Chapter 142 : Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Sharle, who had been contacted by Killian, rushed to Eurasia.

“Hazard!!!”

[Kkeu-eu-eung.]

Hazard responded with a sound that could have been a greeting or a groan.

She glared at Killian.

“What. Why.”

“Did you take him away just to show me this state?”

She interrogated him about Hazard's condition, saying that if he was going to call her for something like this, he should have entrusted Hazard to her from the beginning.

“The Fourth Prince is not at fault. It is my fault.”

Loen belatedly defended Killian.

“No. The Head Apothecary is not at fault at all. I swear on my violet mana, this is all Sir Killian's fault.”

“What does swearing on violet mana have to do with this.”

“Reflect on your actions.”

“……”

Sharle rummaged through her backpack, which was engraved with an Expansion Formula, and took out a magic tool.

“I just need to stabilize Hazard's condition until you bring back the Nectar, right?”

“Right.”

Loen and Sharle were experts.

It would be rare to find a combination that produced a synergy like theirs throughout the continent.

“Even with me here, it will only buy about two weeks.”

“That’s enough. I plan to be back quickly.”

Even if he brought back the Nectar, he had to consider the time it would take for Loen to create the recovery potion.

With Sharle joining, he had bought the minimum amount of time.

‘Now I need to select the personnel to go with me. Id must be included.’

It was when Killian returned to the Annihilation Squad Leader’s Office and explained the situation to Serena.

“I will go too.”

“You need to manage the Annihilation Squad.”

“Did you not say Hazard's life is on the line?”

“……?”

She spoke as if it were a matter of course.

“I probably know the southern frontier better than anyone else in the Annihilation Squad. My great-grandfather was from there.”

‘Isn’t a great-grandfather so far back that she wouldn’t even remember him?’

He wanted to ask that, but her expression was serious.

She mentioned that Yulian, who could take her place, had returned.

A moment later, Yulian, who was summoned to the Annihilation Squad Leader’s Office, tilted his head.

“Oh? You want me to take charge of the Annihilation Squad?”

“Serena and I have to go to the southern frontier. Id will be coming with us.”

“The southern frontier? Isn’t that where Elvenheim is? Why are you suddenly going there??”

“Hazard ate something he shouldn't have. The Head Apothecary says the cure is in the forest of the fairies.”

“Ha… that foolish thing. I knew something like this would happen someday, with him chewing on anything and everything… Hup……”

“Shut up, Yulian.”

“Why……?”

“If you say another word, I will cut you down.”

“……!!”

Faced with Serena's fighting spirit, Yulian shut his mouth with an aggrieved expression.

“We don’t know when the Empire will move. The fact that I’ve left the capital is a secret, so I’m entrusting the Annihilation Squad to you.”

“How long will it take?”

“We’ll be using the temple’s warp stone, so two weeks should be enough.”

“I am the second sword of the Annihilation Squad. Please leave it to me.”

“Yulian, don’t do anything foolish and just maintain security at the Apothecary well.”

“Serena, even so, I’m the second sword in name, so to be so……”

“Let’s go, Captain.”

“……”

Killian patted Yulian’s shoulder once and headed straight for the Pantera Temple.

He had already told Pierre that he would be using the warp stone.

“The southern frontier? I was wondering where you were going, wanting to use the warp stone in secret.”

“Want to come with?”

“I refuse.”

“I thought you would.”

The coordinates of the destination were a temple located in the southern frontier.

It was a place that worshipped Silvana, the God of the Forest.

“Since it’s an urgent matter, I’ll lend you the Chief Priest’s exclusive coordinates and gate. I pray you don’t cause any major trouble this time.”

Pierre said so as he personally injected divine power into the warp stone.

It was a consideration in his own way.

Soon, the warp stone activated, and Killian and Serena’s bodies were enveloped in light.

Hwaaaa.

When they opened their eyes, a natural landscape blessed by heaven, contrasting with the barren eastern frontier, unfolded before them.

“Welcome to the south, Fourth Prince of Eurasia.”

Fluent continental language.

An elf dressed in priestly robes greeted them.

‘The Chief Priest of the Silvana Temple. I’d heard about him, but it was true.’

