Vierno asked in a trembling voice.

“No, but why on earth only now—no... more than that, how in the world? C-Could it be that Lady Bellaruna was from the Burke family?”

From Vierno’s perspective, it was natural to think so.

The Burke family were the ones who cared only about guarding the frontier, never showing their faces in internal affairs.

They cut off all communication with other families and kept so quiet that no one even knew what they were doing, only that they silently guarded the entrance.

To the point where other families, suspicious that perhaps they might be plotting rebellion, continued to keep watch over them from outside their territory.

The Burke family’s seclusion was so extreme that even the Dentis family, who were not hostile toward them, could not approach.

And yet Bellaruna, not even a family but just an individual, said she could do it—so of course suspicion arose.

“N-no. Nothing like that....”

Faced with the excessive reactions around her, Bellaruna shrank and trailed off.

She had only spoken up thinking it might help, but the reaction was far hotter than she expected.

So much so that it was uncomfortable.

Even Ludger stared at Bellaruna in disbelief.

Under his urging gaze telling her to explain herself, Bellaruna hastily opened her mouth.

“W-well, I received help in the past.”

“Help, you say?”

“Yes. It was the Burke family who helped me escape outside the forest.”

“What?”

Bellaruna said something outrageous with a completely straight face.

The worse part was, she genuinely thought it was nothing.

“B-because I had hacked into the World Tree in secret, I was being pursued. So, to survive somehow, I tried to run away outside the forest.”

Bellaruna recalled what she had gone through.

“I did not go into detail, but in truth I almost died then. Before I could get completely out of the forest, soldiers of the royal palace chased me to capture me alive. I was nearly caught, and I thought, ah, this is the end. But then, like a savior, the Burke family appeared and rescued me.”

“The Burke family, you say?”

“Yes. While running away, I happened to drift close to the Burke family’s territory.”

“No matter how reclusive, the Burke family must have come to check what was happening on their land.”

“The pursuers who came after me could not face the Burke family, so they withdrew. Thanks to that, I lived.”

“But how did you come to know a means of contacting the Burke family? Even if they helped you, that should not have been easy.”

“Ah. It was the head of the Burke family who saved me then. He said I was interesting and helped me.”

“......”

Vierno was struck dumb.

He tried to regain his composure and say something, but his mind was too tangled and he could not speak.

He opened and closed his mouth several times, then finally said,

“...Well. I see.”

His voice was full of resignation.

Ludger, Hans, and Alex thought the same thing at once.

‘He is not even questioning anymore.’

‘He has given up.’

‘Resigned to it.’

The three nodded as if in agreement at Vierno’s weary response.

Who would have thought Bellaruna had such a background hidden?

Even those who had [N O V E L I G H T] worked with her did not know.

If they asked why she never said anything, she would no doubt reply with the ridiculous answer: because no one asked.

Ludger thought anew that bringing Bellaruna along by force this time was truly the right decision.

“Then, Lady Bellaruna, you mean you can contact the head of the Burke family?”

“Well... probably? It has already been more than a few years, so the line might have changed.”

“Ordinarily, the direct line to a family head does not change even in a hundred years. Moreover, if he left you his contact while leading you out of the forest, it may have been because he wished you to reach out one day. In that case, it should still be active.”

“Ah. That makes sense, too.”

“To think—direct contact with the family head....”

Still unable to believe it, Vierno muttered to himself in dismay.

His dazed expression was so unfamiliar that his niece Viela fidgeted uneasily.

“Hoo. Well, it is rather fortunate. We should be thankful that Heaven has granted such a chance. Lady Bellaruna, please. Send a message to the head of the Burke family.”

“What should I write?”

“First, ask if we may meet. That is most important.”

The details could be exchanged face to face afterward.

* * *

Sedina remained shut inside the room.

Even if she wanted to leave, the door was locked from outside, and she was under unyielding surveillance. There was no way out.

She considered using her paper-folding magic, but abandoned the idea.

They knew she could use magic, yet left her like this. There was no way they had not prepared against it.

Just then, someone opened the door and entered.

For a moment she wondered if it was Ventmin Lifret, whom she had seen on the first day, but it was another elf.

A man with a sharp impression and a sturdy build.

Neatly combed gray hair, lips pressed in a straight line.

From the disciplined steps with which he entered, Sedina sensed he was a highly trained elf.

“And you are?”

“The family head summons you.”

She had asked his name, but he ignored her question, delivering only his message.

“It is almost mealtime. You are invited. Follow me.”

Leaving only those words, he turned and left the room at once.

Leaving the door open.

That brazen behavior, as if to say she was simply to follow, flustered Sedina.

She had not expected him to really leave like that after saying just one line.

She could not remain locked in the room, so Sedina quickly followed after the gray-haired elf.

The two walked down a long corridor knotted with tree roots.

At regular intervals along the passage stood soldiers with spears, arrayed in formation.

Guards to ensure she could not escape.

Each time she passed, the stares flicked toward her were nothing short of intimidating.

‘Could I secretly release my magic here?’

Sedina considered it, but judged the risk too great and set aside the thought.

For now, what mattered was why Ventmin had invited her to dine.

‘It is true that I was kidnapped because they want something from me. They dislike me, but they need me even more—that is why I am alive.’

She needed to understand that reason, and if the chance arose, use it as leverage at the negotiation table.

Just as she steeled herself with that resolve, the long passage ended, opening onto a long bridge that led outside.

Beyond the marble-carved balustrade stretched a breathtaking view.

She was overlooking the Elves’ kingdom, Renar Tyrone.

There was a common misconception people had.

That if it was a place where elves lived, it must all be trees and wooden houses.

But that was only a prejudice against elves.

Elves also used metal and stone in their architecture.

Especially in stonework, their design and artistry far surpassed that of humans.

