"I'd like to see who dares!"
In front of the wooden cottage, a crimson-clad elf stepped forward.
Her entire body burned like living flame, standing between the elves who were attempting to take Relara away—like a blazing wall that none dared cross.
"Red Lotus!" Elder Roni shouted angrily. "Are you planning to defy the ancient laws of the elven people?"
Red Lotus turned her head. Flames roared within her pupils, as if they could incinerate everything they gazed upon. She shot Roni a cold glance and sneered.
"Roni, since when did you qualify to speak to me?"
Her voice carried absolute confidence born of overwhelming strength, causing a flicker of fear to flash across Elder Roni's face.
Though Roni and Red Lotus held equal status as elders of the elven race, before sheer, crushing power, even Roni could not help but feel intimidated. Red Lotus's fury was like a firestorm capable of igniting the entire world—no elf dared approach her lightly.
"Red Lotus, this is a unanimous decision of the Elder Council!" Roni snapped when she realized she couldn't suppress her. "You have no right to interfere!"
Red Lotus merely laughed coldly, clearly indifferent to the authority of the council.
She slowly removed the massive greatsword from her back. The moment its tip struck the ground, raging flames erupted outward, serving as a wordless warning to anyone who dared come closer.
"As long as I'm here," Red Lotus declared, her voice icy and resolute, "no one will lay a single finger on Relara."
Fear rippled through the assembled elves, and many instinctively stepped back.
It was at this moment that Kurose Akira arrived at the elven territory.
From a distance, he watched as Red Lotus stood alone before countless elves, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.
"Another player's adventurer?!"
He immediately realized it—this flame-red female elf already belonged to an adventurer guild. And judging by her presence and strength, she was anything but ordinary.
At this moment, Red Lotus was like a living inferno. Her very existence was a manifestation of power, forcing every elf present to hesitate.
Kurose Akira narrowed his eyes.
Her level was terrifyingly high.
Over Level 50!
"Aunt Red Lotus!"
Bea Fuli and Bea Flora pushed through the crowd and rushed to the fiery elf's side.
"Don't worry," Red Lotus said with a gentle smile, reassuring the sisters. "As long as I'm here, your mother will be fine."
Her smile carried a strange calming power, instantly easing their hearts.
"And these friends are…?" Red Lotus asked, turning her gaze toward Kurose Akira and the others.
This area was already close to the location of the World Tree. Outsiders should have been unable to reach this place.
"They're our guild companions—and our Guildmaster!" Bea Fuli explained eagerly. "Aunt Red Lotus, just like you, we've joined a guild!"
"Oh?"
Red Lotus's eyes lit up with interest. She carefully sized up Kurose Akira and the others, then broke into a radiant smile.
"Welcome to the elven lands. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't properly receive you right now."
"We're here to help Fuli and Flora," Kurose Akira said calmly.
"I appreciate the sentiment," Red Lotus replied, her tone growing heavy, "but this is not something outsiders can easily interfere with."
"Even if it's difficult," Kurose Akira said firmly, "I still have to stand up for them. Fuli and Flora are extremely important members of our guild."
Red Lotus paused, then smiled in clear approval.
"It seems Fuli and Flora chose a guild worthy of trust," she said. "You can rest easy—while I stand here, Relara will never be sent to the Umbral Prison."
At that moment, a female elf stepped out from the opposing faction.
She had short dark-purple hair and wheat-colored skin. Her voice was cold as she issued her command.
"Red Lotus, the laws of the elven race have stood for ten thousand years. If you continue to obstruct us, we will have no choice but to strip you of your title as an elven elder."
Red Lotus turned to face her, a faint smile curving her lips.
"Yurusi," she asked coolly, "was this your doing?"
Then her gaze hardened.
"If you're trying to frame Princess Relara—even if you are one of the three exalted elven princesses—I will never let this go. If you doubt me, you're welcome to test it."
"You—!"
Yurusi was shaken by Red Lotus's words.
A chill flashed across her calm features. She hadn't expected that even as a princess, she would be unable to suppress Red Lotus's momentum.
Anger surged within her, and faint purple light flickered in her right eye.
That was—
Kurose Akira's heart jolted.
A witch's magic eye?!
He never would have imagined that a witch could exist among the elven race.
Yurusi snorted coldly and snapped, "It seems you're determined to ignite an internal war among the elves!"
