They have a confrontation with Rosso. Elesis, Luciela and Ciel try to ask them how Rosso arrived, but he refuses to speak. The Fire Master doesn't want them to go to Demon Realm again, but they want to know why. Luciela wants to head back, not for revenge, but because of Winster and his acknowledgement as the Queen. Rosso reveals that he had to go to the Demon Realm and stay there, due to the El's Explosion and Elesis comes to terms as he reminds her of her brother.
Rosso refuses to tell how to get to the Demon Realm. The scythe is drawn with intent.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Elesis:Ugh, his movement is definitely different from before.
Ciel:His attacks are more precise. It is slightly more troublesome...
Rosso:It's too late to regret your decision now!
Lu:Why are you so derisive? You think we're not aware that the method you used to go to the Demon Realm is no longer available?
Rosso:If you're so aware, then why come bother me? You enjoy bothering others for fun?
Lu:Because then, we'll know for certain! Instead of just giving up based on our assumption! I need to go back to the Demon Realm! I promised that I'll help with Aegirp's resurrection!
Rosso:Maybe you shouldn't have made promises you can't keep.
Lu:.......
Ciel:Hey. I get that you've got no manners, but there's only so much rudeness we will tolerate.
Rosso:... Half-demon? You better lie low and stand down instead of prancing as a lackey.
Lu:Isn't that hypocritical coming from someone who became a Fire Master as a half-demon yourself?
Rosso:...!!
Ciel:What? I thought the demonic energy we felt is Varnimyr was from the Crimson Eye?
Elesis:... Lu, are you saying he was a half-demon even before he was a Fire Master?
Lu:His body holds demonic energy that's inherent to him. There's no mistake, he was born a half-demon.
Rosso:... Tsk. Looks like it's easier for demons to sense it. Old man was never able to pin it down.
Lu:So I was right. Although this is the first time I've encountered anyone who is a half-demon by birth, it wasn't hard to notice the demonic energy that's contained by the fire within.
Elesis:I don't believe it. It thought demons instinctively hated Elrios! Does that mean Master Denif allowed someone with the propensity to hate Elrios as one of the El Masters?
Rosso:Hatred... towards Elrios? What are you talking about?
Ciel:You don't know? Hm... Maybe half-demons are free from such inclinations.
Rosso:I don't know what you are talking about, but you're wrong. I'm not containing the demonic energy with fire. It's the demonic energy that's containing the power of fire within.
KLANG-!!
Ciel:Kugh!
Rosso:Were you all just talk? Why don't you give it all you've got? You'll pay for making me remember unpleasant memories.
Quest Completion Dialogue
CLINK-!
Elesis:Ugh...! I still don't get it.
Rosso:.......
Elesis:Let's say you can become a master even as a half-demon. But then, why would you even want to be an El Master?
Ciel:Ah, that's an interesting point. Say, maybe you've decided to become an El Master because of... an ulterior motive?
Rosso:The audacity of these... Are you seriously questioning my motives?
Elesis:How can you be surprised after acting like that? Why else would you want to go to the Demon Realm if not for dubious motives? When we decided to go to the Demon Realm, the Master decided to stay because they needed to protect the El. But it seems like you don't even care about those reasons. Don't you think that's enough for us to suspect you?
Rosso:The El can be guarded by the others. No one else has to go to the Demon Realm but me.
Elesis:And we're saying that kind of attitude is exactly what makes you look suspicious. Sigh, he's not even trying to hid it, or he just has no tact.
Rosso:I can ask you the same thing. Why are YOU so desperate to go to the Demon Realm?
Elesis:What?
Rosso:If I'm so suspicious for wanting to go to the Demon Realm as a half-demon, how is that any different from you? So what, if I'm a half-demon and a full-fledged one. Doesn't that make you more suspicious than I am?
Lu:Were you listening to anything we were saying? After all the hard work we've gone through...!
Rosso:If you're going to list all the things you've done for Elrios, you can save your breath. What do you think I was doing as a Fire Master? Are you trying to open a contest of who did more for Elrios between us?
Elesis:... Fire Master. I don't know why you're being so defensive.
Lu:Defensive? Elesis, you don't call that kind of attitude defensive! With his thorns sticking out like a...!
Ciel:Ah, you're right. Those who wish harm on others don't surround themselves with thorns, when it's much more effective to stab someone close by.
