Elsword – Time Trouble
Chapter 21
1. Destruction Overture
Velder outer castle.
Add looked dissatisfied as he leaned on the hallway’s wall while touching the clothes he was wearing.
This suit was uncomfortable but all the males in here wore it so it couldn’t be helped.
“…..Well it’s still better than you.”
“How did it come to….?”
Chung was standing beside Add while blankly looking down at his own feet. His long golden hair fit
well with the two tone black and white maid uniform. He looked like a beautiful girl even for Add
who knew the truth.
Add recalled the event in Elder that he didn’t want to recall. It wasn’t like Add, but he offered some
words of comfort to Chung.
“It couldn’t be helped. Condition for this infiltration is to not be noticed. Guys like you will attract
too much attention.”
“But I am a guy. Just why……?”
Chung protested while pressing down on the hem of his skirt. But a guy that looks like a girl is more
likely to attract attention than just a regular girl. Chung must have been conscious of this himself as
well because he was sighing heavily while looking extremely depressed.
His feelings must have been quite hurt…..so it’s probably better to not say anything to him for a
while.
Clack.
“Okay, we’re all ready.”
Rena exited the room and smiled brightly. Black and white maid uniform enhanced her beauty.
Rena saw Chung then made a very joyful expression.
“Chung, you look so pretty no matter how many times I see you.”
“…….I really didn’t want to do this.”
This was an infiltration mission so attracting attention was troublesome. Chung was reluctantly
accepting this situation only because of this single reason. He wasn’t enjoying this at all. Rena smiled
as she was about to say some words of comfort to Chung who looked dejected, then Ara and Eve
came out of the room as well.
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“We’re finished.”
“We’re ready now.”
Ara walked out of the room politely then smiled after noticing Add’s gaze. She then tripped on a
door sill. Ara was about to fall with a surprised expression when Eve grabbed Ara’s waist to catch
her from falling.
“Be careful, Ara.”
“Ah, thank you Ms.Eve.”
Ara quickly thanked Eve while still in her arm. Add stole a quick glance at how Eve was nodding
silently then also at Eve and Ara’s maid uniforms. He then turned his head away to start moving.
“This wasted too much time.”
“How about giving some words of compliment to Eve ?”
Rena whispered to Add as she walked up right beside him. Add ignored her while wondering what
prank she was planning again. Rena added.
“It seems she really liked those clothes. Wouldn’t she be glad if Add complimented her?”
“…….”
Rena didn’t say anything more when Add continued walking as if he hadn’t heard anything. Add
sighed internally while hearing the idle chatter coming from behind him.
Add had been recently purposely avoiding talking to Eve.
Eve didn’t bring up the incident where Add saw her bare naked body anymore…..
But Add still felt uneasy about that incident and still couldn’t get a gasp on how he should handle
Eve.
He became uneasy whenever he saw Eve.
He didn’t know what kind of emotion this was…..so he wanted to avoid facing her much as possible
until he figured it out.
“Well, don’t I have more than enough data already…..?”
Add murmured to himself after hearing Eve offer words of comfort to dejected Chung. It was true
that Eve became very intriguing and charming after her appearance and att.i.tude towards other
people changed.
But all of these could be a.n.a.lyzed from data logs after he collect her core.
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Ara quickly thanked Eve while still in her arm.
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Add frowned then started walking faster as if he was running away…..But Elsword suddenly
appeared out of the corner.
Add lost his balance from the direct collision. Elsword quickly reached out to grab Add.
“Sorry about that.”
“Watch where you’re going, idiot.”
Normally, this kind of collision would have been avoided because Dynamo should have noticed and
warned him beforehand….. But Add didn’t have his Dynamos with him right now.
When Elsword let him go, Add wiped the dust off his clothes then asked for the important thing
first.
“So did you get the jobs?”
“Yea, it’s just like we heard. They will provide lodging and give 2,000ED daily.”
“That’s a generous offer.”
Demons that captured Velder were using an appeas.e.m.e.nt policy. Not only were they enforcing strict
public order but they also handed out uniforms and gave jobs to the citizens that needed money if
they came to the outer castle.
Since the citizens couldn’t leave because of the spatial barrier, they had no choice but to gather at
the outer castle to get jobs from the demons in order to make a living.
The El Search Party were successful in mixing into these job seekers to infiltrate the outer castle.
“Still their security is too lacking.”
“It seems there haven’t been any problems even though they opened up the outer castle to the
citizens. Velder Liberation army hadn’t been making a move after all. Demons must have thought
no one would infiltrate since they can’t leave once they enter.”
“Hmm….”
Add’s Dynamo, his dimension distortion mode could block things from coming in but couldn’t stop
things from going out. This spatial barrier that Aisha put over Velder was the opposite.
“Although, now we can’t leave either.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that if it comes down to it.”
Add already confirmed that his quantum teleport can go through Aisha’s spatial barrier. This was
because Aisha taught him s.p.a.ce related formulas. You could say this spatial barrier had the same
principles as Add’s abilities.
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Add’s curiosity as a researcher peaked. He could probably figure out the exact mechanisms behind
this spatial barrier if he was given enough time.
Chung who had been listening asked very quietly.
“So what do we have to do Elsword?”
“I told them there were six of us then they told us to work in pairs of two. They’ll come to check on
our progress before the sun sets. Two for cleaning the East windows, two for cleaning the North
storage and…..”
Elsword spoke as if this was difficult to bring up.
“When they heard Big Sister Rena was an Elf, they told her to be Chloe’s bathing attendant.”
“……You mean the Dark Elf.”
Rena’s expression turned grim after hearing the name she heard during the strategy meeting again.
Add didn’t know what kind of relationship Elves had with Dark Elves but judging from Rena’s
reaction they must not have a friendly relationship.
“Decline if you don’t like it. Just stay in the hideout.”
