Chapter of Diamond, Episode 2: The Ruined Prince and the Detested Race

So, I ended up crying after all.

Such thoughts went through my mind as I took a seat. As one of the older ones in the group, I wanted to reassure the younger girls, but I couldn’t help myself from getting emotional. Calmness was supposed to be one of the advantages of species with long lifespans, but I was acting like a kid earlier. To be honest, I was really embarrassed.

But for some reason, I was totally over it by now. This was the first time I felt totally relieved after crying it all out. Come to think of it, it’d been a while since I let myself cry without holding back. I wondered why it had come to me so easily earlier when I stood up from my seat.

Earlier, Puseri had declared herself a candidate to be the new team master.

She was the most skilled of the group, and no one questioned her virtue. She was immediately met with a round of applause, so there was much positive conversation about how they would move forward as a team and how the members would contact their friends and family they had left behind.

“I see you’ve calmed down now, Eve.” As Eve watched the others with a gentle smile, Isuka approached her. It appeared she had been watching over her from nearby. Eve smiled, embarrassed, wondering if she truly deserved such happiness from kind friends.

“Ah... Sorry for crying so much earlier. I’m fine now.”

“Seems so. Ah, by the way... Earlier, we were talking about how you and Zarish met. We couldn’t help but wonder how the country’s ruined prince and a dark elf ended up traveling together and arrived here in Arilai.” She lightly tapped the gold ring on Eve’s finger. It seemed Isuka was also curious about the ring.

The question came out of the blue, but the others turned around to face Eve at once. Apparently, they were interested enough to cut their conversations short and listen. She could see the celebratory wine was running low. Now that they had finished talking about their plans moving forward, they were more curious to know about the details of the past.

“Whaaat? You want me to talk again? No way, I just cried my eyes out earlier... You might end up getting mad at me this time.”

“Eve-nyan, I have a seat for you right here. Come on!” Cassey beckoned as she pulled up a chair, and the others clapped all at once.

Eve took note of how they really didn’t listen... but many hands lightly pushed her by the back and butt, leaving her nowhere to run.

The last of the wine was poured into a cup. A glass was placed before her, indicating that they wanted her to wet her lips and dig deep into the story.

The array of colorful eyes stared back at her once again.

And so, the untold story was about to unfold before the beautiful women collectively known as “the collection.”

The story took place many years ago, long before Eve had met any of the others.

§

One particular day, the young girl had awakened.

She would likely never forget the moment she reached out toward the evening stars and touched something that fell from the sky.

It gently tapped at her as it flew around her still-youthful arm. The nameless spirit that no one had seen before spent its time carefully examining Evelyn like a bird seeking the optimal spot for a nest.

Eventually, it seemed to be satisfied, and the spirit sank into her forehead.

“Wow...”

The change came immediately. Her senses grew sharper, and the sight before her was as bright as day. Vigor surged through her body, making her feel as if she could run forever and ever. Her skin grew darker before her eyes, but she could feel that this change was “something good,” making her heart race with exhilaration.

And so, the spirit dwelled within her mind and body, transforming the elf living by the shore into a dark elf. In other words, she was compatible. She had accomplished a feat that was impossible for an ordinary elf, proving that she had an aptitude for taking in a spirit within her.

This was a little known fact, but most newly-born spirits were terribly unstable, and most of them vanished from existence. The spirit from earlier had chosen Evelyn as its host, granting her great power in exchange. Thaumaturgy was the word that most closely described such cases. Some gained access to magic, while others obtained the power to control spirits they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. In Evelyn’s case, she had acquired extraordinary physical prowess.

But due to the anecdotes surrounding dark elves from long ago, they were looked down upon as corrupt or cursed by the gods. This was clearly prejudice that had carried on since some individuals had betrayed their allies in the Human-Demon War.

Evelyn hadn’t known about this incident until she returned to her village. She would never forget the look on the face of her mother, who had once been so kind to her, as she gasped in horror. Her father had the same reaction. Her little sister was too young to understand what was happening, but she seemed to realize something grave was going on when she saw Eve tied up with a rope.

And so, she was misunderstood due to how rare her kind was, and she was abandoned even by her own family.

She was suddenly left with no option but to live on her own.

Even to this day, she couldn’t clearly remember what she had done for some time after.

Evelyn had a feeling something similar would happen today.

She let out a sigh, and water droplets fell from her robe that was soaked with night dew. Everything other than her eyes was completely enshrouded in darkness, and she mentally noted how her outfit looked so much like that of the typical detestable dark elf. The color blended into the night, much like she had done until now.

“Our meetup time should be coming up...” Evelyn muttered to herself as she looked up at the sky.

Bits of moonlight shone down between the leaves above, illuminating the scale-like tree trunks. The tree was big enough to completely cover her body. She sighed, thinking about how she had to hide all the time now.

Even dark elves needed money to live.

And most jobs that were done so late in the night weren’t exactly the most legitimate. This country wasn’t the safest of places, and there were bandits lurking about intending to rob others of both their valuables and their lives. Her job tonight was to guide such scoundrels to their roost.

She never could get used to the look of contempt that was always cast her way. No, she did get used to it to a degree, but it changed her for the worse at the same time. Frankly, she kept her contact with others to a minimum so she wouldn’t have to kill her own heart any further.

That was why the night was far more comfortable for her. She never got lost in forests or mountains even in unfamiliar lands, and she used her powers to earn a bit of coin by helping with searches or working as a guide.

As Evelyn waited, soaked in night dew, she noticed a lamp light shining through between the trees.

Her client tonight was named Zarish, if she remembered correctly. She felt herself tense up slightly to find he had a companion and a large horse, despite being in his teens. After all, she didn’t have much experience fighting against armed men.

Evelyn took in a deep breath and released it. She mustered the courage to step away from the large tree, then walked up to the panting horse and raised her hand.

As the newcomers unmounted and Evelyn led the way, the man named Zarish and his companions introduced themselves. The men lived with their lord of a castle nearby, and they were investigating the bandits around the area to secure the region.

Evelyn didn’t understand it. Someone of high stature should have just left the grunt work to his subordinates and rested at home. Why would anyone reveal all of this to a suspicious robed figure like her?

