“How dare you destroy the curse I poured my heart and soul into! I’ll make a sacrifice out of this village!”
The village chief suddenly twisted into a completely different person, gathering magical energy into both hands.
With a maniacal laugh, he raised his arms high and unleashed his power. Black magic surged from his hands, covering the entire village.
In an instant, the villagers began walking out like zombies and gathered in one spot.
“You bastard!”
As Dmitri charged at the chief, swinging his greatsword, the chief snatched up one of the villagers and used them as a shield.
Dmitri was forced to pull back and retreat without landing a strike.
“Coward!”
“You’d better stay still. Your sword might kill the villagers.”
Using the villagers as hostages, the chief sneered, and Dmitri clenched his jaw.
At that moment, Alexis stepped out of the abandoned house, holding Elia in his arms.
His face hardened at the sight before him.
“Y-Your Grace…”
“What in the world happened here?”
“T-The village chief… He’s taken the villagers as hostages.”
“What?”
The village chief looked between Alexis and Elia, then smirked.
“So you destroyed my curse… Impressive, Duke. That child… she’s something special.”
Alexis’s brow twitched.
The chief grinned wickedly.
“Hand the girl over to me, and I’ll let the village live. I promise.”
“You think I’ll believe that?”
“You’d better. Unless you want to watch every villager here die.”
He glanced over at the restrained villagers and flashed a chilling smile.
The zombie-like villagers were tightly bound with magical ropes, and the chief snapped his fingers—black rings appeared around their necks.
Alexis hesitated, grinding his teeth.
Then, a faint voice spoke.
“Your Grace…”
“Elly…”
Elia had regained consciousness and quickly took in the situation.
Breathing heavily, she looked down at her bracelet.
‘Stella, you can do it, right?’
[Of course, Master.]
A flash of light burst from her wrist—and a massive, golden serpent appeared.
The moment the chief locked eyes with Stella, he felt his entire body freeze.
[Ignorant human. Kneel and repent.]
“W-What…?”
The chief trembled violently.
Whooooosh!
As Stella unleashed her power, the magical ropes binding the villagers were destroyed, along with the black rings around their necks.
The blowback hit the chief, making him cough up blood.
“Cough!”
He clutched his chest and wiped blood from his lips, staring at Stella with trembling eyes.
“Impossible…”
Thud, thud!
Under the sheer weight of her presence, the village chief dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground.
Meanwhile, Dmitri and the Iron Eagle knights rushed to tend to the villagers.
With the chief completely subdued, Stella returned to Elia’s bracelet.
Alexis handed the unconscious Elia to Felix, then grabbed the chief by the collar.
“Threats won’t work anymore.”
“Heh heh heh…”
The chief gave a creepy grin.
“For the glory of Changwol!”
Suddenly, he grabbed Alexis’s arm with a twisted smile—and his body began to swell like a balloon.
“Your Grace, he’s casting a self-destruct spell!”
Dmitri shouted in alarm, but Alexis just smirked and launched himself high into the sky.
A brilliant flash of light erupted above.
Then Alexis slowly descended to the ground.
Dmitri swallowed hard and stared at him.
“Your Grace… That was…”
“Pretend you didn’t see anything.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
Some knights approached Dmitri.
“Captain, what did you see?”
“Don’t ask.”
“That’s harsh…”
“Check on the villagers instead.”
Dmitri quickly gathered the Iron Eagle knights and checked on the villagers’ conditions.
Meanwhile, Alexis looked at Elia in Felix’s arms.
“Felix, how is Elia?”
“She’s sustained internal injuries again.”
“Haah…”
“Is it serious?”
“She’ll need more time to recover this time.”
“Let’s return to the estate immediately.”
Alexis entrusted the cleanup of the village to Dmitri and departed with Felix and Elia back to the duchy.
When Elia returned injured once again, Meril was furious.
“Your Grace! Why is the young lady in this state again?!”
“I have no excuse. But right now, treatment is the priority. Please prepare.”
With a sigh, Meril began preparing the bed.
Once Elia was laid down, Felix examined her.
“She has severe internal injuries. I’ll go prepare some medicine. In the meantime, she should be washed clean.”
“Yes, Sir Felix.”
Leaving Elia in Meril’s care, Alexis stepped out of the bedroom and found Norman.
“Your Grace, Count Gaisa has departed.”
“Understood.”
“What about the young lady…”
Alexis explained everything that had happened in Alfonso Village.
“So that’s what happened…”
“This incident must remain strictly confidential.”
“I’ll inform Sir Dmitri as well.”
Nodding, Alexis re-entered the room where Elia lay.
* * *
Elia stood alone before a towering tree.
The tree glowing radiantly before her was one she knew very well.
The World Tree.
She was now standing in front of the World Tree itself.
[Elia.]
“It’s been a while, Mother.”
The guardian of the World Tree referred to the tree as “Mother.”
Elia was no different.
[Do you know why you’re here?]
“Didn’t you call me here?”
[Yes, I brought you here.]
“Is it because I did something wrong again?”
The World Tree only summoned her when she had made a mistake… or to praise her.
Since Elia had rarely ever been praised in her life, she assumed she was being scolded again.
[Do you know what mistake you made?]
“I’ve made so many that it’s hard to say. I’ve done too many things wrong in the past.”
[The past is already behind us. I’m talking about the present.]
“What did I do wrong this time?”
[Value your life more. I have always cherished you.]
“You’re… worried about me?”
At her words, the World Tree fell silent, then gently wrapped one of its large branches around her head—like a caress.
[Elly, my beloved child. I’ve always treasured you. So treasure your life too.]
In that moment, Elia felt something swell in her chest.
Her eyes filled with tears. She looked up at the World Tree, trying to hold them back.
She had so much to say—but she remained silent.
She just stood there, quietly gazing at the radiant light of the World Tree.
* * *
A few days later.
Elia finally opened her eyes.
Her whole body ached, and she couldn’t help but groan.
‘Ugh, I hate this…’
How many times had this happened now?
“Young Lady!”
As soon as her eyes opened, she saw Meril, eyes red with worry.
“Meril…”
“Do you know how worried I was?!”
“I’m sorry…”
Elia truly had no excuse.
“Meril, how long was I out?”
“A full week as of today.”
“What?!”
She’d been unconscious for an entire week…
“Ugh.”
A sudden pain in her chest made her frown, and Meril asked with concern,
“Does it hurt badly?”
“A little.”
“I’ll call Sir Felix. Please wait just a moment.”
“Okay.”
After Meril left, Gaji, who had been lying next to Elia, stretched and got up.
‘Your master’s in pain and nearly dying, and you’re sleeping like a rock?’
[You didn’t listen to me—that’s why you’re in pain. I warned you.]
‘I know, I was just venting.’
[Ah, is this what they call a child’s tantrum?]
Elia had no retort.
She was still a child, after all.
Soon after, Felix entered.
He examined her and sighed.
“You were lucky. You’ll have lingering chest pain for a while.”
“How long do I have to stay in bed?”
“At least two weeks of complete rest. No light walks, either.”
“No walks?”
“Absolutely not.”
Elia pouted.
“Don’t give me that look. No means no.”
“Che.”
“Take your medicine.”
“It smells awful…”
“I strengthened it. Your internal injuries are worse this time.”
The green liquid in the bowl looked disgusting enough to make her gag.