Outer castle was rather open to the citizens so the demons didn’t say anything if citizens quit
because they didn’t like the work they were given. There were plenty of other workers anyways.
Rena shook her head at Add’s suggestion.
“…..Hmm, no. I want to talk to her to figure out why Dark Elves are siding with the demons. Also,
she’ll know about the inner castle well since she’s a general. I’ll figure it out from her carefully.”
“Then we have to split up into pairs of two, how are we going to do this?”
Chloe was a girl so bathing attendant that goes together with Rena must be a girl as well. Add
organized the situation.
“Rena, take Ara. Chloe might get suspicious if she figures out Elf and Nasod are traveling together.
She doesn’t know our faces but there’s a high chance she knows information about us.”
“Okay, got it. Ara, let’s go together.”
“Yes, Ms.Rena!”
Then that leaves window and storage cleaning. Storage work should obviously go to those with good
strength right?
Basically, Elsword and Chung. Although Chung was dressed as a girl, he had the strength to freely
wield a Destroyer.
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Then that leaves Add and Eve.
Add didn’t like this result from the elimination rule and was about to speak up. But Elsword spoke
faster.
“Then Chung and I will go to the storage. Big Brother Add and Eve take care of the windows.”
“Don’t break anything when you are cleaning, Elsword.” Eve warned Elsword.
“I don’t do that anymore.”
“Then let’s all gather information and see each other again at night.”
Rena, Ara, Elsword and Chung all parted and went to do their jobs. Add carefully looked at Eve
after being left alone with her. Eve held her hand out towards Add without an expression.
Rag was in her hand.
“Then let’s start cleaning.”
“…..Alright.”
He had been avoiding being alone together with her but they ended up being together.
Window cleaning started.
Cleaning the windows that were the size of three people standing beside each other was quite
difficult.
First of all, Add wasn’t a physical working type. He had always solved things that required physical
efforts by commanding his Dynamos.
“Huff, huff…..”
So getting exhausted after only a third window was definitely not Add’s fault. They were in disguise
right now. This was just a trivial issue that occurred because he had to move around without his
Dynamos in order to hide everyone’s weapons and clothes with optical camouflage.
“Are you tired?”
“……W, who’s tired?!”
Add protested in a surge of rage and moved his hands busily. But judging by his arms shivering
every time he moved, a future where he’ll suffer from terrifying muscle pain tomorrow awaited him.
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th window.
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“Rest for a bit if you are tired.”
“……”
He didn’t even have the strength to respond now. Eve looked at Add who was panting heavily with
a very pitiful gaze.
……His frustration was surging up but his body couldn’t follow up.
“Take a break, Add.”
“Wait, let’s rest for a bit together.”
There were hundreds of windows just on the West side of the castle. Seriously? We have to clean all
of these to get just 2,000ED? Just when Add was burning up with his hatred towards the
demons…..Eve dropped her rag and stood beside Add who was sitting.
“You……”
Just when Add turned around to talk, Eve’s white thighs came directly into his view. Add quickly
looked forwards again.
“I didn’t think Queen of Nasods would do this kind of petty work so willingly.”
“It has to be done in order to not look suspicious.”
Eve answered trivially to Add’s mockery. She became much more mature compared to the days
when she responded angrily to Add’s light provocations.
……Honestly, Add felt pathetic towards himself for mocking. When Add stayed quiet, Eve spoke
to him this time.
“So what kind of information should we gather exactly?”
“Outer castle’s security, geography, situation inside the inner castle and whereabouts of Elesis. I
want to confirm that she really rarely comes down from the third floor.”
Other generals were problematic as well but Elesis was their biggest problem.
Of course, Ran, Karis, Chloe and Helputt…… they were all powerful individuals that needed
attention but the person that worried Add the most was Elesis.
“Will we be able to defeat Elesis?”
“……We won’t run into her if possible in this mission.”
They had to fight so many powerful enemies. He wanted to avoid clashing with Elesis much as
possible. He wanted to carry out this plan safely as possible.
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“Did you ask Ara about Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce?”
“She wasn’t able to explain it well.”
It was the same for Eve, but Ara also didn’t know how she had awakened her Memory of Time and
s.p.a.ce. Well, he shouldn’t have expected any explaining skills from Ara.
Eve and Ara awakened their Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce. Only ones remaining were Add and
Elsword.
“Even if Elsword succeeds, he probably won’t be able to explain it either.”
“…..”
That was obviously right. Add realized the situation after hearing what Eve said. This wasn’t a
mechanism that could be done by following the instructions of people that have already succeeded.
This was because people other than Add were not very knowledgeable about emotions or too
forthright.
Only thing Add managed to find out from the success of two people was that emotion was a clue to
awakening the Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce.
“If Elesis, or an even more powerful enemy that surpa.s.ses her stands in our way, you and Elsword
will both have to awaken the Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce.”
“I know already.”
Add answered coldly while grabbing the El inside his pocket. Even though Eve and Ara’s battle
capabilities rose tremendously, this Velder royal castle was still filled with powerful enemies.
Elsword and Add had to awaken their Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce to increase the El Search Party’
battle capabilities.
But Add had done various researches ever since Eve’s awakening, and tried various attempts but
didn’t get any results.
“Ara and I both activated it while fighting. So don’t worry about it right now.”
“What?”
“I’m saying you don’t have to worry too much about it beforehand.”
Could it be that….Eve was trying to comfort him? Add got surprised and turned around towards
Eve, then he became even more surprised. Eve must have decided that the break was over and was
stretching up her arm to clean the top part of the window.
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Doing that while wearing a maid uniform with such a short skirt… looked very perilous to Add who
was sitting down.
“Uh….”
Surprised, Add quickly stood up and s.n.a.t.c.hed away the rag Eve was holding. Eve looked confusedly
at Add after getting her cleaning tool taken away. Then Add quietly started cleaning the upper
window parts that Eve was having trouble cleaning.