Her eyes were covered under her deep hood, but her voice immediately gave her away as female. That was probably why they had started up a conversation with her. Or perhaps they were frightened of the dark path in the night now that the lamp was put out.

“So, what’s your name?” the man asked persistently as they stepped out of a bush.

She had been moving at a quick pace to avoid trouble, but she was surprised to find Zarish keeping up without issues, unlike his exhausted attendants. He stepped lightly, as if not fatigued at all, and she got the impression that he was well-trained, despite his slender build. She paused.

“Will my pay increase if I tell you?”

“Who knows? But I wouldn’t mind giving you half of my food if you do,” he said, one eye closed in a smug expression.

There was something about the way he spoke that gave her pause. Zarish’s wording made it sound as if he wasn’t the one handling the money. And even though he had handsome features, his smile seemed strained and fake. She couldn’t prove it, but it felt as if his big shot demeanor was all an act.

“Fine, I’ll tell you just to shut you up. My name’s Evelyn.”

“Evelyn, Evelyn... What a lovely name. If only you’d show me your face, I could picture you whenever I lay upon my bed.” She had told him her name as he asked, but now he wanted more. Evelyn let out an exasperated sigh, and Zarish drooped his shoulders in disappointment. His attendants saw this and laughed awkwardly, as if they were used to it. But the young man was unrelenting.

“How about this, Evelyn? I’ll give you one thing you wish for in exchange for a look at your face. Then we’ll both get a happy memory out of all this. What do you say?”

What a foolish idea. She already knew his attitude would do a complete 180 as soon as he saw her skin and ears. He would immediately distance himself from her, then forget all about the despised dark elves as soon as tonight’s job was over. Such thoughts circled Evelyn’s mind as she aggressively walked through the night path.

As the angle of the waning moon changed slightly, Evelyn found herself staring with her mouth agape. Zarish was washing his sword with the river’s water as he spoke.

“All right, now it’s your turn to fulfill your end of the bargain. Let’s see your face, shall we?”

Evelyn tried to tell him it was just a joke as she took a step backward. She had told Zarish she would show him her face if he slayed the bandits without help from any of his attendants, but she had no way of knowing he would actually pull it off.

As she struggled to find her words, his face drew close to hers.

So close. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath, and Evelyn couldn’t help but shrink away. She couldn’t remember the last time she had talked to someone from such a close distance.

Zarish noticed her frightened gesture and touched her chin with his fingertips. He paused to think, then smiled as if a realization came to him.

“Ah, I see. I’m seventeen years old, but I have no problem getting women. I just wanted to carve your face along with your name into my memory, that’s all.” She paused.

“Fine, but I wish you’d forget it.” Her voice came out like a pouting child from the discontent and confusion she was feeling.

But this would be the end of it anyway. Now that he had seen her face, they would never see each other again. She didn’t want to see him cringe. He would take a step back, and... yes, there was that tense expression on his face. She didn’t want to see that look of fear and hostility.

It would cling to her mind and fester there. The pain would fade a bit after some time, but fresh wounds would be etched into her memories quicker than the old ones could heal. They accumulated like layers of stratum, coating her heart as dark as her own skin.

“Aha... I’m so done...”

“H-Hey, wait!”

She was running before she knew it.

Faces of those she had met until now flashed before her. She swiped at them, as if to wave away the bad memories, running deeper into the pitch-black forest.

Evelyn came to understand why dark elves were so hated. She had never crossed the line into committing heinous crimes, but now, she felt like she could. She would pass her negative emotions onto others, which would continue to spread like a curse upon the land.

Evelyn swiftly climbed up a tree and onto a branch where no one could find her, then began weeping silently. Tears continued to flow even as she wiped them away, until she finally gave up and buried her face into her knees.

She wanted to burst out crying. She felt like the darkness would fill the depths of her heart if she didn’t. Just like the color of her skin she hated so much.

Evelyn stared at the lightening sky with swollen eyes and let out a deep sigh. Then, she remembered that something had completely slipped her mind.

“I forgot to get my payment...”

She had completed her job, but only ended up feeling like garbage in the end.

Exhausted, she descended from the big tree with her mind totally blank. Her limbs were powerful thanks to the spirit inside her, and she easily leapt from branch to branch and onto the ground.

Evelyn landed with a light thud, but then her shoulders jumped immediately. She could feel someone’s presence behind her.

“Ahhh, wait!” She had drawn and swung her dagger, but she managed to stop the blade in front of the target’s throat. Evelyn was relieved to find she hadn’t spilled any blood, and her eyes widened as she recognized the face before her. It was Zarish, the man from the night before.

“P-Put that dagger away already...! Please!” She thought he was just begging for his life, but something was off. Zarish was straining to hold back his right arm, which was pulsating with bulging veins. It was as if his arm would hurt someone if he didn’t hold it back like this.

Evelyn sheathed her weapon in a hurry, and Zarish crumpled to his knees. He breathed heavily for a while, closed and opened his hands several times, then finally stood.

“Sorry to surprise you. My skill is so powerful, it’s known as the Guardian Beast. The thing is, it’s hard to control. This is how I beat most of those bandits before.” She was taken aback by the unfamiliar term for a moment, but her anger from earlier was still smoldering inside her. Her words came out more aggressive than she intended.

“Were you following me, Zarish?!”

“Well, I went after you so I could apologize, but I couldn’t climb a tree that high. Ah, I thought you might’ve been crying.” He scratched his short blond hair, then bowed his head deeply.

If his attendants had been with him, their eyes probably would have widened at his behavior. His pride had been on the rise, along with his exceptional skills, which bought him a reputation for being hard to deal with. Perhaps he had forced the others to go home so they wouldn’t see him like this.

“Here. I added my cut in there, too.”

“What? Don’t tell me you came here just to give me this?” Zarish pushed the bulging leather bag toward her. Evelyn had no idea how to feel about this. “I don’t want it. And if you were, you should have just said so.”

“Huh? I couldn’t do that. I could hear you... No, never mind. Just forget it. Anyway, I paid you even more than the promised amount. At least show me the way back.” He gave off a completely different impression from the night prior as he curtly tossed the leather bag at her. Still, Evelyn found this far better than that forced smile he had on before. The way he walked with his back turned to her showed that he wasn’t afraid of dark elves like most others were. Hesitant, Evelyn called out to him.

