Chapter 146

Where is the most livable city in the Traur Kingdom?

Including the capital Kalia, the general opinion was that a few major cities were ideal. However, recently a new city has come to the forefront.

The city of Noctar, plagued by beggars.

As rumors suggest, it is a trash-filled city full of vagrants. You might think it sounds ridiculous, but the world has changed.

Noctar has achieved an unprecedented economic boom.

The beggars who roamed the back alleys have traded their rusty daggers for pickaxes. Instead of struggling to find shelter in the rain-soaked alleys, they now settle in small but neat houses.

The streets buzz with people day and night, and the city has taken on a vibrant life.

The catalyst was the founding of the Death God’s guild.

Under the leadership of Deputy Narsha, countless trade networks opened up, bringing in goods. By forging connections with Elves, they enriched the land and created jobs for the people.

To outsiders, it may seem like the city and its people are being rescued by a great ruler, but in reality, it was subtly different.

“I can’t show such a wretched city to my Master.”

Noctar is where the Death God’s guild has set its nest. It is quite displeasing that the Master has to be hosted in some mere barony, but for now, there is no choice.

Whether it is replacing the lord, establishing a new city, or founding a kingdom, it will be a task for Carami upon her return.

At the very least, when Carami returns, Narsha wanted to show her a clean city. This is both a way to nurture the guild and prepare for Carami’s return.

If things continue as they are, it will only be a matter of time before standing as the continent’s finest guild.

Thanks to the significant contributions from the Elves and spirits.

“That’s good and all, but…”

Narsha sipped her coffee while checking the trade details. Every item listed was already in Narsha’s memory, but the eleventh and twelfth items were unfamiliar.

One was Ether Resin.

The other was Lacnia Pollen.

Ether Resin is a catalyst that maximizes magical effects and is commonly used by Mages as an ingredient for magical herbs. It is expensive but not particularly special.

The problem lies with the next item.

Lacnia Pollen.

Lacnia is a poisonous plant also known as the flower of the dead. Its thorns secrete toxins that can stun or paralyze the target upon contact.

The pollen of Lacnia can be used as a paralyzing agent, but in essence, there is a fine line between medicine and poison. It is often used as a primary ingredient for narcotics.

Lacnia Pollen is processed into tobacco through a special process. Burning the pollen and inhaling its smoke induces hallucinations similar to conventional drugs.

It is highly addictive, and once smoked, it becomes virtually impossible to quit. With repeated use, the mind weakens, and hallucinations intensify.

Users reach a point where they can no longer distinguish between reality and illusion, and when the effects wear off, they suffer from extreme anxiety and emptiness.

When measured out of ten, it is a dangerous item rated about eight. Anyone capable of bringing such a thing in without Narsha’s permission…

Narsha stared at Arfia, who was lounging on the sofa.

“Arfia, did you buy something again without me knowing?”

“Huh? What item?”

“Ether Resin and Lacnia Pollen.”

“Um~ I’m not sure?”

“Oh, is that so? Then it wouldn’t be a problem to throw it away.”

Just as Narsha was about to ring a bell to call someone, Arfia sighed. With her eyes narrowed, she shot an irritated glance at Narsha.

“I bought them. Why?”

“Why did you buy them? Do you even know what these items are?”

“I know what they are, so you don’t need to worry.”

“What does that mean? Don’t say not to worry. Lacnia is extremely dangerous…”

“Even if it is dangerous, it’s not your place to intervene. You are not my master, are you?”

Arfia cut off Narsha’s words. The two women stared at each other, refusing to give an inch, eyes sharp and unyielding.

In the dead of silence, the air grew cold. The first to break the silence was Arfia, who smiled broadly.

“Hey, why are you staring so fiercely? Did you forget I’m an Elf? I can purify poison even if I consume it. Lacnia is just a toy for me. So you don’t have to worry; I bought it out of curiosity.”

“……”

“By the way, did you hear the rumors? There’s talk that a Death God cult has been established in the Beast Kingdom?”

Arfia shifted the topic.

Narsha hesitated.

Should she let this pass? Narsha knows there is a secret wrapped in the bandages coiling around Arfia’s arm.

But Narsha had no obligation or right to intervene.

As Arfia pointed out, her master is Carami, and there’s no reason to reprimand her for secretly buying items. After all, Arfia holds half the shares in the Death God’s guild.

The cooperation from the Elves is all thanks to Arfia. The growth of the guild is not only due to Narsha’s business acumen but also significantly thanks to Arfia’s contributions.

Thus, Narsha decided to accommodate Arfia.

She was merely curious about Arfia’s reaction when Carami returns.

“I heard. There’s no doubt it’s his work.”

The Death God cult that emerged in the Beast Kingdom Vestia.

In order to fulfill the transaction with the Celestial Pavilion last time, a few Elves were sent to Vestia. When they returned, they conveyed the information that a new cult following the Death God had appeared.

Vestia is the destination Carami mentioned.

