After entering his Half-Dragon Transformation, scattered crimson scales appeared across Kurose Akira's limbs, chest, and along both sides of his face.There weren't many of them, yet each scale shimmered like a precious gemstone, gleaming with a dazzling luster.
But compared to the beauty of those scales, Elena was far more captivated by Akira's transformed physique.
As an elven princess who had never once left the Elven Kingdom, Elena had always been filled with curiosity toward the unknown.Previously, when she had used Akira as a model for her paintings, that experience seemed to awaken a very particular aesthetic within her—a fascination with powerful bodies and sharply defined musculature.
And now, with Akira in his Half-Dragon state, that fascination intensified dramatically…quietly giving rise to an indescribable emotion deep within her heart.
Cough—
Elena quickly shook her head, forcing herself back to her senses.She blinked, then looked at Akira again.
By now, Akira had completely removed his clothing. Under the glow of the moonlight, his small wings and dragon tail stood out vividly.
"Your little tail is really cute~" Elena teased playfully.
Because his Half-Dragon form was still in its early stages, Akira hadn't fully mastered the transformation. His tail was only about half a meter long—small and compact rather than imposing. His wings, too, were still undeveloped, far from capable of flight. They would need more time to mature.
"Enough joking. Give me your handkerchief."
Akira turned his head and shot Elena a sideways glare. Right now, he desperately needed something to block that radiant holy glow.
"Alright~"Elena smiled sweetly and casually tossed her handkerchief to him.
Akira caught it and tried to cover the dazzling holy light—only to realize, awkwardly, that the handkerchief was far too small.
But there was no helping it. With a resigned sigh, he continued walking toward the Elven Queen's jade bed.
And at that exact moment, Elena's gaze landed squarely on that radiant holy glow.
Her beautiful eyes widened instantly, and she clapped a hand over her mouth in shock.
Oh my gods—T-this—this—what!?
Her pupils trembled.
She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Why did Akira have… two dragon tails!?
Under Elena's stunned stare, Akira reached the jade bed. Just like in the dream, only a crystalline pillow and a semi-transparent silver velvet blanket rested atop it.
The silver velvet blanket felt incredibly comfortable—soft, springy, and smooth, like the fair, tender skin of a neighboring lady just out of a bath.
It also carried a faint fragrance—identical to the scent that clung to the Elven Queen herself, intoxicatingly pleasant.
Lost in thought, Akira gently draped the silver velvet blanket over his body, barely managing to conceal the radiant holy light beneath it.As for Elena's handkerchief, he casually tossed it aside.
With the Queen's large velvet blanket, Elena's tiny handkerchief was completely useless.
"Lie on your side, and angle your upper body muscles like this…"
Elena stepped closer, carefully adjusting Akira's posture.
After some fine-tuning, Akira finally settled into position. Elena nodded in satisfaction, sat down, and lifted her brush to begin painting.
As she worked, she asked casually,"Did you meet Paslow?"
"Paslow?"
Akira's gaze sharpened instantly.
Elena had once mentioned that she had a friend who defected to the Dark Elves—but that person shouldn't have been Paslow. Elena wasn't even a hundred years old, while the Dark Elf legion had split from the elves over a thousand years ago.
"Yes. I met her."
Akira replied briefly.
"Paslow was once the Queen's only confidante," Elena said, her brush pausing mid-stroke. She turned her head slightly toward Akira."When I last saw her, she was about four meters tall. How big is she now?"
"You still keep in contact with them?" Akira asked.
"I told you before," Elena replied calmly as she continued painting."I have a friend among the Dark Elves—she's one of Paslow's trusted aides. But she's no longer with them, so you didn't meet her."
She added softly,"Honestly, the elves and Dark Elves don't share such deep hatred. Some elves even maintain private contact with them. It's just a difference in ideals."
"..."
Akira remained silent, listening.
"But this was inevitable," Elena continued."A queen who ruled the race for tens of thousands of years could never make every decision perfectly. Even gods are imperfect—how could we be any different?"
As she spoke, she dotted the canvas with golden pigment, creating a brilliant burst of light.
"So… you'd prefer the Dark Elves to return?" Akira asked.
"Me?"Elena smiled faintly and added another gentle stroke."I don't really care. I just want to do things that interest me."
She glanced at him."Elves live dozens of times longer than humans. If you don't find something interesting to do in such a long life… that would be unbearably dull."
