Eldron was not surprised, his expression remained calm, as if the conversation held no importance to him. He already knew that Louskas was not naive—he was someone difficult to deceive or mislead. He might have been powerless, but his mind was sharp, something no one could afford to underestimate.
After a brief moment of silence, Eldron spoke calmly.
"Tell me, Louskas, what are humans?"
It was clear that Eldron was deliberately ignoring Louskas' previous questions, steering the conversation in a different direction.
Without hesitation, Louskas answered:
"Weak creatures, living under the illusion of emotions, dignity, and equality. Humans are deceitful, treacherous, and hypocritical. Their greatest concern is survival, and they will twist their own truths just to keep living. That is how they have always been—and how they always will be."
A faint smile formed on Eldron's lips as he gazed at the mirror, as if listening to a child trying to sound wise.
"Let me make it easier for you. What is the difference between humans and beasts? And, of course, I do not mean the advanced beasts, for they are no different from humans."
Louskas narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. He was beginning to realize that Eldron was not looking for shallow answers; instead, he was guiding him toward something deeper.
After a brief pause, he responded:
"Beasts will do anything to survive, even if it means devouring their own kind. Humans, on the other hand, are bound by illusions such as love and sacrifice."
Eldron's expression remained unchanged, but his next question was colder.
"So, in your eyes, emotions are shackles? Very well, then—what do you consider sacrifice to be?"
Louskas answered without hesitation:
"Sacrifice does not exist. A human cares for themselves above all else. They may act impulsively at times, but if they stopped to think, they would never make such decisions. It is nothing more than a chain they place around their own necks without realizing it."
Eldron tilted his head slightly, as if he had expected this response all along.
"When a mother gives up her beauty, her health, and her comfort for children she has not even met yet—do you call that being bound by chains? When a father remains loyal, when siblings stand by each other, when love binds spouses together, when friendships last for decades, when even servants sacrifice themselves for their masters—do you call all of this foolishness?"
Louskas narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, but he realized that Eldron was not asking without reason. The answer was not difficult for him, but he wanted Eldron's opinion. Since Eldron was one of the greats, he would surely have a deeper understanding of life than him. However, he also understood why Eldron did not give him an answer—each person must find their own path so that nothing holds them back from moving forward.
Finally, he responded firmly:
"Of course, they are shackles. They hold people back from advancing. Take a simple example—if a mother abandoned her children, wouldn't she be able to live far more easily? Wouldn't she have everything she needs? And yet, something prevents her from making the 'right' decision. If that isn't a shackle, then it is nothing more than foolishness."
Eldron's smile deepened slightly, as if he had been waiting for this part of the conversation.
"I have no purpose in this life… perhaps my purpose was never mine to begin with."
Louskas narrowed his eyes further. He was starting to understand Eldron's way of speaking, but he felt something else… Was Eldron hinting at something?
Before he could ask, Eldron suddenly spoke again:
"Tell me, Louskas, what is freedom?"
A heavy silence filled the room. The sound of the wind outside was clear, as if the entire world had paused, waiting for his answer.
Louskas lowered his head slightly, his thoughts swirling with meaningless words. Every answer that came to mind had a flaw, a contradiction.
Finally, he murmured, barely above a whisper:
"Perhaps… freedom does not exist?"
Eldron laughed—a short laugh, yet filled with meaning.
"Of course, for someone like you, it does not exist. Society, traditions, emotions… you see all of them as chains. And they are, without a doubt. But can a human live without shackles? Can they break something that is a part of them? Or perhaps… we need to redefine it altogether?"
A strange sensation passed through Louskas, as if a spark had been ignited inside him.
"Freedom…" he said slowly, as if savoring the meaning. "It is to live without laws, without restrictions, without limits."
For the first time, Eldron turned his full attention to him.
"Then you have already answered one of your own questions."
Louskas fell into a brief silence, but before he could take a breath of relief, Eldron continued:
"As for your other question… Yes, I am alive. Or rather… he is alive. After all, I am you now."
Louskas froze in place.
He was relieved to have finally found an answer to one of Eldron's questions, but those last words kept echoing in his mind.
"I am you now."
Perhaps Eldron had intended to say it in a way that did not sound hostile, as if he were merely stating a fact.
But Louskas understood it differently.
He stood up quietly, then smiled—a pure innocent smile.
"Thank you, sir, for your valuable advice. And I apologize for my earlier lack of respect."
His expression was as if he were a child learning a lesson, but deep inside him, a storm was growing stronger.