"I'm not interested."
Lucia shot Kurose Akira a sidelong glare in response to his invitation, then seated herself with composed elegance. With a slight lift of her jade-like hand, Alice immediately understood and obediently placed a cup of coffee into her palm.
Akira couldn't help but feel a little stifled.…The authority of the main wife, huh?
"Do you have any plans today?" Lucia asked after taking a small sip, her tone calm and measured.
"We still have one C-rank mission to complete," Akira replied in an orderly manner. "After that, we'll head to the Elf Kingdom to receive Paslow."
"Oh~"
Lucia gave a faint response and said nothing more, quietly savoring her coffee.
But just as she had taken a sip, Ivsha stumbled out of Akira's bedroom, her clothes in disarray. She leaned weakly against the doorframe, casting him a pleading look as she murmured faintly,
"Mr. Akira… could I trouble you for a glass of ice water? Your scorching holy light has left my stomach a little… unsettled~"
Lucia: "!?"
Akira: "Cough—!"
Alice: "Of course~ please wait a moment!"
...
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was already three in the afternoon as Akira returned to the guild with his members.
The final commission of their C-rank mission had been completed smoothly. The objective had simply been to slay a level 65 rock giant over thirty meters tall.
For Ivsha and the others, it had been child's play. The rock giant hadn't even managed to stand up before being completely obliterated by their magic.
Back at the guild, Akira reviewed the remaining C-rank tasks.
Aside from two guild achievement badge missions, they were only one special commission away from advancing to a C+ rank guild.
However, the details of that special commission would only be revealed in three hours.
As for the two achievement badge missions, Akira handed them directly to Loserine.
They were moderately difficult and combat-focused—perfect for honing her swordsmanship.
To ensure her safety, Akira specifically arranged for Kanlutia to accompany her. Though she showed obvious reluctance, under the dual pressure of Akira's "financial persuasion" and the allure of blood, she had no choice but to comply and remain by Loserine's side.
"Then I'm heading out."
After settling all arrangements, Akira prepared to depart for the Elf Kingdom.
But just as he was about to step into the teleportation array, Lucia's slender, snow-white hand gently came to rest on his shoulder.
"I'm coming with you," she said softly.
That caught him off guard. Lucia had never gone to the Elf Kingdom before.
"What are you going there for?" Akira asked, turning to her curiously.
"To protect you," she replied casually.
Akira couldn't help but chuckle.The Saintess really wasn't very good at lying.
Still, he didn't press further and simply nodded. "Alright. Then come with me."
Before his words had even settled, Ivsha rushed over, her face full of anticipation.
"Mr. Akira~ I want to come too!"
"Me too! Me too!" Alice chimed in, and the rest of the guild members quickly gathered around, all expressing their desire to accompany him.
In the end, aside from Mare Rhein, Kanlutia, and Loserine who stayed behind, everyone else followed Akira to the Elf Kingdom.
With a flash of white light from the teleportation array, they arrived.
The moment they stepped out, they saw Fuli and Fuluo already waiting, along with their mother, Beyarela.
"Sister Alice? Sister Ivsha? Why are you here too?" Fuli and Fuluo exclaimed in delight, running over to greet them.
"We…"
Akira naturally ignored the children's chatter and walked straight toward Beyarela.
"Long time no see."
He greeted her with a smile.
"It has been~" Beyarela replied with a gentle laugh, then shifted her gaze to Lucia and Ivsha behind him. "Hello."
Ivsha waved with a smile. "Good afternoon, Layla."
She had visited the Elf Kingdom before and even shared a meal with Beyarela, so they were already acquainted.
As for Lucia, this was her first time here.
"Mm." She responded simply, reserved and restrained, revealing little emotion.
This was her usual demeanor.
That relaxed, almost leisurely side she showed in the guild was rare enough… not to mention the state she fell into during her "holy battles" with Akira…
…Ahem.
"Guild Master Akira~"
At that moment, Elina approached briskly with her elven guards.
"Paslow will arrive at the royal palace in ten minutes. Your timing is impeccable."
Akira turned to her. "Was it your suggestion that Paslow personally deliver the demigod-tier artifact?"
Elina nodded slightly, not denying it. "You could say that."
Her gaze naturally drifted to the adventurers at Akira's side. Aside from Fuli and Fuluo, they were all unfamiliar to her.
"Hmm?"
Her eyes suddenly settled on Lucia. The veiled Saintess felt strangely familiar, yet Elina couldn't immediately place her.
Lucia merely glanced back at her indifferently, her expression unreadable.
Her disguise was flawless—unless one was among the upper ranks of the Holy Church, or a being above demigod level, no one could perceive her true identity.
Of course, Lucia herself had no idea she would soon be meeting the Elf Queen.
Elina didn't dwell on it. She still had to go receive Paslow.
"Welcome to the Elf Kingdom," she said with a smile. "Please follow me. I'll take you to the royal palace."
Akira walked beside her, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Did Jelan challenge the Elf Queen before?"
"Jelan? She did," Elina replied with a nod, smiling faintly. "But that battle ended with her body being reduced to ashes by the Queen's magic. Defeating Her Majesty? Pure wishful thinking."
Akira raised a brow. "Then why didn't you try to stop her?"
