#076

An hour later, Lasano and Cullen arrived in the city. Thanks to coaxing the knights, Lasano had smoothly left through the main gate under the pretense of Kiyen’s errand, while Cullen had simply scaled the wall.

The splendor of the ducal territory itself was different from the excessive neatness of the capital where the Imperial Palace was located. There were roofs decorated with elegant patterns and many curious shops. There were even three or four clothing stores lining the main street.

Along the well-maintained main road, bright red lanterns hung from trees on both sides. Although most had fallen due to the sudden heavy snowfall.

“They don’t seem to be taking any special measures, do they?”

Lasano said after scanning his surroundings. The shops in the late-night city were closed and quiet. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

“It seems so.”

“There’s nothing one can do about the weather. That’s why humans so easily attribute the cause of disaster to someone.”

Lasano said in a casual tone. When Cullen’s gaze fell on his cheek, he grinned.

“The High Priest is also invited to many prayer ceremonies.”

He suppressed the questions that were about to arise again towards him. Lasano had been an untrustworthy person to Cullen from the start, and nothing had changed. There was no need to ask what fragments of his past made him say such things.

“Many people will likely die.”

While he remained silent, Lasano spoke words that sounded like a prophecy. If the Young Duke truly believed he had dealt with the Demonic Beast as he was, that would certainly be the case.

The cause of the weather change was unknown, but it was clearly related, as the snow began to fall when the Demonic Beasts rushed towards them. The problem was how to lure out and deal with that which had hidden itself, as Kiyen had said.

“We are moving now to prevent that from happening.”

His red eyes quietly took in Cullen. The question from earlier, ‘Which is your true form?’, was being asked by his gaze.

The silence was broken by the clanking of armor from patrolling knights. At the sound of hooves, Cullen and Lasano ducked into an alley. Hidden in the darkness where even moonlight could not reach, they began to walk westward. Only after the knights’ sounds faded did they take out Kiyen’s item.

The stars were even denser than when they were inside. As the clumped star cluster gathered, the metal needle trembled. The vibration grew more intense as they approached the ruined city walls.

Walking through the abandoned land devoid of even light, Cullen stopped at a sign of presence. Drawing a knight’s sword he had pilfered while escaping the ducal mansion, he spoke precisely towards where the presence had stopped.

“Who’s there?”

Lasano conjured a silver flame beside him. The white light spread, scattering the darkness. Beyond it, pointed ears were revealed. The large, alien eyes that occupied a significant portion of his features looked at the tip of the sword with a fearful gaze.

“I-I’m sorry. Please spare me.”

Just then, the full moon, which had remained in the city center, followed them. Illuminated by the moonlight, a group of Elves appeared on the ground. The Elf who had moved first, facing Cullen’s sword, was the one. His slender shoulders clutched a child tightly in his arms. They seemed to be moving.

“It seems they’ll be alright, Cullen.”

Lasano said, looking at the child in the Elf’s arms.

No hostility or murderous intent was felt. Only fear permeated the air, and Cullen lowered his sword. Following Lasano, he examined the Elf child. The neck and forehead were covered in blood. The blue skin looked exceptionally pale under the moonlight, as if on the verge of death.

“Where are you going?”

At Cullen’s question, several Elves behind them quickly knelt. While he frowned at their excessive behavior, the Elf holding the child spoke.

“My child… was injured by a stone from the collapsed city wall. We were… on our way to see if there was a physician in the city who would take us in.”

“There are many injured. Please forgive us.”

It was unclear what they were asking forgiveness for. Looking behind the kneeling figures, Cullen saw many injured Elves.

“It’s alright.”

With a sigh, Cullen looked at Lasano. Without any specific instructions, Lasano stepped forward first.

“This person will treat you.”

The Elf, who had flinched, trying to avoid the approaching Lasano, hesitated at his words. Lasano, over his smiling face, wore a softness that was unusual. Instead of his usual glib tone, a gentle voice was heard.

“It’s alright.”

Cullen observed him quietly. Blinking its large eyes, the child looked up at Lasano. Lasano’s silver hair cascaded down. His pale hand covered the Elf child’s forehead, and soon a divine silver light spread.

Sighs were heard from around them. “I feel Goddess Aksha’s power,” voices echoed here and there. The light spread gently for a while before being gathered back into Lasano’s hand. With a pale face, Lasano met the eyes of the Elf holding the child and smiled.

“I have healed him well, so you need not worry.”

Cullen suddenly realized he had never actually seen Lasano heal someone before.

Lasano silently continued the healing, channeling divine power. The High Priest’s appearance seemed to have somewhat eased the Elves’ minds, as they wore expressions of relief.

Feeling it was wrong to just stand by, Cullen asked if there was anything he could do to help. While the adult Elves hesitated in silence, the child Lasano had healed clung to Cullen’s leg. When Cullen picked the child up, the Elves cautiously approached. As they hesitantly explained their shortage of hands, he stepped forward without a word.

He instantly created several tents that would have been difficult for the Elves to build on their own, and someone spoke to him. He introduced himself as Anan.

“Thank you for your help. You are the first people we’ve met who have treated us kindly since Moet.”

