Gryphon City 7

Elufiel saw that the mage had 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'd 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 someone, 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, yet she had to rely on someone else's strength. Which mattered more, his life now or the danger that might come later? Gwendolyn hid a profound unease deep in her heart, but for now, she could only let this high divine caster named Elufiel treat him.

After examining the arcanist's condition, the elf did not begin healing him immediately. She called out, "Od," then softly asked, "Can you see whether the curse on him is the fatal kind?"

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

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

Odovish raised an eyebrow. "I can indeed do it, but the curse has lingered for too long. Once it is dispelled, I'm afraid his life force will immediately begin to drain away."

Elufiel moved her wrist, and an exquisite staff appeared at her side. Its golden head arched upward on both sides like burning flames. Emerald-green gems decorated its center and tail, radiating a soft glow. The staff itself was red, inlaid with golden diagonal patterns matching its head, making it exceptionally refined. Looking at the elf holding the staff, the mage somehow felt that it suited her perfectly. If Elufiel knew what he was thinking, she would certainly marvel at his keen instincts. The golden staff was a classic Blood Elf design.

"How quickly will his life force drain away? 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. Flecks of dark violet scattered over Eugene's body, making Elufiel's fingers itch with temptation.

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

It was a repeating circle that encompassed the mage, Eugene, and the elf. Then the elf raised her staff high and began chanting the Holy Hymn. With her beautiful singing, dazzling golden light flashed atop the staff. Everyone was transfixed by the beautiful and solemn sight.

Standing very close to the elf, Odovish watched that beautiful face with its eyes closed in song for a long, long time. Even after the hymn ended, he continued staring at her.

When Elufiel opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the mage's gaze—deep blue, calm, steady, sometimes empty, steeped in the weight of time. Yet at that moment, the elf felt that he was looking at her with deep affection, as though he were looking at the girl he loved.

Their gazes met in an unspoken understanding.

As soon as Gwendolyn saw that the casting was over, she rushed forward without caring about anything else to check on Eugene. His complexion had improved greatly. It was no longer the sickly pallor it had been, and there was even a faint hint of color in his face.

"He'll wake up soon," Elufiel said behind her. "I think your Healing Spell can be useful now."

"Yes, yes." Gwendolyn's eyes reddened again. Her Eugene had finally been saved. She thanked Elufiel, somewhat 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 from casting such a powerful divine spell. "Your Healing Spell is far more useful than tears."

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

Nagg glanced at him, then at Elufiel beside him. "Let's... talk downstairs." With that, he was the first to walk to the door.

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

Odovish casually chose a chair and leaned back against it with elegant poise, showing none of the panic or discomposure one might expect from having his identity as an arcanist exposed.

Elufiel now had a deeper understanding of the way this last imperial heir of Italigis maintained noble bearing at all times. Before, she had thought it was merely the mage's habitual elegance. Now she realized it was an obstinacy carved into his bones. Even when camping in the wild, leaning against a carriage, he could somehow sit as if he were in a high-backed chair. What could she even say?

Honestly, this human cared more about appearances than an elf. Elufiel did not think she could 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 set it on the table beside him.

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

Gryphon City 7

The mage's parchment looked weathered by time, mottled and worn. Yet there was no denying that it carried the scent of abundant magic.