"If the opportunity arises, I would very much like to meet her as well."
After offering generous praise for Edith, the Elf Queen added to Kurose Akira,
"But this matter concerns the fate of the entire Elf Kingdom. It is not something I can easily entrust to an outsider. Of course… Guild Master Su Xuan, I have always placed my trust in you."
"I understand Your Majesty's concerns," Akira nodded. "Entrusting the destiny of a nation to an outsider would make anyone uneasy."
"However—"
His tone shifted as he continued,
"If you are willing to trust me, then I am prepared to stake everything I have to vouch for Edith. I hope you will grant her an audience."
"Whatever the outcome of your discussion—whether you accept or reject her proposal—that decision will be entirely yours. I will not interfere."
"…You."
A flicker of surprise passed through the Elf Queen's azure eyes.
She hadn't expected Akira to go this far for Edith.
After a brief silence, she smiled gently.
"It seems your relationship with the Rose Duchess is quite… extraordinary?"
"…You could say that."
Akira gave a slight nod.
Ever since returning from the Abyss, he had already come to regard Edith as one of his own.
While her actions were always driven by her own interests, she had never once harmed him. On the contrary, she had consistently brought benefits to both him and Ivsha.
Moreover, the Elf Kingdom itself would soon need her help to face the looming crisis.
"I understand your intentions, Guild Master Su Xuan~" the Elf Queen said with a soft smile. "I will make time to meet the Rose Duchess."
"Haah… that's a relief."
Akira let out a quiet breath.
He had finally convinced her.
"However~"
The Elf Queen's tone shifted slightly as she added,
"You must agree to one condition. Can you do that?"
"What condition?" Akira asked.
"I want you to accompany Elena to the Dark Forbidden Forest and deliver my message to Paslo."
"I understand."
Akira nodded without hesitation, accepting the task.
"Guild Master Su Xuan truly is a reliable man~" the Elf Queen said with a warm smile, admiration glimmering in her eyes.
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
Akira's cheeks tinged faintly red under her praise.
After all, it wasn't easy to remain unmoved when such a gentle, mature woman spoke to him so sincerely.
"I'm only speaking the truth~"
She let out a soft laugh.
"But…"
She raised a slender finger and lightly flicked his forehead, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach.
"Guild Master Su Xuan, your desires seem to be a bit too strong. My elf princesses have suffered quite a bit because of you."
"Cough…"
Akira coughed awkwardly, forcing a strained smile.
He knew exactly what she was referring to—Beayrela.
The Queen was already fully aware of their relationship.
And as for what had just happened in Elena's chamber…
Even if she hadn't said it outright, she had most likely sensed everything.
After all—
She said princesses.
"The elf race has always upheld a strict rule forbidding unions with outsiders. However~ Guild Master Su Xuan…"
The Elf Queen gently brushed her fingers through his hair, her voice soft and intimate.
"I am willing to make an exception for you."
"…What?"
Akira froze.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
He never imagined the Elf Queen would be willing to break such a fundamental law—for him.
"Your Majesty… are you serious?" he asked, unable to stop himself from confirming.
The Elf Queen smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with quiet conviction.
"Do I strike you as someone who makes promises lightly, only to break them just as easily?"
"…No."
Akira answered without hesitation.
At the same time, his heartbeat quickened.
Her decisiveness… her foresight…
It was nothing short of astonishing.
"Oh, right~"
As if recalling something, the Elf Queen turned to him again.
"There is something she asked me to give you."
"She?"
Akira frowned slightly, puzzled.
The Elf Queen smiled.
"The green-haired girl you met in your dream."
"…Ah."
Recognition dawned instantly.
The World Tree of the Elves.
"This is her gift to you."
The Elf Queen placed the item gently into his hand.
Akira looked down.
It was a slender, emerald-green branch.
It resembled the branch Viola had given him, but unlike Viola's rigid one, this branch was soft—yet remarkably flexible.
In his hand, it felt almost like a whip.
As for what it would feel like when used on someone…
He could always test it on Ivsha once he returned to the guild.
[Elf Branch (?): Striking a friendly unit grants +50% Attack and +50% Desire.]
"…?"
The moment Akira read its effect, his expression became… complicated.
Striking allies—
to increase their combat power?
"…Huh?"
Just as he was still trying to process the absurdity of it, the Elf Queen spoke again.
"Though I would like to continue chatting with you, Guild Master Su Xuan, I have many affairs to attend to. Next time, when I have some leisure, we can talk through the night."
"I won't keep you any longer, then. I'll take my leave."
Akira nodded in understanding, carefully storing the Elf Branch in his inventory before turning to leave.
The Elf Queen watched him go.
Only after the door closed did she withdraw her gaze and return to the mountain of work before her.
Her eyes remained gentle—
but a trace of helplessness lingered between her brows.
Even as a queen, she could not help but feel weary of the endless duties piled before her.
Yet the weight of her responsibility left her no choice but to endure, silently continuing her work.
—
As soon as Akira stepped outside, he saw Elena waiting patiently by the door.
