Although Ancilla was the second mistress of the main family, she could not control her daring adopted son. It may have been possible when Eugene was young and he had just been adopted, but now, Eugene was an adult.
For a long time, Ancilla had properly faced reality. Her biological children, the twins, were truly outstanding prodigies. If she hadn’t met Eugene, she may have thought her children were geniuses, like any other mother would have. However, she had met Eugene, so she could no longer think the twins were that great geniuses.
Fortunately, the child didn’t wish to become the Patriarch. If anything, he rather loathed the idea of becoming the Patriarch. Thus, there was no reason for her to be hostile toward him. As such, ever since Eugene had become her adopted son, Ancilla had tried to be on good terms with him. She had also coaxed Cyan, who had been caught in his immaturity and ego. Then, she had reasoned with the curious, mischievous Ciel so that she wouldn’t provoke Eugene too much. Ancilla herself tried not to provoke him, for that matter.
Cyan and Ciel had ended up becoming close with Eugene. Although they were related by little blood, the three had become true siblings. Cyan had turned his inferiority complex into a desire to improve himself. Instead of hating Eugene, who was better than him, Cyan yearned for him and wanted to follow in Eugene’s footsteps.
It was also similar for Ciel. She didn’t have a massive inferiority complex like Cyan, but she had definitely been motivated by Eugene and Cyan. She didn’t try to slack off in her training. All the while, Ciel was conscious of Eugene in a different way than Cyan.
In Ancilla’s eyes, their relationship was very peaceful and satisfying.
Eugene wouldn’t become the Patriarch in the end. Even Ciel had chosen to join the Black Lion instead of competing with her biological older brother to become the Patriarch. Cyan was trying his best to become a person who could live up to the title of the Patriarch—trying to use the things that were ‘conceded’ to him.
Ancilla didn’t want to do anything to ruin this desirable dynamic. What if that daring child changed his mind when she acted unfriendly?
…Cough.
Ancilla cleared her throat and fidgeted with her fingers. Her crushed fan swung in the air, a terribly pathetic sight.
“Their stories…I am sorry to hear that.”
The fact that elves were persecuted for their natural beauty and longevity, was famous. To be honest, Ancilla felt sorry for the elves — to die from the Demonic Disease that only affected elves, to wander around the rainforest because they couldn’t go back to their home, to be hunted by slave traders and Samar natives, to be sold as slaves…
‘…Well… there is no harm in taking them in. Wouldn’t it be a chance for the Lionheart to gain more status?’
Ancilla quickly thought about it. As far as she knew, there was no house that sheltered that many elves on the continent.
“…Is there anything that I could do to help…”
“I won’t bother you, Lady Ancilla.”
It was already bothersome enough! She tried to see this incident in a positive light, but she couldn’t. Now, the elves were a little over a hundred, but wouldn’t their number increase over time? The more troubling matter was that she could not even use those elves as servants of the main house. They would just live in the forest.
In the end, she understood. She had to.
Well, there were a lot of questions she wanted to ask. She now knew why Eugene had gone to Samar Rainforest without letting anyone know about his destination — he had been trying to look for the elven sanctuary where Sienna the Wise had secluded herself.
‘That is a very important matter, why would you be the one to do it? And why did you do it with just two people?'
On top of that, his female companion was none other than Kristina Rogeris, the saint candidate of the Holy Empire. Kristina was standing so naturally beside Eugene right now that it confused Ancilla more. Eugene had gone to the Black Lion's castle for his Coming-Of-Age ceremony, so how had he ended up in the Samar Rainforest to find Sienna the Wise out of the blue? Had only the two of them gone together?
In the end, Ancilla didn't pry any further. Holding down the sighs that were about to burst out of her, she nodded.
“…Still, I have to help with something. I will summon the workers to build some houses in the forest. Until then…”
“Doesn't the annex that I use have many empty rooms? I will just tell them to stay in the annex until then. If they say they don't like it because it's uncomfortable, then I will let them stay on their own in the forest.”
“…What about their meals?”
“I will tell Nina to take care of it.”
Seven years ago, Nina had just finished her apprenticeship as a maid, but now, she was overseeing the servants in the annex.
‘…That means the Lionheart clan still has to feed them, right?’
Did he know? Everything that happened in the estate, whether in the main halls or the annex, went through Ancilla.
