High elves were the most mysterious among the already secretive elven species. The most common assumption was that they were simply a higher tier of the species, but that wasn’t entirely correct. The first high elf had been born when Arv’s blood, which ran through all elves, experienced atavism.

As a result, all high elves were naturally strong, which was why all every kingdom on the continent coveted and tried to capture any high elf they heard of.

Vince spoke quietly, “ I heard three months ago that the Pilar River, the lifeline of Austen, had started to dry up.”

An incredibly broad and deep river ran through the heart of the Austen Kingdom. It was the reason that the inhabitants of that desert nation could even survive, let alone thrive. However, the river was drying up again. Every sixty to hundred years, an unpredictable drought would descend on the kingdom. It was seemingly random, and it had effectively throttled Austen’s national strength at a certain level. They had been forced to always keep a reserve of food and water to survive the next drought.

However, everything would change if they had a high elf.

High elves were a species that enriched nature by their very presence. They were natural elementals, and could turn poisoned swamps back into clear lakes or cause new growth on rocky mountains. Even if they couldn’t completely resolve the drought, they could improve the situation in Austen Kingdom by simply encouraging crop growth in a drought. They could accomplish with ease what even the greatest elementalist, Myrdal, would struggle with.

Above all, this was an excellent reason to justify kidnapping a high elf. Austen Kingdom knew they were risking Elvenheim’s wrath.

“I don’t know how many people you hid in this convoy, but I can tell how desperate you must be to disguise it as slavery.”

“You will still block me despite knowing this?” The Janissary's sword trembled.

He had no connection to Shackler. A Janissary of Austen despised sin, and strove to assist their rulers with their accumulated knowledge. They loyally followed their ruler for the sake of Austen. It was for Austen that they had hid their presence in Meltor to smuggle a high elf. The mission had to be accomplished, even if they threw away their lives.

Vince kept their conviction in mind as he nodded. “I don’t know your situation. But it makes more sense to me to save the abducted high elf and gain favor from Elvenheim.”

The Janissary tried, “If you just close your eyes, the Sultan will repay the favor.”

Vince snorted. “How funny. Are you asking me to become an accomplice?”

No matter how it shook out, Vince could only see Meltor losing out if the high elf made it to Austen. Elvenheim was different from the distant Austen. If they turned into an adversary, Meltor might fall under the combined might of Andras Empire and Elvenheim. On the other hand, rescuing and returning them to Elvenheim might net them a strong ally against the Andras Empire.

In short, Austen didn’t have anything to offer Meltor.

“... I understand, I’ll have to take care of you here.” The Janissary suddenly lifted his hand into the air.

Piing… peeng!

A signal flare arced into the sky. He couldn’t allow this magician to live even if it meant making enemies of the Meltor Kingdom. In any case, a kingdom already embroiled in a war with Andras Empire would have to avoid an all out war with Austen. As long as the high elf was transferred to Austen, it wouldn’t matter if his head was taken.

He is willing to die. These guys are going to be annoying. 

Vince clicked his tongue as red flames appeared in his hands. It wasn’t difficult to deal with the Janissary in front of him, but the signal flare would draw reinforcements in. Vince would have to kill him before that happened. He had to use that spell, even though it was still incomplete. Vince’s six Circles spun as he realized there was no other way.

“Blaze Burst!”

“Å℃CE!”

The curtains of the grand finale rose in conjunction with the pillar of fire.

***

On the other hand, Theodore’s fight was reaching its end.

Ah, I understand. This is the rhythm.

Indeed, battling humans required a different skill set than fighting monsters and undead. It was a fight which required precise timing and techniques. Theo’s body quickly absorbed the techniques and experience it received from Lee Yoonsung as he fought.

Swaeeek.

Theo leaned back gently, and a blade passed right in front of his nose. Theo’s return blow struck the guard’s chest, sending the guard flying back, coughing up blood. Theo crouched, activating Sonata of Speed and Rhapsody of Power, and sprang forward in a blur.

“ÅCÅCG!?”

“C¥Ȼ£!”

Maintain the gap! 

The guards were more vigilant now. They had already lost aura users to the magician, so they were getting increasingly desperate. Rakon was also coming to grips with reality.

I'm screwed. This young bastard is too strong!

Theo seemingly had no weaknesses. If the aura users maintained their distance, they would be bombarded with powerful spells. However, attempts at engaging the magician in close combat had been met with a brutally fast and powerful martial art that left two dead and the others fleeing.

