"Even if you are one of the High Elves... no, because you are the esteemed Lady Riveria, you must live your life without any constraints!"
"No, that isn't it. It's actually—"
"Say no more! We will deter any of our kin who dare stand in the way of Lady Riveria's love!"
"Before that, please listen to what I have to sa—"
"You might think that because we are in the same Familia and failed to notice your relationship, we have no right to speak now—but please, leave this to us!"
"I am telling you, listen to me..."
●○●○●
He possessed long golden hair that one might easily mistake for a woman's, and clear red eyes. His skin was as white as fine porcelain, and his beauty rivaled that of an exquisitely crafted doll.
Yet, in stark contrast to that beauty, the aura he wrapped himself in was cold as ice and terrifyingly heavy.
"S-Sir, I request permission to enter."
"Proceed."
His stunning features were frozen in a cold expression of anger and annoyance. He directed a sharp gaze, like a blade piercing flesh, at the member who entered his office.
That member, feeling the chill of death creep down his spine from the lethal aura, was a second-class adventurer with a prestigious reputation in Orario. Nevertheless, he entered the room drenched in a cold sweat. He buckled under the weight of the prestige radiating from the person before him.
In a room dominated by a tension bordering on murderous intent, only a few top leaders in the Familia could maintain their composure.
"I have already received reports that the gods of various Familias, led by the Muzi Familia, are stoking the fires of discord and intensifying the unrest. What else?"
"Y-Yes, sir. I have a message from 'The Brave' Finn regarding this matter..."
"............."
At the mention of the title 'The Brave,' a vein of anger throbbed on the forehead of the white Elf, who served as the sole mastermind of the Familia. His features contorted as if he were on the verge of letting out a thunderous roar of rage, but he restrained himself at the last moment and took a deep breath.
"He says: 'This matter has exceeded both my and Loki's ability to suppress. I will do my utmost within the limits of what is possible, and leave the rest to you.'"
"—That insolent Hobbit! He sows the seeds of discord within his own Familia and then dumps the trouble on our shoulders!"
What reached the member's ears next were words laden with spite and curses. As his emotions erupted, the Elf's calm tone shifted into a tidal wave of hatred and fury that no one was accustomed to hearing from him.
Realizing the situation was "extremely dangerous," the member beat a hasty retreat, fearing he might be struck by the sparks of that rage. The seated commander paid him no mind.
"..........."
He took several deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling to soothe his frayed nerves, while his long, distinctive Elven ears twitched slightly. After a moment, the lethal aura surrounding him vanished, replaced by an air of exhaustion and gloom. He slumped his weary body against the back of the chair, causing the wood to let out a sharp creak.
"How much longer does that fool intend to keep me occupied with his troubles?"
He muttered these words into the silent office, letting them fade into the void, unheard by anyone.
His name was Hedin Selland.
He was one of the top executives of the Freya Familia, the strongest force in Orario. Currently, he was the Elf suffering the most in this city due to that "scandal," second only to a certain High Elf in the ranking of misery.
●○●○●
Warm lights reflected off the wooden interior, creating a tranquil atmosphere. A fire crackled in the hearth, making the room warm and pleasant. In that quiet space, where only the snapping of burning wood could be heard, I sat on a chair by the bed, watching my Goddess's sleeping face.
Her complexion, synchronized with her steady breathing, looked much better now. As I felt a sense of relief and reached out to gently hold her hand, a knock sounded at the door before it opened.
"How is the Goddess faring?"
An elderly human man with a hunched back entered, a kind smile etched onto his face. I stood and greeted the old man.
"Mr. Kadm... she seems to be doing well. She's asleep now, but I think her features look much more relaxed."
After the Goddess and I fell from the cliff into the valley, a passing villager led us to their village, and we rented a room in this house. This was Edas Village, a small settlement hidden within the Beol Mountains, resembling the isolated outposts found deep in the highlands. Given the Goddess's weakness and her need for rest, we were now guests of Mr. Kadm, the village chief.
Kadm approached the bed with his calm smile and looked at the sleeping Goddess with affectionate eyes.
"Mr. Kadm, I am truly grateful to you."
"Think nothing of it. Helping those in distress is only natural... (cough)... (cough)..."
"A-Are you alright?!"
"Yes, don't worry. This is quite normal for me."
Kadm began to cough violently as if his body were frail, and a woman who appeared to be his daughter rushed to assist him. As he leaned on her shoulder and moved slowly toward the door, he cast one last look at the Goddess's sleeping face. A shadow of concern crossed his features, as if he were lost in deep thought. He wished her a swift recovery and left the room.
"I wonder if he's ill?"
Mr. Kadm had been very kind to us despite being strangers, but his face was pale, and his movements seemed heavy. Regardless, since we would stay in the village until the Goddess recovered, I would do my best to be of help to them.
