The World Serpent

Within the Halls of the Imperial Castle, The Retired General walked along with the Glorious Expensive Imperial Carpets. Right beside the Retired General was his Right-Hand Man. He was a Young Man recently appointed as his right hand. Though, the Retired General could see ambition from the Young Man's eyes. While walking through the Hall, The Young Man turned his gaze towards the Retired General and spoke with a calm voice.

"General, Are we going to hunt those that attacked you?" The Young Man asked as the Retired General looked at him with a gaze that lacked any emotion. The Retired General sighed and replied with a stern yet calm voice. "There is no need to hunt them. The Emperor didn't give me orders to hunt them." Hearing the answer of the Retired General, The Young Man found himself confused.

"Didn't he say that you would have to do something with your failure?" The Young Man asked in confusion as the Retired General shook his head and continued walking. He didn't answer the Young Man's question as the two of them walked out of the Imperial Castle. Walking out of the Imperial Castle, The two of them entered a Carriage. "Head towards the Outskirts." The Coachman nodded as he began to whip the horse.

"Are we going to investigate their trails?" The Young Man asked as the Retired General looked at him and shook his head in disappointment. "Young Man, I know you have ambition, but you lack patience. You'll fall faster than a less talented individual on the battlefield." The Retired General said as the Young Man found himself in silence.

The Carriage continued driving through the Stone Marble Road as they finally entered the Capital City of Royale. It was a Beautiful Medieval City with Gigantic Stone White Buildings. A Highly Protected City with the most expensive resource. The Young Man gazed through the window and saw a good scene of the City. He smiled peacefully, though the Retired General continued staring at the floor.

The Carriage passed through the main road of the Capital City of Royale. Then Numerous Carriage revealed themselves as they got stuck in traffic. The Young Man sighed at seeing the long line. An Hour of Wait was what it took to reach their destination within the City of Royale. It was the Continent Gate. A Giant Teleportation Gate that got connected to numerous Regional Gates within the Empire Albion.

The Young Man gazed upon the Gigantic Teleportation Gate. The Carriage stopped at a station as one of the Station Worker spoke with a calm voice. "I.D and Destination." The Coachman nodded and gave his I.D and Destination to the Station Worker. The Station Worker began checking his I.D and nodded. "Be careful and have a safe travel." The Station Worker said as the Coachman smiled.

The Carriage continued moving as it passed through the Gigantic Teleportation Gate. A Bright Light illuminated their sight as they passed through the Gate. It dimmed, and they found themselves in the Main City within the Outskirts. The Carriage continued moving as they stopped at one of the stations once again. It took a while to complete identification as the security within the Gates was ultimately high. The Gates were a high strategic resource, so the Empire Albion had to defend it with their power.

'I do wonder what we are doing here?' The Young Man thought as he took a look at the Retired General. During the journey, the Retired General rarely spoke. He seemed to be entranced. Did he get traumatized by the massacre? The Young Man had numerous questions as he shook his head and decided to be patient.

After a while within the Carriage, They finally arrived at their first destination. It was a simple house within the plains. The Young Man exited the Carriage as he looked at the wooden residence with interest written all over his face. The Retired General left the Carriage as he walked towards the entrance of the house. The Retired General began knocking on the door as a woman opened it. The Woman was carrying a child as she looked at the General with confusion.

"We have news about your Husband." Hearing the words of the General, The Young Man finally understood why there were within the Outskirts. The massacre included over 1,000 men. Such massacre would be a storm within the Outskirts of the Empire. The Young Man sighed as he saw the lady carrying a child broken into tears.

――――――――――――――――

In the Forest of Pax, The Trio finally entered the Village of Ava. They walked through the stone road as they noticed the Tree House all over the Area. They could see Elven Children playing while some Old Elves were working. Statera and Ego were looking around the Village of Ava as Statera spoke with a calm voice. "Primitive Buildings. These Buildings may get considered as an Artifact within Piksyon."

Ego nodded in agreement as she continued adapting to the Mana in the surroundings. She could control a part of it that was observable from the distorting air around her. Statera and Ego continued walking along the stone road as they noticed Persia in silence. Statera and Ego stopped walking as they turned their heads towards Persia.

"Persia, Is there something wrong?" Statera asked with her seductive voice. "Sister, Are you okay?" Ego asked with her monotone voice though it had a tinge of warmth. Persia stopped her entranced state as she shook her head and gazed upon the two with her Golden Amber Eyes. She replied with a calm voice. "A Strange Feeling within my Heart. It seemed to be happy from sensing something strange."

"What?" Statera tilted her head in confusion as she couldn't understand Persia's words. "Despair, Hatred, Fear, and Wrath. It seems that the result of the massacre is showing itself." Persia continued talking as the two understood what she meant. "Can you sense their emotions?" Statera asked as Persia slightly smiled and nodded. "I can sense it despite the distance."

"Are you sure you are okay? The Foreign Negative Emotions can slowly make anyone insane. Especially when they hit you with their large number." Statera asked as the Negative Emotions entering Persia would probably cause some unwanted side effects. Persia shook her head and answered. "It seemed that the Negative Emotions are getting turned into Energy. Though I do wonder how I manage to do it."

