Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 206

Arnie suddenly felt his ears getting a little warm.

He straightened up in Oscar’s arms, gripping his shoulder to look outside, but saw nothing except trees and forest paths.

Charlie turned to look as well. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Arnie said, shrinking back into his arms a little sulkily.

Wind and Green led them, this time without mounts. Arnie, being small and slow, was carried by Charlie all the way—ever since being taken by Atta, Arnie had been clinging to Charlie, so he was quite used to it.

The seer’s residence was a bit of a distance from the Nawen tribe’s settlement. Before setting off, Charlie thought they might be blindfolded to keep the location secret, but Wind and Green seemed completely unfazed, apparently unafraid that they might remember the route to the seer.

Maybe because the forest itself was a giant maze, the Nawen tribe was confident about this? Charlie thought. If so, the terrain might neutralize the advantage of Lemena’s knights once they enter the forest. If these people were stubborn and unwilling to let Arnie return home safely, he might need to find a way to guide Alfred and the others…

Arnie, looking up and seeing Charlie’s expression, patted his arm seriously. “It’s okay.”

Charlie pinched his cheek but said nothing.

Green glanced back at the two of them, her eyes curious—she had never left the forest, and it was her first time seeing outsiders.

The seer seemed very interested in these two outsiders but hadn’t revealed much information. After meeting them yesterday, Green, like the other tribesmen, had taken a liking to the big-eyed, fair-skinned Arnie.

However, this delicate child wasn’t very willing to talk to people. Aside from his servant, only Wind could exchange a few words with him. He ignored everyone else. But his pride didn’t make him unlikeable because he was so young.

The seer’s residence wasn’t in the trees. They walked around the roots of several massive ancient trees and found a recessed tunnel in the center, guarded by two armed men. Seeing Wind and Green approach, they silently stepped aside.

Charlie felt like he was entering the base of a tree. The tunnel occasionally had thick tree roots exposed to the air. It was dimly lit but not damp, with glowing moss on the ground providing enough light to see the way. Arnie, seeing various colored mushrooms in the tunnel, was curious and wanted to touch them but was stopped by Charlie.

This time, Arnie didn’t insist because he could sense that Oscar was slightly tense.

Logically, a seer, akin to a mage or astrologer, wouldn’t give off a violent impression. But for some reason, Oscar was very cautious, more so than when facing the hostile Atta and his group.

Emotions were contagious. Arnie, sensing this, warily glanced at Green, who was watching him, then turned his head and remained still.

Green looked a little disappointed, but they soon followed the light out of the tunnel. The exit opened into a small valley. Most of the sky was covered by large tree branches, but gaps allowed sunlight to filter through, making the flowers, fruit trees, and grass in the valley look bright and lively. The scattered dome-shaped wooden houses looked like giant mushrooms sprouting from the ground, giving a somewhat cute appearance.

The atmosphere here was very different from the settlement—outside, the treehouses, the connecting bridges in the air, and the armed Nawen tribesmen exuded a sense of constant readiness for battle. Although they lived in the forest, they weren’t its masters. Large predators posed a threat to their survival, and the warnings about Arnie’s safety in the forest weren’t mere politeness.

But here, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Though they couldn’t move freely, Charlie guessed there were no large beasts in this small valley, as it seemed to be a haven for all the Nawen tribe’s children.

They wore light, simple clothes, laughing and playing. A few young people dressed like Green watched over them but didn’t join in their games or restrain them.

Wind and Green’s expressions softened as they entered the valley. Green led them to the largest two-story house, walking up to the porch and speaking softly through the door.

The door opened, and someone carrying a baby a few months old came out, looking at them curiously.

“Wind.” The person greeted him.

Wind smiled at him.

“This is Grass.” He lifted the baby a little higher. “He just got his name.”

Green signaled Charlie and Arnie to follow her inside, leaving Wind to converse outside.

“He’s waiting for you,” Green said, puzzled why the seer had specifically requested to see the servant as well. She scrutinized him, trying to see what was so special about him.

The house had no foyer. The entrance led straight into a circular living room. Green stayed outside, closing the door behind them.

