"Go on~"
The Elven Queen's fingertip brushed gently across Kurose Akira's cheek, a soft gesture of encouragement urging him forward—into the depths of the World Tree.
"…Alright."
Kurose Akira gave a slight nod, then turned to Lucia and the others.
"Wait here for me. I'll be back soon."
"Mm."
Lucia nodded calmly. Yet beneath the veil, her golden-red eyes remained fixed on the Elven Queen.
Because what she was witnessing… was almost impossible to believe.
The Elven Queen had just allowed Kurose Akira to enter the World Tree.
A place that was forbidden—
Even to elves themselves.
And yet now…
He had become an exception?
It made her wonder—
What exactly was the relationship between her Guild Master… and the Elven Queen?
Was it truly just employer and adventurer?
Or was there… something more hidden between them?
After giving his brief instruction, Kurose Akira turned and strode into the portal without hesitation.
The moment he vanished—
The Elven Queen's gaze shifted toward Lucia. As a demigod, she could naturally sense the scrutiny directed at her.
With a gentle smile, she spoke,
"Lady Lucia, there is something I wish to discuss with you. Would you grant me a moment?"
Lucia hesitated briefly—
Then nodded.
"…Very well."
...
The moment Kurose Akira stepped through the portal—
The world around him shifted instantly.
But strangely—
This was not the same place he had visited in his dreams before.
Instead, it was a peculiar space.
Beneath his feet stretched a vast azure sky—
While above his head shimmered a fantastical, multicolored dreamscape.
Kurose Akira couldn't help but feel puzzled, deeply astonished by the inner world of the World Tree.
"You've arrived."
A voice came from behind him.
He turned.
There stood a petite girl with long emerald-green hair cascading down her back.
Her clear, watery eyes held no visible emotion as they fixed unwaveringly on his.
"Senior World Tree."
Kurose Akira greeted her politely.
After all—
She was the World Tree itself.
An existence even older than the Elven Queen.
Calling her "senior" might already be elevating his own standing.
"Senior?"
The girl glanced at him indifferently.
"Then I suppose I'll call you junior. Junior Kurose Akira."
Kurose Akira didn't waste time.
"The Queen said you've discovered the reason the undead army suddenly appeared within the Elven Kingdom. She sent me to ask you directly."
"More or less."
The green-haired girl gave a slight nod.
"They entered through an ancient ritual."
"An ancient ritual?"
"Yes. A spatial magic ritual that existed only ten thousand years ago. It appeared only once."
She continued calmly,
"It ignores all rule-bound forces. As long as the price is paid, one can arrive directly at the desired destination."
Her explanation made Kurose Akira's expression turn grave.
"Ignores all rules… That's bad."
"Very bad," she agreed. "If they fully master it, even millions of undead appearing within the Elven Kingdom would not be impossible."
"Millions…?"
Kurose Akira was shaken again.
Even the Adventurers' Guild teleportation arrays could only transport fewer than ten people at a time—and were restricted by spatial limitations.
Yet this ritual—
Was completely absurd.
No wonder even the World Tree's protection could be bypassed.
"But…"
Kurose Akira frowned.
"Is this the work of the Undead Lord? Or the Orc Kingdom backing them?"
"Neither."
The girl shook her head, her tone growing more serious.
"The one behind this… is someone like you."
"A Guild Master of an Adventurer's Guild."
"…A player."
In that instant, everything clicked into place.
No wonder the Elven Queen had sent him here.
"I've already located their position," the girl continued, looking up at him. "Can I entrust this to you?"
"…Leave it to me."
Kurose Akira nodded without hesitation.
"Good. Tinas didn't misjudge you."
A satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
She stepped back, raising her delicate hand.
A multicolored elven fruit materialized in her palm.
The moment Kurose Akira saw it—
His eyes lit up.
The once pitch-black Dark Elf Fruit had undergone a complete transformation in just a few days.
"It should have taken two or three more days," she explained softly. "But Tinas infused a trace of her life essence into it. That allowed it to mature early."
Then she said,
"Extend your right hand. I need you to form a contract with me."
"A contract?"
"Of course."
Her expression turned serious.
"They are all my children. I have a responsibility to protect them."
"To ensure nothing happens that would anger me… you must form a contract. Only then will I entrust her to you."
"…Alright."
After a brief moment of thought, Kurose Akira agreed.
With a slight lift of her finger—
Lines of emerald magic formed before his eyes, weaving into text.
As he read the contents—
His brows relaxed instantly.
[1: You must not abuse elves.][2: You must not abandon elves.][3: You must not make elves cry.]
Simple.
But sincere.
"I'll abide by every rule in this contract."
A grin spread across Kurose Akira's face as he raised his hand to sign.
At that moment—
The girl's voice turned cold.
"If you dare mistreat my children… I will repay you a hundredfold, in the same way."
"…?"
Kurose Akira raised an eyebrow.
That almost sounded like a bonus.
He smirked.
"Then you'd better keep your word."
With that, he signed.
The moment the contract was complete—
A burst of emerald light flared.
The text shattered into particles and vanished—
Only to reappear as a glowing imprint between the girl's collarbones.
The sight naturally drew Kurose Akira's gaze.
