Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at Wrath, who was floating nkly in the air.


    <em>‘That highest-tier spirit over there… Is it afraid because of you?’</em>


    <strong>Hmm?</strong>


    Wrath tilted his head while scratching his plump belly. He stared nkly at the demoralized highest-tier spirit and loudly pped his hands.


    <strong>Th-that’s right! That bird must be shrinking because it is intimidated by the King of Essence’s dignity.</strong>


    <em>‘......’</em>


    Judging from Wrath’s reaction, he hadn’t intentionally revealed his presence. The highest-tier spirit must’ve sensed something about Wrath on its own.


    <strong>Since spirits are the closest existences to nature, it wouldn’t be strange if it sensed the King of Essence’s dignity!</strong>


    Wrath giggled, saying that he’d finally gotten someone to notice him.<em>‘Have you also been to the spiritual realm before?’</em>


    <strong>It was a long time ago, but he’s been there before.</strong>


    <em>‘Th-then have you ever tried eating a spirit?’</em>


    <strong>Why are you asking the obvious question? It was chewy and tasty.</strong>


    Wrath licked his lips, saying that it was a delicious food.


    <strong>Green spirits tasted like green grapes, while the red spirits tasted like strawberries.</strong>


    <em>‘I didn’t want to know about how the spirits tasted!’</em>


    Raon pressed his temple while biting his lip.


    <em>‘This is happening because of that!’</em>


    The highest-tier spirit must’ve been terrified because it remembered how Wrath ate all those spirits.


    <em>‘This is no good…’</em>


    Raon had heard that the spirit and its summoner could somewhat share their emotions even though they couldn’t exactlymunicate.


    If the highest-tier spirit told him about the demon king, everyone with him could end up dying.


    <strong>There’s no way. The King of Essence went there when the fire and water spirit kings were in the spiritual realm. A young spirit like that wouldn’t even have seen him.</strong>


    Wrath shook his head, saying that the highest-tier spirit must not have seen him.


    <strong>It simply surrendered to the King of Essence’s presence!</strong>


    He smiled happily, saying that everyone should worship him.


    <em>‘It would be nice if that were the case, but we should prepare for the worst-case scenario. The moment they mention the demon king… I need to kill all the elves.’</em>


    He felt bad for Rimmer, but he had no other choice than killing them all if they talked about the demon king.


    Raon clenched Heavenly Drive’s hilt and bent his knee. He prepared to dash at any moment when Erian raised his head sharply.


    “What?”


    He widened his eyes in disbelief while looking at Raon’s eyes.


    <em>‘Did he find out?’</em>


    Raon tightly bit his lip and prepared to use the <em>Supreme Harmony Step</em> when Erian opened his mouth one again.


    “A-a great existence?!”


    His chin trembled as he murmured ‘great existence’ instead of ‘demon king’.


    “Huh…?”


    Raon stopped himself from hurriedly dashing towards him and widened his eyes.


    <em>‘What’s going on? Great existence?’</em>


    Raon was even more confused than Erian at the sudden mention of a great existence when he expected him to say the demon king.


    “Great existence, did you mean the spirit king by any chance?”


    <strong>Kieeh.</strong>


    The highest-tier wind spirit shook its head faintly. It didn’t seem to be sure either.


    “Uhh…”


    Erian raised his trembling chin, the hand holding his sword trembling as well.


    “Human! Did you make a contract with the spirit king?”


    His eyes were wavering intensely in disbelief.


    “…”


    Raon blinked nkly while looking at Erian.


    <em>‘What is he even talking about…?’</em>


    His lips unconsciously parted because he couldn’t understand the situation at all.


    “Spirit king?”


    The voice came from Leiran behind them.


    “I can’t even sense the faintest energy of spirit from that human.”


    “That’s why it’s the spirit king! The spirit king is a transcended existence among the spirits! It’s only natural that we can’t sense their energy!”


    “But there’s no way. The two current spirit kings can’te outside because they have to maintain the spiritual realm.”


    “Then they must be a newly born spirit king. The fire or ice spirit that’s soon going to be the spirit king must’ve taken a liking to that human!”


    “That’s impossible…”


    “Why would that be impossible? Don’t try to understand the great ones with that small brain of yours!”


    Leiran shook her head in disbelief, but Erian was certain of his thoughts and closed his eyes tightly.


    “When did you even make a contract with a spirit king? That’s my disciple for you!”


    Rimmer walked up to him while blinking. Raon couldn’t understand why even he was being deceived.


    “Spirit king?! Is it fire or water?”


    Dorian snorted in excitement and asked whether it was the fire spirit king or the water spirit king.


    “I don’t think that’s the case though…”


    Yua was the only one who tilted her head, finding it strange.


