Chapter 123: Knight of the High Elf (1)

Arkemis’s house had always been a quiet place shared only by her and Ketal for their alchemy studies. Occasionally, Milayna dropped by to deliver catalysts or materials, but she was far too busy to linger, and it was rare for her to step inside the house itself. Most of the time, it was just the two of them there—until now.

At the moment, a third individual was present. Around the table sat Ketal, Arkemis, and the male elf who had just appeared in the yard. Ketal broke the tense silence first.

“So, let’s talk.” Ketal flashed an easy smile in the elf’s direction. “If we’re going to have a proper conversation, we should at least know each other’s names. I’m Ketal. What about you?”

“I see no reason to give my name to a mere human.” The male elf’s response was cold. He narrowed his eyes at Ketal with clear disdain. “Filthy barbarian. If Lady Arkemis hadn’t stepped in, I would have crushed you on sight. Know your place.”

His hostility radiated across the table. The casual insults and contempt would have enraged any ordinary person—barbarian or not. However, Ketal merely looked intrigued.

“I see you consider yourself superior to humans. Are all elves like this?” Ketal asked Arkemis.

Arkemis shook her head. “No, not all of us. However, elves from the sanctuary tend to have that attitude. And he’s a bit special, too—he’s basically a noble among elves.”

“Interesting,” Ketal remarked. “I wasn’t aware elves had their own form of nobility.”

“It’s not exactly the same as human nobility, but it’s close enough,” Arkemis said.

Ketal studied the male elf and added, “He doesn’t seem to feel any pressure from me at all.”

Arkemis had once mistaken Ketal for a dragon because of his overwhelming presence, but the elf in front of them acted as though Ketal were just an ordinary barbarian.

Arkemis shrugged. “He might sense something, but he can’t sense much since he’s not a High Elf. Also, he might be just ignoring your presence, believing he’s stronger than you.”

Ketal grinned, as though he had learned something new. The elf’s eyebrow twitched, and he seemed rattled by Ketal’s casual attitude.

Arkemis sighed heavily and turned her gaze to the male elf. “You said we’re here to talk. I’m staying calm because I want a real conversation. Please cooperate.”

“Fine...” The elf still looked displeased, but he did not argue with her. “My name is Parco Venecia Kelt, knight of the High Elves.”

“Parco...” Ketal repeated, nodding once. He then glanced at Arkemis. “You don’t have such a long name yourself?”

“I’m a High Elf,” Arkemis replied. “We don’t use things like family names. I’m just Arkemis.”

“Ah, I see,” Ketal replied.

Parco scowled, clearly unhappy that the conversation was unfolding in a way he hadn’t intended. He seemed to feel dragged along against his will.

“What exactly does it mean to be a knight to the High Elves?” Ketal asked him with a curious expression.

Arkemis answered before Parco could speak. “It’s exactly what it sounds like.”

High Elves were born from the World Tree, which made them unique. In some respects, they were more revered than a tribe’s queen. Naturally, knights existed to serve the High Elves. They were among the strongest elves alive, and only the best of the best could become a High Elf’s knight. Parco was one of them.

She didn’t look pleased at all as she explained it. “Parco is always nagging me about every little thing and trying to control me. I thought I finally gave him the slip, but here he is again. How did you get here, Parco?”

“I received a revelation from the World Tree,” Parco replied.

Arkemis’s eyes widened. “You mean a direct message from the World Tree itself?”

“Indeed. The world is in danger. I know that evil forces recently targeted you, Lady Arkemis.”

She let out a bitter sigh. “They did, but—”

“The world is shaking under the threat of evil.” Parco went on calmly. “They’ve shown themselves and launched attacks, and one of their targets is the High Elves. They have their sights set on you.”

Arkemis grimaced. She had already heard from Butler that she was meant to be used as a sacrifice, and that these enemies had descended specifically to capture her. One question still bothered her.

“Why are they so intent on targeting the High Elves?” she asked Parco.

“I don’t know their reasons. But you’re the only High Elf who has left our holy land. It’s too dangerous for you to remain outside.” Parco regarded Arkemis solemnly. “Please return with me to our holy land, Lady Arkemis.”

She let out a frustrated groan. Part of her wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t. If it were only her own safety at stake, she might have resisted. However, if evil forces were after her for some larger purpose, she couldn’t just stay out in the open and risk letting them achieve whatever plan they had.

Arkemis let out a deep sigh. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Parco smiled as though her decision was only natural. “That’s a wise choice, Lady Arkemis.”

“Damn it,” she muttered, glaring at him. “I really didn’t want to go back yet. I’m sorry, Ketal. It’s come to this.”

Ketal offered a faint shrug. “I guess it can’t be helped.”

Arkemis watched him for a moment before asking, “You will come visit our holy land someday, right?”

“I’m always thinking about it,” Ketal said. “If everything’s settled soon, I might head over right away.”

“That’s all I need to hear. It’s disappointing that I have to leave now, but I can look forward to seeing you again later.” With a determined nod, Arkemis turned back to Parco. “Give me a minute. I need to pack up a few things.”

“Pack up?” Parco repeated. He looked confused at first, but his expression hardened as soon as he saw her gather alchemy supplies and catalysts from around the house.

This place was her workshop, filled with everything she had built and studied while living outside the holy land. She intended to continue her research even after returning home, so she had to bring it all with her.

