Chapter 7: Elf (3)

The queen clasped her hands together, and flames began to gather, taking shape. “I summon you! Bearer of the primordial purity! I summon you! Scorcher of the pitch-black darkness!”

It was an incantation.

Caught up in the moment, Ketal found himself in awe. He was just delighted to be able to see an actual magic accompanied by an incantation. The sight of true magic left his heart pounding.

“Come forth! Horned one bearing the flames of purity. Fiego!” the queen continued with the incantation.

The flames morphed into a doorway, and from within, a beast leaped forth—a bull of flickering fire.

“Wow!” Ketal gasped. The bull in front of him was magnificent. Its entire body was engulfed in blazing red flames, and without even doing anything, the temperature of the surrounding forest rose.

However, the most distinctive feature was the horn protruding from its head. Though the bull itself was formidable, that horn was on a different level. Even Ketal, who had never seen a spirit before, could notice how powerful that horn was.

Yes! This is what you call a spirit! And this is what you call a world of fantasy!

Ketal thought in delight.

The monsters of the White Snowfield were grotesque and alien. They were closer to nightmares than embodiments of fantasy. There were a few rare ones, like the cute ones resembling black slimes or the snake-like beings with a touch of fantasy flair, but the majority were detestable in appearance.

However, the bull standing in front of him was different. A horned bull blazing with flames was the very embodiment of the fantasy world he dreamed of.

While Ketal trembled with awe, the queen caught her breath with a ragged expression.

“So, you have summoned me.” Fiego scratched the ground with an air of annoyance. “I am bound by the king’s command to aid you, but entering into contracts has never been worthwhile. It is always nothing but troublesome.”

“Silence.” The queen’s tone was curt.

Fiego, the Legendary spirit of fire, wielded a power unmatched by most. And such a being was not easily commanded by its contractor. Just as taming a wild predator was never perfect, spirits, too, resisted absolute control.

The more powerful the spirit, the longer it had lived, and with it came an immense pride.

Among these, Fiego was the Legendary spirit of fire. It embodied the very essence of fire itself, with horns that housed pure flames. Summoning it was a feat even beyond the queen’s abilities alone. She had barely managed to form a contract with the aid of other tribe members.

“Fulfill the contract, Fiego,” the queen said.

"Annoying as it may be, a contract is a contract. So, the task this time is to kill the human before us?"

Fiego exhaled with a snort and turned its gaze to the human standing before them. When the bull saw the human’s peculiar expression, filled with awe, it blinked in disbelief.

Is that... truly a human?

This thought crossed Fiego’s mind because the human was too perfect, like a sculpture. If not for the movement of his chest as he breathed, he could have been mistaken for a statue.

The queen nodded. “He is human. He has trespassed upon our land.”

"Hmph. A pitiful human, daring to covet the domains of nature. I’ve made my decision. I shall leave nothing but ashes behind."

After Fiego stopped talking, it began to stomp its feet. A fiery storm erupted. The flames emanating from his horns engulfed Ketal in an instant. It was pure fire—fire that incinerated all darkness, illuminating the world with a blinding red glow.

Boom!

Ketal was swallowed by the flames in an instant.

“It’s all over,” Fiego spoke with calm finality.

However, the queen shook her head. “It’s not over.”

"What...?

“Hm.” A familiar voice emerged from the flames. Ketal moved his hand around, scattering the fire. He stood as he had at the beginning, unscathed. “It’s pretty hot. I’ll give you that.”

Despite his words, his expression was calm.

Fiego’s flames wavered violently.

"How?"

The flames the bull wielded were the purest of fire, a fundamental aspect of nature itself. No matter how strong one was, direct contact with it would inevitably cause damage. Yet, here this human stood, unharmed.

"So, you possess the power to covet nature. But that is the end of your strength."

Fiego’s horns burned even brighter. It bent its forelegs, gathering strength in its hind legs. Like a jet engine, flames erupted behind it.

"Be impaled."

Boom!

The bull charged forward. It lunged to pierce Ketal with its horn.

Ketal, however, calmly extended his hand.

Boom!

An explosion rang out. Being elements of nature, spirits typically could not alter their surroundings with their power. However, the grass and trees around them caught fire, consumed by the overwhelming concept of fire that blanketed them.