Elina halted, glancing at him from the side with a light laugh.
"Stop her? Why would I? Jelan won't die anyway. Besides… don't you think it's entertaining?"
"She won't die?"
Akira's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Yes~" Elina confirmed. "She once received a blessing from the Goddess of Death. Her body is eternally indestructible—even gods would find it difficult to truly kill her."
"…The Goddess of Death's blessing?"
Akira's gaze sharpened.
He had encountered the Goddess of Death's curse before—something even a vampire progenitor could hardly withstand, capable of killing a demigod.
And yet her blessing granted true bodily immortality…
Just how terrifying was the authority of that divine throne?
"Please wait here. Paslow will arrive shortly. I need to go receive her," Elina said, pulling him out of his thoughts.
They had already arrived inside a grand palace.
"Alright."
Akira nodded and waited quietly.
He glanced around. The palace was exquisitely adorned, every detail reflecting the elegance and refinement unique to the elves.
After settling everyone in, Elina prepared to leave—but just before stepping out, her gaze lingered on Lucia once more.
"…Who is she?"
She tried to discern something from beneath the veil, but ultimately shook her head and left.
After she departed, Lucia frowned slightly, her golden-red eyes shifting toward Akira, who was casually stroking Alice's head.
…Just what kind of connections had he built with the elves?
Even two elven princesses had come personally to greet him.
Beyarela's presence made sense—she was the twins' mother.
But Elina… what exactly was her relationship with him?
And then—
A soft, ethereal song drifted through the air.
A procession of elves entered the hall in orderly formation, as if clearing the way for someone.
Fuli and Fuluo immediately knelt in reverence.
Lucia's expression tightened.
A bold thought surfaced in her mind—
Could it be… the Elf Queen?
Before she could fully process it, a breathtakingly beautiful woman clad in luxurious silver stepped into the hall.
The moment she appeared, Lucia's pupils shrank, shock flashing across her eyes.
"The Elf Queen!?"
She had never expected to encounter her here.
She hadn't even known the purpose of this trip—and now, to face the Elf Queen so suddenly…
Worse, the Light restriction within her body would undoubtedly draw the Queen's attention, exposing her true identity.
Damn it!
Lucia's heartbeat quickened as she instinctively took a step back.
She wasn't ready for Akira to learn who she really was. If her identity were exposed—
Yet the Elf Queen's gaze never lingered on her.
Instead, it passed over Lucia entirely and went straight to Akira.
"Guild Master Akira, you've arrived," she said gently.
"Your Majesty." Akira responded politely. Their interaction was free of cumbersome formalities—no kneeling, no ritual gestures like kissing her feet.
"Are these your adventurers?" the Elf Queen asked, her gaze shifting to the women behind him.
When her eyes brushed past Lucia, a faint flicker passed through them—so subtle it was almost imperceptible—before returning to calm.
"Yes." Akira nodded and began introducing his guild members one by one.
Throughout, the Elf Queen maintained a gentle smile, her demeanor warm yet dignified as her gaze rested briefly on each of them.
Once the introductions were complete, she spoke softly:
"Welcome to the Elf Kingdom. Once I've finished my duties, I will properly receive you."
Then her gaze returned to Akira.
"Come with me. There's something I wish to discuss."
"Alright."
After briefly instructing Ivsha and the others, Akira followed her into a side chamber.
As the doors closed, the Queen's regal aura seemed to soften.
A faint light shimmered in her eyes as her voice turned gentle and refined.
"I heard you helped seal Paslow?"
"Yes." Akira nodded, assuming Elina had informed her.
The Elf Queen extended her fingers and lightly touched his cheek, concern lacing her voice.
"Were you injured?"
"No…" Akira shook his head quickly, caught off guard by her concern.
"That's good."
Her tone remained soft, though her expression grew slightly more formal.
"You've completed the task excellently. I will, of course, grant your request."
She continued, "I will be available tomorrow evening. However, due to certain reasons, I cannot leave the Elf Kingdom."
"I understand."
That meant she was agreeing to meet Edith tomorrow evening.
"Oh, right—there's one more thing."
Suddenly, her tone shifted.
Her expression turned serious—tinged with a hint of coldness.
She raised a finger and gently pressed it against Akira's forehead.
In an instant, an invisible force bound his body, rendering him completely immobile.
"Did you… do something to them in the dream of the World Tree?" she asked, her voice icy, filled with quiet accusation.
"…?"
Akira's brows furrowed sharply.
Had she somehow learned what happened in that dream?
"I…" He hesitated, then answered carefully, "Everything I did was with their consent. I had no intention of offending Your Majesty."
"Is that so?"
After a moment, the Elf Queen withdrew her hand.
The invisible pressure vanished, and Akira immediately felt his body lighten.
"Hah…"
He let out a breath, then gathered his courage.
"Why do you ask, Your Majesty?"
"…It's nothing."
She turned slightly away, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
A faint blush colored her cheeks—subtle, yet unmistakable.
"Really… nothing?" Akira pressed cautiously.
"Mm…"
She turned her face aside, her voice soft, almost evasive.
"I've simply been… rather fatigued lately. It's only natural that I'd have the occasional nightmare…"