“You’re going the wrong way. I’ll lead you back. Follow me.” And so, the two walked under the brightening sky together.

They hardly spoke the whole time, as if they had just gotten in an argument, but Zarish started to open up bit by bit. He revealed that, despite having noble blood, the royal throne was hopelessly out of reach. That was why he had been training in hopes of being recognized for his merits on the battlefield.

“So that’s why you attacked those bandits?”

“Yeah, nothing beats real combat. It’s far more useful than a predetermined training regimen. Everyone at the castle is just a coward that likes to talk big.” With that, he took a big bite of some freshly smoked meat.

True to his word from last night, he had given Evelyn half of his food, as well. She had assumed he was joking and hadn’t imagined she would ever be sharing a meal with someone of such high stature.

“I assumed you were fighting to protect your land and thought you were gallant,” Evelyn said.

“That’s the story, yes... but it’s far from the truth.” She had made an effort to compliment Zarish, but he just let out a self-deprecating chuckle. Then, he bit another chunk out of his meat, clearly frustrated.

The more time she spent with him, the more he revealed his dark side. Questions rose into her mind, like how he had ended up this way when he’d grown up in a privileged environment and possessed such skill with the sword. Perhaps this was the first time she had ever felt interest in a human.

Evelyn took a tentative bite out of the smoked meat and found it far too salty. She grimaced, and Zarish laughed out loud.

They finally made their way through the beaten path made by animals and found a single horse at the spot from last night.

Judging by the remnants of a campfire nearby, his attendants must have been there until dawn. As Evelyn checked the temperature of the wood scraps that had turned to charcoal, Zarish spoke to her from behind.

“Well, this is it. Thanks for getting me here.”

“Oh, no, thanks for paying me extra... Um. Say...” Evelyn said to Zarish, and he turned around as he loosened the rope tethering the horse. The dark elf took several deep breaths to steel herself, then opened her mouth to speak once more.

“Um, Zarish, your first impression was really awful, but I like you a lot better when you’re not trying to be someone you aren’t. You’re way easier to talk to this way.”

“Ha ha, where’d that come from? I thought I was putting on my popular face. I have to, considering my position.” His hands paused for a moment. He stood there, as if deep in thought, then stood face-to-face with Evelyn.

“The reason I was afraid when I saw your face last night is because my father was struck down by a dark elf. But that wasn’t your fault, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” The young man’s voice reverberated as the morning mist cleared. There was such sincerity in his words, and she could feel her impression of him changing greatly once again.

“I’m glad you’re not like the rumors say you are, Evelyn. Clearly, not all dark elves are cruel. But I’m not too different from the stereotypical dark elf, myself. I’m alienated, hated, and feared by others. It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve had a proper conversation with someone.” With that, he mounted his horse, seemingly hiding his embarrassment.

Evelyn wondered why he had been alienated and hated by others, but she could feel they didn’t have much time left to talk. And so, she spoke the words she hadn’t said in decades.

“I-I, um, I had fun. Thanks, Zarish.”

“See you, Evelyn. I’ll remember your name and lovely face every time the night falls.” He winked as he delivered his corny line before leaving.

They were such cheap words, and so very human. They were so shallow that no one could possibly have been flattered by them. And yet, Evelyn was ashamed to admit that she felt a shock run through her, like an arrow through the heart. Flustered, she hurriedly covered her face with her robe, but she had a feeling that he saw right through her. He must have.

Evelyn stared and pouted with a dissatisfied expression as the sight of his back became farther and farther away. He turned around several times, as if he was reluctant to go.

The dark elf had fallen in love that day.

She had traveled through various lands until now, as if she had been on the run.

She didn’t want anyone recognizing her face or voice, so she avoided staying in one place for too long.

However, she stayed in this area for so long that she could mentally picture the scenery throughout the region. She wanted to know more about Zarish, and she felt an attraction to this land that made it hard to leave.

The giant water wheel was a sight to behold. She could stare at the regularly rotating wheel as it caught the flow in the waterway all day.

She even enjoyed the changing colors of the mountains and farms, as it let her experience the change in seasons more fully. Evelyn picked a flower that looked like cotton from the footpath and blew on it as she walked on.

The sound of migratory birds flapping their wings. A green topaz found at the river. Surrounded by her favorite things, Evelyn closed her eyes and pictured his name and face as usual. It was like a regular ritual for her by now.

And so, she dreamed upon the bed of dried leaves she had made for herself.

It was the same dream as usual. He was putting up that smug attitude he always did in her dreams. There was a darkness to the young man, and he only revealed his true face when Evelyn spoke to him. As time passed, it was as if the shadow was slowly being lifted off of him. She didn’t understand why, but it just felt that way. Evelyn knew she was dreaming, but she spoke to him with perseverance. Even though it had been a long time since she had spoken to anybody.

“Oh, maybe I can speak to you so openly because this is just a dream?” she asked, and Zarish gave an awkward laugh.

What bothered her was that Zarish wasn’t very kind to her in her dreams; in fact, he would say things that downright frustrated her. But she hoped that he, too, thought of her name and face as he went to sleep.

She hadn’t seen him since their last encounter. But she didn’t need any more memories besides what they already had. Considering her inferior status and race, the memories of walking with him side-by-side and these dreams were enough for her.

Such thoughts were in her mind as she rolled over to her other side.

Just what was that warmth she had felt in her heart back then? It was like something had pierced her through the chest and implanted a jewel of high purity in there. There was something left in her that was taking shape without ever going dull or fading away. Indeed, it was like a shining diamond.

Evelyn closed her eyes and let out a warm sigh.

It was the night she had reached level 30.

The dark elf sweated profusely as she laid there, rolling to her side over and over again. Sweat ran down her sun-tanned skin, and her exhalations were hot enough to turn to steam. She felt something was wrong, but couldn’t awaken from her dream no matter how much time passed.

“Huff, huff, huff...” Suddenly, she began breathing heavier.

Something pulsated within her like a heartbeat, and she arched back her toned body as she struggled to breathe. Beads of sweat rolled down and pooled into her belly button.

She didn’t understand what was going on. Evelyn clenched her fists in confusion as this thought came to mind. But it was no surprise, considering she had spent her long life avoiding others. She realized there was so much she didn’t know, including the identity of that “something” that was shaping inside of her without dulling or fading away.

