Xingyao was highly sensitive to unfamiliar terms, especially given the slightly tense atmosphere at the moment.
Why should an Elf Heart be enough to earn her trust?
But after hearing Ilaira’s words, the elves around her each wore different strange expressions, which made her swallow the questions she wanted to ask.
“You really are… I don’t even know what to say to you.”
Yi Lin sighed and gave Ilaira a complicated look.
Putting herself in the other’s shoes, it seemed that offering the “Elf Heart” was indeed the only way to regain the trust of that overly cautious little one, Xingyao.
So instead of exchanging meaningful glances with each other, how about you properly explain it to me already!
Xingyao took half a step back, staring resentfully at the elves who couldn’t even be bothered to play riddles, and reached out to pat Fumier’s little head for comfort.
“An Elf Heart is something elves obtain after completing the First Night Promotion Ritual. It stores the elf’s source Magic Power. If I had to compare it to something, it’s a bit like the relationship between a Monster and its Magic Stone.”
“But Fumier thinks elves aren’t like those beasts that only act on instinct. Elves can also voluntarily remove the Elf Heart from their bodies, so there are quite a few differences.”
Fumier rubbed her forehead against Xingyao’s palm, squinting comfortably as she recalled the explanations she’d read in books.
“That’s right. However, entrusting one’s Elf Heart to someone other than oneself is an extremely risky act. As this Blood Elf young lady mentioned, giving one’s Elf Heart to another means that without that person’s permission, the elf who gave it up cannot even exert a tenth of their usual strength. In other words, having obtained Ilaira’s Elf Heart, you could even demand anything of her. This bond is stricter than a contract, yet you don’t have to pay anything in return.”
Yi Lin picked up where Fumier left off, explaining the matters of the Elf Heart to Xingyao. After saying this much, she paused before continuing.
“Likewise, this is also a rather extreme way for elves to express loyalty. It’s not limited to ruler and subject—it also includes friendship, kinship, and love. Many tragic tales of elves are still passed down in the Elf Forest, and the Elf Heart makes an appearance in all of them.”
After finishing, Yi Lin let out a long breath and turned her head away, leaving the choice entirely to Xingyao.
Whether to accept Ilaira’s “sincerity” and what decision to ultimately make—as a Star Elf, no one could decide for her.
After hearing all this, Xingyao fell completely silent, looking at Ilaira’s humble posture with a strange expression.
Girl, what kind of play is this? How did we go from talking to you basically offering me your life? Doesn’t that just make my cautious decision-making look petty?
Of course, Xingyao wouldn’t show that on her face, and she didn’t really care about such judgments.
But to be honest, she was indeed a bit taken aback by Ilaira’s boldness. “Aren’t you afraid that after I get your Elf Heart, I’ll destroy it on the spot?”
Xingyao couldn’t help but ask.
“I don’t believe you’re that kind of person.”
Ilaira shook her head.
Ina was about to say something, but then recalled how Ilaira had treated Xingyao recently. Finally sensing that something was off, she suppressed her urge to speak.
“Fine, I trust you.”
Xingyao pressed her lips together. She really couldn’t bring herself to demand the other’s Elf Heart, nor did she have any hobby of controlling someone’s life. Ilaira’s determination had already convinced her.
Xingyao didn’t want to make decisions as a Star Elf. She subconsciously believed she didn’t have that kind of ability, nor any so-called noble character.
The above was merely a decision made by an ordinary human girl—at least, that’s what she believed herself to be.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Ilaira nodded gratefully and led the girls toward the forest.
After that little incident, Xingyao’s expression was somewhat gloomy. She wasn’t in the mood to observe the trees and flowers outside the forest.
Yi Shiyue seemed to sense her mood as well, standing by her side and holding her hand in silent companionship.
“Ha… I really ruined the nice atmosphere, didn’t I?”
Ilaira gave a bitter smile at the sight.
She had originally planned to properly introduce the scenery of the Elf Forest, like truly taking them on a tour, showing the Star Elf young lady the full view of the forest. Who would have known that the Star Elf young lady would be so sensitive about the things she didn’t want to mention?
Of course, she couldn’t blame anyone else, since she was the one who had hidden things after showing sincerity.
“It’s fine, I was just spacing out a little.”
Xingyao shook her head and waved her hand, hoping the other wouldn’t mind her attitude too much.
She was just wondering—after undergoing the First Night Promotion Ritual herself, would she also have something like a Magic Stone or Elf Heart?
If she did, what would her Elf Heart look like?
Likewise, with an Elf Heart, would she be able to use her own innate magic?
Monsters have their innate magic, and elves have their innate magic. There was no reason she, as a Star Elf, wouldn’t have one. Honestly, based on her understanding of Magic Power, she always felt that her current method of using the Starlight Magic Power within her wasn’t the proper way—she was merely exploiting one of its properties.
Of course, this was still just within the realm of intuition. She didn’t have any evidence to prove it.
But she was a Star Elf! The savior acknowledged by the ancient elves! Surely she couldn’t really be that pathetic?
That was what Xingyao had been thinking about while spacing out. Those who are suspect aren’t used, and those who are used aren’t suspect. She wasn’t the type to get stuck on one thing—adapting on the fly was a Hunter’s instinct.
“So, this is the Elf Forest?”
Xingyao curiously peered into the forest through the sparse thickets from the outside. At first glance, there didn’t seem to be anything noteworthy—it looked no different from the mountain scenery in recorded materials.
But standing here in person, it seemed to feel a little different?
Too bad she wasn’t a poet; she really couldn’t find the words to describe her feelings.
“Yes and no. From here on, we’re already close to the Elf Forest’s Magic Circle. Only elves born here, or beings invited by a Priest, can enter the Elf Forest.”
Seeing that Xingyao truly hadn’t taken the little incident to heart, Ilaira relaxed a bit and smiled as she explained.