Vol 3 Chapter 32

"Whew..."

Ilumine let out a long sigh and turned to Kapros with a smile that was truly the epitome of elven grace.

"Well, now it's really over. It's been a very long time since I've enjoyed meeting people like you. I was able to recall old memories too. Especially that last pendant... should I be grateful?"

The moment Kapros heard Ilumine's words, he suddenly came to his senses and hastily raised his head.

'Wait a minute. It's over? My quest hasn't shown as completed yet?'

"Open map window!"

When he called out, the map window quickly appeared, and he could still see the red dot marked on the Elf Village. It was clear evidence that the third quest had not yet ended. Although he had obtained Superior's spellbook, he hadn't seen his third memory. So how could it be over?

For a moment, Kapros recalled Lucrecian, whom he had met before. He had said that, contrary to the current situation, he had seen the memory but couldn't get the item, so he couldn't complete the quest and wasted a long time around the cave. Kapros began to feel anxious, wondering if he would end up in that unfortunate situation again.

"N...No. But it seems there's still something I haven't finished..."

"Hm?"

Due to his urgency, Kapros had to try not to speak too directly.

"Is there perhaps a place near this village or somewhere that Lord Superior visited or that's worth commemorating?"

"A place worth commemorating for Lord?"

Seeing Ilumine's wide-eyed response, Kapros felt increasingly impatient and his insides burned.

"There's nothing like that..."

"Please tell me anything, no matter what it is."

"Well... The guest house where you stayed."

'The house?'

"You already know that no guests have stayed in our village for 500 years, right? I remember that Lord was the first and last guest to stay in that house before you."

Why was Kapros suddenly remembering Aiagas's special skill, [Aiagas]? If you use it on something that has Lord Superior's trace, you can see memories... Why did he obtain that skill when he met Ilumine?

"But why do you ask?"

As Kapros was blinking, feeling like he had gotten a slight hint, Ilumine asked with a changed expression.

"It's nothing."

Kapros shook his head at Ilumine's words and bowed.

"I'm truly grateful for all the kindness I've received."

"You're cute when you're honest."

Ilumine said with a smile.

"Humans are ungrateful. Most of those I've seen were like that. That's why I grew this forest at the edge of this desert where no one comes after the war ended."

Ah. So that's why the elves came to live here.

"...But, seeing the humans who come these days, I sometimes regret my choice back then. Well, according to the moon and stars, there's no need to regret as in a while..."

"Pardon?"

Feeling like he had heard something important, Kapros questioned Ilumine as she muttered, but only received a mysterious expression with an incomprehensible meaning in return.

"No, it's nothing. You'll know everything when the time comes."

The excited laughing face from earlier was nowhere to be seen. Ilumine now looked so unapproachably sacred that Kapros wondered if this was truly the legendary elf.

"You're welcome to come here anytime in the future. No one will stop you."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"May the forest's blessing be with you until we meet again."

And as Kapros turned around, Ilumine threw one last meaningful remark at his back.

"Though it might not take that long."

Afterwards, they didn't leave the Elf Village immediately but returned to the tree house. It was because of Kapros's claim that they might be able to see Superior's memory.

"...Are you really going to try it, Kap?"

To Kran's doubtful question, Kapros nodded firmly.

"Yes."

Looking up from below, the house seemed very sturdy despite the long years. There was some green moss here and there, but that seemed to suit it even more...

Kapros slowly raised his hand holding Aiagas.

The unnecessarily tense feeling was similar to what he always experienced when trying a new skill. Well... even if he failed, he would just be a little embarrassed, there wouldn't be any disadvantages.

'Here goes.'

He placed Aiagas, held with the gem facing forward, against the wall of the house. Feeling the gazes of the two behind him, Kapros quietly opened his mouth.

"[ ...Aia...gas. ]"

Due to nervousness, the incantation came out slightly stuttered, amusingly. Until he frowned in embarrassment, there was no reaction, and he thought it had failed when...

Flash!

Suddenly, a light burst from his fingertips and rushed at him as if to devour him. He heard Kran exclaim "Whoa!" in surprise from behind, but before he could react, his body was instantly dyed in light and the world flickered.

- Whoosh...

When his vision slowly began to return, what he heard was a soft voice coming from not too far ahead.

"...Thank you, Ilumine."

"I didn't say anything."

'...Ilumine?'

The answering voice was exactly the same as Ilumine's voice he had just heard moments ago. Moreover, the voice that spoke first was also quite familiar...

No sooner had he thought this than his vision became completely clear.

'Ah.'

The first thing he saw was withered, twisted trees under the dim dawn sky.

'Is this... a forest too?'

After a brief pause, his gaze soon moved as if flying towards where the voices had come from. As always when viewing memories, he saw two people surrounded by vivid colors that seemed to emit a soft light in the slightly faded world. One was Lord Superior with a tired-looking complexion, and the other was...

'Is that woman Ilumine?'

Ilumine stood there, her face and voice exactly the same as they had been just five minutes ago, but her expression, the air she gave off, and her attire were completely different.