Chapter 338: Chapter 338 : Demand

Meanwhile…

On the other side of the forest, Alden and Saria were still locked in battle—cutting down cultists and berserk monsters amidst cracked earth and splintered trees. Arrows flew, blades flashed, and corrupted roars echoed through the gloom.

Then, all at once, the monsters stopped.

They froze mid‑lunge, eyes suddenly unfocused, as if something far away had seized their attention. Above the distant treeline, a pillar of green aura pierced the sky, washing the forest in a soft, living light.

Alden noticed something else.

The cultists began retreating.

One by one, the cloaked figures stepped back, their bodies suddenly engulfed in blue light. In hurried succession, they vanished—teleported away, abandoning the battlefield without a word.

The monsters, too, turned and began shuffling back into the deeper forest, disappearing between the twisted trees as if some invisible command had been given.

Saria jogged up beside Alden, panting lightly.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“How would I know?” Alden replied, still watching the retreating figures.

Before he could think further, a familiar, massive shape slithered at the edge of his vision.

“Veytharion!” Alden shouted. “What the hell are you doing? Don’t go back into the forest, you moron! We still have work to do—you’ve had enough for one day!”

Veytharion—the dragon‑serpent spirit—had been quietly inching back toward the densest part of the woods, clearly intending to hunt more. The great beast turned its six eyes toward Alden with a wounded expression and let out a series of grumbling growls.

“What do you mean I owe you dinner now, you selfish bastard?!” Alden yelled. “Haven’t I already given you enough expensive delicacies to eat? Half my allowance goes into feeding you!”

Tears actually formed in the corners of Alden’s eyes as he ranted.

Veytharion, ignoring his emotional breakdown, huffed once and opened a massive portal to the spirit realm. Without another sound, it slipped inside and vanished, the portal closing behind it.

Alden clicked his tongue. “Ungrateful bastard,” he muttered under his breath.

Saria sheathed her blades. “Let’s go,” she said. “We have to help the princess and Alex now that the situation here is under control.”

Alden nodded.

Together, with the remaining elven forces following behind, they sprinted toward the source of the earlier shockwaves.

—

Meanwhile, Diana—still inhabiting Elaria’s body—walked through the ruined forest with Alex in her arms. His weight rested easily against her as she moved, her steps light and unhurried despite the devastation around them.

She glanced down at his unconscious face.

“This boy is an anomaly,” she murmured. “He possesses powers a mortal shouldn’t. Just what are you?”

Alex didn’t answer, of course.

Instead, he shifted slightly and rubbed his cheek more firmly against her chest, a dopey, satisfied grin spreading across his face even in his unconscious state.

Diana sighed.

“That’s the third time,” she muttered. “Should I just drop him on his head?”

Soon, she reached the spot where Aeliana lay unconscious.

But they were no longer alone.

Alden, Saria, and a group of elves had already arrived and formed a wary circle around the elven queen. When they saw someone approaching with Alex in her arms—her aura utterly different from before—they immediately went on guard.

Alden stepped forward, eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” he demanded. “And what happened to that moron…?”

Hearing his voice, Diana exhaled in relief.

“Good you comrades are here.”

She glanced down at Elaria’s body, feeling the strain in every part of her body.

“My work is done,” she continued softly. “And this vessel has reached its limit.”

Veins stood out faintly along Elaria’s neck and arms, as if the body itself were protesting the divine presence.

Diana looked in Alden and Saria’s direction. “Take care of them,” she said simply.

Then, the divine light around her flickered.

Elaria’s body began to revert—her figure slimming back down, curves returning to their original shape, her hair shifting from pale green back to its normal color. The overwhelming aura faded, leaving behind only the familiar presence of the elven princess.

Alden and Saria stared, stunned.

They could barely believe their eyes.

—

Elaria’s now‑unconscious body started to tip forward, about to hit the ground.

In a blur, Saria darted forward and caught her, gently cradling the princess in her arms.

A small smile formed on Saria’s lips. “Princess,” she whispered, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Alden, still holding Alex’s limp form, murmured, “What the hell is happening… I’m so confused.”

Ouroboros’s voice answered inside his head.

{ That elven girl—Elaria—was chosen by a goddess as her Avatar, } the serpent said. { And it looks like that goddess helped Alex fight the ones who kidnapped the elven queen. }

“So that’s what happened, huh…” Alden muttered.

He adjusted his grip on Alex and lifted him properly in his arms.

“Looks like this bastard really did get his ass beaten black and blue,” he said.

{ You seem happy about it, } Ouroboros observed.

“Do I look happy?” Alden replied. “I’m not. My friend just got his ass handed to him—how could I be happy?”

But the small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth told a different story.

Saria, with Elaria in her arms, looked toward Aeliana’s still‑unconscious form. “Our work here is done,” she said. “I’ve informed the ship that brought us. It will arrive in ten minutes.”

Alden nodded.

Saria turned to the surviving soldiers and raised her voice.

“Everyone, prepare to leave!” she shouted. “The mission was a success. Good work, all of you!”

Relief rippled through the elven ranks. Warriors who had been tense for hours finally allowed themselves to breathe. Smiles spread across tired faces as the realization sank in—they were leaving this cursed forest with their queen and princess alive.

Exactly ten minutes later, a massive flying ship descended from the clouds, engines humming as it hovered over the clearing and lowered platforms to the ground.

Medical personnel rushed out immediately.