Several days had passed since leaving Orario to rescue Goddess Hestia, who had been kidnapped by the army of the Rakia Kingdom.
While I was helping with the preparations for the "Harvest Festival" in Edas Village—the settlement that sheltered us and cared for the exhausted Goddess—I froze in place while looking at "that thing." A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"────── What is this..."
Massive scales radiated a luster similar to black obsidian. That object, exuding a malevolent aura as if it were a living thing, possessed an overwhelming presence unlike any creature I knew—a strange and desolate presence.
This village was beautiful, its people kind and friendly. I had adapted to them quickly and felt comfortable here. Yet, the moment I felt that security, I found these scales enshrined in a small hut that resembled an altar.
My heart began to beat irregularly, and a cold sweat broke out over my body. I felt a terror that threatened to crush my bones, yet I couldn't tear my eyes away. That ominous black glint awakened something deep in my chest—an unidentifiable fear that defied description.
I found my hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of the sword hanging at my waist, gripping the scabbard with a hand that shook violently. That aura, which triggered an instinctive dread, resembled the chill I felt from the sword Balmung carried by Al.
"Is something wrong, adventurer?"
"..... These scales... what are they?"
One of the villagers asked me in surprise when he noticed me standing stiffly before the stone hut.
"Those are the scales of the Great Black Dragon."
The villager answered calmly, while I questioned him with a choked voice, unable to hide my agitation.
"The Black Dragon...?"
The One-Eyed Black Dragon. The King of Monsters, known to every adventurer residing in Orario, the "Promised Land."
The ultimate objective of all mankind: the "Three Great Adventurer Quests."
It is the greatest target for extermination in the entire world, alongside the "Earth King" Behemoth and the "Sea Sultan" Leviathan. It is the last great catastrophe that emerged from the Great Fissure in ancient times. It is the eternal covenant that the adventurers of Orario must one day fulfill.
The strongest Familias recognized by the Gods, under the leadership of the "Hero" and the "Empress"—the Level 8 and Level 9 leaders of the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia—managed to defeat the Earth King and the Sea Sultan. Yet, contrary to the expectations of the Gods and the hopes of humanity, that great force fell before a single dragon.
That black disaster is said to slumber at the edge of the world, destined to destroy it one day.
Before its scales, my heart hammered violently. My breathing grew ragged, my pupils dilated, and I felt as if the blood in my veins were boiling. Why were these scales enshrined here?
"Thanks to these scales, monsters do not dare approach the village," the villager continued, as if reading my thoughts.
In truth, I had wondered how a village could exist in such a place. In the surrounding mountain ranges, there are lineages of monsters that emerged from the Dungeon in ancient times and bred there. Although their magic stones have degraded, making them weaker than the original monsters, they remain creatures that ordinary villagers without a Blessing cannot face.
The existence of a settlement in a place surrounded by mountains was illogical in itself. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for humans to live here, but it seemed everyone feared to approach because of the aura of the "King of Monsters" emanating from these scales. For this reason, they were placed in this small stone altar.
"Thanks to the Black Dragon, we live our lives in peace... We know of the 'Three Great Adventurer Quests,' but for us, these scales are our guardian deity."
The villager said they had no choice but to revere them.
"──────"
The monster that had caused nothing but tragedy for humanity since ancient times. The eternal enemy of man. The scales of that monstrosity that sits atop the hierarchy of monsters...
Protecting humans?
A monster that is neither adventurer nor god?
I clenched my fist tightly, trying to suppress the nausea that surged within me. The ugly, harsh, and disgusting truth made my vision turn black. The irony and the desecration in the fact that my own kind were protected by the monster that had caused countless tears and sacrifices for humanity.
This reality threatened to break my mind. The absolute values I believed in began to collapse with a thunderous sound in my soul; for what reason had I been fighting?
I had brandished my sword for one purpose only: to kill monsters. Yet, it turns out the monster we must eliminate is the one protecting people's lives.
"Monsters... must be killed. Monsters, 'Dragons,' must die, because if we don't... someone else will cry... It was supposed to be that way, but..."
I muttered instinctively, my emotions in total disarray. I heard a creaking in the depths of my heart, but I couldn't stop it. I cannot accept the coexistence of humans and monsters; I must not accept it. If I accept that, my existence and the meaning of my sword will lose all justification.
The only reason I fight is to kill monsters. Nothing else. This was my raison d'être and the proof of my identity. A fierce anger burned in my chest at the fact that the Black Dragon, the source of all evil, protects this village.
I wished I had never known this.
I felt from the bottom of my heart that it would have been better not to know. Killing monsters is my mission. It is the vow I made to myself to achieve with these hands. I feel as if this vow has been insulted.
A wild urge to shatter these scales right now washed over me, but I restrained myself with difficulty. I took a deep breath to dispel the sparks of hatred and calm my spirit. While breathing heavily, I turned my gaze away from the Black Dragon's scales.