Of course, Eugene knew that.
'Well, the Lionheart clan is filthy rich anyway.’
He didn't give a hoot.
* * *
“It's a nice forest.”
After Ancilla returned, Signard finally spoke his mind. He nodded as he took a look around the vast Lionheart forest.
“The trees, the earth, everything is well managed.”
“It’s a forest.”
“I really like that it doesn’t smell unpleasant.”
“Unpleasant smell?”
“Smell of blood,” Signard answered as he laughed.“It always smelled like blood in Samar Rainforest. I often heard screams there, but this place is peaceful and nice.”
It had to be — after all, this forest was included in the main house’s estate. There were no barbarians who indulged in territorial disputes. There were no monsters. Many animals freely roamed the land, but there were no predators who could destroy the forest’s ecosystem.
Since it was winter, there weren’t many leaves on the trees, either. Nevertheless, the forest was peaceful and beautiful.
“There is also plenty of mana.”
Signard turned his head toward the far end of the forest.
“It’s the Lionheart’s leyline.”
“…Was that always there?”
“It is said that the Great Vermouth made it.”
As Eugene said so, he signaled something to Signard. Eugene had said that dozens of times to Signard before they had gotten here — to watch his mouth.
Signard knew Eugene was Hamel. That was why Signard needed to be careful.
“…Hmm…I see.”
‘The Great Vermouth…’ The corner of Signard’s mouth twitched as Eugene spoke. If they had been alone, Signard would have definitely teased him, but he couldn’t do so now. There were other elves, and there was also Kristina.
“Let’s pick the place to settle down first.”
Eugene led the way and entered the forest. For a second, he thought the location didn’t matter but it soon became apparent that it wasn’t the case.
[Go a little bit deeper.]
‘Are you sure?’
[I’m sure. The World Tree’s spirit wishes for a deeper, denser, and livelier place.]
Tempest’s voice was echoing inside his head. He could feel and communicate with The World Tree’s spirit in the seedling, guiding Eugene to find the place that the spirit wanted.
[This place will do. The wind likes this place.]
“…This place is….”
Eugene took a look around, feeling odd. The Lionheart leyline was nearby; he had visited this place when he was thirteen years old, as he had started to sense mana there. Staring at the faraway hut, Eugene touched Wynnyd’s handle on his waist.
‘It’s close to the leyline. Does it mean anything special?’
[Something must be special. Like I said before, a primal spirit is another form of mana.]
The World Tree’s spirit was basically a primal spirit. As Eugene listened to Tempest, he tried to be conscious of the wind, but he couldn’t feel anything.
It was understandable. The wind just naturally existed. No matter how great the spirit summoner was, it was impossible to perfectly control a primal spirit that didn’t have a form.
The primal spirits of wind, earth, water, and fire allowed the elements to hold a form, and the elements imbued the spirits with power. The Samar natives, who were born and raised in the forest, received help and protection from the primal spirits, and so did the elves. Still, they merely received help from the primal spirits — they didn’t control, much less dominate them.
[This leyline is not natural. Vermouth made it, so the mana in that leyline is artificially distorted.]
It was unbelievable, but Vermouth had actually pulled it off.
[Hmm…]
Tempest became a gust of wind and hovered around Eugene.
[Hamel. You must know this too, but the mana in that artificial leyline isn’t infinite.]
Mana existed everywhere in the world, and a leyline held an overwhelmingly large amount of mana. Still, it wasn’t infinite. If a person trained their mana in leyline, they could progress at a fast pace. However, if someone stayed for too long in the leyline, the mana in the leyline would be eventually depleted. That was why the Lionheart’s leyline was under strict management.
[If you plant the seedling of the World Tree in this land, that leyline will become more complete.]
‘Are you saying mana in this region will increase?’
[I guess so.]
Eugene also knew that a leyline was convenient. However, the more he mastered mana, the less he would benefit from the leyline. The cores weren’t something that could be strengthened with just a lot of mana.
‘Any ordinary leyline will benefit from this.’
The World Tree in the elven sanctuary came to Eugene’s mind. The mana in the sanctuary was almost non-existent, but there was more mana inside the World Tree than in any other places Eugene remembered.
“I made a good choice bringing them here,” Eugene suddenly murmured.
“What are you talking about?” Signard asked back.
“To imagine that you guys are going to live happily in this forest after going through all those fucking hardships, my heart is deeply touched.”
