"It's fine." Elliot replied with a gentle smile. He squatted down in front of the little girl and ruffled her hair.
"I just arrived today. My name is Sasayuri. You can call me big brother."
The little girl looked at her mother, unsure if she should speak.
"Go on, introduce yourself to Lord Sasayuri," her mother gently patted her back.
"Big brother, my name is Reiko. It's nice to meet you."
"Same here. This is for you. Be a good girl, alright?" Elliot handed her a pastry.
Reiko's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the treat in her hands.
On Watatsumi Island, a remote and resource-scarce place, sweets were a rare luxury.
"What do you say when someone gives you a gift?" her mother reminded her.
"Thank you, big brother. You're so kind~" Reiko said sweetly.
"You're welcome. Be sure to listen to your mother." Elliot gave her another gentle pat on the head before standing up.
"Sir, I..."
"It's alright. Go on with your day, I still have things to do."
The mother opened her mouth to say more, but Elliot cut her off and continued walking forward.
Not long after, his sharp hearing picked up the faint voice of that mother behind him.
"Don't eat that! Spit it out!"
"From now on, stay far away from him! Don't go near him, do you hear me?!"
"But... Big brother... he..."
"Big brother? He's a bad man! A demon! He'll eat you alive! Never take anything from him again—or I'll break your hands!"
"Uu... uuuu..."
"Stop crying. I'll make you fish soup when we get home. But don't ever take his stuff again. If you see him, run! Got it?"
"...Uuu... I got it..."
Elliot had expected something like this might happen, but hearing it with his own ears still stung.
Maybe... he shouldn't have tried to approach them so soon.
Even if they were just children...
It wouldn't help—only get them punished...
He had to change the adults' views first. Only then would the children follow.
Elliot continued walking until he finally found something suitable.
It was a small hill sitting atop a massive boulder, with a large tree growing on it.
"Hmm... this should work."
He carefully circled around the hill, inspecting it closely. It was indeed a good spot.
Then he drew his blade. In a flash of steel and sparks, the massive boulder was cleaved in two.
Gripping the tree roots with one hand, Elliot exerted his strength and hoisted the entire rock structure.
He now looked like someone lifting a giant, uneven barbell—light in the front, three heavy slabs in the back.
The center of gravity was completely off.
Onlookers stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, some enough to fit an entire apple.
Some adults even used the chance to whisper strange things to their kids.
"See that? That monster—remember him. Don't go near or he'll eat you!"
"If you see him again, run—run as fast as you can! And if he catches you, beg for mercy, or he'll eat you!"
From that moment, the bizarre rumor that Elliot ate children began spreading across Watatsumi Island.
Carrying the massive load, Elliot took a longer route back.
With something that huge, retracing his original path would've caused too much damage.
He had found the materials that morning, and only managed to bring them back by afternoon. He took a long detour and had to rest multiple times—hauling that thing was seriously exhausting.
After placing it beside the small wooden cabin, Elliot finally let out a heavy breath.
His right arm throbbed with soreness.
He lit a fire, set a pot of water to boil, and stepped into the cabin to grab something to eat.
But as soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a mess. The entire place had been ransacked.
His expression darkened.
Slowly, he cleaned up the mess and did a thorough inventory—five items were missing.
Still wearing a grim expression, Elliot walked outside with what was left.
After setting the items down, he suddenly stabbed his blade into the ground.
BOOM!!!
A bolt of purple lightning crashed down from the sky, striking the blade directly.
The thunderous scene immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Everyone, gather here within three minutes!"
"Or I will destroy everything in this place!" Elliot shouted in a deep, furious voice.
Though the volume wasn't high, his words froze everyone in place.
In an instant, chaos spread across Watatsumi Island.
Terrified villagers rushed over.
Those living farther away sprinted as if their lives depended on it.
Before long, the entire population of Watatsumi Island had gathered before him, faces filled with fear.
Elliot swept a stern gaze across the crowd.
"I'll only say this once. If anyone doesn't listen and crosses the line, they'll face the consequences."
"First..."