"It's you."

"Me?"

Wenwu looked at Silver in astonishment, hoping for answers about things he didn't know. But all he received was a questioning gaze from Silver.

"Master, when did you get involved with the Elvenfolk?" Silver asked.

How could he know something even Silver didn't? Faced with the question, Wenwu could only shake his head. Had his past self really had some... entanglement with the Elf Queen?

"Lord Wenwu, have you forgotten?"

When the Elf Queen used those two honorifics—"Lord" and "you"—the surrounding elves showed clear surprise. Wenwu realized he must have dealt with the Elvenfolk before.

"Well... Your Majesty, I lost my memory recently. I truly can't recall past events..."

"Amnesia... I see. A hundred years ago, shortly after Luna was born, she was stolen by cunning humans. I didn't notify anyone to save time. I tracked them alone. But they moved too fast—I couldn't catch them no matter how hard I chased. Just as I was exhausted and nearly desperate, a man appeared before me, holding Luna."

"Could it be me?" Wenwu murmured, understanding dawning.

"Indeed. I kept this secret to avoid causing a stir among my people."

"Hey, hey, Master! A hundred years ago? Are you kidding? Aren't you human?" Silver whispered.

"Silver, when did you start following me?"

"Hmm... about three years ago. But honestly, Master, your appearance hasn't changed at all in that time. Could you really not be human?"

Wenwu had no reply. He knew too little about this world.

"Your Majesty, could you have mistaken me for someone else?" After hearing her story, Wenwu found it fantastical. A hundred-year-old event couldn't involve him—unless Silver was right, and he wasn't human.

"No. I wouldn't mistake someone with such a vast source of Essence Energy." The Elf Queen stated the decisive proof.

"This..." Wenwu began doubting his own species.

"Whether you remember or not, you saved Luna twice—that's undeniable. As Elf Queen, I thank you for your contributions to the Elvenfolk. Will you honor us by visiting our village tonight? Experience true Elven hospitality."

Wenwu couldn't refuse the invitation. But he worried about completing Desmona's task.

He followed the Elf Queen back to the village. Under her guidance, he toured the Elven settlement and learned their ways.

"Your Majesty, was I truly the one who saved Princess Luna a century ago?" Wenwu still struggled to believe it. How could a human live so long without aging?

"Your amnesia is quite thorough." The Elf Queen chuckled softly. Her smile was breathtakingly beautiful, leaving Wenwu momentarily entranced. "Because you possess immense Essence Energy," she continued.

"I know Essence Energy prolongs life. But can it grant immortality?"

"Ordinarily, no. But you're different. Your vast Essence Energy maintains your body's youth. Simply put, production far exceeds consumption."

"So I'll never die?"

"No. All things must die; it's just not your time yet. Like stars in the sky—even the brightest fade someday. It's merely a matter of time." Wenwu felt she was preaching like an old monk.

After a day of strolling and chatting, night fell over the land.

"Mommy, Mommy! The bonfire festival has started!" Elf Princess Luna flapped her wings excitedly, landing beside the Elf Queen.

"Lord Wenwu, let's go. Experience elven life."

Elves danced and sang around the bonfire, playing unfamiliar instruments with melodies Wenwu had never heard. Seeing the Elf Queen and Wenwu arrive, female elves invited him to dance; males offered drinks. Wenwu couldn't dance or drink well, so he politely declined. Meanwhile, Silver devoured strange fruits, too busy to notice Wenwu.

"Lord Wenwu, thank you for saving my daughter Luna twice. As a mother, I toast to you."

"Your Majesty, you don't handle alcohol well. It's better not to drink..." Kaelborn advised from nearby.

"No. I must toast this time. I'll drink first." Ignoring him, the Elf Queen drained her cup.

Since she'd spoken so earnestly, refusing would seem rude. Wenwu raised his cup and drank it all.

"Master, Elven wine is different. Don't get drunk," Silver warned between bites of fruit. Wenwu felt no discomfort—alcohol affected people differently—so he didn't worry.

"Lord Wenwu, I wish to speak privately. May I have a word alone?" the Elf Queen asked.

"Of course."

Wenwu followed her to a quiet spot. The wine had flushed her cheeks. She nearly stumbled, but Wenwu caught her swiftly. Her lingering fragrance haunted his senses. No wonder Kaelborn had advised against drinking—she truly couldn't hold her liquor.

At that moment, Wenwu anticipated what might happen next.

"Lord Wenwu, I..."