Chương 29: Heroes and Monsters

Ethan walked slowly among the wounded. Some were unconscious, others screamed, while still others could do nothing but groan in pain. The air was thick with the smell of blood and ash. His gaze, dark and heavy, drifted from one body to another without being able to linger on any of them. He stopped beside an elderly elf sitting on the ground with his back against a shattered tree trunk. He had a long white beard.

"You helped us, human", the elf said in a weary voice.

"Thank you". Ethan gave a slight nod before speaking.

"Why did they attack us? What kind of conflict exists between you and the goblins?" The elf smiled bitterly and stroked his beard.

"It is an ancient story, boy. Thousands of years old. The true causes have been lost to time, replaced by more convenient versions. But I can tell you how I see it". Ethan remained silent, listening.

"History says that goblins are evil and elves are good", the old elf continued.

"But the truth is that no creature is born evil, just as none is born good. It is external forces that shape us: the way the world treats us, the way others look at us". You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.

"I mean that if a goblin is treated like a monster from birth, he will eventually come to believe it and behave accordingly. Those creatures have never known love from anyone. Tell me: do you truly believe that a human or an elf, raised under the same conditions, would have turned out any differently?" Ethan lowered his gaze. He remained silent for a few moments.

"That still doesn't justify what they do".

"No", the elf admitted.

"It doesn't. But it is a way of understanding them instead of reducing them to mere monsters. We elves have committed atrocities against them as well. Yet history tells those stories as heroic deeds, as righteous punishments. To the world, we are heroes, but to the goblins, we are exactly what we believe them to be". Those words struck Ethan more deeply than any blade. He then looked at his sword, still stained with blood. Baldovino the Giantling stood before the Seer Aelira.

The room was wrapped in an unnatural darkness, illuminated only by flickering candles.

"I thought I had taught you how to free yourself from mental illusions", Aelira said sternly.

"Foolish son of mine".

"You did, Mother", Baldovino replied, lowering his gaze.

"But I didn't realize I was trapped in an illusion. Everything felt real". Aelira sighed.

"That spell was of a very high level. What was the name of this mage?"

"I don't remember", he admitted.

"But she was tall, with long black hair". The Seer's eyes narrowed slightly.

"A mage like her would be extremely useful in this war". Baldovino studied her carefully.

"You look tired, Mother". Aelira closed her eyes for a moment.

"I am, my son. Very much so. The search for that damned Xarath is consuming every ounce of energy left in my body". The room fell into silence, dense and heavy with foreboding.