The journey lasted longer than I expected, but the scenery gradually changed, and that was enough to keep my attention. The vegetation became denser, more alive, as if every part of that place was breathing on its own.
When the carriage finally slowed down, I already knew we had arrived.
I stepped out first.
The air was different.
Lighter.
Purer.
But at the same time… more saturated with mana.
Lyannis looked around curiously. "So this is their territory."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna narrowed her eyes. "You can feel it."
Scarlett carefully analyzed the surroundings. "High magical concentration."
Elara added: "Above human standards."
Vespera said: "Constant flow."
Liriel took a deep breath and smiled faintly. "It's… beautiful."
Ahead of us, the forest stretched almost endlessly. Tall trees, wide trunks, leaves filtering the sunlight softly. There was no disorder, but it also didn't feel forcefully controlled.
It was natural.
Balanced.
We walked a few steps forward until I felt it.
Presences.
Not hostile.
But attentive.
Lyannis noticed too. "We're being watched."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna placed a hand near her weapon. "They don't hide very well."
Scarlett said: "Strategic observation."
Elara stated: "Initial evaluation."
Vespera added: "Defensive protocol."
Liriel simply looked around calmly. "They don't seem dangerous."
"They aren't."
Before anyone could say anything else, a figure emerged from the trees.
Tall.
Firm posture.
Calm gaze.
An elf.
He walked toward us without haste.
"You must be Takumi."
I nodded.
"Yes."
Lyannis crossed her arms. "Straight to the point."
Rai'kanna observed silently.
Scarlett said: "Confident posture."
Elara added: "No hostility."
Vespera stated: "Implicit confidence."
Liriel smiled faintly.
The elf gave a slight nod.
"We were informed of your arrival."
"By the king?"
"Yes."
He turned around.
"The king and the elder are waiting."
"Then let's go."
We followed a narrow path deeper into the forest.
With every step, the sensation of mana increased.
But it wasn't heavy.
It was… constant.
Lyannis commented: "This place is different."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna said: "There's nothing like this in human lands."
Scarlett analyzed: "Balanced environment."
Elara stated: "Natural integration."
Vespera added: "Structural harmony."
Liriel observed everything carefully. "It feels alive."
"Because it is."
After a few minutes, we arrived.
A more open area.
Structures integrated into the trees, as if they were part of them.
Nothing looked forced.
Everything… fit together.
At the center, two figures were waiting for us.
The Elf King.
And beside him, an older man.
Probably the elder.
We stopped a few steps away.
The king stepped forward.
"So you are the human we've heard so much about."
"I am."
Lyannis murmured: "He didn't waste time."
Rai'kanna said: "Neither did you."
Scarlett stayed focused. "Direct interaction."
Elara stated: "No excessive formalities."
Vespera added: "Objectivity."
Liriel remained silent.
The king continued.
"Your deeds reached us."
"I can imagine."
"The third general… that was you."
"Yes."
He observed me for a few seconds.
As if evaluating more than just words.
Then he nodded.
"I see."
The elder stepped forward.
His gaze was deeper.
More analytical.
"You carry something unusual."
I didn't answer.
Lyannis glanced at me sideways. "He noticed."
Rai'kanna said: "Of course he did."
Scarlett commented: "High sensitivity."
Elara stated: "Mana reading."
Vespera added: "Advanced level."
Liriel simply watched.
The elder continued.
"But we are not here for that."
"Then for what?"
The king answered.
"To show you our lands."
I stayed silent for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Let's go."
We walked again, now guided by them.
The area expanded as we advanced.
Unlike the human village, there were no signs of decay.
But also… it wasn't perfect.
I noticed it quickly.
Lyannis noticed too. "Something's strange."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna narrowed her eyes. "The plants are… different."
Scarlett analyzed: "Accelerated growth."
Elara said: "But irregular."
Vespera added: "Inconsistent quality."
Liriel looked more carefully. "The mana is… unstable."
I stopped.
Observed more closely.
It was true.
The plants were growing.
But not in a healthy way.
Something was wrong.
I looked at the king.
"When did this start?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Some time ago."
The elder added.
"Since the Demon King's influence intensified."
Lyannis murmured: "So it reached here too."
Rai'kanna said: "That was expected."
Scarlett stated: "Expansion of the impact."
Elara added: "Indirect contamination."
Vespera said: "Recurring problem."
Liriel looked at me.
"You're thinking the same thing I am?"
"Yes."
I looked back at the lands.
Unlike the human village… here the problem was subtler.
But even so…
Dangerous.
I took a deep breath.
"I'm going to fix this."
The king stared at me.
"Bold."
"Practical."
The elder observed in silence.
Lyannis smiled faintly. "He already decided."
Rai'kanna nodded. "As always."
Scarlett said: "Direct action."
Elara stated: "Necessary intervention."
Vespera added: "No delays."
Liriel stepped forward.
"I can help."
I looked at her.
"I know."
I turned back to face those lands.
Now with greater clarity.
This wasn't just a visit.
It was another problem.
Another challenge.
And another opportunity.
"Let's begin."
And in that moment, it became clear.
The elven lands didn't need to be saved.
They needed to be corrected.
And I already knew where to start.