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Ho-dal-dal, my legs trembled under my skirt. I played the role of an adopted daughter a little too well, Chapter 162.

Zeno stepped forward.

In his hand was a magic igniter, a device that generates fire when mana is infused.

‘This isn’t enough to provoke a reaction…

Harmona, who has lived for 700 years.

In the normal war decades ago, the Elf Forest remained neutral and went through countless events during that time.

It seemed like this wasn’t enough to make her blink. “Light it up.”

Sheilan wielded the grass sword to make kindling. The leaves began to catch fire.

“If we don’t catch it early, the whole forest will burn.”

What elves fear the most is the disappearance of their forests. Just as humans have homes, elves have forests.

‘There should be a reaction now.’

Suddenly, the wind blew in. It was so strong that it quickly extinguished the budding flames.

“I don’t want to hurt the spirits.”

The spirits were innocent. However, to lead Harmona, this was the only way. “Zeno, relight the fire. You too, Master.”

We repeated the same task. “Tundra, can you cut the spirits?”

“If you wish.”

Tundra coated his sword with mana. Every time Tundra swung his sword, screams of “Ow!” echoed.

The spirits were cut by Tundra’s sword and were recalled back to the Spirit Realm.

Gaia couldn’t hide her anxiousness, biting her nails.

‘This is insane. Everyone’s gone mad.’

Harmona is the absolute ruler of the Elf Forest. Just because she’s usually gentle doesn’t mean she’ll overlook this.

Moreover, she has a contract with the Spirit King of Wind! She didn’t protect this forest from humans for 700 years for nothing. What if the Spirit King shows up?

The Spirit King of Wind could summon a ferocious wind and turn this place into a land of death in no time.

Gaia grew increasingly anxious.

‘Are they really about to start a war?’

While it couldn’t be said that Viola’s side was weak, they couldn’t fight the entire Elf Forest. Everything here was favorable to elves.

Even the crawling bugs on the ground were.

‘There are thousands of elf warriors scattered around here!’

Gaia seriously considered fleeing. “If you desire war with me…”

Viola hid her inner fear and smiled slyly. “You are more than welcome.”

She exaggeratingly held her skirt and bent her waist as if to provoke Harmona.

“However.”

Viola summoned Pongpong to conjure a wall of water. Even with the elf warriors’ excellent archery, it would take a significant amount of time to destroy this wall of water.

“If you think you can handle Black Hixson, Mercenary King Kaiser, the Baby Deer Mercenaries, and my father.”

Hixson was already aware that something major was happening with the butterfly and was heading this way. Kaiser, who had become good friends with Hixson, was in the same boat.

Kaiser had grown attached to the butterfly in a short span and was currently running toward the Elf Forest, crying and sniffling.

His friends, the Baby Deer Mercenaries, were with him too. Gaia was aware of it all.

But Sir Heron? Is he coming? Unbelievable!

Until that point, Gaia thought it was just Viola’s bluff.

*

Heron usually doesn’t leave Winter Castle.

When he does leave, it’s typically when he is heading to the Place Where the Eye Shines. He was recognized as humanity’s greatest shield and the front-line martial artist combating the threats to the Place Where the Eye Shines. Yet, he was now quickly moving southward. Because of this, the information agents of the Monarch Empire were extremely busy.

Sword Master Nelak was frowning deeply.

“Heron? Heading south?”

“Yes, the destination is the Elf Forest.”

“What about the travel permit?”

“None have been issued yet…”

Heron is the ultimate martial artist. His very presence is a dangerously powerful siege weapon. Thus, he requires the Emperor’s or Selina’s travel permit to move. “For someone as meticulous as Heron to disregard protocol and head south… Is this a declaration of war?”

It wasn’t just Heron heading south. Black Hixson and the Baby Deer Mercenaries led by Mercenary King Kaiser were also together.

“Could this be considered a declaration of war?”

At this level, even the Sword Master should be tensed. Just as he was about to summon the Imperial Knights, Selina spoke.

“No.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bichen was caught in the Heat Wind. It seems to involve the 2nd prince of Winter Castle and Duchess Isabella.”

Selina didn’t grasp the entire situation. Yet, she understood why they were marching towards the Elf Forest. “They’re not heading south for war.”

“Are you sure?”

“I can assert it with the love I have for His Majesty.”

“Don’t make such promises lightly.

They are precious.”

Nelak pouted his lips even in this situation. This was solely the appearance he showed in front of Selina.

“Hixson is heading to the Elf Forest as an adult.”

“………”

“Kaiser is going as a friend.”

“………”

“And Heron is going as a father.”

Selina smiled brightly. “Everyone’s frightening, but my father is the scariest.”

For the first time, she thought that she envied Viola.

*

To her surprise, Harmona was quite close to Viola.

Just as the fire was beginning to catch in the forest, she had already entered Elder Elbato’s home.

She pushed aside her mysterious platinum hair and opened her mouth, frowning.

“Old man.”

It was quite a bizarre sight. A young woman seemed to be speaking disrespectfully to an old man.

Harmona had maintained the appearance of someone in their late twenties for the past 700 years.

“You 700-year-old hag keeps calling me old man.”

“What the hell do you want?”

“I’ve always coveted your crown.”