“I’ll clean the top.”
Add was taller so he should be able to clean the top part much easier than Eve. Eve nodded then
picked up the other rag.
“Thank you, Add.”
“Kukukuk…..”
After laughing instinctively, Add hesitated then said something else. He hadn’t intended on saying
something like this but,
Just to poke around and get the conversation going.
“Those clothes…..they look rather good on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“…….”
‘You lied to me Rena!! Just you wait!!’
When Add became red up to his ears while screaming and shouting internally, Eve spoke as she
nodded slightly.
“Thank you.”
“……”
Add desperately looked at the window and focused on cleaning with all his might. His arms were
exhausted and hurt as if they were about to fall off. But he was glad of this right now.
Because pain helped to hide from Eve the tip of his mouth trying to dance on its own.
Rena and Ara got undressed and put towels around their bodies as they got led to where Chloe was
bathing.
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Judging from the blindingly white tiles on the floor, this was a bath that normally only n.o.bles staying
in the royal castle would have used. Chloe was inside the bathtub with the water coming up to her
shoulders. She opened only one eye to look at Rena and Ara.
“I’m surprised that there was actually an Elf in Velder.”
“And I’m surprised to meet a Dark Elf here.”
“……Is that how it’s going to be? Fine.”
Chloe frowned for a moment at Rena’s confident reply but nodded as if she wasn’t going to care.
Rena looked around the bathroom as they talked…..there was no one else here but Chloe.
She was completely defenceless.
Even if Chloe was a demon general, she wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed if Rena and Ara
attacked her right now. Of course, Rena and Ara also didn’t have their weapons at the moment…..
‘Hmm, no……’
Their goal right now wasn’t to eliminate an enemy general. They had to act carefully while watching
out for not only Chloe but other generals as well.
Rena closed this line of thought then spoke to Chloe while smiling.
“So I heard we’ll be your bathing attendants? What do we have to do?”
“Not much, just ma.s.sage my shoulders.”
“Okay!”
Ara who was looking around the bathroom in admiration quickly nodded then moved behind
Chloe’s back. But she didn’t take into account that the floor was slippery from the moisture…..so
her feet slipped and she fell forwards.
“Ah?!”
Of course like the trained martial artist she was, she broke the fall with her right hand to avoid being
hurt….. But her left hand ended up striking down on Chloe’s shoulder.
“Ouch!”
“A, are you okay?”
Ara got surprised from Chloe’s scream and quickly withdrew her hand. Chloe looked back with tear
filled eyes as she grinded her teeth from the pain.
“What? How can a human girl be so strong?”
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“Ah, umm… that’s because….”
Ara got fl.u.s.tered and was having trouble answering so Rena quickly stepped up to take care of it.
“She became like that because she went through a lot while traveling with me. Also, I think only one
bathing attendant should be more than enough. Why don’t we talk 1 on 1?”
“What does that mean?”
“Do you think that I, an Elf would have come to Velder for no reason at all?”
Ara got surprised by Rena’s bold words and tried to call out to her but stopped. Ara couldn’t hide
her nervousness and stared at Chloe’s back.
Ara didn’t know what Rena was thinking but she might have to take down Chloe if necessary.
“So what are you saying?”
“I wanted to talk about why a Dark Elf sided with the demons and is invading Elrios. Wouldn’t it be
nice for a light bath time chat?”
“Hmm……”
Chloe seemed like she was thinking for a moment then waved her hand towards Ara. Ara who had
been looking nervously at Rena exited the bathroom with a worried expression.
Chloe chuckled when the bathroom door closed.
“Hahaha, I found it strange that an Elf came to the outer castle….. So you came to meet me after
all?”
“Yes, thank you for calling me here, Chloe.”
Chloe was a Dark Elf so she became curious when she heard that an Elf came to the outer castle
looking for work. That’s why she called Rena here. Rena also had something she wanted to find out
from Chloe….. So they had to talk eventually. Also, Rena needed to approach Chloe somewhat
boldly to attract her curiosity.
Even if doing so brought about significant danger.
“Fine, Dark Elf and an Elf talking to each other is a rare event in history. Come in.”
“Okay.”
Rena carefully took off the towel and entered the bathtub. Water was warm with just the right
temperature so it felt soothing.
But Chloe across the bathtub looked at Rena’s chest area then frowned.
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“You’re just a mere Elf, how impudent…..”
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“You’re just a mere Elf, how impudent…..”
“Is there a problem?”
Chloe was muttering then got surprised when Rena nonchalantly changed her position. Rena now
sat with her shoulder touching Chloe’s as if it was nothing special.
“Sitting like this is easier for talking right?”
“How shameless…. As to be expected from an Elf.”
For a demon general to bathe shoulder to shoulder with an Elf woman she met just today. Chloe
looked dumfounded by this fact but Rena was just smiling sociably as if nothing was wrong.
Chloe felt like getting angry at this smiling face would only make her the small-minded person. If an
Elf came to her being this boldly and openly….. Then as a Dark Elf, shouldn’t she counter
composedly as well?
“Hmph, so what business do you have sauntering about into Velder? Was it really just to talk? You
should know that I can get rid of you easily if I wanted to.”
Just as she said, this was a deadly place. Even though demons were using appeas.e.m.e.nt policy in the
outer castle, it didn’t change the fact that they were the conquerors and that they were demons.
But Rena smiled softly at Chloe’s stern warning.
“That’s something to think about after we finish our talk. Also, I won’t go down so easily either.”
“…..I see. So why did an Elf that should always stay dillydallying in the forest come out into the
world? I’m telling you this now. I don’t think there’s a way for you to leave Velder now that you’ve
come in.”
“Yes, I came to meet you knowing that.”
