Nico Sigmund arrived at the headquarters of the Black Spear alongside Elara, where Akaria was already waiting for them.
She welcomed them with a calm smile that hid many unspoken questions.
"Welcome back, Nico," she said. "It seems your mission was successful, and you managed to bring Elara back safely."
Nico stood beside her and replied with a faint hint of sarcasm.
"Of course. I went there to retrieve them… though honestly, Akaria, I nearly caused a real catastrophe while I was there."
Akaria let out a light laugh.
"It's alright, Nico. Whatever happens, we stand by your side. That is the path we chose."
She leaned slightly closer and whispered teasingly.
"But I would prefer that our end doesn't come at the hands of that cursed Kaizen."
Nico smiled and nodded.
"You're right, Akaria. That's for certain."
Akaria continued with sincere gratitude in her voice.
"Thank you once again. You've done so much for us, and we truly appreciate having you among our ranks."
Nico replied modestly.
"There's no need for thanks. It was simply my duty, and I'm glad to be a useful member of your team."
Akaria shook her head slightly.
"You're more than just a useful member, Nico. You're one of our pillars."
She then asked,
"But tell me… did you see Natalia? I don't see her with you."
Nico's expression darkened slightly with regret.
"I'm sorry, Akaria. I wasn't able to bring Natalia back. That monster allowed me to take only one of them, and that was Elara."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"A lot happened there, at least according to what Elara told me. But don't worry—we'll find another way to bring her back later. For now, the important thing is that we act very carefully in any future move involving the Elven Kingdom."
Akaria nodded in understanding.
"I see… Don't worry, Nico. You did everything you could, and there's no reason to apologize. What you accomplished is something many others wouldn't have been able to do."
She then gestured toward the interior of the headquarters.
"For now, go and get some rest. I'll take Elara to her room so she can recover."
Nico stretched slightly.
"Alright. I think I'll rest for a bit… or maybe take a walk through the city. I haven't seen Arcadia from the inside in quite a while."
Akaria smiled.
"Of course. Enjoy your walk. We'll talk later."
Akaria left with Elara while Nico remained standing there for a moment, watching them walk away.
He placed a hand behind his head and murmured to himself.
"That's strange… Why do I feel something odd about the way Akaria looked at me?"
He frowned slightly.
"Maybe I'm imagining things. I should leave this place for a while."
---
Nico stepped out into the streets of Arcadia.
The city was alive with movement. The warm colors of the sunset painted the buildings and streets in a beautiful glow. Arcadia was known as a peaceful kingdom—a center of knowledge and the homeland of nobles and leaders.
As Nico walked through the streets, he fell into deep thought.
"Finally… I'm away from all that political tension and war."
He sighed quietly.
"I don't even know how I ended up caught in the middle of these conflicts."
He looked at the people passing by around him.
"If dangerous beings from the Dark Age have truly returned… what does that have to do with me?"
His eyes grew distant.
"In the end, I'm a stranger to this world. I carry secrets far deeper and more dangerous than anything these people are worried about."
He continued walking slowly.
"But logically speaking… there are also forces that threaten my own existence."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Still, I must admit that experiencing human life is… interesting."
He glanced down at his hands.
"I am one of them now, even if the only thing I truly share with them is this body."
He paused thoughtfully.
"I've begun to feel their emotions… their desires… even their instincts."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Their instinct for survival… and reproduction."
A faint trace of curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"It's the strangest thing I've ever observed. Is the experience truly worth it?"
He shook his head slightly.
"I don't know. Perhaps there is something deeper within it that I have yet to discover."
A shadow passed across his expression.
"Unfortunately… I might have had the chance to experience many fascinating things."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But everything seems connected to the mystery of that distorted white crown that appears in my dark dreams… and the ruined world I keep seeing."
He sighed.
"I'll deal with that mystery another time."
He looked up toward the street ahead of him.
"For now… I just want to relax."
A faint smile returned to his face.
"And it seems I've finally arrived."
He looked at the elegant building before him.
"The best restaurant in the city."
