“…The door won’t open.” Raphael hunched like a turtle, peeking back at the two behind him.

He followed his faded memories, leading Eli and Edlyn through a maze like tangled roots, to a conical black structure at the center.

He tried elf secrets and a dozen tricks. The cone stayed asleep, stone-cold and unblinking.

The black shell was etched with cramped patterns, a web like frost on glass.

Every line fed into a door on the left, all threads blooming out of a red crystal.

Eli pressed a palm to his brow, let out a sigh. “So it comes to this?”

His gut had warned him. Nothing ever goes smooth as still water.

Edlyn folded her arms and shook her head, like a willow refusing the wind.

High above, near where they’d stood before, the Elf Queen planted her staff and watched the three at the center like a hawk.

“Are you truly the ones?” She sighed. “Imagine it. I, the leader of the Elf Race, opening our greatest secret to outsiders.”

She tapped the staff’s butt against the earth, a soft thud like a heartbeat.

A red stream—same hue as the crystal—raced along the ground toward Eli and the others, quick as flowing fire.

“How about you put some blood on it?” Eli eyed the red crystal set in the door’s heart.

“Uh? That’s… not good. I’m already extremely low on blood.” Raphael pulled a bitter face.

“Shut it. Do it.” Edlyn shot him a glare, then softened her tone. “Just a prick. A fingertip. That’s enough.”

“Really…?” Raphael went pale.

Eli stepped in with a razor smile. “Keep whining, and who knows how much we’ll take.”

“All right, all right. You’re demons.” Raphael groaned.

A thin thread of blade‑qi flicked from Eli’s fingertip. He nicked Raphael’s index finger, then pressed it to the crystal.

Of course, nothing happened. The stone was a dead moon.

The moment Eli let go and both stepped back, the Queen’s red energy slipped past their sight like a fox in reeds.

It struck and clung to the crystal, swift as lightning.

The crystal suddenly blazed red, a sunrise in stone.

Eli and Edlyn traded a bright look. “It worked!”

Raphael pouted. “It actually worked.”

He didn’t remember it needing elf blood. What kind of nonsense was this?

He’d only done it to prove to those two outsiders that he was right. And now—what a mess.

From above, Her Majesty smiled. “You want the primer for the Holy Sword’s raw material. I can give you that, new Hero. Can you keep my Elf Race safe?”

Eli’s steps faltered. Confusion rippled through him like wind over water.

What’s this? An echo in my head?

He frowned. Impossible. A Sacred Rank on the cusp of Divinity doesn’t mishear—unless death is near.

He scanned the space like a hunter. Then he spotted the Queen standing not far off.

Eli shrugged and offered a sheepish smile.

Sure enough. In another’s most secret place, only a fool expects a road without thorns.

If it were that easy, the Elf Race would’ve vanished long ago.

(laughs)

He gathered his focus and sent his voice on a thread of magic to the Queen.

“Your Majesty, how did…”

How did you know I’m a Hero?

How did you know what I seek?

How did you know I’d be here?

Why help me?

If someone like Raphael did this, it’d be treason.

You’re a queen—why take that risk?

He had too many questions, a storm beating at the dam.

She only watched him with a gentle smile. “You look exactly like that faithless man. How could I forget?”

Eli blinked, then gave a wry smile. “May I ask Your Majesty’s name?”

“Heh, you even forgot my name. I introduced my dearest sister to you.” Her voice drifted like mist.

“Uh… this… that…” Eli grimaced.

“My name is Elavis. My best sister is Icarina. Faithless man, carve it into your heart now.”

“Ica… rina.” Eli froze. The girl from Birand’s memories—there she was, a shadow made flesh.

“I…” Pain tightened his brow like a knot.

Edlyn noticed the change, frowned, and searched his face. “What’s wrong?”

Eli stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. He drew a slow breath. “It’s fine.”

“Mm?”

The Queen smiled, this time speaking aloud, voice ringing like a bell. “He’s the same rascal as ever. A pity.”

She shook her head, a willow in wind. “I hope you can do it.”

Her figure vanished midair, like dew at dawn.

………………………………………………………………………………

As Eli and the others passed through the door, deeper into the heart—

Inside, Anna checked her pocket watch, voice cool and counting. “Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”

Boom.

