Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, casting shifting golden patches across the various shades of green below, lending the "Nature's Dwelling" a lush, dreamlike quality.
Yurisian and
"You'll be staying here during your visit. Do not wander about freely—some of the elves are not friendly toward humans," Elistin said, gesturing toward a small grove formed by dozens of interconnected great trees, upon which stood more than enough treehouses to accommodate everyone.
Hearing her words, Afris flicked its tail and replied with a perfectly straight face: "No problem."
It had understood her clearly—only *some* elves were unfriendly toward humans, which meant it could wander about on its own and collect a few souvenirs.
Yurisian smiled at Elistin: "Your Highness, I'd be grateful if you could provide me with the list of corrupted and fallen elves."
"They're all being held in the 'confinement facility' near the Elf Tree. Do you wish to investigate right away?" Exirion's tone conveyed approval of the magicians' proactive attitude.
Yurisian shook his head: "In that case, Lord Evans and his group will certainly go look into it. We'd rather wander through the forest and ask around—speak with friends of those fallen elves to get a clearer picture of the situation. So—"
He smiled warmly and stopped there, leaving the rest unsaid.
Elistin nodded gently: "I'll have the files on the fallen elves and their associates delivered to you."
"It would be best to highlight who had the most contact with them before their corruption," Felipe added from where he stood with arms crossed. Although the infection appeared to be caused by Abyssal aura, no possibility could be ruled out before the investigation was complete—otherwise it would be all too easy to be misled.
Exirion's expression shifted subtly, and then he gave a barely perceptive nod of agreement.
This was not guilt on his part, but rather the most natural reaction any senior elf would have upon hearing Felipe's words—it implied suspicion that there might be a problem within the elves themselves.
Under the sunlight, Felipe's complexion bore a striking resemblance to that of a vampire who had lain in a coffin for decades without seeing the open air. But he offered no explanation that this was merely standard investigative procedure, leaving Exirion and Elistin to their own speculations. Perhaps someone would grow anxious and reveal themselves of their own accord.
A little over ten minutes later, Anik and
"Ulmer—a close friend of the fallen elf Kailete," Anik read from the list.
Under the gaze of elves whose features were equally refined regardless of gender, his cheeks flushed involuntarily. He quickly cast "Mechanical Mind" on himself.
Sprint glanced at him: "What's there to be embarrassed about? We're investigators—we hold the natural initiative. They should be the ones who are nervous!"
"I always get flustered around strangers. I can't control my emotions." The blush faded from Anik's face, his eyes turning cold and emotionless, like those of an iron golem.
Sprint curled his lips: "Flustered? You lack confidence far too much. Saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing—that happens all the time. Worried about leaving a bad impression? That's truly laughable. We don't even know whether we'll ever get a chance to return to the Strupf Forest again. Even if you did something terribly embarrassing, what of it? And besides, this shy, awkward manner of yours leaves a worse impression on people than any embarrassing act could."
He had long taken issue with Anik's personality, and this time, having accepted
"Oh my, but I simply adore shy young men like this! It shows his heart is wonderfully pure and innocent!" A soft, melodious voice suddenly joined their conversation.
*That's debatable,* Sprint thought, silently scoffing. The word "reserved hottie," coined by their teacher, had already gained wide recognition. He turned toward the voice and saw a lovely elf with an oval face approaching—black hair, silver-white skin, wearing a simple outfit of leaves, and carrying a harp in one hand.
After a quick once-over, Sprint murmured to Anik: "An elf has taken a fancy to you. Don't let this chance slip by—with your personality, you'd be doomed to a lifetime of solitude."
He cleared his throat and asked on his friend's behalf: "Pardon me, miss—how should we address you?"
"I'm male." The pretty elf's pointed, delicate ears twitched, as though this sort of situation was nothing new.
Even with "Mechanical Mind" active, Anik's expression turned ghastly. Sprint's facial muscles twitched as he blurted: "You're *male*? And you just said you *adore* young men?"
The pretty elf shook the harp in his hand with an air of poetic elegance: "Love knows no gender."
Anik grabbed Sprint by the arm, suppressed his discomfort, and turned to leave.
"No wonder the archives in the Arcane Library say that elves, owing to their vast lifespans and leisurely lifestyles, develop a passion for the arts and all manner of peculiar preferences..." Sprint experienced a deep sense of remorse and lingering fear—he had nearly pushed his best friend into the abyss.
Before Anik could respond, the pretty elf behind them spoke up with a cheerful laugh: "Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Ulmer—I heard you reading my name just now."
He was a moon elf, blessed with exceptional hearing—especially in the forest when the wind was at his back.