---
Nico sat at a secluded table, hidden beneath his black cloak which concealed his features from curious eyes.
In a calm and composed voice, he spoke.
"So… how have you been, Shivana?"
Shivana, who was sitting across from him, looked slightly tense. She replied softly,
"I'm well, Lord Nico… but may I ask why you chose to meet me here among humans?"
Nico reassured her gently.
"Don't worry, Shivana. No harm will come to you while I'm here. Just relax."
She took a small breath and answered with slight embarrassment.
"I understand, my lord… Is there a task you wish me to carry out? You asked me to come alone, so I assumed something urgent had happened."
Nico smiled with an unusual kindness.
"No, there's nothing you need to do. I appreciate your loyalty and dedication in serving me, but today I called you here simply to spend some time together. If you are busy, I can arrange for you to return immediately."
Shivana froze for a moment, her eyes filling with emotion.
"No—never, Lord Nico! That's not what I meant at all. On the contrary… I am merely your servant, and I'm not used to such kindness from you."
Nico tilted his head slightly.
"So that means you're willing to stay?"
She nodded eagerly, happiness spreading across her face.
"Yes, my lord. With great pleasure… I'm very happy to be here with you."
Nico chuckled softly.
"You really are kind, Shivana. I'm glad you're here with me. So today, I'll let you choose the dishes we'll eat."
She responded with bright enthusiasm.
"Of course, Lord Nico. You can rely on me."
Nico watched her quietly as she carefully selected the dishes, while his mind drifted into thought.
*This girl is different from the other elves.*
*She is still broken inside because of the tragedy she went through.*
*I'm the only person she feels safe around. Humans… and even other elves… make her panic just by being near them.*
*The cruel past she endured still lingers in those wide eyes.*
Nico spoke again, his voice carrying a trace of sadness.
"I understand the pain you and Solari suffered at the hands of those thieves… and I'm sorry for that."
Shivana wiped her tears and answered firmly.
"It's alright, Lord Nico. It was never your fault. I was simply weak at the time."
Nico replied gently.
"You're truly remarkable, Shivana."
Then he thought to himself,
*Now I'll try this word. They say it has a magical effect on human emotions.*
He looked into her eyes and spoke seriously.
"I truly love you, Shivana."
Shivana froze in place, her face turning bright red.
"W-What…? Did you really say you love me?"
Nico nodded calmly.
"Yes, exactly as you heard. You're the only one who continues to serve me with loyalty despite the pain you carry within. Protecting you is the least I can do."
Tears of joy streamed down Shivana's cheeks.
"I'm truly happy to remain your loyal servant for the rest of my life… I love you too, my lord."
Nico smiled slightly as he analyzed the situation internally.
*Just as I expected. That word has a powerful effect in stabilizing emotions and creating psychological balance.*
*I don't know where these feelings will eventually lead… but it doesn't matter.*
*Anything that makes this girl happy—I'll do it.*
Nico then tried to lighten the mood.
"Well then, Shivana. The food has arrived. Let's try it. I'm curious to see what you chose for us."
She smiled warmly.
"Don't worry, Lord Nico. I selected dishes that perfectly match your taste."
As they ate together in a warm and peaceful atmosphere, Nico suddenly said,
"Soon you will witness something you've never seen in your life, Shivana. A time will come when everyone will revolve around us… just like planets orbiting their stars."
Shivana looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean, my lord? Are you talking about birds?"
Nico smiled mysteriously.
"Yes, Shivana. That's exactly what I meant."
He stood up calmly.
"The food was truly delicious. Let's leave now."
Shivana replied happily,
"Of course. I really enjoyed spending time with you."
But the moment she stood up from her chair, her body suddenly bent forward—
And she vomited blood.
Nico was stunned for a moment, unable to process what had just happened.
He quickly rushed to her side in alarm.
"Are you alright, Shivana?!"
She wiped her mouth while struggling to steady herself.
"Yes… I'm fine, Lord Nico… Don't worry."
Nico stared at her with suspicion.
*I have a feeling Shivana is hiding something serious about her health.*
[End of Chapter]