Chapter 23 - A Monster Among Us

[Author's note: Elves power levels have been updated in the Power level chapter.

Briefly,

Elf King=Human King

Branches of Yggdrasil=Royal Mages

Supreme Elves= Supreme Mages

Upper Elves= High Mages

Middle Elves= Mid Mages

Lower Elves= Low Mages]

ZWAIN'S POV:-

"If I am not wrong, then she is currently in Eslaine," says Morpheus.

If it hadn't been for him curing Lucy's Demon Burning Curse, I might have never believed these words.

She is in Eslaine? One of the most secure cities in this world, guarded by humans, elves, pixies, etc.

But...

'Since the security of Eslaine is very tight, the possibility of overlooking some clues does increase a lot.'

My brows furrow a bit.

I look at that 'child' in front of me.

He is smiling...now that I think about it, all he does is smile doesn't he?

I lean forward and look him in the eyes.

"Eslaine?" I inquire

"Yup, The Moving City, Eslaine." He gives a simple reply.

My forehead twitched I think.

'This punk, at least explain why Eslaine?'

I close my eyes and massage it for a few seconds before sighing.

"Why Eslaine? If you don't know it yet, then I'll tell you... Eslaine is one of the safest cities in this world. How do you expect me to believe that the devils will bring the princess to a place with maximum security?"

I ask getting to the point.

His nonchalant attitude is making me irritated now.

He closes his eyes, and starts to think then puts his hand on his chin and says,

"...ummm...Why, huh? I don't know...all I saw was a few devils roaming freely in the city acting like elves and humans along with the given facts of the Royal princess being kidnapped and she is still not found at any borders even now. Honestly, there is still a chance of her being taken out of the country but if she is still in this country then keeping her at a location where people will least think is always a good plan. It's not perfect but it buys enough time for proper operation."

'Huh?'

My eyes open wide...??

"Devils in the city?!?!! Are you kidding me? I have been patrolling this city every day and my [Nature's Eyes] still haven't found a single devil And you are saying there are Devils who are roaming freely in the city? Are we playing make-believe here? Let me get straight to the point...Do you have any proof?" I lost my composure at his explanation.

It's irritating.

To hear that all that time I spent to protect the city only to find it was all for nought.

Maybe I should just capture him and interrogate him.

That's one way of doing things.

"Why don't you try this place?" He says snapping me out of my thoughts.

When I look at his hand there is an address written on it.

It says '27th district, *****, *****'

The market area?

Why there?

In any case, first things first,

"I'm sorry for what I'm about to do, Morpheus," I speak as I channel mana in my body and the area around me.

I honestly am sorry. But I can't choose a person over a nation.

You are naive, Morpheus.

The world is cruel.

You should have kept your talent of 'erasing' the curse to yourself.

That alone gives, not only me but everyone in this world a reason to capture you.

I feel a bit bitter inside.

About the princess, we can find it by searching your memories for more concrete information.

Even if turns false, it will still be fine.

If it helps Alfheim, then it's worth it.

Everything around me is slowed to the point of pausing.

I look around and see, Kaneto trying to slash me and Robin in between protecting me.

'So he is strong enough to fight Robin, huh?'

Then I get up and...move towards Morpheus' back and put my hand on his head?...huh?...where did he go?

My eyes shrank a bit...what?...can't

.... move...

"Don't be sorry Zwain. At least not before you do it..." I hear a voice and someone is sitting at my position where I was sitting.

'How?'

I feel confused...scared...

Time is still slowed, everyone is still 'frozen'.

I see him looking at me straight in the eyes.

It sends a shiver down my spine.

I recall what he said before.

("Yeah, we have someone who defeated a Supreme devil in 3 slashes.")

Wasn't it a child's nonsense?

What is going to happen next?

Is there something I can do?

I try moving my hands...but...I can't.

He starts smiling.

This is scary...damn it.

'Just what have I gotten myself into?'

"It's fine Zwain, I am just showing you what you would be messing with if you take the wrong step."

He says

"And whatever I showed you today is to show you credibility. Credibility that I am strong enough to back up my words and also to protect myself and those around me. In any case, I will help you out of 2 things, in exchange for entering Heaven's Library. That is a deal I'm proposing to you personally. But first things first..."

He moves towards Robin and takes out his dagger.

'No! He can't be...'

Before I could get scared he starts drawing a circle.

"Don't worry, just erasing some memories. Honestly, it wouldn't work normally but you guys coming over in my room made things a hundred times easier, believe me." He says with an understanding look.

