Chapter 45

Cheap tables shouldn’t make any noise—that could be disastrous.

Be careful.

And be even more careful.

With all her attention focused on preventing Arphia from waking, she slowly rose up.

“Ugh.”

I drank just a little, yet my head is pounding, and my stomach’s churning. This is when you truly realize how effective and valuable the ‘Uncorrupted Elixir’ is.

I almost passed out right there and slept until morning.

“Arphia…”

She’s sleeping, breathing softly.

Arphia hasn’t been handling Servants for long. She was flying around and shooting arrows, so her fatigue levels must be quite high.

Any significant noise might not wake her. Still, given Elves are naturally blessed with acute hearing, better be cautious.

Inhale and exhale to clear the haze of alcohol. Thanks to the air purifier next to me—also doubling as a forest-scent diffuser—my mind quickly clears.

With my mind fresh, I review the trip to see if I’ve made any mistakes.

[The Elf Arphia, Forever in Pain]

Arphia’s complete liberation depends on two major conditions:

The first: Liberation from pain.

The second: Recovery of her shattered self-esteem.

In the first case, it involves caring for Arphia who’s addicted to drugs, treating her wounds, restoring her shattered spirit, and helping her regain her will to live.

For the second, it’s participating in Ropermong’s upcoming Slave Festival, achieving first place, and securing the Spirit Seizure Tome to alleviate Arphia’s pain.

But I intercepted her before that.

Since directly healing her body and mind was out of reach, I chose to go the route of archery. Instead of using the Slave Festival, I acquired the Spirit Seizure Tome by force.

The next step is the recovery of her shattered self-esteem.

I must ensure Arphia wins the ‘Fairies’ Festival.’ It’s a must-win situation; second place is unacceptable.

“Frankly, this is the hardest part of Arphia’s story. While Mirabel uncovers the truth behind a mystery, it’s straightforward for Arphia—her growth is everything.”

Her battle strength at the Fairies’ Festival plays a huge role.

There are many forces trying to restrain Arphia, and especially that guy, Ri-on, with extraordinary combat strength. To defeat them all, Arphia will need insane growth.

However, it went smoother than expected—thanks to an unprecedented growth rate I’ve never seen in a game.

“I still can’t figure out why…”

Perhaps it’s because she started learning archery at such an early stage?

Of course, it’s always me.

“Uhmm… Arphia, the world’s strongest elf, huh…”

Arphia mutters something in her sleep.

She seems to be having a good dream.

It’s probably best if I leave now.

To be honest, there doesn’t seem to be much need for Arphia to sneak away.

Mirabel might have had passive ‘distrust of humans,’ so there was some lingering unease with her. And when I made her dad the Death God, she was absolutely terrifying.

That was a moment where I truly felt my life was in danger.

For Arphia… I don’t think it will get that bad, but…

“Still, better safe than sorry.”

Elves make a soul-bound pact with the companion they intend to spend their lives with. But then I went and shackled her with cursed restraints.

I’ve blocked off the path for a perfectly normal maiden. There’s nothing more frightening than a middle-aged spinster’s hysteria. She could stab me with a knife at any moment.

“But hey, I freed her from pain and made her the strongest elf. Cheers to that.”

I’m ready to leave.

This is farewell to Arphia as well.

Just as I was about to go,

“Should I leave a note or something?”

Mirabel has Naredi, but Arphia doesn’t. She doesn’t have any friends in the Great Forest, so she might be startled if she suddenly finds herself alone.

Seriously, me? In a situation where I might get stabbed, I’m making such thoughtful considerations. I must be insane.

I wrote a message on a large leaf with a pen I always carry.

“I have somewhere to go… Sorry about the restraints, but there was a reason for it. Adults might not always like it, but young ones who are pretty and strong tend to be loved. You might find common ground when you talk to them…”

I filled it briefly with appropriate content and secured it so it wouldn’t blow away.

That’s all.

“Didn’t I promise? If I lost the bet, I’d free you.”

Arphia and I had a drinking bet. There was no deadline set. I lost, so it’s time to honor the promise.

Snap!

A crisp snapping sound rang out through the chilly air of the early morning, spreading far and wide.

