Gryphon City 7

Elufiel saw that the mage had already approached the bed and knew he had taken an interest in the unconscious arcanist. Before Eli and his companions could speak, she said, "Of course, I will save him. Based on the story you told, I would very much like to know why an arcanist would rescue a divine caster, and what his purpose was in coming here."

The Lionheart Guild members had no objections to the elf's motives for saving him, and Gwendolyn had no choice but to remain silent because of her earlier agreement with Nagg. What else could she say? She wanted to save Eugene, but she had to rely on someone else's strength. Which mattered more, his life now or the dangers that might come later? Deep within her heart, Gwendolyn hid intense unease. Yet for now, she could only let this great divine caster named Elufiel carry out the treatment.

After examining the arcanist's condition, the elf did not begin healing him at once. She called, "Od," then softly asked, "Take a look. Is the curse on him the lethal kind?"

Odovish reached out and placed a hand on Eugene's forehead. After a long while, he nodded. "Yes. You can't dispel this type of curse?"

"My dispel only works on magical effects, diseases, and an opponent's beneficial effects," Elufiel said. "But you should have a way."

Odovish raised a brow. "I can indeed do it, but his curse has lingered for too long. Once it is dispelled, his life force will probably begin draining away immediately."

Elufiel moved her wrist, and an exquisite staff appeared at her side. Its golden head arched up from both sides like burning flames. Emerald-green gemstones adorned its center and the end of its shaft, giving off a soft glow. The shaft itself was red, inlaid with golden diagonal patterns matching the staff head, and it was exceptionally delicate. Seeing the elf holding the staff, the mage somehow felt that it suited her perfectly. If Elufiel had known what he was thinking, she would have been astonished by his keen instincts. That golden staff was a classic Blood Elf design.

"How quickly will his life force drain? Will he die as soon as the curse is dispelled?" Elufiel asked.

"No," Odovish said. "But I'm afraid there won't be much time to prepare any additional divine spells."

"As long as he doesn't die immediately, I can snatch him back from Death's door." Elufiel tightened her grip on the staff.

"Then let's begin."

Ignoring the mercenaries in the room, Odovish took out the Shielding Crystal Elufiel had seen before and began casting arcane magic. Specks of dusky violet scattered over Eugene's body, stirring an itch in Elufiel's heart.

Calm down, Elufiel. You have enough mana. She touched the enchanted gemstone brooch the mage had made for her and suppressed that faint impulse. A second before the mage's dispel drove away the curse, she activated her chakra. A golden magic circle representing Chakra: Blessing appeared beneath her feet.

The circle repeated itself, enclosing the mage, Eugene, and the elf within it. Then the elf raised her staff high and began chanting the Holy Hymn. As her beautiful chant flowed on, dazzling golden light flickered atop the staff. The beautiful and solemn scene left everyone staring in wonder.

Standing extremely close to the elf, Odovish watched that beautiful face as she chanted with her eyes closed for a long, long time. Even after the hymn ended, he continued staring at her fixedly.

The first thing Elufiel saw when she opened her eyes was the mage's gaze—deep blue, calm, steady, sometimes empty, carrying the weight of countless hardships. Yet at this moment, the elf felt that he was looking at her tenderly, looking at the girl he loved.

Their gazes met in an unspoken understanding.

Once the spellcasting ended, Gwendolyn rushed forward without caring about anything else to check on Eugene. His complexion had improved considerably. It was no longer the sickly pallor from before; there was even a faint flush of color.

"He will wake up before long," Elufiel said behind her. "I think your healing spell can be of use now."

"Yes, yes." Gwendolyn's eyes reddened again. Her Eugene had finally been saved. She thanked Elufiel, her words a little incoherent. "I... thank you. Thank you so very much. I... I really don't know what else I can do. I almost thought he wouldn't be able to hold on any longer."

"Don't cry." Elufiel smiled. She did not look at all exhausted despite having cast a large-scale divine spell. "Your healing spell is far more useful than tears."

"We have completed the request. Now, it is time to discuss our payment." Odovish swept his gaze over the Lionheart Guild members.

Nagg looked at him, then at Elufiel beside him. "Let's go downstairs and talk." With that, he took the lead toward the door.

Everyone except Gwendolyn went downstairs to the dining room and sat around the long table.

Odovish leisurely chose a chair and leaned against its back. His posture was elegant, showing none of the panic or discomposure one might expect from an arcanist whose identity had been exposed.

Elufiel now had a deeper understanding of how the last crown prince of Italigis maintained a noble bearing at all times. Before, she had only thought it was the mage's habitual elegance. Now, she understood that it was stubbornness carved into his bones. Even when sleeping in the wilderness, he could lean against a carriage and make it seem as though he were seated upright in a high-backed chair. What could she even say?

Honestly, this human cared more about his appearance than an elf did. Elufiel knew she could not remain impeccably dressed after traveling nonstop, but Odovish could. The elf had almost thought it was some strange trick of the mage's.

Odovish brought the Shielding Crystal down from upstairs and placed it on the table beside him.

"I want the arcanist himself as payment, as well as a promise from all of you," he said. Then, he pulled a parchment scroll out of thin air.

The mage's parchment appeared marked by the passage of time. It was mottled and worn, but there was no denying that it carried a rich aura of magic.