"What?!" Ciela''s voice echoed through the air, a mixture of disbelief and confusion. "How can you say that, when I am standing here!"

    Turan''s blue eyes narrowed, his fingertips drawing the string of his bow further. "A dark elf, dares to imitate our princess, do you think that we, the guardians of the forest are that easy to trick, to mock?"

    Asmodeus watched the situation, and he understood how the elves felt about the dark elves because of her sister. It might have been a miracle they didn''t call her a forsaken one because that might have crushed Ciela even further.

    I cannot leave her to face this alone.

    "Where is Princess Ar''Orina? She would be able to vouch for Ciela." Asmodeus stepped forward, his tall height and muscular build causing the elves to focus on him with their arrows. Their bows creaked from the pressure of remaining fully drawn.

    "How dare an outsider speak her noble name!" Another elf with short white hair and green eyes shouted, causing Ciela''s body to shudder.

    Her dark green hair fluttered in the wind as she hid her face from Asmodeus.

    "I will burn this forest to the ground, unless you bring her to me. You dare ignore me, while I stand before you, Elf!"

    A heat grew inside him, and Asmodeus couldn''t control it. The image of quivering Ciela, the elves stating she died, and the dirty looks all of these people gave her. He promised to make things right so she wouldn''t suffer... but his inability to do so made the heat explode into a fire, a fiery desire to crush and burn the entire forest.

    "Enough... it''s enough, Asmodeus." Ciela''s low mutter, her hands clenched together so tight that her knuckles became pure white like bone.

    "What of my mother, Ar''Sarina... is she well, Turan?"

    Turan''s eyes widened gently, observing Ciela before narrowing again as if unable to remain calm.

    "The Empress must fight, to prove her belief in goddess Aristella, or so the oracle foretold!"

    However, hearing about an oracle, Asmodeus noticed a flicker of anger in Ciela''s eyes. Her lips distorted into a ferocious sneer before returning to a faint smile.

    This subtle emotional tell made him realise something important.

    When did I last speak to Ciela or the other women about their feelings, goals and families?

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    "You say an oracle, but who gave it... the whore of a concubine?" Ciela''s words sounded harsh, like blades tearing into the wounds of her most loathed enemies. Her lips curled into a slightly distorted smile. "That woman, Er''Gladia never cared for this forest, or her people, Turan YOU must know this, why send the sick empress to the north, with her only heirs?!"

    Twang.

    Woosh—!

    Several arrows flung towards Ciela as her eyes narrowed. Turan also seemed shocked that people had released the arrows.

    However, before he could take action, Asmodeus stepped in front of her, letting the arrows penetrate his demonic armour and body, only for the Elf behind him to twist his body and shout.

    "What are you doing?! You idiot... those are enchanted arrows!" A voice filled with worry, upset and dismay, Ciela knew Asmodeus could easily block these arrows with his black exoskeleton. "So why? Why did you let them penetrate your body?"

    "However, the princes had pure white skin—this woman is a dark elf!"

    "Maybe the change Princess Orina mentioned... was this?" A counterargument muttered in the crowd, the dozens of elves slowly snapping out of their strange stupor.

    "I will make you regret it, Er''Gladia... the nerve to tell everyone I got defiled and killed!!" Ciela trembled like a leaf in a storm, the veins on her forehead pulsing as she scrunched her fist tight.

    Though her anger weakened the moment Asmodeus grasped her delicate fists, "Focus on your mother and sister... revenge can come once they are safe."

    "Right..." She breathed deeply, calming herself while raising a hand in the sky. A glowing orb appeared, twisting and turning until an elven script materialised within. "Thank you... for protecting my heart, Asmodeus."

    This item proved her identity to all the elves, who suddenly knelt in two rows, their bows placed to the left and their right arms across their chests—a pledge of loyalty.

    "This is..." Turan approached and touched the floating item gently. His face showed disbelief until the object vanished into dust.

    "Princess... you really... you''re really alive?"

    Turan dropped to his knees ahead of the others, his agonised face making him look up at her pleadingly. "I-I failed to protect you back then, and now I even doubt your existence. I apologise, Princes." He struck his chest twice, hitting with a loud bang before bowing. "I do not deserve to be forgiven."

    Ciela stepped forward and pressed a foot onto his shoulder, causing him to collapse flat on his stomach. Her mixed expression showed her complex feelings. After several moments, her voice echoed through the quiet forest.

    "If there is a next time, Turan... there won''t be a second chance."

    "Yes... your highness." He bowed his head while trembling in fear.

    "Welcome, her royal highness, Princess Ar''Ciela, daughter of the forest, blessed by the wind." Each person spoke while lowering their heads, expressing loyalty and respect for Ciela and hoping for atonement.

    At this point, Ciela seems to have returned to her roots as an elven princess, raising her chin and turning to Asmodeus.

    He glanced at the situation and could only nod while walking beside her. Although Velvet and the others expressed worry, the group followed, heading into the divine forest, the capital of the Elves.

    .

    .

    .

    The elves born inside this silver forest couldn''t boast enough about its beauty. The grass glistened under their feet; however, unlike the green of the northern areas, a vibrant silver glow filled everything.

    No matter the season, it maintained its appearance and temperature all year long. An eternal summer caused all plants to bloom endlessly, granting a perpetual spring with flowers that released a sweet fragrance.

    "I cannot help but find this place stunning..." Asmodeus whispered to himself, while Velvet, Asmodea and Vinea all agreed, nodding at him.

    "It''s incredible that this place stays the same all year round..." Even Alice found the spectacle breathtaking despite living in the royal castle of Grigor most of her life.

    "It''s all thanks to the world tree, without her... we would lose everything." Ciela showed a bitter smile, noticing that parts of the forest seemed to wither and fade. "It seems the demons are truly invading, for the forest to be this unsettled..."