With each hot breath she expelled, she felt as if its form was becoming more and more clear.

As the time came for the sky to turn brighter, it felt like most of the heat within her had been lost. While she was taken aback by the sudden change, it had become noticeably easier to breathe. It appeared the long, long night had come to an end.

Lines of tears were left on her cheeks as her ocean-colored eyes slowly opened. Her body trembled slightly as she stared at the plain ceiling. She then sighed to herself and mumbled weakly.

“Haah... Thought I was gonna die...” She could still hardly put strength into her fingertips and wouldn’t be able to stand for a while. Repeatedly breathing in shallow breaths, she ran her sweaty fingers through her hair and tucked the strands behind her long ears.

Then, she noticed something. There was something glimmering in her blurry vision.

“Wait, what...? A ring...?” A ring lay upon the dried leaves. She picked it up with her still-weak fingers and stared at it. It had a golden brilliance to it and a pure, highly transparent jewel embedded in its center. Its beauty was untarnished by any touch, completely flawless, and it had a heft to it. Evelyn pushed aside the curtain made of animal skin and peered out, but there were no traces of footsteps anywhere.

“What’s up with this? I wonder if a bird dropped it...” She was still breathing heavily as she spoke. But would a bird really have carried something like this in the middle of the night? The sky was just starting to brighten, and the birds were still sound asleep around this time.

Oh no. It’s really cold. The frigid wind on her sweaty body made her shiver, and she quickly drew the curtains shut. Evelyn then pressed her legs together and flopped over on her sleeping spot.

She groaned.

She flipped it over many times, but it was clear to see it was an expensive ring, and there were no names or anything engraved on it. Such a treasure could only be seen in places such as castles, and there was no way she could have stolen it. Since it was unlikely that a bird had dropped it, she began considering the possibility that it had just appeared out of thin air.

Her heart began to beat faster. Feeling emboldened by the faint hope, Evelyn rubbed the accessory on her arm while still laying on the ground. Then, her surroundings were enveloped in a pale light.

“Fruit of Love.”

She pinched her cheek, but there was no pain. No, actually, it did hurt. The confusion came from the fantastical skill name unfit for a dark elf that was displayed on her status screen.

“Love... as in, mine?”

His face immediately came to mind, and she shook her head to hide the fact that she was blushing. However, there was no one around, so she only managed to tangle some dried leaves into her wavy blonde hair. Face still red, she made a frustrated expression before rising. She then took a piece of string that was nearby and tied it around her long hair.

She was definitely physically weakened, but she still had to hunt and feed herself. According to the description that she had read on the status screen as she got ready, the effect of the item would be determined when her love would fully bloom. And so, she could only admire its brilliance and beauty for now.

“I wonder what love is.” Evelyn stepped outside and raised her ring to the whitening sky.

She had finally acquired her first long-awaited Primary Skill, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to have any effect. But Evelyn felt as if this was fitting for her. It was an appropriate skill for someone who avoided others and quietly lived in isolation. The ring slid right onto her finger as if it belonged there.

Just what is love? What effect does the ring have? Such questions appeared in her mind as Evelyn stared at the beautifully shining ring.

Six months passed, and her two questions were answered. However, it was far from what she had hoped for.

§

One morning, Evelyn suddenly snapped awake.

The tremors running through the ground were like nothing she had ever felt before. Her drowsiness immediately vanished, and her eyes darted around the dimly lit hut.

“Something’s coming... from the east...”

Perhaps it was due to her living her life in hiding, but she was sensitive to ominous presences. She leaped up and grabbed her dagger, then rushed outside, still barefoot. Evelyn entered into the forest and peeked through a tree with a gash in it. Far beyond the stretch of farmland, a giant flock of birds could be seen flying from a distant forest.

She stared silently for some time. Evelyn could still feel the ominous presence there, almost suffocating in its intensity. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she muttered to herself.

“Whatever this is, I don’t like it. I have to find out what it is.”

She immediately turned on her heel and returned to the hut, then left with the necessary tools. After moving from forest to forest, she looked down from a ridge and finally realized what she had sensed earlier.

An armored cavalry troop could be seen making its way across the farmland. They appeared out of the forests one after another, making an arrow-like formation as they broke through the defensive line on her side. Their battle cries echoed across the land.

“A war...”

It was a sight she had seen several times before, but it was the first time she had been invaded by her own country. The weather was mild in this region, and she had come to grow attached to it during her long stay.

Judging by the scattering soldiers, it was clear to see they weren’t prepared. Perhaps they had been ambushed, but they were clearly at a severe disadvantage. Smoke was rising from the other side of the horizon, and many were fleeing from the smell of burning farmland. They could escape into the mountains or forests, but their life going forward would be very difficult with their homes and farms burned down.

Feeling helpless, Evelyn walked away quietly.

This day, the alliance between the two countries was broken abruptly. Zarish’s home country had begun their invasion in order to expand their territory after handing him over for a political marriage.

There was a reason the citizens were taken by surprise and their preparations were insufficient. The two sides had just recently succeeded in a joint expedition, but Zarish’s homeland had gathered generals leading many soldiers and made a move to take over their allied power.

Suddenly, a powerful magic force could be felt emanating from a dragon that descended from the sky.

It flew toward the fortress where most of the troops were concentrated, then launched a magic blast that was radiant in the morning sun. Screams of desperation were raised from the soldiers who witnessed the scene, and the magic blast sank into the fortress and exploded. The chain of impact expanded both vertically and horizontally, causing everything from the people to the walls to be blown away. The enemy cavalry immediately came rushing in, passing through into the undefended area at the rear of the fortress.

Evelyn watched the whole thing unfold from a distant forest, her heart beating in terror. Cold sweat broke out all over her body, and the fear prevented her legs from working properly. It would have been wise to flee the country, as there was no way she would have been able to face an army.

But Evelyn ignored such rational thought and snuck around from bush to bush, quickly making her way toward the royal castle. She didn’t really understand why. She rushed across the land with inhuman leg strength as she pictured the young man who had given her some smoked meat. The ring on her finger glimmered.

