Chapter 22
The orb was slightly larger than a thumbnail, glistening like a finely cut gem.
Inside it, a liquid roiled like molten magma, burning fiercely.
It was a Dragonfire Stone, obtained when Charmant defeated the red dragon beast Yulata, long before this moment.
Extracted from the heart of a dragon, if fused with a weapon, it allowed the user to wield the very fire that dragons controlled.
Charmant had acquired only two of these Dragonfire Stones.
One had been offered to his lord, Rakan. The other had been entrusted to Bucky, intended as a bargaining chip to establish trade with the elves of Soro Forest.
Back then, it was the real Charmant Noël Kenders who had used it to win the favor of the Soro Forest elves.
Even they, who were notoriously difficult to please—perhaps as much as the Halslake people—had warmly received him because of the rarity of the item.
Though it felt strange to be stealing the achievements of his original self, the real Charmant Noël Kenders was currently missing, and therefore would not have been able to use the Dragonfire Stone anyway.
Of course, if his body weren’t in a missing state, Charmant probably wouldn’t be here today either.
Charmant held the Dragonfire Stone and took a deep breath.
Then, with Bucky on his shoulder, he took a step toward the Soro Forest.
As soon as he stepped into the Soro Forest, the sound of bowstrings being drawn tight echoed from all around.
“……”
Charmant knelt on one knee, placing his clenched right fist over his left chest.
Then he raised his left hand, palm open, revealing the Dragonfire Stone.
The kneeling gesture was the customary greeting among the Soro Forest elves.
Raising his left hand signified that his remaining hand was empty—indicating no intent to attack—while simultaneously showing them something that might win their favor.
Now, all he could do was wait.
Still, it was better than before.
The first time he came here, arrows had been fired immediately, not just the sound of bowstrings.
Felix had blocked them with his shield before Charmant had to dodge himself.
The forest gradually grew silent.
Only faint presences could be felt, perhaps still holding their bows.
Then came a soft thud as someone dropped to the forest floor.
[Who are you?]
Though he knew they spoke the common tongue, they began in their native elvish.
They only used the common tongue when they were in a friendly mood.
Charmant lifted his head slightly while remaining kneeling.
[I am Charmant Pepe, come from Elyum to meet you.]
When he replied in elvish, the elf approaching widened their eyes.
Because right now, he was indeed “Charmant Pepe.”
What likely surprised the elf even more was the presence of Bucky, calmly perched on his shoulder.
[You speak our tongue.]
[I learned a bit to come here.]
Originally, he’d learned it to rob them.
At first, he’d naively tried to communicate without speaking their language at all, which had only increased their suspicion.
[You’re the one who sent the letter. You may rise.]
The failure back then was helping now. Speaking in elvish had been the right move.
As the elf raised his right hand, others dropped from the trees one after another.
Their weapons were lowered.
He was relieved they recognized him right away.
Charmant relaxed and slowly rose to his feet.
[Thank you for welcoming me so graciously.]
[Are you alone?]
[Regrettably, this time.]
[Seems not all Elyum residents are fools. But I thought that bird already had a master?]
As expected, they knew.
Anyone who knew Seiak would also know that it didn’t easily take a master.
But that was all.
This was an earlier point in time than when Charmant had originally visited, so their information likely only extended to “Seiak’s master is Charmant Noël Kenders.”
He replied as planned.
[You’re right. He has a master. A friend helped me. Since his master is going on a journey, I asked if I could accompany him for a while.]
The elf looked back and forth between Charmant and Bucky, then nodded.
[Hm, that bird is wise. It must be true. Follow me.]
The elf turned and began to walk deeper into the forest.
Charmant gave Bucky a small smile and followed.
Now that the forest had accepted him, the once-foreign woods felt like a serene fortress, a secluded paradise.
As he inhaled the thick, damp forest scent and walked further, the elven kingdom finally came into view.
A brilliant white castle stood at the center, bisected by a waterfall that seemed to descend straight from the sky.