"Adventurer... are you alright?"
"I'm fine... I'm going... for a short walk..."
I told the villager who asked me with concern, and I left the area.
●○●○●
I watch the village from a hill on its outskirts. The view before me was peaceful and serene. I listened to the sounds of the villagers going about their daily lives. The sounds of their cheerful laughter, children running innocently, and adults busy with festival preparations while watching them affectionately.
It was a familiar scene of peace that you might find anywhere. The very scene I was trying to protect by brandishing my sword.
"Why..."
At the boundary between the village and the forest, Black Dragon scales were placed as if to prevent monsters from entering. I walked aimlessly around the village, muttering weakly. I looked at the scales placed at equal intervals along the village's edge. Those altars, acting as barriers to prevent a monster invasion, stirred turmoil deep in my chest.
Black sparks of hatred still smoldered slowly in my heart. I wanted to destroy them, cut them, crush them. A destructive urge nearly spiraled out of control. But I knew I must not do it for the sake of this village. These scales were placed to protect the village from monsters. If I destroyed them, monsters would annihilate this village in the blink of an eye.
The decorations and offerings on those stone altars reflected the villagers' fear of monsters and their reverence for the Dragon. I gripped the hilt of my sword so tightly my knuckles turned white.
I continued walking around the village, suffering from this contradiction. Finally, I stopped when I reached the village's central square. Naturally, there were dragon scales here as well. An altar of scales similar to the one I saw at first and on the outskirts. I stood helpless before that altar, which resembled a small shrine.
A fragment of the black disaster. The scales of the monstrosity that will one day destroy the world. A part of the creature that took everything away. Powerful emotions surged through my heart.
As I stood with my head bowed, gripping my sword tightly, I heard a voice.
"Ais-san?"
It was the voice of Bell, Al's brother. I felt his presence as he looked at me in wonder, as if he had followed me while I wandered aimlessly through the village. I couldn't turn to face him. Because I was certain my expression looked terrifying right now.
I remained standing, staring at the scales. As if Bell had realized something, he stood beside me and looked at the scales just as I did.
"It's like a god, isn't it?"
Those quiet words reached my ears.
"That's wrong."
I ground my teeth, the words coming out with difficulty. These scales are not a god. They are an ugly monstrosity, far removed from anything divine. Because of these scales, because of this dragon, I... we...
The sparks of hatred in my chest intensified. I told myself to "calm down," but I couldn't.
"This is not a god, never!!"
..... After a while, I felt Bell withdraw. Even so, I couldn't move. I had no desire to move. I felt the urge to vanish. I didn't want to know that there were humans protected by a monster. I didn't want to acknowledge that the monster I must eliminate protects people.
Many thoughts clashed in my head, and I no longer knew what to do. I don't understand. Everything has become blurred and chaotic, to the point where I don't even know what to think or feel. The only thing I understand is that I have never experienced such feelings before.
It isn't hatred, it isn't anger, and it isn't sadness. What is it then? I don't know. But it is very painful. My chest hurts as if it will explode—a pain like my heart being seized and squeezed tightly.
"..........."
As I stood there in a daze, I felt a familiar presence behind me.
"A fragment of the 'One-Eyed Black Dragon,' huh?"
"No wonder my sword Balmung is shaking like this."
The speaker was Al, standing behind me while still directing his gaze toward the scales.
"You look lost in thought. Does it bother you that much that a 'monster' is protecting humans?"
"—!"
I gasped at his direct words, which seemed to pierce through the black flames raging within me.
"The monster... is the enemy, isn't it?"
I asked him as if trying to confirm it; Al is an adventurer and must realize that. Generations have passed since the Dungeon, which produces endless monsters, was sealed. Adventurers are those who know the threat and cruelty of monsters best.
"Let's say, hypothetically..."
"?"
Al suddenly spoke. I instinctively turned toward him because of the tone of his voice, which I didn't expect. I found his face set in an unusually serious expression. And the words that came from him were entirely unexpected.
"For example... if a 'monster' had feelings and a reason to live, just like humans, would you be able to kill it?"
When he asked me that, I was stunned for a moment. I couldn't understand his intent. I didn't grasp the meaning. It's impossible for a monster to possess such things. I was confused by this illogical talk, but for some reason, I felt I had to answer because the one asking was Al, so I racked my brain.
However, the more I thought, the more confused I became. A monster with feelings? A reason to live? What was he talking about? Monsters are creatures we kill; they can be nothing else.
..Even if we assume such a thing exists. If it had feelings, if it had a reason to live—if I stood before such a "monster," what I would do is certain. I would cut it down. That's all there is to it. There is no room for doubt, nor for hesitation. Because this is my raison d'être.