The conical building shuddered like an earthquake waking the bones of the earth.

Red light bled from its lines, a net igniting, then the whole structure sank into the ground like a sinking star.

Anna smiled. “Next, it’s time for… them… to take the stage.”

Eli took Edlyn’s hand and descended step by step, calm as night. Raphael still led, a reluctant guide.

He only knew the Tree of Life was here. He’d been born here, stepping out into the world from this place.

Now, asked to guide, he didn’t know which way to turn. He could only walk ahead, resigned as a man facing rain.

Suddenly, a heavy strike landed at the back of his neck. His eyes rolled. He collapsed, breath gone.

Eli stared at the woman who appeared before him, shock rising like a wave. He frowned, about to speak.

She flicked her fingers.

Space slipped from his control, like a rug yanked from under his feet.

While he and Edlyn were frozen, Yiyi was ripped out of Eli’s body in a clean pull.

The three stared at each other, mouths open, silence loud as thunder.

Yiyi rubbed her sore backside, glared at Eli with stormy eyes. “Main body, why so rough this time?”

Edlyn’s brows pinched. She pulled her hand from Eli’s grip, voice sharp as a blade. “What’s going on, you rotten Hero? Who is she? Why did she crawl out of you?!”

Eli’s mouth twitched. “I—she—you—I—ahhh.”

Yiyi’s eyes lit with mischief. She glanced at Edlyn, then faced Eli and mimed wiping tears that weren’t there, voice dripping grief.

“Wuu wuu, you brute. You forced me, then locked me away. Wuu wuu, I’m so pitiful~”

“What’s going on!” Edlyn’s glare could cut stone.

Eli looked between the two, his head swelling like a drum. He snapped his gaze to the culprit.

“Who are you! What did you do!”

Anna kept her warm smile. “Ol— cough. Nothing serious. Hello, Mr. Eli Aestor.”

“Who are you?” Edlyn’s alertness flared, a cat with its back up.

For now, Eli could wait.

Yiyi stood, eyes matching Eli’s sharpness. “Speak. Who are you? How do you know the name of my original?”

“Please, everyone, calm down.” Anna smiled like spring light. “I’m here to help.”

“According to the timeline Dad gave me, these things happen now. So I came.”

“Who exactly are you?”

“Remember this, Eli Aestor.” Anna’s tone tightened, her brow creasing. “The World Tree is your life’s turning point. It decides whether you’re a Hero, or… a Hero.”

Damn it. What exactly had Dad told her to say?

She’d almost forgotten.

Whatever. Let it ride.

Anna shrugged.

“What do you mean?” Eli’s voice steadied, iron under silk.

“I’ve delivered the words.” Anna pouted, then smiled. “Good luck. You’re on your own.”

What if Dad at this time doesn’t believe me?

She bounced to Eli, light as a sparrow. While the three froze again, she hooked an arm around his neck.

She leaned to his ear, voice a whisper only he could hear. “Hey, Dad, remember—your first daughter’s name has to be Anna~”

Eli stared, shock thick as fog. He saw it now—this girl looked so much like Edlyn.

Anna hopped back, flashed into the air, gave them a bright smile.

Then she dissolved into a cloud of butterflies, scattering like petals. Gone.

“Uh…” Eli stood stunned, words stuck like thorns.

Behind him, two murderous auras swelled like storm fronts. He knew he was in for it.

“Uh, you two… ah… listen to me. Actually, she is me—”

“What? Spare me. I don’t care about her. Tell me who this one is!” Edlyn arched a brow at Yiyi.

Yiyi shrugged, eyes sharp. “Main body! Who’s that girl you were hugging?!”

They shouted almost in unison, voices crossing like blades.

Eli’s head throbbed. He pasted on a placating smile. “Please, let me explain~”

…………………………

By the tree, Anna stretched like a cat. “Eh. Mission complete. I’ll keep this old guy locked for now.”

“When Dad and Mom finish their business, I’ll let him out.”

“Second Mom, this place is also your best moment to change.” Her pretty eyes shone.

She looked down at the three arguing below and smiled, bright as sunlight through leaves.