Chapter 256: Marzana

Meanwhile, Regis had a strange look on his face on the way home.

As he walked through the streets of Harmonia, his gaze had not left his hand for even a second.

It was the same hand he had used to touch the black-haired elven girl back then.

The reason Regis tried so hard to strike a conversation with her was mainly because of three reasons: his being apologetic for being disrespectful, even if it was unintentional.

He could somewhat relate to what she might have gone through.

And finally, the feeling his instinct was giving him.

What confirmed this was the instance he had touched the elven girl.

’My Perfect Adaptation worked as soon as I touched her...’

Regis thought inwardly as he passed by the crowd.

’Strange. Really strange. It’s not like Aurelia’s gift... I’m not really sure how to explain it. If only I could spend some more time with her, then maybe I’ll be able to...’

Thinking of this, he heaved out a heavy sigh.

A moment later, he shook his head slowly with a wry smile on his face, ’With the way we parted earlier, I highly doubt it...’

’Well, it’s fine. I guess I should focus on nurturing the fifth party first...’

With this thought in mind, Regis raised his gaze and walked with steady steps, all the while keeping an eye out for any potential party members through his instinct.

***

Harmonia, Elven District...

Located in the southwest portion of the satellite city, the district of the elves still had its nature theme despite the buildings and houses that were not too much in contrast with Harmonia’s architectural style.

Of course, it still vaguely feels like stepping into a whole new, different world if other races were to step foot in it.

In a certain street, a mansion that was not too luxurious, yet still somehow radiated the aura of nature, two figures could be seen entering from the front gate.

The elven maidservant made sure to open the door for the black-haired elven girl before following after her.

"Welcome back, Young Lady!"

The other maidservants tending to the front garden greeted the elven girl with a smile as she passed by them.

However, as if in a hurry, the elven girl said without looking back at the maidservant following her, "Mia, quickly find Sir Alphonse. We need to let him know about what happened earlier."

"Yes, Young Lady." The maidservant named Mia bowed before disappearing.

Meanwhile, the black-haired young girl immediately went to her room and slumped on a chair in front of her desk.

On the desk sprawled numerous books with a variety of titles: "Fundamentals of Curses", "The Opposite of Creation", "The Might of Divine Power", "Demon Encyclopedia", and the like.

They were books in vastly differing fields.

If someone unknowledgeable saw these, they might assume that the elven girl was a heretic who wanted to learn the ways of devil worshippers.

The elven girl looked at the books before clenching her fist and sweeping it across the desk.

Thud— Thud— Thud—

Biting her lips, the elven girl slowly closed her eyes and took deep breaths.

"Relax, relax... I’ll find a way to solve this..."

The elven girl muttered softly under her breath, as if trying her best to comfort herself.

Knock— Knock—

At that moment, knocks sounded on the door, followed by the deep voice of an old man, "May I come in, Miss Marzana?"

The elven girl, Marzana, brushed her pitch black hair with her fingers before answering, "Yes, Sir Alphonse."

Creak—

Alongside the opening of the door, the figure of an old elf revealed itself.

His hair was all white, wrinkles could be seen on his face, and one of his long, pointed ears seemed to have been chipped.

As elves tend to look way younger than their real age, even though his voice was truly like that of an old man, he only seemed to be in his 50s.

Silver, circular glasses could be seen on his face, and he was also wearing an outfit that was not unlike that of human butlers.

The old elf, Alphonse, looked at the scattered books on the floor before calmly walking forward and crouching as he picked them up one by one.

His face did not change by one bit, as if this had already been a normal occurrence.

As he did this, he asked in a calm voice, "Mia told me that you had something important to tell me. Is there a problem?"

Marzana nodded slowly, "Do you know about someone called Regis?"

Seeing Alphonse silent, she hesitated before adding, "The children said that he’s one of the most outstanding adventurers in Harmonia, being at the Expert rank."