Fruit of Love... The ring shone in the sunlight that spilled through the tree leaves above. Her Primary Skill’s effect was supposedly going to be determined when the dark elf’s love was awakened. Evelyn continued running, as if led by the ring, toward a hill that overlooked the castle. Zarish should have been there. She didn’t know if she could help, but she at least wanted to find out if he was safe.

Just then, a group of soldiers appeared from her left, and she hurriedly hid behind a tree. The metallic noise of clinking armor could be heard as the men rode by on horseback, but fortunately, they didn’t notice her. Evelyn was surprised to find they had come so far already, and she covered her mouth with her sleeve to muffle her breathing.

There were perhaps a hundred soldiers in the group all heading toward Evelyn’s destination. They soldiers began dismounting one by one as they took control of the hill overlooking the castle.

As Evelyn watched them from the trees above, the voices of soldiers suddenly reached her ears.

“Sir, over there!”

He hesitated before saying “Hmph. So it’s finally time to reunite with His Highness Prince Zarish.”

Evelyn poked her head out from the tree in a fluster and looked in the direction the men were pointing. The thick castle walls first came into view, then she saw Zarish standing upon them. But she was confused to see that both of his hands were locked in handcuffs and the soldiers around him were pointing spears at him.

Why had he been captured by his allies despite his high standing? Evelyn was severely confused by the fact that he was being treated as if he was a hostage.

The man who seemed to be the staff officer stroked his beard as he began to speak.

“Hah, they still think he has any worth as a hostage? Those fools actually still believe the political marriage was real even though they’re now being invaded. I would have fled as soon as I could.”

“What shall we do? Would you like to wait for the main unit as planned?” a soldier asked nervously, and the well-built man grinned.

“Shoot him down. It’s quite convenient that he appeared before us.”

“Sir? B-But...”

“He is more trouble than he is worth alive. A disposed prince with the blood of a ruined country. There are orders from His Majesty himself to eliminate him completely to avoid any trouble down the line.” Evelyn’s eyes shot wide open.

Zarish’s words from long ago replayed in her mind. He had once mentioned that despite having noble blood, the royal throne was hopelessly out of his reach. Not only that, but he said he wouldn’t be recognized unless a war broke out or something.

“But I’m not too different from the stereotypical dark elf, myself. I’m alienated, hated, and feared by others.” She could hear his words as clearly as if he had just said them to her yesterday. Their meaning was unclear back then. But now, she finally understood.

He had mentioned that his father was killed, as well. So perhaps his mother was the queen of the country that had been conquered. If so, he would no longer have a homeland to return to, and now that he was caught in a fake political marriage, he would be hated by both his own family and the people he was supposedly forming an alliance with. It was just as he had said. Back during their conversation, he was revealing something he couldn’t share with anyone else.

“Well, I’m sure Prince Zarish is glad to be useful in the end. Now, ready your arrows.” It was too cruel. Evelyn couldn’t help but feel sorry for Zarish, far more than she ever had for herself. She gritted her teeth, deep furrows forming between her brows.

The bows equipped by the soldiers were quite powerful. They creaked as they were drawn back, then pointed into the air in formation. The combination of the elite archers and enhancers allowed the arrows to defy the laws of physics, turning them into deadly weapons heading straight toward their target.

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! The arrows were launched all at once, flying through the air in a slight arc before speeding forward in a straight line. Those at the castle wall seemed to notice they were being fired upon and quickly raised a barrier, but the first half of the volley tore through the barrier, and the remaining half pierced their targets.

The spray of blood belonged to Zarish’s servants that were restrained at his sides. Despite being restrained, sparks had flashed before Zarish as he deflected the incoming arrows. He had countered them with some invisible force, and he stood there breathing heavily.

The commotion from the castle walls was carried over by the wind. The sudden attack had caused chaos among the defenders. Watching them run about in confusion, the man rubbed his beard again.

“Ah, so he has already begun learning to control the Guardian Beast. Quite the troublesome bloodline, indeed.”

“B-But what shall we do...?!”

“Use piercing arrows. Continue the barrage, and he will eventually be exhausted. Do so quickly. Once that’s done, we will break down the castle walls next.”

The staff officer’s words felt like a knife plunging into Evelyn’s heart as she remained, lurking in the shadows. She turned toward the rumbling below to find the cavalry soldiers. They had already begun to breach the defensive line. All she could feel was despair, and she couldn’t stop her body from trembling.

(What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?!) Evelyn completely lost her composure and was unable to think straight. She would only get herself killed if she jumped out now, and it was unlikely that she would be able to stop that man’s orders. If, by some miracle, she could stop the arrow volleys, there was still an army to deal with. Even if she somehow slipped past it and headed to the castle walls, she wouldn’t make it in time.

Zarish was just someone she had worked with once. There was no reason to risk her life for him, and she still had time to flee if she made her move now. Her rational side told her that getting out of there before her escape route got cut off was the best option.

However, a thought crossed her mind.

If she just sat there and watched him die, what would she have left?

Then came another thought. What was wrong with a dark elf falling in love?

If she did escape this situation, she would only return to that miserable life that could hardly have been called living. So, once... Just once, maybe she could do what she felt was right. When she couldn’t finish that salty smoked meat, he laughed and finished the rest without minding the fact that she had taken a bite of it. Why couldn’t she cherish such memories?

Evelyn sniffled, then tapped deep into the powers bestowed upon her as a dark elf. She had feared her own ability to contain a spirit inside of her and had sealed it away since childhood, but now she accepted it with all of her being.

“Dwell inside me, Valkyrie...!”

Valkyrie, the spirit of bravery... Evelyn’s body grew so hot that it felt as if it would emit smoke, and her powerful muscles bulged even further. She tossed her robe aside, and the wild and beautiful dark elf stood tall.

An unknown force came out of her mouth as she let out a low growl, and she sprinted forward with an explosive burst of energy.

Even she couldn’t stop it now. She could feel it just from the pure heat that was being expelled with her breath. Several of the soldiers seemed to notice her as she leaped forward, but they readied their bows anyway. Evelyn stared at their throats.

“Hrgh!”

“Nngh!”

She reflexively tossed out her knives, each of them embedding themselves into the archers’ throats. The war horses whinnied as the smell of blood filled the air.

“A dark elf?! Where did you come from?!”

She darted forward as she mentally told them to shut up. They had no right to look down on her after deceiving Zarish and laughing as they tried to kill him.

