The next morning.

Inside a guest room in the elven village.

“No, no, and no! Not even if you kill me!”

Alicia shook her head wildly like a rattle when Albel suggested taking her to hunt the Aberrant. Her refusal was absolute.

“But without you, I can’t summon Levatin—or slay the Aberrant,” Albel said, spreading his hands. Though the Demon Sword Laevatein could annihilate any foe, it had one fatal flaw: it demanded the kiss of a beautiful maiden as sacrifice.

“No.”

Alicia turned her head away. The terror from yesterday still haunted her. And that Aberrant was a twenty-star ancient beast—she was only seven stars. Going would be suicide.

“How will we get home if you refuse?”

Albel knew the Holy Maiden longed to return. He dangled the promise, though he had no real plan to send them back even after defeating the Aberrant.

“You’d just make me your sex slave back home. I’m fine staying here.” Alicia shot him a glare. *You confessed last night—you think I’m stupid?*

“I told you that was a lie! How could I possibly waste someone as lovely as you on that?”

“You only lie and bully me! After all I…” Alicia recalled her fleeting wish to marry him. A faint blush colored her cheeks as her voice trailed off.

“But if I fail to summon Levatin and defeat the Aberrant, this entire village—and you—will be destroyed.” Albel appealed to her sense of duty.

“Ask Alusa! This is her village’s fate—she’ll agree.”

“Sister, I’ve already made big promises last night. Please? My death won’t help you either.” Albel clasped his hands pleadingly.

“Then kiss me now. Take Levatin and go alone.” Alicia sat up straight, closed her eyes, and leaned forward, her lips offered. Her flushed cheeks made her unbearably cute.

*Pop.*

“But Levatin’s power fades quickly. A kiss now is useless.” Albel pecked her lips, then shrugged.

“You scoundrel! Taking advantage of me!” Humiliation burned through Alicia. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. *He knew it was pointless—just a hopeless pervert! Might as well die here.*

“I… couldn’t resist.” Albel chuckled awkwardly. *How could any man resist a maiden offering her lips?*

“This is non-negotiable. A Holy Maiden’s word is law—I’m not going.” Alicia turned her back when the pillow missed.

“Sigh… If you refuse, I’ll have to force you.” Albel feigned distress, heaving a heavy sigh.

“Hmph. Try tying me up then.” Alicia scoffed. *He can’t be targeted or harmed—but if I don’t attack him, he can’t touch me. Brilliant!* She felt smug, as if she’d outsmarted him.

“No need for that trouble.” Albel waved his hands.

“What’s your plan?” Alicia blinked, wary.

“I’ll just chop off your head and carry it there. Sound good?”

Ten minutes later.

“Please stay safe, Sir Albel, Holy Maiden Alicia.” At the village gate, Elder Alusa and a dozen surviving elves saw them off.

“I’ll await your return.” Alusa waved, smiling.

“May the Forest Goddess bless these heroes’ safe homecoming.” The elves clasped their hands in prayer.

“Don’t worry—we’ll be back soon.” Albel smiled and turned to Alicia. “Right, Holy Maiden?”

“Mmm…” Alicia nodded miserably, fighting tears. *I absolutely won’t let him behead me.*

“Let’s go.” Albel took her hand and led her toward the depths of the Forbidden Forest.

“We’re almost there.” After an hour’s walk, they reached the marked fork. Turning left and ascending the mountain path would lead to the ancient ruins housing the Aberrant.

“I’m… so scared.” Alicia clutched her Fire Drake close, her voice trembling.

“Don’t fear. I’m here.” Albel gently ruffled her hair.

“That’s *why* I’m scared! You can’t be targeted—so all attacks will hit *me*!” She hugged the Fire Drake tighter.

“Don’t worry. I’ll end it the moment it appears.” Albel’s eye twitched. *For a girl with questionable smarts, she notices things I overlook.*

“I hope so.” Alicia remained unconvinced.

“Hey! We’re about to fight—don’t jinx us with a flag!” Albel flicked her forehead. *Can’t she stay quiet for once?*

“What’s a ‘flag’?” Alicia tilted her head.

“Uh… what *is* it?” Albel froze. The word had slipped out instinctively, yet he couldn’t recall its origin or spelling.

“Hmph.” Alicia pursed her lips, thinking he was hiding something.

Albel’s eyes narrowed. That unfamiliar term stirred memories—he was a transmigrator. This phrase must be from his past life.

*Who exactly was the First Holy Maiden?*

He could no longer clearly recall the silver-haired girl bathed in blinding light from ten years ago. How had she foreseen his arrival on this island? What connected them?

“Albel—we’re here.” Alicia tugged his sleeve. He snapped back to find himself before a ruined castle-like structure, its architecture utterly alien. Shattered walls suggested a cataclysmic explosion.

“No enemy presence…” Albel frowned. The ruins were eerily silent—no aura of a twenty-star monster, no swarms of Treants. Like a ghost town.

“Alicia. Ready?” He glanced at her trembling form.

“Ready for wha—mmph!” Before she could finish, Albel pulled her head down and kissed her.

“Cough… You could’ve warned me! I wasn’t prepared…” Alicia covered her mouth, glaring.

“No time. Look.” Albel pointed at Treants gathering ahead. Raising his right hand, he roared:

“By the kiss of a maiden, I summon the Demon Sword Laevatein!”

A pitch-black blade wreathed in crimson light materialized from the void, settling into his grip. A single swing tore the air itself.

“Stay back. I’ll end this quickly.” Albel stepped forward, Levatin gleaming.

“Mhm! Mhm!” Alicia drew her Holy Sword, gripping it with both hands. Though far weaker than Albel, she’d fight too. The Fire Drake perched atop her head.

“Ragnarok.”

Albel swung Levatin without hesitation. A crimson slash ripped through the Treant horde before they could close in—obliterating them in an instant.

“Let’s go.” He exhaled, turning to Alicia.

“O-okay.” Alicia had braced for attack, but the battle ended before it began. Even after witnessing it multiple times, Albel’s “Ragnarok” still stole her breath.

*Invincible.*

That single word defined his back as he walked ahead.

With the Treants gone, the ruins fell utterly still. No more enemies emerged. Albel shielded Alicia as they navigated the rubble. The forest’s master surely awaited them at the path’s end.

Deep within the ruins stood a stone altar, identical to those in the elven village. Thick jungle surrounded it—the Aberrant likely lurked within.

Albel motioned for Alicia to wait while he investigated the altar. The beast might require a trigger to appear.

“What… is this?” At the altar’s center lay an irregular, fist-sized emerald stone. Verdant veins pulsed across its surface.

“Aberrant Core?” Albel picked it up. Information flooded his mind:

*Aberrant Core. Dropped by the deep-forest Aberrant. Can temper weapons.*

Disbelief struck him. *Why is this here? Was the Aberrant already slain?* He checked the drop date—and froze.

*Dark Era, Year 208.*

This core had fallen… ten years ago.

“How… is this possible?!” Albel’s eyes widened. *Was the Aberrant destroyed a decade ago?!*