Recaps

Shien asked Carol where he could bathe, then learned that Elves in Elven Village used rivers and lakes instead of bathrooms. Carol led him to a large hot spring reserved for the Queen, where he could wash.

• Shien asked Carol where the bathroom was, and she explained that Elven Village had none because Elves bathed in rivers and lakes.
• Shien imagined sneaking a look at the Elf girls bathing, but Carol warned him against acting on such thoughts.
• Shien suspected Roxie had left him behind because she knew about the Elves' bathing customs and planned to confront her later.
• Carol led Shien beyond the village to a large hot spring that Queen had used since childhood.

Shien enjoyed a secluded bath in the Elven Village and discovered that its natural hot spring was a rare Magic Power Source infused with unusual mana. As he considered the Elves’ strength and their fear of Transcendent Class beings, someone nearby quietly repeated Aiyi’s name.

• Shien teased Carol until she left to wait outside the hot spring, then warned her not to steal while guarding it.
• Shien used Outer Perception of Heaven to realize the hot spring was a mutated Magic Power Source that could strengthen mana and life force.
• Shien observed powerful unicorns drinking from the spring and concluded that the Elves could command a formidable force of magical beasts.
• Shien reflected that even the Elves had reason to fear Aiyi and Lilith because of their transcendent power.
• An extremely faint voice nearby repeated Aiyi’s name.

Shien encountered Milu and the telepathic beast Lide at the hot spring, and their vast power and familiarity with Aiyi suggested they were extraordinary. Their arrival drew Nadula, Sophie, Lilith, and Aiyi toward them, while Roxie watched from a lake.

• Shien sensed an overwhelming aura and found Milu, a Beastfolk girl, standing beside the hot spring with a mysterious beast.
• Milu recognized Aiyi’s name and excitedly let go of the beast, whose name was Lide and whose telepathic voice told Shien he could not see through their realm.
• Lide had Milu pick it up and teased Shien to put on clothes, warning that Milu might grow something she shouldn’t if she stared at him.
• Nadula sensed the newcomers, and Sophie rose from her throne in shock at their magic power.
• Lilith transformed into evil energy and rushed toward Shien, while Aiyi spread her dragon wings and flew after her.
• Roxie saw the commotion from the lake but remained where she was.

Milu and Lide took Shien out through the Elven Village barrier to help them with something, leaving Aiyi and Lilith unable to track him. Aiyi concluded Shien was safe for now and warned Milu and Lide to bring him back unharmed.

• Milu eagerly sought Aiyi, while Lide explained that she wanted to see her and asked Shien to help them first.
• Milu passed through the Elven Village barrier, then led Shien outside it, and Shien followed out of curiosity.
• Carol waited near the hot spring until Aiyi and Lilith arrived searching for Shien and learned he had left the barrier.
• Sophie arrived and confirmed that Milu and Lide were likely responsible for taking Shien away.
• Aiyi reassured Lilith that Shien was not in danger and warned Milu and Lide to return him in one piece.

Shien accompanied Milu and Lid through Taiger Forest at night, where he confronted and destroyed a Demon Refining creature. Lid explained that the Old Demon Faction and the Primal Demon had reason to target the forest as a ritual site, leaving the threat of further creatures unresolved.

• Milu and Lid tested Shien’s courage and accepted him after he calmly faced their threats.
• Shien sensed a familiar, dark magic power and charged ahead with his Holy Sword drawn.
• A Demon Refining creature attacked Shien, and he decapitated it before burning it to ashes.
• Shien asked why a Demon Refining creature was in Taiger Forest, and Lid explained that the forest’s many powerful monsters made it an ideal ritual site for the Old Demon Faction and the Primal Demon.

Lidas explained the Primal Demon’s history of conducting Demon Refining Rituals in Taiger Forest and revealed that she and Milu had destroyed a newly discovered ritual. Shien agreed to help eliminate the surviving refined demons, while Nadula decided to monitor the forest more closely.