Chief Priest Pale de Silvana was an elf who boasted shining blond hair.

‘They say that in Elf society, hair color represents status.’

Hair resembling the golden light of the sun revealed that he was of the direct royal line, possessing the noblest blood among the elves.

He appeared to be in his late thirties, but hundreds of years of wisdom were nestled deep within his eyes.

According to the Annihilation Squad's report, he was only estimated to be over 500 years old.

He extended his hand to Killian in the human manner of etiquette.

“I heard from Id, who arrived first.”

He was also the one who had introduced Id to Serena.

“You want to enter the forest of the fairies?”

A deep voice flowed from the elf’s mouth.

His gaze shone sharply as if trying to see right through Killian.

“That is correct.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“I wish to obtain Nectar.”

Killian revealed his purpose without hiding anything.

The elf’s eyes grew a little sharper.

“Hmm……”

After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

“Nectar is a divine water called ‘God’s Alcohol’. Its very existence is uncertain.”

“I am aware.”

Many did not believe in its existence, but Killian knew it was not a simple myth.

‘Nectar definitely exists.’

In ancient times, Silvana was always situated within a dense forest.

There, giant trees grew tall into the sky, and a mysterious pond was formed in the shade created by the trees.

‘The water of that pond.’

That was the true identity of the divine water called Nectar.

The elves were followers of Silvana.

To obtain Nectar, it was natural to go to the kingdom of the elves.

However, due to their reclusive nature, Elvenheim was not a place outsiders could easily set foot in.

“You must know that it is not easy to set foot in the forest of the fairies.”

“I am aware.”

“Hmm.”

Pale nodded.

He had read the firm resolve in Killian’s eyes.

“There is a gate connected to Elvenheim in the temple's basement. It will be easier if you go through there.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Even so, I cannot guarantee that the queen will meet you.”

“The queen?”

“Did you not know? The king passed away some time ago, and the queen has ascended the throne.”

It was significant information, yet he said it so casually.

It seemed Serena was also hearing this for the first time.

In any case, just when he was thinking that he had saved time by not having to return.

“It’s not for free. We have a favor to ask as well.”

Unexpectedly, Pale added.

“……?”

“It is a trivial matter.”

Contrary to his words, his expression was bitter.

***

As I headed to the basement with Serena, Id was waiting.

Preparations for the transfer were made quickly.

“Three people, coordinates are the ‘Forest of Fairies’.”

At Pale's command, a group of priests composed of elves and humans infused the warp stone with divine power.

‘This is no ordinary object.’

As I was thinking that, Pale de Silvana placed his hand on one of the pillars of the warp stone.

Hwaaaak.

The divine power grew even stronger, and a circular gate opened above their heads.

Jiiing.

The gate, descending from above, enveloped them.

The light grew stronger, swirling around them, and then sucked the three of them into a brilliant flash.

When they opened their eyes, a forest even more lush than the one at the Silvana Temple spread out before them.

The air in the forest was as transparent and cold as if it held starlight.

The trees stretched out elegantly as if preserving ancient life and emitted a faint light.

The leaves rustled in the wind, making a sound like soft music.

‘So this is the Forest of Fairies.’

Killian, who had looked around, turned his eyes to Serena and Id.

They too seemed captivated by the beauty of the forest, at a loss for words.

“It seems we’ve arrived safely.”

Killian said, looking at a path where colorful flowers were blooming.

“This is a place that would only appear in dreams.”

Serena also expressed her pure admiration.

The sound of flowing water could be heard in the distance.

Here, everything in nature was in harmonious accord.

The trees and flowers, water and wind, and the magical atmosphere led by the fairies enveloped the entire forest.

“Id, do you know the way?”

“I only visited briefly with my father when I was young, but……. I think I know the general direction.”

Killian and Serena walked behind Id.

They had been moving for about five minutes like that when.

“……”

Id’s pointed ears twitched.

A rustling sound belatedly reached the ears of Killian and Serena as well.

He could feel watching eyes, but he couldn't see any figures.

“The hosts are quite shy.”

“We’re not invited guests, after all.”

Killian shrugged and stepped in front of Id.

