I Do Not Guarantee This
p>Diseases like this had been a common occurrence even during Rune’s Imugi days, so he handled the situation with practiced ease.
p>Rune deliberately kept Baekya from crying anymore. Instead, he pulled out a white pearl coated in Baekya’s tears and pinned it to the bird like a feather ornament.
p>‘It’s about time.’
p>“Hmph!”
p>The head of the guard—a sturdy, elderly elf—cleared his throat loudly and called out to Rune, who was still tending to the wounded.
p>His rigid posture and hardened expression made the tension palpable.
p>Rune secretly smiled in his heart.
p>If his guess was right, the situation was about to take an interesting turn.
p>“All the checks have been completed. And… one of the Elf Elders wishes to invite you all. I will guide you there.”
p>The guard gave a slight bow, his tone now far more respectful.
p>No refusal had been asked, but Rune had come here precisely for that reason.
p>‘Good.’
p>While treating the elves during the tedious inspections, Rune had had his own reasons.
p>He had first chosen Jed’s method to obtain the Seal of the Forest under the pretext of healing the World Tree, but the situation had turned out more serious than he expected once he arrived.
p>The second reason had been that he had listened for high-ranking officials who might come looking for him after hearing the news of treatable patients.
p>‘I was hoping to gather information too, but there wasn’t much useful news.’
p>The group followed the guard to the open courtyard behind the residence—a wide, well-kept plaza.
p>Only then did they get to see the village.
p>Every one of them wrinkled their noses in discomfort.
p>It was already dark. A single massive tree as large as a village stretched into the sky.
p>But its branches, which should have been lush, were sparse and twisted, riddled with holes.
p>A sickly old oak.
p>The village reeked of a faint, rotten stench throughout. Everyone walking the streets wore cloth over their skin.
p>Occasionally, elves scratched their arms; their clothes were stained with pus and blood.
p>‘Baekya’s feathers looked the healthiest among them.’
p>“Yeah…”
p>While Perdikion and Rune whispered to each other, an elf dressed in a high-quality robe approached them.
p>“This way, please.”
p>Based on his attire, he seemed more like a butler or guide to humans.
p>Heungmi’s ears and tails stood on end, but she kept her mouth shut and continued walking, sensing the wrong atmosphere.
p>The others remained silent at the dismal sight.
p>As they walked deeper, the scenes gradually disappeared.
p>The streets became much cleaner and better maintained.
p>The houses were no longer made of woven plants and trees but elegant stone-and-wood mansions that preserved the village’s elegance.
p>Passing through two circular walls, a fresh breeze blew.
p>An elf on guard at the door opened it according to the guide’s signal.
p>“Please enter. Have you eaten?”
p>“No.”
p>“Understood. We will prepare a meal shortly. Please wait here.”
p>The group was led to a large room.
p>Once the elf left and they were alone, everyone removed their masks.
p>Rune immediately cast a purification spell to remove the foul stench and any possible contaminants.
p>“Phew! Man, the Heungmi stench was really hard to endure.”
p>“I was about to vomit. The elf villages I knew weren’t like this. Full of forests and trees, clean and pristine areas producing all kinds of herbs and medicines.”
p>‘Should I say I’m glad I couldn’t smell it? It felt suspicious, though. I wonder if it’s just an old man’s worry.’
p>While everyone muttered in agreement, Rand pulled a tobacco case from his pocket, shook it, and opened the door.
p>“I’ll be back in a moment. You lot eat dinner yourselves.”
p>Dullahan looked at Rand with a worried frown, but since the tobacco was calling, he left without turning back.
p>‘Perfect.’
p>Rune took the Orb of Water—a high-grade artifact obtained from the Wave Dungeon—from his spatial pocket.
p>“This is the Orb of Water you obtained in the Water Lair.”
p>“Yeah. Since it has disaster-detection ability, I figured I’d test it.”
p>‘I wanted to take it out earlier, but there were too many eyes around.’
p>The wave-colored Orb in Rune’s palm gradually turned ominous red.
p>‘It’s more serious than I thought? There are already patients inside this house.’
p>Fortunately, the red color wasn’t too deep.
p>Red meant misfortune and disaster had already befallen Rune.
p>Rune placed the Orb back in his pocket before Rand could return.
p>“Jed, don’t scan the surroundings randomly. If you sense anything strange, report immediately.”
p>“Yes!”
p>Whether because of the tension or not, Jed stayed unusually quiet.
p>A short while later, an elf servant entered the room to announce that dinner was ready.
p>***
p>“I have heard much about you. Those who can heal the World Tree. It is a great honor to welcome such esteemed guests.”
p>The elf who greeted Rune and the others was exceptionally tall, with a slender build and long silver-brown hair styled in an all-overcut.
p>He was the first normal-skinned male elf Rune had seen.
p>“Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Belianus, the High Chancellor of the Elf Kingdom.”
p>“I am Perdikion.”
p>“I am Rune.”
p>“I’m Heungmi!”
p>“Peep!”
p>Rand truly did not join the meal.
p>Dullahan and Jed were also to wait in the room.
p>Seeing the bird that had cried its last, Belianus gazed at Baekya with deep emotion.
p>“That is the one that possesses the power of purification, yes?”
p>“Peep?”
p>Baekya looked at the elf with a gentle face.
