"What kind of event is this? Why make it sound so mysterious…?"
Kurose Akira paced back and forth inside Beatrice's chambers, clearly puzzled by Elena's evasive explanation.
Beatrice and her two daughters couldn't offer much clarity either. After all, they had been confined to that small wooden cabin until recently.
As for the event Elena mentioned—it had only begun in the past few decades.
The reason was simple: after ten thousand years of accumulation, the World Tree's elemental power had reached a state of saturation. On every full moon night, it would overflow with dense elemental magic.
To the elves, this was an invaluable gift—one that could cleanse their bodies and enhance their strength.
However, because Beatrice had once violated certain taboos, she, along with Flea and Flora, had never participated in this grand occasion.
"Although we've never taken part, Aunt Honglian did mention it before," Flea explained to Akira. "Basically, everyone gathers around the World Tree and absorbs the elemental magic overflowing from it."
"That's it?"
Akira raised a brow, clearly skeptical.
If it were really that simple, why would Elena have said something like, "A pervert like you would definitely enjoy it"?
"No matter what the event entails, if nearly ten percent of the elves participate, it shouldn't involve anything too strange," Beatrice said with a gentle smile, trying to reassure him. "You can relax~"
"Ten percent?" Akira's expression shifted slightly in surprise.
The elven population numbered in the tens of millions. Even a tenth of that meant millions of elves gathering beneath the World Tree.
Still…
Elves were known to be pure, kind, and warm-hearted.
An event organized by such a race—surely it would be perfectly wholesome, right?
Just as Akira was lost in thought, Lucia silently approached from behind and lightly poked his back with her slender finger.
"What is it?"
He turned around, looking at her in confusion.
"I have something to ask you," Lucia said softly, then led him to a more secluded corner.
"What do you want to ask?"
Lucia crossed her arms, a hint of confusion in her eyes as she questioned him, "How did you come to know the Elf Queen?"
"We met because of a commission," Akira answered honestly.
"I thought so…"
Lucia murmured, then continued, "So what exactly are you doing for the Elf Kingdom right now? Are you interfering in their internal affairs?"
Although she phrased it as a question, there was a trace of disbelief in her tone.
From her perspective, Akira had always been occupied with matters concerning the Star Kingdom. He had never had any involvement with the Elf Kingdom.
Moreover, she had joined the guild later than the elf sisters, so she hadn't been present when the Elf Queen awakened.
Which only made things more confusing.
How was he managing to juggle affairs in the Star Kingdom while simultaneously influencing the internal matters of the Elf Kingdom?
Faced with her doubts, Akira simply shrugged with a faint smile.
"I'm helping the Elf Queen defend against the Undead Lord's invasion and protect the Elf Kingdom."
"…"
Lucia's gaze sharpened slightly, hesitation flickering within her eyes.
Her guild master… had always been this righteous?
After a brief pause, she pressed further, "How did you even learn about the war between the Elf Kingdom and the Undead Lord? Even within the Holy Church, only a handful of people know about it."
"Through an Adventurer's Guild commission, of course."
Akira replied immediately, his tone sincere—though he left out key details.
He wasn't lying.
Just omitting things.
For instance, how his connection to the Elf Queen began with that tear of hers, which triggered a special commission… or how the progress of that mission unfolded within the dreams created by the World Tree.
And his involvement in the war? That stemmed from Edith's commission.
Since everything he said was technically true, Lucia detected nothing suspicious.
After a moment of thought, she muttered to herself, "So it really all comes down to guild commissions…"
"By the way," Akira suddenly added, "this event might go late into the night. Is it really okay for you to head back to the Holy Church so late?"
Normally, Lucia always left the guild right on time, like clockwork.
"It's fine. Most matters at the Holy Church have already been handled recently," Lucia replied softly. Her gaze drifted toward Akira. "Not going back tonight… is acceptable."
"I see. That's good."
Akira nodded with a smile, not pressing further.
As a Saintess of the Holy Church, it was only natural that she would be busy.
Still…
He couldn't help but notice the faint dark-red shadows beneath her eyes—like the subtle traces of exhaustion.
"Mr. Akira~ The elves are calling us to the event~"
Ivsha's voice cut into their conversation.
"Coming!"
Akira responded, then naturally reached out and took Lucia's hand. "Let's go."
The casual gesture made Lucia's heart skip a beat, though her body instinctively followed his lead.
Even though she had already been thoroughly "developed" by Akira, when it came to emotions, she was still inexperienced.
Romantic matters were, to her, even harder to deal with than enduring the punishment of holy light.
Under the guidance of the elves, the group arrived at the event location—beneath the World Tree.
Unfortunately, the Elf Queen was not present. Instead, the event was being led by the Elf Princess, Yulusi.
She wore a semi-transparent gauze dress. Moonlight filtered through the fabric, illuminating her wheat-toned skin and accentuating her graceful figure.
"So many elves!"
Alice exclaimed excitedly, looking around. Beneath the vast canopy of the World Tree, millions of elves had gathered.
"This is a long-awaited celebration for the elves," Elena's voice suddenly came from beside them as she appeared without a sound. "As long as they're not tied up with urgent matters, they'll all come."
"Where did you go earlier?" Akira asked.
Ever since returning to the princess's chambers, Elena had vanished without even saying goodbye.