“I am Killian Eurasia, the Fourth Prince of Eurasia. I have come to meet your queen.”

When he shouted with mana imbued in his voice, fighting spirit and killing intent filled the gazes.

Swish.

Suddenly, an arrow flew and lodged itself in the ground.

“Serena.”

“Yes.”

Sreung.

Serena’s Aether, drawn from its scabbard, was stuck into the ground.

“Carpe Illusion.”

Hwaaaaaa.

Within the Forest of Fairies, a domain made of green mana unfolded.

The reaction was immediate.

“How can a human wield green mana……!!”

From within the forest, elves began to reveal themselves one by one.

About a dozen elf archers.

Among them was one of Superhuman class.

‘A Bow Master?’

One who had trained the bow to its extreme and entered the realm of a Superhuman.

With silver hair, appearing to be a High Elf, he held a bow as tall as himself and seemed to be the leader of this group.

‘Serena’s Carpe Illusion is more advantageous here.’

Killian lent strength to Serena’s mana.

The fully deployed Green Zone blocked the elves’ escape route.

“We did not come to fight. We simply came to speak with your queen.”

“The outsider has a lot of nerve. If I were to shout that I wanted to meet your king, would I be able to meet him?”

“That depends on the situation.”

“You’re playing with words. How did you know the coordinates to this place?”

“Chief Priest Pale de Silvana of the Silvana Temple told us. Here is a letter from him proving our identity.”

At the mention of Pale’s name, the Bow Master’s face stiffened.

It was a moment that showed Pale’s influence among them.

The Bow Master’s gaze moved from Killian to Serena, and from Serena to Id.

“You’re a half-elf.”

“Yes. I am Id, a descendant of the Lindelof bloodline.”

“Hmm. So you were a seed sown by Lindelof.”

The interrogation was not long.

“Follow me.”

And so, the party was guided to the inner part of the forest, surrounded by the Bow Master at the lead and five elves.

After walking for about two hours and changing warp stones twice.

‘The air of the forest has changed.’

The surrounding scenery was the same, but the density of the air had changed.

A stillness settled in the air.

Just then, a faint light spread out, and a woman appeared from the center of the forest.

“Welcome to Elvenheim.”

The woman smiled sweetly at Killian.

Id hastily knelt, and Serena too seemed at a loss for words for a moment after seeing the woman’s face.

“I am Ashirian de Silvana, the queen of the elves.”

Her voice echoed softly like the forest wind.

“Killian Eurasia.”

“The Fourth Prince of Eurasia greets the Queen of Elvenheim.”

Placing his left hand on his chest, Killian politely paid his respects.

The queen’s gaze, revealing no emotion, calmly stared at him.

“Yes. I have been waiting for you.”

“……?”

Waiting.

Before he could even guess the intention behind those words, she slowly continued.

“Yggdrasil prophesied that a knight of Eurasia would sever the bonds of the Elves.”

The benevolent gaze that had been looking at Killian sharpened.

“Fourth Prince of Eurasia.”

The queen’s voice grew lower and lower.

Green mana began to surge from her body, and the mana that spread through the air enveloped the entire forest.

“The Sword Master called the Annihilation Squad Leader.”

Killing intent was imbued in the mana.

A killing intent that seemed as if it could tear Killian’s party to shreds in an instant if she so chose.

“Whose blood have you come to stain that heinous sword with?”

Kugugugung.

An energy akin to a knight’s Haki pressed down on them.

The bodies of Id, who was kneeling, and Serena, whose hand was on her sword, trembled greatly.

Killian’s face contorted under the pressure.

‘Is this a difference in class?’

The inherent class that great beings are born with.

‘She must be at least 400 years old.’

Just by releasing the class combined with her Mana Heart, a being of that level could make one feel a pressure equivalent to a Superhuman’s Haki.

The best defense against hostility is an offense.

Shaking off the crushing pressure, Killian took a step forward.

“Do not do something you will regret.”

Sreung.

The Aether that Killian drew spewed out blue mana.

An aura he could only release after obtaining the complete body of a Superhuman.

“For there is no mercy in the sword of Eurasia.”

Kugugugugugu.

The class of a human who had lived for thousands of years pressed down on the queen of the elves.