Chapter 53

Chapter 53
## Chapter 53

Elf (1)

The entire cathedral grounds were in a state of frantic activity from the early hours of the morning.

Nearly everyone was fully occupied with preparations to greet the incoming delegation from the Elven Kingdom.

“Look at how busy everyone is.”

The sole exception to this chaos was our group, tasked with securing the interior perimeter.

Lailyn, who was stationed alongside him to watch over the corridor leading to the teleportation array, offered a nod of concurrence to Heinrich’s casual observation.

“The decision came down so abruptly. Given the massive scale of this diplomatic visit, especially with High Elves personally taking part, the window between the initial agreement and their arrival was incredibly tight. It makes sense that the coordination is a bit messy.”

Just as she pointed out, a mere handful of days had passed since the partnership with the Elven Kingdom was finalized, and the entire operation was moving forward at a breakneck pace.

This wasn’t a timeline that could be forced through by one party alone.

It required both sides to be in complete alignment, pushing forward with maximum urgency.

‘It makes sense that the Church viewed tracking down the bloodline of the Immortal King as an emergency, but what exactly is driving the Elven Kingdom to move so desperately?’

The Holy See merely had to prepare a reception on their home turf, whereas the Elves were forced to make a journey across the vast ocean.

Crossing from one continent to another was never a simple endeavor.

The fact that they were rushing to this extent implied they were dealing with a crisis of their own…

‘Whatever their underlying motives might be, it does me no good to sit here and overanalyze it.’

For his own part, he was simply glad that receiving the intelligence ahead of schedule had granted him the necessary time to reinforce the protective barrier.

“Still, I can’t help but feel a little guilty that we’re just standing around while everyone else is running ragged.”

“There’s nothing to be done about that. This is the specific duty we were assigned.”

The rest of the personnel were entirely consumed by the welcoming arrangements.

In stark contrast to the external knight orders, who were currently occupied with tightening perimeter defenses and conducting extra patrols to prevent any unexpected disruptions, the Radiance Guardian remained focused strictly on their standard internal security rounds without any added chaos.

‘I heard that the Heresy Inquisitors have taken full responsibility for scanning the entry points into the heart of the cathedral.’

Naturally, the situation demanded a higher level of alertness than usual, but even with those considerations, their workload paled in comparison to what the other factions were enduring.

“Our real responsibilities will truly begin once the delegation is officially received. We won’t even have a moment to catch our breath after that, so you shouldn’t feel too bad about this brief lull.”

“Oh, no… It’s not that I was feeling down about it…”

As their conversation drifted, a procession of figures, guided by the Saintess, began making their way down from the far end of the corridor.

“The time is rapidly approaching. From this moment onward, we must maintain absolute focus to ensure not a single misstep occurs.”

“Understood.”

As the two of them squared their shoulders and fixed their attention ahead,

“Good morning! Lady Lailyn, Sir Heinrich. Are the two of you monitoring this sector today?”

The Saintess offered a bright, cheerful greeting, leading the line of officials trailing behind her.

“That is correct, Saintess. I assume you are on your way to receive the dignitaries from the Elven Kingdom?”

“Yes! A dispatch just reached us from the eastern sanctuary. They are scheduled to arrive here after passing through two additional transit gates.”

The individuals stationed here were thoroughly accustomed to the Saintess’s unique demeanor, so her casual approach didn’t surprise anyone.

Lailyn, returning the greeting smoothly and engaging in brief small talk, eventually took a step back and gestured toward the grand doors.

“In that case, time is of the essence. Had you better not hurry inside to the receiving chamber?”

“Ah! You make a good point. They should be clearing the first gate at any moment!”

The Saintess, nodding along as she prepared to head through the entrance, abruptly halted her steps and pivoted her gaze toward Heinrich.

She fell into a moment of deep contemplation, her eyes locked onto him with intense focus.

“…”

“…?”

An abrupt hush fell over the corridor.

Heinrich felt an awkward grin slip onto his face as the collective attention of the entire room shifted squarely onto him, leaving him entirely disoriented.

‘What is going on with her? Did I somehow neglect to show proper respect?’

He had lowered his head in a polite bow right alongside Lailyn when she first approached. Could she have missed it?

Just as he was debating whether he should offer another formal bow to clear the air,

“Sir Heinrich, I want you to accompany us.”

The Saintess spoke up without warning.

