"Mmm..."

When Alusa woke, evening was near. She lay on her bed in the dim bedroom.

"You're awake."

A familiar voice came from beside her. She turned her head with effort. The black-haired boy sat on a chair, watching her. His dark eyes were like a deep starry sky.

"W-what happened to me?"

Alusa tried to sit up. Memories rushed back, but a sharp headache struck.

"The old lady said you collapsed from magic exhaustion," Albel said, helping her up. He blinked.

"Old lady?"

"The High Elder you mentioned."

"Oh... I remember now."

Fragments returned: the tree demon attack, the final moment. This boy had saved the village—and her.

"Thank you."

Alusa moved to kneel on the bed. Though elves rarely bowed to others, he deserved this gratitude.

"Hey, I didn’t save you just to watch you kneel."

Albel pressed her back down, exasperated. *Just marry me already. Why kneel?*

"I still owe you a debt I can’t repay," she murmured, lowering her lovely eyelids.

"Then marry me."

Albel grinned, blurting his thought aloud.

"Eh?"

Alusa snapped her head up, eyes wide.

"I said nothing. You heard nothing."

Albel waved his hands. *Damn it. I just met her. Using her life as leverage? I’d win her fairly.*

Alusa lowered her head, silent.

"Uh... I’ll tell the others you’re awake. Yeah."

Albel fled the room, flustered.

Alusa watched him go. A trace of a smile touched her sorrowful face.

"Al! You’re out! Is Alusa awake?"

Outside, Alicia played with the Fire Drake. Albel’s eye twitched. *I was fighting for my life while she messes around.*

"Yeah. She’s awake."

He nodded, hiding his disdain for this idiot Holy Maiden.

"Little Gray! Let’s see Alusa!"

Alicia hugged the flying Fire Drake and skipped toward the room.

"Little Gray?"

Albel frowned. Who was that?

"Her!" Alicia nodded at the Fire Drake in her arms, beaming.

*Sigh. I’ll inform the old lady instead.*

Albel sighed, watching them leave.

"Mr. Albel, you’ve come."

In the High Elder’s room, she sat on her bed. A young elf maiden attended her. Age had weakened her.

"Alusa woke up. I came to tell you."

Albel nodded. His way home depended on this elder. Activate the teleportation array, and he’d be free.

"Ria, help me up."

The elder ordered her attendant to rise. Albel wanted to stop her—she was frail—but stayed silent, following closely.

"I failed Alusa. Her parents died sealing the Aberration ten years ago. I raised her. She’s strong... took up guarding the forest. Kind-hearted, but too stubborn. It hurts her."

As they walked to Alusa’s room, the elder shared stories. Albel saw the elf girl anew—brave, resilient.

"High Elder! You came?"

Inside, Alicia held the Fire Drake, telling jokes. Alusa smiled, pure and unburdened.

Seeing the elder, Alusa tried to rise. "Stay," the elder said gently, shuffling to the bed.

"Alusa, you and Mr. Albel are heroes. This old bone came to see you."

She placed her wrinkled hand on Alusa’s. Her voice was warm.

"I’m the guardian of the Forbidden Forest. It’s my duty," Alusa insisted.

"This time, we survived by luck. But it won’t last. The tree demons will return. I’m old, yet I can still power the array. Send you young ones off the Lost Isle... then I’ll join my sisters in peace."

The elder sighed.

"No! Your body can’t take it!"

Alusa protested. She knew: if the array could run, they’d have used it during the attack. The elder meant to sacrifice herself.

"Child, there’s no other way. Mr. Albel wishes to leave too, doesn’t he?"

The elder glanced at Albel. Alicia had told her his story.

"But—"

Alusa hesitated. She couldn’t let the elder die. Yet Albel desperately wanted to go. If he demanded it, the elder would agree. She pleaded with her eyes, begging him to stay silent.

"Hold on. What *is* this Aberration? Why must you all flee?"

Albel was lost. The real threat was this "Aberration," right?

"The Aberration... it’s the corrupted soul of the Forbidden Forest. It threatened us centuries ago. Powerful high priests sealed it. But the seal broke ten years back. A human Holy Maiden passing by resealed it. Today’s attack... it fulfills the prophecy."

The elder’s voice grew distant, remembering the elves’ faded glory.

"Prophecy? What prophecy?"

Albel narrowed his eyes. Had today been foreseen? Alusa looked equally puzzled.

"The Holy Maiden left a warning: ‘In ten years, the Aberration awakens. The elf clan faces annihilation. If my quest succeeds, a savior will come.’"

"A human Holy Maiden’s prophecy?"

Albel blinked. That silver-haired girl he’d fought—she’d predicted this? And "savior"... was it him? What "quest" had she meant?

"Yes. She shone like a goddess. I’ll never forget her."

The elder nodded firmly.

"So the prophecy came true," Alusa whispered.

"Wow! The First Holy Maiden was amazing! I wish I were that strong!"

Alicia clapped, starry-eyed.

Albel shot her a look. *You? With that fake Holy Sword? Dream on.*

"Since the prophecy says so... I’ll save you."

Albel clapped his hands, drawing all eyes.

"But you already saved us," Alusa said softly. Without him, the elves would be gone.

"You. Holy Maiden. Stay away from her. You’re dragging her IQ down."

Albel flicked Alusa’s forehead. *Stupidity is contagious. Can’t she see the logic?*

"I get it! Al means he’ll stay to protect you! See? I’m smart!"

Alicia raised her hand like an eager student, grinning at Albel.

"You. Holy Maiden. Shut up."

Albel pointed at her, jaw tight. *If only I knew a silence spell.*

"Mr. Albel... can you reseal the Aberration?"

The elder asked cautiously. Sealing it was the only salvation she knew.

"Why seal it?"

Albel shrugged, unimpressed. "Whatever it is... just kill it."