At that moment, the old elf had already gathered all the books in his arm, he stood up and organized them in the nearby bookshelf, "Yes, Young Lady. When we departed for Harmona, I had already investigated the key people we should take note of."

He paused for a second and said, "The young human called Regis was one of the people I’ve judged to be one of the most important in Harmonia."

Marzana nodded, "Please tell me everything you know about him first."

"Well, where should I start..."

Alphonse stood in front of her in a straight posture and recounted what he knew, "Since you already know him as an Expert Adventurer, let’s start with that. He’s the party leader of..."

Marzana listened to the old elf’s world, her expression subtly changing as time passed by.

The information about Regis’s past quests, his interactions with the powerhouses in Corelli Fortress, his contribution to the war back at Bakurad Fortress, his connection with the Midas Merchant Organization, and the like.

After a while, Alphonse merely gazed at the elven girl’s pitch black eyes before slowly speaking, "And finally, he’s also the one who resolved the largest crisis in Montrelle City."

"The Sanctuary of Gold?" Marzana’s heart stirred, but she showed no change in expression on the surface.

However, Alphonse had lived for a long time.

He had seen generations die, he had seen kingdoms fall.

Just because he looked like he was in his 50s did not mean he was actually that old.

He was someone not to be measured by human standards.

Alphonse merely looked at Marzana for a while before nodding, "Indeed. The Sanctuary of Gold crisis had shaken the Midas Merchant Organization for many years.

Although it was mentioned that it was Aurelia, Aurum’s youngest, who revived the people, I strongly believe that Regis had a major part in it."

It was not a secret that Montrelle City’s largest crisis had been resolved.

However, the intricacies of what had really happened behind the scenes had been closely guarded by the Montrelle City Council with the help of Aurum himself.

Marzana kept silent; it was unknown what she was thinking.

However, Alphonse already knew, "Young Lady, your situation is different from Aurelia’s. I know for a fact that you wouldn’t ask about some human boy without a reason."

Marzana did not reply; she simply looked at the old elf in the eyes.

The emotions within it told Alphonse all he needed to know.

He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, "If that is your decision, then so be it. I will support you to the fullest. I’ll be going now."

Seeing that the elven girl did not reply, the old elf bowed before walking towards the door.

"Thank you, Uncle Alphonse."

However, he heard a voice just as he was about to walk out of the room.

Alphonse straightened the collar of his suit before looking back at the young lady he had served since her birth.

What greeted his sight made his pupils dilate.

As someone who had lived for centuries, the moments that could truly stir his emotions could be counted on two hands.

Yet the sight of Marzana— the child he had once seen endure all manner of ridicule— smiling in that moment would surely add one more.

Alphonse knew that the chances were low; that the risk of her getting disappointed was higher.

After all, her condition was not something even the World Tree could solve.

But for some reason, he merely wanted her to feel hope in this moment.

And so, instead of being realistic like how he had always been, he smiled and said.

"Don’t worry, little one. Let’s do our best."

***

The next day...

Regis sat at the bench in the central plaza once again, looking lost.

He had spent all his time yesterday looking at the list of adventurers and parties in Harmonia, but had not found any adequate candidates.

"Haaa... What should I do—"

Just as he was about to complain out loud, he was interrupted by an excited voice.

"Brother Regis!"

The ever-so-familiar beastkin boy from yesterday excitedly ran towards him.

"Oh, it’s you!" Regis ruffled his head before suddenly feeling something amiss.

’Wait, since he’s here... could it be that...’

At that moment, a shadow was cast over his head.

Regis, still seated on the bench, slowly lifted his head and looked up.

What greeted him was none other than the elven girl, her abyssal pitch black eyes unsettling as she smiled unnaturally.

Then, in the middle of the plaza, Regis let out a scream.

"Eeeek!!!"

The elven girl looked visibly shocked before stuffing something into Regis’s wide-open mouth.

"Shut up!"

Thud—