p>Its eyes, which had cried so much today, sparkled with moisture.
p>“That’s right. It’s named Baekya.”
p>“I see.”
p>Belianus smiled faintly and nodded in satisfaction at Rune’s answer.
p>“Please, let us begin with the meal.”
p>“Then, by all means.”
p>At the same time as Perdikion’s reply, Rune started eating.
p>The elf meal was simple but consisted mainly of healthy grains and vegetables.
p>There were many dishes, yet Rune inwardly felt it was lacking.
p>‘Even if the grains and vegetables are the same as those Christina and I eat, hers are far more varied and abundant.’
p>The grain bread had a coarse texture and was hard, while the food itself tasted bland.
p>Yet the scrambled eggs made with fresh butter, milk, and eggs were surprisingly good.
p>Heungmi, who loved meat, quickly devoured three egg sandwiches.
p>‘But… even this is a meal this Chancellor can afford.’
p>The issue wasn’t simply the lack of meat.
p>The situation outside had been that serious.
p>“Does the meal suit your palate?”
p>“Mmm, yes! It’s delicious.”
p>Belianus forced a wry smile at Heungmi’s honest reply.
p>“I am grateful that you say so. However, if it were in the past, I would have prepared a much better meal. Now… clean water is even precious.”
p>“I have heard of the situation. After the World Tree became contaminated, the elves began to fall ill.”
p>Perdikion answered.
p>While receiving the inspections, he had already gathered information from their murmurs.
p>“That is correct. You must already know. A detailed explanation will be given by a messenger from the palace shortly.”
p>As if to say that a High Chancellor wouldn’t reveal personal matters himself, he drew a line in advance.
p>Neither Perdikion nor Rune found it difficult to accept.
p>“Rune. I have one request.”
p>“A request?”
p>“I have a young daughter and son in this house. Would you please see them once?”
p>“Of course.”
p>Disease struck regardless of status.
p>Especially when there was no cure, Rune’s healing would be desperately needed.
p>“I will heal them now.”
p>“!”
p>Belianus’s eyes widened in shock.
p>In the same motion, Rune set down his fork.
p>“However, I have one more request.”
p>“Anything.”
p>“Please guide me to the place that supplies water for the village well or reservoir.”
p>Perdikion stared at Rune in disbelief.
p>Belianus looked troubled but showed no intention of permitting it lightly.
p>“I will consider it. However, the palace matter comes first now.”
p>“Belianus.”
p>At Rune’s call, the silver-gray eyes met his calm gaze.
p>Although his appearance was youthful, something unfathomable depth lay in his eyes.
p>“You are not the only one who is this desperate to show your son and daughter to an outsider. Of course, a more important matter may be discussed in the palace as well. Still, I wish to at least do what I can.”
p>“What action?”
p>“To resolve the contaminated water supply.”
p>Clean water.
p>The very first benefit the elves had lost, this small boy was offering to restore.
p>But Belianus was not the kind of man who would recklessly grant such a favor to a foreigner.
p>“Healing my children in exchange for taking responsibility for the elves’ water supply is frankly impossible.”
p>‘What a tight-lipped guy.’
p>Rune clicked his tongue inwardly.
p>Yet he understood why he acted defensively toward the frail and exhausted.
p>“I do not guarantee this.”
p>“What?”
p>At that moment, Perdikion crossed his arms and declared to Belianus.
p>“I am Perdikion, son of Pasiyas, the current Red Dragon Elder, and successor to the Elder who will rule the Fire clan.”
p>“D-Dragons!”
p>Belianus shot to his feet.
p>Though he had been carefully avoiding any mention of dragons—whom the elves had implicitly despised—Perdikion continued without pause.
p>“The elves’ current plight is more important than any past grudges between elves and dragons. A proper ruler would certainly make that judgment, wouldn’t he?”
p>The middle-aged elf’s face turned deathly pale; his trembling hands clenched tightly.
p>The silver-gray eyes turned toward Rune.
p>“T-Then you are also…”
p>Rune nodded.
p>“Successor to the Black Dragon clan Elder. I am Rune.”
p>Belianus’s face looked as if he could barely breathe.
p>The silence lingered, yet Rune and Perdikion remained perfectly calm.
p>No, their faces looked almost relieved as they sipped their drinks and waited leisurely.
p>Only Belianus remained unable to calm down.
p>After a long moment.
p>“I apologize for the many delays. It is an honor to meet the sons of the Fire clan and the Darkness clan.”
p>Although his complexion was still ashen, Belianus shook hands with them in a composed manner.
p>“Have you decided?”
p>After nodding twice, Belianus spoke.
p>“I believe you. A successor to the Fire clan Elder has given his word. If you do not believe him, you are saying you do not trust the Red Dragons or the Fire clan.”
p>‘In other words, if the matter fails, the entire Fire clan will take responsibility.’
p>Rune quickly understood the hidden meaning.
p>On the surface he had agreed, but the words were laced with thorough calculation.
p>“Naturally. It is fortunate that you understand quickly.”
p>Perdikion replied coolly and looked at Rune.
p>“Come on. Let’s go, little brother.”
p>Rune swallowed a laugh he didn’t realize he’d released.
p>‘There’s no way I’ll fail, but at least run it by me first.’
p>Surprisingly, his mood felt rather good despite the circumstances.