Charlie put Arnie down, and they both looked around the room.

For someone of high status, this house was surprisingly simple. Though it was fully furnished, even the cushions on the birchwood ladder were ordinary handmade blankets, with no gold or silver ornaments in sight.

Even Kurt’s residence in the Green Forest was more elaborate than this.

The living room was empty, but there was a partitioned area with a smooth, arched wooden door that had a wooden handle on it.

Charlie held Arnie’s hand and walked to the partition, knocking lightly on the door.

“Come in,” someone said from inside.

Charlie pressed the handle, opening the door to a small sunroom. A very thin man sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a mess of books.

“Welcome,” he said. “I am Spring, the seer of the Nawen tribe.”

Spring didn’t look very healthy—he was extremely thin. His long, white, dull hair made him look elderly, but his demeanor was youthful, and his eyes hinted at the handsomeness of his younger days.

Charlie sighed inwardly and, instead of stepping forward, bowed to him from where he stood.

“Hello,” he said. “Please forgive me for not being able to introduce myself.”

He could feel the powerful magic beneath Spring’s calm exterior. Regardless of his status, this strength alone deserved respect. He didn’t want to use a pseudonym to deceive the other party, yet he had reasons to hide his identity, so he could only apologize.

“No problem,” Spring said, looking at him. “I can sense your conflict… Was your appearance here a mistake or a choice?”

Charlie once again felt that rare sensation of being seen through. This man, sitting deep in the forest, seemed to know everything about him with just one glance.

“Both a mistake and a choice,” Charlie said softly.

Spring nodded and turned to Arnie.

“Arnie, come closer,” he said kindly.

Arnie looked at Charlie, and seeing him nod, took a few steps forward.

“Are you a seer?” Arnie asked. “Like an astrologer?”

“Astrologers and seers aren’t the same,” Spring replied gently. “But when it comes to prophecy, astrologers, diviners, and seers all touch upon the future, each in their own way.”

Charlie felt that Spring’s tone was strange when he mentioned the “future”, but he wondered if he was being paranoid.

Arnie stared at Spring, finding him odd—like a very old plant, he seemed to have no scent or breath, yet had slight emotional reactions. One could tell he was alive, knew he was breathing, but couldn’t clearly sense it.

“Are you human?” Arnie asked bluntly.

Charlie: “……”

He almost forgot that this kid, despite his cute appearance, had a knack for saying unpleasant things.

“I am human.” Spring wasn’t angry, seeming to understand Arnie perfectly. “A bit different from ordinary people, but still human.”

He continued, “You are also a bit different from ordinary people, aren’t you?”

Arnie remained silent.

Spring reached out and placed his hand above Arnie’s head without touching his hair, as if stroking him from a distance.

“Your hair and eyes are beautiful. Thirteen hundred years ago, there was a branch of elves with this hair color. They migrated from the north, delicate and sensitive, skilled in calculation and craftsmanship.”

“You have their blood,” Spring said. “So the Nawen tribe will never harm you. They acted recklessly, and I apologize to you.”

Arnie didn’t expect an apology here. He didn’t respond but instead asked, “How do you know I have elven blood? It’s been many, many years.”

“Bloodlines thin out but never truly disappear,” Spring said softly. “Most people…like your ancestors, live and die without showing any traces. You are a fortunate accident. This blessing may be difficult for even your descendants to inherit.”

“Since you’re here, would you like to see something left by another ancestor? Deep in the forest,” Spring said. “Though most of it was taken away, some remnants remain. If anyone is worthy of seeing those remnants now, it is you.”

Charlie finally interjected, “Didn’t the hidden realms of the elves begin to disappear after they left? The beauty of their domains was largely due to elven magic. Without that magic, even the most wondrous places would eventually return to their natural state.”

He knew Arnie was a very curious child and was worried that Spring might easily lure him into the forest depths. This seer was very powerful, and Charlie didn’t want to follow his lead, fearing he might not be able to protect Arnie if something went wrong.

“They sealed off a small part of their territory, and the Nawen tribe promised to guard the entrance for a thousand years,” Spring said calmly.

