To the elves, the forest was, in a word, everything. And with that very forest burning, there was no elf who would remain unshaken.
Fortunately, the Luminous tribe had not been caught up in the dragons’ attack. This was because the mercenary corps members, including Kasim, had quickly rushed to the tribe and evacuated them.
Upon hearing the truth, Chieftain Olivier quickly took command of the tribespeople and evacuated them to a safe place. Since Elder Schneider was away, he had to take responsibility for the tribe members.
They took refuge in a deep valley nestled right beside the elven forest. That place was the elves’ traditional sanctuary. The elves huddled together inside the valley watched the burning forest and wept endlessly.
Unable to bear it any longer, Kasim approached and comforted Olivier.
“I do not know what words of comfort to offer…… For now, this is our fault for failing to stop the dragons.”
Olivier wiped away his tears and shook his head.
“No. This was something we prepared for from the moment we allied with you. Berkis never thought well of us from the beginning. Therefore, it is only that the inevitable arrived a little sooner.”
“For now, there is only one thing I can say. If humanity is victorious in this war, we will certainly restore the elven forest.”
“……….”
“Is there perhaps a place where the tribespeople can take refuge?”
Olivier silently shook his head. The elves were a race inseparable from the forest; now that the forest was gone, there could be nowhere for them to go. Kasim cautiously continued.
“If there is nowhere to go, how about joining our army for now? We will take responsibility and protect the tribespeople.”
Olivier did not give a definite answer.
Mixing with humans was something the proud elves were not at all inclined to do.
“For now, we will decide our course when the Elder returns. He knows the location of this place, so he will certainly come back.”
Kasim nodded and stepped back. In truth, there was no guarantee that unsavory incidents would not occur if elves and humans mixed. That was why he had not been able to actively urge them to join.
And his worry for Damon weighed upon him like a mountain.
‘What in the world has happened? Is he safe?’
All they knew was the scene of Shrekheimer disguised as Damon riding Zigrete into the air. The moment Berkis revealed himself, Damon had immediately commanded them to leave that place.
“You must go to the Luminous tribe at once. If you enter the forest, the Sentinels will guide you.”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“There is no time for a long explanation, so go there and deliver a message to Chieftain Olivier. Tell him dragons may come for revenge before long, so evacuate the tribespeople…….”
Kasim could not readily accept Damon’s order.
“But how can we leave behind the countless soldiers fighting to protect the portal…….”
“The portal’s destruction cannot be prevented anyway. Though the soldiers’ sacrifice pains our hearts, it is something we cannot help. Hurry.”
In the end, Kasim had no choice but to leave with the members led by Mitchell. After entering the forest, they soon encountered the Sentinels, and thanks to their guidance, were finally able to meet Chieftain Olivier. Therefore, at present, Kasim had no way of finding out whether Damon was safe.
‘I suppose I must go to the subjugation army’s main camp.’
Having finished his thought, Kasim approached Chieftain Olivier.
“We will take our leave now. I must go to the main camp and report that we have lost the portal.”
Olivier nodded as if to say he understood.
“Do so. We will decide our course when the Elder arrives.”
“Then we shall take our leave…….”
Kasim gave a salute and signaled. At that, the scattered members gathered in one place.
But standing beside Mitchell was someone completely unexpected. It was Illumina.
“I will go with you too.”
The woman who should have remained with the tribe was trying to follow Mitchell, armed with bow and arrows.
Kasim, startled, approached her.
“But Illumina—”
A resolute light shone in Illumina’s face. She seemed thoroughly prepared.
“Having lost the forest I was to protect, a Sentinel’s duty has effectively vanished. Since I have nothing left to do, I will accompany you.”
“Th-that is…….”
Kasim was at a loss, not knowing what to do. This was not something he could decide.
Left with no other choice, he passed the matter to Olivier. Catching Kasim’s gaze, Olivier silently nodded.
“I understand.”
Olivier slowly walked over and approached Illumina. He did not speak at length.
“Do you intend to repay your life debt?”
Illumina, who had been hesitating, blushed and bowed her head.
Her petal-like lips parted, and a voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz escaped.
“Yes.”
“Decide carefully. If you follow the humans, you can never again become a member of Luminous. Nor will you be able to return to the forest.”
“I accept the consequences. After all, had it not been for Sir Mitchell, my life would have ended in the Forest of Death.”
Olivier looked down at Illumina in silence. A light of anguish flickered in his eyes.
After a moment, he nodded as if having made a decision.
“I understand your will.”
Having finished speaking, Olivier turned his head toward Kasim.
“Take Illumina with you. Having declared her intent to repay her life debt, she is no longer of the Luminous clan.”
“Life debt?”
Olivier continued his explanation without hesitation.
“Elves have an absolute principle: we repay those who saved our lives with our own lives. Having stepped forward to repay her debt, she is no longer an elf. Illumina, the fourth-rank Sentinel of the Luminous clan, is no longer in our tribe.”
Olivier turned away, leaving behind a bewildered Kasim.
“Then travel safely. Once our course is decided, I will send word through magical communication.”
When Olivier finished speaking, the elves who had been holding their breath bid farewell to Illumina with their eyes.