Her worldview surprised Akira—it was completely different from most elves. Compared to racial affairs, Elena clearly prioritized her own feelings.
"By the way," Akira asked,"since the Queen and elders are away, who's presiding over the Mother Tree's baptism?"
"The three of us princesses can handle it," Elena replied."But since they're Bearella's daughters, their mother will personally oversee it."
"I see."
Akira nodded.
"Oh—speaking of which~"Elena suddenly asked with curiosity,"You seem pretty close with Bearella, aren't you?"
"Frilly and Flora are members of my guild," Akira replied lightly."It's only natural to maintain a good relationship with their mother."
"Is that so?"
Elena smiled mysteriously—and said nothing more.
Bored, Akira gazed out the window. The bright moonlight made him drowsy, and before he realized it, he drifted into sleep.
"Finished~"
Elena set down her brush with satisfaction. When she looked at Akira, she was surprised to find him sleeping peacefully.
She froze for a moment—then a mysterious smile curved her lips.
She stepped lightly to his side, her gaze roaming over his body before finally settling on the radiant holy glow.
"Such brilliant holy light…is there really anyone who could withstand it?"
She murmured to herself, then gently lifted the silver velvet blanket with her fingertips, fully exposing the concealed radiance.
"Th-this…"
Seeing it up close only intensified the shock.
She was certain—among the elves, no one could endure such overwhelming holy brilliance.She herself certainly couldn't.
She glanced down at her own body. Though tall for an elf, she still fell short compared to the Elven Queen.
"Maybe only the Queen…"
The thought barely formed before she shook her head sharply.
"The Queen is sacred and noble—how could she ever be tainted by something so filthy!"
She shot the radiant glow a cold look, then lifted her brush and dabbed a touch of paint onto it.
"Perfect~"
Elena nodded with satisfaction, a smug smile playing at her lips.
—
Meanwhile, Akira drifted into a dream created by the Elven Mother Tree.
"I actually fell asleep…"
He blinked, realizing the jade bed must have been far too comfortable.
Yawning, he headed toward the small wooden cabin.
When he pushed the door open, the White Elf Queen sat gracefully on the jade bed, waiting for him.
"Good evening, little one~"
"Good evening."
Akira sat beside her."I've completed what you entrusted to me."
"Oh?"
She reached out slender fingers and gently smoothed his slightly messy hair.
"Yes," Akira continued."The three Dark Elves have returned to Paslow. Their purpose for infiltrating the Elven Kingdom was to use Mother Tree leaves and elemental soil to heal her."
"I understand."
The Queen nodded with a gentle smile.
System notifications appeared before Akira's eyes.
[Elven Queen's Special Commission — First Contact! The Dark Elves! (Completed!)][Bonus Objective — Discover the Dark Elves' true purpose for infiltrating the Elven Kingdom (Completed!)][Reward Obtained: Dark Elf Fruit! Elven Queen's Special Reward (To be personally bestowed by the client!)]
"Dark Elf Fruit?"
Akira raised an eyebrow and immediately checked the item in his inventory—a black fruit shimmering with multicolored light.
[Dark Elf Fruit: A miraculous fruit capable of giving birth to a Dark Elf. However, it has lost its vitality. (You may activate and merge it through the Elven Mother Tree's baptism.)]
"?"
Akira was stunned.
Merge it?
Did that mean… he'd become an elf?
But the baptism was only open to elves—something that immediately troubled him.
"What's wrong?" the Queen asked softly."You seem worried."
Akira didn't hide anything. He took out the fruit and showed it to her.
"This is…?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
The Mother Tree had never produced a Dark Elf fruit before.This one was likely the very first.
"A fruit infused with darkness," she said gently,"but unable to give birth to life. So… what would you like to do with it? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"It can only be activated through the Mother Tree's baptism," Akira explained."But I've heard only elves are allowed to participate."
"Yes. That rule exists," she nodded."Even the Queen cannot violate our laws by allowing another race inside the Mother Tree."
She paused.
"But… there is another way."
"What way?"
"You're already inside the Mother Tree, aren't you?"
As she spoke, the Queen leaned closer. Her gaze softened, glowing gently. Her body pressed lightly against his arm, delivering a tender, heart-stirring warmth.
"I can perform the baptism for you myself," she whispered sweetly."What do you say, little one~?"
Her voice was gentle…and dangerously alluring.