We rode for a long time, leaving the dark forest behind and finally coming to a normal path. Gradually, I saw many Elves moving along the side of the road. Curiously, they didn't seem much different from Humans, aside from their height and ears. Even their streets and roadside stalls were just like those of Human society. I thought Elves would live in small settlements scattered in the mountains and forests, but it turns out they have their own cities. Or is it because this world also has Humans, and these Elves have been influenced by them?

"Put on your hood, my child."

A gentle rustle came from my ear, startling me. I looked and saw my mother smiling at me, adjusting my hood to cover my ears. She quietly extended her slender index finger, playfully making a "shushing" gesture, saying, "Be careful not to let your ears be seen." Seems like Elves put great importance on lineage.

In all honesty, my mind is missing a lot of information. Perhaps all I have are the memories of the day before my death. The man who owned this body led a march but lost nearly his entire army. The bag in my hand tells a lie to the people who bid us farewell. This is not a triumph, but a complete failure.

I felt quite distressed, although it wasn't originally my problem. This went against everything I was taught growing up. I knew this was a necessity, and anyone would feel bad after losing a battle. But how could such deception allow the deceased soldiers to rest in peace?

"Toot toot toot!"

The infantry behind us suddenly blew their horns, drawing crowds to gather and cheer at the sight of our procession. Maybe this was the triumphal return? My mother gently nudged me, saying, "Scatter these things among the people. Remember, you are triumphant now, and you are the star. Be happy."

I opened the bag and took out a handful of dragon scales. They had a metallic sheen but felt slightly textured. The backside was soft and fleshy. The center of each scale was thick, but the edges were sharp. I flung the scales into the crowd, who erupted in cheers, scrambling for the fallen dragon scales.

"In the name of the great Morgana! In the name of the great forest! In the name of the Goddess Cwentyna! May the glory of the forest and the lakes forever bless our triumphant warriors and our Prince Traui Galladell Rovna, who has conquered the ferocious beast!"

The guards behind me shouted in unison. They spoke a language I had never heard before, but it didn't seem to affect my understanding or speaking ability. It appeared that language and memory were not in the same part of the brain. I continued to scatter the dragon scales mechanically, partly because I was nervous and partly because I didn't want to see this scene.

"Cheer up, my child. As long as you're alive, that's the greatest happiness for your mother."

My mother seemed to notice my mood, gently pinching my cheek as she spoke.

"Yes."

I nodded, walking slowly into the Elf city. It didn't look very different from a Human city, with tall, majestic walls and thick, beast skin-covered gates. As we passed through the city gate, I even saw the holes where hot oil would be poured down during a siege. It seemed these holes had been used more than once.

Aren't Elves capable of magic? I looked at my hand, but couldn't sense any flowing magic.

We made our way through streets filled with cheering crowds, finally arriving at the palace at the heart of the city. It was a European-style palace, with no obvious Elf features. The Elves here seemed very close to Humans, even sharing the same civilization. The palace doors opened, and my mother and I entered on horseback. Inside, a huge garden led to a breathtaking lake at its center, surrounded by lush lawns. Swans groomed their feathers lazily in the middle of the lake. Past the garden was a huge square with a fountain in the middle. The ground was very flat, and even a galloping horse wouldn't kick up a single pebble.

Behind that lay the palace, so large we had to ride for a while to reach its end."My child, go in and rest for a while. You must be terrified. Just rest, don't worry about anything, with mom here, you don't have to worry about anything."

"But it's noon now..."

Mom and I dismounted, her body somewhat clumsy, so I carried her down. She held my hand tightly, looking like she wouldn't let me go anywhere else. Her blue eyes still reflected fear, and her hands trembled more than mine. She was more afraid than I was; she must have been even more terrified than me when I left and faced the land dragon.

"Would you like to go back with mom... go back with mom... Mom is scared, Mom is afraid for you..."

Her stunning face, which could carry a thousand emotions, trembled fiercely. I reluctantly nodded and walked hand-in-hand with her into the palace.

"Your Highness the Queen! Your Highness the Prince! Congratulations on your triumphant return!"

