Chapter 103 : Chapter 103

Chapter 103: The Five Morning Stars (1)

After all the events concluded, in Frude’s hut, I drank tea with Bea and Frude.

The atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed than my first visit to Frude’s hut.

Back then, I had to prove my worth to Frude and Bea had come to apologize.

‘Thankfully, everything has wrapped up well now.’

“Polarin Adjak, heir of heroes.You have achieved great deeds in preventing the turmoil in Kipaso.Is there any reward you desire?”

“You may speak freely.The elves recognize your contributions.Whatever you wish for, we will provide.”

I pondered for a moment.

There were plenty of hidden pieces among the fairies and elves.

Which of them would still be intact after 300 years?

What would be useful to me?

A list of countless artifacts flashed through my mind.

I had already gained much from this place.

I triggered a transformation in the Branch of the World Tree and earned the favor of both elves and fairies, who were hard to win over.

Above all, I accomplished a feat worthy of making my name resound in the Empire, as Rodos had tasked me.

Taking a fine artifact was an option, but the true reward I needed from this place was allies.

Warriors from the elves and fairies who would rush to my side when I formed an expedition in the future.

That was the reward I needed.

“Though my strength is still meager, I plan to form an expedition to conquer Myeolji someday.When that day comes, I’d like your strength…”

As I spoke with resolve, Frude waved his hand.

“Haven’t we promised that several times already?Even without such a promise, the fairies would draw their bows for your cause any time.”

“The elves are the same.All available forces will join your expedition, Lord Polarin.I, too, will stand by your side when it begins.”

Bea and Frude were resolute.

While staying in Kipaso, I shared my goal with them.

- Someday, when I’m stronger and have made a name for myself, I want to form an expedition to conquer Myeolji.

Can I ask for your help then?

Both Frude and Bea had promised to assist.

For me, that promise was the true reward.

My participation in the racial war was, in part, to achieve my own goals.

Yet the two kings watched me silently, waiting.

They didn’t seem inclined to let it go easily.

“I really don’t want anything else…”

Elves and fairies were generally suited for ranged combat rather than close quarters.

Most of their prized artifacts were ranged weapons.

As a sword user, I found little use for them.

When I said I wanted nothing, Bea and Frude began making suggestions.

“How about the Boots of Swiftness?”

“I already have a tune related to movement.”

“What about the Elf King’s Staff?”

“I can only use one type of magic.”

“I could take Wapuhugun from Raldetun.”

“…I already broke that.”

As they suggested various artifacts, Bea and Frude fell into thought.

The level of gifts they proposed kept rising.

Eventually, they even mentioned treasures symbolizing their races, like the Fairy King’s and Elf King’s artifacts.

Seeing the two kings ready to uproot even their deepest roots, I sighed.

“I heard the fairies once had the Jar of Spirits.Do you still have it?”

I mentioned an artifact I knew, just in case.

It wasn’t as grand as the Fairy King’s treasure, but it was quite valuable.

“Jar of Spirits.”

Frude murmured softly and rose from his seat.

He fluttered up and retrieved a flowerpot from a shelf.

It was a jar filled with all sorts of flowers.

Frude removed the flowers and laughed heartily.

“It’s useless to me.I’m glad to have something to give.”

The Jar of Spirits could hold 300 spirits of any element.

Even without a contract like the one I had with Arandir, spirits in the jar could be commanded.

Once a spirit followed a command, it would leave, but the jar could be refilled with other spirits, making it a long-lasting artifact.

It was undoubtedly useful for creating variables on the battlefield.

“It’s already filled with 300 water spirits I lured in.Is that alright?”

“Of course.To give such a precious item so readily…Thank you, Lord Frude.”

Despite giving away a valuable artifact, Frude looked relieved.

“Is there really nothing you want from the elves?”

“This is enough.The elves and fairies are no longer separate, are they?I’ll consider it a gift from both of you.”

“Even so…”

Bea looked dejected.

Frude comforted her.

“But we prepared something together, didn’t we?

Let the Elf King present it.”

“Right.”

Bea took out a fist-sized ornament from her belongings.

“It’s an accessory woven from leaves that grew at the top of the tree planted by elves and fairies.

Lord Polarin Adjak, it’s a mark of our friendship.”

“It’s beautiful.Thank you, Lady Bea.”

It was an ornament made of two deep green leaves layered together.

Frude’s words to comfort Bea weren’t empty.

Though it seemed unprocessed, it felt imbued with Kipaso’s natural essence.

I hung the leaf ornament next to the Hamudalun tribe’s emblem on my sword’s hilt.

‘The Hamudalun tribe gave me an ornament too.Now I have another.’

If I gained such tokens with every friend I made…

A small goal was formed.

It might be fun to travel the world, meet countless allies, and collect tokens of friendship.

“Thank you both so much.”

“No, thank you for your efforts on our behalf.”

“Thank you, Lord Polarin.”

And so, the three of us sipped the tea Frude provided, talking late into the night.

* * *

The next morning,

I saw off Derix and Nofen, who were returning to Tello’s headquarters, early in the morning, then said goodbye to those I met in the fairy territory.

Having stayed longer in the fairy territory, I had grown fonder of the fairies than the elves.

“Lord Frude, Lord Raldetun, take care.I’ll make good use of the jar you gave me.”

“If you run out of spirits, let me know.I can lure plenty of lesser spirits to willingly enter the jar.”

“Polarin!Are you sure I don’t need to come with you?”

Raldetun added, sounding reluctant.

My steps weren’t light, leaving them behind.

I, too, had grown attached to the fairies.

Their small, flapping wings were quite endearing, and Raldetun, though unintended, was connected to me through my mana.

