Confession
Rune gazed steadily at Belianus before speaking.
"I have something to confess."
A brief silence followed.
Finally, after some deliberation, Rune voiced his decision.
"Maybe these elves only like me because of the Dark-stained Scent Box effect."
The Dark-stained Scent Box worked by transforming food or ingredients with magical properties inside it into a spreading scent.
The more times someone experienced the box's effect, the greater their loyalty to Rune grew.
"You're no exception, Belianus."
Belianus's eyebrow twitched slightly.
He let out a long sigh and said,
"That warning you gave when you saved my son—it was for that reason, wasn't it?"
"Yeah."
The middle-aged elf rubbed his chin with his slender hand.
"Truth be told, I had my suspicions to some extent."
"Really?"
The Dark-stained Scent Box's persuasive effect was subtle, hard to notice.
But Belianus was exceptionally skilled in magic.
He had started sensing a faint incongruity at some point.
"Sometimes you felt like a peer of mine, around the same age. It must have been the box's doing. Heh."
Belianus smiled knowingly, his gaze softening as he looked at Rune.
Rune felt a pang of guilt inside.
'That's probably not the box's effect.'
The young hatchling's core was an imugi nearly a millennium old—they were true peers, after all.
But he couldn't reveal that much.
Rune cleared his throat lightly and changed the subject.
"Anyway, what I'm getting at is... most of the elves have been affected by the box's effect, right?"
He hadn't planned to keep it secret forever.
But telling them their goodwill wasn't genuine on its own would always feel off-putting.
"The fondness for me, my companions, and Rand might all stem from that too."
People close to someone they liked were easier to open up to.
Those who felt affinity or loyalty toward Rune would naturally warm to those around him.
Belianus nodded and spoke.
"Then why bring it up now?"
Rune crossed his arms at the question.
"I'm worried Rand will get snubbed again. The box's effect fades over time."
Lately, Rand had been bridging the gap between the elves and dragons.
In the process, he'd befriended a few elves who recognized his character.
But if the effect wore off?
If they turned cold afterward, Rand—now used to their kindness—would be confused by the sudden shift.
Belianus understood and let out a soft exclamation.
"I see. You were concerned he'd face scorn again."
"Yeah, exactly."
Rune looked up and continued.
"I don't want to see him abandoned in the desert again."
Rand still carried the scales of a Green Dragon Elder who no longer existed in the world.
Even when banished to the desert by the Elf King's scheme and the demon tribe's plot—despite his efforts to protect the elves to the end—he had stayed as an Earth Dragon, too soft-hearted to leave.
'Watching him, he's almost foolishly devoted.'
Rune shook his head inwardly.
His smaller actions added up too.
Take how he treated Rune, for instance.
Rand would watch the young hatchlings Rune and Perdikion with quiet intensity, teasing them subtly while providing masks and pearl ornaments.
He supported Perdikion's performances faithfully and watched over them safely in the castle.
If he hadn't lost the power of the forest and fallen to earth, Rand might have lived happily, loving both elves and dragons.
'Even the price for teaching me how to use the Seal of the Forest was something about the forest folk.'
He acted so cynical, yet he couldn't sever his affections.
Belianus nodded slowly, grasping Rune's thoughts.
Unlike Rune's worry, though, he seemed relaxed.
"Young successor, how admirable. But you needn't worry about that."
"Why not?"
The middle-aged elf smiled faintly, placing his slender hand on his chest.
"Before we speak of the Earth Dragon, there's something I must correct."
"?"
Belianus met Rune's puzzled red eyes steadily and continued.
"For the past few days, the box's effect hasn't been on us."
"What?"
Belianus glanced out the window, where the elves' lively voices rang out.
"The World Tree's fruit is a blessing, infused with the essence of the sacred tree itself."
"!"
Rune instantly grasped what came next.
"The moment we ate it, any magical effects or curses on us would have been lifted."
As Rune fell silent, Belianus nodded slowly twice.
"But have you noticed our attitudes changing these past few days?"
"……."
He hadn't sensed any negative shift.
On the contrary, they'd seemed even more favorable.
Reading the silence as affirmation, Belianus continued gently.
"We've chosen this of our own free will, unbound by any magic."
Sunlight streamed through the window, pooling in his silver-gray eyes.
The rippling light held a gentle warmth.
"We are grateful for the goodwill you've shown us—and for granting us a future with our daily lives and loved ones."
Strictly speaking, the Dark-stained Scent Box was an artifact of darkness and curse attributes.