Elesis:Even though he's acting like he wants to shut us off with brute force, he's still answering to all our questions. He's making at least some effort to persuade us. You're just trying to stop us from going to the Demon Realm, am I right?
It seems the Fire Master doesn't want the El Search Party to go to the Demon Realm any more. However, the question still remains why.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Rosso:Why does it have to be you that goes to the Demon Realm?
Elesis:In order to stop the order and fully restore the El, we need the Dark El.
Ciel:You're right. The one to find the Dark El doesn't have to be us. But if you think about it objectively, what other team is more suited for this job than the El Search Party?
Rosso:I...
Elesis:You alone are not a team. Solo infiltration missions rarely succeed. No commander will order such a mission. When it's required to infiltrate the enemy lines with little to no information, we send 5 teams of at least two to collect intelligence. Of course... there's always exceptions.
Rosso:I have not obligation to follow those rules.
Elesis:My words exactly. 'The El Search Party' is a team directly under the Velder Kingdom. We have no obligation to follow any rules made by a higher up from a kingdom long gone.
Rosso:You'll be facing despair. The Demon Realm is not a place where rules and regulations you're so fond of, applies.... Wasn't losing your brother once already enough?
Elesis:......!
Ciel:You're saying as if we're headed to our doom by going to the Demon Realm.
Rosso:If everything goes according to plan, the El wouldn't have exploded in the first place. Heading to a world, where the influence of the El and the goddess doesn't reach, means that death is at every corner. You have too much to lose to be prepared for such a place. Prepared to die? When you still have so many things that are too precious and dear? Give me a break.
Elesis:... So, you want to sacrifice yourself in our stead, because you have nothing to lose?
Rosso:... I'm just doing my duty. Don't put words in my mouth.
Lu:All those acerbic words... You were actually...
Rosso:No! It's not what you think!
Ciel:If you're so worried about us, why don't you come with us?
Lu:Why, if you were honest about your concerns, I would have allowed it as well.
Rosso:I'm gonna kill you...
Elesis:To be clear, of course I don't want Elsword to be in any kind of danger.
Rosso:Then why...!
Elesis:But this is the path we've chosen. And this is the path I will stand by.
Rosso:....... The path, the choice, I don't care about any of those things. But once you enter the Demon Realm, there will come a day when you have to make a decision. Whether it's determination or recklessness, as long as you choose a path, there will always be something you leave behind. Are you going to sacrifice yourself, after pulling your brother out of the El to prevent him from sacrificing himself? Now isn't that a fine example of hypocrisy.
Lu:Tsk... You...
Ciel:I don't know what you're trying to tell us.
Rosso:Ha, even after all that...
Ciel:Why don't you worry about things that might not even happen? You're making life more difficult than it has to be.
Rosso:What?
Elesis:!
Ciel:What, so the only ones that should venture to the Demon Realm are those without money, connection, or meaning? I won't stop you from thinking that way, but I can't say I agree. Maybe you want to stop us from going, by threatening us with the possibility of risking our lives or sacrificing for others... But we've already made up our minds when we decided to pull Elsword out of the El. If something happens, and we are in another grave danger, I will live if that's the last thing I do. I will not let my life slip away as long as Lu wills it.
The determination of the three, finally stops Rosso's relentless attack.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Rosso:What kind of nonsense are you...
Lu:... Ciel's right.
Rosso:Ha?
Lu:I almost wasted my time over useless speculation. Did my decision to go back to the Demon Realm to fulfill my promise anger you so? Then tell me this. If you think surviving is more important than the determination to fulfill one's promises... Why aren't you acting so yourself? Aren't you also the kind of person who prioritize promises and will over mere survival?
Rosso:... That's different. I'm not weak.
Elesis:You're really stubborn...
Lu:Ciel and I are bound by contract. If, hypothetically speaking, I needed to go back to the Demon Realm only to take revenge, I may have reconsidered from your words. Because if such a thing you speak of, do occur... I won't even have the choice to give up my own life to save Ciel's. However... Despite all that, I must go back because... There was someone who acknowledged my authority as a ruler, and asked for my aid. Though Ciel is still very important to me, I have given Winster my word, which makes him a subject I must protect. I have forgotten what it feels to rule... What it feels to lead, for too long. Why must I go back to the Demon Realm, you ask? I must go back to take back my throne that was taken from me. I must save my people, and aid them in best of my abilities, while punishing them if necessary. That, is a promise I've made as lord. Who will dare stand in the way of a ruler headed to fulfill their duty to their people?
