"Yes, my lord."
"Please allow me to follow in your footsteps."
Shamena knelt before Ren Kai, her voice firm and sincere.
"I permit it."
"Go save them first."
Ren Kai said calmly.
There was only one thing he was certain of—
Shamena's loyalty was genuine.
And that alone was enough.
"Thank you, my lord."
Shamena smiled proudly, even glancing back at Ipgia before opening a portal.
"My lord, please take care."
"The Elven Forest will forever uphold your teachings—peace above all."
Ipgia and the elders spoke in unison.
"Mm."
Ren Kai nodded and stepped into the portal.
Venti watched thoughtfully, then followed.
"Shamena! You dare compete with me for Lord Rexasis?!"
"I'll fight you!"
Ipgia lunged forward in anger—
Only to grab empty air.
"I don't have time to argue with you, you wooden block."
Shamena retorted before stepping into her own portal.
She had no time to waste.
Saving her people—and returning to follow Rexasis—mattered far more.
The two elders watched calmly.
This was nothing new.
Shamena and Ipgia had been close friends since childhood.
Fire and wood—
They were bound to clash.
And when it came to Rexasis…
Every elf would react the same way.
Ren Kai and Venti appeared back in the tavern.
Several elf girls waited expectantly.
When they saw the portal close without Shamena—
They grew anxious.
"My lord… Lady Shamena…"
One of them gathered the courage to ask.
"Oh, you have no idea!"
Venti immediately slipped into his role as a bard.
"The beastmen sent an army of one hundred thousand to attack the Elven Forest!"
With clever exaggeration and careful omission of Ren Kai's identity—
Venti spun the tale masterfully.
The elf girls were completely captivated.
Soon—
They served him fine food and wine.
Of course, Ren Kai received the same treatment.
With good food and drink, Venti grew even more animated.
"You should've seen that meteor!"
"It was at least ten times the size of Mondstadt!"
"One glance and you could boast about it for life!"
He spoke with complete seriousness—
Despite clearly exaggerating.
"Wow!"
"So the beastmen are all dead?! We're safe!"
The elf girls cheered happily and began dancing.
The scene—
Beautiful.
Graceful.
And dazzlingly bright.
Ren Kai and Venti quietly enjoyed the view.
Only after the dance ended did the girls remember—
Shamena was still gone.
"Then… what about Lady Shamena?"
"Some elves are still trapped in beastmen territory."
"She went to rescue them."
Venti said more seriously this time.
"Ah…"
"May Lord Rexasis protect them…"
The elf girls clasped their hands and prayed.
Venti smiled at Ren Kai.
Ren Kai returned the smile.
Back then, Rexasis had not lived among the elves—
But he had reshaped the land itself.
He moved entire mountain ranges around the Elven Forest—
Creating a natural fortress.
Combined with his reputation—
It allowed the elves to survive until today.
Ren Kai checked his progress.
[Uchiha Madara]
Role Progress: 58%
Strength: Six Paths – Early Peak
Eyes: Rinnegan
Authority: War (Inactive)
Weapon: Uchiha War Fan
Physique: Ultimate Sage Body
Tailed Beasts: One-Tail + Two-Tails (Chakra)
He fell into thought.
Progress was becoming harder.
Even growth at the Six Paths level was slowing.
That night, the tavern remained quiet.
With Shamena absent—
Venti shamelessly enjoyed Ren Kai's待遇 and slept comfortably in a guest room.
Meanwhile, the Feiyun Commerce Guild flourished.
With support from the Knights of Favonius and its honorary status—
Its trade volume doubled.
The roads between Mondstadt and Liyue had been cleared by Andrius.
Merchants were already preparing to travel.
The next morning—
A shocking piece of news spread.
Beast Emperor Potian and his army of one hundred thousand… had been completely annihilated.
Ren Kai, who had planned to sleep in—
Was woken by the noise outside.
"…Sigh."
He couldn't exactly go out and beat everyone into silence.
So he got up.
Downstairs, Venti and the elf girls were chatting quietly.
"Good morning, my lord."
They greeted him cheerfully.
"Has Shamena returned?"
Ren Kai asked.
"No…"
The girls exchanged glances before answering.
"…."
Venti's expression changed.
He fell into deep thought.
Ren Kai also sensed something was wrong.
"Based on what I know…"
"Shamena shouldn't face danger in Mondstadt."
Venti said seriously.
"Oh?"
"Then you'd better pay attention."
Ren Kai replied calmly.
"…."
Venti was speechless.
"Let's eat."
"If nothing happens after this, I'll return to Liyue."
Ren Kai sat down and began eating.
Venti had no choice but to eat as well.
Afterward, he planned to investigate.
Ever since meeting Ren Kai—
He felt like the wind itself had been trapped in a bottle.
Even the elf girls began to grow anxious.
They silently prayed for Shamena's safety.
Just as Ren Kai finished eating and was about to leave—
A portal suddenly appeared.
"Lord Rexasis… please… save the Elven Forest!"
Shamena stumbled out—
Covered in blood.
Her face was pale.
Behind her—
A skeletal claw reached through the portal.
"Venti—take her and get her treated."
Ren Kai spoke coldly.
Then—
He stepped into the portal without hesitation.
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