“Ah! To welcome the envoys from the Elven Kingdom. Don’t we require a pair of sentries to remain posted at this station?”

The surrounding officials flashed perplexed expressions at her rushed justification.

It was undeniably true that a pair of guards wasn’t strictly necessary to watch a single corridor at this very moment.

Furthermore, the entourage entering with her consisted of incredibly prominent figures.

Aside from the Saintess herself…

There were high-ranking clergy members, including Archbishop Latiaus, who had previously commanded the task force against the Immortal King, alongside elite holy knights, which included two full Paladins.

With a powerhouse group like that moving directly toward the chamber, the presence of one or two standard holy knights made little practical difference.

“Is there a particular justification for requesting his presence on this detail?”

However, protocol was protocol, regardless of practical utility.

Guards were stationed according to strict operational procedures.

If individual personnel began shifting security forces around based on personal whims, it could easily compromise the defensive grid and collapse established protocols.

It was vital to impress this reality upon the youthful Saintess.

The Saintess shifted uncomfortably, a rare sight for her, under the weighty gaze of Archbishop Latiaus’s inquiry.

Judging by the sudden tension in the air, she clearly recognized she had overstepped.

“Well… I simply believed it would be an excellent opportunity for Sir Heinrich to accumulate valuable experience.”

“While it is undeniable that Sir Heinrich Landguard possesses remarkable potential, the resources and backing the Church is already investing in him are quite substantial. There is no strict necessity to stretch protocols for this…”

Regardless of how impressively Heinrich had validated his reputation through his rapid development, displaying blatant favoritism risked breeding resentment among the ranks.

Granted, because the Main God Church was comprised of deeply committed faithful, the majority would look past it and accept the situation for an individual who exhibited an extraordinary abundance of holy power.

In truth, that exact trait was the primary reason Heinrich, despite being a relative newcomer, had secured widespread acknowledgment without facing significant friction.

Even so, human emotions were rarely dictated by pure logic alone.

It was entirely possible for someone to harbor feelings of inadequacy and develop a bitter grievance.

“Um…! It is difficult for me to articulate properly… but I simply feel a strong compulsion to ensure he is looked after. I find myself drawn to his potential, and I wish to guide his progress…”

The Saintess faltered over her words, searching desperately for a proper explanation.

The collective gaze of the room bounced back and forth between the Saintess and Heinrich.

“Hmm… If that is the nature of the situation…”

The Archbishop, pondering the matter for a brief moment, offered a slow nod of assent.

“If the circumstances dictate it, we shall acquiesce. You may proceed as you see fit.”

Naturally, there was no hint of personal bias reflecting in their expressions.

Archbishop Latiaus and the remaining leadership conceded with entirely solemn countenances.

“Given the adjustment, it appears you will be required to maintain this post unaccompanied for the time being. Will that prove manageable, Lady Lailyn Setri?”

“Yes! It will not be an issue whatsoever. Kindly leave the sector to me.”

The directive had originated from the Saintess, who stood as the closest mortal conduit to the Main God.

To put it another way, her impulses were widely understood to be heavily swayed by the divine intent of the Main God itself.

“Oh ho~ Word reached me that the Main God personally demonstrated favor toward him by delivering a divine sign during his investiture. Quite envious, truly. Tell me, lad, you wouldn’t happen to have an interest in shattering the skulls of heretical fiends, would you?”

A man bearing a sharp, terrifying countenance and cropped dark hair smirked as he addressed Heinrich.

This was none other than the commander of the Black Crescent Holy Knight Order, one of the pair of Paladins present, who poured his entire existence into hunting down dark mages and occult zealots.

“My understanding was that Sir Heinrich possesses no immediate desire to enlist in a specific holy knight order. However, should your perspectives shift down the road, bear in mind that our Silver Wing extends the primary invitation.”

Paladin Tuskin offered his own commentary from the side.

Heinrich found himself thoroughly overwhelmed by this sudden influx of attention from such towering figures.

While securing the goodwill of high-ranking leadership was certainly advantageous, it came with pressure.

‘Is the primary driver behind the Saintess’s amicable behavior toward me the subtle influence of the Main God?’

It was an undeniable fact that the Main God held an interest in his existence.

The deity had gone so far as to manifest that interest via a divine sign.

The current situation was likely a convergence of that divine alignment and the Saintess’s own natural disposition, which drawn her toward individuals radiating immense holy power.

Regardless of the mechanics behind it, the outcome worked heavily in his favor.

