☀️ Arselia and Akonia

– So... are we still sharing our favorite books? When I was a child, there was a story about a clever hidalgo, and the title was clearly ironic because the book, in a way, parodied chivalric romances, but despite that, my sympathies were always with the main character. With his striving for an impossible dream, despite his rather modest talents, his naivety, and despite the cunning villains around him, who were, in general, just ordinary people, but extremely unpleasant in character... He antagonized society itself, he showed everyone an example of virtue that turns out to be possible even in madness, and therefore, all the more so, those who consider themselves reasonable are capable of it.

Alaria wanted to digress and launch into lengthy reflections on the fact that the very concept of virtue varies from person to person and from society to society, being nothing more than a common term to which the speaker himself gives meaning. But to turn the literary circle's discussion into a debate of a guild of philosophers, and so crudely, would be extremely inappropriate, not to mention that it would be out of place.
– You're right, there's something inspiring about this story. After all, despite the quirks of perception and the difficulties encountered, your knight never gave up. So there are also its own, not obvious, lessons. Although, – the inquisitor smirked, – perhaps that's the beauty of art – our human ability to derive meanings from it that the author may not have intended.

for example, an entire city of people who were alive and sealed themselves in armor and did the same to their prisoners

At this point in the story, the Tanarian smiled faintly and glanced briefly at Erefir, but that was all.

Yes, they are a little naive, but optimism and faith in a miracle are never superfluous.
– You've piqued my interest, – Beata smirked. – Don't you remember the title?
– Alas, – Gion gestured with his hands, – I read them in the school library in bits and pieces during breaks. Such literature was not encouraged at home; it was considered silly and unserious.

– Oh, – the warrior said disappointedly, – you got people interested, and then it turns out that you don't even remember the title, – she shook her head disapprovingly, – you can't do that. It sounds really interesting, and there's nothing wrong with a certain amount of naivety. Especially if it helps people maintain hope for the better and fills them with spiritual strength. The book I loved to read as a child was probably of the same kind, although it was a parody, like Erefir's story. The main character was a young but very ambitious farmer from a very complex family who decided to go on a journey to become a great warrior and wizard. Unbeknownst to himself, he was part of a prophecy and was destined to defeat the evil sorcerer who was secretly manipulating the kingdom, the main antagonist of the book. Unbeknownst to himself, time and time again, he thwarted the plans of his unseen opponent, of whose existence he was unaware. But the sorcerer was too cunning and suspicious, overestimating the young man, and time and time again devising more and more elaborate plans. In the end, it was because of these plans that the hero and the villain clashed, and the former emerged victorious. Ironically, if the sorcerer had not been so obsessed with the prophecy, he would have been in no danger, – Alaria smiled, remembering the fate of Melesar, who had outsmarted himself, – but that was the main moral of this humorous story. It sounds simple, I know, but I really liked it when I was little.

– I like "The Chronicle of Sir Geyserhan's Friendly Duels" and "The Sinful Triangle." – The taciturn Rapi suddenly decided to reveal his tastes.

– "The Sinful Triangle"? – Beata smirked mysteriously. – I'm afraid to imagine what's sinful in the triangle...
– Gods, Beata, can't you do that at the table...? – Gion sighed.
– I'm just asking, I'm not demanding a detailed retelling, – the circus performer shrugged.

– Based on the title, I have certain suspicions, but I would also be interested in hearing about this triangle. Well, – the inquisitor decided to make an important clarification, – assuming that this is a suitable topic for a meal.