Charlie’s expression remained unchanged, but inside he was shocked because of the immense implications of that statement.

The elves had left the continent decisively, reportedly leaving none behind. And indeed, no records of elves had surfaced since then. But Spring said the elves had entrusted them to guard a door for a thousand years. If they intended to leave forever, why leave a door? Did they plan to return one day, or were there elves who had never left the continent?

But he couldn’t ask further. As the seer of the Nawen tribe, Spring was undoubtedly aligned with the elves. Charlie believed that if he showed any intention of probing into the elves’ existence, Spring would likely ensure he never left the forest alive.

Arnie hesitated, then looked back at Charlie.

Both Charlie and Spring were watching him.

The small child stood on the floor, his face showing a rare expression of indecision.

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Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 205

The Duchess of Dwight, Emma, came from a very old noble family in the south—one that had existed even longer than the Empire’s history.

Indeed, these old nobles were continually weakened by new families with each shift in power. The radical members who resisted often met their end violently, while others chose to keep a low profile.

The Empire’s center had always been in the north, and Emma’s family, adept at avoiding crises, managed to survive.

But survival was all it was. Old noble families found it difficult to hold any sway in the Empire’s political circles, and decline was inevitable. During Emma’s girlhood before her marriage, for several years, she and her sisters had to stay up late sewing their own dresses and hats so they wouldn’t have to wear old clothes to social events. Despite being noble ladies, they skillfully dismantled old garments and remade them into new ones to maintain their dignity. This hardship became history once Emma got married, but she never felt ashamed of her past. Especially in front of her children, she focused on honestly teaching them the family history and where their mother came from.

“Elven bloodline” was also part of this history education. Though it sounded grand, tracing it seriously would reveal that Emma’s ancestor was a half-elf born from a love affair between an elf and a human.

This identity alone indicated it happened a long time ago, as intermarriages between elves and other races were very rare in the continent’s history, and elves had left the continent centuries ago. Over such a long time, any bloodline would be diluted to almost nothing.

Indeed, the elven bloodline left little trace in Emma’s family history. Only the original half-elf had distinct elven features, and his direct descendants inherited extraordinary beauty. Beyond that, the bloodline legend remained just a legend.

Arnie’s obviously superior appearance compared to his parents and sister reminded Emma of this matter, but good looks alone didn’t mean much—Arnie was very smart, but the adults didn’t find any magical talents or special abilities in him. Emma believed if that extremely diluted bloodline miraculously manifested in Arnie after so many generations, it was likely only in his appearance.

And good looks seemed to have no other use except aiding in romantic success later in life, so Emma never emphasized this point. Arnie merely recorded it as ordinary knowledge. If not for being kidnapped into the forest this time, he might not have remembered it at all.

“That makes sense,” Charlie said, not looking particularly surprised.

Arnie wasn’t just outstanding in appearance; his sharp insight was truly extraordinary. But now, his lack of expression could be dismissed with phrases like “he’s just a different child”. When he grew up, this ability to understand people would be skillfully utilized—by then, he would be “Dwight”, mature enough to hide his true self behind a rigid mask.

Only after many confrontations where Charlie was nearly cornered by Dwight did he realize the young Duke was anything but ordinary. Prepared with this mindset, he felt a “so that’s how it is” sensation when Arnie casually mentioned it.

Arnie watched him for a while, finding that Oscar wasn’t startled by this matter, feeling both relieved and indignant.

“What makes sense?” he asked.

It explains your abnormal behaviors as you grew up. Charlie wouldn’t say that. Instead, he said, “You’re so smart. That’s what makes sense. Elves are knowledgeable and eager to learn, and you must have inherited that trait.”

Arnie believed it and became happy again.

“The seer might still look for you tomorrow,” Charlie said as he lifted Arnie from the chair to the bed.

Arnie was somewhat interested in the forest’s seer. He refused tonight because he felt Oscar seemed disapproving—but now it seemed he wasn’t opposed.

“Father will come to save me,” Arnie said. “And Alfred will surely come after… I want to wait for them.”

