"Traveler from another world… cherished friend at the edge of the morning star… welcome to the Moon God Empire."
The girl greeted Kurose Akira in a gentle, warm voice.
But Akira's attention was entirely captured by her appearance.
Her upper body was no different from a human's—but below the waist, she possessed a blue-green fish tail, slightly darker than her hair. Delicate, fin-like ornaments framed her cheeks, giving her an adorably lively charm.
If he wasn't mistaken…
This kind of being was called a—
Mermaid.
"Ahem!"Akira cleared his throat and spoke in a friendly tone. "My name is Kurose Akira. I'm a friend of Edith."
"My name is Pachia. Edith is my dearest friend… and my savior."
The girl smiled as she extended her hand.
When Akira took it, he was momentarily surprised.
Her touch was soft—like flowing water.
And her skin was moist and smooth, almost as if coated in a thin layer of oil.
While the two spoke, Lucia's golden-red eyes behind her veil remained fixed on Pachia.
She had heard that some merfolk tribes had settled within the Moon God Empire—but seeing one in person for the first time still left her puzzled.
Why would a mermaid be stationed at the Moonlight Altar?
Logically, as an external race, they shouldn't hold such an important role.
"I heard from Edith that you were looking for me," Pachia tilted her head slightly and asked, "What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to know more about the Moon Dreamscape… and the Moonlight Witch's avatar. Do you know anything about them?"
"Oh! I know all about that!" Pachia nodded enthusiastically, her smile bright.
"The Moon Dreamscape is a unique ability of the Moon Priests. Through the power of the Moon Goddess, they can create a vast dream world."
"Aside from the High Priest, only four Moon Priests can use it—the New Moon, Half Moon, Full Moon, and Waning Moon priests."
"They all possess the ability to create dreams. With the right medium, they can pull any living being into the dream."
"In the dream, you won't truly die—but your soul may suffer irreversible damage. So… you should still be careful~"
"You can't die in the Dreamscape…"Akira murmured, carefully analyzing the implications.
If death wasn't a factor, that was certainly good news for adventurers.
"As for the Moonlight Witch's avatar," Pachia continued, "it's said she was sealed within the dream by the High Priest as punishment for blaspheming the Moon Goddess. She's extremely powerful—it would be best to stay far away~"
"Sealed… in a dream…"
Akira's thoughts stirred.
He had previously suspected that the Moonlight Witch might be the High Priest of the Moon God Empire.
But now, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Do you have any other questions? I know a lot!" Pachia added cheerfully, her enthusiasm surprisingly high—likely because of her trust in Edith.
"…I do have one more."
Akira nodded.
"Why do you live inside the Moonlight Altar? Are you its guardian?"
"Both yes… and no."
Pachia hesitated for a moment before explaining softly,
"Because of my people, we can only live here. The Moon God Empire took us in… and in return, we guard this place for the Moon Goddess."
"I see…"
Akira glanced at the altar's smooth, lake-like surface.
He couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath it.
A vast ocean, perhaps?
He was tempted to dive in and find out—but considering it was a sacred place guarded by the merfolk, that probably wasn't appropriate.
"Thank you for your help. We'll be going now."
Just as he was about to leave, Pachia hurriedly called out,
"Um—could I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?" Akira raised an eyebrow.
"Did Edith… say when she would come visit us?"
There was a trace of anticipation in her eyes.
Akira paused, slightly puzzled.
What exactly was the relationship between Pachia and Edith?
But one thing was clear—
She wanted to see her.
Smiling, Akira reassured her,
"Yes. She said she'd come visit you soon."
"Really? That's wonderful~!"
Pachia's face lit up with happiness.
"Edith promised she would take us to the new world she's creating~ We've always believed in her! And we're waiting for that day! It will come—definitely!"
"…A new world?"
Akira froze for a moment.
Edith… creating a new world?
Since when?
Recently?
He turned to Lucia, hoping for an answer—
But she simply stood there, silent, ignoring his questioning gaze.
"…Sigh."
Akira shrugged helplessly.
"Well, we still have things to do. We'll take our leave. Goodbye."
"Okay~ farewell, my friend~"
Pachia waved with a gentle smile.
"Let's go."
Akira took Lucia's slender hand and led her away.
"…Where are we going next?" Lucia asked softly, glancing at their intertwined fingers.
"The Elf Kingdom."
Akira activated his spatial ring. He still needed to return the Elf Ruler to the Elf Queen.
"The Elf Kingdom?"Lucia rolled her eyes.
She couldn't help but think—the "Cream Puff Wonderland" guild was absurdly busy. Especially their guild master, constantly traveling between nations and royalty.
Surely… it was all for serious matters.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask you something," Lucia said before stepping into the portal.