• Lidas told Shien that the Primal Demon had used Taiger Forest for Demon Refining Rituals for a thousand years, repeatedly evading the Three Races and continuing its plan to create the Seventh Demonoid.
• Lidas explained that she and Milu had come to Taiger Forest after learning a new ritual had appeared, and both accepted Shien after learning of his strength and hostility toward the Old Demon Faction.
• Shien said he wanted to erase the Old Demon Faction, earning Lidas and Milu’s approval, and asked whether they had found the Primal Demon.
• Lidas revealed that she and Milu had destroyed the ritual site but had not caught the culprits, and that surviving refined demons still roamed the forest.
• Lidas recruited Shien to help eliminate the surviving refined demons, while Nadula decided to watch Taiger Forest more closely.

Shien, Lyd, and Milu drew the remaining demon refinements to them in Taiger Forest and fought them. Shien revealed overwhelming magical power and slaughtered the monsters with powerful spells and Enchantments, while Milu showed off her own strength by destroying one that attacked her.

• Shien released his magic power to lure the demon refinements out of the forest.
• Lyd and Milu were astonished by the scale of Shien's magic power.
• Shien used Flying Star to blast the charging demon refinements away, then tested his stronger magic.
• Shien teleported between the wounded monsters and killed them with Split, Shatter, and Explode Enchantments.
• A demon refinement charged at Milu and Lyd, but its bite passed through Milu before her finger jab blew it apart.

Shien and Milu slaughtered hundreds of demon constructs in Taiger Forest, impressing Lide with Shien’s unexpected strength. Nadula reflected that Milu and Lide were among the most dangerous beings in the world, and Shien remained wary of Milu’s strange powers.

• Shien and Milu wiped out the demon constructs in the forest, with Milu splitting into solid figures and destroying them with her bare strength.
• Shien and Milu complained that the fight had ended too quickly, while Lide admitted that Shien had exceeded her expectations.
• Lide wondered why Shien had appeared so suddenly and suspected that her elder sister and Aiyi knew the secret behind his origins.
• Milu hugged Shien’s leg and praised him, while Shien worried about her eerie invulnerability and immense strength.
• Shien asked why Lide had not fought, and Nadula recalled that Milu and Lide were among the world’s most dangerous beings when unrestrained.

Shien returned to the Elven Village with Milu and Lide, then learned that Lide was the Beast Demon, an old rival of the Elf Queen. Lide went to meet Sophie, while Shien took Milu and a stunned Carol back toward the treehouse.

• Milu splashed the hot spring over Shien to finish his bath quickly, and Shien retaliated by kneading Lide.
• Carol rushed at Shien with her staff after he returned, angry that his disappearance had worried Aiyi and Lilith.
• Lide told Shien she would visit the Elf Queen to discuss what had happened in Taiger Forest, then flew toward the Queen's Palace.
• Shien stopped Carol from chasing Lide and revealed that she was the Queen's old rival, the Beast Demon.
• Lide met Sophie, Leia, and Nia at the Queen's Palace, and Sophie respectfully greeted her as Lady Lide Doma.

Sophie remembered the world-ending Beast Demon from the war a thousand years earlier as Lide asked the Elves to search Taiger Forest for the people behind the Demon Refining Ritual. Lide left Sophie to lead the search, while hinting that this era might have another remarkable figure besides the future Hero.

• Sophie recalled how the Beast Demon had appeared on the battlefield and how more than half of the Thirteen Heroes had died delaying it.
• Lide visited Sophie in her small beast form and explained that the Demon Refining Ritual had reappeared in Taiger Forest.
• Lide said Primal Demon’s activity had spread across several regions and that its plan to create a Seventh Demonoid seemed near completion.
• Sophie agreed that the Elves would search Taiger Forest and report any developments to Lide.
• Lide noted that Mitra’s Holy Sword had been inherited and suggested another interesting figure might help confront Primal Demon before she departed.
• Sophie wondered whether they could truly hope for a Hero to appear again.

