Nice to See You Again
“……My goodness.”
Christina let out a gentle exclamation of admiration.
Belianus's eyes widened in shock, bits of food tumbling unnoticed from his mouth.
“Th-the words of the World Tree!”
Rune nodded.
“Yeah. It means an elf who can hear the prophecies of the < World < Tree's < prophecies.”
Silence settled over the table for a moment.
Some lost in thought after their admiration.
Others fixing their gazes on Rune.
Amid those varied looks, Rune spoke again.
“Before I tell you, I have something to ask.”
Rune turned to Belianus.
“Are the elves planning to keep the current system, or reform it entirely?”
A silence of a different sort descended.
Then Belianus smiled faintly.
“It feels like you're testing me, Rune.”
He straightened his back, folding his wrinkled hands neatly on the table.
“As I've said before, that's exactly what I intend to do. Even as king, there'll be no shortage of work for me.”
Recording the truth in history.
And gradually opening the elves' insular culture.
These were the tasks he meant to complete before his death.
“Got it.”
Rune had felt Belianus's resolve in full.
That was enough.
Rune nodded and spoke up.
“The elf I met is still young. Younger than me, even. And she's a half-elf to boot.”
“A half-elf……?”
It was so unexpected that Belianus gasped.
Until now, those who'd heard the World Tree's prophecies had all been pure-blood elves.
No wonder it was shocking.
Confirming the reaction, Rune continued with a mysterious air.
“Yeah. But elves put so much stock in pure blood. I figured it'd be too rough on her if she came here now.”
Hiding his true intentions, Rune finished with an innocent tone.
Belianus nodded.
“You're right. We should make sure everything's fully prepared before bringing her.”
After sorting his thoughts for a moment, Belianus spoke to reassure Rune.
“Don't worry. No matter if she's mixed-blood or whatever her origins. And we won't rely on prophecy for everything. I'll build a nation of elves like that.”
Perdikion, who'd been watching, gave a vigorous nod.
Christina smiled with evident satisfaction.
Belianus then calmly scanned the gathered faces once more.
“Actually, this old elf has a favor to ask.”
His gaze settled on Christina.
“Will you hear it, Empress of Light?”
“What kind of favor?”
She meant she'd decide after hearing it out.
Belianus, catching on, spoke with care.
“My coronation is coming up soon. I'd like those who helped revive the World Tree to join in the celebration.”
He asked humbly, but the implications made it a weighty matter.
Rune, who'd been listening with gentle eyes, thought to himself.
The high elves seem pretty stubborn. To win them over, he needs to project some authority.
It was clever.
Ascending to the throne with the clear backing of Rune.
It was also a chance to read the public's mood through the attention focused on Rune.
A brilliant performance that could channel the lingering unease of the elves straight into support for Belianus.
Christina saw through the intent as well.
“That's a good idea. I'll let you know once I check on the children's schedules.”
“Thank you.”
It was as good as permission.
She'd simply added the nuance that she'd decline if Rune or the others weren't keen.
Satisfied, Belianus spoke up as if something had just occurred to him.
“Oh, and please keep the matter of the elf who communes with the World Tree a secret for now? I'll go fetch her myself when the time is right.”
Rune answered Belianus's request.
“Sure. I already told that elf not to mention casually that she can talk with the World Tree.”
“Truly wise.”
Belianus gazed at Rune with warm approval.
Rune's next words only deepened that look.
“I entrusted her with one of my scales, so we'll naturally cross paths when the moment comes.”
A half-elf, younger than Rune.
With hints like that, finding her wouldn't be hard—even without a name.
And if needed, a scale from the Black Dragon clan would serve as ironclad proof.
As the Empress of Light said, what a remarkably astute child.
Belianus had heard of Rune's feats from his talks with Christina.
He swallowed a quiet sigh, inwardly wishing Rune had been born an elf.
I'm no better than the high elves. The more I learn, the more I covet him.
It was only natural for an aspiring king.
The more talented aides and promising youths, the better.
But since it was impossible, Belianus quietly set the thought aside.
Time flowed on, and Belianus's coronation loomed just one day away.
In the meantime, Rune and his companions—lavishly hosted—had spent their days in busyness.
Perdikion exchanged messages with his father, Pasiyas, or basked in the admiration of elven women.
Heungmi and Baekya flitted in and out of the castle, aiding with purifications and soaking up affection.
Christina conferred with Belianus and Rand on matters ahead.
And Rune?
“Kyuu huu.”
This is what rest feels like.
Even Dullahan had gone off to oversee martial training for the elven troops.
Rune was savoring the perfect holiday.
With his plump belly and tail splayed out, he rolled about, breathing in deep with the most relaxed expression imaginable.
That was when it happened.
The Mokoji Stone blinked.