It provided immense utility in his current position.

“Hmm… Any further loitering will compromise our schedule. We must make haste to the chamber immediately.”

The assembled party, now including Heinrich, accelerated their pace toward the destination.

Most fortunately, they managed to avoid the embarrassing scenario of the visiting delegation arriving ahead of their hosts.

“The transport array is preparing to engage.”

Barely a minute following their entry into the chamber, the presiding high priest overseeing the mechanism issued the announcement.

“Phew~ That was an incredibly close call! Yet, through good fortune, our timing proved immaculate! Ahahaha…”

The Saintess let out a self-conscious laugh, subtly scanning the faces of those around her.

She seemed explicitly aware of her near-blunder and felt the embarrassment of it.

Wooong—

In that exact instant, a vibrant azure vortex began spinning and thrumming violently at the epicenter of the array.

A moment later,

Distinct shapes began stepping out from the swirling energy one after another.

The arriving party, numbering nearly twenty individuals, instantly fell into an organized formation the moment they cleared the boundary of the gate.

…These were Elves, a race he had never once encountered in person throughout his entire life.

They proceeded to march toward the waiting hosts, guided by the figure leading the vanguard.

“Greetings, distinguished delegates of the Elven Kingdom. It is our distinct honor to receive you within the halls of the Roselia Cathedral. I am Liesta Saint Hatianuss, serving as the Saintess of the Main God Church.”

Once the distance between them closed sufficiently, the Saintess glided forward, offering a warm and welcoming expression.

Her demeanor shifted into one of profound solemnity and poise, completely shedding her typical casual air to match the gravity of the diplomatic event.

“We express our deepest gratitude for this grand reception. I am Rapori Granwood, a High Elf representing the Elven Kingdom.”

The strikingly attractive male with shimmering, light blue hair at the front of the line pressed a palm against his sternum and bowed elegantly.

The remaining members of the delegation mirrored his respectful gesture perfectly.

With those formalities concluded, the Elven delegation officially crossed into the domain of the Roselia Cathedral.

—

A meeting space was rapidly put together owing to the profound urgency expressed by the Elven side.

The leadership of the Main God Church readily granted their petition for a formal audience to look into the crisis they were facing.

Heinrich secured a spot within the council chamber alongside the Elves, entirely courtesy of the Saintess’s direct intervention.

He took up a position directly behind the Saintess, Archbishop Latiaus, and the pair of Paladins, serving as part of their defensive escort.

Representing the Elven Kingdom alongside High Elf Rapori were two additional individuals, a male and a female.

These three clearly comprised the core leadership of the diplomatic mission.

‘This is truly a spectacular sight.’

Heinrich cast covert glances across the room from his vantage point behind the Saintess.

His primary focus of scrutiny was Rapori Granwood, the High Elf who possessed delicate, shoulder-length tresses of pale blue hair.

Flawless fair skin, an elegant and slender build, and elongated, pointed ears—he matched every textbook description perfectly.

The emerald sigil etched into his brow, which appeared to depict a sacred tree, was certainly distinctive, though not entirely shocking to witness.

The feature that genuinely arrested his attention was the man’s celestial eyes.

…They literally radiated light precisely like stars.

‘Incredible, his very pupils are shaped like stars. And they are pure gold.’

Set against deep sapphire irises, those golden, star-shaped pupils gleamed with the brilliance of the morning star piercing through a dawn sky.

‘The remaining Elves possess entirely standard eyes, meaning this isn’t a baseline trait of their entire race. Is it the definitive hallmark of a High Elf? Would it be considered a breach of etiquette to ask?’

While he was caught up in his internal monologue, stolen glances continuing,

“It appears my eyes have captured your fascination.”

Heinrich gave a sudden flinch at Rapori’s abrupt remark.

It could spark a minor diplomatic incident if the envoy interpreted his staring as basic rudeness.

However, the high elf’s comment hadn’t been aimed at Heinrich at all.

“Ahem… Please accept my apologies if my scrutiny caused any discomfort. Your eyes are uniquely magnificent. I found myself staring entirely without thinking because they mirror stars blazing in the night sky.”

The Saintess cleared her throat softly, attempting to smooth over her own lapse in composure.

…It turned out she, too, had been completely mesmerized by Rapori’s gaze.

“There is no need for apologies. It is a topic that requires addressing regardless. These eyes serve as the definitive sigil of a High Elf.”