“You’re still doing such things?” Parco said, staring at her workshop with obvious disgust. Suddenly, as though making up his mind, he raised a hand, and wind began to swirl around him.

Arkemis’s face changed instantly. A violent crash echoed through the room. The blast of wind forced Arkemis back.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” she shouted, eyes flashing. If she hadn’t reacted in time, her workshop would already be in ruins. The gust was clearly meant for destruction.

However, Parco only gazed at her calmly.

“You are a child of the World Tree, Lady Arkemis, a High Elf of great standing,” he said in a scolding tone. “Why are you still clinging to material concepts like these?”

The way he spoke resembled an adult chastising a child. He continued, “A High Elf of your caliber shouldn’t be lowering yourself with these uncivilized techniques. It’s unthinkable.”

“You—!” Arkemis spat, anger twisting her face.

“If you bring these worldly things into the holy land, the other High Elves will be greatly disappointed. That would be a grave insult to you as well,” Parco said, gathering more wind. “As your knight, I cannot allow such a thing. Forgive my rudeness, but I am only doing this so you may open your eyes and see reason.”

“Don’t spew that nonsense!” Arkemis shouted. “I left because I hated that attitude of yours!”

“Given the current situation, please understand my impolite actions.”

“Shut up!” Arkemis tried to gather mana, but her body was still weak. She couldn’t muster even half her usual power. The wind cut away at her workshop bit by bit.

“No... No!” she cried, despair flooding her face. She had worked so hard for all of this, and everything she had devoted her life to was finally taking shape. Now, it was about to be destroyed right before her eyes.

She fought desperately but couldn’t stop the gale. Just when she was about to give in to total despair, Ketal grabbed Parco’s arm.

“That’s enough,” Ketal said.

***

Parco’s first reaction was surprise.

He grabbed my arm?

Ketal had been standing some distance away, though not so far that Parco shouldn’t have noticed him approaching—yet Parco realized only after Ketal had already seized his arm. His second reaction was anger.

How dare a mere human lay a hand on me?

he thought. A worthless barbarian dared to grab him. Furious, Parco gathered the wind raging around him into his palm and flung it at Ketal.

“Get lost,” Parco snarled.

Ketal extended his other hand. The wind roared, swelling in a violent burst.

Parco sneered at the sight.

Is he trying to block my wind with a single hand?

He channeled more power into the spell. The wind began to condense until it formed a small sphere that shot forward like a miniature storm. He was certain Ketal would be hurled across the room—maybe not killed, but left crippled. That was his clear intent.

“Wow,” Ketal murmured in genuine fascination, eyeing the swirling sphere of wind. “That’s impressive.”

Then, he calmly clenched his fist at the oncoming mass of air. The storm exploded with a thundering crash, releasing a shockwave so intense that Parco staggered backward in disbelief.

“W-what?” Parco gasped.

The spell was powerful enough that even Arkemis might have struggled to stop it. Yet, Ketal had effortlessly crushed it. As Parco stood there reeling, Ketal casually shook out his hand and said, “Acting without any regard for someone else’s wishes isn’t right. Doing that to the very person you serve is even worse. You’re being selfish.”

“Keep out of this, outsider,” Parco snapped.

“I’m no outsider,” Ketal replied with a quiet smile. “She is my mentor.”

“What?” Parco exclaimed, eyes widening.

Ketal went on calmly, “I’ve provided Arkemis with catalysts as well, so I can’t just stand by while you destroy everything she’s worked on. Besides, she is my mentor. If I see my mentor being threatened, I have to step in.”

Arkemis watched in confusion. “K-Ketal? Why are you saying it like that?”

Something about the way he phrased it felt a little strange to her.

Ketal ignored her protests and fixed his gaze on Parco. “What do you think about a duel between us?”

***

“Ketal, what do you mean by that?” Arkemis, who had been watching this unfold, finally found her voice. “Why are you suddenly talking about a duel?”

“It doesn’t look like this will end in a civilized conversation,” Ketal said. “Parco clearly refuses to accept your interest in alchemy. He just tried to destroy your workshop before you could bring your research back home.”

She gave a shaky nod. Parco had shown every sign of shutting her down, no matter how much she resisted.

“But I’m your student,” Ketal went on. “I’ve studied alchemy with you, and I plan to keep doing so when we meet again in the future. That means Parco’s goal directly clashes with mine.”

“I-if you say it like that...” Arkemis stammered. His reason was strangely convincing.

Meanwhile, Ketal had only one thought in his mind.

A knight of the High Elves probably uses elemental spirits, which means I get to see another one if I choose to fight him!

Ketal recalled the fire spirit, Fiego, which he had seen before. It had been spectacular, and he wanted to witness such a spirit again.

He turned back to Parco. “Words alone won’t accomplish much. Let’s place our honor on the line in a duel. I don’t see why you would refuse. From what I can tell, you hate me anyway, isn’t that right?”

Indeed, even when speaking to Arkemis, Parco had made no secret of his contempt and disgust for Ketal. Just being near a so-called barbarian seemed to offend him.

On the other hand, Ketal found Parco’s hostility oddly entertaining. “Why not settle your emotions in a good, fair fight?”

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

“How dare you, human,” Parco growled, his lip curling. “I don’t know what tricks you are hiding, but you’re stepping way out of line. Fine. I will make sure you can never again stand against the nobility of the elves. I will break all your limbs if that’s what it takes.”

He declared this with grim finality. Ketal simply flashed a delighted grin.