Who knew if the seer here would use some strange magic? What if they cursed him to threaten Lemena? In the face of life and death, curiosity was insignificant. Arnie understood the priority.

“It won’t be long,” Charlie comforted him. “Their big birds are fast, but the knights’ horses aren’t slow either.”

……

“Chieftain.” Shan walked briskly across the high, suspended wooden corridor, entering the brightly lit conference room. Everyone at the long table turned to look at him.

Shan brought a reply from the Imperial Capital.

The Nawen chieftain read it quickly in the light and sighed.

“What is it?” someone asked urgently.

“The Emperor denies that Duke Dwight has taken the secret treasure, and because of the Duke’s son being taken…” He paused. “His wording is severe.”

Several people passed around the letter, looking as grim as the chieftain.

They were originally victims, but due to the rash actions of a few young people, they were now at fault. Regardless, attacking such a young child was hard to forgive. Atta and the others hadn’t realized their impulsiveness could bring disaster to the tribe.

“Was the second letter sent out?” the Nawen chieftain asked wearily.

“It was sent out at dusk,” Wind replied. He placed a jar on the table, and someone brought a shallow basin.

Wind poured the jar’s water into the basin. The clear water spread across the bottom, slowly rotating, as if an invisible finger was stirring the surface.

“I obtained a bit more…” Wind said softly. As the water moved slower, an image appeared on the surface.

A fair, handsome boy was being held in someone’s arms, holding a fresh green grass stem with a beautiful butterfly perched on its tip. He was gazing curiously at the butterfly, looking like he wanted to reach out and touch it.

The man holding him didn’t have his whole face visible due to the height difference, but he was wearing a Brandenburg uniform, and like the child, his exposed skin was clean, with no signs of injury.

Most importantly, the expression of the child in his arms was relaxed and even joyful.

The image lasted for about fifteen seconds before disappearing.

“The image waterfall can only be maintained for this long,” Wind said, touching the now calm water surface where nothing remained.

“That’s enough,” the Nawen chieftain said.

They sent this image to both the Imperial Capital and Duke Dwight, along with the second letter. The Nawen chieftain knew that it was extremely unwise for a single tribe to provoke a Duke or even the Emperor of the Empire, but at this point, all he could do was try his best to make amends. Treating the Duke’s son well was the first step.

They even shamelessly denied the kidnapping, presenting the Duke’s son as a guest of the forest—after all, the forest also belonged to the Empire, so strictly speaking, they didn’t have much leverage.

“It takes a few days to get from Lemena to here,” the Nawen chieftain sighed. “The Brandenburg Knights will certainly come to rescue their master. Before that, we must keep a low profile and try to meet the demands of the Duke’s son as much as possible.”

“The seer wants to see him,” Wind reported today’s events to the chieftain. “The seer hasn’t gone out for years. Did he sense something?”

The forest’s preferential treatment of the Duke’s son was no secret among the Nawen tribe. Even if it wasn’t out of guilt, the other tribespeople were also kind to the little boy. Wind had the most contact with him and could feel that the child had a natural affinity with nature.

Very much like an elf.

“Green told me about it,” the chieftain, a calm middle-aged man with little trace of age on his face, said. He looked at Wind levelly and asked, “The servant of the Duke’s son, what do you think of him?”

Wind was momentarily taken aback. “That ‘Oscar’? He is…”

He recalled that he didn’t have much of an impression of the man. His main focus was on Dwight’s son, but the servant had never shown anything special since arriving. His expression and tone were always neutral, and everything he did was centered around his master, the Duke’s son.

The only time he showed personal emotion was when he directly refused to let the Duke’s son be taken to see the seer.

Other than that, he was like an omnipresent breeze, leaving no trace of himself.

The chieftain watched Wind’s expression. “The seer also wants to see him—the seer sensed the arrival of Dwight’s son but also believes the man beside him is worth attention.”

This was what Green had conveyed to the chieftain. According to the chieftain’s understanding, it meant there was something off about Dwight’s son’s servant. Although no one could see anything special about the unremarkable man, the seer held a high status and great power within their tribe and wouldn’t make such statements without reason.

