Alex hesitantly nodded and sat next to Zivko. They both sat quietly next to each other, not knowing how to begin a conversation.
Alex then spoke formally, "I'm Alex. It's nice to finally meet you."
Zivko didn't look at him. His gaze stayed fixed on the table.
After a moment of silence, he finally opened his mouth to reply.
"Cut the formalities."
Alex furrowed his brows slightly, hearing Zivko's tone. "What?"
Zivko then finally turned his head and glanced at Alex, he then continued:
"I did not come here to make friends." He then lowered his voice into a whisper, "I am here to get revenge."
He stared at Alex as he continued, "Do not make a commotion right now. I am only avenging my people."
Alex was about to hurriedly get up from his seat and draw his sword at Zivko. But, he thought it would be better if he got Zivko's reasoning.
If he were to fight with him now, it would cause a lot of unnecessary ruckus. The place, the timing and everything else wasn't agreeable for a fight.
He tightened his grip on the handle of the sword as he asked, "I need you to elaborate more."
Zivko chuckled, noticing Alex tightening his grip.
"No need to be so wary, I have no weapons on me. I also don't want to cause unnecessary ruckus." He said as if he'd peeled into Alex's mind.
Alex's eyes widened. He knew it wasn't a coincidence.
Zivko's expression hardened as he began explaining what brought him here.
"I grew up in Elanor with my family. I had two siblings, one brother and one sister." He smiled faintly, his finger tapping rhythmically against the wooden table, "But, since that day, I was unable to even think normally."
'Elanor?!' Alex inwardly thought, it was all clear to him now why Zivko came to Epilune. There was no other reason.
Zivko continued, "They harassed and murdered my mother as she begged for mercy. Even with my little siblings, they killed them with no hesitation. My father barely managed to hide me away as well, it was only a miracle that I wasn't caught. But my father was, and they brutally murdered him the same way."
Alex frowned hearing about Zivko's past. Truly, it is something no one should ever experience. And he was also surprised by the brutality of the Aelorian soldiers.
Furrowing his brows, Zivko still had more, "Ever since, I had nobody to rely on but myself. I did my best following the soldier that murdered my family one by one, but I never was able to find him, and I ended up lost in the middle of nowhere."
The Massacre of Elanor happened almost eight years ago. That meant Zivko had only been eleven, just a boy, forced to witness horrors no child should ever see. It was indeed a miracle he was still alive.
He only knew about Zivko's age thanks to Henry accidentally spilling it out earlier.
"It all happened during the Fifth Magical War, therefore I was able to sneak into a small party that followed Aeloria. I had to kill monsters. Then, I gradually started killing humans just to get recognition and power. But it was never enough. I couldn't bring anyone back."
The Fifth Magical War was a conflict between Cirolea and Aeloria. It isn't very often spoken of, since it ended only after a year.
The Fifth Magical War ended in a year, but what happened in Elanor was buried with it. No trials. No justice. Now, the people finally spoke about it.
And that was the part that had Alex and his party confused.
Elanor's citizens were accused of working with Cirolea during that war, which left Aeloria with no other choice but to stop all supply going to Elanor.
But, the accusations back at the capital between the corrupt council never stopped.
They were scared, and they needed to get rid of any potential threat that could harm the country.
They decided on a full scale massacre, and the population of the city thinned out like nothing seen before.
Of course, this was Ros' theory that he told Alex. Ros wanted to believe in the Princess, and he wanted Alex to do so as well.
"I worked my way up, but that longing feeling gripped me tightly. I wanted revenge. I wanted to kill and destroy every single person that thought that massacre was for the better sake of the country. Especially that corrupted Royal Family, and the cursed Princess that lit the fire, and let us all burn."
Ignoring the muffled shouting outside and the sound of rocks slamming the door, he shook his head slightly, "I perhaps said too much, but I want you to know I haven't come here for no reason." He then got up from his seat, "Do not get in my way."
Alex was going to try and speak about how the Princess wasn't actually guilty, but he also had barely any knowledge of the topic.
He trusted Ros' words, but he still had never seen Aurora in person, therefore not allowing him to speak on the topic.
Zivko slowly walked to a nearby staircase and headed up. Alex watched him disappear up the stairs, each step echoing like a countdown.
He sat by himself, unable to decide.
Was Zivko's reasoning correct? Was he really thinking about… Murdering the Princess?
If that was the case, Alex would have no choice but to do whatever he can to protect her. At least, until he gets to know her.
Alde and Ros both were fond of her. He didn't know whether they met her in person or not, but they were indeed fond of her.
But it still shocked Alex. 'How does justice even work in this world?'
He couldn't blame Zivko for feeling the way he did. Though, it still wasn't right. Revenge was not the right thing.
Therefore he should let Zivko handle his business… Then again, the Princess did nothing! Zivko would just end up killing an innocent person!
And what if that throws the Empire into more chaos? They hated the Princess, yes, but their hate was also directed towards the King.
Zivko couldn't reach the King. Killing her would only fuel more chaos.
There were many Houses that clearly supported the Princess, but chose to not speak about it, so they don't get in harm's way.
'Damn it! This is all too complicated!'
Whatever choice Alex resorted to, it would hold consequences. Whether he decided to meddle in Zivko's revenge or not, either way it would worsen things.
That's when Alex came to realize. A civil war was inevitable.
His eyes widened as he finally realized that. He was slowly leaning more on solely protecting the Princess.
If a civil war were to break out, it would mean full on devastation.
Along with the neighboring countries that have longed for Aeloria's doom, and an inevitable civil war that would break out at any moment, Aeloria was in a rough spot.
Alex never wanted to involve himself in such matters, he only wanted the safety of his own party and town.
He would be upset if something were to happen to the people of Aeloria, but Alex didn't strive to be a hero. He just wanted to continue being an adventurer with his party in Alos.
When the Princess finally arrived, Zivko would make his move. And Alex would have to choose.
He thought he, alone, could only make that decision. If the Princess were to be assassinated by Zivko, everything would burn.
Alex narrowed his eyes. It couldn't just be Zivko planning this. The Novarim Pact was the only one he could have thought of.
They hid well in the shadows, staying unknown.
He wanted to tell Lara and Ros for a moment, but he chose not to involve them. He just needed them to be safe.
Simply, he saw his party as his own family that he never had.
Especially in this world, full of unknown mysteries, he had them always supporting his back.
Alex thought more by himself at the same table, until he finally came to a decision.
He exhaled as he got up from his seat, then thought to himself, full of confidence:
'Even if it means standing against someone broken… I know what my duty is.'