The shackles on Arphia’s soul were released.

[Elf Arphia, Freed from Eternal Suffering: Complete Liberation]

──────────────

The Playful Flower, Arphia Liliand.

She was a colorless weed growing among beautiful flowers. A weed tangled with thorny vines.

Pointed thorns pierced, scratched, and hurt her. Repeated slashes have left her body and mind torn to shreds.

The thorny vine-prison that prevented her from escaping wounded anyone who approached. Over time, she found herself isolated.

Crouched within the thicket, she consoled herself, telling herself it was fine, convincing herself that she was used to it. As reality faded further and further away, the fairy was withering inch by inch, slowly over the span of centuries.

Like brittle, twisting autumn leaves.

But you didn’t leave her alone.

Unconcerned about your own pain, you hacked and chopped at the thorn bushes, preparing space for her to bloom and filling her with boundless trust.

With that trust, the flower grew, blossoming with resolve, becoming the most beautiful it could ever be.

Arphia is no longer alone.

She no longer hurts.

Even if she does hurt, it’s alright.

Because you, her own little prince, are here with her.

──────────────

Arphia’s liberation progress is 100%.

Reward: 50,000 points have been awarded.

The skill [Unhesitating Master] has been slightly upgraded.

A new system has been activated.

*Additional rewards also exist.

──────────────

Even though you knew the easy way out, you chose the difficult path and chose not to abandon her suffering. The World Tree humbly offers its gratitude.

May the World Tree’s protection remain with you.

──────────────

New Skill: [Protection of the World Tree] has been obtained.

[Completely liberate your Main Servants. Current Progress: 2/5]

I’ll check the rewards later. For now, I need to leave the forest…

“This early in the morning, where are you going?”

At that moment, a chilly, icy voice cut through the air.

It was Ri-on, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. There was no laurel wreath on his head anymore.

Although his old bow was broken, as the leader of the Watchmen, he wasn’t going around unarmed. A temporary bow hung from his back.

“Did you sense me watching you?”

“A pointless question. Just because Arphia won doesn’t change the fact that you’re human, and a slave trader no less. You might do something reckless, so it’s only natural that I’d keep an eye on you.”

“You would have prevented Arphia from being kidnapped if you were watching earlier.”

Even though Ri-on glared at me like he wanted to kill, he didn’t nock an arrow right away. The competition ended in a day, but the festival was still ongoing.

During the Fairies’ Festival, the vow of protection remains.

“Stop glaring at me. I’ve already freed Arphia. I plan to leave this forest soon.”

“What?”

“Messing with her soul is regrettable, but sacrifices are necessary for the greater good.”

“What do you mean, ‘free’ now? What’s your purpose? What are you up to?”

Why does everyone keep asking about my motives like this?

It’s honestly nothing.

“To free the downtrodden from corruption. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“…You’re insane.”

Having launched a personal attack, Ri-on turned around, seemingly out of words.

What, this guy?

Trying to back out and exit the chat like a coward?

“Where are you going?”

“I’m done here, so I’m leaving.”

“No, where are you going? I’m leaving the forest.”

“What does that have to do with me leaving?”

What does it have to do with you?

“How can someone as fragile as me navigate this treacherous, labyrinth-like forest and get out on my own? What if something goes wrong? You’ll need to accompany me.”

“Why should I…”

“Ah, didn’t you vow to ensure safety during the festival? Don’t you need to take responsibility for that? Are you really trying to break a promise with humans, a move that would ruin Elf pride? Ha, even as a human, I keep my promises.”

“…”

After silently staring at me for a while, Ri-on quietly walked ahead, standing silently. He started moving forward.

I’ve obtained a living navigation system. Name: Elf Pathfinder. Hmm, sounds nice.

“What are you doing, still standing there? If you fall to a monster, I won’t be responsible.”

But this navigation seems outdated.

It needs an update.

Bam!

I suddenly sprinted off in a random direction. Reacting to my sudden move, Ri-on quickly turned around.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Haha, just standing there like that, are you okay with me dying? Oh no! There’s a man-eating plant ahead!”

“You son of a…”

Ri-on armed his bow and began chasing me.

A half-hearted midnight chase ensued.