Someone hesitated. “Perhaps the imperial cavalry is approaching the forest. Should we try to please the Duke’s son and send him back, showing that this was a misunderstanding?”

“What about our treasure?” someone angrily retorted. “It’s still missing. If this continues, our heritage will be lost. Is that what you want?”

“That’s not what I mean. But if everyone dies, who will protect our heritage?!”

“Perhaps this incident is a revelation, making us reconsider the meaning of staying in the forest.”

“Enough.” The Nawen chieftain interrupted the increasingly divergent discussion. “I will meet with the seer tomorrow and take… them along. It’s best if the seer can perform a divination.”

His brows furrowed deeply. “If things are heading in the worst direction, we need to prepare quickly before the Brandenburg Knights arrive.”

No one in the conference room knew that the Brandenburg Knights had already entered the forest.

Nightfall didn’t greatly hinder Alfred and his companions. The real challenge was finding traces of the Nawen tribe in the vast forest—an endeavor akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

The local guide had given them a general direction. The three of them couldn’t comb through the entire forest, but Brandenburg had its own methods.

“Southeast,” Shel whispered. “The signal is getting stronger. We’re getting closer.”

He held a palm-sized metal box, its needle resembling that of a nautical compass, with a similar function but more precise. The needle tip was made of a rare mineral that reacted to magic and pointed toward objects made of the same material—Arnie’s earring was made of this mineral. Once within range, the needle would guide them to their target.

Each member of the Dwight family had such a personalized magical item. The Duke and Duchess wore rings, while Priscilla and Arnie each had earrings that never left their bodies, even when bathing or sleeping.

Alfred also watched the box in Shel’s hand, his eyes gleaming like a wolf ready to strike.

Spin said, “Control all your crazy thoughts. We’re not here to kill and burn. You should see your face right now.”

“I understand,” Alfred said in a deep voice. “I’ll save my anger for Alger. That guy must be crazy to think he could steal someone else’s treasure and present it to His Majesty the Emperor in exchange for a title and wealth.”

“Isn’t it more likely he did it out of jealousy towards Brandenburg? Trying to both bypass the Duke and frame him is even more despicable.” Shel snapped the lid shut with a pop. “When His Majesty the Emperor finds the Nawen tribe’s items in the tribute pile, I don’t think they’ll be unreasonable.”

Alfred snorted through his nose.

The author has something to say:

This storyline was initially intended to be darker but writing it that way tends to drag it out, and in the end, I wanted a bit of lightness. Life doesn’t need so many conspiracies.

The Duchess thought her son’s good looks would make him a playboy, but alas, things didn’t go as planned.

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Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 204

“Please forgive me, but no matter how much money you give me, I can’t go any further, sir.” A rough-skinned man stopped in front of a large moss-covered stone, turning around with some fear, worried that his disobedience might invite a whipping.

Alfred, riding high on his horse, looked down at him. “Why?”

“It’s the territory of the Nawen tribe inside. They’re skilled in hunting and traps, and they’re formidable warriors. Without permission, entering their land would result in injury.”

Alfred was silent for two seconds before his companion behind him stepped forward. “How much do you know about the Nawen tribe?”

Hunters in this area all knew about the Nawen tribe, but very few had actual contact with them.

Some members of their tribe had distinct features, such as green eyes and fair skin, while others looked no different from ordinary people. The ones who came out of the forest to trade salt and other goods were usually the latter and rarely revealed their identity.

This tribe, which once had close ties with the elves, had always been more aligned with the elves rather than their own kind—humans. The locals didn’t mind the elves but found the Nawen tribe’s apparent rejection of their own race in favor of the elves distasteful. The Nawen tribe never explained their motives, so over generations, the locals no longer considered them human like themselves, even though they knew they weren’t elves.

Especially after the elves left the continent, there were mocking claims that the tribe was abandoned by the elves in the forest, symbolizing misfortune and to be avoided.

Even though he was anxious, Alfred didn’t force the guide, who was just doing his job for money. He let the man go and discussed with the two knights how to enter the forest.

