★20
YAMI'S POV
I approached the elf who had volunteered to accompany me, anticipating that the Master might send me to find the others. It turned out, however, that I had been the one to choose to bring them in.
"Hey."
I greeted.
"Your Highness."
She replied, bowing respectfully. Unlike the others, I didn't care whether she addressed me formally or not, nor did I expect her to bow.
"I've been given permission to visit your village, mind you showing me the way?"
I asked.
"No problem."
"What's your name?"
"Eli."
"Good."
We stepped outside the palace, the crisp air of the grounds brushing past us as I activated the teleportation magic. In an instant, the world around us blurred, and we materialised in a secluded spot within the forest, the very place where we had parted ways with the others earlier that day.
"How long will it take to get there?"
I asked, scanning the surrounding trees.
"We'll be there by noon."
She replied confidently, already beginning to move forward.
"Ok, let's go."
I said, falling in step behind her.
Eli led the way, guiding us carefully through the dense expanse of the Great Jura Forest toward the west. Her movements were precise, almost instinctive, as she navigated the twisting paths and thick undergrowth.
We encountered numerous turns, some of which seemed unnecessary, yet she never faltered. I fought the urge to ask why we were taking such convoluted routes.
"The village is hidden."
She explained before I could speak, as if reading my thoughts.
"Only our tribe knows the secret entrances and how to navigate them safely."
Her words clarified everything. The unusual turns were deliberate, designed to avoid detection and protect the village's secrecy. I couldn't help but admire the careful planning and intimate knowledge she possessed of the forest, a skill that ensured we remained unseen and untracked, even in such a vast, wild expanse.
"Looks like it."
Finally, we arrived at the small, hidden village. It was tiny, almost quaint, with every building modest and practical. The entire population could be counted with ease, giving the place an intimate, close-knit feel.
Some of the elves immediately recognised her, their faces lighting up with familiarity. Among them were a few I had rescued a few days prior.
They hurried over, voices warm and welcoming, surrounding her in greetings and expressions of relief. The air buzzed with quiet joy, a stark contrast to the dangers we had faced on the journey here.
"Eli chan, welcome home."
"Where have you been? The rest came back without you."
They asked.
"Um... we have been taking good care of ourselves."
"By who?"
I didn't let her answer so I appeared.
"Who's this guy?"
"A human?"
"What are you doing here?!"
Offensive, but I wasn't bothered.
"Yami san."
One of the elves recognised me.
"Calm down guys. This is the person who saved us. So you've come."
"Bela."
"Only thanks to Eli who followed me that day."
"Um, it was the right thing to do."
"So, what brings you by?"
"I would like to speak to whoever is in charge here."
"The chief? Well, follow me, she's here."
Bela led me to the village chief. We entered the modest building, the air inside carrying a faint scent of herbs and wood smoke. Once inside, we sat down across from her.
"So you're the human who saved Bela and some of us?"
The chief asked, her voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority.
She had striking golden eyes and brown skin, and though she appeared young, her presence demanded respect. For formality's sake, I discreetly scanned her, noting the strength and determination emanating from her aura. proof that her authority was not merely symbolic, but earned and very real.
"I'm not a human, but no doubt that was me."
"Ok... why are you here.....?"
"Call me, Yami. I'm here on orders."
"Orders on what Yami?"
"My master has an ambition. A fearsome and worthy ambition to become a Demon Lord."
As usual, the mention of the 'Demon Lord' made them nervous.
"D...demon lord?"
"Yeah. I shouldn't tell you his past but I must. He fought and befriended Demon lord Guy Crimson, before deciding to join him."
They were even more surprised and scared.
"G... Demon Lord Guy Crimson? That's the strongest one around, his name alone brings terror."
"To you guys, it does. Anyway, It's up to you to fear..."
I was interrupted by the sound of yelling.
"Slave traders!"
An elf suddenly shouted, the alarm slicing through the calm of the village.
"Impossible! They found us? You brought them here!"
The chief exclaimed, panic flashing across her features.
"My sensory magic is always active. I can perceive everything within five hundred feet. They must have planned this."
I replied calmly.
With that, she rose and hurried away, while the others scattered in all directions, seeking refuge wherever they could.