They carefully took Aeliana, Elaria, and Alex from Alden and Saria’s arms, placing them onto stretchers and checking their conditions with practiced efficiency.

One by one, the wounded and exhausted boarded the ship.

With everyone accounted for, the vessel rose back into the sky, turning toward the horizon.

They were finally heading home—to the elven empire—with good news.

——

[4 hours later]

Inside a luxurious room, soft sunlight filtered in through tall crystal windows. The marble floor beneath gleamed pure white veined with streaks of silver and pale gold, polished so perfectly it reflected the room like a mirror.

The walls were carved from smooth stone, covered in ancient elven engravings—flowing runes and scenes of forest that seemed almost alive in the gentle light.

By the window sat a silver‑haired boy, legs crossed comfortably on an ornate couch. Alex held a porcelain cup filled with something that looked suspiciously like milk tea, steam curling lazily from the surface.

He took a slow sip, then exhaled in quiet satisfaction as he gazed at the view outside—the sprawling elven city, bridges of woven branches, waterfalls cascading from living towers, and the endless emerald canopy beyond.

“Now this is life,” he murmured, leaning back and making himself even more comfortable. “I wonder when I’ll be able to laze around like this without worrying about someone trying to destroy my home.”

A knock came from the door, followed by a familiar voice.

“Alex, you’re there, right?”

Recognizing it instantly, Alex didn’t move.

“He’s still unconscious,” he called lazily. “Come again after an hour. I’ll inform you when he wakes up.”

An outraged voice came from the other side of the door. “This is the third time you’ve said that! And you do realize this is my house, right?!”

Alex’s mouth twitched.

“Then as payment for saving you and your mother,” he said calmly, “I’m taking this nation. Now get lost from my property before I call security.”

Elaria’s face, on the other side, turned beet red.

“You bastard!” she yelled. “I was the one who saved your ass!”

“That all happened because you tried to sexually harass me,” Alex shot back. “I should’ve never let that bastard catch me off guard.”

“You… you moron!” Elaria sputtered, practically vibrating with anger. “You don’t have any delicacy at all, do you, huh?!”

“How dare you,” Alex said. “I am a follower of the great Satou Kazuma and believe in equality, okay.”

“Who is that asshole?!” Elaria demanded.

“You don’t get to call him an asshole,” Alex said indignantly. “He’s an asshole that I’m a fan of, okay. Now get lost from my house.”

“That’s it!” Elaria screamed. “I’m breaking the door!”

Mana began to gather in her hand, swirling around her palm as she raised it toward the door with murderous intent.

Before she could strike, a gentle hand settled on her shoulder.

“My baby,” a soothing voice said, “what are you doing, trying to break the door?”

Elaria froze.

She turned around—and there stood Aeliana.

Fully healed, dressed in elegant royal attire: a flowing emerald gown embroidered with silver vines and moon‑shaped patterns, her platinum hair cascading down her back like liquid light. A delicate crown of intertwined branches and crystals rested upon her head. Her violet eyes were calm and warm, yet still sharp enough to command respect.

For a moment, Elaria’s throat closed.

Then tears pricked her eyes as she threw herself forward and hugged her tightly.

“Mother… I’m so happy you’re okay,” she whispered, voice trembling.

Aeliana smiled softly and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “I, too, am glad to see you’re not hurt.”

They parted slightly.

“Why were you trying to break the door?” Aeliana asked gently.

“Because that rude, asshole bastard won’t open it!” Elaria fumed. “No matter how many times I knock! He even threatened to throw me out of my own house!”

A small, knowing smile formed on Aeliana’s lips.

“Alex, huh,” she said.

Elaria nodded, quickly wiping her tears away, trying to regain her composure.

Aeliana stepped up to the door and knocked lightly.

“Mr. Alex,” she called politely, “I didn’t get to thank you properly. Please, can you open the door?”

As if some seal of light had been lifted, the door clicked and swung open at once.

Alex stood there, silver hair slightly messy, cup in one hand. In the next instant, he reached out and gently took Aeliana’s hand.

“My lady,” he said smoothly. “You didn’t have to come all the way here when you’ve just recovered. If you had only said the word, I would have come—even in the middle of the night.”

Aeliana laughed softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Oh my, what a gentleman.”

“Mother!” Elaria shouted. “What are you doing? Take my side, not his!”

Alex, still holding Aeliana’s hand, reached out and grabbed one of Elaria’s as well.

“How can you say that I was just joking if you need anything—”

A loud cough cut him off.

“Mr. Alex,” a calm, deep and commanding voice said, “it’s good to see you in good shape. But would you please keep your hands away from my wife?”

Standing in the doorway of the hall was Thalion, the elven king.

He wore regal robes of deep green and silver, his long hair tied back neatly, a circlet resting on his brow. There was a smile on his face—but his eyes were not smiling at all.

Alex clicked his tongue and let go of both Aeliana and Elaria.

“Alright, back to business,” he said, expression shifting in an instant.

The playful light vanished from his eyes, replaced by a sharp, calculating focus. A businessman’s smile curved his lips—polite, controlled, and somehow far more dangerous.

“First, Mr. Elven King,” Alex said, looking Thalion straight in the eye, “give me the Tears of Atheria.”

The room fell silent.

Aeliana’s eyes widened slightly. Thalion’s expression stiffened for an instant. Even Elaria felt a chill run down her spine as she sensed the sudden change in the air.

The casual boy by the window was gone.

What stood before them now was someone entirely different—and all three elves felt it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep