...
{Ember Pov}
I glanced at my sister, Riveria, who was staring pensively out of the carriage window, her eyes tracing the fading outline of the Royal City as it grew smaller behind us.
I turned my gaze back, watching the city shrink steadily with the passing time, and for a moment, I felt a quiet sense of nostalgia mixed with anticipation.
"It seems this will be your first time visiting that fortress," Riveria remarked suddenly, her voice breaking the silence in the carriage.
I nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, sister," I replied, my tone calm yet tinged with curiosity.
"Although every year our mother takes us to visit various other Elf cities within Alf's Royal Forest, and by now I have visited the majority of them, I still have yet to set foot in another fortified fortress aside from those that are near our Royal Palace."
I had already traveled to most of the major Elf cities situated within the Alf's Royal Forest.
To provide some context, the Alf's Royal Forest itself is vast, spanning approximately ten thousand square kilometers in diameter.
It is an expansive forest, home to numerous large and ancient tree species, each contributing to the grandeur and depth of the forest.
At the very center of this forest lies the Royal Capital, occupying several dozen square kilometers, serving as the administrative and cultural heart of the Elven lands.
Beyond the central capital, there are the major cities positioned in the middle regions of the forest, situated between the central Royal Capital and the outer boundaries.
Each of these cities is heavily fortified, surrounded by numerous fortresses, with guards strategically stationed to ensure safety.
These cities are governed by members of the Elf Nobility, who maintain both political control and social order.
Beyond these, there exist smaller cities and towns, leading ultimately to the border cities.
These outermost cities are heavily populated with Elf soldiers, elite archers, powerful mages, and perhaps most importantly, seasoned adventurers.
Although the Royal Family as a whole, with a few exceptions like myself, generally harbors disdain for the Gods, they still recognize the critical role of adventurers.
Consequently, many retired Elf Adventurers settle in these border cities.
The cities themselves are slightly more modernized compared to the inner major cities, offering a stable and prosperous environment for retired adventurers to work as soldiers, guards, or in other lucrative roles.
They could choose to live in the inner cities or even in the Royal Capital if they wished, but many opt for the border cities where their skills are most needed.
Interestingly, within the Royal Capital itself, there are reportedly three level-5 adventurers and a single level-6, though I have rarely encountered them personally.
Their involvement is typically restricted to situations where the Falnaless Elves cannot manage the threat, which makes sense given that they are officially retired.
I suspect that many of the adventurers residing in the border cities operate under similar circumstances: stepping in only when danger arises.
To be honest, I found this slightly frustrating, as it limited my exposure to high-level adventurers for guidance in my training.
The Royal Capital hosts only a small number of adventurers—four or five, all of whom are high-level and highly skilled.
I let out a quiet sigh, lost in thought.
Riveria noticed my pensive expression and asked, "Is something bothering you?"
I gave her a slight shrug, my tone casual but reflective.
"It's nothing major. It's just… I found it somewhat upsetting that I only discovered the presence of these high-level adventurers a few months ago. I had no idea they existed until recently, despite living in the Royal Capital all my life."
Riveria let out a small chuckle, clearly understanding my frustration. "I get it," she said warmly.
"I learned about them much later as well, around the time I was sixteen. We both know father despises the Gods and avoids any discussion relating to adventurers, so it wasn't mentioned unless I specifically asked about it. Mother eventually told me when I pressed the issue."
I nodded in understanding, realizing how little I had known until Riveria had shared her experience.
It was only after she discovered my curiosity and attempts to learn more about adventurers a few months ago, back when I had just begun focusing on close-combat training, that I truly began to understand the structure and presence of adventurers within the Royal Capital and the Alf's Royal Forest as a whole.
"Hey, sister, we still have quite a bit of time before we reach our destination. How about you share some of your knowledge with me?" I asked, trying to sound casual yet genuinely curious.
Riveria, however, pouted at my question, crossing her arms and giving me that exasperated look she often used.
"You are always like this, Ember," she said with a half-smile, half-scowl.
"Always asking, 'I want to know this, I want to know that.' Chill a bit. You wouldn't want to overwork yourself, would you?"
I grinned at her response, seeing an opportunity in her reluctant attitude.
"Well… maybe now's my chance to learn something new," I said, trying to coax her further.
"On second thought, perhaps you could tell me about something you think is interesting?"
Riveria's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she considered my request.
"Well, you know Aina, right? I can tell you about her, and what I learned when she became my personal maid," she offered, tilting her head slightly as she stared at me for confirmation.
I nodded eagerly.
"Of course I know about Aina. It's hard not to know her, especially since she's now our personal maid," I replied.
Riveria continued, her tone becoming a bit more serious as she explained.
"Well, while Aina and her parents are normal Elves, her grandfather was a High-Elf. However, he didn't possess the purest bloodline, and he married a normal Elf. Their children, as a result, became normal Elves."
"I see," I said, listening intently.
Suddenly, Riveria's expression shifted, and displeasure clouded her features.
"It's funny," she said with a bitter edge.
"I didn't even realize we were cousins until Aina became my maid. Now it makes sense why her hair color and eye color are so similar to mine and Father's. Apparently, her father, being a normal Elf, was no longer eligible to live in the palace or hold the title of duke. He could have been a noble, but he chose to reject the opportunity entirely."
I could understand her feelings.
From my memories of my past life, I already knew about Aina's ancestry.
It was quite convenient that I have nearly an eidetic memory—a perk of being a High-Elf—but that's a thought for another time.
I pondered quietly for a moment before asking a sudden question.
"How many things has Father been hiding from us?"
"A lot," she answered bluntly, without hesitation.
I simply nodded in response, already knowing the truth in her words.
Our father loves us dearly, encourages us whenever necessary, and often praises me when I accomplish something spectacular.
Yet he is also a man with flaws, and one of his greatest is his intense hatred for the Gods.
It blinds him to the few benevolent deities that exist in the world.
He is also extremely dedicated to his kingdom, to the point of sparing almost no time for us—practically none, in fact.
Since he was forced into the role of king under the expectations of everyone around him, sacrificing his personal dreams, he would not tolerate us knowing more about the outside world than he does, nor would he approve of us attempting to explore it.
In essence, he is a hard-working and dutiful father—caring, protective, and loving—as long as you avoid the subjects that irritate him.
Step across that line, however, and he becomes a conservative, rigid father, bound by tradition and duty.
Truly a hassle, I thought, shaking my head.
Changing the topic to something lighter, I found a random subject to discuss with Riveria.
We began talking about various topics: the world we knew, the books we had read, our respective knowledge of magic, and our shared eagerness to explore the unknown territories beyond our familiar borders.
The conversation was pleasant, filled with curiosity and the subtle bond only siblings share.
Before I realized it, we had arrived at the fortress.
The discussion with my sister came to a natural end, though I could sense her subtle annoyance towards Father in her earlier words.
Had he done something recently to irritate her? Perhaps I should ask Mother about it once we returned home.
As the carriage doors opened and we stepped out, I observed the scene before us.
It wasn't particularly surprising, yet it carried a sense of familiarity—a mix of order, discipline, and the subtle tension of military readiness that seemed to permeate every fortified structure in the Elf territories.
The fortress loomed in front of us, a testament to centuries of Elven architecture, defense, and strategy, ready to host both the guardians of the realm and the challenges that awaited us within its walls.
Dozens of Elf soldiers, archers, and mages stood at attention on both sides of a long, crimson carpet that had been laid out leading to the main entrance of the fortress.
The air was filled with discipline and order, every Elf standing perfectly straight, ready to show respect to visiting royalty.
The commander of this place—who I assumed oversaw the entire garrison—came running toward us at full speed.
As soon as he reached us, he dropped to his knees without hesitation, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
With a deep, reverent voice, he announced, "We greet Her Highness Riveria Ljos Alf and His Highness Ember Ljos Alf!"
Immediately, all the soldiers present raised their hands in salute, a display of precision and loyalty.
My sister Riveria gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment, her posture poised and elegant as ever.
"Commander Redin," she began, her voice crisp, commanding, yet regal, "we are here on a monster hunt to hone our skills. However, evening approaches, and it would be prudent to begin the hunt tomorrow. I would appreciate it if you showed us the way to our designated abode."
Her tone carried authority, cold yet unmistakably majestic.
The commander bowed his head in understanding and promptly began leading us forward, walking quickly so as to match her pace without faltering.
We were escorted through the fortress corridors, the echo of our footsteps blending with the subtle sounds of guards shifting in attention.
Upon reaching our assigned rooms, I was about to step inside when my sister unexpectedly grabbed my arm and pulled me toward her own quarters.
"Sister, what's the matter?" I asked, confused and slightly off-balance.
She grinned, her expression a mixture of mischief and command.
"Ember, you are sleeping with me!" she declared firmly.
(A/N: OI! I am not ready to write a sex scene! Stop! Stop rn!)
I immediately protested, stepping back and shaking my head.
"Nope," I replied with finality, pausing briefly before adding, "Besides, we are outside the Royal City and palace now, sister. It would be strange for others to see us sharing a room, especially considering I am an adult by now."
Riveria, however, remained unyielding.
"Ember, it is the order of your elder sister! You must obey me!" she said, her tone sharp, authoritative, yet carrying a teasing undertone.
In the blink of an eye, half of my body was already outside the doorway, ready to retreat.
"Wait a minute!" she called, grabbing my arm with surprising strength for her slender build.
"Won't you let your elder sister spoil you rotten, Ember?" she added, her voice softening into a sweet, almost coaxing tone.
Her facial expression complemented her words, making her seem genuinely cute, almost disarmingly so.
Riveria's usual demeanor was cold and elegant, never airy or frivolous, so seeing her act this way created a strange, almost awkward tension in the room.
"Nope," I muttered stubbornly, attempting to maintain some semblance of independence as I stepped fully into my own room.
Yet, before I could settle, she invaded my space without hesitation, slipping past the doorway with the ease of someone completely at home.
"Sister," I sighed, exasperation mixing with a strange sense of anticipation.
"Ember," she said softly, biting her lip as she let out a deep, drawn-out sigh.
"It feels strange, doesn't it? We are siblings, yet we have so little time together. I miss the days when it was just the three of us—me, you, and Aina—playing freely without any cares."
Her dramatic words had their intended effect.
Despite knowing it was overly theatrical, my defenses crumbled.
My heart, weak under the assault of her charm, surrendered, and I found myself resting my head against her chest as we lay down on the bed together.
"You are so cute, Ember," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
"No matter how much you grow, for me, you will always be cute."
Her words, so carefully chosen and delivered, had a soothing effect I couldn't resist.
Despite being an Elf and fully aware of my own peculiarities, I relished the praise, especially when it came from someone as alluring and caring as my onee-san—beautiful, poised, and with that ara-ara charm that disarmed me completely.
And so, the night passed in that way, peaceful yet intimate, leaving me comforted, exhausted, and completely content by my sister's side.
...
The next day, after finishing our breakfast, we found ourselves near the entrance of a Goblin hideout.
The scouts reported that there were approximately fifty-nine Goblins inside, and I could feel the familiar itch of anticipation for combat running through my veins.
"Ember, your idea is reckless," my sister remarked sharply, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at me, clearly disapproving of my approach.
"Indeed, it may seem reckless," I admitted, "but it is the best way for me to become stronger and to practice concurrent chanting properly."
I had already taken numerous factors into account.
True, the plan carried risk, but I was reckless in a calculated way, not foolishly so.
I would not be facing these Goblins alone.
Riveria's expression softened slightly, but there was a glint of determination in her eyes.
"Fine," she said, "I will join you."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise at her decision.
Meanwhile, Commander Redin stepped forward, his expression conflicted.
"Your Highness, His Highness is—" he began cautiously, clearly struggling with how to phrase his concern.
He wanted to warn Riveria, but he was careful not to insult her capabilities, which only made his task more difficult.
"No buts, Commander Redin," Riveria interjected firmly, cutting him off before he could continue.
"I may not be as skilled in close combat or swordsmanship as my brother, but I am proficient with a spear, and our enemies are nothing more than measly Goblins—the lowest of the low."
The commander wisely chose to remain silent after that, realizing that any further warning would only imply doubt in our ability to handle what were, by all accounts, the weakest of surface-dwelling monsters.
Riveria and I had already discussed our plan in detail earlier.
Both of us were eager to learn concurrent chanting.
My sister had already mastered the basics, capable of continuously chanting as she moved to dodge attacks or as monsters charged toward her.
But like me, she wanted to refine it further—capable of simultaneously engaging multiple enemies while maintaining uninterrupted magic output, the ideal form of combat magic proficiency.
We soon assumed our positions, carefully hidden and ready to strike.
The Elf Archers stealthily positioned themselves on tree branches above, taking advantage of the Goblins' simple-minded nature.
These creatures were easy to trap and surround, which made our task simpler.
At my signal, we charged forward, startling the Goblins.
I drew my sword with a flourish and cut through the nearest Goblin while simultaneously beginning my chant.
"Asf inem Ghir Deima..." I recited, my focus split between the incantation and the horde before me.
Balancing the act of chanting while battling was mentally taxing—it was akin to performing two complex tasks at the same time—but I pressed on, determined to maintain control over both.
A sharp metallic sound cut through the air.
"Shrrrrring."
My sword collided against the rusted blade of a Goblin's weapon.
I stepped back, regaining my balance, and prepared to charge again.
"Emeri—" my chant was abruptly interrupted as a wooden club struck my legs with staggering force.
Pain shot through my body as I felt the distinct, sickening crack of bones under the impact.
I was forced forward, stumbling as the rusted sword of the Goblin came swinging directly at me.
Booom.
A loud boom reverberated through the clearing as the impact of the Goblins' attack sent the creatures around me flying backward, their bodies colliding with the ground with sickening thuds.
Blood trickled down my body from multiple wounds, staining my armor and clothing.
I struggled to rise to my feet, my vision swimming and blurry from the shock and exertion, while the sharp whizzing of arrows sliced through the air, finding their marks in the vile creatures, piercing them through to their inevitable deaths.
All around me, cries rang out—not just from the Goblins, but from the people involved in the battle, including my sister's sharp voice cutting through the chaos.
Desperately, I reached for a potion, my hand trembling from both pain and exhaustion, only for my body to falter under the strain, causing me to collapse heavily onto the ground.
...
3rd Pov
Ignis Fatuus occurs when a spellcaster fails to properly control their magic, allowing their mana to spiral out of control during a chant.
This loss of control results in a sudden explosion, which can severely injure the caster and also pose a danger to anyone nearby if they are within the radius of the detonation.
The likelihood of experiencing an Ignis Fatuus is significantly higher for those wielding congenital magic compared to those using acquired magic.
Furthermore, attempting concurrent chanting—casting multiple spells or maintaining magic while performing other complex actions—dramatically increases the risk of triggering this dangerous phenomenon.
This risk is particularly severe for Falnaless individuals, as they lack the superhuman endurance and durability that even the weakest Falna users naturally possess.
For a magician with Falna, the effects of an Ignis Fatuus, while painful and disruptive, rarely pose a lethal threat because their bodies can withstand the explosion to a degree.
In contrast, someone without Falna using a spell powerful enough to kill a Level 1 monster could be gravely injured or even killed if an Ignis Fatuus occurs.
That exact scenario had unfolded during this very battle.
Ember, despite his prodigious skills and immense focus, was barely managing to maintain control over his magic while simultaneously keeping half of his attention on fighting the surrounding enemies.
The Elf Archers, stationed at a distance, were carefully observing both Ember and Riveria.
Special emphasis was placed on Riveria, who lacked extensive close combat experience compared to her younger brother.
Commander Redin had explicitly instructed the Archers to protect her at all costs, knowing full well the dangers posed by the Goblins and the chaotic environment of the battlefield.
Ember, by contrast, was widely regarded as a prodigy whose feats had become legendary within the Alf's Royal Forest.
His accomplishments were so extraordinary that anyone who heard of them naturally assumed he was capable of performing virtually anything.
This widespread perception, combined with the Elves' deep-seated admiration and near-obsessive devotion to their prince, led many Archers to focus on admiring Ember's swordsmanship rather than actively monitoring him for danger.
Only a few maintained vigilant attention on him, their eyes tracing each precise strike and movement he made, but even those were often awestruck by the fluidity and efficiency of his combat techniques.
Meanwhile, the majority of Archers concentrated their efforts on watching Riveria, underestimating the very real risk Ember faced as he balanced combat with the constant peril of an Ignis Fatuus.
They were utterly mesmerized, their eyes fixated on witnessing the first-ever concurrent chanting performed by their prodigal prince, Ember, with their own eyes.
Nothing could make them feel more blessed than to observe such a feat achieved by their beloved prince.
Their unwavering attention, however, came at a cost.
Completely absorbed in watching Ember, they failed to notice a lone Goblin stealthily maneuvering behind him.
In an instant, the creature leapt forward, striking Ember's legs with its crude weapon, sending a sickening crack through his bones.
The chant Ember had been meticulously reciting immediately faltered, halting mid-syllable.
Within the next heartbeat, a deafening boom echoed across the battlefield as the unstable magic he had been conjuring detonated violently.
The Goblin wielding the rusty sword was hurled backward by the explosion.
For a moment, silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the stunned gasps of the Archers who had frozen in place.
Their eyes widened in horror as they took in the sight before them—their prince, Ember, was in a horrifyingly bloody state.
His body was partially charred black from the explosion, wounds oozed blood across his chest and limbs, and it was nothing short of a miracle that he was even alive.
WhizWhiz
Without a moment's hesitation, the Archers unleashed a relentless storm of arrows, raining death upon the remaining Goblins.
The soldiers surrounding the area charged forward recklessly, their battle cries deafening.
"Save His Highness!!" Commander Redin roared, sprinting toward the barely standing Ember.
"Ember!!!" Riveria shouted, abandoning her ongoing spellcasting despite the wound on her hand sustained from losing focus in the fray, as she raced desperately to her brother's side.
The instant Ember collapsed, chaos erupted in full force.
Soldiers, enraged at seeing their prince on the ground, attacked the Goblins with reckless abandon, sustaining injuries in the process.
Archers leapt from their perches and mercilessly shot down any Goblin in sight.
Redin and Riveria finally reached Ember, and Riveria quickly flipped his battered body over, breaking down into tears at the sight of his grievous condition.
Ember's face was partially blackened, his skin charred and blistered, while blood poured from numerous lacerations across his body.
His lightweight armor was cracked and mangled in several places, offering little protection.
Redin hastily removed the damaged armor as Riveria, steeling herself, retrieved the High-Potion that had fallen to the ground.
She poured it over Ember's wounds, repeating the process with multiple potions until his body began to heal.
His breathing, however, remained extremely shallow.
"He must have internal injuries. We need to make him drink the potion to stabilize him internally—" Redin started, but he stopped abruptly as Riveria, without hesitation, took a mouthful of High-Potion herself and pressed it against Ember's lips.
In a single fluid motion, she kissed him, passing the potion into his mouth.
Encountering resistance, she used her tongue to carefully guide the liquid down his throat.
Breaking the kiss momentarily, she observed Ember intently, and seeing his condition improve, she repeated the process with another High-Potion, ensuring it went down effectively through the kiss.
By the time the soldiers and Archers had finished slaying the remaining Goblins, the battlefield was strewn with limbs, blood, and heads of the vile creatures.
They had fully surrounded their highness, their expressions filled with extreme worry and dread.
Many were in tears at the sight of Ember's injuries, while a few of the Elf Archers collapsed to the ground, clutching their heads in despair.
These were the very individuals who had been tasked with overseeing his fight.
Once approximately ninety percent of Ember's injuries had been healed, a collective sigh of relief spread among everyone present.
Riveria, overcome with emotion, embraced her brother tightly, crying into his chest as she felt his heartbeat steady beneath her.
Redin, his face dark with fury, turned toward the four Elf Archers—three female and one male—who had failed to protect Ember adequately.
"You piece of shits!" he bellowed, seizing the male Archer by the collar and delivering a punch to his face, shattering his nose instantly.
"What the hell were you doing?!!!" Redin shouted, gripping the bloody Elf Archer tightly, his fury radiating as he glared daggers at the remaining three Archers who had shrunk back in fear, their faces pale with dread.
"Commander Redin, enough!!!" Riveria's voice rang out sharply, cutting through his rage.
She stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his arm to stop him from further assaulting the trembling Archers.
Her eyes, icy and unwavering, fixed on him as she commanded, "We must first escort Ember to the fortress safely and prepare an Elixir for him. Only after ensuring his recovery can we decide their punishment."
Redin fell silent, the weight of her cold, authoritative stare rendering him momentarily speechless.
"Everyone, quickly gather yourselves!" Redin finally ordered, his voice still laced with tension, and immediately began issuing precise commands.
The soldiers moved with urgency, forming an organized escort to carry Ember safely back to the fortress.
As they approached the gates, the commotion drew the attention of the stationed soldiers, who immediately recognized the severity of the situation from Ember's battered and bloodied state.
A ripple of shock and alarm ran through the troops as they realized something grave had occurred.
Ember was swiftly carried to his private bedroom, where the only two Elixirs available in the fortress were retrieved in haste.
"Damnit! I am a complete idiot! Why didn't we bring an Elixir with us?!" Redin berated himself loudly, kicking at the ground in frustration. Riveria, however, remained silent, her piercing gaze fixed solely on Ember as she assessed his condition.
At that moment, one of the few skilled healers stationed in the fortress, a female Elf named Seria, rushed into the room.
"Seria, quickly check upon His Highness!" Redin commanded urgently.
Seria nodded without hesitation and began her meticulous examination of Ember's battered body.
"He is currently out of immediate danger," she reported, her tone calm yet precise, "however, he may still be suffering from internal injuries. I recommend that he drinks an Elixir to stabilize him internally, while another Elixir should be applied externally to his remaining wounds."
Although Seria was a Falnaless healer, her healing magic was roughly equivalent to a standard healing potion despite her elite training. Still, her expertise extended far beyond mere magical ability.
All Elf Healers were taught in-depth Elf anatomy, advanced medical practices, and diagnostic techniques, making them more akin to highly skilled doctors in the world of Danmachi.
As such, her professional assessment carried considerable authority.
Upon hearing Seria's instructions, Riveria swiftly grabbed an Elixir.
Without a moment's hesitation, she drank a portion herself and immediately pressed her lips to Ember's, carefully using her tongue and mouth to administer the Elixir into his system.
Seria froze momentarily at the unexpected method, and Redin exhaled deeply, a mixture of exasperation and resignation on his face.
When Riveria finally pulled back, Redin could not help but remark, "Your Highness, you really should have allowed Seria to handle that."
Blushing lightly, Riveria glanced at him, her cheeks tinged with pink, and Seria quickly added, "It doesn't matter, Your Highness. What she did was actually effective. Moreover, I can understand how worried she is for him."
Riveria returned a grateful look to Seria, and Redin merely nodded in quiet acknowledgment.
"Your Highness, should we imprison those Elves responsible?" Redin asked cautiously, aware of the tension still lingering in the room.
Without looking directly at him, her anger barely contained, Riveria replied firmly, "Yes."
Seria subtly shook her head, silently realizing that the Archers responsible would likely face the death penalty for their failure.
Riveria, sensing the truth of the matter, added, "Sir Redin, I request that no punishment be administered until Ember awakens. It should be he who decides their fate, not us."
"It should indeed be no other way, Your Highness," Redin agreed with a respectful bow.
He then gestured to Seria, prompting her to leave the room.
As they departed, Riveria's fists clenched tightly, her teeth grinding as she remained beside Ember.
Thoughts raced through her mind. "Why? Why did this happen?" she muttered silently to herself.
Although she understood the factors that led to this disaster, she could not fully pinpoint the reason.
All she could do was wait patiently for her brother to recover, praying for his safety and hoping to understand the full truth once he regained consciousness.
To be continued…