Her eyes burned with tears, but Illumina held them back until the end.
Mitchell, who had been watching, spoke softly.
“Will you not regret it?”
“I will not regret it.”
Illumina barely managed to answer and bowed her head deeply. Mitchell gently brushed her shoulder with a look of compassion.
Shortly after, Kasim’s voice rang out.
“Then we depart. Our destination is the subjugation army’s main camp.”
The members of Kasim’s mercenary corps began to march in silence. They would now have to undertake a dangerous march all the way to the main camp. They moved slowly, receiving the elves’ send-off. But Yuliana, who followed close behind Kasim, had deep worry etched on her face.
As if she were worried for the safety of a loved one…….
Owing to the defeat in the elven forest and the destruction of the portal, the atmosphere at the subjugation army’s main camp had plummeted drastically.
A single defeat had dashed cold water on the morale of the subjugation army, which had been marching from victory to victory. The destruction of the portal held that level of significance for them.
The disappointment of Count Perchstein, the commander-in-chief, was greater than anyone’s. Having received the final report—that the Dragon Slayers had perished to the combined assault of three dragons—Count Perchstein collapsed heavily into his seat, his expression blank with shock.
As if all strength had drained from him, the Count continued to ramble in despair.
“The portal’s destruction was something I had fully expected. But losing the Dragon Slayer means that all hope of victory has flown away entirely. I fear this subjugation will end as an irreparable catastrophe for Arcadia.”
Owing to the Dragon Slayers’ deaths, those capable of facing dragons in the subjugation army had vanished completely. Now they could only be helplessly battered by dragon attacks, leaving the Count utterly unable to find his bearings.
The elation from yesterday’s alliance proposal by the Dwarf chieftain was short-lived; today’s news sent the Count plummeting as if he had fallen from a thousand-fathom precipice, his sight going dark. But just as bad is followed by good, the report that arrived from his aide-de-camp at that very moment brought a feeling that was nothing short of a resurrection from the dead.
“Lord Damon of the Kasim Mercenary Corps has just arrived.”
So urgent was the situation that Count Perchstein was even stammering.
“H-hurry, b-bring him in. N-no, I shall go out myself.”
He tripped over his desk in his fluster, yet was too beside himself to feel pain. Rushing out to the reception room, the Count’s eyes fell upon Damon sitting there calmly.
Without preamble, the Count bombarded him with questions.
“W-what has happened? I clearly received a report that you and the Death Knights had perished fighting dragons…….”
Damon replied calmly.
“It was not I who perished, but Shrekheimer. But do not worry. I have obtained a Life Force Vessel, so he can be resurrected.”
“Th-then the Death Knights are…….”
Damon quietly began explaining what had transpired. As the circumstances unfolded, Count Perchstein’s complexion gradually changed. Hope was rising once more.
Having finished his explanation, Damon put on a troubled expression.
“It is regretful that I could not protect the portal. Watching the dying soldiers, I had no choice but to withdraw to preserve our chances for the future…….”
Count Perchstein quietly cut off Damon’s words.
“You did the right thing. Soldiers can be procured in any number, but a Dragon Slayer cannot be bought even for a thousand gold. I daresay you made an excellent choice. Moreover, did you not achieve the feat of slaying a Blue Dragon?”
Damon smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“I am ashamed. Did I not lose the portal that we had finally gotten operational?”
Count Perchstein waved his hand as if to say not to worry.
“Do not worry. Losing the portal was fully anticipated. After all, over five hundred thousand troops have crossed into Trubenia, have they not? I have already formulated a strategy assuming the portal’s destruction.”
Hearing those words, Damon’s face brightened somewhat.
“It is most welcome news that you have prepared a countermeasure.”
Count Perchstein nodded and continued.
“I will implement the planned strategy immediately. By the way, where are the other members?”
“I ordered the members, including Kasim, to go to the forest and evacuate the Luminous clan. Kasim is relatively quick-witted, so he will likely find his way here. And Catroy left for Arcadia while on his way here.”
The Count’s eyes widened.
“Yes? Wh-what for…….”
“He said he was going to meet with the dragons of Arcadia. Apparently he has something to convey? Anyway, one Bone Dragon and the Death Knights are still intact, so I believe we can handle one dragon.”
“Words more welcome than I could have hoped for. But from now on, please take every precaution in your actions. You are now the most crucial factor in the subjugation army.”
“Hehehe. Being called a factor does not feel so bad.”
Damon, who had let out a chuckle, suddenly turned serious.
“But is there a prisoner among the troops? An orc, I mean.”
At the out-of-the-blue question, the Count wore a bewildered expression.
“Yes? I believe we do not take orcs prisoner…….”
“I need about a hundred young ones. I must procure the life force necessary to resurrect Shrekheimer, you see.”
A smile rose to the Count’s face upon hearing the reason.
“I shall give orders to capture and bring them at once. I believe it can be arranged within the hour.”
Feeling exhaustion washing over him, Damon rose.
“Very well. Then I shall rest. Contact me when it is arranged.”
“Understood.”
A smile rose on the Count’s face as he watched Damon depart.
For hope of victory had been born anew in him. All thanks to Damon’s survival…….