Chapter 81

“Just hold still while I apply this; it’ll help, at least a little.”

On the Eastern Continent, there exists a race known as the Elves, often hailed as the most beautiful of all races.

Rarely did they venture out from their world tree, which was practically their home, making them an exceedingly rare sight.

Yet, here was an unusual scene: an Elf woman tending to the long gash on the chest of a human man with herbal ointment.

“This would heal on its own anyway…”

Was the man’s expression of frustration at treating his wound really because he was annoyed? He tried to sheepishly make excuses, but the more he did, the sharper her gaze became.

“Don’t ever do something that reckless again.”

“I can’t promise that. I didn’t join the Crimson Warden to abandon my comrades.”

Despite his usual playful demeanor and penchant for jokes over serious talk, his current response to her was uncharacteristically solemn.

“Until I’ve dealt with Sataniel, I can’t go back home.”

“Richard… It wasn’t your fault. Don’t carry this guilt.”

“No, it is my fault. If it weren’t for me, Master wouldn’t have suffered like that.”

Even as Cypris urged him not to blame himself, Richard’s face darkened with murderous intent as memories of that day resurfaced, making him appear almost demonic.

“Creating Sataniel was the Elf race’s sin. You’re just a human caught in the middle of it.”

“Cypris, that’s not your fault either.”

As they both attempted to avoid placing blame on each other, their efforts eventually devolved into a verbal spat about who was at fault until laughter burst forth uncontrollably.

“At any rate, thanks to you breaking through their encirclement, we were able to secure these documents.”

In Cypris’s hand was a stack of papers, within which was drawn the image of a certain plant.

“If ‘this’ falls into Sataniel’s hands, the continent might truly be plunged into darkness.”

‘Lucian Sataniel’

No Elf could have imagined that Lucian, once revered as one of the most noble Elves and captain of the Guardians, would become part of Night’s Kin.

– “Elves are not a great race. I truly wish to become an immortal being.”

Recalling the tragedy hundreds of years ago when Sataniel sought to become Night’s Kin, anger welled up inside Cypris. That day, thousands of Elves shed blood, and the wounds from that event had yet to fully heal.

Night’s Kin.

A race that had been wiped out millennia ago, capable of transforming into bats or wolves and impervious to sword strikes. Though Elves were already a long-lived race compared to others, these beings were truly immortal.

However, in exchange for their immense power, they were cursed to crave the blood of strong living creatures.

All races across the continent united their forces to combat them.

Eventually, under the Continental Alliance Army, all members of Night’s Kin were exterminated except one. But since the Lord of Night’s Kin, Crimson Blood Caris, couldn’t be killed, the Elves sealed him within the World Tree and vowed to guard it.

Those entrusted with guarding the seal were called Wardens, a heavy responsibility reserved only for the most exceptional Elves.

Until their leader, Sataniel, tampered with the seal and was reborn as a member of Night’s Kin.

Eradicating the Dark Elves, descendants of the extinct Night’s Kin, was the fate of the Elf race. After all, Sataniel and his followers were nothing more than the Elf race’s disgrace.

Thus, secretly gathered leaders of Elves across the continent formed a covert organization to eliminate the Dark Elves, giving birth to the Crimson Warden, guardians of blood.

“We must find Blue Flower before they do.”

The goal of the Crimson Warden was to track down Sataniel, who had evaded capture for centuries, and finally eradicate Night’s Kin from the continent.

Through centuries of pursuit, they discovered not only where Sataniel was hiding but also that he was plotting something.

‘Blue Flower’

With confirmation that Sataniel desperately sought this legendary flower, they had no choice but to secure it first.

*

“Eida, what have you brought back now?”

Though she had been sent out wearing clean clothes, Eida returned to the mansion alongside Rach, covered in dirt and grime.

‘Eida, I’m setting off on an adventure!’

Immediately after breakfast, she declared her intention to embark on an adventure and requested a packed lunch.

Naturally, she couldn’t be sent alone, so Knight Oun and a few soldiers accompanied her. However, even they struggled to keep up with her antics.

‘Does this girl even need to breathe?’

Although Oun hadn’t yet reached Expert level, he was undoubtedly a knight trained in Mana Training Method.

Even he hadn’t anticipated expending all his stamina simply by following Eida as she traversed the forest.

When Eida was engrossed in “A Dog of Flanders,” it was enough to monitor her around the village.

