Theo’s bold stance confused Orlando, especially since Theo was almost dwarf-like in comparison. The elves may wield strange powers, but he was confident he could take them if it came to a straight brawl. But why were the elves not interceding on behalf of this impudent human?

No, I had a feeling of danger a moment ago…

Orlando’s intuition was actually fairly honed, despite his barbaric appearance. He would never have survived as a clan leader in the Great Forest if he hadn’t been able to rely on his intuition to escape danger. He was well versed in running away or bowing his head to preserve his life in untenable situations.

So it was rather confusing that his intuition was warning him in this particular situation.

“... Don’t make me laugh!”

This time, Orlando ignored his intuition. A soft, weak human shouldn’t be any trouble, and there were many elves around. Orlando had only ever heard of the terror of humans from the wizened elders of the tribe, so he was filled with confidence.

Crunch, crunch.

Orlando’s massive muscles swelled as his fur sprouted from his skin, while his sharp and long nails hardened to rival steel. In this state, he could even kill a twin-headed ogre. Mere rocks and trees would be obliterated under his fists.

This was his Beast Form, a werebeast’s strongest transformation and the symbol of their strength.

“My qualifications?! A weak human dares to question my qualifications?!” Orlando raised his head as he roared menacingly. His hairline may recede in Beast Form, but he didn’t lose a whit of intelligence.

Orlando thought that this human might be confident in his identity as a magician, since he wasn't wearing a sword at his waist or protecting his body with metal. Only magicians would walk forward so confidently.

I’ll break him so thoroughly that he won’t ever cast a spell again!

He looked at the unconcerned expression on Theo’s face and shouted, “The Stone Lion Tribe is a brave tribe that uses our fists! If you want to prove your qualifications, prove it with your body! It won’t be unfair if we exchange fists!”

Of course, it was unfair. Orlando had thought quickly. If the opponent didn’t accept the challenge, he would call them a coward and run away. If the opponent accepted, he could knock them out. Orlando didn’t know what he’d do against fire and lightning magic, but he was confident in his chances if it was just fists.

Yet, his opponent made a surprising decision.

“... Exchange fists just once? Is that all?” Theo asked, while the other magicians hid grins.

War magicians often battled aura users, and Theo had just recently overpowered Rebecca, Andras’ aura genius. The other magicians couldn’t help but pity the brave but ignorant Orlando.

Their reaction confused Orlando, but Theo stepped forward and turned to Ellenoa.

She realized right away and nodded.

[I will assume the role of notary in Elvenheim for the two of you. Chief Orlando, you made this suggestion yourself, so you won’t have any complaints later?]

“O-Of course not!” Orlando replied as he stepped toward Theo.

There was enough of a difference in weight that he could knock Theo out with a single punch. Orlando had made the offer himself, but for some reason, he felt sweat flowing down his back .

It can’t be! My fist can’t be stopped!

He tried to readjust his mindset as he stared at Theo.

“I will give you the first blow. Do it calmly,” Theo said.

Orlando’s wounded pride caused him to forget his apprehension as his temper got the better of him. The werebeast roared as he dropped into a combat stance.

Kwaaaaang!

The electrifying roar and the resulting shockwave of dust sent nearby birds cawing into the air in fright. However, the most fearsome part was definitely Orlando’s fist. In this form, he had enough power to turn a small hill into rubble.

Die!

Orlando threw his entire body into his punch…

Paang!

… and Theo’s left hand blocked it.

“... Your fist is weaker than I thought it’d be. Anyway, my turn?”

Lee Yoonsung’s Battle Song had brought Theo’s physical abilities within reaching distance of Orlando’s powerful body. But the thing that had closed the gap had been the fighting technique that had been branded into Theo. It was more than enough to meet the crude fist of a beast clan chief.

However, the devastated Orlando didn’t know how Theo had done it. Theo calmly took a step forward and smoothly drove his fist into Orlando's chest.

Duk.

Then he lightly applied power.

Kwaang!

Orlando couldn’t even scream as all the air was expelled from his lungs and he flew back. He could feel the power from Theo’s fist vibrating through his bones and organ. If Theo had wanted to kill him, Orlando would’ve died instantly. What more could be said?

“Kuh….” Orlando slumped down after he collided with a tree. No one cared about him as they stared in dumbstruck amazement.

[Then I will continue the tour.]

Ellenoa’s face brightened as the party passed by the unconscious Orlando and climbed a wooden staircase.

Some magicians even kicked Orlando several times, but none of them stopped. There was no dignity left for the fallen lion.

***

“He was a foolish fellow.” Theo laughed as he arrived in his room.