The queen quickly enveloped herself in protective flames. The strength of a Legendary spirit was overwhelming. Even approaching it without sufficient power was perilous.

An opponent struck with such a force could not possibly survive unscathed.

However, it was different with Ketal.

"This is impossible...!" Fiego cried out in disbelief. Its horn was caught by Ketal’s palm.

The horn, imbued with pure flame, could not pierce mere human flesh before it. Desperately, Fiego drew upon more power. Ketal became completely engulfed in flames.

Yet nothing changed.

The primordial fire could not scorch his skin. With composure, Ketal clenched his fist.

“I’m glad you’re in beast form,” Ketal said. Slowly he raised his fist.

Sensing danger, Fiego tried to pull back, but Ketal’s grip held its head firm.

“I have no qualms about beating beasts to death,” Ketal said. His fist collided with the horn.

Crack!

"Guhh!"

The horn, once indestructible and housing pure fire, shattered against the human’s fist. Fiego’s form exploded and dispersed. In a single strike, it was banished from the Mortal Realm.

“Ah...” The queen was bewildered. She could not comprehend the power of such magnitude. She knew it was over. With Fiego gone, she had no options left.

She closed her eyes in quiet surrender, praying that the barbarian might spare her people. She heard calm footsteps. She shuddered but did not flee.

The barbarian stopped right in front of her.

“Please... have mercy on my people,” she begged.

“Hm...” To her quiet plea, Ketal placed his hand atop her head.

His warm touch was surprisingly gentle. The unexpected gesture caused the queen to open her eyes in surprise. The barbarian spoke softly, “I am not your enemy, elf.”

***

After much discussion, the queen finally accepted the truth.

Ketal was not their enemy.

“I...I am sorry, human. We judged you too hastily.” The queen bowed her head respectfully. She was ashamed to mistake the one who had brought back their child for an enemy. She felt deeply embarrassed by her actions.

Seeing this, Ketal shook his head. “It’s fine. I heard you fled here because of humans. Even so... it’s a bit sad that you never even tried to hear me out.”

“I’m sorry...” The queen glanced at Ketal. His hair was a dusty gray, like ash. He was at least two heads taller than an average person, so tall that she had to tilt her head all the way back to look at him.

And his body was packed with tightly coiled muscles, leaving no space for excess, making him appear more like a statue than a human. However, above all, there was a palpable sense of intimidation. There were no words for it, but it was the feeling of being thrown naked in front of a predator. Elves, being closely attuned to nature, were even more sensitive to such auras than humans.

Just as a prey animal instinctively tensed up at the sight of a predator, they instinctively judged Ketal as a threat.

Hearing this, Ketal’s expression became a bit sour. “Is that how it is? I didn’t realize it since I’ve never experienced it before.”

“Are you truly not one of the humans who pursued us?” the queen asked.

“This is my first time seeing elves. There are none in the White Snowfield.”

“What?” The queen’s eyes widened. “The White Snowfield?”

“Yes.”

“Are you the Ashen-haired Barbarian of the White Snowfield?”

“That’s what humans who come from outside call me.”

“Strange, you speak far too fluently for such a title.”

“I learned from the humans who occasionally wander in.”

“I never thought a human could survive there,” the queen murmured in disbelief.

The tales of the emperor were widely known, not just among humans but also among other races. The queen also knew about the dreadful monsters of the White Snowfield, and the most dangerous of all was the Ashen-haired Barbarian. That very legend now stood before her.

If Ketal was indeed the Ashen-haired Barbarian, then his strength made sense. To withstand Fiego’s strike with just his body was beyond the strength of any human she could imagine.

“Well, I suppose if someone like that appeared in my territory, I wouldn’t believe it either. Your suspicion was justified,” Ketal said.

The conversation had begun to flow more naturally. Feeling more at ease, Ketal observed the queen quietly.

She is beautiful,

Ketal thought.

Her features were perfect. Even if he searched for a greater beauty, he doubted he would find it. He sincerely admired her beauty.

“Um...” The queen averted her gaze. She was used to receiving such looks, but this one felt different. It wasn’t a gaze filled with human desire; it was as if he were admiring a work of art.

“By the way, what about that summoned creature? I’m sorry I broke it in half,” Ketal said.