"I went to check on Paslow," Elena replied calmly, glancing at him.
"The dark elves aren't participating?" Akira asked, scanning the crowd.
"They wouldn't come even if invited," Elena said with a shrug. "To them, being in the Elf Kingdom is like a flame submerged in water. This atmosphere only makes them uneasy."
Akira frowned slightly. "Then if the two sides reconcile in the future, how will they coexist peacefully?"
Elena rolled her bright eyes thoughtfully, then let out a soft laugh.
"That's the Elf Queen's problem. What does it have to do with me?"
"…"
Akira frowned.
This so-called elf princess was even less proper than he had imagined—nothing like the pure, kind beings elves were supposed to be.
Just then, the event officially began.
Yulusi slowly unfurled her pale yellow elemental wings and rose gracefully into the air.
In her hands, she held a peculiar staff. At its tip were five differently colored leaves, each emitting a faint glow.
As she raised the staff, the full moon cast down silvery light, converging into a beam that focused onto the staff.
Moments later, that light was reflected toward the World Tree.
In an instant—
The World Tree seemed to awaken, releasing vibrant, multicolored elemental magic that spread throughout the entire area.
"Moonlight power…?"
Akira watched intently, astonished by how Yulusi used the moon's power to trigger such a massive release of elemental energy.
It seemed the World Tree could convert all kinds of magic—whether from the sun, earth, or moon.
"Elves!"
Yulusi's voice rang out across the entire gathering.
"Let us shed our garments and receive the blessing of the Elemental Goddess!"
"Yes~!"
The moment her words fell, the atmosphere became lively.
But what followed left both Akira and Lucia completely stunned.
The elves began removing their clothing, leaving behind only thin undergarments.
The sudden shift caught Akira off guard. He turned to Lucia—only to see her brows slightly furrowed as she looked back at him.
Clearly… this event had exceeded their expectations.
Meanwhile, Ivsha and the others had already followed instructions, happily removing their outer garments and joining the ritual.
Seeing Akira hesitate, Elena couldn't help but tease, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and strip~"
Akira turned to her, puzzled. "Why aren't you taking yours off?"
"Me?" Elena smirked mischievously. "Why don't you help me?"
She only meant to tease him—
Unfortunately, Akira was a man of action.
Before her words had even fully settled, he had already skillfully removed her blue dress… along with her undergarments.
Elena froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You—!?"
A deep blush instantly spread across her cheeks. She had never expected him to act so decisively!
And besides—
She hadn't said to take off everything!
"Guess I used too much force…"
Akira muttered, tossing her clothes back while casually appreciating her figure.
As expected of a young elf—perfectly firm, without the slightest hint of sagging.
"You idiot!"
Elena hurriedly put her undergarments back on, glaring at him.
"The elemental magic released by the World Tree needs to directly touch the elves' skin to be absorbed effectively. That's why they remove their outer garments—to increase absorption efficiency!"
"I see…"
Akira nodded in realization, then turned to Lucia expectantly.
"…"
Lucia shot him a cold glance. "I'm not interested."
"Lucia, when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Akira smiled and snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, Lucia's golden robes vanished without a trace—leaving only a thin set of golden undergarments.
"How did you do that?!"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Trade secret."
Akira shrugged, removing his upper garments.
He didn't plan to take off his pants, however—after all, they were guests.
But Elena wasn't about to let him off so easily.
Appearing silently behind him, she grinned mischievously. "Why so shy? Let everyone see your 'weapon'~"
Before he could react, she dispelled the holy light disguise.
A brilliant radiance burst forth, illuminating the entire area and drawing the attention of millions of elves.
Oh no!
Akira tried to cover himself, but it was too late.
"What's happening?!"
"That light—it's blinding!"
"What is that?! How can it be so dazzling…?"
"Oh my god! Could that be the legendary—?!"
"No way! There's no way that fits!"
"That's terrifying—I'm going to faint!"
"Someone collapsed!"
"Wake up!"
"…"
The elves reacted in shock, some even fainting on the spot.
Akira was utterly baffled.
Do they all have a fear of… oversized objects or something?
"And…"
"Give me my pants back!"
"Come and get them~"
Akira watched as Elena mischievously held his pants high above her head, darting through the crowd like she was showing off a trophy.
He sighed.
Then simply pulled out a spare pair from his inventory and put them on.
Seeing that, Elena pouted. "Boring!"
She casually tossed the pants away—
Only for them to land squarely on an elf's face.
"Eek!!!"
The elf shrieked, her face turning bright red before fainting, instantly drawing a crowd.
"Ahem—!"
Elena quickly stepped back, fleeing the scene of her "crime."
"Silence!"
Yulusi stepped forward, restoring order.
The elves gradually refocused on the World Tree—though a few still sneaked glances at Akira, clearly unable to forget what they had seen.
Akira ignored it all, turning his attention back to Yulusi.
She raised her staff once more and commanded loudly:
"Kneel!"
In the next moment, millions of elves dropped to their knees before the World Tree in reverence.
Akira's expression stiffened.
Because right now—
Millions of breathtakingly beautiful elven women, clad only in thin undergarments, were kneeling devoutly beside him.
Their clothes neatly folded and placed to the side…
No matter how he looked at it—
Something about this scene felt deeply, unsettlingly strange.