Rena’s warm att.i.tude didn’t change despite how Chloe continued to warn threateningly. When
Chloe closed her mouth while frowning, Rena asked instead this time.
“How come Dark Elves are a.s.sisting the demon invasion of Elrios? Isn’t it your people’s duty to
protect the Demon Realm’s sacred site and the Dark El?”
“That was true before. But it’s not the time for such things anymore.”
“How come? Did something happen in the Demon Realm?”
At Rena’s question, Chloe hesitated for a moment but answered willingly.
“The Dark El’s energy is weakening.”
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“……What?”
Rena got so shocked that she stood up.
In the first place, the reason why Rena left the Forest of the Elves was because the El’s energy was
weakening. Then she met Raven and travelled together with him until they joined the El Search
Party. This was Rena’s journey so far.
“You must be quite surprised. Sit down, Elf.”
“…..”
This time Chloe was the one who was smiling as she spoke. It was a complicated smile where she
was enjoying Rena’s shocked reaction but feeling sorrowful about this topic at the same time.
When Rena sat down beside her, Chloe scooped up some water with her hand then continued to
speak.
“You should already know. But if Elrios is a world blessed by the El, then Demon Realm is a world
protected by the Dark El. But Dark El’s energy is weakening. There were many different opinions
on what to do about this….”
“So is that why you’re invading Elrios and trying to change the El into Dark El?”
“That’s right.”
Chloe made a cruel smile. Rena didn’t hide her pale expression as she protested.
“But doing that will endanger Elrios!”
“It’s better than Demon Realm becoming endangered.”
“…….”
Reason for the demon invasion hadn’t been clearly known. But according to the story right now,
Chloe invaded Elrios with her Dark Elves in order to secure more Dark El.
“This is a fight for survival.”
“…..Do other demons think the same?”
“No, like I said before, there are differing opinions amongst demons as well. This is only from what
I heard but one moderate faction demon opposed the invasion then lost all their power and got
banished to Elrios and another aggressive faction of demons is plotting to resurrect the Demon G.o.d
in order to destroy Elrios once and for all.”
“I see…..”
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Weakening of the Dark El. There must have been numerous opinions amongst the demons with this
crisis at hand. Then a faction that suggested they should invade Elrios appeared…. And that was the
reason why they invaded Elrios.
“Are you satisfied now after knowing this, Elf?”
“…….I can understand why.”
Rena could finally understand why the demons suddenly invaded Elrios in such a large scale. If the
El blesses Elrios, then the Dark El protects the Demon Realm.
Not only the El, but the Dark El was weakening as well…..
“But why did you have to do something like this? You could have explained the situation to Elrios
and united our strengths to figure out a solution.”
“Hmph, you’re speaking like an Elf after all. Would your side even have listened to our request?
Even if they did, what if we don’t find a solution? Then we’ll have no choice but to take your El.”
“……”
Rena bit her lips hard as Chloe spoke sharply. Rena looked gentle and kind but she was a warrior
who had been through many life threatening battles. Chloe’s words made sense to her.
Chloe was saying that their motives weren’t wrong since this was a compet.i.tion with their survival
on the line.
“…..The El’s energy is weakening as well.”
“What?!”
This time, Chloe got surprised and raised her voice. She must not have known about this because
she questioned Rena threateningly. She might have pointed her weapon at Rena if they weren’t
bathing.
“You better not be lying to me.”
“No, I’m not. The reason I came out of the forest was to find the reason why the El’s energy is
weakening.”
“…….”
Rena slowly shook her head. Chloe must have sensed that Rena was speaking the truth and stopped
questioning. This information must have been quite shocking because Chloe couldn’t hide her
turmoil and was breathing heavily.
“That’s troublesome. We’ll have to turn all of the El here into Dark El soon as possible…..”
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“Then Elrios will be destroyed.”
“Then are you telling me to just watch as the Demon Realm is destroyed? What an Elf like thing to
say. If you’re a warrior too then stop speaking with only ideals.”
“I’m saying let’s join our forces now. If the El and Dark El are both losing their energies, then we
have to unite our strength and knowledge so that both worlds can survive.”
Rena requested desperately. Chloe shut her mouth and didn’t say anything for a while.
“Chloe, please think about this carefully.”
“…….Stop it, Elf. We already pointed weapons at each other. We’ve come too far to turn back.”
Rena didn’t back out even though Chloe shook her head violently.
“The root of this problem won’t be solved even if you turn all of the El into Dark El. That’s only
postponing the destruction.”
“We’ll find the solution to that on our own.”
“Chloe.”
Chloe closed her eyes when Rena called her name sadly.
“Stop, stop it. I’ve already made up my mind to do anything for the sake of the Demon Realm. So
stop trying to persuade me with these useless talks if you want to leave here alive.”
“…..”
Rena asked again because she wasn’t scared of Chloe’s threat, but from pure regret.
“If….the Demon Realm knew beforehand that the El was weakening as well, will this war have ever
happened?”
“……Probably not.”
The El and Dark El were like two opposite sides of a coin. They both had different properties but
couldn’t be separated from each other. If demons had thought more deeply about this fact and
researched more thoroughly, there might have been a different future where the demons didn’t
invade Elrios and two sides joined their efforts to search for the problem and think of a solution
together.
But the war had already started and blood had been split.
“Chloe, please change your mind. If other demon generals find about this too…..”
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“Stop it. There’s no reason to stop when we’ve basically won this war. Other generals will mock me
and most of all…. D won’t allow it.”
“D?”
Terror flashed by Chloe’s face as she mentioned that name. Rena asked confusedly when it seemed
like Chloe wouldn’t listen no matter what.
“Is there someone above the generals?”
“…..I don’t want to talk anymore. Go back.”
Chloe snapped as she closed her eyes. Rena looked at Chloe regrettably then stood up.