“But that summoned creature attacked you,” the queen murmured, surprised that he was concerned about a being that had tried to kill him. Then she shook her head. “There is no need to worry. Spirits are beings of nature. When banished, they simply return to the spirit realm.”

From there, they continued to exchange small talk. Ketal asked about the elves, and the queen answered cautiously. The more they spoke, the more the queen was surprised. Ketal was incredibly intelligent and gentler. He was reasonable, courteous, and considerate. He seemed more like a scholar than a barbarian.

“Are all barbarians of the White Snowfield like you?” the queen asked.

“No, I’m likely an exception,” Ketal answered.

“I see...”

If all the barbarians from the White Snowfield were like him, that would be even more astonishing. She then grew worried about one thing.

“You coming out of the White Snowfield... does that mean other beings from there could emerge as well?” she asked.

“I doubt it. Not like me, anyway.”

The White Snowfield was bound by rules and conditions. Even powerful beings like the White Serpent could not break those rules. Ketal had only managed to escape through a forced quest.

“That is a relief.” The queen genuinely felt relieved. Their territory was close to the White Snowfield. If another being as strong as Ketal appeared with hostile intent, she had no idea how to defend against it.

After speaking more, Ketal rose to his feet. “Well, I should be going.”

“Already?” the queen asked.

“You all need to reorganize your territory. My presence would only be a hindrance.” Ketal could feel the glances. The elves had warmed up slightly, but they still kept their distance, clearly fearful. It would only be a burden if he stayed longer.

The queen bowed deeply, expressing genuine regret. “I apologize.”

“It’s okay. I’ll come back someday.”

“You are always welcome. I will ensure it,” the queen said.

“That’s enough for me.”

The queen gave him a curious look. She had tried to hurt Ketal, with unmistakable intent to kill. Even after realizing he was not the enemy, she had resolved to sacrifice herself for her people’s safety. It was only natural that hostility had to be repaid in kind. That was the way of the world.

Even if it was all a misunderstanding, she had tried to kill Ketal. She had to bear the consequences. Yet, Ketal showed little reaction and seemed just glad to have the misunderstanding resolved.

The queen could not believe that Ketal could treat her with such kindness after a previous attitude. If there was ever a saint, it could be him.

“I need to atone.” The queen’s gaze softened.

“I told you, that’s not necessary,” Ketal replied.

“No, I cannot be at peace otherwise. Is there anything you desire? Whatever it is, I shall grant it.”

No matter what Ketal might ask, she was ready to give it to him.

With such determination in her words, Ketal’s eyes gleamed. He said, “In that case, is it possible for me to make a contract with a spirit?”

“Wh...what?” The queen was flustered by the unexpected request. Ketal’s eyes sparkled like a child’s. After staring at him for a moment, the queen shook her head. “I’m sorry, but... I don’t think that’s possible. There are humans who are close to nature and can make contracts with spirits, but...”

“So, it’s difficult for me.”

“Even the elves are frightened of you. Spirits, being even closer to nature, would be even more so.”

“I see.”

It seemed forming a contract with a spirit was impossible. Ketal’s expression fell.

Seeing this, the queen hesitated for a moment before making a decision. “If you truly wish to make a contract with a spirit, go to Elfo Sagrado.”

“Elfo Sagrado?” Ketal asked.

“It is the place where our elven god resides. It is the sacred ground of all elves. It's the only place that can make your wish come true. I will tell you its location. Keep it to yourself.”

“The sacred ground of the elves... Would a human like me even be allowed in there?”

“Normally, no. But with my introduction, it should be possible.”

The sacred ground of the elves, Elfo Sagrado, was a dream destination for anyone studying elves. No elf, no matter how tortured or tempted, had ever revealed its location to another race. However, the queen had made her decision.

She reached into the air. A gem of flame manifested as it fell into Ketal’s hand.

“Take this. Even if you reach the vicinity, our god will test you... but you should have no problem,” the queen said.

“I gratefully accept.”

It was time to go. Ketal rose to leave the forest. The queen bowed again respectfully.

“I am Marseria Haciane Carusia, queen of the Autumn Leaf Tribe. And your name is?” she asked.

“I am Ketal. Just Ketal.”

“Indeed, Ketal. I will never forget this debt. Return to us one day.”

“I will.” Ketal smiled, turning away.

Marseria watched quietly until he disappeared.