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Chapter 78

Elija pressed his eyebrows firmly with his long fingers. He shouted at Echo, who was quickly moving away.

"Don't go too far! Stay out of trouble!"

Echo bounced her small slime body and disappeared among the elves. She'd shouted about eating lots of fruit and playing with Aria before running off—it was impossibly cheeky.

'Anyway, she'll be back soon.'

She's clearly avoiding a scolding for going off alone. I told her it's dangerous, but she keeps acting on her own.

"Phew."

Elija decided to hug Echo nonchalantly when she returned. She'd run off because she was upset he pretended not to see her for a moment. He sighed.

"I feel like my mental age is dropping because of Echo."

She's not even a child, but his slime acting upset over playing with elves for a bit—it wasn't exactly becoming of the ducal heir who had always been a model student.

"She'll probably rejoin us while we're looking around the village."

"Probably? The guardians seem busy too, so they can't play with her right now."

Elija walked with Melden.

She'd probably eat a few fruits, feel better, and come looking for him. The image of Echo running back with puffed-out cheeks was crystal clear.

"Oh, you're awake?"

The young elf who had first guided Melden and Leon spotted Elija and approached. The brown-haired young elf greeted them with a bright face and a polite bow.

"Meril, good morning……. No, good afternoon."

Melden adjusted his glasses and forced a smile.

"Actually, Lord Zelmir was looking for you! He said he had something to say……."

Melden's blue eyes sparkled behind his glasses.

"Even though he's busy, to call for us directly……."

Elija smiled, lowering his eyebrows at Melden's well-rested, glowing face.

'That's the face of someone expecting a big reward…….'

Meril trotted, guiding the group to Zelmir. As they walked, Melden glanced around. The diligent elves were hard at work rebuilding the village.

"Even though we haven't been here long, it feels like a lot of time has passed."

"Ugh, yesterday was so fun!"

"While we were waiting, we were so anxious!"

At Delro's happy face, Leon grumbled.

"Leon, there's no need to worry about Delro. Worrying about him is completely…… pointless."

Leaving his childhood friend's tired face behind, Delro strode ahead, stretching.

"Ah, you're here."

Zelmir greeted them, still radiating a fresh beauty.

"Lord Zelmir, we'll take our leave then."

"Yes, let's proceed with that."

A few elves who had been with Zelmir sighed and rose from their seats. Zelmir tied back his smooth white hair and spoke to Elija.

"I thought it would be best to settle the payment quickly."

So he really called them about the reward. Elija opened his mouth in surprise.

"So soon? I thought you'd be busy with the village repairs……."

"It's more convenient to show you quickly. And it'll take time to decide what to choose."

As if no more words were needed, Zelmir spread his hand and led the group outside.

"Ah, but Echo is still with the elves and hasn't come yet."

She'll definitely be disappointed. Elija could clearly picture Echo pouting and clinging to his pant leg.

"Echo also gets to choose one……, ah, if you hadn't considered Echo's share, even a small one would be fine."

Zelmir smiled and waved his hand.

"I have a separate gift in mind for Echo. It's not in the treasure vault we're going to, so it's fine."

He said she'd definitely like it, his green eyes sparkling.

Still……. Elija walked on with a heavy heart, feeling uneasy.

'How well does he know Echo to say he has something she'll like…….'

Unaware of Elija's furrowed brows, Delro waved his arms excitedly.

"What could it be? I get to choose too, right?"

"Of course. Even Leon—everyone will have the chance to choose one item."

Leon's cheeks flushed.

"But I haven't done anything……."

"From the start, the condition was 'for everyone who is a member of the mercenary group.'"

Zelmir smiled softly and walked on. After pushing through the forest for a while, following a small path, a beautiful natural landscape unfolded before them.

"Wow."

It's really beautiful. Leon's light green eyes sparkled as he hopped ahead.

"But, weren't we going to see the elves' treasure?"

Delro scratched his head.

"What's in the middle of the elves' forest?"

"……Maybe we're taking a walk first?"

Leon turned his innocent eyes toward Delro.

"It's a pretty lake, though."

Melden looked around with blue eyes, admiring.

Zelmir had brought them to a beautiful lake surrounded by lush trees and grass, a place where fairies might live.

"It's our elves' treasure."

"Pardon?"

Zelmir's green eyes held the clear lake, and he beckoned to Leon. After calling Leon back from admiring the lake, Zelmir stepped forward a few paces.

"Celestine."

Whoong-

The delicate grass at their feet swayed in the wind. Soon, the spirit with the overwhelming presence that had stunned them the night before appeared again.

"That's the top-class wind spirit……."

"Even seeing it again, it's amazing."

Melden and Leon, seeing Celestine for the first time, couldn't take their eyes off her. The group stared blankly at Zelmir's back, mouths agape.

"Suddenly, what……."

Kureureung.

With a rumble, ripples spread across the surface of the beautiful lake before them. Soon, the lake split open.

"Wh-what?"

While everyone stood frozen like stone statues, Zelmir turned with a refreshing smile and looked at them.

"Come on in."

Zelmir, with a gentle face, guided Elija and the group down into the lake. Between the magically parted water, narrow stone steps were visible.

Unlike Melden and Leon, who were stunned as if they'd seen a ghost, Elija and Delro quickly recovered and took the lead. After last night's display of Celestine's power, this was hardly surprising. Delro snorted and fired questions at Zelmir.

"What was that just now? Is the treasure vault under here?"

Every step down under the lake, the rippling water enveloped them and began to close the entrance behind them. Soon, the light was blocked, and only the sunlight shimmering on the lake's surface filtered down like shadows. Bright ripples danced across Elija's cheek.

"Wow."

Even turning their heads, they could see the clear lake water ripple. Leon, who had been merely fascinated at first, seemed a bit frightened as they descended, so Zelmir waved his hand and created a light. The darkened surroundings brightened.

"No one would ever notice this place."

At Melden's admiration, Zelmir smiled slightly.

"Not only would they not notice, but entering itself is difficult."

Well, it's obviously hard since you have to go under the lake. Delro grumbled.

"Is it okay to show this to us?"

Elija's golden eyes, tinged with caution, quietly observed Zelmir leading the way. Zelmir glanced back, his green eyes meeting Elija's. He smiled, his forest-like eyes curving gently.

Upon reaching the very bottom of the lake, all they saw before them was a wall engraved with unknown letters. Seeing it, Melden made a small sound as if something clicked.

"When we first came to the elf village, there was also a wall……."

Celestine flew down again and landed on the lake floor, and light seeped through the cracks in the wall.

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