'This Devil' I was scared for a second there.

After completing the circle, the area starts shining,

'Is the whole room covered with circles?'

Soon the light diminishes.

Then he moves towards me.

The area starts shining again

"I will be placing something similar to the devil burning curse on you, except that it won't hurt and it will be erased after a year or two. I'll also put a condition that you can tell anyone who already knows or whom I've allowed you to tell."

He says with a concentrating gaze as he draws on my forehead.

I try fighting the mana change in my body but somehow I can't.

Just what kind of monster is he?

After scribbling a bit on my forehead he moves back to his original position.

The time starts moving

-clank

Kaneto and Robin clash but stop after looking at me.

I am not moving...not because of any effect but...I am scared...sweat trickle down my face.

"You guys leave now, I will be contacting you later. If you need any help just send someone to fetch me. Also, take this paper." He says sounding a bit tired. He then proceeds to move towards the area humming where the other kids are training.

I see him leaving...and then as soon as he vanishes from my sight.

-Thud

I fell on my butt.

My breathing his heavy.

Sweat covered my body.

I feel exhausted.

I want to get out of here.

I get up, take Robin and run away from there.

'This isn't something we can handle.'

'A monster at the level of Elven King is roaming among us'

'The only good news is that he isn't against us'

'I must be cautious but first...'

As I calm down, I look at the paper in my hand that I didn't dare to forget to take with me.

.

LUCY'S POV:-

I had a dream.

A really calming dream.

In that dream, I spoke out everything I had in my mind.

I felt refreshed.

It was the best feeling.

A child healed me.

'Hehe'

I must be going insane.

Then I met my family, they were happy, everyone was happy.

"Stop laughing, it's creepy" I hear a child's voice

'Hmmm?'

'Uwaaah' I stretch while sitting and start rubbing my eyes.

I wipe my drool then look around to see the same child from my dreams.

"Am I...awaah...still dreaming?" I speak yawning.

"Nope, just recollect your memories a bit and you will remember," he says looking at me with a small smile.

I put my hands on my chin and start thinking.

Slowly memories from yesterday before I passed out starts coming.

Then a smile blooms on my face

"It wasn't a dream?" I mutter with a smiling face.

My smile reached from one ear to another.

Then I look at that child...no...my benefactor...Morpheus is it?

Then I turn serious and speak,

"Thank you again, Morpheus. What I said before still holds true, use me however you want. My only wish is to kill the Orc King. I neither have any ambition nor any other reasons to live. But I am still weak so before I get strong enough to kill that bastard, let me serve you as my master."

I get on one of my knees and bow to him.

"It's fine, just collecting some good karma, no need to sweat over it, although if you do feel so grateful just help me out in my travels, will ya? Obviously excluding the part where you have to teach my companions, that's something which you have to do, no strings attached."

He speaks nonchalantly waving his hand.

The admiration I have for him increases severalfold.

"Yes master," I speak.

"And don't call me master, it feels odd, just call me Leader, okay? It sounds more professional " He speaks as he looks at me putting his hands in his pocket.

Then he starts to leave,

"Your first task is teaching them, other than that you are practically free to do whatever you want.

At least for this week, after that, we are going to change our pace depending upon the results of something I did today." He departs.

I look around for a bit then stand up.

Now that I think about it, where are Robin and Zwain?

'Maybe they left early due to some work.'

I start to move towards the training area.

I see the kids training.

The old man is teaching one of them.

'Then my student would be' I look at the other kid who is meditating.

I know a bit about mana flow, so teaching him should be easy.

'What should I teach first? Let's assess him and then decide.'

Leader is watching me, I must do my best.

I move forward to see his mana flow.

-whoosh

A current washes across my face.

'Just what kind of meditation is he doing to generate that much mana?'

Then the mana flow breaks and he opens his eyes.

He looks at me with eyes full of pity.

'He was there yesterday, wasn't he?'

Shaking my head I move forward and reach closer to him.

I look at him and speak," I'll be your teacher from now on."

I get directly to the point.

It's not what I wanted to say but...Nothing else came out of my mouth...am I nervous?...why?... I then look at leader...haah...didn't think something like this would happen to me.

I slap my both cheeks, the kid flinches.

After getting my composure back...

"I am Lucy Farcel and I'll be your new party member and personal instructor for an indefinite time.. Pleasure meeting you," I speak as I move my hand forward for a shake.