‘It’s been a while.’
It was just as he remembered from the past.
Toward the end of the war, the Soro Forest had suffered heavy damage, many elves perished, and parts of the forest had been burned—he’d heard as much.
But now, it was the same majestic sight he had first encountered.
Soon, the elves halted and, just like Charmant had done earlier, lowered themselves respectfully.
Charmant’s gaze locked onto the center.
‘Back then, it took over a week to get here. It’s strange that it’s so easy now.’
There stood Haraman, the leader of the Soro Forest elves.
A young man with long jet-black hair.
Though he looked youthful, like a pure-hearted boy, in reality, he was much older.
He also had a rather ruthless nature.
For the sake of protecting his people, he would take any action without hesitation.
Unlike the elves from other regions who had bright hair, the Soro Forest elves typically had dark hair—and even among them, Haraman stood out.
[Guest from Elyum. Welcome.]
[I am Charmant Pepe.]
Charmant greeted him in their fashion.
Haraman would not reveal his name immediately—that was their custom.
Back then too, it wasn’t until the third meeting that Charmant learned his name. This time would be the same.
Haraman stared down at her.
He was a head taller even than Miyah Belkinson, a half-elf. Charmant, being on the shorter side, had to crane her neck.
[You have a mysterious appearance. What brings you here?]
Charmant slowly stood and held out the Dragonfire Stone.
She hadn’t brought it in a fancy box or anything overly ornate—that would go against the elves’ dislike of pomp and preference for sincerity.
Seeing Haraman’s briefly surprised expression, Charmant spoke confidently.
[I came to learn your wisdom.]
Thanks to the Dragonfire Stone, she was allowed into their stronghold.
Haraman now sat in the highest seat, holding the orb in his hand.
He rolled it slowly between his fingers, eyes fixed on the swirling fire within. His face, however, remained expressionless.
But Charmant knew Haraman well enough to understand—he was extremely interested.
If Haraman didn’t care, he wouldn’t even hold it.
In fact, just glancing at it would’ve been unusual.
Staring at it silently for more than ten seconds, expressionless? That meant he was burning with desire for it.
It was curious—things that hadn’t been visible before were now obvious.
Haraman’s gaze finally shifted to Charmant. He still held the orb.
[Anyone who can acquire something like this likely has no need for our wisdom.]
Liar.
[No. Elyum desperately needs your wisdom.]
[…Explain.]
Charmant spoke honestly.
She said they needed Halslake’s magic amplifier.
She explained why, just as Ahil Duff had told her—but in more concise terms.
There was no reason to lie.
Though aggressive and picky, the elves were cautious and tight-lipped.
Even if today’s deal didn’t go well or fall through, they wouldn’t go around spreading the news.
And if they could be brought to her side, it would be like having a wall of steel at her back—so the more sincere, the better.
She also shared everything she’d learned about Elyum’s strengths, including secrets that even the people of Elyum didn’t know.
Like this one: about the materials used in the weapons of the Soro Forest elves.
Their weapons were crafted from a special combination of native Soro Forest wood and Fremok wood.
And the glue-like binding material that fused them was a substance called Teek, which could only be found in the Agal Mountains.
When Soro Forest wood, Fremok wood, and Teek were combined, it produced a material harder than steel and resistant to rust. But Teek had a major downside.
Even a fist-sized piece of unprocessed Teek weighed as much as a house-sized boulder.
The Agal Mountains were extremely far from the Soro Forest.
The Soro elves were swift, precise, and aggressive—but lacked endurance. Carrying heavy materials over long distances wasn’t their strong suit.
So they were only able to buy small amounts of Teek with great difficulty.
But if they used the eastern path of Elyum, the time to reach the Agal Mountains could be cut by a third.
It was far shorter than the route they had used previously.
If Elyum allowed passage—and even provided teleport portals—then the Soro Forest elves would stand to gain immensely.