“We have an unfailing compass, so we won’t get lost in the forest,” White Knight Spin said. “And we have horses and swords. Even if there are dragons in the forest, these three things are enough.”

“Should we seek help from the local families?” Another knight, Shel, suggested. “Although Alger did such a thing, the Lady’s maternal family should be concerned about the Young Master. If we had their manpower, our actions might be easier.”

There were only three of them now. No matter how brave they were, they knew it was foolish to think they could take on an entire tribe alone. Shel knew Alfred was still furious over Alger’s framing of the Young Master, but objectively speaking, Alger was just a cousin of the Lady and didn’t represent the attitude of her entire family.

“The Duke will come personally with reinforcements,” Alfred said, staring into the forest. “We can’t afford any more betrayal.”

Spin thought of another aspect. “I think the Lady might come too. Before that, we’d better not make any moves that could affect their later discussions.”

Whatever the reason, this time Brandenburg wouldn’t spare Alger. The Duchess didn’t like to travel far, but given the matter of her youngest son, no one would think she would stay in the castle waiting for news.

“If we can rescue Young Master Arnie before the lady arrives, that would be ideal,” Alfred said, stroking his stubbly face. “Even elves bleed and die, let alone a bunch that has stayed in the forest for years—”

He used a somewhat crude term, making Spin cough. The three of them finally reached an agreement, bypassed the mossy boulder, and drove their horses into the forest.

……

Charlie carried Arnie over a fallen log, with Wind leading the way. In a small depression grew plants with unusually thick and straight stems, looking like a bed of tulips without buds.

“The Flame Butterflies will return before dusk. We just need to wait a while,” Wind said, handing Charlie a water bottle from the deer’s back to give Arnie a drink. Arnie twisted in Charlie’s arms, wanting to get down, but Charlie held him tightly.

The ground here was full of stones and moss, and Charlie felt the atmosphere was too serene to let the child run around.

“I want to get down,” Arnie demanded.

Charlie didn’t respond to him but instead asked Wind, “What are Flame Butterflies? Are they dangerous?”

Wind smiled. “They are completely harmless magical butterflies, but very beautiful. Unfortunately, they are becoming increasingly rare. We don’t know if there are any Flame Butterflies left elsewhere on the continent.”

The term “magical butterflies” caught Arnie’s attention, and he stopped squirming. “What kind of magic do they have?”

Wind made a “shh” gesture. With his motion, the already shaded area seemed to grow darker, and the sound of fluttering wings began to fill the air, growing louder.

Charlie stepped back slightly, and he and Arnie looked up to see a bright, flaming mass rising from the small waterfall not far away.

It was a large group of red and blue butterflies. They flew over the waterfall, landing on the grass stems, their wings slowly flapping. As more butterflies descended, the once green depression turned into a shimmering, colorful flower bed. A gentle breeze made the butterfly wings quiver like countless petals, creating a breathtaking sight.

Arnie’s eyes widened, and Charlie, also captivated by the floral sea, whispered, “Elven celebration.”

Wind’s smile froze on his lips. He looked at Charlie in shock, as if he had just said something absurd.

“You…” Wind studied Charlie, as if trying to see if he had pointed ears. “Do you recognize them?”

“This is my first time seeing them in person,” Charlie said, slowly crouching down, one arm around Arnie, and using the other to gently shake a grass stem. “But I’ve read about these butterflies in texts. They are called magical butterflies, but they don’t have any special abilities other than glowing. They are a mutated form of ordinary butterflies, tamed by elves, occasionally used to enhance the atmosphere at feasts and celebrations.”

A butterfly was drawn to the grass stem in Charlie’s hand, fluttering over and landing on it. Charlie handed the stem to Arnie, letting him hold it himself.

“Well said,” Wind said a bit sadly. “But their numbers dwindle every year. We’ve tried to breed them, but without success. In ten years, this scene might disappear forever.”

“They have no magic themselves, but to maintain this brilliance requires elven magic,” Charlie said, touching the butterfly’s wings with his fingertips, noticing only a faint trace of magic still lingering at the wing base.