‘I knew it!’

Heinrich, immensely relieved to have his internal question answered, focused his absolute attention on the envoy’s explanation.

“I began my life as an entirely commonplace Elf. It was only after being chosen by the World Tree and undergoing awakening that I was elevated to the status of a High Elf.”

The High Elves essentially functioned as a specialized tier of priesthood.

They served as the living conduit bridging the common Elven populace and the World Tree, which stood as the supreme focal point of their societal faith.

“Individuals of the High Elf lineage are exceptionally rare among our people. The pool of candidates possessing the latent compatibility to transition into a High Elf is incredibly narrow. We typically see a mere two or three manifest in the span of an entire generation.”

Naturally, the definition of a generation for the immense lifespans of the Elves was vastly different from the human calendar.

Furthermore, possessing the latent talent didn’t guarantee ascension.

“Should an Elf endowed with the proper affinity mature and fulfill a precise set of criteria, they receive the calling of the World Tree, granting them the right to seek elevation.”

They would subsequently make a pilgrimage to the heart of the World Tree under its direct spiritual guidance, consume the sacred fruit it offered, and emerge fully awakened as a High Elf.

“In the current era, our numbers have dwindled to fewer than ten living High Elves. Compounding the issue, the vast majority have reached advanced ages, leaving our society in desperate need of a new awakening.”

Reading between the lines of his phrasing, it felt highly probable that the true number was significantly lower than ten.

Even while seeking an alliance with the Main God Church, they couldn’t risk exposing the full vulnerability of their numbers.

“However, a short while ago, a divine decree emanated from the World Tree. A youth possessing the flawless compatibility to ascend as a High Elf has been identified right here on the Ion Continent.”

While the overwhelming majority of non-human populations had migrated over to the Enamel Continent generations ago, a fair number of enclaves still persisted across the Ion Continent.

It appeared a descendant from one of those lingering groups had manifested the rare affinity.

Yet, the circumstances clearly prevented this individual from reaching the sanctuary of the World Tree independently.

“…The youth was intercepted by predatory slave traders and subsequently sold off to dark mages to be utilized as a ritual offering. While the handoff occurred only recently, every passing second introduces immense peril, demanding that we initiate an immediate and comprehensive manhunt.”

The divine omens channeled through the World Tree possessed inherent limitations regarding granular details.

Because of this gap, they required the immense, continent-spanning intelligence network maintained by the Holy See.

“We require the most specific parameters your network can uncover. Pinpointing an exact location is paramount, alongside any data regarding the individual’s physical markers. Even a thorough breakdown of the immediate topography would assist our efforts.”

Archbishop Latiaus, who had remained silent alongside the Saintess throughout the briefing, finally chimed in.

“…Our initial intelligence confirmed the slave traders were transporting the target toward a sector deep within the northern mountains. Following the transaction with the dark mages, they appeared to employ some manner of obscuring sorcery, preventing us from locking down the exact coordinates.”

“The northern mountains represent an immense territory. In practical terms, a massive portion of the upper Ion Continent comprises that exact mountain range. Are there no secondary identifiers available?”

“In terms of baseline appearance, the target is indistinguishable from a standard Elf due to lacking the final awakening. Physical development mirrors a human youth in their mid-teens, characterized by pale green tresses and striking orange eyes.”

‘Wait, what?’

“Understood. We shall mobilize the Church’s intelligence apparatus to its absolute limits. Might we inquire as to the individual’s given name?”

“Cecily. Time is our greatest adversary, so we implore you to locate her with all deliberate speed. We cannot foresee when the worst might occur. Our own forces will naturally assist in the search efforts…”

‘Hold on… Could it really be…?’

The assembly continued hashing out the logistics of the cooperative search, but the remaining conversation faded into background noise for him.

—

“Bwahahaha! Now this is quite the predicament!”

Harley let out a boisterous laugh, reaching up to vigorously scratch the back of his skull—or rather, the dense fur of his black panther head.

“So, my little lady. What do they call you?”

He pitched his voice as softly as possible, straining to project the most harmless and non-threatening grin he could manage.

Regrettably, the effect was entirely undermined by the sheer volume of fresh blood coating his facial features, making him look utterly monstrous.

“C-Cecily… My name is Cecily.”

A young Elf girl with distinct, pale green hair and vivid orange eyes stared back.

It appeared Harley had managed to stumble upon her first.