"..."

"..."

"….."

As the carriage kept on moving towards the Sylvan Kingdom, a pin-drop silence was inside it.

Reagan shifted in his place as he didn't look up.

Akamir sat on the other side as he kept on glaring at the teddy bear.

Mika sat by his side though she seemed more confused than anyone here.

Akamir let out a sigh as he rubbed his temples in frustration. "Why did you do it?"

Reagan finally looked at the young man. "I told you, didn't I?" he replied. "I can help you—."

"And I said, I don't need it," Akamir cut in his words. "What part of it was not understandable?"

Reagan glared back at Akamir. "What do you know?" he barked. "How can I be sure you won't just die while helping the elves!?"

Akamir frowned his brows. "Why do you care?"

"I care, you stupid boy," he replied, his voice slowly dying down. "I care because you are chosen by my goddess."

Akamir turned silent as he instinctively reached for his earring.

Mika looked between the two, her gaze flicking from Akamir to the talking teddy bear.

Reagan crossed his arms, or at least tried to—his little stuffed arms only barely moved. "I can't let you die, you are the only one who can lead me to her."

Akamir let out a sigh as he rubbed his temples in frustration.

For better or worse, he actually got why Reagan was doing all this.

After all, the Exalted Empyrean has given him the courtesy of being in her presence.

He leaned back on his chair as he looked at Reagan. "Why do you want to see her anyway?"

Reagan remained silent for a while as he reflected on his past.

He didn't say anything as time kept on ticking.

Finally, he whispered. "I just want to know, why was I abandoned."

Akamir didn't respond right away.

The words hung in the air like smoke as he stared at the thousand-year-old teddy.

Even Mika, who had been awkwardly fidgeting beside Akamir, went still.

The gentle creak of the carriage wheels rolling over uneven ground was the only sound for a long while.

Reagan's glassy eyes stared straight ahead. "She created me. Gave me a soul. Then left me behind like I didn't matter."

Akamir leaned forward slightly. "Do you remember her?"

"I remember pieces," Reagan said quietly. "Her warm hands, her songs… her face, I remember some but not all."

The judge of apathy remained stoic at his words. "She must have had a reason."

"Reason or not," Reagan said, his voice heavier than his tiny form should allow, "I want answers. I want to look her in the eye and ask why I wasn't enough."

Akamir stared at him, as he remembered the woman on the moon.

"You think meeting her will fix that?"

"I don't know," Reagan admitted. "But if I don't try, it'll eat me up from the inside."

Akamir nodded slowly, eyes drifting to the window.

The trees outside had grown taller, their branches brushing the sides of the carriage.

"I won't promise anything," Akamir said at last. "I'm not doing this for you nor am I sure if I will ever meet her again."

Reagan didn't argue. "Then let me help you help elves as a gesture. That's all I ask."

Akamir gave a slow nod.

That was enough for now.

"Alright," he muttered. "But if you become a problem, I'll throw you out myself."

Reagan gave a small chuckle. "Fair enough."

"You have me, master," Mika said, looking at him. "I would keep you safe no matter the danger."

Akamir gave a faint smile. "I know."

Mika beamed at his words, visibly pleased.

The carriage continued its journey, the forest outside growing denser with every passing mile.

The sun peeked through the canopy above, casting shifting patterns of gold and green on the carriage walls.

Reagan shifted again, fluffing his stubby legs. "I think we should've taken the southern route. Safer roads and fewer bandits."

"And more Church patrols for some odd reason," Akamir replied. "I'm not in the mood to be stopped by them."

Reagan grumbled something under his breath. "Still don't like you taking this risk."

"You've made that clear three times already," Akamir said.

Silence returned, though this time it felt less tense.

The worst of the argument had passed, for now.

Akamir leaned back on his chair as he closed his eyes.

"Wake me up, when we are going to rest."

Mika nodded in response. "Yes, my lord."

---

[The days later.]

Akamir and Mika stood at the front gate of the Sylvan Kingdom.

Akamir, by his previous interaction with the elves, was already more or less aware of things.

He used his knowledge to get back to the gate that they once had crossed.

Akamir glanced to his side as Reagan was sitting on his shoulder.

'Why doesn't he wait even a little bit?'

Akamir wondered as he didn't feel anything on him.

'Well, he is made up of cotton so….'

Akamir sighed as he began to walk and Mika followed behind him calmly.

The procedure to get inside the place was same as before as Akamir was led by one of the elves.

He was different from before but suspicious nonetheless.

"Why did you come back?" the elf asked, as he recognized Akamir. "It hasn't been long since you left."

"I have things to do," Akamir replied, without being too oppressive. "And I do have the permission."

The elf grunted but didn't rebuke.

Akamir had already asked Lili for an easy way to get inside the kingdom without alerting Lewin.

Though it was hard, they did find a person who was ready to help them.

The easiest way to get in without any suspicion was to make an appointment with a high-ranking elf.

Empress Sephrina had found one that could help him with that.

'….Hmm?'

As Akamir walked past the soldiers and curious children, he couldn't help but notice.

….Their faces.

Most of them were pale, that Akamir was sure it wasn't natural.

"…Oh, goddess," Reagan whispered with a trembling voice. "They are showing signs of being infected."

Akamir slowed his steps.

He didn't need Reagan's words to confirm what he already suspected.

Mika noticed it too. Her hand moved to the hilt of her blade.

"No signs of wounds," she whispered. "But something's… wrong."

"It's not physical," Reagan said softly from Akamir's shoulder. "It's in the spirit."

"How far has it spread?" Akamir asked under his breath.

"Hard to say," Reagan replied. "But it's much faster than both of our expectations."

Akamir remained silent as he kept on looking at the children.

'The distance between Malik Town and capital city is almost three days.'

So, Akamir couldn't understand how the infection spread so fast?

'…Unless, one of the infected was brought here.'

Akamir clicked his tongue as he came to the conclusion.

That means the infection that should have taken weeks to spread will now be done in days.

'….This is getting more and more troublesome.'

Akamir's gaze lingered on the children as they played, unaware of the sickness quietly eating away at them.

"Master?" Mika called softly.

Akamir nodded once, snapping back into focus. "Let's keep moving."

The elf who guided them didn't bother to wait, clearly uncomfortable with their presence.

He led them through the winding paths of the kingdom, past shops and homes that felt eerily silent.

As they neared their destination, a tall building draped in ivy and white silk banners, the elf finally stopped.

"This is where you'll meet the High Counselor to the Elder Court."

"Thanks," Akamir said, stepping forward.

But the elf didn't move.

He stared at Akamir for a moment, as if debating something.

Then, in a quiet voice, he muttered, "People are disappearing at nights, so it would be better if you stay at home."

Akamir frowned in confusion. "For how long?"

"Four nights," the elf replied. "Maybe five."

He turned and left before Akamir could ask more.

Mika glanced up at him. "What now?"

Akamir walked inside the building. "We will wait for a while."

She followed behind Akamir as he was looking at the interior.

The place was as much as any other place in the elven kingdom.

Nothing stood out, and Akamir quickly lost interest in the place.

Nayomi, who had been floating around him, couldn't help but mumble. "Hey Akamir."

He looked at her. "What?"

"Be safe," she replied softly. "You aren't immune to the curse."

Akamir frowned at her words. "Doesn't the curse only affect the elves?"

"You are actively trying to get in the path of the Greater One," she replied softly. "There is no saying that she would let it be."

Akamir's brows remained tight as he nodded his head. "I will keep that in mind."

He let out a sigh as Reagan jumped from his shoulder and walked around.

Just as he was going to be comfortable, the door of the building opened once again.

A lady elf walked in.