The dead forest was at least the size of five cities put together, which was why it was so vast and classified by some elves as the second largest forest.
[You really destroyed almost the entire forest.]
'It was only three-fifths of it… yeah, I think I might have exaggerated.'
If one counted what each of them did, they had undoubtedly destroyed an area the size of a city each. Of course, if it were a city—but as he had said, there was no need to worry about that for now, since the forest would return and regenerate in a better way.
[You may have destroyed the forest knowing it would regenerate, but what about those two?]
Kai and Valença were approaching at maximum speed. One was running, the other flying atop a magical spirit. It looked like they were trying to reach the destination faster than the other. When he saw Incandis, he sighed with a trace of concern.
'Elaris must have contacted them… I think.'
[Or she simply didn't tell them because she thought they wouldn't be so reckless.]
'Come on, you know Valença isn't the type to do that.'
After that back-and-forth, the system admitted he was right, since that girl was quite intelligent. So what likely happened was that it was Elaris herself who requested it.
'She must already be inside, actually.'
Looking toward the opening, he noticed some scattered pieces of ice. It was quite possible she had come to scout the place herself and then contacted the three separately, asking them to come.
'Of course she'd be here, since the blessing wouldn't activate without someone with royal blood.'
[Enrico, they're here.]
Turning his head, the first to arrive was Kai, already jumping toward him. With a step to the side, Enrico let Kai pass by.
"Damn it, why did you dodge? I was going to hit you."
"Who told you to jump at me? The only ones I let do that are my wives."
Before Kai smashed face-first, he planted his feet forward, cushioning the impact. Even while stuck against the wall, he rose as if standing up from the ground and began walking down the wall toward the floor.
'This suddenly turned into that anime with the orange-clad ninja.'
"You're not accepting my duels, and that day when I was in my female form you said you would. Damn it, if that's how it is, I'll go back to that female appearance, since it seems easier."
Standing on the ground, he pointed at Enrico with tears in his eyes. Rolling his eyes, Enrico remembered he hadn't had time to accept a duel because he'd been too busy training and preparing the plan against Jago. But honestly, the moment Kai said that, he felt like teasing him.
"If you manage to do that, I'll accept immediately."
"I knew it. You'll see—when I return to that appearance, I'll make you regret it in our rematch."
With an amused smile, he was about to reveal it was a joke when a red light struck his body, making him fall forward.
"Incandis, Valença, you don't have to be so impatient. I saw you yesterday."
"One day is already unbearable for your wife and daughter."
Incandis brushed her face against Enrico's while beginning to transform into a smaller figure. Valença hugged him from behind, her cheeks slightly puffed from having been so far from him. She had grown more attached to him during the month they had lived together.
"Dad."
A little girl with flame-colored hair clung to his neck. She looked about ten years old. A red orb sat in the center of each cheek, making her appearance very cute.
[So cute. I really want to hug her, it's a shame she calls you dad.]
Enrico almost felt like cursing, but since Incandis was there, he didn't even curse in his own mind, because she could hear stray thoughts from those she loved.
"Why did you bring her here? If she gets hurt, I'll give you a 'blessing' later."
Lifting little Incandis into his arms, he stroked her head while looking at Valença with a bit of disapproval.
"She's my summoning spirit and my daughter, so I'd never let that happen. Besides, she's strong."
"Even so, it's dangerous."
[I hate to admit it, but he'd be a good father… actually, looking at it this way, he is a good father.]
Kai snorted at the scene and turned to head into the entrance of Lake Thalanor. Enrico and Valença followed right behind, talking about how to take care of their "daughter."
'I could adopt a daughter too if I wanted. What's so impressive that he's so focused on this?'
Stepping into the entrance, the four of them felt the difference between outside and inside. There was no smooth transition, no gradual weakening of corruption. A single step separated two completely different worlds. Behind them, the cracked earth still exhaled rotten mana, broken trees and twisted roots slowly turning to dust. Ahead, the very air changed.
"What a difference."
"Yes, it doesn't even compare to outside." "Dad… play."
"When we finish the mission, I'll play with you."
"Yay."
With her arms raised, she jumped from Enrico's arms while he sighed at how energetic the little girl was. The place wasn't silent, but it held a living, calm silence—the kind that existed only where nothing needed to struggle to survive. The weight in the air vanished, replaced by a lightness that was almost comforting. Mana, once aggressive and unstable, flowed naturally and cleanly, like an invisible river. The entrance to Lake Thalanor wasn't marked by gates, runes, or guards. It was marked by life. Valença observed everything carefully, analyzing the place.
"A little wooden house here would be nice to live in… but honestly, any place with you is comfortable, Enrico."
"Could you stop hitting on me just for today?"
"Never. If I stop, the others might get ahead."
The four continued along the path, the ground becoming soft, covered in blue-green grass that glowed gently, as if absorbing the ambient light and returning it in a serene hue.
'Really a good place to live, but I think I prefer others.'
Flowers of unknown shapes grew in abundance, translucent petals reflecting different colors depending on the angle of view. Some slowly closed when they sensed presence, while others opened even more, releasing luminous particles that floated in the air like pollen.
'Maybe with less glow… but then again, it might be uncomfortable for Incandis to live in the place I'm thinking of.'