The World Is Mine For The Taking

After what felt like forever, after countless delays and not being able to make my way here, I was finally back.

If I remembered correctly, it had almost been two years since I last stepped foot in this place. Two long years.

And just as I expected, the elven kingdom still left me breathless. The air itself was different here, pure and light, almost carrying a sweetness that clung to the lungs. The atmosphere felt like it was drenched in goodness, untouched by the filth and cruelty that lingered in the outside world.

It was a little strange at first—seeing only female elves scattered around the streets, their elegant figures and flowing hair glowing under the natural light of this kingdom—but after everything I had already experienced, it didn't feel too shocking. Still, it had a jarring beauty to it, like stepping into a dream I wasn't sure I belonged in.

But all of that aside, the only thing I really felt was happiness. Happiness that I was finally here again.

Beside me, Aegis walked with her usual expression—the one that could burn holes into me if looks could kill. The entire journey, her gaze carried nothing but disdain, as if she thought I was nothing but trash that got dragged along with her. Honestly, it was getting exhausting, but I didn't bother complaining.

The path here hadn't been simple. The teleportation magic back at the academy wasn't made for easy access into the elven kingdom. It was meant more for quick exits—fast travel that could get people out of here, but not back in again. Which meant, if we wanted to come back, there was no cheat as well as no shortcut. We had to travel manually, one step at a time.

It sounded like a pain, but truthfully, it wasn't as bad as I expected.

As I walked, I began to see familiar faces among the crowd.

That's when I noticed her—Azusa.

A dark elf, with a presence that stood out even among the beauty of the others. Her body was toned, her stomach firm and sculpted, the kind of body that spoke of discipline and constant training. Her dark skin glowed faintly under the filtered sunlight, and that contrast with her long silver hair made her look even more striking, like steel laid against polished obsidian.

"Leon, you're back," she said.

Her voice carried a softness this time. It caught me off guard. Her attitude toward me had shifted dramatically compared to before. Where once there was suspicion, now there was something warmer and more accepting. She must've finally come to terms with the fact that I was welcome here—that I wasn't some outsider to be treated with disdain. Humans weren't allowed here, after all. Not mortals and more specifically, not anyone. Yet somehow, I was an exception.

But that acceptance hadn't come easy. I knew that. I had earned it. Bit by bit.

Helping them rescue their people from slavery was not something they could ignore. I had fought alongside them, tracked down the enslaved, freed them from the chains of cruel owners and slavers. Some of those elves had been broken, scarred by the torment they endured, but little by little, we pulled them out of that despair.

Because of that, Azusa's eyes no longer carried the sharp edge of suspicion when she looked at me. Her attitude had changed.

"It's been a while," I told her with a small nod. "Where's Solaris?"

"She's busy," Azusa replied. "Handling everything with those we rescued. Right now, she's planning temporary housing for them."

"I see…"

For the past year, Artemis and I had been neck-deep in matters involving captured elves, and the numbers were staggering. We had managed to rescue around a hundred of them.

And it wasn't just elves either. If we stumbled across slaves from other races, we didn't turn our backs on them. We gave them chances to escape and to break free of their chains. And they took it. They ran, they fought, and they tasted freedom again.

But still—one hundred rescued elves. That was no small number. And with so many of them needing homes, Solaris had no choice but to start planning new housing.

"But it seems like you're having trouble," I said, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

And it was true. The half-built homes looked like they were collapsing under their own weight. The foundations were weak and poorly supported. Elves were excellent when it came to crafting homes among the trees, weaving beauty out of nature itself, but the lack of resources made everything so much harder.

"Yes, as you can see," Azusa admitted, her tone carrying frustration. "The housing is not capable of being lived in. For now, we're offering temporary shelters."

"Well, I can help with the housing," I told her without hesitation.

"I'm not the one you should be telling that to, Leon," she replied flatly.

"You're right," I admitted. "Then… would you take me to Solaris?"

Azusa gave a firm nod and began walking, motioning for me to follow.

We made our way to Yggdrasil.

And just like the first time I saw it, the sheer sight of the tree knocked the breath out of me. It wasn't just large because it was more like ancient. Its colossal trunk stretched endlessly upward, and its branches seemed to cradle the entire sky. Looking at it felt like staring into eternity, like facing something that had stood for thousands of years and would continue to stand long after everything else turned to dust. In truth, it might even have been older than Solaris herself.

The guards standing before Yggdrasil noticed me immediately. Their eyes narrowed with recognition, but they didn't raise their weapons or block my way. They stepped aside and allowed me through. Still, I could feel their eyes lingering on me. They were conflicted and cautious.

"I'm sorry about that," Azusa said quietly. "It's not that they mean harm. They're just cautious because you're human. Or seem to be, I suppose. And humans… well, humans enslaved so many of our kind. The hatred runs deep. Please, understand."

"I do understand," I replied. "And I know they mean well."

She looked at me, and the faintest softness crossed her face. "Thank you."

"Though honestly," I added, giving her a sidelong look, "I'm surprised you're being this warm to me. I clearly remember you didn't like me much before."

"Well," she said, pausing slightly, "as I told you, humans have scarred us deeply. It was natural for me to be wary. But if Her Majesty trusts you, then it's only natural I put those feelings aside, isn't it?"

I exhaled slowly, nodding. That made sense.

After some time, we finally arrived at the towering door that would lead me straight to Solaris.