Eugene made up excuses. His excuses touched the hearts of Signard and the elves.
Eugene stirred up the wind and hastily cleared the uneven land. After that, he dug a hole in the spot Tempest designated and planted the seedlings and branches of the World Tree.
‘…Nothing is happening…’
Eugene was about to bring this up, but he was shocked by an abrupt change. He bent down and stroked the ground with his hands.
He could feel a faint warmth in this dry, cold land. There was also a slight tremor. The roots of the seedlings spread far and deep into the earth, while their branches energetically stretched wide. Their leaves became more alive. The branches from the World Tree itself lightly wavered too.
“Ah…!”
Elves exclaimed to the sight. They heard the forest’s joyous voice. Along with Signard, the elves born in the sanctuary saw the grand World Tree in the small seedlings and branches. Some elves shed tears as they couldn’t hold back their thrill anymore.
“…Indeed.” Kristina expressed her admiration in a low voice and brought her hands in front of the chest. “These things are the true miracles.”
“These miracles weren’t done by your god.”
“Yes, I am aware of that. However, a revelation of God led us here… Not all miracles are done by the God of Light himself, but every miracle holds light.”
Glaring at the smiling Kristina, Eugene shook his head.
‘The mana doesn’t seem to be increasing right away.’
[After some time passes, the leyline will also begin to change.]
‘It’s meaningless if it takes too long.’
[You don’t have to worry about such stuff. You won’t be able to feel this, but the primal spirit in this land is answering to the World Tree…]
‘Does it mean there will be more of the World Tree’s spirit?’
[Yes, this forest in the estate will soon turn into the most beautiful and lively forest on this continent. Elves will live on in this forest and look after everything in this forest — the earth, the trees, the forest. They will also harmonize with the World Tree’s spirit, and that way, the number of fairy trees will increase. As they grow, the entire forest will turn into a leyline.]
‘….’
[Yes, the forest will turn into a leyline. The Lionheart’s leyline will bear far more vast mana than before.]
‘I guess I won’t have to hire any more forest keepers or landscapers.’
[…What?]
‘You said so yourself. The elves will tend to the forest. I am a human, so I thought it was a bit too much to ask them to earn their keep… Well, if they do the landscaping, then that sorts out the problem.’
[…Hamel…]
‘What? I’m right, do you have any idea how wide this forest is? I can’t just let the forest be, it needs to be pruned and grafted each season. Anyhow, there are a lot of things to be done. If the elves do those on their own…’
Tempest shut his mouth.
“Here, listen up.”
Eugene gathered the thrilled elves in one place.
“We got permission from Lady Ancilla and planted the trees.”
He talked casually to Signard, but he couldn’t do that to the other elves.
“I may not have to even say these things, but you are not allowed to leave the estate. If you really wish to, then inform the Lionheart servants beforehand. I won’t say you can never go out, but wouldn’t it be tiring for all of us if you get into a quarrel outside?”
Hunting elves was illegal, and the capital, Ceres, was pretty safe. Still, there was always that ‘if.’
“I will tell the Lionheart knights to accompany you when you wish to go out of the estate, and the servants will provide the necessities. Please show your hands if you don’t want to live here and want to seek freedom otherwise.”
No elves raised their hands
“Yeah, of course, you do. I don’t care what you do in the forest, but do you see the cabin over there? Don’t go there, ever,” Eugene emphasized, pointing at the leyline.
“If you go there, I will get angry. And another thing, you will come across the knights, servants, and other workers of Lionhearts as you stay in this forest. Don’t look down on them or pick a fight.”
“Do you need to mention it?” Signard asked, glaring at Eugene. “It’s not like before….”
Eugene glared back. Signard cleared his throat and continued. “…Hmm. Elven elitism was a given 300 years ago, but not now, the elves are in a difficult position.”
“Not all elves are like that, aren’t they?” Eugene asked.
“…But the elves here fear humans, so they won’t look down on them.”
“Hmm… You have a point. Then to the next matter… Probably starting tomorrow, people will come and build a village for you guys. Where do you guys wish to stay before it’s completed?”
Signard took the lead and gathered the elves’ opinions.
“…Most elves want to stay in the forest, but some say they want to go to the annex.”
“Is that so?”
“Eugene, do you live in that annex?”