    <strong>What’s wrong with those scatterbrains?!</strong>


    Wrath flew towards them and yelled.


    <strong>How dare youpare the King of Essence to a mere spirit! Do you have a death wish?!</strong>


    <strong>Kieeh…</strong>


    Wrath was enraged and started to rampage, and the highest-tier spirit was intimidated, closed its eyes, and crammed its head into the ground.


    Raon caught his breath while looking at the messy situation.


    <em>‘I’m starting to get a grasp of this situation.’</em>


    The highest-tier spirit didn’t remember Wrath for his feast in the spiritual realm. It had just noticed his intense coldness and the tremendous power of his soul and considered him to be a great existence.


    It must''ve happened because spirits were the closest existences to nature.


    <em>‘It’s not the worst case, but it’s not that good either.’</em>


    The worst-case scenario was averted since the fact that he was a demon king wasn’t revealed, but it wasn’t advantageous for him to be called a contractor of the spirit king.


    “Haa…”


    Raon sighed briefly and shook his head.


    “I’m not a contractor of the spirit king. This is my first time seeing a spirit. There must be a misunderstand—”


    “That’s it!”


    Eria rapidly nodded as if there was an important point being made that allowed him to understand.


    “Spirit kings don’t make contracts with people who’ve already made a contract with another spirit. An existence that is ready to be a new king must be watching you for sure!”


    He bit his lip, saying that a spirit king would soon speak to him. He didn’t even listen to others anymore, focused on his own world of thoughts.


    “It’s normal for him to not listen because he’s always lived in a world of his own.”


    Rimmer shook his hand, saying that it should’ve been noticeable from the first encounter.


    “That seems to be the case…”


    Raon nervously chewed his lip.


    <em>‘This is driving me nuts…’</em>


    Heughed bitterly at the ridiculous situation and remembered what Wrath had told him a moment ago.


    <em>‘But what does it mean that the fire and water spirit kings are missing?’</em>


    <strong>Do you not know about it? Those two disappeared from the spiritual realm a long time ago.</strong>


    Wrath calmly nodded.


    <em>‘Why?’</em>


    <strong>The rumors said that they had a duel to the death and died together, but he has no idea if that’s true.</strong>


    He shook his hand, saying that he wasn’t interested in those who were weaker than himself.


    <em>‘Is it normal for the spiritual realm to be maintained when the spirit kings are missing?’</em>


    <strong>It’s because the earth and wind spirit kings are working themselves to the bone. Moreover, another one joined them, too.</strong>


    <em>‘Another one?’</em>


    Raon was about to ask who that was when Erian’s lips parted once again.


    “I can’t just leave you like this since you are going to make a contract with the spirit king.”


    Erian returned his sword to the scabbard and also returned the highest-tier wind spirit to the spiritual realm.


    “Follow me.”


    He gestured with his finger, telling him that he would guide him to Seipia.


    “How could you do that?”


    Leiran blocked his way, her hand holding a bow.


    “Even if that human is a contractor of the spirit king, we can’t let them enter Seipia at the moment.”


    She shook her head, saying that it was impossible to let outsiders enter at that important period of time.


    “He is a contractor of the spirit king that hasn’t appeared for hundreds of years. Moreover…”


    Erian furrowed his brow while looking at Rimmer.


    “We also need to deal with his issue. Bringing them with us for now is the correct course of action.”


    “But…”


    “I’ll take responsibility for it.”


    He shook his hand, telling them to follow, confident that Raon was the spirit king’s contractor.


    “Wow, I’m really benefiting from my great disciple.”


    Rimmer patted Raon’s shoulder with a grin on his face, saying that it was nice he didn’t have to fight.


    Raon clutched his forehead while looking at Rimmer.


    <em>‘You shouldn’t be smiling right now, you dimwit!’</em>


    * * *


    “Hmm…”


    A red-haired elf with the faintest trace of his long life engraved on his face stroked his chin.


    “The one who left home is finally returning.”


    “What?”


    A female elf who was only poking her head out from the nket furtively raised her head. Her tinum blonde hair flowed down softly like spring water.


    “Wh-who ising?”


    Her red lips trembled anxiously instead of being interested.


    “Your brother.”


    “Ah!”


    The blonde-haired elf pricked her ears like a rabbit. However, her upper body still didn’te out from under the nket.


    “R-really?”


    “Yes. But it looks like his nature has changed a bit.”


    The red-haired elf smiled faintly and looked at the female elf.


    “Siyan. Don’t you want to meet your brother?”


    “Ah…”


    The female elf called Siyan secretly moved her legs and went into her nket like a turtle.


    “I-it’s embarrassing.”


    “What’s embarrassing about seeing your family after a long time?”


    “Because a long time has passed…”


    “Time doesn’t matter when ites to family.”