“Yes, alright. Then let’s talk again tomorrow, Chloe.”
“…..What? Tomorrow?”
“Our story isn’t over yet right? It’s been a while since Elves have interacted with Dark Elves after
all.”
Rena left the bathtub and spoke while smiling. Chloe frowned then clicked her tongue.
“What a cheeky Elf.”
“Then see you tomorrow.”
Rena put a towel around her then left the bathroom. Chloe who was left alone looked at the closed
door for a while then shook her head.
“Hmph, turn back after all this? …..How stupid.”
This was the first time Chloe had heard that the El’s energy was also weakening. Would other
generals have known about this?
Well, the warmongering faction could have known about it but kept silent because they wanted
war…..
“But there’s no way that D didn’t know.”
She was suspicious but too afraid to confirm it. Chloe sighed then recalled Rena’s face and blinked.
“…..Come to think of it. I never asked for her name.”
Chloe spoke to herself then shook her head soon after.
“No, there’s no reason to know a mere Elf’s name.”
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But if what that Elf told her as she left was true, they’ll meet again tomorrow. Chloe got a feeling
that she’ll talk face to face with that Elf again tomorrow.
“Hmph…..”
She wasn’t fond of Elves, but she was interested in information so she might as well face her again
tomorrow.
The day’s work was over. The El Search Party earned the right to sleep inside the outer castle
because they finished various jobs.
But because there weren’t enough guest rooms due to there being so many other workers, they
ended up all sleeping in the same room. Lights out bell was heard and everyone rolled out their
sleeping bags and lied down.
Soft moonlight came into the room as they all conversed naturally.
“Sleeping all together like this fun too.”
“You’re right it reminds me of the time when we camped out.”
“Want me to make a campfire in the middle?”
“You shouldn’t light fire inside a building. Mr.Elsword.”
“Good work today everyone.”
It was a small room where everyone had to sleep head to head. It was a lodge without any proper
beds but everyone looked like they were enjoying it.
Add clicked his tongue as he changed the topic.
“Enough with the small talks. Spit out everything you all found out today.”
“Chung and I talked with the other people while cleaning the storage. Everyone….praised Big Sister.”
Wouldn’t this guy praise Elesis saying it’s a magnificent sword skill even if Elesis destroyed the
world?
When Add looked at Elsword with a dumfounded expression, Chung denied Add’s guess.
“They said the reason why there was no pillaging despite the demon takeover was because Ms.Elesis
decided so. Also, she opened up the outer castle like this and took care of the citizens so that they
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were not discomforted. All of the Velder citizens working inside the outer castle were praising
Ms.Elesis.”
“…..It felt like the fact that Big Sister was on the demons’ side wasn’t very important to the people
here.”
Elsword had a very complicated expression. Add read the worry in his voice and asked sharply.
“Don’t tell me that you are thinking Elesis purposely sided with the demons for the sake of Velder’s
citizens.”
“……..”
Add asked just in case but judging from the lack of answer, he was right on the mark. Just how
much does this kid admire Elesis?
“Don’t get any useless thoughts. No matter what Elesis is thinking, what we have to do doesn’t
change.”
“I know. I won’t hesitate when we end up fighting.”
Even though Elsword would worry about the fact that Elesis was his enemy, he wouldn’t hesitate to
let his sword do the talking. That was enough.
While Add was feeling satisfied, Ara b.u.t.ted in.
“Me too….no matter what Elder Brother’s reason is…..I’ll stop him no matter what!”
“I…also have to hear the answer from father. I won’t hesitate to fight.”
At the continued words from the group, Add felt dumfounded and spoke.
“Why are there so many of us that have their family member on the enemy’s side?”
“Add.”
Eve called Add out coldly at what he said without a thought. Add waved his hand while still lying
down.
“I’m not blaming anyone. I just said it because I’m curious.”
“Maybe it’s destiny?”
Ara spoke hesitantly. Add focused his ears on what Ara was saying. Did she use the foresight ability
again?
But that didn’t seem to be the case as Ara carefully continued her words.
36
“I don’t understand it too well, but it feels like it wasn’t a coincidence that I met and fought
alongside all of you.”
“I think so too Big Sister Ara.”
“Yea, me too.”
“Actually, I also think so…..”
Add lightly taped the floor when even Chung embarra.s.sedly spoke out.
“Don’t change the topic like this. I told you all to share the information you gathered. Why are you
all derailing into idle talk?”
“I was able to grasp around half of the outer castle’s structure while cleaning today.”
“I already know that. Let’s take the window cleaning job again tomorrow if possible.
Window cleaning job was rigorous but it was useful. They could move about without attracting
suspicions from demons. Thanks to this, they could easily scan the outer castle’s inner structures.
“So Rena, how did your meeting with Chloe go?”
“That’s……”
Rena seemed to hesitate for a moment then continued her words.
“I think everyone should know after all.”
Everyone became dead silent and listened to Rena’s explanation. They had all fought back against
the demon invasion but no one had known the exact reason why the demons did all of this.
“Dark….El?”
“I thought Dark El was an ingredient that’s used to open dimension gates. Aren’t demons using
dimension gates for this invasion? Why are they consuming Dark El when they came to secure
more?”
Add suspected if this was a misinformation but Rena shook her head.
“I don’t think Chloe lied to me.”
“Demons never used dimension gates however they wished. Damage done to other cities and
Hamel was great but they only used the dimension gate once. Now I can understand the reason
behind it.”
Add nodded skeptically at Chung’s words. So demons can use dimension gates but they don’t use it
unless it’s for something really important.
37
But that means…..
“Why are you looking at me like that Add?”
“……”
Why did they attack Eve by investing in dimension gates? The reason why demons didn’t attack Eve
again using dimension gates after Elder was understandable. They probably didn’t want to use any
more Dark El.