I stood, rising to my full height, and stepped outside, surveying the approaching threat.
"Hey, human, help us catch these elves. They'll fetch a good fortune, I promise ya."
One of the kidnappers called out to me, mistaking my silence for hesitation.
I didn't answer. My attention had already drifted elsewhere as I calmly inspected the entire village, extending my awareness to its limits.
<
I snapped my fingers.
The forest responded instantly. Invisible boundaries sealed the area, cutting off every path in and out. Panic flickered across their faces the moment they realised something was wrong, but it was already too late.
Without hesitation, I moved.
"Dark Flare."
Black flames surged along my katana, dense and absolute. The fire did not roar or crackle; it simply was.
In a single motion, I marked every last one of them. Heads separated cleanly from bodies, collapsing before they could even register pain. There were no screams, no smell of scorched flesh, only stillness. The unholy flames consumed everything, leaving behind drifting ash carried away by the wind.
Silence fell over the village.
The elves stood frozen, staring at the empty space where their hunters had been moments before, shock etched into their faces.
I calmly sheathed my blade and turned away, walking back toward the chief's dwelling as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
Inside, I took a seat, waiting.
A few minutes later, the chief returned, her expression unreadable.
"Why did you kill them?"
She asked, still not trusting.
"It's against my order to let any of you get captured."
"How do we know you're not lying, especially if you bluff on your sensory magic?"
"It's up to you to believe it or not."
Having no choice, she reclaimed her place opposite me, the room heavy with unspoken tension.
"What brings you by then?"
"It's up to you to fear Guy but he's acknowledged my Master's strength and they're friends now. Master has made up his mind to become a Demon Lord and he'll protect all under him, that's his promise."
"...why do you think we'll follow a Demon Lord?"
"It's up to you. He won't force anyone to become his companion. Isn't that right, Eli? Did I force you to come with me, Bela?"
I asked them both.
"No. The Great Lord keeps his words. I belong to him now."
"No. Mom, he's right."
<
"When he saved us, he gave us two options; join him or go our own way. We decided to come back because he was ok with it and I've already made up my mind to follow him the next time he comes. That's why I'm grateful Eli went with him. That way I know he'll come here for sure."
Eli and Bela responded.
"...Shut up and just let me think!"
The chief snapped, her composure finally cracking under the weight of it all. As the leader, this decision wasn't just personal, it would determine the fate of her people.
I didn't press her. Instead, I waited. Just then, someone spoke.
"Alright. But whether you agree or not, I'll be going with him."
The room fell quiet for a moment before Bela stepped forward.
"Forgive me, Chief, but I will follow him as well."
Another elf nodded, then another.
"Me too."
All three who had left with Bela voiced their resolve, their expressions firm. The chief looked at them one by one, reading the determination in their eyes.
At last, she let out a long, weary sigh, fully aware that this choice had already been made, for them all.
"Looks like we have no options."
<
"Fine, we will follow you. But how do we get there first?"
"Magic."
"Ok. But can your place hold up all the individuals here? They're about sixty elves here."
"Master is full of surprises. You'll be shocked."
"Hm, alright. Gather everyone. I'll make the announcement."
The chief said at last, her tone heavy but resolved.
Word spread quickly through the village. Before long, every elf, toung and old, had assembled in the open field at the centre.
The chief stood before them, her posture straight, her golden eyes sweeping across familiar faces as she explained the situation plainly, without embellishment or comfort.
"Prepare quickly and return here at once. Do not take much. Everything you need will be provided when we arrive."
I said.
"E... everything?"
She asked, disbelief rippling across her face.
"You're already shocked?"
I replied dryly. She was speechless for a moment, but they're people waiting for orders.
"You heard him. Now go."
That was enough. The villagers dispersed at once, moving with urgency rather than panic. They packed only essentials, leaving behind the homes they had hidden for so long.
One by one, they returned to the field, until the entire village stood gathered and ready to depart.
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"Yes."
I lifted my hands, palms facing upward, and the air around the village shimmered. A vast blue magic circle expanded across the entire area, its intricate runes glowing with arcane energy.
In an instant, the villagers were enveloped in the light, and, without a moment's hesitation, they were transported to the hall.
To be continued...