[You are being affected by the Sin of Lust.The lust-afflicted elf wishes to claim you as her possession.Favorability +5. Current Favorability: 110.]
…?
The words of the system prompt made Kurose Akira's heart tremble.
What was going on?Why had Beiya Leila's favorability toward him climbed this high?
Could it be because of that… trait?
As Akira stood there, puzzled, Beiya Leila's soft, jade-like hand gently brushed across his cheek. Her heterochromatic eyes—one red, one blue—gleamed with the mature allure of a grown woman who had lived through joy and sorrow alike.
She spoke tenderly, her voice carrying a faint warmth."Then I'll leave it to you, Guildmaster~"
"…Of course."Akira answered somewhat evasively. For some reason, the way she was looking at him felt… off.
That gaze—It was the same look she wore when she looked at Fuli and Fulu…
"Oh, right~"Beiya Leila suddenly seemed to remember something. She stood up and took out a bottle filled with a pure white liquid from a cabinet.
"This is…?"Akira's eyes widened. He immediately waved his hands in refusal."No! No, absolutely not! This really won't do—I'm not suitable!"
"Guildmaster, don't refuse~ This is good for your body's growth!"Beiya Leila stuffed the bottle into Akira's arms with unmistakable determination.
"Wait, wait! Leila, this really isn't appropriate… right?"Akira clutched the bottle, his heart filled with hesitation.
What was inside was Lady Leila's—
"How could it be inappropriate?"Beiya Leila laughed softly and explained,"This is a special extract from the Elf World Tree. It can treat most illnesses, and it can even be mixed into tea to prolong one's lifespan."
"Oh… it's World Tree extract."Akira murmured.
For some reason, he felt a little… disappointed.
"Mom! We're back! When are we starting the bath?"At that moment, Fuli and Fulu returned to the cabin, holding bundles of branches.
Akira glanced over. Those branches looked like they'd been plucked from the smaller offshoots near the World Tree itself.
Like newborn sprouts, they radiated a youthful vitality—and a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Alright, my dears~"Beiya Leila smiled and nodded, then turned to Akira."Guildmaster, I need to bathe the children, so I won't keep you. Of course, if you'd like to stay and join us, I could also—"
"No, no, no! I'll be going now!"Akira fled almost immediately.
"Then~ see you tomorrow."
He hurried away from the small wooden cabin. Just as the door closed behind him, he heard the gentle sound of flowing water from inside.
A fragrant mist seeped through the cracks in the door—Inside must be something like a fairyland.
"…Time to head back to the guild."Akira muttered softly. His palm still seemed to carry Beiya Leila's unique milky scent, and he couldn't help but smile faintly.
He reached the teleportation array and was about to activate it—
When he sensed a presence behind him.
He didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
"Is there something you need, Princess Yurusi?"Akira turned calmly, meeting the elf princess's gaze.
"Human. You should not involve yourself in the affairs of the elf race."Yurusi stepped out of the darkness, her voice cold and resolute.
"Oh?"Akira raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to solve me at the root, then?"
He knew full well that Yurusi wouldn't appear alone without a purpose.
As he thought, his eyes quickly swept over her status panel.
[Yurusi (Legendary)]Level: 60 (? / 42,000)Race: ElfStrength: ? / Agility: ? / Magic: ? / Constitution: ?Growth: 12 (Gains +12 to all attributes per level)Skills: (Locked)
A level 60 Legendary elf…
Akira's gaze sharpened as he assessed her combat strength.
All three elven princesses possessed Legendary rarity. From that, it was easy to infer that Mythic-rank existences were the true apex of this world. Each race likely had only one—perhaps more—but among the elves, the only publicly known Mythic was the Elf Queen herself.
"The elf race has always been known for its kindness. We will not act violently toward a guest who has come from afar."Yurusi shook her head lightly, then added,"But to maintain harmony and peace within the tribe, certain firm measures are sometimes unavoidable. Rest assured—I have no intention of taking your life. I only hope that, for the next few days, you will stay away from the Elven Kingdom."
Akira replied calmly,"Then how do you intend to make me leave willingly? If you plan to imprison me with magic, the residual mana fluctuations will surely attract attention from other elves. When word spreads that a princess of the Elven Kingdom secretly imprisoned an innocent human man… what do you think the elves will feel?"
"Hehe~ You can relax."A cold smile curved Yurusi's lips."I haven't fallen so low as to use imprisonment. A small trick will be enough to make you sink willingly…"
As her words fell, a faint purple glow surfaced in her brownish eyes.
In the next instant, Akira felt subtle waves of mana approaching from all directions, quietly seeping into his body. Along with them came soft, alluring whispers that echoed near his ears.
"Lose yourself in the illusion~"Yurusi sneered, releasing her magic and drawing Akira into a deep幻境.
In a blink, countless beautiful elf women appeared around him, smiling sweetly as they surrounded him—trying to pull him into an endless dream where all worries would fade away.
Once Akira fully sank into this illusion, he would lose all interest in Beiya Leila and her daughters.The trial would proceed as scheduled—without interference.
Yet—
In that very moment, shock flashed across Yurusi's face.
Her body… wouldn't move.
"What… what is this?!"She cried out in disbelief.
As confusion gripped her, Akira's voice drifted calmly through the air.
"An illusion-crafting ability, huh? It's… not bad."
When Yurusi realized her Demonic Eye had no effect on him at all, astonishment filled her gaze.
"That's impossible! Why doesn't it work on you?!"
She struggled desperately—only to discover that her body was bound tightly by several rigid threads. They not only restrained her movements but also suppressed her mana, leaving her like a caged songbird, unable to spread her wings.
"Give it up. You can't break free of these threads."Akira smiled as he walked up to her, a strange gleam flashing in his deep eyes—like a beast that had finally caught its prey.
Although he held the advantage now, his heart was pounding wildly.
Damn it—why didn't the counter-effect of the Illusion-Breaking Demonic Eye trigger instantly?!
Fortunately, his willpower had held. Otherwise, he might have lost himself to those elf temptations earlier.
Cough—
Luckily, Yurusi had used her Demonic Eye exactly as he anticipated—And suffered the backlash of her own power.
"What did you do to me?!"Yurusi gritted her teeth, struggling as she demanded an answer.
Akira simply reached out and gently pinched her chin.
"An elven princess who's actually a witch…"He leaned close to her ear and whispered,"What do you think your people would say if they found out?"
"You—!?"Yurusi's pupils trembled violently.
He'd seen through her identity as a witch?
Impossible!
How could this seemingly ordinary human have done it?
Akira offered no explanation.
Eyes that glow aren't necessarily proof of witchhood—but if someone truly suffers a reversal from the Illusion-Breaking Demonic Eye…
Then there's only one answer.