But now, with her obsession with “Pinocchio,” an adventure-driven story, Eida and Rach raced through forests, mountains, and fields like an unstoppable runaway train.

Watching Oun struggle to keep up, Rach gave him a look that clearly said, “You can’t handle her.”

Today, as he watched Eida bustling through the woods touching everything in sight, Oun began to suspect that she might already be at the Expert level among knights.

Her superhuman stamina far exceeded that of ordinary children.

“This fruit was picked by Eida! Eat it, Daddy and Brother.”

From her bag, Eida carefully pulled out various items—mostly fruits, uniquely shaped pebbles, or twigs.

“What is that?!”

Rupert gasped in surprise upon noticing a jelly-like substance in Eida’s hand.

“It’s Eida’s toy!”

“Ah, that’s the remains of a Slime.”

Eida happily fiddled with the wobbly gelatinous mass, while Oun explained it casually.

“Slime… Isn’t that a monster?!”

Rupert was shocked. Although Slimes were low-tier monsters, they were still monsters, and bringing back their remains seemed reckless.

As Rupert tried to snatch the Slime remains from Eida’s hand, Oun reassured him.

“It’s fine. Once the core is removed, a Slime’s body becomes plain gelatin and poses no danger.”

Rupert sighed in relief after hearing Oun’s explanation.

“Did Knight Oun defeat the Slime?”

“No, it was her.”

Oun shook his head and gestured toward Rach standing beside Eida. When Eida fearlessly approached the Slime in the forest, Rach swiftly leapt in and crushed its core with a single claw.

The whole process happened so quickly that even Oun barely caught it.

‘Do I even need to be here?’

Realizing anew that the rumors of Rach defeating a Dark Wizard alone weren’t exaggerated, Oun wondered if his presence was even necessary.

“Still, it’s fascinating that Slimes are made of gelatin… Wait, gelatin?”

“Yes, according to the Academy, Slime liquid is acidic when its core is intact, but without the core, it’s just regular gelatin.”

Hearing Oun’s explanation, Rupert’s eyes widened before he rushed off to the workshop. Watching him leave, Eida whined, wanting to know where he was going.

“Hmph! This is treasure Eida rescued.”

In her hand, Eida clutched a single blue flower.

Deep within the territory’s forest lay a secret spot known only to Eida and Rach.

It was a cave-like place with a hole in the ceiling allowing sunlight to filter in, creating a magical atmosphere. Inside, a small pond bathed in sunlight was surrounded by numerous beautiful blue flowers.

‘Kung!’

While Rach understood human speech, only Eida could interpret his vocalizations.

‘Is this for eating?’

Nodding in agreement with Eida’s question, Rach encouraged her to eat the flower.

Since Rach always informed her about delicious things in the forest, Eida trustingly plucked the blue flower and popped it into her mouth.

‘What is this? So bitter!’

Expecting sweetness, Eida puckered her face at the sharp, tangy taste but continued eating a few more flowers at Rach’s urging.

Wanting to show off her pretty discovery, Eida packed some flowers into her bag.

However, seeing her prized treasures ignored by her brother left her feeling quite disappointed.

“I’ll give it to Daddy!”

Despite causing another headache for the Count with her fibs, when Eida handed him a single flower, he immediately lifted her up, spun her around, and grinned widely.

“The flower our princess gives will be treasured forever!”

The Count commissioned Alain for a glass vase, placed it on his desk, filled it with water, and inserted the flower Eida had given him as decoration.

*

“Why didn’t we think of it sooner! Yes, Slime, it was Slime!”

Rushing to the workshop, Rupert excitedly relayed the Slime story to Kroon, who was busy producing film.

Like Archimedes shouting “Eureka,” Kroon exclaimed loudly.

The solution to mass-producing film, something he’d been struggling with, had come easily.

Although Slimes, considered low-tier monsters, were weak against humans, they were numerous, seemingly replicating endlessly.

Villagers could subdue them with mere clubs, and their acidic fluids were harmless beyond mild irritation.

“If we offer money for Slime remains, people will bring them in droves—even for 1 Silver, no, 1 Copper!”

Just then, the prototype of an item commissioned by the Mage Tower was nearing completion, and the alchemists collaborating on the project were making progress with celluloid needed for the film.

It was perfect timing as the first stage of animation production was approaching.

With the first step nearly complete, Rupert joyfully brainstormed with Kroon about what their inaugural animation should be.