of the Grand Era of Unification. This was an uninhabited place back then, but we knew it would only be temporary. It didn't take long for some Nowe'arns to find this place to settle, and many millennia after their civilization ended… the Randalorion Kingdom was eventually established."

To think this Vey'lithar Civilization is much older than the Randalorion Kingdom.

The more I learn, the more stupefied I become.

I really know nothing.

Nothing at all.

"I told you that we offer the Magivores our bodies, didn't I? Well, it's not so simple. We aren't their prisoners or anything, and our symbiotic relationship benefits both sides. Although they are not domesticated in the sense of the word, each Vey'lithar has a bond with a Magivore, and it is a connection that lasts for a lifetime. The average Vey'lithar lifespan is short compared to others. We only live for 40 to 50 years. Of course, this is different for me, as a Leviathan, but the point is that after a Vey'lithar dies, they are consumed by the Magivore that they are bonded with. However, if the Magivore dies before them, then the Vey'lithar will consume the Magivore. This is a symbolic ritual, one that explains that we are one with these fascinating creatures—one with nature."

"…."

"Tell me, Javier… do you think those villagers could truly be one of us?"

At first, I am hesitant to speak.

Ciel has made many points that I am unable to refute.

It is also their decision at the end of the day.

But… I promised.

I promised Brad I would do this.

So, no matter what, I have to try my hardest to make it happen, even if it defies logic.

"We can't tell for sure. If the first generation Nowe'arns marry Vey'lithars, the second generation will be half-breeds. If this continues and they marry Vey'lithars, eventually, their genes will mostly comprise of Vey'lithars, and they will truly become one of you."

Ciel nods, uttering the most unexpected word.

"You could be right."

'I never expected her to agree with me…' My thoughts flow, but I quickly stop myself after realizing that she isn't finished speaking.

"I am only a Witness. My limit is the Day Layer, which means I can't see beyond a day into the past and into the future. How can I possibly predict what will happen after a year, or ten years? What about after I die? So, yes, you could be right. But I could also be right. My role as guardian is to ensure that this Sanctuary remains standing no matter what, which means I have to take the safest position that guarantees that. As Vey'lithars, we hold no interest in the affairs of the outside world and do not engage with your people. All we ask is that we be left alone, not being involved with its affairs."

At this point, it is clear to me that Ciel will not budge on my request.

She is a Seeker.

She can easily see all the points I will make before I make them. It's no use arguing with her, and even if I win the argument, it doesn't erase the problems she mentioned.

Truly, the safest route is for both sides to live separately.

I cannot force things.

'I was going to return Brad's flute here as a gesture of goodwill, but there isn't really any need for it, especially since they don't need it here. I'll keep it with me. Who knows? It could end up being useful one day.'

As for the Vey'lithars, I think I'll spend a few days here.

But I have to confirm a few things first.

"Your barrier doesn't block off communication, does it?" I ask her, just so I'm sure Seth and the others will be able to reach out to me if things turn awry.

"For our safety, we've ensured that all Armaments are shut down upon entry, but we can reactivate yours since we trust you. However, if you don't mind, we'd like to limit the connection so you can't communicate with them, but they can communicate with you."

"That way I won't be able to tell them this location, right? I understand."

"Thanks for your consideration."

I sigh in relief.

This way, I can actually stay here guilt-free without worrying about the students.

But wait—!

"You're worried about the students from your field trip, aren't you? If you wish to leave, you can return. However, if you want to stay here for a while, maybe even learn a few things to take back to those villagers about our ways and stories, then I can offer to use my Vision Conception to help monitor their futures."

"Y-you can do that?!" I'm stunned by this news.

It's actually perfect.

"Yes…" She slowly nods. "As long as you give me enough information about them, including their whereabouts, routes they are taking, and so on, I'll have enough clues to spot them and constantly keep a watch on them with Clairvoyance."

"Yeah, let's do that." I smile in gratitude. "Thank you!"

Ciel sighs, smiling sadly.

"It's the least I can do, especially after I rejected your offer earlier. We hold nothing against your people, but please understand that we would simply like to be left alone."

"Oh, no, I totally get it."

"Ciel then nods and rises to her feet. "I'm glad we understand each other."

The two of us shake hands, and she even draws me closer for an embrace. At that moment, I catch a much stronger whiff of her overpowering scent, and I feel everything within me come alive. It's a little embarrassing, but I'd like to take back what I said about no sensual attraction.

At the moment, I feel a deep attraction towards this woman.

No, towards the Vey'lithars.

Perhaps Ciel noticed, because she finally pulls away from the embrace. Thankfully, there is no disapproving stare on her face.

Instead, she drags me by my hand again and laughs melodiously.

"Come, Javier! The Festival is about to start!"

[A/N: Could this be… the FL? She is a fellow Leviathan, and she's pretty cool. What do you all think? Do you like her?]