“But they won’t truly disappear—only revert back to being ordinary butterflies,” Charlie said, flicking his fingers nonchalantly.

Wind glanced at him. “Are you a mage?”

Charlie stood up again, holding Arnie, and smiled. “No. If you must say something, I’m just a magician who has read a lot of books.”

He felt that Wind’s tribe was somewhat similar to these butterflies. Once, they had gained extraordinary abilities due to the elves’ protection, but as the elves vanished, these extraordinary parts were gradually fading.

Charlie didn’t know what the butterflies thought, but he guessed that Wind’s tribe didn’t want to lose their “magic” again.

“Wind!” someone called from a distance, probably afraid of startling the butterflies, so their voice was low.

Wind turned to Arnie. “It’s getting dark. Let’s go back?”

Arnie looked around for a while, trying to catch the butterfly, but Charlie, holding him, shook him a bit, causing the butterfly to fly away.

Arnie turned angrily to Charlie, who ignored him, and started walking towards the caller, following Wind.

“I want one,” Arnie said, unwilling to give up. He knew Charlie wouldn’t get him a butterfly, so he turned to Wind for help.

Arnie was good at understanding the situation. Although Atta and the others had been a bit rough in capturing him, Wind represented the tribe’s attitude towards him—more friendly than intimidating.

So, he judged that he could make some harmless requests.

A butterfly wasn’t much, but Charlie still patted his head and coaxed, “If you put a butterfly in a jar, its wings will get damaged, and it won’t be able to fly anymore. Do you think a butterfly on a grass stem, or a dead butterfly is prettier?”

Arnie stubbornly said, “I’ll take care of it.”

You can’t even tie your shoelaces properly. Charlie, with his expression unchanged, quickened his pace while holding Arnie, continuing to deceive the child. “Then let’s catch one on the way back. That way it will be fresh (?).”

That sounded reasonable, and Arnie hesitated for a moment, missing the best opportunity to throw a tantrum. Wind approached the person who had come to meet them. “Green, why are you here?”

Green was a beautiful young woman, standing in front of a large stag with long antlers, waiting for them.

“The seer wants to see him,” she said straightforwardly.

Wind was taken aback and looked back at Arnie and Charlie, who were still negotiating and hadn’t noticed what they were saying.

“Why does the seer…”

“He felt his presence,” Green said calmly. “Let’s go before it gets too dark. The chieftain just agreed.”

Charlie, holding Arnie, frowned at the two who were speaking without consulting them. “Where to?”

“Only him,” Green emphasized. “The son of Dwight.”

Charlie looked down at the child in his arms. Arnie sensed something and clung to him again.

“I don’t want to go,” Arnie said.

Green was a bit surprised. “Why?”

“I can’t let the Young Master out of my sight.” Charlie tightened his grip on Arnie. “He’s already very tired today. If there are important arrangements, it would be better to notify us an hour in advance.”

Green couldn’t detect Charlie’s subtle criticism of their presumptuousness, but Wind realized it. He stepped between them and looked at Green. “Is the seer in a hurry?”

Green was confused. “No.”

“Then why don’t I go with you to explain? It’s getting dark. It’s not safe for the child,” Wind suggested.

Green wanted to ask, “What could be unsafe with us around?” but she rarely saw Wind with such a strange expression, so she kept silent.

Charlie ignored their low conversation and mounted his horse, with Arnie clinging tightly to him like a small bundle.

On the way back, neither he nor Arnie spoke. Wind seemed eager to see the “seer” and left hastily after sending them to the treehouse. While taking off Arnie’s coat, Charlie praised him. “Very smart.”

Arnie looked up. “You mean that seer? I don’t want to go.”

He kicked off his little boots and stood on the chair.

Charlie teased him. “Maybe he’s an important figure.”

Arnie said, “He just wants to know if I have any connection to the elves.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow.

Even standing on the chair, Arnie couldn’t reach Charlie’s height, but he still tilted his chin high. “They value the elves a lot. Maybe they sensed I have elven blood.”

“Although it’s just a tiny bit—” He gestured with his finger, showing a small amount. “Because it was a long, long time ago.”

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