“We’ll meet again.There’ll come a day when I ask for your help.Let’s reunite then.”

I considered traveling with Raldetun.

Like Derix, he could be helpful at critical moments.

But I ultimately decided to leave him in fairy territory.

Raldetun led the fairies well.

Under his command, they moved in unison, exerting strength beyond their numbers.

If he continued leading and coordinating with them, they’d be a valuable asset for my future expedition.

After hugging the reluctant fairy children one by one, I left the fairy territory.

Bea also left with me.

“You’ll be busy now, Lady Bea.Please lead the elves well.”

I parted with Bea, looking forward to our next meeting.

Surprisingly, Bea reacted calmly—no, she barely reacted.

‘Elves…’

The prejudice against elves I had just begun to shed crept back.

I gave Bea a wave and headed toward Kipaso’s outskirts.

…But something strange happened.

Bea, who should have been heading to the World Tree at Kipaso’s center, started following me.

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t you know, Lord Polarin?”

Bea asked brazenly.

“No, how can the Elf King leave the territory?”

“I’m no longer the king.”

“What?”

“I don’t have the qualifications to be the elves’ king.Everyone says the World Tree Spirits chose me, but I know it’s closer to them choosing you.”

“No, but…You’re still the most elven of elves.Even without me, you would have been chosen by the World Tree Spirits.”

But Bea’s gaze was unwavering.

I’d seen that resolute expression from her several times.

She explained calmly.

“I don’t understand the elves’ hearts.I don’t know how they’ve lived or what they truly desire.

The one who knows that should be king to lead them well.”

“Then who’ll be the Elf King?It’s not a position to leave vacant.Surely not Aetelt again?”

“No, Aetelt is no longer qualified.Instead, Lord Barenche has agreed to become the Elf King.”

So, Aetelt’s youngest sibling, Barenche, would be the new Elf King.

“The World Tree Spirits liked Lord Barenche, and he’s upright.He also understands the elves’ hearts.”

Barenche had spoken the truth even when imprisoned for opposing his sibling’s misdeeds, so I understood Bea’s decision.

Still, the Elf King’s position wasn’t easily attained, making Bea’s choice to step down remarkable.

“Instead, I’ve taken the role of elf commander.”

“Commander of the elves.”

“Yes, like my grandmother, I’ll lead the elf warriors.”

It seemed Bea had her own plans.

Just as I vowed to carry on Adjak’s legacy, Bea was following Gawen.

“When you form your expedition, Lord Polarin, I’ll lead the elves and stand at its forefront.”

Bea might seem indecisive at times, but I knew from experience that once she made up her mind, she stood firm.

I was genuinely grateful for her resolve.

Though Gawen met death during her expedition, and Adjak’s never succeeded, our new expedition might find a different ending.

“What about Nihel…?Is he coming?”

“No.I said goodbye yesterday.I told him I’d come for him later.”

“He must be sad.”

Bea nodded.

She, too, seemed reluctant to part with Nihel.

But I was human.

I’d inevitably spend more time among humans.

Roaming a city with a giant wolf wouldn’t be easy.

Suddenly, I realized Nihel wasn’t the only one I worried about fitting in with humans.

“Can you get along with humans, Lady Bea?”

“If they’re all like you, Lord Polarin, there’ll be no issue.”

Bea still had a touch of naivety.

‘This journey won’t be easy.’

I couldn’t easily respond to her words.

* * *

Bea and I left Kipaso.

Upon reaching the outskirts, we encountered Imperial Intelligence agents Carlin and Ormen, who said they’d be in Horizon.

I didn’t know how they knew, but they were waiting for us.

“It’s all thanks to you, Lord Polarin.Thank you for stopping the war.”

“Does the Empire know of this?”

“…Yes.The report has been submitted.”

The agents glanced at me cautiously, but it wasn’t something to reproach.

I knew I’d been tracked since meeting them, and this time, it was better for word of my stopping the war to spread widely.

“It’s fine.Tell the humans in Horizon they can return if they wish.Living in Kipaso should be easier now.”

“Is that because you’ve elevated the humans’ reputation, Lord Polarin?”

“I can’t exactly deny it.By the way, is there someone named Axon in Horizon?A bit tanned…”

“If you mean the grandson of the Hamudalun chieftain, he’s currently in Horizon.”

As expected, the Intelligence Agency knew everything.

A single word from me, and information poured out.

Still, Carlin and Ormen were agents friendly toward me.

“If I stay here longer, could I ask you to look after him?I don’t know him well, but we’re not entirely unconnected.”

“You must have ties with the Hamudalun tribe too, Lord Polarin.That’s news we didn’t know.”

“Ahem, just take care of it, please.”

“Of course, don’t worry.Axon has always been important to the humans in Kipaso.”

Blood doesn’t lie, does it?

I decided to postpone meeting Axon.

After bidding farewell to the agents, I left Kipaso, where I’d stayed so long.

* * *

Bea and I entered the human world, the Empire.

We first sought out Marquis Rodos La Roche, who had told me to achieve a feat to make my name resound.

Rodos welcomed me with a bright smile the moment he saw me.

“Welcome!Aren’t you Lord Polarin, one of the five morning stars shining upon the Empire?”

The five morning stars of the Empire?

Rodos called me by a strange title.

But seeing how delighted he was with my achievements, I decided to address my curiosity later.

“It feels like it’s been ages, Marquis Rodos.Have you been well?”

While I greeted Rodos, Bea stared at him blankly.

Pointing at Rodos, she asked me,

“Lord Polarin, this man’s aura feels odd. Is he your vassal?”

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.