The daggers Rakon was so proud of were meaningless if he couldn’t even use them. Despite being surrounded, the brat had dealt with the situation like he had eyes in the back of his head. The most Rakon could do was cut off a few strands of hair.

Goosebumps ran all over Rakon’s body as he sensed he would die here.

I have to run while the others buy some tim- 

Horrific bolts of lightning sprang out of Theo’s hands as Rakon tried to create a diversion with his daggers. Chain Lightning, which had been amplified three times over by Memorize, drove away the darkness of the night. It was a magic lightning bolt that could turn a person to ashes if they were struck for too long.

The two guards close to Theo instantly died as Chain Lightning lashed their bodies, while Rakon, who had retreated a few steps, was hit in the right leg.

He fell to the ground with a scream. “Kuaaack!”

It was the first time Rakon had been hit by lightning, and he couldn’t bear the pain. Was this the most excruciating pain a human body could feel? The electricity burning through his nervous system was no different from professional torture. He doubted that even expensive healing potions wouldn’t cure these wounds easily.

In the end, a war magician only needed the briefest of gaps to end a battle.

It’s over.

Theo wiped his fists free of blood. He hadn’t expected the battle to be so mundane. He had felt a little uncomfortable as he had cut them down with his own hands. But, he had managed to combine Lee Yoonsung’s and Alfred’s combat styles a little.

Theo pointed his index finger at Rakon.

Piing!

It was the end of the boss who reigned behind Bergen. However, the moment Rakon died, something dark emerged from his body. Before Theo could react, the ominous shadow was sucked into his body.

[A powerful curse has infiltrated your body.]

[Gluttony scoffs at the poor curse.]

[Gluttony’s owner isn’t affected by the curse. The curse has been neutralized.]

Nothing happened. It seemed like Rakon had tried to curse him using the effect of the infamous black magic artifact, Companion of Death, but to Theo, it was as harmless as drinking sour milk.

Rakon couldn’t achieve what he desired, and even his revenge had failed. In a sense, it was the proper ending for his bad karma.

Theo asked Mitra to bury the unseemly corpses. It didn’t take long for him to kill all the guards of the second barracks.

***

The rescue was successful. The eight guards defending the two barracks as well as Rakon’s men had been defeated, and the elves had been freed. Fortunately, the elves were not too injured or exhausted to move. The slaves had value, so they had been handled carefully.

But Theo was puzzled why the elves seemed to be following him so easily.

What is this?

Theodore looked back with a bemused expression. Four elves were following him like chicks following their mother. This was rather different from the books he’d read about elves treating other species coldly. These elves followed Theo’s instructions like he was their superior.

Theo was curious. So, naturally, he asked about it.

- We can feel the aroma of dirt from you.

- We love the earth.

- Please lead us to that person.

He could guess only one thing from those words. He reached out mentally to Mitra. Did the presence of the earth elemental Myrdal had chosen for him create this effect? It was said that it was difficult to grow close to elves even with an elemental, but they seemed to treat Theo with great respect.

However, Theo also didn’t know who they were referring to.

Theo’s curiosity eventually got the best of him, and he asked the blonde female elf who led the other elves, “Excuse me, who is that person?”

The blonde elf replied, “Delphinas of the Blue Evergreen Tribe will reply. That person is the blessing born to our tribe, the light of all life. The prophet saw it, and the sky danced.”

Theo still didn’t know what Delphinas was talking about. “Can you tell me in an easier manner?”

Delphinas cocked her head. “Perhaps you know of that person as a ‘high elf’.”

“Ah, I see… Ah?!” Theo nearly missed the critical word as he kept an eye out for more enemies.

A high elf? 

He only knew a few snippets from library books, but he was well aware of the value of their existence. An elf born with that mutation was an astronomical improbability. As soon as they became adults, they were moved to Elvenheim and protected by their own people. If they were ever kidnapped, Elvenheim’s elite warriors would move immediately to rescue them.

I didn’t expect a high elf here!

If the situation were less tense, Theo would have liked to talk a bit more. However, the situation was changing.

Kukukukukung...

Theo saw a fiery pillar rise into the sky, causing the ground to shake and the mana in the air to shiver. The firepower of a 6th Circle magician dyed the black sky crimson. The elves trembled as they were more sensitive to mana than humans, while Theodore was worried about his teacher.

The battle on the other side was also reaching a turning point.