Chapter 95

Ariel, who had stepped aside to let Revena heal Elysion, decided to go meet Ghost and Black.

It was said that Ghost and Black were spending their time in a place called the “Evergreen Forest.”

The Evergreen Forest was a magical forest created by Elysion as a hobby.

Various animals and plants lived in harmony there, but no monsters or demons could be found.

Moreover, since humans, dwarves, elves, and lizardmen didn’t live there, it was a peaceful and quiet forest where no interracial wars could occur.

“Since I was little, I’ve always loved the Evergreen Forest. If I ever get my own lair, I want to create a beautiful forest like that too.”

Rakia said with sparkling eyes.

The Evergreen Forest, due to its vastness, wasn’t located inside a dragon’s lair.

Instead, there was a teleport portal to get there.

Shortly after, guided by Rakia, Ariel arrived in front of the teleport portal leading to the Evergreen Forest.

The portal swirled as if alive, and the faint blue light around it created a mysterious atmosphere.

As Ariel stared at the portal in wonder, Rakia asked from beside her.

“By the way, Ariel-nim, what’s this thing?”

Rakia pointed at the dragon doll flapping its wings beside her.

Ariel smiled brightly and answered.

“It’s your friend.”

“M-my friend…?”

“Yes. Its name is Sparki.”

Rakia looked at the dragon doll, Sparki, again.

Normally, she would’ve shouted, “Stop flapping, you doll!” and torn it in half to spill out the stuffing, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that in front of Ariel.

“…Nice to meet you, Sparki. I’m Rakia.”

As Rakia awkwardly greeted it, Sparki also waved its short, stubby doll arm in response.

Though, it was just Ariel moving it with telekinesis.

“…Then, Ariel-nim, shall we go to the Evergreen Forest? Ghost and Black are waiting.”

At Rakia’s words, Ariel nodded and stepped into the teleport portal without hesitation.

*Whoosh!*

At that moment, a strange sensation enveloped Ariel’s entire body.

Then, she felt as if she was being rapidly shot somewhere.

“…….”

The next moment, Ariel was standing in the Evergreen Forest.

Before her eyes was a sparkling lakeside, and warm sunlight filtered through the leaves.

The scent of grass tickled her nose, and a refreshing breeze brushed her cheeks.

Somehow, her heart felt at peace.

Ariel looked around with a slightly surprised expression.

The sun and clouds in the sky were no different from reality.

To think all of this was magic. A sense of wonder naturally arose.

Ariel stepped onto the grass and began walking. A gentle breeze blew, swaying her silver hair.

Shortly after, near the lakeside, she saw Ghost and Black happily playing around.

And there was an old man sitting on a wooden chair, watching Ghost and Black with a contented expression.

“That old man is Gaizen.”

Rakia, who had appeared beside her, spoke.

“Gaizen is an elf who acts as the guardian of the Evergreen Forest. Though, since there are no monsters or demons here, he mostly just manages the forest. But anyway, he knows more about this forest than my mother.”

Just then, Gaizen hobbled over.

“Lady Rakia, you’ve arrived?”

“Yes, Gaizen. Say hello, this is Ariel-nim. My teacher.”

As Rakia introduced Ariel, Gaizen bowed respectfully.

“Hello, Ariel-nim. I’ve heard much about you. Thank you for taking such good care of our Lady Rakia.”

Gaizen, despite his white hair and aged wrinkles, was a dignified and graceful elf.

And he was definitely handsome, as expected of an elf. He must’ve been even more handsome when he was young.

“Gaizen, Ariel-nim brought the human saintess. She’s started healing, so Mother should be fine now.”

At Rakia’s words, Gaizen’s expression relaxed.

“Phew, that’s such a relief. I was so worried something might go wrong… Ariel-nim, thank you so much.”

Gaizen bowed his head again.

He even had tears welling up in his eyes.

It showed just how deep his loyalty to Elysion was.

Truly fitting for a guardian who had served Elysion for so long…

“Ah, my beloved Elysion-nim… I’m so glad you’re safe… I can’t wait to see your lovely face again….”

But at Gaizen’s following words, Ariel stopped her thoughts.

So that’s how it was. No wonder Elysion also had the appearance of an elf.

*Thud!*

From the side, Ghost and Black came running toward Ariel.

Ariel spread her arms, and she was promptly knocked onto the grass by Ghost and Black.

Ghost and Black began licking Ariel’s cheeks vigorously from both sides.

“Haha, they’re such lively and adorable creatures.”

Gaizen smiled warmly, and Ariel reached out to gently pet Ghost and Black’s faces.