The conversation became much smoother when Moet’s name was mentioned.

“Does Moet come here often?”

“Ah, do you know Moet?”

Anan was a female Elf with her black hair braided down her back. When Moet’s name was spoken, her face lit up. It was a smile that clearly held more than just gladness.

“I’m so happy to hear that. Moet saved us from a merchant guild that was about to sell us into slavery. Our home was constantly encroached upon by humans, leaving us nowhere to hide. They kindly settled us on their territory.”

For someone who had done that, they didn’t seem to have integrated into the territory.

“With the territory’s people in this state, why is no one doing anything?”

“Uh…”

Anan smiled, looking troubled.

“We are not human, after all. Being allowed to live together here is enough. At least we can live without our families being scattered.”

“I recall hearing that Elves are the happiest beings in the forest. Is it alright for you to be in a place like this?”

Gale, who had traveled the world extensively, often shared fascinating stories with Cullen. Tales about Elves were among them.

“That is ideal, but we can live anywhere there are plants and animals. Fortunately, this place is overflowing with fresh fruits and flowers, so tending to them is enough.”

While they were talking, Lasano returned. Beside him were Elves who appeared to be elders. Gratitude filled their wrinkled eyes.

“While I was struggling to heal, you were having a pleasant time, weren’t you, Lord Cullen? I’ll report everything to Kiyen.”

Lasano, back to his usual self, slumped down beside Cullen. He sat without minding the bare ground and looked up at Cullen with a smile.

“Thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay this kindness, truly… thank you.”

The elders bowed deeply. Lasano simply smiled, and as Cullen looked at them, one thing came to mind. Elves were a race that had existed since ancient times. Humans, in a way, were similar, but they were extremely rare beings. Perhaps they might know something about Akesis?

“You don’t need to thank me. Rather, it seems we are the ones who need your help. I will send people to assist you through Moet tomorrow. Before that, I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know a god named Akesis?”

At the mention of Akesis, the Elves murmured. The elder looked intently at Cullen with a now calm expression. Cullen’s reflection appeared on his eyes, where the pupils occupied a larger area than the whites.

“I never imagined a human would know of him…”

The elder muttered to himself and nodded.

“Yes, of course, we know. Akesis is a great being, the lover and sibling of Goddess Aksha.”

What followed was something they could never have imagined. Lasano coughed at the mention of “lover and sibling.”

“Did you say lover?”

Cullen was equally bewildered.

“Yes. We Elves are beings created by the whims of the two. The reason we resemble humans yet also possess forms and abilities similar to Demonic Beasts is because of that. Only Elves can understand the will of plants and animals.”

Lasano muttered beside him.

“Goddess, are you testing your people?”

Before Cullen could reply, the elder spoke again.

“Are you searching for Akesis’s trace? It seems fate has guided our benefactors here for a reason.”

“Why do you say that?”

The elder turned. Looking at the breached city wall, he said,

“Because the being that plunged us into trial today is Akesis’s legacy.”

That was within the realm of reasonable speculation. Akesis had been connected to every place where unknown Demonic Beasts and phenomena appeared, so this Demonic Beast must surely be related.

“Since the weather began to change, have you seen anyone in black cloaks or suspicious individuals around?”

Everyone shook their heads. They seemed unaware. Anan raised her hand then.

“I have.”

“Anan, why didn’t you say something sooner!”

A middle-aged Elf, who appeared to be her parent, chided her. Anan glanced around, then approached Cullen and whispered. She came so close that Cullen could feel her breath on his ear, and spoke in a voice so low it was difficult to hear even at such close proximity.

“Even if I speak this quietly, you’ll probably hear me… but if my parents scold me, I would be grateful if you, Lord Cullen, would take my side.”

“Understood.”

He nodded. Anan stood on tiptoe and whispered into Cullen’s ear.

“I went to see Moet, thinking I’d at least catch a glimpse from afar, and I saw the Young Duke with those kinds of people. I saw it by climbing a tree and looking through a window, so I don’t know what they were doing.”

Something clicked. Anan’s feelings for Moet were a concern, but this information was crucial for now. Just as he was about to ask if she had seen their faces, the ground shook. It was the same tremor he had felt when he was at the castle.

“Ah…”

The Elves, including the elder, let out sorrowful sighs. Only Cullen and Lasano, not understanding, stared at them. Anan, having lowered herself from tiptoe, also looked at the ground with sad eyes.

“What is happening?”

“They are grieving.”

The Elves seemed to share a single emotion.

“For what?”

To Lasano’s question, Anan pointed at the ground.

“A descendant of Akesis is grieving. They are confused, lonely, and in pain.”

Cullen looked down at the ground. The tremors were intensifying. It was as if something was rising from beneath the earth. As the soil began to shake overtly, the Elves stepped back, forming a circle. Cullen and Lasano also retreated.

Just as the tremor felt like it was reaching their feet, Cullen spotted two red stone masses revealed at his feet. They looked like two giant eyes.

Like the eyes of a Demonic Beast rushing towards them from afar.

‘Aksha’s… child.’

The moment he realized that, a resonance spread through his mind.