Journey north.

Morning comes. Many threats stir in the outskirts beyond the borders of each city of Tivera, and while the main road is the safest route through, there's a far more prevalent reason why you're travelling without difficulty. You can't imagine what bandits, animals, or monsters would dare attack what appears as a marching army of mighty foes. If you were to travel far enough, perhaps some truly nightmarish ghouls exist that would lash out, but nothing dares touch your group as you move onwards. Though as you lead the charge with Imaeris' group a distance ahead, you notice the white knight gradually slow while his people continue forwards. He gives you a nod of acknowledgement, and gestures you to approach, as much as you'd rather not.

Meeting in the middle, the two of you walk side by side and speak.

"I wish to know with an honest answer," speaks the elf quietly. "What is it you are truly trying to do?"

"Right now?"

"In general. We slay the Demon King Sa'dis, and you take his place."

"I'm tired of explaining myself. All I want to do is live peacefully."

"That is rather hard to believe." His squinting eyes are skeptical.

"Believe what you want. I have no idea what this new king is up to, but everything seems to have been a setup to chase me away. That Elok Daven guy has been pulling strings of some sort for awhile, and I'm really tired of it. So it wasn't my choice to run way and start a new life in the mountains, but here we are. Now I just want this asshole gone so I can live happily ever after with my new companions."

"You speak ill of the Hero King?"

"We're done here."

"Wait!" He hesitates for a long pause. "... I have met with him before. For one reason or another, I have felt something off about him. The Queen's disappearance has been strange indeed."

"If it makes you feel better, she's alive and well."

His eyes widen. "How do you know this?"

"There's a lot more going on than you believe, in your world of heroes and villains. If you stopped trying to attack me, and checked in to what's actually going on, maybe you wouldn't be so confused." Harsh, but I really find it difficult to find patience with this guy.

You're not sure why, but this actually made the elf unable to respond for the first time ever. Instead, he ponders to himself, and then walks quietly back to this group ahead, disappearing amongst them to lead once again. You sigh and return to leading your own group's march. Time is drawing closer. By tomorrow morning, you should finally arrive at this demonic festival and whatever it may have in store for you and the rest.