Raon narrowed his eyes as he stared blankly at Wrath floating.
'That highest-grade spirit. Is it scared because of you?'
-What?
Wrath scratched his plump belly and tilted his head. He stared blankly at the demoralized highest-grade spirit before clapping his hands loudly.
-Yes, yes! That bird must have shriveled up because it was overwhelmed by my majesty!
'....'
Judging by Wrath's reaction, he hadn't revealed his presence intentionally. The highest-grade spirit must have sensed something about Wrath on its own.
-Spirits are the closest beings to nature, so it's not strange they can feel my majesty!
Wrath giggled, saying that finally someone recognized him.
'Did you perhaps visit the Spirit Realm too?'
-A long time ago, but I did visit.
'Then, did you also eat spirits?'
-Why ask something so obvious? They were chewy and delicious.
Wrath licked his lips, saying it was a delicacy.
-The green spirits tasted like green grapes, and the red ones like strawberries.
'I didn't want to know what they tasted like!'
Raon bit his lip and pressed his temples.
'It's because of that incident!'
It seemed that highest-grade spirit remembered Wrath devouring spirits and was terrified because of it.
'This is a dead end….'
I heard that spirits and their summoners share some level of communication.
If that highest-grade spirit mentions the demon king, everyone's lives here could be in danger.
-That can't be. I went when the Fire Spirit King and Water Spirit King were in the Spirit Realm, so that young one wouldn't have met me.
Wrath shook his head, saying the highest-grade spirit couldn't have seen him.
-It just surrendered to my sheer presence!
He laughed, asking to be praised.
'I hope that's true, but we must be prepared for the worst. The moment the demon king is mentioned….'
I have to slay all the elves.
It would be regrettable for Rimmer, but if the demon king is mentioned, they all must die.
Raon tightly gripped the hilt of Heavenly Drive and bent his knees, ready to jump out at any moment, when he lifted his head to Erian.
"What?"
He widened his eyes at Raon, as if he couldn't believe it.
'Was I caught?'
Biting his lip and readying his Supreme Harmony Steps, Erian spoke again.
"G-Great Being?"
He mumbled "Great Being" instead of "demon king," trembling.
"Huh…?"
Raon stopped in his tracks and widened his eyes.
'What is this?'
Great Being?
I expected him to say demon king, but the sudden mention of a Great Being left me more confused.
"Does the Great Being perhaps refer to the Spirit King?"
Kieeek.
The highest-grade Wind Spirit shook its head slightly. It seemed like it wasn't sure either.
"Uh…."
Erian raised his trembling chin, shaking the hand holding his sword.
"Human! Did you perhaps form a contract with the Spirit King?"
Even as he asked, his eyes wavered with disbelief.
"…"
Raon blinked blankly at Erian.
'What nonsense is this….'
Not understanding the situation, his mouth gaped open.
"Spirit King?"
Leylan, who was waiting behind, asked in disbelief.
"I can't feel any spirit aura from that human."
"That's why it's the Spirit King! The Spirit King transcends the realm of spirits! It's natural we can't feel its aura!"
"That can't be. The two remaining Spirit Kings are maintaining the Spirit Realm and can't come outside."
"Then it must be a newly born Spirit King. Either the Fire or Water Spirit about to become a king must have taken an interest in that human!"
"That makes no sense…."
"Why does it make no sense? Don't try to judge the great beings with your small mind."
Leylan shook her head in disbelief, but Erian already seemed convinced of his own thoughts, tightly closing his lips.
"When did you also contract with the Spirit King? As expected of my disciple!"
Limer stalked up to him, eyes narrowing, not sure why this human was falling for it.
"A Spirit King! Is it Fire? Water?"
Dorian, excited, snorted as he asked if it was the Fire or Water Spirit King.
"I don't think so…"
Yua was the only one who shook his head in disbelief.
-These insane fools!
Wrath flew forward, yelling.
-How dare you compare me to a mere spirit! Are you insane enough to want to die!