    The red-haired elf patted Siyan’s head and shook his head.


    “Hmm? There are three humansing with him.”


    “H-humans?”


    “He is extremely powerful. He still seems young, but he is already a Grandmaster. What an outrageous talent.”


    The red-haired elf eximed, surprised from the bottom of his heart.


    “What do you think? Won’t youe with me to greet them?”


    “......”


    Siyan didn’t respond to the red-haired elf and simply blinked under the nket.


    “I-I’ll stay here…”


    “Haa…”


    The red-haired elf sighed briefly and raised his gaze. The wrinkles around his eyes were shaking.


    “Siyan, we don’t have much time left anymore.”


    “......”


    “I can do it this time, but it might really be impossible next time. You should brace yourself.”


    “I-I understand.”


    Siyan’s shrinking voice could be heard from the nket.


    “Alright. I’ll head out now.”


    The red-haired elf casually shook his hand and left the room.


    “......”


    Siyan was still inside the nket, not even making the sound of breathing. Once the sound of the red-haired elf’s footsteps as he left the area could be heard, she finally took off the nket and went outside.


    “I’m sorry, but I didn’t want to be born as a high elf either.”


    Siyan sighed deeply and shook her head.


    “Moreover, I’mpletely ipetent, even worse than an ordinary elf…”


    She picked up a book next to the bed, her shoulders slumped.


    Siyan murmured that she wanted to live an ordinary life and opened the book. The clean cover implied that it was a new book, and the name of Raon Zieghart was engraved on it.


    “I want to be Raon Zieghart, too…”


    * * *


    Raon narrowed his eyes as he followed Erian.


    <em>‘He feels like a real elf.’</em>


    Unlike Rimmer, Erian was opening the path in the forest just by walking.


    Rimmer was more powerful in terms of might, but Erian seemed to have more affinity with nature.


    Raon flicked his eyes to the side upon feeling a gaze stinging him and saw that Leiran was tantly staring at him.


    Her eyes were filled with suspicion, wondering whether he was really the spirit king’s contractor.


    “Why are you looking at me like that?”


    Raon awkwardly shook his hand while looking at Leiran.


    “I’m sorry. I forgot that staring is rude for humans.”


    Leiran admitted her mistake and politely lowered her head.


    “But is it really true that you are a contractor of a spirit ki—”


    “I told you he is.”


    Erian furrowed his brow while looking back at Leiran.


    “Do you not believe me?”


    “It’s difficult to believe this time.”


    Leiran was directly telling her superior that she couldn’t believe it. Elves were indeed different.


    “Hmph. You will find out soon enough. Let’s see who is right.”


    <strong>He is a yes-forcer.</strong>


    Wrath ground his teeth while ring at Erian.


    <em>‘Yes-forcer?’</em>


    <strong>He only epts a yes as an answer. He’s the perfect example of a dogmatic old man!</strong>


    His clenched fist started to tremble as he said that he was getting more and more irritated from watching him.


    “That’s true. We will find outter.”


    Leiran apologetically lowered her head at Raon.


    “It’s fine.”


    Raon shook his head and furrowed his brow.


    <em>‘I’m going nuts. How am I supposed to solve this misunderstanding?’</em>


    <strong>Let the King of Essence advent right now!</strong>


    Wrath pounded his chest, saying that he would solve the issue for him.


    <strong>Once all the elves living here are frozen alive, no one would dare topare the great King of Essence to a mere spirit!</strong>


    He let out a frighteningugh, saying that he was going to turn all the elves in the area into frozen statues.


    <em>‘I already have too much to think about, so please stay quiet.’</em>


    <strong>No! Hand over your body!</strong>


    <em>‘Just go in there!’</em>


    Raon was shoving Wrath into the bracelet when Erian stopped walking.


    “This is Seipia.”


    Raon raised his gaze, and a world of greenery filled his vision.


    The lively trees and grass under the golden sunlight descending from the sky made it look like a world that didn’t exist in reality.


    There were as many trees and bushes as in the Great Forest, but it didn’t feel confusing or stuffed because the paths were properly carved.


    <em>‘Do they live in trees?’</em>


    It looked like the elves lived in trees just like squirrels.


    However, there were asionally buildings that seemed to be made by humans, probably because humans sometimes came to visit.


    <em>‘So this is the reason why the purity of mana is so high.’</em>


    Raon could guess that the mana’s purity was a lot higher than the outside because the elves lived with nature without destroying it.


    <em>‘I can’t see the world tree anywhere.’</em>


    Even though it was a huge tree that supposedly reached the sky, it couldn’t be seen anywhere. It was probably hidden behind a barrier.


    “Ah…”


    “Wow!”


    Dorian was only blinking his eyes in surprise, and Yua smiled brightly upon feeling the high density of mana.