That flawless collarbone—
Illuminated by flowing jade light—
Was breathtaking.
"…What are you looking at?"
The girl frowned slightly.
"The branches."
Kurose Akira shrugged casually, then added,
"Since the contract's done… can we proceed?"
"You're quite impatient."
She rolled her eyes, then lightly tossed the elven fruit into the air.
In an instant—
Radiant, multicolored light burst forth.
The dazzling spectacle was mesmerizing.
He could even hear a faint, ethereal song—like a distant echo of celebration—
Reminiscent of the day the Elven Queen had awakened.
Under his gaze—
The fruit gradually transformed.
Taking the shape of a woman.
The first thing that emerged—
Was the outline of the Elven Queen's graceful, voluptuous figure.
Even in silhouette—
It was enough to stir something deep within.
"So elves are born fully grown from these fruits?"
Kurose Akira was surprised.
He had expected a child form.
"Ordinarily, yes," the girl replied. "But Tinas is… special. So she can manifest directly in an adult form."
"I see…"
He nodded slowly, though his gaze never left the forming figure.
"Of course," she added casually, "if you'd prefer her in a younger form, I could—"
"No need! Absolutely not!"
Kurose Akira waved his hands immediately.
That thought alone was—
Best not pursued.
As the light faded—
The Elven Queen's breathtaking beauty was revealed.
But—
Something was different.
This was not the High Elf Queen.
It was…
A Dark Elf Queen.
Jet-black hair flowed like ink, paired with dark golden eyes that carried a seductive allure absent from her usual form.
Of course—
Compared to that—
Kurose Akira found himself far more drawn to her completely exposed form.
"Pervert."
The green-haired girl shot him a cold glance.
With a flick of her hand—
Clothing appeared on the Dark Elf Queen.
The outfit resembled the Queen's silver gown, though simpler, lacking certain regal embellishments.
"…I…"
The Dark Elf Queen's eyes slowly moved.
The emptiness within them began to fill with light.
Her gaze immediately locked onto Kurose Akira—
Filled with complex emotion.
"Tinas."
The World Tree stepped forward.
"As per your agreement with Kurose Akira, from this moment on, you belong to him. Do you object?"
"…."
The Dark Elf Queen did not answer immediately.
Her eyes remained fixed on him.
She had never imagined—
That she would one day become his servant.
After a long silence—
She finally spoke.
"…I accept."
"Good."
The World Tree produced a leaf—
But unlike any other, it was tinged with a soft pink hue.
She handed it over.
"Consume this. From now on, you will remain by his side. But remember—no matter where you go, you are still part of the elven race. This will always be your home."
"…Yes."
The Dark Elf Queen nodded.
She parted her lips—
And placed the leaf inside.
In an instant—
It dissolved into green light, flowing into her body.
The light circulated—
Before settling at her forehead, forming a leaf-shaped mark.
Kurose Akira watched everything unfold, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
And somehow—
The word forever in that vow…
Felt unexpectedly warm.
"…Haa…"
The Dark Elf Queen exhaled softly.
Then—
Her dark golden eyes turned toward him.
After a long hesitation—
She spoke in a quiet voice.
"Master."
That single word—
Sent a shiver through Kurose Akira's body.
The sensation was almost intoxicating.
Like a distant, untouchable dream—
Suddenly kneeling before him.
"…Cough."
He rubbed his nose, cutting off his wandering thoughts, and opened her status panel.
[Dark Elf Queen (Mythical)]Level: 69 (0/48300)Race: ElfStrength: 2185 / Agility: 1986 / Magic: 9999 / Constitution: 2564Growth: 15 (Each level grants +15 to all attributes)Skills: (Expand)Traits: [Sacred][Pure Love][Kindness][Benevolence][Affection][Tolerance][?][Corruption]
"…?"
His pupils shrank instantly.
9999 Magic?
Had it already hit the cap?
And Level 69—
She had instantly become the strongest unit in his guild.
"…Are you smiling?"
The World Tree suddenly appeared beside him, tilting her head up.
"…Me?"
Kurose Akira blinked, then realized the grin he couldn't suppress.
"Of course I am," he said with a laugh. "No one can resist the joy of having an Elven Queen."
"…."
She shot him a flat look.
"Since you're so pleased, I assume you're confident about the next task."
"…Cough."
He cleared his throat, forcing himself back to seriousness.
"I'll do my best."
"I can only roughly pinpoint the enemy guild's location," she said. "And it's a place elves cannot enter."
"So this falls entirely to you."
"Leave it to me."
Kurose Akira nodded.
Perfect timing—
He could test the Dark Elf Queen's strength firsthand.
The World Tree said nothing more.
With a glance—
She opened a portal and sent them both away.
...
When Kurose Akira returned—
He was startled to find night had already fallen.
The guild members who should have been waiting were gone.
Only the Elven Queen remained.
"You're back~"
Her gentle voice echoed as she walked toward him.
"Your Majesty, where is everyone?"
"They've been arranged by Elena to stay within the palace," she said with a soft smile.
"And I…"
Her gaze drifted to the Dark Elf Queen standing behind him.
"I have something I wish to discuss with you. Alone."