Kieeek….
As he raged and rampaged, the highest-grade spirit became even more demoralized, closing its eyes and burying its head in the ground.
Raon took a breath, looking at the chaotic situation.
'Now I have a rough idea.'
That highest-grade spirit didn't remember Wrath from his eating spree in the Devildom, but rather sensed his intense cold energy and extraordinary realm of the soul, mistaking him for a Great Being.
It seemed like it happened because spirits are the closest beings to nature.
'It's not the worst, but it's not good either.'
It wasn't the worst since it wasn't revealed that I'm with the demon king, but being known as the Spirit King's contractor isn't good either.
"Hoo…"
Raon exhaled briefly and shook his head.
"I am not the Spirit King's contractor. This is my first time seeing a spirit, so there must be some mistake…"
"That's it!"
Erian nodded quickly as if something clicked.
"Originally, the Spirit King doesn't form contracts with those who already have spirit contracts. It must be a being ready to become a new king that is watching over you!"
He bit his lip, saying the Spirit King would soon speak to him. He was already lost in his own world, not listening to others.
"That guy has always lived in his own world, not listening to others."
Rimmer waved his hand, asking if it wasn't obvious from the first time he saw Erian.
"Seems like it…"
Raon chewed on his lips.
'This is driving me crazy…'
He let out a hollow laugh in disbelief, then remembered something Wrath had said earlier.
'But what did you mean when you said the Fire Spirit King and Water Spirit King are gone?'
-Don't you know? Those two have been gone from the Spirit Realm for a long time.
Wrath nodded calmly.
'Why?'
-I heard they fought to the death and died together, but I'm not sure if it's true.
He waved his hand, saying he had no interest in those weaker than himself.
'Can the Spirit Realm be maintained without the Spirit Kings?'
-The Earth and Wind Spirit Kings are struggling hard. Plus, there's another one in there.
'Another one?'
As he was about to ask who that was, Erian spoke again.
"We can't leave a human who will contract with the Spirit King like this."
Erian sheathed his sword and sent the highest-grade Wind Spirit back to the Spirit Realm.
"Follow me."
He gestured to come into Sepia.
"What do you mean?"
Leylan blocked the path with the hand holding her bow.
"Even if that human is truly the Spirit King's contractor, we can't let him into Sepia now."
She shook her head, saying it was impossible to bring in an outsider at such an important time.
"A Spirit King's contractor appearing after hundreds of years. Moreover…"
Erian frowned, looking at Rimmer.
"It's also right to bring him now to deal with that guy."
"But…"
"I'll take responsibility."
He gestured for them to follow, truly believing Raon was the Spirit King's contractor.
"Wow, as expected, my disciple is something else."
Remer smirked and patted him on the shoulder, as if he was glad he hadn't fought.
Raon looked at Rimmer and held his forehead.
'This is not the time to laugh, you idiot!'
* * *
"Hmmm…"
An elf with thin traces of time etched on his face stroked his chin.
"The one who left home is finally returning."
"Huh?"
A female elf, hiding under the blanket with only her head peeking out, lifted her head slightly. Her platinum blond hair flowed softly like melted gold.
"W-Who's coming?"
She wasn't curious but worried, her red lips trembling.
"Your brother."
"Ah!"
The blond elf perked her ears like a rabbit. However, her upper body still didn't come out of the blanket.
"I-Is it really true?"
"Yes. But it seems his temperament has changed a bit."
The red-haired elf smiled softly as he looked at the female elf.
"Siyana. Won't you meet your brother?"
"Ah…"
The female elf, called Siyana, moved her legs slowly and retreated further into the blanket like a turtle.
"It's, it's embarrassing."
"Meeting family after a long time, what's there to be embarrassed about?"
"It's been a long time…"
"Family isn't something you measure by time."
The red-haired elf shook his head as he stroked Siyana's hair.
"Hmm? Three humans are coming along too."
"H-Humans?"