Shien returned to the treehouse with Milu, where she joyfully reunited with Aiyi and broke down in tears when Lasha comforted her. Lide arrived and announced that she and Milu would stay, while Aiyi tried to avoid sharing a room with her by declaring that she would stay with Shien instead.

• Carol left Shien and Milu to check on the Elf Queen, while the others welcomed Shien back at the treehouse.
• Milu revealed herself as Demon Lord Princess Milu Pesch and enthusiastically hugged Aiyi, who resisted her affection.
• Milu froze when she saw Lasha, then cried as Lasha silently stroked her head.
• Lide arrived, greeted Lasha, and asked Shien if she and Milu could stay; he agreed, and Lide told Aiyi to share a room with her.
• Aiyi refused to room with Lide and declared that she would stay with Shien because there was no room for a third person.

Aiyi's teasing accusation sparked a fight between Shien and the women in the treehouse, threatening to unleash a disaster across the Elven Village. Nadula descended her voice and will to calm everyone, leaving Shien blaming the others for the dispute.

• Aiyi claimed Shien had seen her chest, and Lide and Roxie believed her while Lasha's remark made the accusations worse.
• Shien gave up trying to explain and drew his Holy Sword as Aiyi, Lide, Roxie, and Milu prepared to fight him.
• Lilith stepped in to protect Shien, and the gathered fighters' power stirred storms over the Elven Village.
• Nadula sent her voice and will into the village, prompting the Elves to welcome the Goddess of Nature and asking everyone to restrain themselves.
• Shien blamed the women for the dispute, reigniting Aiyi, Lide, and Roxie's anger.

Shien ended the night's room arrangements by taking Lilith to bed and unsettling everyone with a claim about Aiyi and a child. As the Elven Village celebrated Nadula's appearance, Danas learned that Shien was a new threat and directed his subordinate to target Merika.

• Shien chose to sleep with Lilith, while Roxie objected and Aiyi realized he was retaliating against her.
• Shien told Aiyi to explain their relationship to her family and mentioned her giving birth to a child, leaving Aiyi and the others stunned.
• Lasha prepared rooms, Roxie followed Shien to demand an explanation, and Lid led Aiyi and Milu away to question her.
• The Elves celebrated Nadula's appearance, while Sophie concluded that Nadula had been watching Shien and reconsidered how to treat him.
• In a hidden cave, Danas warned his subordinate that Shien was a dangerous new variable and instructed him to focus on Merika.

Shien woke up between Lilith and Roxie, then discovered that Lasha had changed his clothes and prepared breakfast. In the living room, he drew a group of timid fairies out of hiding with his gentle magic power, and they gathered around him as Carol watched in disbelief.

• Shien woke with Lilith in his arms and Roxie clinging to his neck, then freed himself and covered them with blankets.
• Shien noticed his clothes had been changed and spoke with Lasha, who said she had washed and groomed him and prepared breakfast.
• Lasha warned Shien that little guests were in the living room, where he found a group of hiding fairies.
• Shien released gentle, nature-like magic power and coaxed one fairy into touching his hand and absorbing it.
• The other fairies emerged and playfully crowded around Shien as Carol arrived and watched in stunned disbelief.

Shien played with the fairies who had gathered around him, and Carol discovered that their Reincarnation Periods had shortened. She asked whether his magic power had caused it, but Shien denied knowing anything, leaving Carol disappointed and the fairies still surrounding him.

• Carol arrived and found Shien playing with a group of fairies, then sent the fairies off to play on their own.
• Carol explained that the fairies and Elves were drawn to Shien's magic power and aura, and revealed that the fairies' Reincarnation Periods seemed to have shortened.
• Carol described how shorter Reincarnation Periods could strengthen the Elves and potentially lead to the birth of an Elven Royal.
• Shien realized that feeding the fairies his magic power might be responsible, but worried the Elves would exploit him for it.
• Shien denied knowing why the fairies' Reincarnation Periods had shortened, and Carol sighed in disappointment.

