Memories of the First Lifetime
As I walked along the narrow path leading out of the Elf's Forest, I kept checking my physical condition. My body had completely transformed since last night. Every single muscle felt alive, pulsing with vitality, and my wounds had healed without leaving so much as a scar. In particular, the deep axe gash on my left arm was now covered in skin as smooth and soft as a newborn's.
"Incredible..." I muttered.
Walking beside me, Isilia let out a soft laugh. Her pale golden hair caught the morning sun, shimmering with a faint, emerald hue.
"If you ask me, I think the heavens are blessing us for finding each other again in this lifetime."
"Is that how it works...?"
"Isilia, to be honest, I'm still a bit confused. You say we were husband and wife in our past lives, but my memories... they aren't coming back clearly."
Isilia stopped in her tracks and looked up at me. Her pointed elven ears twitched slightly. She hesitated for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before she spoke.
"...It's okay. I'm just glad I was the one to find you first in this life. We can take our time and recover your memories together. I'll be right by your side."
She clung to my arm, pressing her body close to mine. I could feel the soft, yielding sensation of her ample breasts against my forearm. As we walked, enveloped in her warmth, something suddenly began to stir from the deepest recesses of my mind.
"My head... all of a sudden..." I clutched my temples. A wave of dizziness washed over me, so intense that I could barely keep my balance.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Startled, Isilia quickly cast a healing spell on me, but it made no difference. The images flashing in my mind were my own memories—ancient, yet utterly unforgettable recollections of a past life. My vision blurred, and my eyes slipped shut.
My name is Aren. I am the Hero.
During the height of the war against the Black Mages that shook the entire continent, I was on a long journey toward the Elf's Forest. I had received information that the World Tree, Isilium, was in grave danger.
The moment the World Tree fell into their hands, the world would meet its end.
"Suddenly, I'm thinking of my old comrades."
"They were good guys."
I was alone. Having lost my companions through countless battles, I had ultimately chosen to fight on my own.
"I've arrived."
When I reached the outskirts of the Elf's Forest, the situation was already at its worst. A cabal of Black Mages clad in dark robes, along with a horde of corrupted monsters under their command, were targeting the World Tree. Their plan was to corrupt its roots, thereby weakening the entire elven race.
"This is no place for you humans to set foot!"
"Attack, everyone!"
"What do you think you pointy-ears can actually do?"
The elven warriors resisted desperately, but they were overwhelmingly outmatched in both numbers and raw power.
"Fall back, everyone!!"
"Aaaah!"
"Mommy... where are you, Mommy?!"
"Warriors, protect the World Tree at all costs!"
I drew my sword. Dodging the massive club of a troll, I swung my blade.
Slash! With a single strike, the troll's thick arm was severed.
A wyvern lunged at me, talons bared.
Sunder! Its wings were sheared off, and the beast crashed helplessly to the ground.
Thud! Neutralizing a curse cast by a Black Mage with natural magic, I charged forward.
"The Hero! You again!"
"Seems like we've been seeing a lot of each other lately, doesn't it?"
"This time, I will make sure you die!"
"Oh? Who's going to make me?"
"Perish along with these elves!"
My body had already reached the absolute pinnacle of martial prowess, forged through countless battles. The clash of steel and magic echoed through the air. I swung my sword so many times, cutting down monster after monster, that I lost count. Time blurred as the sun rose and set repeatedly.
Finally, the leader of the Black Mages collapsed, staggering.
"Our... our grand plan..."
"Pant... pant... Let's seriously make this our last meeting."
"It was supposed to be a perfect plan..."
"You... because of you...!!!"
Spurt! With a final strike, I cut down the leader of the Black Mages, forcing him to his knees before the World Tree. Though I was drenched in blood from head to toe, the World Tree was safe. And the world was saved from destruction.
With the crisis averted, I spent several hectic days helping wrap things up. Just as I was preparing to take my leave, the Elf King, Silverion, invited me to the sacred elven sanctuary.
"Hero Aren. You are the savior of our people. I do not know how we can ever repay this debt..." The King expressed his deepest gratitude. At the same time, in accordance with an ancient tradition of the elven royal family, he proposed a political marriage.