"They're quite strong. Still young, but a Grandmaster—what incredible talent."
The red-haired elf sighed in genuine admiration.
"How about it? Won't you come along too?"
"..."
Siyana didn't respond to the red-haired elf's words, only blinking her eyes from under the blanket.
"I-I'll stay here…"
"Hoo…"
The red-haired elf let out a short sigh and lifted his gaze. The wrinkles around his eyes trembled slightly.
"Siyana. There's not much time left."
"..."
"I can handle it this time, but next time, it might not be possible. You should prepare yourself."
"Okay, I understand."
Siyana's crawling voice came out from under the blanket.
"Alright. Then I'll go out."
The red-haired elf lightly waved his hand and left the room.
"..."
Siyana still hid under the blanket, not making a sound. She only came out after hearing the red-haired elf's footsteps fade away.
"I'm sorry. But I didn't want to be born a High Elf either."
Siyana sighed deeply and shook her head.
"Even worse than an ordinary elf, I can't do anything…"
She slumped her shoulders and grabbed the book lying on the bed.
Muttering she wanted to live an ordinary life, Siyana opened the book. The cover, looking new and clean, had the name Raon Zieghart engraved on it.
"I want to be Raon Zieghart too…"
* * *
Raon narrowed his eyes as he followed Erian.
'This one really seems like an elf.'
Unlike Rimmer, Erian opened a path in the forest just by walking.
While Rimmer had superior martial prowess, Erian seemed more attuned to nature.
Feeling the sharp gaze from the side, Raon turned his eyes to see Leylan staring openly.
Her eyes were filled with doubt, questioning if he could really be the Spirit King's contractor.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Raon awkwardly waved his hand at Leylan.
"I'm sorry. It's rude to stare at humans, right?"
Leylan apologized and bowed her head politely.
"But really, the idea of being the Spirit King's contractor…"
"He said it's true."
Erian frowned as he turned to look at Leylan.
"Do you not trust me?"
"This time, it's hard to believe."
As expected of an elf, Leylan bluntly expressed her distrust to her superior.
"Hmph. You'll find out later whose words are correct."
-That's a foregone conclusion.
Wrath gritted his teeth, glaring at Erian.
'Foregone conclusion?'
-The answer is already decided. You just have to respond. He's an old-fashioned, stubborn person!
He shook his clenched fist, saying the more he saw him, the more annoying he became.
"That's right. We'll find out later."
Leylan bowed her head to Raon, apologizing.
"It's fine."
Raon shook his head and frowned.
'This is driving me crazy. How do I clear up this misunderstanding?'
-Summon me immediately!
Wrath pounded his chest, saying he would solve it.
-If I freeze all the elves here alive, no one will dare compare me to a mere spirit again!
He let out a menacing laugh, saying he would turn all the elves into ice statues.
'I'm already confused, so stay quiet.'
-No! Give me control!
'Just go inside!'
As Raon pushed Wrath back into the bracelet, Erian's steps stopped.
"This is Sepia."
Following his words, Raon lifted his gaze to see a world filled with green vegetation.
The golden sunlight streaming down from the sky brought life to the trees and grass, making it seem like an unreal world.
It was almost like the Great Forest with its many trees and bushes, but the paths made it feel neither complicated nor stifling.
'Do they live inside the trees?'
The elves seemed to live inside the trees like squirrels.
However, since humans also visited, there were a few buildings touched by human hands.
'There's a reason why the mana here is so pure.'
The elves lived harmoniously with nature without damaging it, making the mana concentration here much denser than outside.
'I can't see the World Tree.'
The enormous tree said to reach the sky was not visible, likely hidden by a barrier.
"Ah…"
"Wow!"
Dorian blinked in surprise, while Yua smiled brightly, basking in the rich mana.
Raon smacked his lips as he examined the inside of Sepia.
'There are no people.'
I heard some people came and went in Sepia, but no humans were visible now.
