Book 1 Chapter 611
611.
Elsie was an arch-spirit unlike an arch-spirit.
Arch-spirits are special beings.
From the moment they are born, countless spirits gather around them to bless the birth of a new arch-spirit.
They are exalted beings, born with the power to rule over spirits from the moment of their birth, and possessing immense power.
Naturally, they became accustomed to being revered, and inevitably became proud and authoritative beings.
But Elsie was different.
The era in which Elsie was born was darker than any other.
She was born on a battlefield where people were dying, and when she opened her eyes, there was no one to bless her birth.
Those who knew of Elsie's existence pleaded with her to tear her enemies to death.
Elsie fought Tartaros according to their wishes.
But she only witnessed countless deaths.
Eventually, she dwelled in the darkness-eating sword, Schatten, and traversed the battlefield with Agon, the Guardian of the Azure Sky.
Afterward, she hid her identity and lived with the children at Agon's orphanage.
She could have easily become twisted.
But Elsie did not.
Instead, she wanted to save the world.
It wasn't for a grand reason like other arch-spirits.
It was merely a small yet incredibly vast wish: to see the stars in the night sky.
‘And I was disappointed in the world.’
Elsie of the future, whom the current Elsie, the reward for conquering Hero Record, did not know.
Elsie, who witnessed not the malice of Tartaros but the malice of the inhabitants of the surface, was disappointed in the world.
She hated the world.
But even so, she ultimately did not give up on the world she was born into.
She did not give up on the beautiful world she had not seen.
She chose Kyle instead of Lysianas, trying to find a reason for this world to continue existing.
And eventually, she sacrificed herself for this world.
Whenever Leo saw Elsie, he thought.
What if, back then, Elsie had not vanished?
What if she had survived to the end and seen the stars in the night sky?
‘Perhaps… it would have been the same as now.’
Even now, every night, Elsie smiles brightly as she gazes at the stars in the night sky.
She rejoices in small things and is genuinely happy.
That was what made her different from other arch-spirits.
A spirit so kind she didn't even know how to get angry.
Elsie, the Shadow Spirit, who merely smiles gently even when insulted.
That Elsie was now angry.
Leo's expression turned flustered at her unusual intensity.
“Are you angry?”
-I cannot forgive it.
Elsie said in an emotionless voice.
-Looking at Leo with eyes like that.
Currently, Istar was looking at Leo as if he had seen something very unpleasant.
That gaze bothered Elsie.
To Elsie, Leo was a benefactor before he was a covenant partner.
A benefactor for whom dedicating her very existence would not be enough, for showing her the night sky she could never see and gifting her a peace she could not have enjoyed.
When she met Ignis and Laaruel.
Ignis and Laaruel insulted and mocked Elsie.
But Elsie didn't mind.
From their perspective, it was natural for them to do so.
She was merely a phantom of the past, so it wasn't strange for them to ignore her.
But insulting Leo was a different matter entirely.
Leo spoke in response to Elsie's flat words.
“First, calm down.”
It was when Leo was trying to calm Elsie.
“Hmph.”
Istar's scoff echoed.
“Ignis's subordinate spirit? Hmph! That insidious fellow doesn't seem to be able to manage even one lower spirit properly.”
Istar, sitting on his throne with his chin propped up, completely ignored Elsie and looked at Leo.
“You impudent one. You came to me to form a covenant with me, didn't you?”
“Yes.”
“Hmph! You are arrogant and disrespectful. You must think there's nothing else when you've contracted with the spirits of the Abyss and Radiance.”
-You're the one who can't see anything!
“Hmph. Old hag. Have you finally gone senile?”
Laaruel, who appeared beside Leo, said urgently.
-Istar! I know what you're thinking! But at least treat Sir Leo as a covenant partner candidate!
“Ha! Sir Leo? I'm disappointed! Spirit of Radiance! I wasn't fond of you, but I highly valued and acknowledged your spirit! You, an arch-spirit who has lived for thousands of years, are using an honorific to a mere human!”
Istar's eyes widened.