A message from Amelia of the Water clan.
“Kyuu?”
Her sleep period's over too, huh.
He pictured the silhouette of the blue mermaid frolicking with her dolphin sea spirit.
Perfectly free at the moment, Rune grabbed the Mokoji Stone and sent a message.
The reply came quick.
Not really sleeping in.
Rune messaged the embarrassed girl.
For a hatchling, deep sleep was key to growth quality.
Especially essential—scarcely an overstatement—for Amelia, future head of the Water clan.
Rune figured he'd share some freshly harvested World Tree fruit too.
After a brief pause, Rune replied casually.
A long while passed after that.
“……”
The short reply had taken quite some time, which nagged at him.
Well... if she really didn't want to, she'd have said so, right?
Back when they first met, she could barely string words together.
But not anymore—not that distant.
Just a quick visit. What's the problem?
Rune snorted softly and rose from the bed.
Been a while for this too.
With that thought, he pulled out the Mana Key.
Shuruk.
As the mana door rippled into being in midair, Rune left a simple note.
[Off to the Water Lair.]
Everyone could contact Amelia anyway, so this should suffice.
Of course, it was a miscalculation on Rune's part.
Oh.
Gazing beyond the water wall, Rune admired inwardly.
Even from afar in the deep sea, he could tell.
Purified coral reefs.
Stabilized, monsterized sea life radiating calm assurance.
A landscape that let him gauge just how much effort Amelia had poured in.
Tap, tap.
Rune approached the water wall leisurely and pushed right through without hesitation.
Splash!
My body's way lighter?
Rune tested it out, swimming through the water with fresh surprise.
No illusion.
His body was shrugging off the deep sea's crushing pressure far better than before.
Thanks to the Seal of Water, sure—but my scales are tougher too.
Finding proof of his growth from sleep put him in high spirits.
His eyes settled on a nearby deep-sea fish with wild, rolled-back eyes.
Looks like a rockfish.
As thick as an adult man's forearm—decent size.
Rune lightly picked a fight with the rockfish monster.
Hey. Come here.
The fish, hooked by the needless provocation, charged at Rune in a fury.
Kak! Kyak!
Rune stretched out a forepaw and tapped its snout.
The rockfish-like monster bared its teeth, desperate to chomp his paw.
He flicked it away casually, then lashed out several times with his steel-hard tail.
Not even ticklish.
To the thoroughly bored Rune, the fish monster unleashed its full rage.
With axe-like eyes, it slammed into him bodily.
Pik.
It took a direct hit from Rune's fist and recoiled in damage.
Putting in the effort.
Rune gazed at it with distant eyes.
Still, for something monsterized enough to reach these depths, every attack felt like a gentle prod.
Rune tapped its body.
Go on, scram now.
But the fish was in no mood to grasp his deeper intent.
Scram when I say scram.
Rune grabbed the fish monster and flung it into a swift current.
Kee-yak!
Flap, flap.
Fatal wound sapping its fight, it thrashed in futile anger.
The fish was helplessly swept away by the current.
“?”
Sensing a gaze, Rune whipped around.
There stood Amelia, startled into hunching her shoulders.
“……A-ah, h-hi. Rune.”
Her awkward greeting came without meeting his eyes.
Thought she'd gotten better, but still so timid.
That was Rune's take, anyway—the reality differed slightly.
In truth, the mermaid had found Rune's playful tussle with the fish monster utterly cute.
His gaze had just pinned her suddenly, nearly stopping her heart.
H-how'd he notice? If I stared too hard... What if Rune gets embarrassed?
Unlike her worry, Rune showed no such sign.
He simply waved a forepaw and descended to the sandy floor where she waited.
“Kyuu.”
Feeling sand grains shift under his hind paws, Rune shot Amelia a glance.
[Hi.]
“Uh…… y-yeah.”
An awkward air hung briefly, but Rune broke it first.
[How've your parents been lately?]
“Ah…… th-they're much better. Ch-Christina…… h-helped a lot…… n-now they even walk around nearby a b-bit……”
Rune nodded at her answer.
[Good to hear. Got something for you anyway.]
“Uh?”
Amelia's blue eyes locked on the subspace pouch as Rune rummaged inside.
Suk.
Encased in an air bubble, a freshly picked fruit emerged.
[Take this.]
Whish.
“Ah!”
Amelia caught the tossed fruit and examined it with wide eyes.
She'd never ventured outside, but even so—this fruit was utterly unfamiliar, unseen and unheard of.
Rune explained.
[World Tree fruit. The World Tree's power condensed within. It'll definitely help heal your parents.]
“Ah……!”
Dragons rarely got hurt.
But remedies for when they did? Near impossible to find.
“Th-thank you…….”
Tears glistened at the corners of Amelia's eyes.