Rosso:.......
Elesis:It's just as Ciel said, Rosso. We already made our decision once. When we decided then, we agreed together, that we will face even the most improbable situations together.
Rosso:....... Hmph, I was foolish to think I could persuade knuckleheads like you.
Lu:Oh! Finally in the mood for an explanation?
Rosso:You wish. I'm only telling you because I know you morons won't be able to do it.
Ciel:I think I'm getting used to interpreting his words. Alright then, we won't think we managed to persuade you to tell us, so why don't you just go ahead.
Rosso:Why you...!
Quest Completion Dialogue
Rosso:... Sigh. I told you earlier, I'm using demonic energy to suppress the power of fire. Unlike the other elements, Fire is difficult to handle. Many were turned to ashes because they were unable to handle the all-consuming power of fire. The Rosso family, who wished to elect a Fire Master, recognized a need to find another power that can suppress fire. For example... Demonic energy. A power that differs greatly from the power of the El.
Elesis:Still... Power of demons?
Rosso:Back then, nobody had any knowledge on demons. I was just a kid with unique powers. Though it wasn't as strong as a full-fledged demon's, I had enough inherent demonic energy to become a test subject, where I was given the Crimson Eye to control the power of Fire.... The experiment didn't always go smoothly, but the power of fire and the demonic energy is now at a perfect balance. If one suddenly depleted, I will no longer be able to control the other. On the day each El Masters were supposed to imbue their element to an El Shard, the one who faced the biggest issue, was me.
Ciel:I see. While imbuing the El shard with the power of fire, the balance between the demonic energy and the fire energy must have broke.
Rosso:It was a chaotic time. If there was a berserk half-demon on top of all the Masters being absent... Elrios would be a very different place right now.
Elesis:So is that why you went to the Demon Realm? So you won't go berserk in Elrios?
Rosso:.......... When the El exploded, many rifts were formed. It was even worse near a strong El shard. I was able to to go to the Demon Realm because of that rift. I jumped into one before I completely lost my mind, after I created the Fire El. That is all. Now do you understand why you can't do the same?
Lu:... You...
Ciel:Why didn't the priestesses help you? Although they're not proficient in battle, they seem capable of handling the power of the El just fine.
Rosso:Back then, the Priestess system was just created. They were still busy learning the basics from the masters. It would have been suicide for them to help with their inexperienced power.
Elesis:... But why would you do that to yourself? There was no guarantee what could have happened when you jumped into the rift. Don't tell me that was part of your duty as well?
Rosso:Hmph, as if anyone can make me.
Elesis:The tower you were trapped in... It had no entrance or exit. Even your own power of the Fire El was trapped outside, without being able to reach you.
Lu:You trapped yourself, didn't you? So you won't harm others.
Rosso:... I told you everything you wanted to know. Is that all?
Elesis:Rosso. I still don't want you to go to the Demon Realm.
Rosso:... What, you think I don't have what it takes after that sob story?
Elesis:No. It's just... Now I understand, you've come to expect your sacrifice for granted. And it bothers me. Because... you remind me of my brother. I don't know what happened in the past... But my brother decided to sacrifice himself because he was like you, in a way. You've already sacrificed enough. You've exiled yourself to protect Elrios. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to survive in a prison you've created for yourself for centuries. But it was thanks to your efforts in the past that Elrios is as it is right now. So now, leave it to us.
Ciel:We're not as weak as you think.
Lu:I understand why you didn't want to tell us. While it wasn't helpful, I guess thanks are still in order.
Rosso:You're really annoying...
Lu:How fascinating. I find you annoying as well.
Rosso:If you're done, get lost. I need to practice controlling my powers more.
Ciel:You don't seem like the hard-working type.
Rosso:You wanna die?
Lu:I don't think you're completely recovered yet. It must be difficult to control your powers without the Crimson Eye.
Elesis:So is this what Ventus meant, when he said making up for something you've lost in the Demon Realm?
Rosso:That long-eared, good-for-nothing...
Ciel:THAT, was someone having difficulties controlling his power?
[Village] Rosso's Past
Varnimyr
Pruinaum
Tirnog
