[No title provided]
In front of the countless elves, Hera pronounced the death sentence.
"If anyone has any objections, speak now. I'll hear you out, no matter what."
Everyone wore confused expressions, but not a single one opened their mouth. Betraying an elf was tantamount to betraying the Great Forest and the World Tree. It was a denial of the elves' sacred mission and their ancient history. So, it was only natural that the death penalty would be handed down to such a heinous traitor.
"No objections, then. We'll proceed as planned."
At Hera's signal, a few elves rushed forward. They were the patrol elves who had joined them on the way. They bound Heris and Sera with the ropes they carried.
"Th-this is all lies!! That traitor's trying to frame me!!"
Heris shouted something at the elves, but they simply turned their heads away in disdain. Then, one elf suddenly lunged toward Heris, fists clenched. The patrol elves moved to stop him, but he pushed through with all his might to reach Heris. Or more accurately, the patrol elves subtly let him pass.
Thwack!
He smashed his fist into Heris's face.
"You... you sold our daughter?! Why the hell would you do that?!"
"I-it was all that bitch's..."
"We have evidence! Witnesses! It's all crystal clear!! Or are you still mocking our daughter, who's enslaved because of you?! You sold her with your own hands?!"
That was the spark. Elves who had hesitated at the word "execution" began approaching Heris and Sera one by one. What followed was brutal vengeance. No one could stop it now—the patrol elves simply watched from a distance.
At that moment, Hera approached Franz and said, "Franz, will you release the captives? We'll handle the rest ourselves."
"Sure."
Franz freed the lackeys he had trapped in transparent orbs. They immediately tried to bolt without looking back. But Hera wasn't about to let them.
Tree roots erupted from the ground, wrapping around them to prevent escape.
"I-I was just doing what Heris told me to...!"
"Me too! It's all that guy's fault!"
Unable to flee, the lackeys spat out pathetic excuses, flailing desperately to save their skins.
Hera looked at them coldly and said, "I know all about it."
"Th-then..."
"Does that change anything? Just following orders doesn't absolve you of sin. In the end, you made the choice to obey."
The verdict remained unchanged. Soon, Heris, Sera, and the five lackeys were dragged before the World Tree. And there, the executions began.
Hera drew her sword and declared, "I shall pass judgment on those who have forsaken the World Tree's sacred will."
It was elven tradition to carry out executions before the World Tree. All life returns to its embrace upon death, reverting to nature.
"Death is not the end, but a return to nature's bosom. Reflect on your sins in the World Tree's embrace and be reborn as pure souls."
Hera recited a prayer and raised her sword high. Then—thud. Thud. Thud.—the sinners' heads began rolling to the ground one by one. Red blood seeped into the earth. Over time, their bodies would nourish the World Tree as well.
The elves bowed their heads in silent tribute, as if it were a solemn ritual.
Franz simply watched it all. He couldn't really empathize with their actions, after all.
Once the executions ended, Hera began her speech.
"My kin, to be honest, I can still vividly recall it. The looks you gave me, the murmuring voices. But from this moment on, I'll forget it all. You're victims who were deceived, just like me."
Franz watched Hera and inwardly sighed in relief. It seemed she'd escaped the villainess route after all.
She could've vented her frustration at least once, though.
Hera must have been hurting too. Being fated to become a villainess—how deep must that wound have run?
Well...
It was her business in the end. All he could do was respect her choice. That was the answer she'd given.
"Finally, regarding the chieftain position—I'll take it on temporarily for now."
Temporarily...? A flood of question marks popped up in Franz's mind. Normally, in this atmosphere, she'd just take it permanently, right?
The other elves seemed to think the same, as voices rose here and there.
Hera scratched her head awkwardly and replied, "It's hard to explain the reason, but I have something I must do."
Hera's gaze slowly turned to Franz. In that instant, he realized. The reason she was only taking it temporarily was because of her promise to become his slave.
We did make that promise, but...
Honestly, breaking it wouldn't matter. No—in fact, Franz hoped she would. Elf slavery went against the law. Even if it stayed hidden, he had no desire to own a slave. Why need one when you had hands and feet?
As Franz pondered this seriously, Hera's speech wrapped up. The elves began dispersing one by one, their faces a mix of complex emotions.
Then, a few approached Franz.
"Um... thank you so much for saving our daughter."
"No need. I just helped Hera. Thank her instead."
"Still, thank you."
Elves give without keeping score... Hera's words suddenly came to mind. Even to the humans they'd hated so much, they were offering thanks.
As the elves left, Hera approached like she was taking over the shift.
"Franz, I truly owe you for this. Without you, I probably would've given up again."
"It's fine. Glad it worked out."
The elves' issues, the villainess problem—everything had resolved nicely. Except one crucial matter remained.
"Franz, about that promise... Could you wait until the elves stabilize a bit?"
"You don't have to keep it. They need you. Just become chieftain as is..."
"Franz, do you really not want an elf slave like me by your side?"
The life faded from Hera's eyes. At the same time, a familiar translucent display appeared before Franz.
Elf Archer Hera's emotions are rampaging!
If left alone, it may negatively impact the ending!
Why the hell is this real...? Franz stared blankly at the alert before cautiously asking, "Hera, why are you so obsessed with becoming a slave?"
"First, to repay the debt I owe you. A normal elf might not be worth much, but one contracted with the Spirit King has some value. And second..."
Second...? Hera paused awkwardly, scratching her head.
"I want to. Just like you bestowed grace upon me. I have nothing else to give, so this is it."
"If that's the case, next time you need help..."
"If you truly, truly don't need me, I'll have to give up..."
Shadows fell over Hera's face. What was it about this damn grace that drove her to this?
Fine, I'll accept.
Compared to owning an elf slave or the world's doom, the latter weighed heavier.
"Do whatever you want. Tell me if you change your mind."
"Really...! I'm glad I can repay your grace. Oh, it might be confusing, but would you join me for a meal? If you made that meat mushroom stew, you'll surely like our food."
Hera's face lit up brightly. Just from permitting her to become a slave.
This is insane...
An elf obsessed with slavery—who'd ever heard of such a thing?
Time passed, and evening fell with the sun dipping low.
"Franz, is it really okay to head back this late? You could stay the night..."
"Nah. The other elves would feel uncomfortable."
"Mm... I see. If you say so. I'll write you a letter next time."
"Yeah, see you then."
After a brief farewell with Hera, Franz set off for the Magic Tower. Finally returning from his dispatch.
Using teleportation, his figure blinked in and out of existence repeatedly. Soon enough, the towering Magic Tower loomed before him.
Let's check...
As he headed to the top floor, Franz examined the alert window.
A whopping 20 percent. Double the saintess's. Sure, he'd done twice the work, but seeing it quantified like this felt surprisingly gratifying.
But what exactly is this?
It rose when he helped a lot, dropped when they fought. He had no clue what these percentages really meant.
Whatever, it's good, right?
Shrugging it off, Franz quickened his pace. He soon reached the top floor of the Magic Tower.
But the master's chamber was brightly lit, as if someone was inside.
Arian, maybe?
She'd hired a clerk recently, so her workload should be lighter. Puzzled, Franz proceeded slowly—and then heard a strange sound.
"Franz, ah, no... not anymore..."
...?
Definitely Arian's voice. What the hell was this?