“Aah!!”

Then, a loud voice rang out.

“Big sis! Big sis!! I missed you!!”

It was Roo.

*

Ghost and Black had licked Ariel’s cheeks so much that her face was as wet as if she’d just washed it.

Her hair was sticking everywhere, and even her neck was damp.

It felt a bit excessive, but Ariel simply let Ghost and Black express their affection.

It was a bit uncomfortable, but not entirely unpleasant.

After a while of showing their affection, Ghost and Black ran back into the forest, and Gaizen followed them.

Meanwhile, Ariel sat by the lakeside with Rakia and Roo, dipping her feet in the water and enjoying the moment.

Birds chirped and flew against the blue sky, and fish swam leisurely in the lake.

A peaceful natural scene.

No wonder Rakia loved this forest. Ariel liked it too.

Rakia and Roo asked Ariel what had happened in the Imperial Capital, and Ariel swished her feet in the water as she recounted her recent short adventure.

Meeting Belmont at the city gate, encountering the grumpy dwarf craftsman after Ragnarok broke, and going to the Black Market before meeting Saintess Revena at Delight.

When talking about Belmont, Rakia got fired up.

“How dare a lowly human treat Ariel-nim like that! If I were there, I would’ve turned that insignificant human into ashes!”

Meanwhile, Roo was fascinated by the metal used in Ragnarok, Titanium.

“Whoa! Titanium! That’s amazing, big sis! Titanium is said to be an incredibly powerful metal used by the Giant Race!”

At Roo’s words, Rakia frowned.

“…The Giant Race? But they’re already extinct.”

“Still, the weapons and tools they used might still be out there, and Titanium is one of them. It’s said that Titanium contains the fundamental power of the world. That’s why weapons made from it are said to be unstoppable.”

Roo’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Ragnarok.

“Amazing… A metal from the Giant Race… They were said to have the strength to move mountains and split seas. Ah, if only I could see them in person.”

“Hmph.”

Rakia crossed her arms and snorted.

“Even so, they’re no match for dragons. They’re just big, strong idiots.”

At Rakia’s words, Roo could only give an awkward smile.

No matter how much Roo admired the Giant Race, he couldn’t deny that dragons were the strongest beings on earth.

“That’s true. No matter how strong the Giant Race was, they couldn’t beat you, Rakia. Dragons are perfect beings with magic, strength, and intelligence.”

“Well, I mean….”

Rakia’s lips curled into a smile.

“But, hehe, I guess the Giant Race is pretty impressive too. To have such strength. Maybe I’ll look for them someday. Who knows, maybe they’re not extinct and are hiding somewhere.”

“Ohh, that might be true…!”

Roo murmured with a dreamy expression, and Rakia turned back to Ariel.

“By the way, Ariel-nim, becoming the saintess’s guardian knight means….”

Rakia’s hair began to slowly float. Her mana was rising like a killing intent.

“Is there no way to undo that…?”

At Rakia’s question, Ariel nodded.

“There’s no way.”

“Th-then, if that woman calls, Ariel-nim has to go to her anytime…?”

“If it’s a dangerous situation.”

“Th-th-then, that means Ariel-nim and that woman are, completely, eternally, together…?”

“That’s right.”

Ariel answered calmly, but Rakia’s eyebrows were trembling.

The overwhelming mana radiating from Rakia made Roo struggle to breathe.

“G-gasp, big sis, but if that saintess dies, wouldn’t you be freed from being her guardian knight?”

Roo spoke with difficulty, and suddenly, the mana radiating from Rakia disappeared as if it had never been there.

“Ah, that’s right! If that woman dies, Ariel-nim won’t be her guardian knight anymore! There’s a way after all!”

As Rakia smiled brightly, Roo quietly crawled away to create some distance.

Then, Ariel spoke bluntly.

“I won’t let Revena die.”

“Ah….”

Rakia’s shoulders slumped immediately.

The hope that had just appeared was instantly dashed.

Then, Ariel reached out and gently patted Rakia’s head.

“Rakia, you should be grateful to Revena. She came all this way to heal your mother.”

At Ariel’s words, Rakia flinched.

Come to think of it, that was true.

If Revena succeeded in dispelling the dark magic, she would become Rakia’s benefactor.

That annoying woman would be the one who saved her mother’s life.

“Ugh….”

Rakia grabbed her head and groaned.

The very person who took Ariel away was now the savior of her mother’s life.

What a cruel twist of fate.

Then, Ariel spoke.

“Rakia, I have a proposal.”

“Huh…?”

Rakia’s eyes widened as she looked at Ariel.

“A proposal…?”