“If you truly wanted it, I would have taken your neck by now.”

“What use is it for the gentle ruler of the forest to say such things without a care?”

“It would be quite a splendid end for the gentle ruler of the forest to lose their head, wouldn’t it?”

Harmona ground her teeth. Her pointed ears trembled.

If this were left unchecked, it felt like a real fire would break out.

From the wind spirits, she heard that Viola’s words were indeed true.

Harmona found it difficult to understand the situation.

“Hixson, Kaiser, and even Heron.”

A massive force was rushing this way. Particularly, Harmona was quite uneasy about Heron’s arrival. “I remember that day 25 years ago.”

“25 years ago?”

“I almost lost my crown. To be precise, I did lose it.”

“What do you mean? So, what’s that on your head, decoration?”

“No.”

Harmona shivered. “It’s a taboo word in front of you.”

“Are you talking about Rael?”

“Yeah, her. The only woman who monopolized Heron’s love, she was capricious.”

“Capricious?”

“It seems she initially wanted my crown.”

So, Heron moved. “He was willing to take my head just to bring her the crown.”

Just thinking about that time still made her teeth chatter. She wasn’t angry.

Before such overwhelming power, she felt fear rather than anger.

It was the first time in her roughly 670-year life that she felt a sense of helplessness.

“But then she changed her mind.”

If Rael had relentlessly pursued the crown, she wouldn’t be breathing anymore.

Harmona was exceedingly concerned about the growing fire outside.

“No, this could really start a fire.”

However, she couldn’t mobilize the elf army to attack Viola. Elder Elbato sipped on some warm green tea.

“Then we can talk it out.”

“This old man?”

Harmona instantly realized she had been fooled by Elbato. “I said to wait! Damn it, old man!”

“Indeed.”

“Then the Iron-Blooded Princess must extinguish the fire herself and come up with a very tempting proposal, right?

It must be so!”

“Ah, my predictions were incorrect.”

“You’re going to die for sure.”

“Even if you don’t kill me, I will die soon. Human life is short, you know. Hehe.”

Harmona leaped up from her seat. “This is why I hate humans. Once this matter is settled, I will definitely chop off your head.”

Harmona stomped toward the door, and seeing her back, Elbato chuckled softly. ‘Thank you, Harmona.’

Having lived for 700 years, Harmona wasn’t someone who could easily fall for such tricks.

However, Harmona played along. She did so for Elbato’s heartfelt request.

Elbato had asked her to keep an eye on Viola for a little longer, and Harmona agreed.

Even if she outwardly grumbled like that.

Elbato thought to himself.

‘You said you wanted to change your fate, Princess Viola.’

To change a predetermined fate, one must pay a heavy price. Perhaps one might have to relinquish something most precious. ‘I wonder, is the princess ready for that?’

* “Stop.”

Harmona revealed herself. In fact, Viola was quite surprised. She hadn’t expected her to be in Elder Elbato’s house.

‘Even seeing it with my eyes, I can’t feel her presence.’

Having ruled the Elf Forest for 700 years, her form was filled with an indescribable elegance. It wasn’t merely due to her beautiful appearance.

When you looked at her, it didn’t feel like you were gazing upon a living creature.

Nature,

It was as if you were facing a sacredness that existed on its own.

Her existence was soaked in the years and experiences of 700 years. Above Harmona’s head, a shining golden laurel crown could be seen.

“Pongpong, extinguish the fire.”

“I am, the great, Pong, ha! I am Viola’s contract spirit!”

Pongpong flitted about diligently and quenched the flames. Harmona breathed a sigh of relief while feeling an immense spirit affinity radiating from Viola.

‘Isn’t her spirit affinity even greater than that of an elf?’

Elbato had taught her. Viola would probably offer something incredibly valuable in exchange.

That might be something even more valuable than her laurel crown.

Viola asked.

“How long have you been here?”

“Since the moment you set foot in this forest.”

Harmona swept aside her platinum hair and continued speaking. “Since the situation isn’t pleasant, let’s get to the point. I will never hand over my crown to you.”

“In ordinary circumstances, that would be true. However, this time I’m confident it will be different. I will offer the king something of greater value than the laurel crown.”

Harmona silently regarded Viola. “There’s nothing you can offer that’s more valuable than my crown.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

Harmona narrowed her eyes, as if she could read Viola’s innermost thoughts. “Shall I guess what you might propose?”

Her eyes were fixed on Viola’s right ring finger. “A mysterious flower field rich with the essence of life unfolds here, doesn’t it? You’re trying to offer a flower field from your world, which can regenerate infinitely, as payment for my crown?”

Just as expected from Harmona. Viola nodded.

“This ring is a special gift made for me by someone precious. I was very happy to receive this ring. And it has saved my life more than once.”

Without this ring, she wouldn’t have been able to wield Pongpong’s powers so freely. Harmona felt a rich essence from the ring.

As an elf, it was indeed an enviable ring.

She would want it so much that she would give up the crown for it.

However, Harmona thoroughly concealed her innermost feelings. “But it doesn’t seem valuable enough for me. I’m sorry, but please go back. I won’t overlook your hostile actions any longer.”

Harmona didn’t realize. That even the wisdom built up over 700 years cannot deceive the reader.