Even repeated exposure wouldn't overpower the freshly harvested World Tree fruit.
"Yeah. It was needless worry after all."
Rune smirked, one corner of his mouth lifting in admission.
"But this old elf rather likes such concerns."
The soft light in his eyes faded into shadow.
"After living so long... one misses a heart that truly cares for others. In my youth, I didn't value it much."
Winning wars.
Earning recognition for skill and living honorably.
Efficient use of personnel and time.
The ability to resolve crises.
Those had seemed paramount once.
They brought him honor, made him a hero to his soldiers, and elevated him to High Chancellor.
Even after the war, living intensely, he finally took leave and returned home one day.
There, simple home-cooked meals and his family's faces greeted him.
Only then did he realize he'd forgotten how to smile and cry.
Belianus, lost in reminiscence for a moment, turned and said,
"Come to think of it, I have something for you."
The middle-aged elf opened a drawer in the display cabinet.
A rectangular shape wrapped in blue silk.
It looked like a small box.
"After the coronation, it may be hard to meet privately."
He appeared youthful for his age, but Belianus was fully mature.
After restoring the land ravaged by demons and healing the aftermath, he'd likely be near life's end.
He might never see Rune again.
"Thank you for everything. Sincerely."
Rune looked up at his words, then accepted the box after a pause.
"Thanks to you too, Belianus."
They gazed at each other wordlessly, then Rune turned to return to his seat.
Belianus began walking toward the throne.
Moments later, the coronation began.
In the presence of Rune and the others, a crown woven of leaves was placed on Belianus's head.
Christina, invited as the most blessed guest, attended.
Unlike usual, her white, translucent ceremonial garb made her look like a goddess.
The elegant Christina spoke.
"Though many may worry for the elves, you alone will advance without doubting their future."
Christina bestowed her benediction.
Then an elf representative tilted a golden chalice, pouring World Tree sap over Belianus's head.
"You, Belianus, swear before the World Tree to lead the elves with the power of change, love, and devotion."
At the dignified, graceful voice, Belianus bowed to Christina and replied,
"I swear it."
A ceremonial staff embedded with jewels—hardened from sacred wood, gold, and World Tree essence—appeared in Christina's hand.
"Remember that all gathered here are your witnesses."
Christina held the staff horizontally and handed it to Belianus.
He accepted it and answered,
"I will remember."
With all rites complete, Christina spoke.
"Thus, you are crowned King of the Elves. This shall mark the beginning of another prosperity for them."
The coronation concluded in a serene atmosphere.
"Where'd Baekya go?"
Rune frowned, searching for the nowhere-to-be-seen Baekya.
"Uuung, it was here earlier, but now it's gone."
Heungmi looked around, tilting her head.
Rune pressed his fingers to his brow in thought.
'Baekya isn't my familiar, so I can't summon it instantly. This is annoying.'
The festival was in full swing now.
Finding Baekya amid the thronging crowds wouldn't be easy.
Rune muttered, unable to hide his frustration.
"Earlier it looked less like a festival and more like the king's sanctioned frenzy."
The elves, with their refined, aristocratic features.
Yet as the late afternoon festival heat rose after the coronation, all sorts of eccentrics emerged.
Perdikion shared his honest take.
"Yeah, who knew simple water play and tree-climbing could turn so hazardous."
The festival itself was fairly ordinary.
Masked bands dancing wildly and raucous cheers were noisy but perfect for getting into the spirit.
Drinking contests in the square or milk-guzzling games were harmless indulgences.
For elves who'd barely eaten or drunk properly for so long, this first post-recovery celebration was a time to feast, imbibe, and cut loose.
The trouble started after.
"Let's enjoy the festival for real!"
"Yeah! Let's blow off all that pent-up steam!"
Then came the drunken forest branch-running.
Their innate superior physiques made their sprints breathtaking to watch.
"Yee-haw!"
"Yee-haa~! Uh, uhh? Uwaaa!"
"Ack! Bruce fell from the tree!"
"What? Leave the straggler!"
It wasn't a joke.
Fallen elves were truly abandoned, and when Rune found one, its ankle was sprained.
And the waterball tossing with magic and water spirits?
"Waterball toss! Prizes for hits!"
Splash!
"Ow! Failed to control the waterball—kid got hit and passed out!"
Even in the moment masked Rune and Perdikion glanced back.
Belianus had assigned safety elves, but who knew what might happen as night deepened.
Soon the Elf Kingdom would be busy restoring polluted areas.
They'd planned an extravagant festival beforehand for rest and joy—but they were overdoing it.