"Haaa"

Esme sat in a meditative pose as she closed her eyes, completely immersed in her practice of absolute concentration.

Once again, she attempted to key into the connection that Elves shared with The Oracle, but felt absolutely nothing. She was getting increasingly frustratedalmost to the point where she began to think her identity as a Half Elf was the problem.

'But Ater said I would be able to.'

Ater wouldn't make such an assertion without reason to back it up. That meant there had to be some way she would be able to connect to The Oracle.

'Is there really a point, though? Rey is already on his way to the Shrine, and he'll probably be able to connect to her without my help' Once again, she was the only one who had no real use among the members of the team.

Even Emil had played a more revelant role than herand she was inside Rey most of the time!

"I don't know anymore." She opened her eyes and gave a frustrated sigh, slowly rising from her position on the cushiony ground.

Her room was a simple space that had a bed, sparse furniture, and nothing else. The entire lodging was made practically overnight, and while her dwelling was just adjascent to Rey's, the difference in quality between both was like heaven and earth.

'It's clear that the Elves are still hostile towards me, even if they revere Rey.' She sighed.

Esme knew she could always report the matter to Rey, and he would instantly take her side, but she really didn't want to burden him with more things. He already had more than enough worries on his shoulders, and bothering him about her problems would be insensitive of her.

'Their actions are harmless at most' She smiled, though not completely believing the thoughts she just rendered to herself.

After standing in the room for a few seconds, she realized there was nothing else for her to do.

"I'm bored. I should have gone with Rey to"

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~

In an instant, before Esme could concluse her thoughts, a roaring explosion consumed her entire room, destroying every single thing inside. Plumes of smoke, and a raging inferno drowned every single remnant within until there was nothing but ashes left.

Everything remained invisibleburied under the thick smoke and dustand it was also covered in a particular barrier that shielded the blast from everything else around.

As such, no one would be able to hear the explosion or even see the destruction.

At least, not unil it was too late.

"Hehehe! Did we do it?"

"I think we did it! Finally! We killed her, right?"

"The Half Elf vermin she's finally dead! Lord Rey will finally be free of her blight!"

These voices were from none other than Young Ones, Elves who were yet to reach the age of maturity, as they stared at the thick smoke and violent flames that dwelled in their barrier.

A total of fifty watched this with brilliant smiles on their facescompletely certain that their actions were for the greater good.

"The Elders are all afraid of taking responsibility, but we won't forget Nature's teachings!" One of the Elves grinned as she raised her fist in the air.

She seemed like their leader, and while she was a Young One, she had a rather mature look compared to the rest. Her long, blue hair danced with the wind as the rest also raised their fists to mimic her.

Their excitement was born out of innocence, though their actions bordered the realm of catastrophe.

After all they had no idea what they had just done.

~BOOOOOOOOOOM!~

In a mere instant, the barrier they created around the explosion shattered apart. As soon as it was blown into bits, the previously optimistic Elves gasped in shock as they looked at the cause.

The barrier was strong enough to hold the explosion caused by a combination of their Magic, hence for someone to break through it, they had to generate more power than the might of half the Elves present.

No matter how powerful an Half Elf was, such power from one so young was unexpected.

Unless.

"You people what the hell?" As this voice echoed from the depths of the smoke, the unharmed figure of Esme proceeded out.

She had a deep frown on her face, and her face shone with bright blue fury.

"What do you think you're doing?" Her voice trembled slightly, almost as if she was about to cry. Despite her expression showing rage, her eyes had sadness written all over them.

"What do you think? Getting rid of an abomination like you!"

"You shouldn't exist in this world!"

"Your death is the only way to appease nature and restore order!"

The Elves uttered these harsh words without regard for the consequence associated with them. They prepared themselves for a fight, all of them taking their stances and readying their Mana.

There was no hesitation in their eyes at all.

'T-these people' Esme's thoughts trailed as she spread her senses to the area around her, wondering if they were the only ones present.

Sure enough, they weren't.

'The others aren't making a move. Is it because they're Elders and will be held responsible? Ah I see what's happening here.' A wry smile formed on her face and she deeply exhaled.

'The Elders are somehow hoping these Young Ones can eliminate me, hence creating the best-case scenario.'

Esme nearly laughed at their foolishness, even though their actions caused a sharp sting in their heart.

'If they do succeed, do they really think they will be spared by Rey?'

As someone who knew Rey well, she wondered what he would do to the Elvesyoung or oldif they managed to actually kill her.

A part of her even wanted to give them a chance just to satisfy her curiosity.

But, she decided against it.

'I can't afford to die. At the very least, for their sake.' Raising one of her hands, she decided to use a Skill she didn't particularly like utilizing due to its nature.

"[Executioner]."