It is clear that it is a cult meant to honor him.

It seems they have succeeded in bringing joy to the miserable folk once again.

“What should we do? Should we go and join too?”

“I’m not interested for now. It won’t be too late to do so after he returns. Until then, I’ll just do my part.”

“Oh? Then I’ll do it later too.”

Arfia swung her legs back and forth.

“Since our work is done, he should be back soon, right?”

When he returns, they must fulfill the pact made with her from a thousand years ago.

A fresh smile finally bloomed on Arfia’s lips.

***

The day Carami returns is not far off.

Arfia entered the great forest with lighter steps than usual.

The always peaceful forest.

An Elf’s sanctuary.

Yet today, that sanctuary feels unusually busy.

To put it bluntly, it’s in chaos.

It is certainly strange.

As Arfia scanned the forest, she spotted Ri-on.

The captain of the sentinels.

An elite among elites.

Ri-on, who used to participate in the fairy dance competition before Arfia awakened.

That same Ri-on was busily moving about.

His normally cool expression was serious.

“Ri-on?”

“…What is it? It’s Arfia.”

“Is something wrong? The forest is making a huge racket. Your expression doesn’t look too good either.”

“…….”

Ri-on shot an irritated glance at Asies.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s all your master’s fault.”

“Why? What has he done again?”

“What has he done? Well, he certainly stirred up quite a commotion. Something that could turn the world upside down.”

Ri-on thrust a crumpled paper roughly toward Arfia’s face. Startled, thinking it was an ambush, Arfia cautiously accepted the paper.

Checking her surroundings as she slowly began to read the contents.

A dark-haired, dark-eyed human.

A millennium-long pact with the Elf queen of the great forest.

An affair with the snow princess from Isgangar.

Just three short lines.

Yet each one carried shocking implications.

“…What the hell is this nonsense?”

A dark-haired, dark-eyed human.

Such a rare physical trait could only belong to Carami, as far as Arfia knew.

But Carami made a millennium-long pact with the Elf queen?

And to top it all off, he is having an affair with the snow princess from the north?

It sounds surreal.

Displeased, Arfia scowled.

“Who did this? Who’s spreading this ridiculous conspiracy?”

“It was sent as an urgent report from the Elves of the Snowfields. Not just in the great forest but to Elf elders across the continent.”

“What…?”

“I’m on my way to check the authenticity with the queen—”

Bang!

Summoning a Wind Serpent, Arfia kicked off the ground and soared into the sky. Reaching the highest treetop, piercing the clouds, she arrived swiftly at the queen’s chamber located at the top.

Familiar with the space, she opened the window and entered.

“Your Majesty!”

“Hik?! A-Arfia? You came through the window again?! You startled me! When you wish to have an audience, please go through the proper channels…”

“That’s not important right now.”

“It’s not important? But as a queen, it’s vital to uphold my dignity…”

Ignoring the queen’s protests, Arfia thrust the letter into Ibrelya’s face, just as Ri-on had done to her, heedless of disrupting the queen.

Ibrelya, with a wary expression, checked the identity of the letter.

“W-What is this?”

“This is for you. Is what’s written here true?”

“You can’t just spring that on me…”

No matter how great a warrior of the Elves she was throughout history, shouldn’t she treat the queen this way? It would ruin her standing.

With a tinge of dissatisfaction, Ibrelya accepted the letter. As she read it, her pupils widened, and her mouth fell open.

“Oh, no! That’s a lie!”

With her face flushed, she hurriedly began to explain.

The earlier concern for her dignity vanished in an instant.

“Is it true? Is it really not true?”

“It’s not true! Not at all! A thousand-year pact? Moreover, that dark-haired, dark-eyed human is Arfia’s master, right? Why would I make a pact with someone like him…”

“Someone like him?”

“Ah, no, I mean, why would I make a pact with such a person… More importantly, I’ve never even had a proper conversation with him. I’ve only seen him from afar!”

The contents of the letter are alarming.

Who dares to interfere with someone’s marriage?

“Who the hell sent this? I need to have a serious word with them!”

“It came from the Elves of the Snowfields.”

“The Elves of the Snowfields! No matter how far their branches extend, the trunk is singular; how dare they conspire against the Elf queen!”

“To the Elf elders of the continent.”

“…Eh?”

Ibrelya blinked, her unthinking inquiry revealing her bewilderment.

To the Elf elders of the continent…?

“Did they… send to all of them?”

“Probably?”

“Ah…”

With a sigh, Ibrelya teetered and plopped down heavily onto the bed. It wasn’t anemia from merely coloring herself in Elf hues, but the shock striking her mind.

The image of those old fools rushing at her with bloodshot eyes was vivid. Just the thought of it made her dizzy.

Arfia looked down at Ibrelya calmly.

On the off chance, she asked one more time.

“Is it really not true?”

“It’s not! After all, I’m the queen. Why would an Elf worry more about my master than me…”

Ibrelya felt an overwhelming urge to cry.