The officer’s voice rang out behind her, but she disregarded it as she drew a sword from its sheath. The one-handed sword had a slight arc to it and glinted in the sunlight. It was as brilliant as some kind of holy sword, and Evelyn, so full of courage in that moment, had an animalistic grin on her face.

She sensed something flying toward her from behind. Evelyn instinctively tilted her head to the side, and an arrow passed through the spot her head had been just a moment ago.

She felt no fear for the death lurking around the corner. There was no need to think. She would dive into the fray as she saw fit and save him. The two who were so detested by the world would hold hands and flee together. If anyone planned to get in the way...

“Who the hell...?!”

“Get out of the way!” Evelyn shouted at the giant cavalry soldiers charging toward her from the side. Even the spear closing in on her was nothing to fear. She quickly darted to the left and right with intricate steps to evade the weapon, then immediately jumped up and sliced the soldier’s throat. The soldier made pained gestures as blood sprayed out of his wound, but she just kicked off of the horse, flipped in the air, and then kicked the rider right in the throat. She switched places with him as his body fell to the ground, then took hold of the reins.

The black charger continued running, but looked back at Evelyn with its blue eyes, as if wondering what was going on. A spark could be heard from its eye as Evelyn sent a spirit into the creature. Elves had been adept at handling animals since the olden days.

The muscles throughout the black armored horse’s body bulged, and a barrier was formed around it as the beast charged forward. To no one’s surprise, countless arrows were released into the air as the horse ran through the front lines. But Evelyn felt no fear. There was only one thought in her head at the moment.

...Faster. Faster. Faster! After several seconds of delay, the arrows rained down upon her. The transparent barrier and war horse were both quite powerful, but they could only buy so much time while being shot at from the rear and castle walls. The barrier could be heard cracking under the accumulating damage. Yet, she still didn’t fear death. Through the sound of thundering hooves, all she could think of was him.

She couldn’t help but sympathize.

Welcomed by no one, trusted by no one, all he could do was continue resisting his accursed fate. She couldn’t just let him die after being used without his efforts coming to fruition. That officer, the cowardly men at the castle, and the rest of the soldiers on the battlefield deserved no forgiveness. Rage brewed within her like a boiling pot.

The horse flew through the air as its leg was pierced by an arrow, and Evelyn used the impact to leap forward once again. She used her muscles like a coil to power her momentum, then kicked off of a slight protrusion on the castle wall.

As she continued forward while moving to the left and right to evade arrows from above, she could feel the spirit controlling her body growing more active. Letting this go any further would be dangerous. Her instincts told her that even her well-trained body would break down under the stress if she continued.

But that didn’t matter. No one loved her in the first place; if she couldn’t save him, she had no qualms about losing her life trying. The veins in her arms bulged as she clung to the 50-meter-tall wall and lifted herself up.

Her breath was so hot, it felt as if she was breathing fire. Under the breathtakingly blue sky was a row of heavily armored soldiers with large shields at the ready.

A strong gust of wind blew by, and the soldiers were visibly shaken by her exposed dark skin and long ears. Evelyn, on the other hand, was relieved from the bottom of her heart. Before she knew it, a smile was spreading across her face. On the other side of the soldiers, she could see Zarish in chains. She had made it just in time.

Evelyn spoke to him with the same cheerful tone she had used on that day when the darkness in her heart had been cleared.

“Long time no see, Zarish.”

“What... are you doing here...?” Some greeting that was. Arrows passed under her armpit and where her head had been before she dodged it with a head tilt, and several spears were thrust forward in an attempt to knock her down. It was quite a lot of work getting here, so the least he could have done was acknowledge the effort. Though, that wouldn’t have been enough. Hearing his voice for the first time in years, she could feel her heart thumping.

She had to move forward without fear. It wasn’t as if she had anything like smarts to offer. This momentum was her everything. And despite the seemingly hopeless situation, even a child could tell what she had to do next.

And so, she leaped into the air, kicked off of an armored soldier’s shoulder, flipped in midair, and used the momentum to deliver a blow to Zarish’s shackles. The impact broke the magic seal along with the metal shackles, setting him free at last.

As silence fell around them, Evelyn could feel that she had made the right move. It was as if the heavy chains were there out of fear of letting loose a ferocious beast, and they looked as if their worst nightmare had come true.

After a moment’s pause, Zarish unleashed his fury.

“Ah, ah, ah...!”

“Kill him!”

They were so afraid of him that they gave the order to kill him, despite him being a hostage. Zarish’s inexplicable powers, the so-called Guardian Beast mentioned by the officer, allowed him to cut up those around him without a sword. And so, he trampled down his foes. He deflected swords as they tried to attack him and brutally cut down his former allies without an ounce of mercy. Now that his hands and feet were free, he raged through the castle walls like a tempest.

An authority figure among the soldiers had his skull caved in, and then the other elite soldiers were sent flying through the air in the next moment. All Evelyn could do was sit there with a blank expression as the chaos unfolded and red blood sprayed everywhere.

“Ha ha, haaah! Die, you dirty bastards!!!” It was like Zarish’s rage and dark emotions had manifested into a storm. Evelyn was afraid that happy smile she had seen that day would disappear along with everything else.

But she realized there wasn’t much time to think about that when she noticed the enemy army’s dragon flying toward them from above. Dragging Zarish out of there as he still tried to continue his rampage was no easy task.

§

Zarish awakened and found himself in a forest.

Burning farmland and a crumbling defensive line could be seen in the distance, and everywhere he looked was filled with smoke. It was thanks to the smoke that they were able to conceal themselves, but Evelyn felt conflicted.

This place would no longer be habitable until the war was over. The water wheel was engulfed in flames, and the scenery she had admired for so long had vanished just like that. As Evelyn stared, dumbfounded, Zarish approached her. She turned to him and saw his haggard face glancing around, trying to understand the current situation.

Then, he spoke weakly.

“It’s fine. This isn’t even my land or anything. I wasn’t born here either. They can all die, for all I care.” With that, Zarish plopped down onto the ground.

Evelyn wasn’t sure if she should let him be, but tentatively asked, “What do you want to do now?” He paused.