"Anytime," Red Lotus replied without hesitation.
She yanked the blazing greatsword from the ground and rested it on her shoulder. The scorching flames burned like a miniature sun, radiating overwhelming heat.
As the elves remained locked in deadlock, Kurose Akira stepped forward and raised his voice.
"Everyone, please look at me."
His presence instantly drew the attention of every elf present.
"Who is he?""Why is there a human here?""This is sacred elven land—how could a human be allowed in?""Is he Princess Relara's man?""But didn't Princess Relara say she's never had contact with a male?"
Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.
"Who are you?" Yurusi demanded coldly. "Human, this is elven territory. You have no right to speak."
"I am the guildmaster of Fuli and Flora," Kurose Akira replied calmly. "I know full well that I have no right to interfere in elven internal affairs—but please allow me to say one thing."
"And who gave you permission to speak? Get out—" Elder Roni snapped, trying to chase him away, but Yurusi raised a hand to stop her.
"Wait. Let him finish," Yurusi said.
"Y-Yes, Princess Yurusi…" Roni replied reluctantly.
"Thank you." Kurose Akira offered Yurusi a faint smile before continuing."I learned from Fuli and Flora that according to elven law, only those who have committed unforgivable crimes are imprisoned in the Umbral Prison. So I'd like to ask—what unforgivable sin has Relara committed?"
"She is a princess who bore two children for an outsider race!" Roni shouted immediately. "That alone is an unforgivable crime!"
Kurose Akira countered calmly, "As far as I know, it has not yet been confirmed that Fuli and Flora were born through the union of two sexes. In that case, how can you definitively claim that their mother committed such a heinous crime?"
Roni sneered. "Are you ignorant? Aside from sexual union, is there any other way to give birth to life?"
Faced with that question, Kurose Akira chose silence.
He simply stared at Roni—deeply, intently.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Roni asked, unsettled.
"We're leaving," Yurusi suddenly cut in.
"Princess Yurusi?" Roni was completely confused, but Yurusi offered no explanation. Clearly, she had no intention of conversing with those who couldn't understand.
As she turned to leave, Yurusi looked back at Kurose Akira, her expression grave.
"Even if Relara is spared the Umbral Prison for now, once the Queen awakens in three days, she will still face judgment. The elven race does not permit its purity to be sullied."
With that, Yurusi led her faction away without hesitation.
After they left, Red Lotus also signaled for the elves supporting her to disperse in an orderly fashion.
Kurose Akira's gaze lingered on Yurusi's retreating figure.
A witch was merely an identity—but seeing one within the elven race was still deeply unexpected.
"G-Guildmaster~~"
At that moment, Bea Relara—who had yet to appear—emerged while holding onto the doorframe.
Her snow-white skin was tinged faintly red, her cheeks flushed like ripe apples, as if burdened by something difficult to speak of.
"Relara, are you alright?" Red Lotus asked, stepping forward with concern.
"Thank you… Red Lotus," Relara said softly, forcing a smile."However, I still have some matters I wish to discuss with the Guildmaster. Let's leave everything else for tomorrow, alright?"
"Very well."
Red Lotus nodded. Before leaving, she cast Kurose Akira a meaningful glance.
"I'll leave Relara in your care."
With that, she hoisted her flaming greatsword onto her shoulder and departed.
"That elf…" Kurose Akira murmured, curious about Red Lotus's identity.
"She's an elder who once supported me," Relara explained softly. "One of the people I trust most."
"Please, come inside. I'll pour some tea…"
Her voice was light but weak. As she tried to lead them in, her body suddenly swayed forward due to her illness.
Kurose Akira caught her instantly, pulling her into his arms. His large hand pressed gently against her soft, slightly warm body.
Relara's body was soft like water, and coupled with the faint milky fragrance emanating from her—
For a split second, Kurose Akira almost thought he was holding something made of milk itself…
Cough, cough.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine, thank you~"
Relara smiled sweetly at him, but her eyes avoided his. As if embarrassed, she trembled slightly, stood up, slipped out of his embrace, and let Fuli and Flora support her as she sat on the bed.
Kurose Akira felt a trace of confusion.
Was Relara sick?
He immediately opened her status panel.
[Lust (Overactive): Intense desire is causing her body to become… somewhat abnormal.]