The Western Elven Nation.
While it maintains the outward appearance of a nation, its true form is a vast primeval forest untouched by human or demonkind for thousands of years.
In the eastern half of this nation, split vertically at its center, stands the massive World Tree. Its countless branches and leaves stretch outward in a dome shape, creating a colossal green space. This is where the elves belonging to the eastern side of the Western Elven Nation live in their settlements.
“──Excuse me.”
At the heart of that settlement, within a deep, wide hollow carved into the trunk of the World Tree, a male elf entered a grand chamber.
Inside, ten female elves stood in a row, and at the center of their line was a majestic throne. The male elf knelt reverently before it.
“I have a report. We have succeeded in isolating Urklow , one of the demon nation’s leaders.”
“Hmph, that brainless fool finally fell for the bait.”
“Indeed, it is solely thanks to Lord Marou ‘s insightful planning and your exceptional leadership.”
“Do you think that’s flattery? You’re merely stating the obvious.”
The elf on the throne—Marou —narrowed his already sharp, chisel-like eyes and spoke.
“So, when will Urklow ‘s corpse arrive?”
“…W-well, that’s…”
“You mean to tell me you haven’t killed him yet? Despite having cornered and isolated him?”
Crack.
The chamber in the World Tree echoed with a dry snapping sound, and the room began to tremble. The gathered elves’ gazes turned pale and fearful as they fixed on Marou .
“Useless fools… Am I the only one who can accomplish anything?”
The air around Marou became suffused with an extraordinary amount of holy power. The very space seemed to saturate, causing the World Tree itself to groan under the pressure.
“S-so sorry…!”
The male elf stammered, his voice quivering as he forced the words out.
“Currently, three elves who approached him were repelled, so we’ve resorted to observing from a distance while continuing our attacks. However, we haven’t been able to kill him yet…”
“Get to the point. What are you trying to say?”
“…Sire, we humbly request your aid. As one of the Three Great Sages of our Elven Nation, the Sage of the East, only your power can bring Urklow down.”
Marou , the Sage of the East, slowly stood from his throne in silence. He looked down at the trembling male elf kneeling before him.
“Raise your head.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
The male elf hesitantly lifted his head, his eyebrows furrowed, and lips trembling. Marou gazed at him intently.
“As you said, I could easily tear that muscle-headed demon to shreds with my power. It would be as simple as breaking a twig.”
“As expected of Lord Marou …”
“Here’s a question. Why do you think I haven’t done so already?”
“W-well, that’s…”
“Time’s up.”
A flash of light emanated from Marou ’s fingertips, and in an instant, a neat, round hole was bored into the male elf’s face. His lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
“Why should I expend my strength on something as trivial as dealing with demons? Such menial tasks are for you to handle.”
Marou pointed at the now lifeless elf.
“And to think, this incompetent lived for five or six centuries. Such wasted years.”
The wooden staff the dead elf had been holding floated into the air, snapping in two. From the hollow shaft, a scroll of parchment slipped out. Marou caught it, scanned its contents briefly, and sneered.
“About 500 to 600 years, I’d say. What a pointless existence.”
He let the parchment go. As it floated through the air, it suddenly ignited, burning to ash before it could even reach the ground.
Without bothering to watch it disintegrate, Marou turned to face the ten female elves lined up beside the throne.
“Etch this into your tiny brains, all of you. There is no intellect in this nation more valuable than mine.”
His cold gaze swept across the gathered elves.
“Whatever knowledge you possess, I already reached that level over a thousand years ago. You are nothing more than inferior copies of me, existing solely to elevate me to even greater heights. Remember that well.”
The ten female elves nodded mechanically, their faces taut with fear. Satisfied, Marou sneered.
“Good. Now that the re-education is complete, we still have a problem to solve. That muscle-headed demon must be disposed of quickly. I suppose I’ll lend a little assistance.”
Marou beckoned to one of the elves standing in the center.
“Number Five. I’ll use you.”
“Y-yes, my lord…”
The elf called Number Five paled even further but stepped forward without protest. Marou placed two fingers against her forehead.
Suddenly, a strong, white pillar of light erupted, enveloping her entirely.
“Hm, only 20% of her power can be drawn out, and less than half of her spells are usable… Well, no matter. This is more than enough for dealing with a brute like him.”
The words came from Number Five, but the voice was not her own. Her holy power surged to an incomparably greater level.
As she inspected her own body curiously, a voice cut through the air from an unseen presence.
“Well, well, Marou . How long has it been since I’ve seen you use your sacred art—Possession?”
“Who’s there?!”
Marou and Number Five turned toward the voice.
At the edge of the chamber sat a girl clad in light green robes, her legs crossed casually.
“You… Melissa!”
The figure was Melissa, the Sage of the Southwest and one of the Three Great Sages of the Elven Nation. She smiled mockingly as she looked back and forth between Marou and Number Five.
“Judging by the fact that you’ve resorted to using your sacred arts, it seems the demon army is giving you quite the headache.”
“Melissa, where have you been wandering off to?”
Marou ’s words came out distinctly this time.
“If you two had joined the war effort earlier, the demon nation would have been crushed by now!”
Melissa smirked.
“Why should I bother with something that doesn’t benefit me? It was you who unilaterally started this war to claim that disputed territory, Marou . Expecting us to help is rather presumptuous, don’t you think? Well…”
She grinned slyly.
“If you really want my help, kneel down and beg. Then I might—”
Before she could finish, a burning red light erupted from Marou ’s raised hand, shooting toward Melissa.
“Oh dear, trying to fight me here and now?”
As the smoke cleared, Melissa stood unharmed, holding the male elf’s corpse as a shield.
“Tsk… Your sacred arts are still intact, I see.”
“If you keep this up, I’ll use one of your female stock as my next shield, Marou . But let’s cut the jokes here.”
Melissa tossed the charred corpse aside and stood.
“Your numbers must be dwindling by now. I still have no intention of helping, but I’ll introduce you to some reinforcements soon.”
“Reinforcements?”
“Yes. A kingdom aligned with us has sent its hero squadron to attack the demon nation. Quite the talented bunch, wouldn’t you say?”
With a devilish grin, Melissa gestured with her slender finger as though inviting Marou into a dangerous pact.
