Since all fire mages were barred from entering the Spirit Forest, Phoenix didn't have too much to do. Thus, in search of work, he was handling comms for the teams, making sure the connection was seamless and without interference.
Phoenix talked to himself in self-understanding.
"If I wasn't the master's disciple, I think I would do better in the communication field. Or maybe an actor. But my entire image is made up on the fact that I am the disciple of the King. At least becoming the Fire King—that's an achievable goal."
A sniper who had shot angels who were behind him had contacted his unit, and Phoenix had intercepted the call between them.
Soldier:
Sir, we have a flying man entering our territory with angels on his tail. We have eliminated the angels and have set our sights on him. We await orders.
Team Leader:
Is the person flying with flames on his feet?
The soldier gave a positive reply.
Team Leader:
Let him pass. He's our man. The one who had the Medal of Honor given to him recently.
The soldier was also concerned about the maiden he was carrying in his hands. During the search results, it showed the result as the Tower Grand Master. Jay directly landed before the King's camp. He peeked inside the camp and found the King, who had been awaiting his presence. The King saw him and waved his hand in such a way, giving a friendly invitation to come inside.
King:
Your report.
Jay:
Burnt many tents, many appliances, the blacksmith stations, and recruited a friend. Let me introduce her to you.
Jay peeked outside the tent and called Lilia in. She very ecstatically entered the tent with very high expectations, just to see an old man sitting on a chair and Jay introducing her to the old man.
Jay:
So, this is my friend Lilia. A very big fan of Maria von Lopez.
She interjected very quickly because Jay took her full name.
Lilia:
That's Madam Maria von Lopez to you. She is the greatest mage that has ever lived—don't disrespect her name like that.
Due to her interjection, her first impression wasn't that good on the King, as she seemed like a rude child speaking above her status. But he was indeed touched by her devotion to his comrade.
King:
So you're a friend of Jay, right? A friend of Jay is also our comrade, but first, I would like you to clarify a few doubts I have within myself. By the given situation, it is clear that you have come from the opposing side. Then what caused you to switch sides on a whim?
Lilia:
Jay convinced me of the ample opportunities I would have as a mage working here. And also that if I joined, I could meet my god. I was just an intermediate-level mage before, trying very hard to surpass myself using outdated methods and such. Then, on a quest, I met Jay, and he introduced me to the teachings of the Sage of the Forest, Madam Lopez. And now that I am a Grand Mage, I want to hone my abilities further.
Jay looked at her as she seemed to have returned to normal and felt like he was watching an interview with HR asking, "Why do you wish to join this organization?" For that type of question, he would have given it full marks.
King:
Very well. Then have you signed a mana oath or bear the symbols of God anywhere on your body?
Lilia:
I, due to my abilities, was exempt from signing the mana oath, as it was seen as a form of slavery or restriction of freedom in the eyes of the gods themselves. But for the lower-ranking warriors, they were made to sign the oath to prevent desertion.
King:
My final question is: if I ask you to sign a mana oath now, will you sign it and fight with us in the war? Since if Jay is recommending you, you must be someone of good caliber.
Jay was touched by the blind trust of the King. He was glad to have himself acknowledged, since all this time, the things he had done caused him to be extremely distressed. And Jay looked toward Lilia, as she was not expecting this question at all. Despite having high intellect, she forgot to think of this scenario. And normally, she had seen through deceptions such as these many times. Lilia looked toward Jay for help, but Jay was more interested in watching her response rather than actually helping her. Thus, he didn't even answer her plea for help. Inside her mind, she tried desperately to steel herself because her dream was going to become true—she just needed to say yes. But then she remembered the forces of Heaven and what they were hiding. She became afraid of the fact that if she was to fight tomorrow, she might be killed in battle without even accomplishing her dream. Thus, very reluctantly, she said yes, very quietly.
Lilia (very weak):
Yes. I will sign it.
The King had read her face and realized her reluctance. For years, he had been engaging in battles such as these, and thus he had become very well-versed in reading faces. The King felt bad for her, so he mended his words. He picked up his receiver and requested for a mage.
King:
Send a mage from the camp here.
Just as he gave the order, within twenty-eight seconds, a mage was waiting outside the camp for permission. He was granted permission and was given the task to take Lilia and meet some other mages.
King:
This is a guest from the Army of God. She is interested in joining us, so show her around.
The mage was reluctant to show the enemy around the camp, especially to mingle with the mages this late in the night.
King:
Jay, I am assuming you will take responsibility.
Jay, despite hearing the very vague words, completely understood what he had meant. He just nodded, and Lilia was off with the mage.
King:
Jay, I believe you were giving me your oral report.
Jay started telling his story at the King's command about Sara and how she was the Apostle of Justice. About how he almost got his neck cut down. And his ties to Raizon and with her.
King:
Hmm, I do remember a natural redhead many centuries ago, when we had imported some Raizon scientists as a part of reconciliation toward the people there. Let me look into it. Until then, take a rest. And tomorrow, it's fine if you don't participate. You deserve it. Sara—was there any last name?
