Ileina immediately excitedly used the small knife she carried with her to open the envelope.
How could she not be moved by a letter Elashia had written to her?
Three years had passed, and throughout these three years, Ileina had been thinking of Elashia every moment.
"Rip."
As the small knife opened the envelope, Ileina's hands trembled as she took out the letter inside.
Elegant handwriting came into her view.
"To my best friend Ileina."
"It has been three years and six months since we parted. I wonder how your resistance efforts in the Holy Kingdom are progressing?"
"I still remember when we were little, you said that compared to the sun, you preferred the moon, because unlike the sun, the moon only appears in darkness, bringing light to people in the night."
"In the past, I really didn't understand what you meant, just as I didn't understand why you would leave Elasia and me for a cause that seemed almost impossible to accomplish."
"But now, I think I finally understand a little."
"Whether it's Elasia plagued by natural disasters or the Holy Kingdom troubled by human calamities, both are like worlds without sun, and if heaven doesn't give us sun, then we ourselves become our nations' moon."
"If this world has no hope, then we create hope ourselves."
"So please don't feel guilty toward me anymore about leaving in the past."
"I know you too well—all these years you must have been tormenting yourself in your heart over this matter."
"And you should already know from Catherine's description that I also emerged from my predicament alone in Elasia, met many companions who share my ideals, and we have indeed changed many things in Elasia."
"Of course, I know these words of mine can't make you completely forget this matter."
"If my words cannot eliminate your guilt, then please compensate me through hard fighting."
"In the past, you always told me about the beautiful scenery and delicious food of the Holy Kingdom, and after resolving the current troubles of the Elasia Empire, I will also send troops to join with the Iron Empire's forces to help you liberate the Holy Kingdom."
"When the Holy Kingdom is liberated, you must take me around the Holy Kingdom to have a good time!"
The text on the letter came to an end, and below the text was a smiling expression that Elashia had drawn.
Putting away the letter, Ileina's eyes couldn't help but moisten.
She would never forget Elashia's reaction when she first told her she wanted to leave Elasia.
Shock, sadness, hysteria.
Having spent five years with Elashia, that was the first time Ileina had seen gentle Elashia look like that.
But by the next day, Elashia had returned to her former self.
She told her that although her leaving caused her great pain, as her best friend, she supported her choice.
After that, Elashia never said even one word opposing her departure.
Elashia especially treasured every minute and second with her during that final period, sleeping together almost every night.
When Ileina left, seeing Elashia—who had hardly ever shed tears in five years—sobbing as she gave her the white scarf she had woven on the farewell road, at that moment she really had the thought of simply abandoning this almost unrealistic ideal of saving the Holy Kingdom.
"So good, really so good..."
Ileina didn't realize that her tears had already begun flowing uncontrollably.
Whether it was herself or Elashia, although both were alone when they separated, on their respective paths, both she and Elashia had received help from countless fellow travelers.
And in the end, their destinies still converged after separation, like a gift from heaven.