    Raon licked his lips while observing deeper into Seipia.


    <em>‘There’s no humans around.’</em>


    He’d heard that there was some human traffic in Seipia, but he couldn’t see a single one around.


    He guessed that it was because of that important thing happening in Seipia that Leiran had mentioned.


    “This ce hasn’t changed.”


    Rimmer watched Seipia with a nostalgic gaze.


    “You seem to have changed a lot.”


    Erian furrowed his brow while looking at Rimmer.


    “Because the world changes non-stop.”


    Rimmer smiled while meeting Erian’s ferocious gaze.


    “Keep guiding us already.”


    “What an annoying man.”


    Erian twisted his lips and went into Seipia.


    “Hmm?”


    “…Rimmer?”


    “Yes, he’s Sir Rimmer.”


    “Did he finally return?”


    The elves inside Seipia recognized Rimmer and widened their eyes. No one was drastically surprised, probably as an elven characteristic, but they clearly recognized Rimmer.


    “I thought he died.”


    “I think he lost his right arm…”


    “I heard he ran away because of the sword. Why did he even return?”


    “Hmm, is it because of that?”


    “But Sir Rimmer isn’t a high elf.”


    “What’s wrong with those humans? Why are they here now…?”


    Elves stopped walking and carefully spoke to each other while watching Rimmer.


    “Long time no see! How have you been, everyone?”


    Rimmer cheerfully waved his hand towards the elves.


    “Wh-why is he acting like that?”


    “He is behaving like a human…”


    “Sir Rimmer used to be so noble. Why is he speaking like that…?”


    “His outfit is strange too.”


    “Is he tainted by humanity?”


    The elves watched Rimmer with twitching eyes because of his frivolous tone.


    Raon furrowed his brow while watching Rimmer’s back.


    <em>‘Seriously, this elf, what kind of life has he been leading?’</em>


    Judging from the reaction of the elves, it must’ve been true that Rimmer used to be calm in the past. It was getting more and more difficult to guess Rimmer’s personality.


    “We are going to meet Lord Sterin. You should brace yourself.”


    Erian red coldly at Rimmer and hastened his steps.


    “Brace for what?”


    Rimmer snorted and followed Erian.


    <em>‘Sterin… He must be a high elf.’</em>


    Sterin was the elf Rimmer had mentioned, supposedly the leader of the elves. Raon was curious about how powerful he was, and what kind of spirit he could summon.


    The path narrowed and encounters with elves became scarcer as they followed Erian.


    It was interesting because paths usually became flush with more people around when it came to meeting a human leader.


    “Here we are.”


    Erian stopped walking in front of arge fir tree with an old door embedded on it. It was arge tree, but Raon couldn’t believe that it was the dwelling of the leader of an entire race.


    “Stop acting so frivolously and show some courtesy.”


    Erian stroked his scabbard, implying that he would kill him if he said anything strange.


    “I know. Don’t worry about it.”


    Rimmer shook his hand, telling him to enter already.


    <strong>Knock Knock.</strong>


    Erian clicked his tongue and knocked on the door attached to the tree.


    “Guardian, we have visitors…”


    “Enter.”


    A quiet voice could be heard from inside the tree before he finished exining the circumstances. The silvery voice was enough to put the body and mind at ease.


    “Yes.”


    Erian carefully opened the door and entered. The interior was more spacious than it looked, but it was still surprisingly humble. It didn’t look like the residence of the guardian of an entire race.


    However, it was understandable at the same time, because the race in question was elven.


    A red-haired elf was lying back in a rocking chair made of vines. His gaze resembled Rimmer’s, and he lifted his upper body, wrinkles appearing around his eyes.


    <em>‘Is he the guardian of the elves?’</em>


    He was in the same domain as Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master, but his nature waspletely different.


    Unlike those two, who showed their presences towards the world, the elf in front of him was blending into the world.


    He must’ve achieved a unique realm where nature dwelled in his mind.


    “Rimmer, you are sote—”


    Sterin looked at Rimmer with a faint smile on his face.


    “Grandfather!”


    Rimmer ran towards Sterin and hugged him tightly.


    “Huh? Rimmer?”


    Sterin’s chin trembled in surprise at being suddenly hugged by Rimmer.


    <em>‘Wow, is he the leader’s descendant as well?’</em>


    Raon’s jaw dropped in surprise.


    “You crazy bastard!”


    Erian furrowed his brow while forcibly pulling Rimmer off him.


    “His return isn’t even the important part right now. A contractor of the long-lost spirit king has appeared!”


    He pushed Rimmer to the back and pointed at Raon.


    “You all…”


    Sterin furrowed his brow while looking back and forth between Rimmer and Erian.


    “Are you possessed by Satan?”