Orlando was certainly powerful. If Theo fought a knight with that much raw strength, it would have been a tricky battle. For example, Rebecca would’ve been a force to reckon with if she combined Orlando’s raw strength and her technique.

However, raw strength wasn’t enough.

“He won’t be able to deal with me without technique or aura. Now I know why the beast clans retreated from the continent.”

A voice responded to Theo’s cynical thoughts.

- Well, don’t be too discouraged. There is a reason for the decline of the beast clan.

Theo cocked his head. “What is it?”

- It’s a mixture of information that can’t be said and intermediate information. You might not be able to understand, but if you want to hear it, I will tell you.

This seemed to be information that wasn’t well known. If there was a historian in the room with him, they would give their gallbladders to find out. However, it was just a mere curiosity for Theo, who nodded.

Then Gluttony replied with a single line

- It is because the beast king, Fenrir, was murdered by someone.

“... I don’t know that name.”

- I knew it.

Theo didn’t ask anything more, but Gluttony had aroused his curiosity. Although Theo had read many books in the magic tower’s library, Fenrir was an unfamiliar name. The beast clans had only started to decline five hundred years ago, yet Gluttony seemed to know more behind it.

However, Theo’s worries didn’t last long.

- This is an interesting forest. A world tree reproduced using Arv’s power, acting as a refuge for the fallen species... It is amazing that they established an elf kingdom in the middle of it.

“Are you talking about Elvenheim?”

-That’s right. Elves originally lived in colonies, but they aren’t a species with a strong sense of attachment. High elves are their focal point, but a kingdom goes against their identity.

It was difficult. Theo was merely 20 years old, no matter how clever he was, whereas Gluttony was a grimoire that was so old that it’d forgotten about the passage of time. It might be common sense for Gluttony, but it was forced to explain a lot of context to Theo.

Elves shouldn’t have created a country? Or maybe they couldn’t make one? Did Elvenheim already exist?

As Theo was thinking about those questions, the next blow emerged.

- But I didn’t know there was a grimoire here. Seems I won’t be too bored staying in this forest.

“What grimoire? In the Great Forest?!”

Magicians had once gathered to organize the characteristics of grimoires that had popped up in history. Some grimoires had looked like books, or the grimoires had chosen their owner using free will. The knowledge they had contained and their behavior varied, since there were those who skipped space with no constraints, those who chose their owner regardless of the owner’s will, those who had an unknown method of communicating knowledge, and those who controlled the owner’s body. But one of the few facts that was universally true about them was that grimoires were rarely seen in the human world.

However, Gluttony said that he felt a grimoire in the Great Forest. It spoke in a pleasant tone, like it had been expecting Theo’s reaction.

-That’s right. I remember this energy signature. I can feel the power of the grimoire that started Ragnarok, the war that ended the Age of Mythology.

“Ragnarok...!”

- At that time, the great archmage Surtr got his hands on the grimoire and burned the original world trees to the ground. The name of that grimoire is [Laevateinn].

The information of the grimoire popped up in front of Theo.

[Laevateinn]

[A grimoire that seals the realm of fire, Muspelheim. At the time of Ragnarok, Surtr had unlocked the power of the grimoire fully and burned the world trees by releasing Muspelheim. However, in return, he was turned to ashes, and his whereabouts are unknown.

* The rating of the grimoire is Legend

* When consumed, ???

* When consumed, ???

* When consumed, ???]

This was a legendary grimoire equivalent to Death’s Worship! Theo’s eyes dilated as he read the information window. It was the same rank as the grimoire which had made its host an Elder Lich in three months? Furthermore, Laevateinn’s abilities seemed even worse. It had once burned down the original world trees. This might be a problem for Elvenheim.

Theo cried out involuntarily, “Gluttony, you said you felt it? So, do you know where the grimoire is now?”

However, the answer from Gluttony was disappointing.

- I don’t know. The distance was too far, and the power only manifested for a moment. It was a fluke that I even figured out it was Laevateinn.

“Then how do I find it in this vast forest?” Theo asked nervously.

Gluttony just chuckled.

- Don’t worry, it will come to us.

“What?”

- The grimoire needs sacrifices to release the seal and exercise its power properly. And Laevateinn’s favorite food is all around us.

The grimoire’s fire which burned the world trees... A thought flashed through Theo’s mind.

Gluttony echoed his thoughts with perfect timing

- If it lights a fire in this dense forest, it will be able to free at least two seals... But this forest also has an offering that is more excellent than anything else.

“... The world tree.”

- Correct.

Gluttony confirmed in a sweet and dark voice, like a demon.

- Stay calm and wait. The day will come when [Laevateinn] reaches our mouth.