Carol considered Shien’s unusual affinity with fairies and nature, then let him explore Elven Village while warning him to behave. After Carol left, Shien played with the fairies as the others woke and demanded an explanation for his influence over them.

• Carol ruled out the Goddess of Nature’s blessing as the cause of Shien’s unusual nature affinity and decided to report her concerns to the Elf Queen.
• Carol told Shien he could explore Elven Village with Merika and enter the Queen’s Palace afterward if he wished to meet the Elf Queen.
• Carol left for patrol after warning Shien not to do anything suspicious, and Shien resumed playing with the fairies.
• Roxie, Aiyi, Lilith, Milu, Lasha, and Lyd came into the living room and reacted to Shien’s playful crowd of fairies.
• Lyd asked Shien to explain why the fairies were drawn to him, and Shien dismissed the idea that he owed anyone an explanation.

After Shien won a morning of verbal sparring with Aiyi and Lide, he took Roxie, Milu, and Lilith out for a walk while Lasha accompanied them. Lide reflected on the powerful figures and developments gathering across the world, wondering whether the thousand-year peace was about to end.

• Shien verbally outmatched Aiyi and Lide, while Roxie withdrew from the argument after learning his talk about having children had been a trick.
• Shien suggested going out, and Roxie, Milu, and Lilith eagerly agreed; Aiyi and Lide stayed behind to sleep.
• Lasha led Milu and Lilith by the hand, and Lide felt reassured that they would behave while out with Shien and Roxie.
• Lide reflected that Shien's easy familiarity with Demon Lords was unusual and thought Shafna and Kamina might soon test him.
• Lide considered Roxie's transformation, the Primal Demon's movements, and other troubling developments, then wondered whether the thousand-year peace was nearing its end.

Merika reunited with Shien and the others and explained why she had left Elven Village to train outside: she hoped to catch up with her childhood friend Geno, who had always outperformed her. Shien and Roxie reassured Merika that she had caught up to Geno and might even have surpassed her.

• Merika apologized for not joining the group the previous day, and Shien introduced Milu as someone connected to Aiyi.
• Merika said her childhood friend Geno had refused to meet the group because a man from another race was present, and she praised Geno as a talented, protective friend.
• Shien asked why Merika had left the village to train while Geno stayed, and Merika explained that Geno had always learned magic and advanced faster despite their training together.
• Merika admitted she had left because she feared she would never catch up to Geno if she stayed on the same path.
• Roxie comforted Merika, and Shien told her she had caught up to Geno and might have surpassed her.

Merika told Shien that leaving Elven Village had let her find a home among Vivian's Squad and meet him, revealing the depth of her feelings. Shien recognized her words as a confession, while Roxie quietly accepted that Merika might become part of their relationship.

• Shien reflected on why most Elves stayed in their protected village and why Merika had chosen to train outside.
• Merika recalled being frightened when she first left for the outside world, then finding support in Lamigium and joining Vivian's Squad.
• Merika told Shien that leaving the village had been the right choice because she had met him, and her affection became unmistakable.
• Shien struggled to respond to Merika's earnest feelings but decided he could not dismiss them.
• Roxie felt a pang of bitterness but accepted Merika's affection and thought Shien should seize the opportunity.

Geno confronted Shien and Merika after secretly following them, convinced Merika had fallen in love with a non-Elf and needed to be protected. The chapter ended with Geno and Shien tugging Merika between them, while Geno realized Merika did not resist Shien's touch.

• Geno revealed that she had followed Merika to see what kind of people she had met outside the village.
• Geno recalled Merika telling her that Shien was someone important to her and decided to stop their relationship from progressing.
• Geno tried to take Merika away, but Shien grabbed Merika's other hand and challenged Geno for pulling her away without permission.
• Geno and Shien argued over whether Merika belonged with either of them, then began pulling her in opposite directions.
• Geno noticed that Merika did not resist Shien touching her and felt a growing sense of crisis.

