"This time even Pale might be at a disadvantage," Falun said.
Within the depths of the Forest of Darkness, where the elves lived, were Shure and Old Falun. The former ruled the elves, while the latter gathered and analyzed information on the current situation.
"...The enemy king moves well," Falun continued.
The two elves conversed each other while playing a game of chess. From an outsider's perspective, it might seem like the two were merely playing, but in truth, they were exchanging information and discussing the future.
"Shure, as great chief of the elves, as the one who holds the future of the elves upon his back, you must eventually make a decision," Falun urged.
Falun's pawn moved to defend the king.
"...Are you telling me to turn traitor? We have yet to lose." Shure asked.
Shure sent his queen to the front lines to try and change the tides of battles.
"It's too late once you've lost. It is imperative that you take measures so you don't lose."
The pawns surrounded the queen and refused to move even a step away from Shure's camp.
"And it was in that way that we have lived many months and years."
As Falun sighed, a deep crevice formed between his brows. It was deep, as if all of the troubles he felt had piled up and left a mark. Survival was their greatest problem. Having long life meant that they had more opportunities to watch other races rise and fall.
"Loyalty is the path we should take," Shure said
"What use is loyalty if we are dead?" Falun questioned.
Shure's pawns advanced to save his queen.
"...Anger dulls your judgement. Still too green, Shure."
In a flash, Old Falun's knight cut down Shure's pawns, the queen's head within its reach.
"Pale is a brilliant child. She will not fall so easily."
But Shure's queen slipped through a gap made by the knight and extended her sword toward the enemy king's neck.
"Yes. She won't fall easily. And that is why we will be able to negotiate."
Falun's king fled from Shure's queen, and at the same time, encroached into Shure's camp. "
If the war lasted for a long time and the elves conserved their forces, their value would rise.
Or did Shure wish for a position greater than the Great Chief of the elves? Falun seemed to ask.
"Hmm... A king against a king, huh. You've outwitted me."
Seeing Shure move his pieces silently, Old Falun wryly smiled.
"War is different from chess. The world won't just move according to our predictions," Shure said.
"You've grown. One day you will surely become a man who can become king," Falun's wrinkled face twisted faintly as he laughed.
"You praise me too much, teacher," Shure said.
"The Holy Shushunu Kingdom is connected to the Elves' – or rather, to be more specific- Gastair's forest. It is a bond formed by my younger brother. Their intel says that our water and fire brethren have begun to move." Seeing Shure nod, Falun continued. "Lady Claudia is moving. Though aged, it seems that tomboyish personality of hers is incurable as ever. Her strategies are a thing to behold. Like a chain of traps. Once caught up in it, there's no escaping."