But he couldn’t figure out why they went out of their way to expend even a little bit of Dark El to
attack Eve. Of course there had been ambushes through dimension gates after Elder but they were
all ambushes aimed at the El Search Party, not Eve alone.
There was a strange entanglement of information.
“I was just organizing my thoughts. Anyways….”
“Then could it be that Elder Brother…..is also siding with the demons to protect the Demon
Realm?”
“I don’t think father is someone who’d do that.”
“If that’s what Big Sister wanted to do, she wouldn’t have done it this way.”
Ara, Chung and Elsword didn’t look too convinced either. But it didn’t seem like the information
Rena brought was a lie either.
“This is important information but I don’t think we can make any conclusions yet. Let’s discuss this
some other time.”
“Okay, I’ll continue talking with Chloe.”
“You might get found out if you get too close to her. Give it up.”
“I feel like I still have to talk with her some more.”
Rena probably means there was something she could gain from talking with Chloe despite the
danger. Well, this was Rena so she should be able to handle herself. Add determined this then
quietly stood up as he put on his jacket.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll go scout out their night security.”
Add brought in his Dynamos that were maintaining optical camouflage to hide the group’s weapons
and clothes.
38
“You all go to sleep. I’ll go quietly by myself.”
“Ara, follow him.”
“Okay!”
Eve spoke while ignoring Add’s words. Ara quickly got up from her spot.
Eve answered while not even looking back at Add’s dumbfounded gaze.
“You must be tired from the day’s work. Bring Ara with you just in case.”
“Just leave it to me, Mr.Add!”
Add’s head started to hurt after looking at Ara who was in high spirits.
“It’s not that important of a task, I’ll go by myself…..”
“Then be careful Big Brother Add.”
“Contact us if you’re in danger. We’ll come to help.”
“Both of you be careful.”
……Just quietly bringing her along will probably waste less time.
Outer castle at night.
Add carefully walked along the silent hallways. Even though the outer castle was using an
appeas.e.m.e.nt policy on the citizens and provided food and shelter to the workers, they warned
sternly to not walk around at night.
“Next corner will be dangerous.”
Add drew the royal castle’s internal structure he knew so far in his head and decided to take the long
way around. Demons would also want to use minimal amount of manpower for their night security.
That meant they had no choice but to make effective security lines.
Add saw through their security during the day’s examination so he could respond appropriately right
now. Add went far around and tried to move up to the third floor. A worried voice came from
behind him.
“Uuuuuu, it’s scarier because it’s so quiet.”
“…..”
39
Should he ignore her? When Add continued walking as if he hadn’t heard anything, Ara asked
nervously.
“Aren’t you scared Mr.Add?”
“Those that are on night patrol are probably only small fries.”
Add couldn’t ignore anymore so he answered bluntly. He alone should have been enough for night
scouting but now he had an extra baggage because Ara followed unnecessarily.
There was no way a general or lieutenant would be on guard through the night.
“No, I…. I heard a ghost appears in the castle during the night.”
“Don’t get scared from something so stupid.”
Add criticised while frowning but worry didn’t leave Ara’s voice.
“Umm… all of the Ms.Dark Elves said they saw it.”
“……”
Were demons afraid of ghosts just like humans? Add also felt the chills but walked up the stairs
leading to the 3rd floor as if he wasn’t fazed.
Elesis was supposed to stay in the 3rd floor. Add nervously scanned the area with the Dynamos but
there were no life signatures.
“Wouldn’t Ms.Elesis be here?”
“I’m getting nothing. But we have to check thoroughly even if it will be dangerous. There’s two
ways into the inner castle. First is to just boldly go through the main gate and second is using the
overpa.s.s on the third floor.”
It was obvious but the first method will immediately draw attention. All of the demons’ attention
will focus on them soon as they headed toward the inner castle. Demons will find out that they are
the El Search Party and they will instantly get swarmed. It was too dangerous.
But they had to risk running into Elesis if they wanted to use the third floor’s overpa.s.s. That’s why
they came to scout it out beforehand. But there was n.o.body here.
“Strange.”
“There’s no one here.”
“…..”
40
Add didn’t answer saying that was the reason why it was strange. Placing Elesis in the 3rd floor which
was the route into the inner castle was a proper decision….. But why was it completely empty?
Add stopped walking and thought deeply. Then he asked Ara.
“Do you still have those dreams?”
“No, I became able to control Lord Eun’s powers.”
“That’s good…….”
Add haven’t talked to Eun after hearing that he failed for more than 20 million times until they
arrived in Velder. Naturally, the time he talked to Ara also decreased so this was the first time he
asked her about this.
“It’s thanks to Mr.Add continuing to care for me. I’m sorry for causing so much trouble for you in
Hamel.”
“Who was caring? What I meant just now was…..”
If they could possibly use Ara’s foresight ability to find out if there was some kind of trap on the 3rd
floor. But Add closed his mouth in middle of his sentence.
Ara was looking at him seriously.
“I’ll fight with all I have to protect all of you even if Elder Brother is my enemy. I could make this
decision thanks to Mr.Add, Ms.Eve and everyone else. Thank you.”
“……Stop saying useless things.”
“I wanted to thank you properly.”
Add scratched his head then abruptly turned his head away when Ara being shined upon by the
moonlight thanked him while smiling.
“Stop with the nonsense. Just look ahead to see if there’s anything strange.”
Add scanned carefully as possible to figure out where Elesis was but he couldn’t catch anything even
from Dynamo’s wide area scan.
“I can’t see that far out anymore. Lord Eun said I can only look at events short distances ahead.”
“Then…. say right away if there’s a danger as we walk.”
Eun had nonchalantly hidden information from Add….. But her affection towards Ara must be
honest. Even if she hid information from Ara, that was probably for Ara’s sake.
‘Although she has a cruel side…..’