The place that displayed that beauty to the utmost was the royal castle now in view—Serendel.

Built directly under the massive tree, Serendel was majesty itself.

A fortress like pure white marble, with soaring spires topped in silver roofs.

Between them, trees with yellow, red, and violet leaves added vibrant color to what might have been a stark palace.

The castle itself was a work of art.

Yet even that castle paled beside another existence.

Sedina looked up at the colossal tree that overshadowed Serendel Castle.

The tree soared into the sky, so tall that no matter how much she raised her head, she could not see the top.

Its scale was beyond estimation.

Measured not in meters, but in kilometers.

‘That is the World Tree.’

The sacred tree the elves venerated.

The oldest living tree in the world, and the one that would live the longest.

Its immense leaves and branches spread over not only the castle below but even the city outside the castle.

Yet it was not dark at all.

On the contrary, the World Tree shed a gentle light, bestowing warm grace upon the elves dwelling beneath it.

Whenever the wind blew, its leaves swayed, and a warm glow moved with them, as if alive.

It was like seeing an aurora spoken of only in stories.

No—perhaps even a true aurora would pale beside that light.

Sedina felt she now understood why the elves cherished the World Tree so dearly.

Anyone who beheld such majesty, vastness, beauty, and overflowing vitality could not help but feel awe.

‘Why... does it feel so familiar?’

Was it because half her blood was elven?

The moment Sedina looked at the World Tree, she was swept up in an inexplicable, uncanny feeling.

“......”

She forgot even to walk and could only gaze at that sight.

Then a voice broke her reverie.

“Are you not coming?”

“Ah....”

Snapping back to reality, Sedina found the elven man’s cold eyes fixed on her.

She swallowed hard and began to walk again.

Yes. Now was not the time to lose herself in the World Tree.

She was in the enemy’s stronghold, being taken to dine with its master.

‘If I do not keep my wits, I’ll end up being devoured instead.’

After crossing the bridge linking the separate spire to the castle and heading further inward, Sedina eventually stopped in front of a massive door.

“This is it. Go inside.”

“What about the others?”

“You go alone.”

The elf stepped aside, indicating he would wait at the entrance.

Sedina had no choice but to enter by herself.

The door was large, but she did not need to push.

The fine roots covering its surface moved of their own accord and opened it.

“Come in.”

A melodious voice echoed from within.

Following it, Sedina entered the dining hall.

Inside was a wide, splendid hall, with a long table laid out.

At its end sat the elf who had been waiting for her—

The head of the Lifret family, Ventmin Lifret.

Also known as... First Order Ventmin.

She sat alone without guards.

Was it contempt, thinking Sedina could not harm her?

Or confidence born of needing no one’s protection?

Sedina thought it was both.

“Sit.”

Sedina sat in the one empty seat prepared—the only one opposite Ventmin.

The table, covered in a white cloth, was laden with a luxurious feast.

Traditional elven dishes, of origins Sedina could not guess.

As expected, most were fruit- and vegetable-based.

“Let us eat first.”

“...Did you call me here just to have a meal?”

“Why? Surprised? Don’t think too kindly of it. It’s only because I felt like it.”

Ventmin smirked as she looked at Sedina’s tense face.

“Or is it that John Doe doesn’t even eat with you?”

“......”

Sedina did not answer.

Ventmin went on.

“I was curious. Since you’re said to be John Doe’s subordinate, I thought you might have something special. Or that John Doe might know some secret about you.”

“M-my secret?”

“You really don’t know? Or did John Doe sense your uniqueness even without knowing it? Why else would that brutal man keep you at his side?”

A secret.

That was likely the reason Ventmin had abducted her.

Ventmin looked Sedina over as though appraising her.

“Hm. No matter how I see it, you don’t look like someone who could capture John Doe’s heart. Unless that fellow actually prefers this immature figure?”

“Don’t insult my teacher.”

The words burst out of Sedina before she realized, and then she shut her mouth, knowing she had slipped.

Ventmin seemed amused at her reaction, smiling brightly.

“John Doe. So he does inspire loyalty. For a subordinate to scold me for speaking behind his back.”

“If you understand that, then release me now.”

Sedina seized the moment.

She thought surely, if a subordinate cherished by the First Order John Doe had been kidnapped, relations between them would sour.

But Ventmin dismissed it lightly.

“Why would I? Do you think John Doe would actually question me about it? Don’t make me laugh. We First Orders have no camaraderie. We dislike each other anyway.”

“Then are you willing to risk conflict?”

At that, Ventmin burst into laughter.

“Conflict? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard today. Are you saying John Doe would fight me for your sake? John Doe, of all people?”

“That’s...”

“To him, you’re just a convenient pawn to use. Did you think you became something more just because he treated you a little kindly?”

“......”

Sedina gave no reply.

Ventmin did not know Ludger was not truly John Doe.

So she judged only from what she knew of his usual conduct.

“Suppose, as you say, John Doe grew angry. Suppose he even found out I was the one who kidnapped you and brought you to the elf kingdom. Even then—would he really come for you? Would he fight me for your sake alone?”

“That is...”

Sedina thought it over.

The opponent was a high-ranking elf who ruled an entire kingdom.

How many elves did she command, how great was her army?

And this was the sacred forest of the elves.

No matter how strong Ludger was, here he would struggle to exert his full power.

It was nothing but risk—only the worst situation.

Would anyone risk all that to save a half-blood discarded by her own family?

And yet—

‘Teacher will come.’

He would.

At least the Ludger Sedina knew would move, without fail, to save her in such a situation.

‘Because that is the kind of person he is.’

Seeing Sedina’s subtle response, the smile vanished from Ventmin’s face.

Her eyes gleamed sharply.

“You. You are certain that man will come.”