Leylan mentioned something important was happening inside Sepia, and it seemed to be because of that.
"It's the same as always."
Rimmer looked over the view of Sepia, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
"You seem to have changed a lot."
Erian frowned as he looked at Rimmer.
"The world keeps changing all the time."
Rimmer smiled, meeting Erian's fierce gaze.
"Continue the tour."
"Annoying guy."
Erian twisted his mouth and went inside Sepia.
"Hmm?"
"…Rimmer?"
"Yes. It's Rimmer."
"Are you finally back?"
The elves inside Sepia widened their eyes, recognizing Rimmer. They didn't seem greatly surprised, likely due to their nature, but they definitely recognized him.
"Wasn't he dead?"
"It looks like he lost his right arm…"
"They said he ran away because of the sword. Why did he come back?"
"Hmm. Is it because of that incident?"
"But Rimmer isn't a High Elf."
"And who are these humans? Why now…"
The elves stopped walking and cautiously started speaking, looking at Rimmer.
"It's been a while! How have you all been?"
Rimmer waved cheerfully at the elves.
"Why, why is he acting like that?"
"Like a human…"
"How could the once-noble Rimmer speak like that…"
"His attire is strange too."
"Has he been influenced by humans?"
The elves seemed flustered by Rimmer's casual tone, their eyes twitching.
They seemed more shocked by his tone than his missing arm.
Raon frowned, looking at Rimmer's back.
'This elf… What kind of life has he lived?'
Judging by the elves' reactions, Rimmer must have been really calm before. His personality was becoming more unpredictable.
"We're going to see Lord Sterin. Be prepared."
Erian quickened his steps, glaring coldly at Rimmer.
"Be prepared for what."
Rimmer scoffed and followed Erian.
'Sterin…'
He's probably a High Elf.
Sterin was the elf Rimmer mentioned as Sepia's leader. I wondered about his martial prowess and what kind of spirits he could summon.
As I followed Erian, the path narrowed and we encountered fewer elves.
It was fascinating how, unlike going to a human leader, the path to the elven leader became more modest with fewer people.
"This is the place."
He stopped in front of a large poplar tree with an old door. Though the tree was quite big, it was hard to believe a leader of a race lived in such a place.
"Don't act recklessly and mind your manners."
Erian slid his hand over the hilt of his sword as if warning not to say anything foolish.
"I know. Don't worry."
Rimmer waved his hand, urging to go in quickly.
Knock knock.
Erian clicked his tongue and knocked on the door attached to the tree.
"Guardian. From the outside…"
"Come in."
Before he could explain the situation, a soft voice came from inside the tree, soothing both body and mind.
"Yes."
Erian carefully opened the door and went inside. The interior was more spacious than it looked from the outside but was unexpectedly modest, not fitting a guardian of a race.
However, considering the race was elves, it was understandable.
An elf with red hair, reclining on a rocking chair made of vines, lifted his upper body. His calm eyes somewhat resembled Rimmer's, and wrinkles formed around his eyes.
'Is this man the guardian of the elves?'
He stands in the same realm as Glenn or the leader of the Holy Sword Alliance, but his temperament is entirely different.
Unlike the two who reveal themselves to the world, this elf seemed to assimilate into the world.
He seemed to have reached a unique state where his body and mind embodied nature.
"Rimmer. You're very late…"
Sterin smiled faintly, looking at Rimmer.
"Grandfather!"
Rimmer ran to Sterin and hugged him tightly.
"Huh? Rimmer?"
Sterin's jaw trembled in surprise at Rimmer's sudden embrace.
'That guy is even the leader's bloodline?'
Raon was also taken aback, his mouth agape.
"You crazy fool!"
Erian forcibly pulled Rimmer off, frowning.
"His return isn't important right now. The Spirit King's contractor who disappeared has appeared!"
He pushed Rimmer aside and pointed at Raon.
"You…"
Sterin frowned, looking at Rimmer and Erian in turn.
"Are you possessed by Satan?"