"What, about 'cream puffs'? It's just a food—haven't I explained—"Akira stopped himself mid-sentence, coughed, and corrected, "Ahem—it's just a type of dessert."
"I don't believe you."
Lucia shot him a cold glance and stepped through the portal.
Akira spread his hands helplessly.
Looks like her trust in him still needed work.
—
When the portal opened inside the Elf Palace, it immediately drew attention.
The elves raised their weapons, assuming an intrusion.
Only when Akira and Lucia stepped out did they lower their guard.
"Lord Akira? Everyone, stand down!"
One elf approached, puzzled.
"Strange… the Elf Kingdom is protected by special laws. How did you arrive via spatial magic?"
"Let's just say I have permission," Akira replied with a smile.
"Permission? From Her Majesty?"
"…Something like that."
He wasn't about to mention the World Tree.
Otherwise, his reputation among the elves might skyrocket even further.
"What brings you here? Are you looking for Princess Elena? Or Princess Rella?"
"I'm here to see the Queen."
"The… Queen?"
The elf froze.
Around them, other elves grew visibly tense, their gazes turning wary.
"…Is that not allowed?" Akira asked cautiously.
"Lord Akira… Her Majesty is currently unavailable."
"Why?"
"…Last night, during the celebration, there was an incident," the elf explained hesitantly. "A criminal attacked several elves… targeting their chests and hips. Reports say the culprit was male…"
The moment those words were spoken—
Akira understood.
…That was him.
"Ahem…"He rubbed his nose.
"So… you're searching for the culprit?"
"Not at the moment. The matter is now under Princess Elena's jurisdiction."
"Ah… that's a relief."
Akira let out a breath.
Looks like the Elf Queen had suppressed the issue.
Still—
If he got caught, he'd absolutely drag her into it too.
Ahem!
But now came the real problem—
How was he supposed to see the Queen?
"Oh? What are you doing here?"
A graceful voice rang out.
Elena approached with a smile.
"Lost your way, Guildmaster Akira?"
"!"
Hope ignited instantly.
"Elena, I need to talk to you."
Without hesitation, Akira strode over and grabbed her hand.
"Wait—what are you doing?! Did I permit you to hold my hand?!"
"Didn't you hear me?"
"Are you deaf?!"
"You idiot!"
"!"
…
Dragging her all the way to her chambers, Akira finally tossed Elena onto the crystal bed.
"Ow!"
She clutched herself, glaring at him.
"Stop messing around," Akira said seriously. "I need to see the Queen."
"She's busy! You can't see her right now!" Elena snapped.
"Really?"
"Really! Why would I lie?!"
"…Then look me in the eyes and say it again."
"…Fine!"
Unable to withstand his gaze, her resolve crumbled.
"The Queen just returned. She's in her chambers right now. Probably… bathing…"
Before she could finish—
Akira opened a spatial gate.
"Your Majesty, I'm coming in!"
"You idiot!" Elena panicked. "She's bathing—!"
Too late.
From the other side came the Queen's voice:
"Guildmaster Akira… have I been too lenient with you lately?"
"Oh? Your Majesty, you're bathing? Then my timing is perfect!"
"You—child!?"
"Wait—Lucia! Don't—stop pulling my ear!"
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Give me a moment. I'll be out shortly."
"Understood."
Lucia dragged Akira out by the ear.
—
Ten minutes later—
The Elf Queen entered, accompanied by two guards.
Her silver hair was still damp, her graceful figure exuding a captivating fragrance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
She stepped forward, lightly flicking Akira's forehead.
"Don't barge in like that again. I will get angry."
"Noted," Akira said, rubbing his head.
"You may leave."
She dismissed the guards, then turned back to him.
"You've come to return the item, haven't you?"
"Yes."
Akira nodded and retrieved the Elf Ruler.
"Mission accomplished, Your Majesty."
"Well done~"
The Queen examined it carefully, then traced its surface with her finger.
A strand of multicolored light gathered at her fingertip.
With a gentle motion, she sent it into Akira's mind.
A cool sensation like spring water washed over him, calming his thoughts.
[You have obtained the Queen's Heart from the Elf Queen. Damage against elves +100%. You have learned the Elven Secret Art—Heart of the Elf (currently unusable).]
"A secret art…?"
As he pondered, the Queen's voice drifted softly beside his ear.
"This is your reward—for helping the Elf Kingdom through its crisis."
"You're too generous, Your Majesty."
Akira smiled, slightly overwhelmed.
"Hmph."
Elena snorted, clearly displeased.
Why was the Queen always so generous to him?
"And also~"
The Queen leaned close to Akira's ear and whispered,
"I know all about what happened between you and Paslow~"
"…You do?"
Akira's pupils shrank, his heartbeat quickening.
Everything he'd done beneath the World Tree…
She knew?