41
Was Eun ignoring Ara’s suffering in Hamel in order to awaken her to Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce?
“…….”
Then why had Eun hidden the fact that Add’s memories were missing and why did she tell him now?
Was there some kind of reason behind it?
It wasn’t the time to think too deeply about this. Add carefully headed to the overpa.s.s while being
on guard.
He already knew there was n.o.body on the overpa.s.s because he scanned it. The inner castle across
the stone bridge was uncomfortably quiet.
Darkness…..was waiting for them in there.
“Mr.Add?”
Add stopped right in front of the overpa.s.s after seeing the inner castle. Ara who had been following
after Add’s footsteps stopped and asked confusedly. Add pressed on his head as his mind became
more chaotic and let out a small cry in pain.
He felt uncomfortable and sick.
“……Uh, kugh.”
“Mr.Add, are you hurt somewhere?”
Add tried to shake Ara’s hand off when she held him worriedly but he didn’t have the strength to.
He felt sick and his head spun dizzily soon as he thought deeply into the gap in his memory.
Just why did he lose his memories?
Did he go insane because he failed so many times? Well, 20 million was an unimaginably large
number. He wouldn’t have any excuses if someone objectively called him insane.
There was a past that he couldn’t remember.
Well, this wasn’t something too unlikely. Humans weren’t very rational and reasonable
creatures…… They could always rationalize and distort their own memories. Don’t they forget most
of their memories as infants?
42
In order to forget something so horrible, it wasn’t impossible to rewrite one’s memory of that time
into blankness.
“Haah…..”
While sweating heavily, Add struggled not to throw up. Something tired to come up his throat even
though he hadn’t eaten.
“Mr.Add, it’s okay. Stay calm.”
“……”
Ara spoke in a low voice while supporting Add who had no strength and couldn’t even stand
properly from the dizziness. Her face looked like if she was about to cry at any moment. It was as if
she wanted to shout but was holding it in because this wasn’t the situation to.
“I’ll stay beside you.”
Add was drenched in sweat and panting. He saw Ara’s tear filled eyes looking at him then chuckled.
Ara from before would have gotten fl.u.s.tered from not knowing what to do. She was acting rather
composedly now. Did she grow up from the Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce too?
“I’m good, let me go.”
“……Will you be okay?”
“To make you worry about me. How low I’ve fallen.”
Add muttered as he put strength into his knees. Cold sweat dripped down his back….but he now
could stand on his own two feet. Ara finally let go of Add’s arm and stared worriedly. But Add
ignored her and stood up straight.
He still felt sick but didn’t intend to cry about it.
“Mr.Add, could it be that your wounds aren’t fully healed?”
“……No I just felt uncomfortable for a bit. Don’t tell the others about this.”
Ara didn’t answer right away and hesitated when Add said this. It looked like she wanted to ask
others for help so Add pressed her for an answer.
“I’ll take care of my own business. Don’t tell them. Got it?”
“……Okay.”
43
Ara reluctantly nodded. Add collected his breath then turned around to go back the way they came.
He staggered for the first couple of steps but forcing himself to walk seemed to gradually help with
his body’s condition.
“Phew…..”
Ending up like this just from trying to remember about 20 million failures… Add felt dumbstruck
and laughed coldly.
“Kukukuk, I must really be crazy…….”
It must have been such a hard time that he had to end up sealing his own memories. Add closed his
thoughts and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He could think about the failures he had no
recollections of….later.
Let’s focus only on liberating Velder for now.
After deciding this, Add was about to head back the way they came but his body moved up suddenly.
As his body floated up on its own, Add looked blankly at the floor for a moment then noticed that
Ara had suddenly kicked the ground to grab Add and started running.
Wow, she’s really fast. He would have died instantly if this was an attack.
“Let me g……”
“Shhh!”
Celestial Fox state, Ara’s hair had already become white as she warned sternly. She moved inside a
room while still carrying Add on her side. Ara dropped Add then looked around the room to find a
large closet then quickly opened it.
“Hide, Mr.Add!”
“……”
She probably has a good reason for this. Add didn’t question her and entered the closet just like she
told him. Then Ara also came inside the closet and carefully closed the door.
It was a large closet but it was still bit too small for two people to hide in. Their foreheads were
almost touching. But Add suppressed the stifling feeling and focused on what was going on outside.
Creak.
Seductive voice was heard along with the sound of a door opening.
“Strange, I don’t see anyone.”
44
“…….”
It was Karis’ voice. She had fought Ara and Add before so she will be able to notice them right away.
The whole infiltration and Velder liberation mission was all over if she saw them.
Add and Ara would have to worry about their own lives before that.
Karis seemed to be flying because they heard wings flapping instead of footsteps. They could sense
that she was looking around the room.
‘…..This is the worst.’
How come a demon who’s a Succubus Queen was personally patrolling the castle during midnight?
But he could think about the reason later. Add thought of a countermeasure when the sound of
Karis’ wings got closer.
Ambushing to get the upper hand should be their final measure. Optical camouflage was useful but
it was just a visual trick. It probably wouldn’t work on generals.
Add asked with an eye gesture to see if Ara had any plans since she had already looked ahead to see
that Karis would appear. But Ara who was focusing on the situation outside suddenly grabbed Add’s
clothes and pulled him close to her.
Then the sound of air tearing was heard…..as a scythe broke through the place where Add’s head
was just now.
Crash!!
After being saved from death by just 2 seconds, Add froze up and couldn’t even move a finger.
Karis’ scythe that came in breaking through the closet got pulled out then a voice was heard.
“Did I understand the order wrong?”
“……”
Although Karis was a demon, she probably doesn’t have a hobby of destroying perfectly good
furniture for no reason. Her words were as if she came here after receiving unclear information.
She must have given up flying because footsteps were heard and sounds of Karis looking around
were heard.