"Are you a Sadist? You seemed to be taking pleasure in the Negative Emotions." Statera sighed as she continued speaking with her seductive voice. "Since you are the Demon Progenitor. I guess that might be one of your abilities? But I do wonder why it took so long. After all, we left survivors, which might felt the same emotions you currently sense."

"I don't know, though I would love to have more," Persia smirked as Statera shook her head and flicked Persia's forehead. Statera looked at Persia with her Red Velvet Eyes as Persia sighed and replied. "I'm sorry... I won't try getting more." Statera patted Persia's head and smiled after hearing Persia's answer. "If you continue, you might end up like your Demon Ancestors. Nothing would change."

"I see why you're worried," Persia mumbled onto herself as the Trio continued walking along the Stone Road. "Yo, Lifa. Who are these visitors? It's rare for anyone to visit this village." A Young Elven Woman smiled while staring at Lifa. Lifa sighed and replied. "They are Spirits we found near our Borders. They want to stay."

Hearing Lifa's answer, The Young Elven Woman turned her head towards the Trio and nodded in understanding. "Spirits, I can see that from their Ethereal Beauty." Lifa once again sighed after hearing the Young Elven Woman. The Buff Old Elven Man chuckled and spoke. "Anyway, they would have to meet the Village Chief, so please let us pass."

"Oh. I apologized. I hope we get along, Three Spirits." The Young Elven Woman stopped blocking the way as she began running towards a Treehouse and waved her pale arms towards the Trio. The Trio also waved their goodbyes. They never thought that they would meet an easygoing elf the moment they entered the village.

They continued walking through the stone road as they finally arrived at a Strange Treehouse. It was a lot bigger than the others, and its design was also strange. "We have arrived. I'll call the Village Chief, so please wait." The Buff Old Elven Man said as he entered the Strange Treehouse. Numerous Noise echoed within the Strange Treehouse as a Man wearing a White Coat and Eyeglass exited the Strange House.

He was the Village Chief of the Village Ava, and his name was Stein. Stein looked at the Trio with his Emerald Green Eyes. He squinted his eyes when looking at them as he finally turned to look at Statera. His Eyes turned into shock as his body shook. He found himself surprised as he quickly kneeled on the ground. Such a reaction caused attention from the Elves around them.

"Astral Spirit Lord Statera, It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty." His words caused Ego and Persia to turn their heads towards Statera. Even Statera found herself confused until she looked clearly at the Elf in front of her. She then realized and spoke with her seductive voice. "Stein, The Head of the Research Department within Elda. It is unexpected to see you here."

"You still remembered me?" Stein couldn't help but get elated as one of the big guys within Piksyon remembered him. "You're that crazy Elf that got obsessed with the Ancient Ruins. You disappeared a hundred years ago, though it seemed that you have been staying here for a while." Statera replied with her seductive voice. Lifa and the Buff Old Elven Man found themselves confused.

Stein coughed and stopped kneeling on the ground. He stood up as he spoke with a calm voice. "Have you remembered my long stories about my Homeland? Her Majesty Statera came from the Homeland, and she was the one that ruled the Spirit Nation Astra." The two nodded in understanding after hearing Stein's explanation.

"Isn't the Spirit Nation of Astra the one that leads the Alliance of the Great Forest? It seemed that the Village Chief is a high member of Elven society within his Homeland." the Buff Old Elven Man began guessing as Stein continued coughing. He looked at Statera and asked. "Did someone replace me after my disappearance?" Statera shook her head and answered. "I don't go out that much."

Stein sighed after hearing Statera's question. He then noticed something strange. "Your Majesty, How did you enter this Continent? Did you get teleported by an Ancient Ruin?" Stein asked as Statera shook her head and denied. She then turned her head towards Persia and answered. "She brought me here, and I'm helping her."

"Hmm..." Stein stared at Persia with his Emerald Green Eyes and asked. "I have never seen her before. She is quite strong, and she must be old if she's that strong. Though unfortunately, I have little to no information about her." Statera chuckled after hearing Stein's words and replied. "This Girl here is the new Supreme of the Pentagon Union. Bow upon her as she rivals your Elf Ruler."

"Eh?" Stein found himself in shock as he continued looking at Statera. The White Silver Hair that rivaled the Best Silvers and the Golden Amber Eyes released an unknown pressure. It seemed that she was the New Supreme of the Pentagon Union. He then bowed towards Persia and spoke with a respectful voice. "It's nice to meet you, Great Ruler of the Occidental Region."

"Hmm, Hello. Stein." Persia replied with a calm voice. A Great Ruler speaking his name made Stein feel elated. He shook his head and spoke towards the Trio. "Why don't we fully introduce ourselves in my Home. Staying on the outside might be uncomfortable for you." The Trio nodded in agreement as they entered Stein's home. The Buff Old Elven Man and Lifa followed as the news of the Spirits began spreading within the Village of Ava.