“I’m sick of it all. I’m tired of trying to please others and letting others control my fate.” Zarish picked at the grass on the ground before him. He looked pale, and there was a darkness to his eyes, as if he was already dead. It felt as if he would perish right then and there if Evelyn left him there, and the thought pained her.

“Damn it, damn it! None of them even had the guts to face me head-on! Those fucking cowards just love their scheming, don’t they?! How dare they look down on me...” He exhaled, his shoulders trembling. Evelyn gently embraced him, but he roughly smacked her cheek with his fist. She ignored it and hugged him again, and he didn’t resist this time.

“I want to kill them... I want to kill everyone who tried to kill me!” Evelyn shed tears as she listened to his strained voice. The darkness inside of him had grown so much deeper since they last met. It engulfed him so completely that she couldn’t even see the Zarish she once knew. If one wanted to live for a long time, they had to kill their emotions. This went for both the dark elf and Zarish.

It was so utterly unfortunate. He was once such a kind young man.

Evelyn then stole two horses and set out with him to cross the border.

Having been drained of his spirit, Zarish just did as Evelyn directed him. But his gloominess made her uneasy, like watching a stew continuously boiling under pressure. And so, she tried many times to speak to him cheerfully like she had pictured in her dreams.

“I heard there’s a country far away where there’s nothing but sand. Wanna go check it out together?”

“...”

“Oh, I wonder if this horse will be okay there. They say the ground is scorching hot.”

“Shut up, dark elf.”

I wish you’d call me Evelyn. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

One day, Evelyn’s traveling expenses were exhausted. There was nothing left she could trade for goods, and she didn’t want to waste much time hunting animals with persistent pursuers on their tail. The only thing she had left was the golden ring on her ring finger.

“Um, I’ll go sell this at a nearby village.”

“Do it. It’s useless anyway.” He was right. This ring was supposedly going to establish its Primary Skill when her love bloomed. That meant it was useless at this point, so it might have been more beneficial to sell it. But for some reason, she found herself sniffling, and tears blurred her vision. She didn’t understand why herself, but it seemed she was sad about it.

Just what was this thing? Why did she acquire something that would wilt away without ever blooming? The sound of migratory birds flapping their wings. A green topaz found at the river. These and her ring were her favorite things that she had always looked forward to when settling down to sleep at night. She was going to lose one of the things precious to her.

As Evelyn held her horse’s reins and stepped toward the village, Zarish called out for her. But it wasn’t out of consideration for her loss.

“Wait, dark elf. You’re just like them, aren’t you? You’re thinking of selling me out.”

“What? Why would you... I would never do that.” She felt her shoulders tremble. His eyes were like those of a beast, and the way he looked at her like an enemy scared her. But he misinterpreted the reason she was trembling. It had reaffirmed his suspicion.

He grabbed her by the collar and pushed her against the ground before she could raise her voice. The road was nearby, and if she shouted, someone could hear and help her, if she was lucky. But something told her that would only end up poorly for Zarish.

And so, Evelyn gave up everything as his hands closed around her neck.

She had lived as a dark elf, hated by others, only to be killed by the man she loved in the end. Perhaps it was a fitting end for her. Well, it was better than getting killed by some stranger. But the way he looked at her like an enemy as he choked her made her horribly sad.

Sadness. Such deep sadness.

It pained her to think that he would lose the will to go on and die soon after.

As everything gradually turned red, her final words left her mouth without conscious thought.

“Za...rish... Good...bye... don’t die... Please, be... happy...”

That was everything. There were no other words to leave for him in this world. She wanted him to live on. She wanted him to be happy. And she wanted him to laugh again, like he did so long ago. That was why she had mustered up her courage to charge through that battlefield.

His hand trembled, and the pressure upon her throat suddenly vanished. He pressed his head against her, letting out a guttural cry.

“Uuurgh... Evelyn! Aghhh!” On the verge of passing out, Evelyn repeatedly gasped for breath as she held his head against her.

He was the only one. He was the only one who ever spoke to her with kindness. Zarish cried like a big child, his hot tears landing on her as he wept. She accepted its warmth lovingly, holding tight onto his head with both arms. She didn’t want his heart to break ever again.

“I want my own country! Urgh, all my own...!”

You don’t need a country. Besides, I already know... You’re a very kind person. You scare easily, and you’d flee right away if you didn’t have your blades surrounding you.

You kept your promise and shared your smoked meat with me.

You’re a strange person who waited the whole time for a dark elf to stop crying, even though we’re hated by everyone. You did what you could to survive, wearing that mask of confidence despite being so afraid. And you remembered my name and face after all this time, just as you promised.

I finally understand now. As soon as I held his head in my arms, I understood. I always wondered what love is. Love... is to know someone. It’s when someone is precious to you even after knowing all of the pure and dark parts about them.

He’s the kind of man who tried to choke me out, so he’s probably not a very good person. I even risked my life to save him. I can’t believe he’d do such a thing, and I’ve heard people say this is the kind of man who made women miserable.

But he’s still precious to me. I don’t want him to die. I want him to eat some delicious food, sleep well, and be as lively as he was back then. Things will be hard with pursuers on our tail, but I’d love to eat some smoked meat with you again some time. What do you think?

Before I knew it, tears wet my face as they rolled down my cheeks. I wondered why I was crying so much, but then realized it was because Zarish’s tears were landing on my cheeks, too.

I held his hands softly. I thought to myself that it would all be okay. We were probably the only ones who understood what it was like to be looked down upon, condemned, and abused until our hearts were in tatters like this.

Just then, something glimmered nearby. It was the ring on my ring finger, shining as if it had been waiting for this moment the whole time. Zarish and I widened our eyes in surprise.

“What... is this?”

“It’s my Primary Skill, I think,” I whispered.

The golden light may have been born from her purity.

For protecting a loved one. For protecting someone as their master. For uniting two people into one after exposing themselves and understanding one another. Such were the effects of the Primary Skill being realized.

Evelyn slipped the ring off of her finger, and it separated into two pieces with a click. She realized that this must have been its true form, meant to connect one with their lover.

“Here, Zarish. This one’s for you. It’s very special, okay?”

And so, they each wore the matching rings, and Zarish returned to his former, kind personality. Under Evelyn’s blessing, peace had returned to his mind once more.

But perhaps it only served to suppress the other half of his two-sided nature. The long period they had peacefully spent together on their journey ever since was like a dream, but his vicious nature had remained lurking underneath.