"Finished already?"
Like a lively little rabbit, she hopped lightly in front of him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Yeah."
Akira nodded.
"So… did Her Majesty agree?" Elena asked, her gaze filled with anticipation.
"She did," Akira replied calmly. "Also, she wants me to accompany you to the Dark Forbidden Forest to meet Paslo."
"You're coming with me?"
Elena blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting that.
The task should have required only her—it was merely delivering a message, after all.
Still, since it was the Queen's command, she didn't question it further.
"…Alright then. We'll depart at first light."
"Sounds good."
Akira agreed, then added,
"Since it's still early… can I crash in your room for a bit?"
"…?"
Elena stared at him, her eyes full of disbelief.
Then—
"No."
"Then where am I supposed to go?" Akira frowned.
"Go to Lela's place~" Elena replied casually. "Her Majesty already arranged a new residence for the three of them. It's right next to mine."
"No. It's too late to disturb them," Akira shook his head. "Fuli and Fulu are still growing—they need their rest."
"…???"
Elena's face filled with confusion.
"So disturbing me is fine, is it?"
"You're the one who told me to come to the royal city. You should take responsibility."
Akira shrugged.
"You can go back to your guild. I'll notify you when it's time to leave."
Elena rolled her eyes, her impression of him plummeting.
"…."
Akira ignored her suggestion completely and walked straight toward her chamber.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
Elena hurried after him—
but couldn't stop him from barging into her private room.
—
In the blink of an eye, morning arrived.
As the first rays of sunlight streamed into the chamber, Akira slowly opened his eyes atop Elena's crystal-clear bed.
Meanwhile, Elena sat beside him, her expression filled with resentment at having her bed "occupied."
"…Time to go."
Akira stretched lazily and got to his feet.
"Honestly, you're impossible!"
Elena shot him an annoyed glare before following him out.
—
The elves possessed a remarkable mode of transportation.
At the very top of the World Tree grew enormous leaves that functioned like airships, capable of carrying elves anywhere at astonishing speed—up to tens of thousands of li in a single day.
Even so, the Dark Forbidden Forest lay thousands of kilometers away.
Even with the World Tree's power, the journey would still take several hours.
Akira didn't mind.
What intrigued him more was the relationship between the elves and the dark elves—it seemed… different from what he had imagined.
After all, dozens of elf guards accompanied them, ensuring their safety.
"When we get there, try not to speak too much. I'll handle everything," Elena instructed softly.
"So confident?" Akira raised a brow.
"Of course~"
She straightened proudly.
"Don't think that just because you've met dark elves before, you understand them. They're not called 'dark elves' just because of a name change."
"…."
Akira fell silent, thoughtful.
His understanding of dark elves was indeed limited.
He only knew they had been corrupted by the forbidden power of the World Tree.
Their personalities had changed, and dark silver markings had appeared on their skin.
Beyond that…
He knew very little.
Oh—
And they might get bigger.
Paslo was the perfect example.
Her body stood at an astonishing five to six meters tall, with ears stretching two to three meters in length.
From behind, they almost looked like twin ponytails.
"…Got it."
Akira nodded.
Elena simply glanced at him before turning her gaze forward, quietly waiting for their arrival.
—
When the great leaf finally descended, they had reached the Dark Forbidden Forest.
The elf guards immediately grew tense, raising their weapons.
"Let's go."
Elena remained calm and elegant, walking forward without hesitation toward the dark elves' territory.
The moment they stepped into the forest—
They became the focus of every dark elf in the vicinity.
Within seconds, dozens of figures dropped lightly from the trees, surrounding them completely.
"Elves! You dare trespass into the Forbidden Forest—state your purpose!"
Their voices rang out in unison, filled with hostility.
Among them—
Akira spotted a familiar face.
"Nilu?"
"Su Xuan!?"
Nilu recognized him instantly.
The other dark elves also recalled this human visitor, easing the tension slightly.
But not entirely.
The divide between elves and dark elves wasn't something that could be erased so easily.
Even with Akira present, the standoff remained tense.
"I wish to see Paslo. Lead the way."
Elena stepped forward, her tone calm and composed.
"Princess Elena?"
The dark elves' attitude shifted immediately.
They bowed respectfully.
Akira found that… surprising.
He hadn't expected Elena to hold such status among them.
"Please follow us."
They led the group deeper into their settlement.
Soon—
Akira saw the dark elf village once more.
And there—
Sat the towering figure.
Paslo.
Over five meters tall, seated gracefully, surrounded by other dark elves as if in the middle of an important discussion.
Their arrival broke the stillness.
All eyes turned toward them.
"Guests, hm?"
Paslo rose slowly and approached.
Gulp.
Akira swallowed.
Standing before her, even in his half-dragon form, he felt… small.
There was something about her—
Something unfathomable.
"Elena, what brings you here?" Paslo asked gently, her gaze briefly flicking toward Akira.
At such close range, her presence was overwhelming.
Akira's heartbeat quickened.
And a strange thought crept into his mind—
…Do I actually have a thing for this?
…
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