Pellerin Eli: Vol. 2

This book is also called "Hleberi in Love." Its first-edition author claimed to adapt a household legend of Khaenri'ah, but no one remains who can confirm that. It is now the collective creation of many generations.

That day the orphanage received a new member. She was a beautiful foreign girl who called herself a noble princess. Because her homeland had been defeated by the God of Precious Metal, and she, daughter of a priest, would not acknowledge the new god, she had wandered to the kingdom. She said her name was Angelica (note 1), meaning "as if a heavenly divine messenger."

Beautiful Angelica said she would in future marry only the strongest knight in the kingdom. Peren'eli scorned this, yet Hleberi was captivated by Angelica. She often walked near the kingdom's well-sea; there she told Hleberi of many things of the outside world. Worried for his friend, Peren'eli went with them—for suspicion grew earlier than curiosity. He doubted all Angelica said, yet hoped one day to see it for himself.

After Angelica came, Hleberi seemed a different person: he made trouble, sought duels with other knights. He won every duel, then turned to boast his valor to Angelica. Yet for all Hleberi's merits Angelica only smiled faintly. What merit is a swift runner's victory over a tortoise?

"Njord who keeps company with Black Steed (note 2); Alf, most skilled in combat in the deep academy; Alberich, commander of half the knights; undefeated Peren'eli." Angelica named her strongest candidates of the kingdom at that time.

Hleberi in love therefore made the decision that seemed to him most natural. He was called a traitor, or people thought him mad. Even so he had no wish to harm Peren'eli.

And Peren'eli firmly believed that if he killed Angelica, his friend's madness could be cured.

In the most merciless pursuit, the three left the kingdom's border. In that instant Hleberi covered his face; the language in his mouth gradually became like a beast's howl.

The witch Angelica explained: "Hleberi is a descendant of tribesfolk who cast off their own god to come to the kingdom. That is why the kingdom has stubborn pure-blood nobles. That is the price of betraying one's god.

"And you, Peren'eli—you are one who drifted here. So you have no such curse. Though you lack the loftiness to stand equal with a world, you have your own fate.

"And I—before the god died I never betrayed for a second, so I too have no such curse. But have you truly seen who I am?" At that moment the sun rose over the horizon; the sword in Peren'eli's hand slipped from exhaustion of fighting through the night. He shaded his brow with the back of his hand and looked at the sun for the first time. When he looked again at Angelica, he found she was neither a beautiful girl of Liyue nor a vicious witch.

"I am freedom that broke free of fate. That is what Hleberi sought so hard, and what lies ready to your hand."

Before Peren'eli was emptiness—only the vast earth.

Note 1: People of ancient Liyue would not name thus; thinking now, her name may have been "Wonderful-Sound Maiden" or "Heavenly King's Servant."

Note 2: The first edition said black wolf. From Khaenri'ah archaeology we know it should be one class of war-beasts made by Khaenri'ah alchemy. In the Crimson Moon Dynasty, alchemy and beast-knight orders were pillars. In the Black Sun Dynasty they declined with the rise of mechanical engineering.

Special thanks:

Inspiration from Mr. Denon's Khaenri'ah archaeology (1st ed.)

Mr. Jean Fiacre's continuation and polish, so this story finally had an ending (2nd ed.)

Madame Jean Fiacre and young Jean Fiacre's typo corrections (3rd ed.)

...

Compiled from Mr. Carl Ingold's "Record of Exploring the Ruined Capital" (13th ed.)

Mr. Karasawa's support in miscellaneous and natural history (14th ed.)

Old Master Yun's notes on Liyue culture (15th ed.)