"I will kill the 'monster' no matter how human-like it seems, as long as that monster remains a reason for people to cry."
I declared my will clearly, with unwavering determination. Al remained silent as he listened to my words. Then, as if satisfied, he turned and left. I remained alone and looked back at the scales. As usual, the more I looked at them, the more my heart grew troubled.
The depths of my chest ached, and I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.
"Al... are you different?"
I muttered after he left, directed at no one in particular.
●○●○●
Currently, the Elves of Orario are divided into three main factions:
The First Faction: The "Radicals," who are dying to eliminate the "Sword Saint" Al because he, as a human, dared to seduce Lady Riveria.
The Second Faction: The "Welcomers," who believe that as long as Lady Riveria chose him, and since he is a flawless hero, they should not interfere and instead bless this love.
The Third Faction: The "Void," who are enthusiastic fans of Al whose feelings were completely shattered when they discovered his partner was their princess, Riveria.
The ratio is roughly six to four to one or less. The Radicals hold the majority, but the Welcomers are no less powerful, especially since their leaders are the Elves of the Loki Familia, who can be considered Riveria's attendants.
The conflict between the Elves, regardless of their Familias or professions—and due to the intervention of some Gods who exploited the situation for a joke—began to turn into a massive disturbance that the Guild was unable to suppress.
In the midst of this situation, the tens of thousands of soldiers from the Rakia Kingdom's army who remained around Orario to protect Ares's escape were annihilated without being allowed to resist. They fell at the hands of high-level Elven adventurers who united across their various factions, saying: "We have no time to waste on the likes of you!!"
Leading this Elven army was the leader of the "Radicals" and the highest-ranking Elf currently: the Level 6 Magic Swordsman, "White Elf Magic Wand" Hedin Selland.
He is one of the top executives of the Freya Familia, whose name makes children tremble. He is nicknamed, along with "Black Elf Magic Blade" Hegni Ragnar, the Black and White Knights. Before Al's ascent, he was known as the strongest magic swordsman among the Elves.
Unlike his kin who had lost their minds, Hedin, who was revered as a wise king by the White Elves despite not being a High Elf, only intervened and led the "Radicals" to prevent the Elven mob from acting randomly and destroying the city.
Hedin is not lazy enough to allow chaos to reach his Great Goddess, especially since the chaos this time was caused by his own kind. Since Riveria, the High Elf who used to settle matters with a single word, was the source of the problem this time, it was impossible for Hedin to "extinguish" the discord.
Therefore, he used the Rakia Kingdom's army as a "sacrifice" to vent those burning emotions that found no place to go in Al's absence. He made himself a symbol to direct their anger toward the Rakia Kingdom, thus gaining time until Al's return.
Elves, once their emotions are ignited, become even more passionate than Amazons. When it concerns a High Elf, that fire burns even brighter. Nevertheless, Hedin was focusing all his effort on minimizing the damage his kin might cause.
Naturally, as a member of the Freya Familia—hostile to the Loki Familia—Hedin couldn't help but feel annoyed at the idea of Al being linked with Riveria. Hedin himself, though of a later generation, hated Al, who used lightning magic like him and who had easily stripped him of the title of strongest magic swordsman, to the point where he would kill him given the chance.
However, Hedin is not naive enough to believe "groundless rumors," and even if he did, he wouldn't be swept up in the commotion. He believes, at a ratio of seven to three, that the news of the relationship between Riveria and Al is a lie.
But on the other hand, the mere thought of the union between the "Nine Hell" ( Riveria's title) and the "Sword Saint"—no, the "Sword Demon" Al—was a powerful shock that made even Hedin see a thirty percent probability.
Since Finn (who is not an Elf) and Riveria (whose every word is interpreted as shyness and an attempt to hide the truth) can do nothing, it is no exaggeration to say that Orario's fate now hangs on Hedin's hand. Fortunately, thanks to the noble sacrifice of the Rakia Kingdom's army, which served as a perfect "offering," the "Radicals" began to calm down slightly. It seems the situation will hold until Al's return.
However, there is one problem.
"How much longer does that fool intend to stay outside and play?!"
Rumors tend to change and distort as they pass from person to person according to their personal interpretations—especially when mischievous Gods get involved. The rumor has gradually begun to transform from "Riveria loves Al" into other, more complex forms.
Three days remained until the interested party, Al Cranel, returned to Orario.
──────────────────────────────────────────────
Finn: "I did what I could, but as I am not an Elf, it is impossible for me to restrain them."
Gareth and Loki: ""It's good that it was just a misunderstanding on Lefiya's part...""
Lefiya: "I didn't mean for all this to happen..."
Hedin: "Why am I the one afflicted with this..."
An Elf from the Dian Cecht Familia: "── Is that rumor actually true?!"
Airmid: "Why are you asking me? I know nothing of these matters."
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