Such were the events that occurred far before Team Diamond was formed. A story of the detested, ruined prince and a dark elf. The events of this story were directly connected to the present.

And so, the tale told to the jewels in the manor quietly came to an end.

§

The glass cups were well-polished, and the plates had been neatly organized on the shelves.

The lightless kitchen was completely silent, save for the sound of the wind outside. A single, moonlit flower sat on the windowsill, swaying gently in the faint wind coming in from the slightly open window. The residents of the manor knew that these flowers were an offering from the people to honor their former king.

With the dinner party and story having come to a close, the beautiful women of the so-called collection slept peacefully.

An intruder appeared, scanning their surroundings cautiously. The middle-aged man snuck in without making a sound in his filthy attire and unkempt hair.

“Urgh!”

Light suddenly filled the room, revealing the man’s surprised face. He stood there, frozen in place, and then his eyes turned toward the woman controlling the light spirit. There stood Eve the dark elf with her hand on her waist.

“Gozlov, have you been hiding all this time?”

“Yeah... A thug like me doesn’t belong in a garden full of women.” The man named Gozlov looked troubled by the dissatisfied expression on the girl’s face.

He was the one person who didn’t have a ring on during Zarish’s reign. He had witnessed what the women had gone through, and the abuse toward Evelyn, as well. It wouldn’t have been surprising if they bore hostility toward him. That was why he had been in hiding despite being a member of the same team.

Eve sighed, then showed him the package that she had been holding in her hand.

“This is what you’re looking for, right? I prepared all the leftovers and wine for you. I was wondering why the food’s been going missing lately. If it was anyone else, I would’ve noticed right away.”

“Ah, thanks! I’ve known you for a long time now, but you’re a real catch, Eve.”

Eve didn’t seem to be flattered by the compliment, and she made an awkward face as she handed the bottle to Gozlov. They each pulled up a chair facing each other, and the man took a sip of the wine. It seemed to be of fine quality, and his eyes widened at the taste.

The man sighed as if memories of the old days had come flooding in. He poured the wine into a nearby glass and offered it to her out of habit from having worked with her for so long.

“Boy, how things have changed. I could hear the cheerfulness in here from all the way outside.”

“Yeah, it was fun. Everyone’s so full of life. I’m sure we’ll accomplish a lot in the labyrinths.” Evelyn clenched her fist in a gesture of determination, and wrinkles creased the man’s face as he smiled. He was talking about Evelyn herself, but it seemed she didn’t notice. Her healthy skin and dazzling smile were so attractive that it almost made his head spin.

Gozlov was truly surprised by the fact that Zarish’s domination had come to an end and she had regained control of him. The monster that had killed everything in his path was terrifying enough that he could control Gozlov even without using a ring.

The man’s breath smelled of alcohol as he proposed a question.

“So, where’s the boss man now?”

“He said he’ll be sleeping in the shed for a while. According to him, he doesn’t want to scare everyone.” The look on her face told him she felt a bit conflicted, and he made a noncommittal grunt in response. Judging by her word choice, it seemed Zarish was able to act on his own will without being ordered. When the women had been enslaved, all they had done was heed Zarish’s every word.

“Sheesh, you’ve changed. Well, that’s fine. I was worried about when the boss man would die.”

Zarish had somewhat of a self-destructive nature. Evelyn knew this and didn’t deny the comment as she sipped some wine.

“Anyway, you really surprised me, Eve. You’re not that different whether you have that ring on or not. I had no idea you were so in love with the boss man.”

“Hee hee, I might not look it, but I guess I’m single-minded like that. I just might follow him around forever.” Gozlov chuckled. He would have been thrilled to be followed around by such a lovely and attractive woman forever.

The path to destruction had vanished, leaving only this beauty. Gozlov thought that, in that sense, perhaps Zarish was happier being under control, and took another swig of wine.

§

“You seem to be awfully over-equipped for someone going to the shed.” A voice called out to Zarish as he tried to leave through the front door.

Puseri slowly revealed herself out of the darkness. The way her hair wavered like countless black roses and the cold air she expelled gave her a completely different impression from the dinner party. Her pale skin could be seen in stark contrast to her hair of twilight.

Zarish knew this was likely her true nature. Understandably, her emotions were fully exposed toward the man who had killed her family. Her eyes were full of murder, and she likely wanted to tear her despised enemy into shreds right then and there.

But someone else would have been hurt if she did so. Evelyn, who still loved him, would suffer devastating trauma and leave the manor if Zarish was to be killed. Puseri Blackrose was the type of master who would protect others while hiding her own pain.

“Lady Puseri, I intend to fulfill my duty now,” Zarish stated concisely, and Puseri let out a small gasp. He was saying that he would go to the castle and confess to his crimes. Considering the gravity of his crimes, this was likely terrifying for him. She hesitated.

“Did Eve order you to do this?”

“No, my lady. I thought this would be for the best. For everyone, and for myself. I will explain about the ring, as well. I don’t want to drag this wonderful manor into all of this.” In other words, he intended to admit that he was the one behind the entire scheme. In a sense, the fact that they had been under the control of the ring was convenient. It would serve to prove the innocence of the women who lived at the manor.

The two stared at each other for some time in complete silence.

Puseri understood this was a dangerous situation. They were in a precarious state in which everyone, including herself, was trying to be considerate of Evelyn, yet they feared Zarish at the same time. It seemed he was the only one among them that realized the best solution.

Despite finding him detestable, there was a tiny part of her that was relieved. Perhaps, she thought, Zarish had changed after all.

“I shall accompany you. I cannot let a man walk around at night by himself.”

“Is it not usually the other way around? Oh, but I would be honored, of course.”

Puseri stood alongside Zarish, who was visibly nervous and awkward. If Zarish’s schemes that he had been secretly coordinating with the neighboring country became known, it would have dealt a heavy blow to all of Arilai. And yet, his steps didn’t waver.

He would likely undergo torture beyond description. He may have even ended up being put to death. But if he were to overcome this peril, perhaps Team Diamond could finally be reformed in earnest.

The fruit of their efforts would only come after an unfathomable amount of time and patience. And so, the two set out into the night as their first step toward that goal.

— Chapter of Diamond END —