𝗈𝑽𝗅xt.𝗇𝓔t

“Watch out! This Beast is enraged!”

As soon as I see the kid on the back of the horrendous looking Wild Beast, while simultaneously thinking about why I am encountering many kids recently, I swing Rexorem at it.

The Magic Stone on Rexorem shines brightly in red; I have channeled my Mana as much as I think necessary into it. I want to not only cut the Wild Beast in two, but also end the kid’s life quickly.

I don’t want to let myself associate with kids anymore. In the world where only power holds meaning, associating myself with kids gradually teaches me how to give mercy.

It will only need me to forgive once to become someone who will always forgive. Those who give mercy easily are cruel to themselves—I don’t want to be like that.

I can’t let myself turn soft; this is not a world where such a thing doesn’t cost me my life. By immediately killing the kid here, I will be able to prevent myself from being assaulted with future dilemmas.

Whoosh!

As Rexorem cuts into the flesh of the Wild Beast, my bloodstream is overwhelmed with adrenaline—sort of. My heart beats faster, whereas everything moves slower.

Because of that, just a moment before Rexorem cuts into half of the Wild Beast’s body, I can see Eliseus shoots toward the kid and snatches the kid off the Beast’s back. A second after this, Rexorem cuts the Wild Beast in two.

Thud!

I frown lightly as soon as the bisected body of the Beast lands on the ground. I turn to Eliseus that is not far away from me, and she looks at me like nothing noteworthy has happened.

She tilts her head as if asking why I am confused, and that makes me question her sanity. I don’t care if she has a soft spot for kids, but she can’t just save an Elf kid like nothing.

In terms of hating Demons, humans come second to Elves. Elves hate us to their core; it is to the point where they actively hunt us. They are the only race in this world that dares to do a conquest in a Demon’s territory.

Allowing the kid that belongs to their race is the same as bringing an unnecessary trouble to us.

“You don’t have to worry about this girl.”

“D-Don’t kill me! I will be a good girl!”

Even though I merely move Rexorem to my side, the kid immediately takes cover behind Eliseus’ back as if knowing Eliseus can protect her from Rexorem. I applaud her for her tact and sensitivity toward killing intent.

I don’t have any intention to cut her yet; despite so, she still can detect my faint killing intent that is directed to her. Any kid in her position would have just flinched instead of immediately hiding behind Eliseus.

Even though Rexorem is intimidating enough to scare kids by its appearance, I made sure to move it to my side slowly. Only those who can feel my faint killing intent will have their flight response triggered.

“I hope this is a joke, Eliseus,” I say neutrally.

Instead of paying attention to me, Eliseus is looking at the bisected body of the Wild Beast I have killed. “It is quite surprising seeing you can kill a Pantherapid that easily. I knew you were exceptional, but not to this extent.”

“… That doesn’t matter.” I shake my head faintly. “I am more interested in what you are doing, Eliseus.”

“Relax. This girl can’t hurt any of us.”

“Her parents can,” I retort.

Frowning lightly, Eliseus waves her hand. “I think you have misunderstood something, Layland. Take a proper look at her.”

I want to tell Eliseus about how clear the situation is for me, but she stops me even before I open my mouth. Gesturing at the Elf kid, she encourages me to properly look at the kid.

Sighing helplessly after a few seconds, I eventually turn my gaze to the kid.

The elf kid has a grey hair that is tied in a high ponytail, a pair of bright silver eyes, a pair of pointy ears, and a face with chubby cheeks. Being 4’8″ tall, anyone will not hesitate to call her adorable.

I can’t see the point why I have to properly look at the kid. She, after all, looks just like any other Elf kids.

I get that Eliseus is trying to show me the girl’s dark skin, however it shouldn’t be enough reason to let the girl live. There are two kinds of Elves in this world after all—Light Elves and Dark Elves—and being a Dark Elf doesn’t make the kid special.

Even though she doesn’t belong to the more popular group, she is still an Elf in the end. I wonder what Eliseus is actually hinting at.

“She is a Dark Elf—I get it.” I sigh lightly. “I don’t get why you don’t let me kill her though.”

“Don’t you know anything about Dark Elves?”

“That they are formerly Light Elves that were cursed to live in the darkness because they learn Dark Magic? I know that much.” I shrug. “What is your point?”

“You still don’t get it even though you already know the reason?” Eliseus frowns.

“What?” I frown lightly as I think hard to myself. “They are not a part of Cursed Creations, but they are cursed by the God like us? What are you… Oh.”

Realization suddenly dawns on me. I am immediately reminded of Valeria’s story about how Light Elves view Dark Elves.

Although Light Elves still claim Dark Elves as a part of the Elven race, they don’t really accept the presence of Dark Elves. They still protect any Dark Elf that needs protection, but most of the time, Dark Elves are given the cold shoulder.

They don’t like what the ancestors of the Dark Elves had done in the past. Dark Elves are considered sinful Light Elves that need to be punished, which is the reason why they are giving Dark Elves the cold shoulder.

Because of that, Dark Elves don’t really feel comfortable spending their time around Light Elves. Although they have never been called names, living in a place where they are treated like air is by no means comfortable.

That is the reason why many Dark Elves have decided to retreat into the shadow. They live in dark places, where you can’t see the sunlight.

While many of them are fine with how they live, of course, some of them don’t like to be treated that way. Some of them can’t spot the difference between how they are treated and how the Demons are treated.

For that reason, it is not that hard to find Dark Elves in the Demon King’s Army. I haven’t seen any, and that’s reason why I forgot how tolerant Dark Elves are toward Cursed Creations.

“Well, we still have to leave the kid,” I state as I keep Rexorem in the Bond Seal. “I can see that she is lost, but we can’t afford to bring the kid with us.”

Eliseus hums to herself for a couple of seconds before turning her body to face the kid. The kid is surprised that her shield has suddenly turned to her, but doesn’t freak out as she can’t sense any malice.

“I haven’t heard your name.”

“I am Arieda Envenaddle.” The kid extends her hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss…”

“Eliseus. You can just call me Ellie.”

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you, Miss. Ellie!”

Seeing how quick the two has bonded, I blink my eyes in surprise. I don’t know how the flat faced Eliseus can easily earn a kid’s trust, but I guess that’s just the perks of being a woman.

Also, I don’t know whether the kid is pretending that she doesn’t see them or she is just too stupid to notice them, but she doesn’t even freak out even though Eliseus’ horns are almost touching her forehead.

No matter how tolerant Dark Elves toward Demons, after all, the kids should still normally be afraid of us.

“What about that scary man over there?” The kid points her finger at me.

“Ah, that is…” Turning to me, Eliseus urges me to introduce myself with her eyes.

“Layland,” I say curtly.

“Oh… What a unique name.” The kid caresses her chin. “It sounds outlandish and familiar at the same time.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, I am—”

“Arieda Envenaddle—I have heard your name.” I wave my hand.

“Oh! Nice to meet you, Mr. Layland.”

Arieda is extending her hand at me, making it hard for me to leave her hanging. Sighing lightly to myself, I eventually walk toward her and grasp her extended hand.

She beams as soon as I shake her hand, and it brings a small smile to my face. It is an unconscious smile, so by the time I notice I am smiling, I immediately wipe it off my face.

I let Arieda’s hand go after a few seconds, and turn to Eliseus. Said Demon immediately mouths, “She is the King’s daughter,” and it slightly bewilders me.

Even though Dark Elves have more than one kings due to the unclear hierarchy, it is not normal for any of the princesses to end up in this place. Something must be going on, and my intuition tells me it is not a good one.