“I live there…and my father lives there.”
“There are some elves who used to be servants. They wish to repay you by serving you.”
“Serve me…?” Eugene said with a sour face.
Ten elves stepped forward. The one-legged Narissa and the one-eyed Lavera were among them.
“Were you a servant?”
“Some…thing like that,” Narissa answered.
“Do you know how to clean?”
“…I do know how.”
It was a lie. She had stayed in a mansion when she was a slave, but she had never cleaned anything. Still, she could do it if she tried. Feeling the groundless confidence rising up, Narissa clenched her fists.
“What about cooking?”
“I think I can learn.”
Lavera had never cooked anything.
“I am confident when it comes to eating.”
This wasn’t a lie. In her days of being abused as a slave, Lavera had eaten all sorts of disgusting, terrible things, then vomited and suffered to satisfy her master’s sadistic desires.
“…Hmm….”
They said they wanted to repay Eugene by becoming his servants, so there wasn’t much Eugene could say to that. Besides, training apprentice servants wasn’t Eugene’s job.
‘Nina will take care of it.’
He didn’t really care either.
* * *
The desert warrior, Laman Schulhov, had been having an identity crisis over the past few months.
The beard was a symbol of power for the desert men. The lowlifes couldn’t have a beard. In Nahama, the more power the person had, the more voluminous and cool their beard. Laman’s former master and emir of Kajitan, Tairi Al-Madani, had a bushy beard. Laman’s beard was incomparable to his, but it was pretty neat nevertheless. It was Laman’s small joy in life to brush his beard using scented oil every morning…
His precious beard had been shaved off on his first day in the Lionheart mansion. Since he had come to Kiehl — no, to the Lionheart clan, he had to follow the Lionhearts’ law. Ironically, his new master, Eugene, hadn’t been the one to enforce the law on Laman. The one to do it was Nina.
She oversaw the servants in this annex and she didn’t allow Laman to keep his beard. Her reason was simple: his beard did not match his butler outfit. Laman argued that he was a warrior, but as far as Nina was concerned, the only ‘warriors’ here were the knights of the main house.
Laman couldn’t become a knight of the main house. Nina didn’t have the authority to knight him, and Eugene didn’t wish to do it. In the end, Laman had become a butler. He trained from time to time, but he spent most of his day in the annex, handling the trivial works given by Nina.
The cause of his identity crisis was that… he unexpectedly enjoyed those works.
The big master, Zehard, was humorous and kind. Nina was indeed hard on Laman, but she took care of him so he wouldn’t have any problem living in the Lionheart house. Other servants, who had first been wary of Laman because he was from Nahama, had become friendly after watching Laman working hard.
He had never experienced this kind of life in Nahama. This place was peaceful and nice. There were no sandstorms, no warriors checking on him, and no suspicious conspiracy.
However, Laman never let go of his pride as Eugene’s right-hand man. He was working as the butler of the annex right now, but someday, he would return to being a warrior and follow Eugene’s lead. Eugene never said such things to Laman, but that was what the latter planned. His master had saved his life not only once, but multiple times. Laman had to repay him somehow.
“…”
Laman absentmindedly stood and looked at Eugene. No, he looked at the ten elves standing behind Eugene. The elves were so beautiful… There were both males and females, and the male elves were as beautiful as the females.
“…You are truly something else, Master Eugene!” Laman stayed silent for a moment, but then he nodded. “You have an elven harem! Even the harem of my former master, Tairi Al-Madani, only had one elf…”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Eugene said as he kicked Laman’s shin. Laman yelped and grabbed onto his aching shin.
“These guys will work here, starting today.”
“Par…Pardon?”
Laman lifted his head in shock.
“Then what about me?”
“What about you?”
“If those elves work in this annex, will I become a warrior and follow you?”
“Why do you keep speaking bullshit?”
Dumbstruck, Eugene stared at Laman.
“I brought you here because you said you wanted to tag along. That’s it.”
“You have saved my life twice, Master Eugene. As a warrior, I just wish to repay that…”
“You can’t do anything for me right now. Not with your skills, anyway. So, if you want to repay me, keep working hard here,” Eugene said.
Laman didn’t feel humiliated by Eugene’s remark.
‘I will try to be of help to Master Eugene.’
Laman was determined not to neglect his training as a warrior, all while faithfully carrying out his tasks as a butler.
