A waterfall cascaded across the sky, plunging like a thousand silver rivers from the heavens. Emerald vines wove themselves around a golden palace, climbing its gleaming pillars that rose from the earth to hold up a structure brighter than the moon itself.

The celestial river flowed beneath stars and moon so close they seemed within reach. Winged white steeds soared through the vast sky, while below, lush greenery spread endlessly. Rare beasts roamed freely, and vibrant plants swayed as if alive, playing with the forest dwellers.

Beneath this murmuring river of stars stood an ancient tree so colossal its crown vanished into the sky. Upon its branches rested a palace of golden wood, glowing like woven sunlight—as if the tree itself had borne this radiant fruit, cradled by its immense life force.

This impossible scene, ripped straight from a fairy tale, hung before Dilin’s eyes. He wanted to doubt it, but the thick, pulsing vitality in the air hammered home its reality.

“What the hell? Am I dreaming?!” Dilin blurted out a Blue Star curse, jaw slack as he stared, utterly dazed.

After spotting that suspicious flyer, he’d rushed straight to Coleman Forest after a hasty dinner. Barely stepping inside, he’d somehow… crossed over.

*What just happened?*

This wasn’t Coleman Forest. Dilin had never even been there, but he knew damn well it didn’t look like *this*. A trace of unease flickered in his chest—trapped in an unknown realm—but the serene harmony around him soothed his nerves. The dense life energy wrapped him in calm.

Before this ancient tree, Dilin felt like a mayfly facing a mountain. Compared to its grandeur, he barely registered as alive. He stood utterly out of place. Strange beasts ignored him completely, as if he were invisible—or simply unworthy of notice.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Your Highness~” A voice like sweet spring water pulled Dilin from his daze.

“Who?!” He instinctively gripped the Firearm on his back, whipping his head toward the girl who’d appeared beside him. His breath caught.

Her hair flowed like moonlit silk. Eyes like amethysts held gentle warmth. Moonlight bathed her porcelain skin. She wore a backless white gown, crystal heels revealing delicate toes. Silver strands framed her like a halo—pure, flawless.

Her radiance dimmed the moon itself, as if she alone lit the night. Only an Elf possessed such untouched, exotic beauty. Her pointed ears confirmed it.

*An Elf.*

Stunned by her breathtaking presence, Dilin’s gaze dipped instinctively toward her cleavage before he snapped it away, flushing with shame.

The Elf girl merely smiled sweetly, unfazed.

“...Y-you’re a Moon Elf?” Seeing her race, Dilin stepped back, Firearm still tight in his grip.

“Mhm. I serve the Elven Empress.” She didn’t flinch at his weapon, lips curling as if it were a child’s toy.

“Elven Empress? ...Why am I here?”

“Because you answered my mistress’s summons, Your Highness.” She tilted her head, silver locks spilling over her shoulder.

“You called me ‘Highness’?”

“Yes. Welcome home, Your Highness.”

“...I’m not your prince. This isn’t my home.” Dilin frowned.

“Oh, that?” She tapped her lips with a finger, smiling playfully. “Souls are magical like that sometimes. Who can say~?”

“What nonsense are you spouting...”

“You must be eager. Please, take my hand. It’s time to meet the almighty Elven Empress.” Seeing his confusion, she curtseyed gracefully, offering no further explanation.

“What Empress? I never wanted to meet her...”

“But you answered her call, didn’t you?”

“Answered? I don’t recall answering any—wait. That flyer. You sent it?” Dilin’s eyes narrowed.

“Exactly.” Her smile deepened.

“...” Dilin scanned the area wildly.

“Looking for something?”

“Where’s everyone else? I wasn’t the only one who got that flyer, right?”

“No one else. Only one flyer existed.”

“What?!” Dilin’s eyes widened.

*Damn it. Trapped.*

This wasn’t mass fraud—it was targeted bait.

“You were after me from the start?”

“Perhaps you simply assumed others received it too.”

“...”

“No need to fear me.”

*Who else should I fear?!*

Dilin already distrusted Elves. He doubted these pointy-eared beings held any goodwill toward humans.

“...I won’t ask anything else. Just tell me—does the money promised on that flyer still count?” Trapped or not, that fortune mattered most.

“Of course. Would the Elven Empress—your sister—lie to you?”

“...Fine. Show some goodwill. Put the payment where I can see it.”

“Gladly.” She snapped her fingers.

Mountains of gold coins erupted around them.

“Is this enough, Your Highness?”

“Enough?! I can’t breathe!” Dilin gasped, struggling to lift his head from the golden heap. The coins felt solid, heavy—real. Not a single clipped or shaved edge. Freshly minted.

“...Some magic trick?” He finally wriggled free, scowling.

“No trick. For beings like us, money is just... a number.” She clasped her hands behind her back, perfectly serious.

“A number... Heh. Nice way to put it.” Dilin shook coins from his clothes, tossing them aside without a glance. “Your ‘numbers’ buy human lives. Maybe lives are just numbers to you too.” His tone held bitter irony.

“You don’t seem to love money,” the Elf observed, watching him discard the gold. “Then why demand so much?”

“None of your business.” Dilin raised an eyebrow. “Just tell me—why did your mistress summon me? What does she want?”

“Frankly, I can’t fathom why she’d choose a talentless, crippled human like me.” He had no idea what an “Elven Empress” truly was, but her power was obvious—even her servant conjured gold effortlessly. Why pick *him*?

“Actually... how powerful is your ‘Elven Empress’? Stronger than the Moon Elf King?” Dilin asked casually.

“...” The Elf girl fell silent.

*Too stupid a question?*

Of course—the Moon Elf King ruled all Elves. She’d have to bow to him too.

“My apologies, Your Highness. This ‘Moon Elf King’ you mention—is he the one ruling the mortal realm?”

“Who else would it be?”

“Oh, I see~” She smiled enigmatically.

“You’re a Moon Elf too. You’d probably call him ‘King’ as well.”

“Call *him* King?” Her smile never wavered. “No. With his status? He’d never even see me. And if he did... he’d kneel and address me as his ancestor.”

“...Huh?!”