“Did they run away already? Or….did they hide somewhere here?”
It didn’t seem like she will give up and leave. If that was the case, they have to stake everything and
fight.
He can go back using time travel if it doesn’t work out.
45
Just when Add was about to relay to Ara that they should fight…. Another voice was heard.
“What are you doing here, demon?”
“……I was just taking a night stroll, human.”
It was Elesis’ voice. When Karis’ footsteps got further, Add examined the situation outside through
a crevice between the doors.
Elesis was standing in the hallway, and Karis was standing inside the room as they glared at each
other. One could tell they weren’t friendly with each other just from a single glance.
“I manage this place. You shouldn’t be here.”
“But you let Chloe play around all she wants. Why are you discriminating me? Former Ms.Red
Knight Captain?”
“……”
Karis spoke in a sticky voice when Elesis’ expression turned intimidating.
“Are you saying you aren’t going forgive me if I harm humans?”
“Want to try it?”
Elesis grabbed her sword’s hilt as if there was nothing more to talk about. At the atmosphere as if
Elesis was going to fight if Karis said anything else, Karis winced for a moment but laughed
wickedly after.
“You don’t have to be so serious. I just wanted to have a friendly chat with our new comrade. You
should consider my feelings too.”
“I don’t have anything to talk about with you. Don’t come here ever again.”
“Wow….that’s so harsh.”
Karis tilted her head and looked at Elesis.
“What a pretty face. You can be eternally beautiful if you become a demon. I don’t understand why
you refuse to become a demon even after joining us.”
“……”
“Could it be that you have other thoughts? Maybe it looked like you betrayed Elrios but you are
actually plotting something else?”
Elesis closed her eyes then took her hand off her sword hilt.
46
“Stop meddling, demon. I won’t let you off if you do this again.”
“How arrogant…..”
Elesis ignored Karis’s words then turned around. Karis spoke again.
“Come to think of it, that El Search Party that your little brother is in. They defeated Ran in Hamel.
They should be arriving in Velder soon.”
They’ve already arrived but the news must have been delayed because of Velder’s spatial barrier.
Generals could probably break through the barrier but it didn’t look like they could go in and out as
they pleased.
“Will you be able to fight properly when they come to attack us with your brother as their vanguard?”
Slash! There was a flash of light then Karis quickly jumped back. Sword aura slashed past the place
where Karis’ head had been just now. Elesis spoke shortly after swinging and withdrawing her sword
so quickly that it didn’t look like she had swung her sword at all.
“I won’t miss next time.”
“…..How impatient.”
Unlike what Karis said, her expression was stiff. Her neck would have really gotten chopped off if
she dodged just a little late.
It wasn’t clear who was the strongest amongst the demon generals because they haven’t fought each
other.
Still, Berthe was weak, Chloe was no match for Ran and Ran was very strong but still under Karis.
This kind of unspoken ranking existed. But the ranking wasn’t clear for Elesis and Helputt that just
joined recently.
Elesis was an extremely skilled individual that even Karis couldn’t treat lightly. It could work out if
Karis risked her life and fought with everything she had. But Elesis was definitely not someone she
wanted to provoke just for fun.
“Then…. let’s talk under more leisurely circ.u.mstances next time.”
Karis shrugged from Elesis’ cold glare then quickly flew out through the open window in the room.
Elesis put away her sword then entered the room when Karis flew away towards the inner castle.
“…….”
47
Karis left and now it’s Elesis? Ara must have realized Add’s dismay as well because she couldn’t hide
her nervousness and was grabbing her spear tightly. Ara was the one who sent Add an eye gesture
this time.
She was saying they should ambush her if it came down to it. But Add shook his head.
Speaking from the experience of having fought both of them….. Elesis was even more dangerous in
this situation. Ara wouldn’t lose to Karis if it became a close quarter combat but he couldn’t imagine
Ara being able to beat Elesis.
Of course, Ara had her foresight ability and defeated Ran with her immensely increased skills from
awakening to Memory of Time and s.p.a.ce. But they couldn’t forget that she could do so only
because she had help from Add and the other Search Party members.
“Haah…..”
Elesis closed the window Karis exited from then looked around the room. Her gaze remained on
the furniture inside the room.
Two inside the closet held their breaths.
“…….I should go drink some tea.”
Elesis spoke to herself then withdrew her gaze on the furniture as she left the room.
Sound of a door closing was heard. After a long time had pa.s.sed and footsteps couldn’t be heard
anymore, Add and Ara both let out a huge sigh.
“……It was so scary.”
“That was dangerous.”
He had been so nervous that his body was drenched in sweat. Add came out of the closet and felt
relived from the fact that the danger was over. But his brain was working busily even now.
“Elesis and the other generals don’t have a very good relationship. Rather, they are hostile…..”
Could they use this information somehow to help with liberating Velder? But to use this information
to their advantage, they had to know why Elesis sided with the demons. But that won’t be easy to
find out.
“Karis is already a formidable opponent and Ms.Elesis here too….. Will we be able to win Mr.Add?”
“…..We can win.”
48
Ara’s worries were obvious. Demon generals were individuals that the El Search Party had to focus
their entire efforts on to defeat. But in this Velder, there were not only one but multiple demon
generals.
No matter what kind of amazing plan he came up with, there was no meaning to it if the skills of the
people carrying out the plan was lacking. Current El Search Party didn’t have enough strength to
defeat all of the demons crawling in Velder.
But Add spoke with certainty.
“We’ll win.”
“Ah, of course. Mr.Add and Mr.Elsword both received the El from Ms.Aisha.”
Ara’s thought was different from Add’s but Add didn’t bother to correct her. Add looked at the
moon hanging up in the night sky through a crack in the closed window then made his resolve.
“I’m going to win this time…..for sure.”
He didn’t know why he failed 20 million times.
But him from this time will win for sure