"I shall give you my daughter, Isilia. Even among High Elves, she possesses the most outstanding talent for natural magic. Please, help us protect the World Tree from any future threats that may arise."
"Uh... I'm sorry, but a political marriage all of a sudden...?"
"Ah, forgive me, my explanation was lacking," Silverion replied. "For generations, it has been our long-standing tradition that when our elven race falls into peril, a Hero appears to save us. As a reward, we express our gratitude by uniting the Hero and an elf in marriage."
No matter how much I thought about it, there were several parts that didn't make sense. "Wait, something about that sounds incredibly suspicious right in the middle...?"
"Please, there is no need to be modest."
"I beg of you, Hero."
"No, wait a second."
"I must respectfully decline..."
"I mean, it really feels like you skipped a massive chunk of the explanation?!"
And just like that, my marriage to Silverion's daughter, Isilia, was decided.
The memories became clearer and clearer.
On our wedding day, Isilia's expression was ice-cold. She was well aware that this union was nothing more than a political marriage—a union with a powerful warrior to produce even stronger elven descendants, all to better protect the World Tree.
With her beautiful golden hair neatly tied back and dressed in traditional attire, she looked at me and spoke.
"...I do not love you. I merely view this as my duty to protect the Elf's Forest and the World Tree."
Her voice was noble, yet freezing cold.
"That's more than enough. I won't force you to love me either."
And so, our married life began. I stayed in the Elf's Forest, living alongside the elves.
"Aren! Try some of this fruit!"
"Thanks, Vita. I'll enjoy it."
I treated wounded elven warriors.
"Did you fall from a tree? You have to be careful."
"Hehe, but since the Hero treated me, I'm all better now!"
"Right, just watch your step."
I taught the children swordsmanship and archery.
"Extend your arm a bit more here."
"Try pulling the bowstring like this."
"Like this?"
"Whoops... the arrow snapped!"
I patrolled the perimeter of the World Tree.
"Aren, aren't you off patrol duty today?"
"Vita, watch how you speak to the Hero!"
"Isilia said she had some things to take care of today, so I figured I'd do a round in the meantime."
"I see. Thank you for your hard work."
I respected the elven culture and tried to share in their burdens.
At first, Isilia kept her distance. But as time passed, her attitude slowly began to shift.
One day, a horde of monsters appeared near the roots of the World Tree. I fought to protect her, throwing my own body in harm's way to shield her.
That night, Isilia visited my room for the very first time.
"...Why did you go that far? It hasn't been long since I became your wife."
"And you know very well that this is just a political marriage..."
"What kind of husband would leave his wife in danger?"
Many things happened after that. Together, we subjugated the remaining remnants of the Black Mages who sought to corrupt the forest. When a plague struck the elven village, we held it back, using high-tier magic to heal the sick. While Isilia channeled her spells, I stood firmly behind her, guarding her back.
Gradually, she opened her heart to me. Late-night conversations turned into genuine smiles.
One day, Isilia said to me:
"...To be honest, I hated it at first. I felt like I was being used as a political tool. But you... you truly cherished me. I... think I've fallen in love with you."
"Then I guess we're a real married couple now."
"Oh, by the way, since I'm older, I'll speak comfortably to you from now on."
"Go ahead."
That night, we held each other with genuine affection for the first time. Isilia's body was incredibly sensitive. When I gently nibbled on her ear, a shiver ran down her entire frame.
"Ah... Aren... no, darling... please, go a little... slower..."
"It's... my first time..."
And with that, the memory ended.
Opening my eyes, I looked at Isilia, who was staring up at me with a deeply worried expression. She was holding onto my arm tightly, waiting in silence.
"My memories... I think they've returned."
The moment the words left my mouth, Isilia's eyes sparkled.
"Really? Oh, thank goodness..."
"I was so worried that something had happened to your body..."
I stroked her hair, offering her a gentle smile.
"Sorry for making you worry."
"Shall we go?"
"Yes!"
Isilia let out a content smile and buried her face against my chest. And just like that, we walked forward together.
As I walked alongside Isilia, I knew one thing for certain.
The bond I shared with her would be anything but light in this lifetime as well.