As soon as we entered, a startling yell came from inside, with a group of Elves kneeling on the floor, their right hands on their chests and bowing respectfully to welcome us. My mother smiled, walked up to them, and said, "Thank you, everyone, but after a tough battle, the Prince is exhausted. I hope you can put off talking with him for now. I believe he will be eager to share his story with you after he has rested."

Two maidservants promptly stood by my side and whispered, "Your Highness the Prince, please come this way."

"Ah... um..."

I followed the two maidservants as we slowly walked along the red carpet, glancing at the blooming flower beds, neatly manicured lawns, and low trees outside the window. This place shouldn't have been where I entered, but now everything here could be said to be mine.

The two maidservants followed me solemnly, one in front and one behind, their ears quivering rhythmically as they walked, making me want to touch them... but I thought it best not to be too impolite, so I resisted the urge.

I had to ask, was my room really this far away?! Couldn't they consider the stamina of someone who had just resurrected from the dead and ridden such a long distance?! I didn't feel tired when I woke up on the battlefield, nor did I feel tired on the way back, but I actually felt exhausted on the way to my room and even wanted to stop and rest...

"Your Highness the Prince, you rest first; we will take you to your bath soon."

The maid opened the door, bowed respectfully, and said. I nodded and entered my room. It was a huge room, with a frighteningly large bed on one side, above which was an enormous chandelier... however, there was no connection; it just floated in mid-air... The room was surrounded by decorations and had a fireplace. But the flame in the fireplace was blue.

I walked over curiously and touched the flame. It felt no different than touching the air, without any sensation. No, the flame already had a temperature, but this fire was the same temperature as the room. Actually, the room temperature was maintained constant because of the flame.

Interesting, this was like an air conditioner.

"What's wrong, do you feel hot?"

Suddenly, a lazy voice came from behind me, startling me almost enough to dive headfirst into the fire. I turned my head abruptly and saw a small but delicate doll-like face behind the bed curtain. Her eyes were a rare green color, but they maintained a sleepy laziness. The tips of her pointy ears twitched slightly; she lay on my bed, watching me lazily, and asked.

"Um... this is... my room, right?"

It's not possible that a maid in the palace would lead me the wrong way, is it?!

"Ah, yes."

She nonchalantly rolled over and said.

"So..."

"I enter your room every day anyway, is there a problem?"

Excuse me, who are you and why can you come and go freely in my room, but I don't even know you? She rolled over on my bed and then agilely rolled down to the floor, standing up. Her long skirt didn't hinder her flexibility at all. She came over to me, took my hand very skillfully, and looked up into my eyes with her green ones. The delicate, beautiful elf skin appeared before me, but her chest wasn't as magnificent as my mom's...

"Did you win?"

She looked at me, tilted her head, and asked.

"Ah... um... yes.""But, Ata... Trissi... Gaila... they didn't come back." She let go of my hand, lowered her head, and her voice was trembling. I was stunned, I had never heard these people's names, I had never seen these people. But why did my heart ache, and why did I feel humiliated?

"I'm sorry..." I lowered my head, clenched my fists, and whispered, "I'm sorry... I... we... we failed... everyone... everyone is gone... only I am left..."

Only I am left, everyone is dead... why... why... why do I, who is unrelated to this, feel the agonizing pain and despair? Why didn't I feel fear when my life was at stake, but now I want to burst into tears? Whose feelings are these, mine, or his?

The female Elf in front of me raised her head and looked at me. Her eyes flickered a few times, and then she gently reached out and hugged my waist. The faint fragrance of flowers bloomed in my arms, a small head leaned against my chest, and a pair of hands wrapped around my waist, conveying warmth with all their strength.

"It's okay, it's okay... as long as you're still here, I won't be alone..." Her head rested against my chest, her gentle and trembling voice passing through my chest and into my heart.

"Mm..."

The sudden tenderness broke my last line of defense, and I could feel a few tears slowly falling from my eyes. I silently hugged her, this girl I didn't know, feeling her small body and comforting warmth...

"Prince, please go take a bath."

What is your name, maid? You don't have to come tomorrow.