Jay:
Well, her last name was so generic that I have completely forgotten it.
King:
Did you find anything else? Now that Raizon is involved, we must be more careful. It's already bad enough for Raizon to once again enter the technological age.
Jay:
Nothing else of note. But there was something I noticed in the commander's tent. The strategist seemed to have gone mad, as they were making very wild predictions for tomorrow. And every move they made, it seemed like only we were losing, despite having themselves faced overwhelming losses today.
King:
This is not enough. Is there anything else you remember? Think, Jay. Think.
Jay tried to gather his memories to see if there was anything useful at all, but he had come up with nothing but a blank. And thus Jay had to deny his comrade.
Thus Jay Garrick was sanctioned an official leave—during war, no less. Hearing this, Jay had conflicted feelings. He was happy that he could laze around for longer, but sad that he wouldn't be able to see or reconcile with Sara. As he still couldn't accept her as his enemy.
He decided to check up on Lilia and left the tent.
---
Meanwhile
Roy and Vania had crossed the Spirit Forest and reached the village of elves. As they got closer to the village, they saw nothing but fire. The light was dim as they were far away, but once they were close, it was nothing but evident that the entire elf village was under fire. The Branded and the unbranded elves were fighting each other to their deaths.
Vania, as soon as they had reached, quickly hopped off Roy's back and took a very deep breath filled with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. This finally activated the nausea and made her head spin due to the intense travel combined with the particles which had been greatly displaced in her ears, as they had moved at the speed of lightning with Roy shielding her from any obstacles and harm.
Roy took out his Azure-tinted sword, and with that, it was evident that every Branded in this village was going to face their doom.
Roy:
I'll clear a passage for you quickly. Find the elder and protect her at all costs.
The moment Vania nodded, the grandfather Roy turned himself into the persona Azure Striker Blackbolt and quickly engaged in combat, one by one ending the lives of the Branded. The Branded were not being discrete about their brand or trying to hide it either, thus it was very easy to distinguish between them. While Vania ran toward the largest tree house within her sight on the Mother Tree. She had presumed that if she was an elder, she would have lived in the biggest house possible to exert dominance on the people and show them who was their master.
Roy, once he had struck down one of the Branded who was engaged in combat, asked the other elf.
Roy:
What is happening here? Why is your village on fire?
Elf:
Those Branded came to our home in the middle of the night, when our comrades had returned from their war duty. Thus our guard was down in the night. Those Branded snuck into the village and then mercilessly started slaughtering everyone who said that they would not change their sides.
Roy:
Very well. No need to fear—I, Azure Blackbolt, am here.
With this, within the next frame, he had disappeared from sight at the speed of lightning and moved on to his next target. Finally, Vania had climbed the Mother Tree and reached the house of the elder. As she was about to enter her house, she heard noises inside. On a closer listen, they were talking to each other.
? :
Look outside—our people are getting slaughtered because you are leaving me no choice. Please, my dear, don't do this any longer. We have met after centuries. Don't make our reunion awry.
? :
You are not the man I once knew. You were full of vigor, confidence, and pride. But now you are nothing but a pawn of the gods. My decision still stands: we will not be joining hands with you, even if the entire elf village burns down to the ground and every one of us are martyred—including men, women, and children.
? :
Then you leave me no choice but to take control into my hands. I hope we can fall in love again in our next life.
As soon as Vania heard this, she quickly entered the house and pounced on the assailant who was in the dark. There was a hatch where the moonlight poured in from the ceiling, and from that, she could clearly see an old wrinkly man holding a dagger. Before he could do anything, she froze his arms and encased them in heavy bounds of ice.
Vania:
Are you okay, Elder?
The Elder, who was equally surprised by the sudden turn of events, wasn't able to answer quickly, but in a few seconds, she answered that she was fine and thanked her for saving her life.
Elder:
You talk about our next life. But even now, my love for you still stands the test of time. Blinded by boundless hate and despair, it was inevitable you couldn't see anything.
Elder:
I couldn't thank you enough, young human girl. Please take my husband Akaso away and put a stop to these heinous killings.
Vania simply nodded without any additional dialogue and took Akaso—the Elder's husband, who was also deemed a traitor to the elf community and Branded. The fighting had already ceased, and the forest was once again silent, as the water mages from the elf clans started putting out fires in order to prevent its spread through the destroyed elf village.
Akaso spoke to Vania as she dragged him away.
Akaso:
Even if my hands are now bitten by winter, I don't feel any more pain. Young girl, I see the very flames in your eyes that I have. You and me—we are not too much different. Don't make the mistakes I have made.
I did what at that time I thought was right. But now my guilt is heavier than these chains you have bound me into.
Vania could be less concerned about the old man's statement, but how the events unfolded within her eyes, she couldn't help but think deeply about it. And it stuck in her mind even after Roy had finished the Branded elves. Her mind was occupied with only one question: should she forgive Roy for his mistakes? He had been cursed by the Curse of the Frozen Heart and had seen two of his daughters die at the hands of Jay Garrick. But he had also cast aside his grandmother, and her family lineage only existed for revenge against him.