Shien stopped Geno’s attacks and carried Merika away through the Light Trees, while Geno chased after them in a fury. Roxie chose not to follow, leaving the group to enjoy themselves as Shien and Merika disappeared into the distance.

• Geno attacked Shien with Tinder and then Burn Off, but he scattered both spells with casual swats.
• Shien pulled Merika into his arms and carried her away in a princess carry, telling Roxie and the others to look around without him.
• Geno recovered from her shock and ran after Shien and Merika, shouting for them to stop.
• The surrounding Elves watched the trio disappear and wondered what had happened.
• Roxie refused to chase after them and led Lasha away, while Lilith and Milu eagerly agreed to go play.

Shien carried Merika through the Elven village while Geno chased them and attacked with powerful fire and ice magic. After Shien escaped, Carol confronted Geno and dragged her away to apologize to the villagers.

• Shien carried Merika away as Geno pursued them, and he taunted Geno by saying Merika belonged to him.
• Geno unleashed Heaven Fire across the village, setting buildings and streets ablaze, but Shien protected Merika and dispelled the flames.
• Geno repeatedly attacked Shien with Blizzard spells, and he reflected one back at her before disappearing with Merika.
• Carol and the Elf Division confronted Geno over the damage she caused, and Carol ordered her to kneel and apologize to the villagers.
• Carol dragged Geno away as Geno cried out for Merika.

After escaping Geno’s destructive spell, Shien brought Merika to a hidden hot spring and learned why she had left Elven Village: she wanted to prove she could stand on her own. When Merika blamed herself for always relying on others, Shien revealed that he had his own motives for helping her, ending with a startling confession.

• Shien carried Merika to a hidden hot spring-type Magic Power Source, where he explained that only the Elf Queen and her two Legendary-tier confidants knew about it.
• Merika told Shien that Geno had protected her since childhood and that she had left the village to become strong enough to stand on her own.
• Merika admitted she still felt dependent on others and regretted that she could not repay them by hosting them at the Festival of Peace.
• Shien told Merika that Vivian's Squad had valued her as an excellent mage and that he, too, had his own motives for helping her.
• Shien grinned and told Merika, “Like, I want to eat you.”

Shien tricked Merika into agreeing to his suggestive version of being “eaten,” then took her to a grove and hot spring. Merika’s magic power surged toward Sophie’s level, and Nadula intervened to keep the Elves from discovering what happened.

• Merika took Shien’s words literally, but agreed to let him “eat” her after he claimed it would benefit him and hurt her only a little.
• Shien asked Merika to repeat her offer, then led her to a grove and bath; their cries and splashing soon fell silent.
• Roxie sensed that something had happened and suspected Shien had done something shameless, while she and Lasha continued exploring with Lilith and Milu.
• Sophie detected Merika’s magic power rapidly increasing toward her own level and prepared to investigate with Leia and Nia.
• Nadula ordered Sophie, Leia, and Nia to leave Merika alone, then complained as she covered up Shien’s actions; Geno sneezed while repairing a burned-down street.

After Shien and Merika became intimate, Merika panicked because she was the first Elf to lose her purity and feared her people would reject her relationship with a short-lived man. Shien promised to find a way to overcome the Elves’ opposition, leaving Merika cautiously trusting him.

• Merika cried and worried that her people would condemn her for losing her purity, while Shien promised to take responsibility and marry her.
• Merika explained that no Elf had ever given up her purity because Elves viewed love with other races as painful and fleeting due to their long lifespans.
• She said her tribe would oppose her choosing to live with Shien, even though Elves had no formal rule against marrying other races.
• Shien asked Merika to trust him and firmly promised to solve the problem, and she timidly agreed.