"Guildmaster, please—won't you give it to me~?"
Beiyafli clung softly to Kurose Akira's arm, her voice tender and coaxing, like a kitten acting cute as she begged him.
"Alright. Here—you can have it."
Akira smiled as he handed the elemental gemstone in his palm over to Beiyafli.
During their earlier missions, he had given an elemental gemstone to Ivsha in hopes of boosting her holy magic damage. However, the results had fallen short of his expectations. Enhancements to basic elements—wind, fire, lightning, water—seemed to offer much higher returns.
As for holy attributes, the boost appeared to rely far more heavily on holy-type equipment rather than raw elemental amplification.
While the improvement to Ivsha had been minimal, the increase in combat effectiveness for the sisters Beiyafli and Beiyaflo had been remarkably obvious.
That was how the scene at the beginning had come to be.
Of course, it wasn't that Akira didn't want to give it to them. He had simply hesitated—should he give it to the older sister, or would it be better on the younger one?
After all, there was only a single elemental gemstone.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Guildmaster!"
Beiyafli accepted the gemstone with delight—then immediately passed it to Beiyaflo.
Seeing that there wasn't even the slightest hint of competition or jealousy between the sisters, Akira's lingering concerns finally eased.
He proceeded to submit the completed quest.
[Giant Eagle Slain (1/1)][Silver Coins +30, EXP +2000]
Akira sorted through his E+–rank quests. He had successfully completed two more today, leaving only five unfinished.
At this pace, barring any surprises, the guild should be able to advance to D-rank the day after tomorrow.
"About time. I should head to the appointment."
He glanced at the clock—it was already two in the afternoon. The time he had agreed upon with Elina had arrived.
Just as he stood up to leave the guild and head for the Elven Kingdom, he caught sight of Ivsha entering the prayer chamber she was still in the process of building—her arms full of thick red rope.
Akira narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the mysterious room, curiosity stirring once again.
To this day, he still hadn't been allowed inside Ivsha's prayer chamber. He knew absolutely nothing about what went on in there. Every time his curiosity flared, Ivsha stopped him, always citing "organizing" as an excuse, telling him to wait patiently until everything was in order before she'd let him see it.
…Fine. I'll wait, then~
With that thought, Akira activated the teleportation array. Light flared—and in the next instant, he was once again within the Elven Kingdom, heading toward the lakeside.
When he reached the agreed location, the familiar figure came bounding toward him exactly as expected.
The elven dragon leapt happily into his arms, licking his cheek over and over to express its joy.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Elina's gentle voice drifted over.
Akira followed the sound. She was seated by the lakeside, elegantly enjoying afternoon tea.
"Sorry. I'm late."
He walked over and took a seat beside her.
On the small round table were several delicate cream cakes, each lavishly decorated with rich layers of frosting.
"It's fine. I don't really have anything pressing to do most days anyway."
Elina smiled warmly, clearly unbothered.
"Aren't you supposed to be handling the Elven Queen's personal affairs?" Akira asked, a little surprised.
…Do elves also slack off at work?
"The Elven Queen doesn't like having someone stand beside her like a block of wood," Elina explained, lifting her teacup and taking a light sip.
Every movement she made exuded a calm, unhurried elegance, as though everything was already under her control.
"You asked me out because there's something you want to ask me, right?"
She set the cup down. Her emerald-green eyes shimmered with anticipation.
"I want to meet the Elven Queen alone," Akira said frankly, stating his purpose without pretense.
"You want to see the Elven Queen… so you came to ask me where and when she appears during her free time. Is that correct?"
Elina precisely inferred his intentions.
"Yes."
"I can tell you the time and place where the Elven Queen will appear—but you have to agree to one condition."
She smiled as she propped her cheek up with one hand, her expression playful as she made her demand.
"What condition?"
Akira couldn't help but feel curious. What kind of condition would a princess of the Elven Kingdom ask of him?
Elina didn't answer immediately. Instead, she raised a slender finger and lightly traced something through the air.
In the next instant, it was as if a veil of night descended around them, sealing off the surrounding space completely. Even the elven dragon was shut out.
Faced with the sudden formation of this private chamber, Akira's gaze sharpened.
What was she about to ask? Why all this secrecy?
And then Elina spoke.
"May I take a look?"
"…Take a look at what?"
"Your body."
"?"
Her request made Akira frown instantly.
What kind of plot development was this supposed to be?
Don't tell me she's actually a succubus hiding among the elves? No wonder something always felt off!
So this is where you finally slip up?!
"Relax."
Elina's voice came again, calm and reassuring.
"I'm simply curious about the structure of the male body. I want to observe it—nothing more. I won't do anything to you. Also, I'd like you to engage every muscle in your body. I want to see exactly how human males differ from female elves, and then record those images."
As she spoke, she produced a sketchpad from somewhere, already prepared.
For a moment, Akira was completely speechless.
This elven princess didn't just like fishing—she liked drawing too?
…She really has way too much free time, doesn't she?
"Just showing my muscles is enough, right?"
With that, Akira removed his shirt, revealing a physique that had seen at least some training.
"Oh~?"
Seeing the faintly defined abs beneath his skin, Elina smiled in satisfaction.
But clearly, she wasn't done yet.
"That's not enough~~"
Brimming with expectation, she pointed her brush at him and added,
"All of it~ Take everything off."
The moment her words fell, a burst of dazzling, multicolored magic erupted.
Before Akira could even process what was happening, all the clothes on his body vanished in an instant.
There's magic like that too?!
"?"
When Elina first beheld the holy light from hell itself, her eyes went unfocused, starry sparks flickering within them as if she'd been profoundly shaken.
"Ahem~"
Her delicate brows knitted slightly, reverence mixed with embarrassment in her gaze. She casually tossed over a handkerchief she carried with her.
"Cover it a bit~"
Akira quickly draped the handkerchief over the Holy Sword. It only covered about half—but at least it was wearing a hat now.
"Remember~ Don't move."
Elina reminded him softly, then began sketching in earnest.
As she worked, Akira noticed a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. Even this unconventional elven princess still retained the innate purity etched deep into elven blood.
"By the way, big man."
Elina's way of addressing him shifted again.
"What do you think of dark elves?"
"I haven't met any personally, but Yuluci said they're elves who fell into darkness in pursuit of power," Akira replied.
"And if an elf only sought power in order to avenge a close friend—and fell into darkness for that reason—do you think she could be forgiven?"
Elina asked as she continued drawing.
As she spoke, her gaze kept drifting toward Akira, again and again—always, intentionally or not, toward a certain area.
"It depends on the situation. If she didn't commit unforgivable atrocities, then I think she could be forgiven," Akira answered honestly.
When she heard that, Elina's brush paused mid-stroke.
Then she smiled.
"I understand what you mean."
"…You're not saying—"
Akira frowned slightly, suspecting Elina herself might have become a dark elf.
"Don't jump to conclusions. I'll always be loyal to the Elven Queen. The one who fell into darkness is a friend of mine."
She quickly clarified.
Akira nodded slowly, thoughtful.
Then Elina added without hesitation,
"The Elven Queen will go to the Sacred Sparrow Terrace beside the elven palace tonight at seven-thirty to watch the moon. You can wait for her there…"
..
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