Chapter 21: You Want Something Fresh?
Page 1/3
The identity of this mysterious elf was almost too obvious to guess—there was only one possibility. Aside from Sosia, the elves on the continent of Arad included the red-haired Ilia, who harbored an intense hatred for humans, and the absent-minded Yanis; however, neither of them were in the Grand Forest. The last candidate matched exactly what Hiat had described: the incarnation of Nymel, the god of wisdom, a guardian embodying Arad’s greatest justice, and one of the derived classes known as the “Elven Knight.”
“Hiat, where exactly did you see her?” Nightlin cast a subtle glance at Tana, realizing there was no chance of extracting the answer from her. Perhaps if they could find this mysterious Elven Knight, they might glean a useful piece of information or two.
“On the northern outskirts of the Grand Forest, a desolate wilderness with no human presence. I happened to pass by while traveling from Hetonmar to Bilmark and saw a girl riding a unicorn wandering there.”
Recalling the scene still filled Hiat with disbelief. Wherever that mysterious girl walked, green grass and flowers bloomed. She wielded sword and shield, and her companion was none other than a unicorn, a creature thought to exist only in legend.
Her sense of justice could be described as… no, that level could only be called evil—an evil so profound it could drag one into the abyss.
“Enough about the elves for now. Klark, do you remember where your sister Penrose is?”
Tana hurriedly interrupted Nightlin’s speculation. It wasn’t yet the time to reveal everything. She knew little herself; letting things unfold naturally was best.
“I remember. She’s near Grakasi. Strange… why did she kick me out?”
Klark shook his head painfully, his thoughts still clouded. The two sisters had entered the Grand Forest together; they should have stayed together.
“Graka… that’s the territory of the Minotaur King, Sauta. Though Graka lies within the Grand Forest, its trees are sparser and darker than the dense woods, and the area is vast.”
Selya finally exhaled in relief. Now there was news of Penrose. Perhaps the source of the unrest in the Grand Forest was about to be unveiled. The strong unease emanating from the Grand Forest had recently troubled her deeply, leaving her unable to eat or drink properly, subsisting only on cakes, doughnuts, and fruit juices.
Had she gained a bit of weight recently? No, it must be an illusion!
“Nightlin, you said that finding Penrose would lead us to the Dark Thunder Ruins, which could resolve the chaos in the Grand Forest and the Black Nightmare?”
“Yeah, something like that. Most likely.”
Whether the seed of the Black Nightmare truly lay within the Dark Thunder Ruins was only a theory. After all, the original seed should have been in the Yanofa Forest.
“Well then, let’s prepare to set out!”
Selya clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes blazing. Not only could they deal with the root cause this time, but they might also discover why the Grand Forest felt so familiar to her—a twofold gain!
“Um…”
Page 2/3
Seeing everyone’s eager faces, Nightlin hesitated briefly before advising, “Selya, won’t someone stay to watch over your inn? Maybe you should stay behind.”
He wanted to test something: what would happen if he repaired the magical array that was supposed to be fixed by Selya herself? Although it might change nothing at all, his intuition urged him to try.
“I can entrust Uncle Linas to look after it.”
“But you’re the weakest among us. If—”
Before Nightlin could finish, Selya shook her head firmly. “I have to go. I just feel that place is familiar. Tana will protect me.”
“Well… alright.”
Nightlin sighed. He had just called her the most vulnerable and still couldn’t dissuade her.
“Let’s prepare individually and set out tomorrow.”
Leaving behind some bread and juice, the room was left with only Klark, who also needed quiet time to clear his thoughts.
Perhaps excited by the upcoming journey, Selya’s steps were noticeably lighter as she strode ahead.
Nightlin grabbed Hiat and Tana, motioning for them to follow him—there was something he needed to discuss.
As soon as they entered the room, Tana turned everything over—the pillows, the cabinet, the boxes, under the bed—with an excitement and curiosity she could barely hide.
“What are you doing?”
Nightlin eyed the suddenly transformed Tana suspiciously. What was with this burst of energy?
“I’m looking for something.”
“I know you’re looking for something, but what? I only have daily necessities here.”
Biting her lip and furrowing her brows, Tana looked at Nightlin incredulously. How could there be nothing?
“I live in a tree hollow behind the inn with Selya, and Hiat lives right next door to you. After all these days, you don’t have even one of our personal clothes? Don’t you find that strange?”
“Strange how?”
“Our three sets of intimate garments. It’s odd—someone as smooth-talking as you acts so honest. Are you just a cowardly thief?”
“Please, I’m a gentleman, not a pervert!”
Nightlin rolled his eyes. So she thought he was some kind of underwear pervert?
Page 3/3
Gentleman and pervert are two entirely different words. The former skirts the edge of human morality but never crosses the basic line. The latter repeatedly jumps over that line.
“Heh, and you dare say that.”
Hiat’s expression turned cold as she recalled how this man had hidden tens of thousands of Remy in aid.
“Spit it out. What is it? You want something fresh? No, that requires going to my place.”
Tana sat on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed, yawning repeatedly. Without the expected item here, her enthusiasm waned.
“Nothing fresh. The magical array in the Grand Forest must have been damaged by Mar. I hope to repair it myself once we reach the Dark Thunder Ruins tomorrow.”
“While protecting Selya, make sure she doesn’t interfere with the repairs. No matter what, she must not touch the magical array.”
“The great magical array is broken? You can repair it?”
Hiat was pondering whether to move her room farther away or add a couple of locks, worried this fellow might sneak in for a midnight attack. Then she suddenly heard he could actually repair the great magical array?
“A little. You just have to promise me.”
His sincerity made the two women gradually drop their teasing expressions and nod slowly.
“Well, if you can repair it, it’s not a big deal.”
“Thank you both. Want to watch the stars together tonight?”
A wild suggestion. The night would be long, and having company would be wonderful.
“Oh? You’re ready?”
Tana smiled, hands resting on her dress belt, half teasing, half serious. “Once the seal is broken, there’s no turning back—unless you’re strong enough to overpower me. Are you sure? Someone might die.”
“Stop joking around; we have things to do tomorrow.”
Hiat dragged the fiery-eyed Tana out of the room, leaving Nightlin alone, sitting on the bed frustratedly pulling at his hair.
How does one defeat a dragon? Asking online, it’s urgent.