“A covenant partner of an arch-spirit is a being who reveres and serves the arch-spirit! In other words! A subordinate! Yet you use honorifics to such a covenant partner! The Spirit of the Abyss must be the same! You two are a disgrace to arch-spirits!”
-…That pervert old man. He can't read the room at all, can he?
Kieran muttered, looking dumbfounded.
Even now, Istar was looking at Leo with disgust.
As if he absolutely could not tolerate Leo's existence, who had brought contracts with arch-spirits and the three great beast-gods, and now came to contract with him.
‘Normally, I would have dealt with anyone spouting such nonsense, but…’
Leo glanced at Elsie.
He sighed at the sight of her, resembling the cold Shadow Spirit he first met.
‘I think Elsie will step up before I do.’
“I'll show you how an arch-spirit should treat a covenant partner.”
Clack-!
Istar curled his lips and snapped his fingers.
Then, Celia appeared from behind the throne.
Elsie's eyes narrowed when she saw Celia.
-Leo.
“Yes, she's unconscious.”
Celia, dressed in a flamboyant red dress and wielding a splendid red longsword instead of her usual Flame Storm, appeared to be unconscious.
‘That sword and dress must be top-tier Fire Spirits.’
Celia's red eyes sparkled.
“Spirit Armored. Forced possession?”
“Hoho? Indeed. You have an unusual discernment for someone who has contracted with two arch-spirits.”
Istar curled his lips.
“They say you've researched magic formulas, and you handle them quite uniquely.”
Seeing this, Laaruel looked flabbergasted.
-Istar! No matter what, this is too much! Forcibly possessing a subordinate spirit with Spirit Armored and taking away her consciousness! This is an insult to a covenant partner! Moreover, Celia Zerdineger has no aptitude as a spirit user! It's natural for her body to be strained!
“Hmph. I know best about the blood of Tungkang. Even if Celia Zerdineger has no aptitude as a spirit user, her wavelength matches well with the spirit of flame!”
Istar's eyes gleamed.
“I thought after losing my precious covenant partner for decades! I will never repeat such a thing! My covenant partner must die or live according to my will!”
-You… No… You bastard.
At that moment, Elsie's voice became icy.
Hearing that voice, Leo smiled.
‘She's completely lost it.’
It was an exact replica of how she looked when she fought with genuine fury 5000 years ago.
Leo subtly distanced himself from Elsie.
Istar's current actions were absolutely unacceptable to Elsie.
During the Age of Calamity, Elsie had desperately awaited a covenant partner.
A covenant partner who would save the world with her.
But at the same time, she wondered.
Could she find a covenant partner in that desperate era?
It was different from the present age, where one could refuse a contract simply because they didn't like it.
Istar, who treated a covenant partner like an object, was the kind of person Elsie could never tolerate.
“You've been spouting arrogant nonsense for a mere lower spirit of darkness, ever since…!”
The moment Istar spoke with displeasure.
Shadows around the throne surged up.
Kwagagagagang! Kwang! Kugagagang!
The shadows crushed the spot where Istar had been.
“Leo.”
Leo looked sideways.
A beautiful woman with black hair was looking at Leo.
It was Elsie's original form.
“Please leave that spirit to me.”
Leo nodded at Elsie's words.
Thud- Thud-
Elsie walked towards where the throne had been.
There was a giant hole there.
Elsie, looking down at it with an expressionless face, stepped into the hole.
Watching her, Kieran muttered.
-I'm never going to defy Elsie again.
Cheep! Cheep!
It was when Fiona nodded.
-Master. Will she be alright?
Arti asked with a worried expression.
Laaruel also said urgently.
-Sir Leo! A fight here is too disadvantageous for Lady Elsie!
This was Istar's domain.
Even for a battle between arch-spirits of equal power, fighting in another arch-spirit's domain was an extremely dangerous act.
Fighting here didn't just mean the Spirit of Purification was the enemy.
It meant all Fire Spirits present here would become enemies.
Compared to Elsie, Laaruel was in a better position.
Laaruel also commanded countless subordinate spirits, though not as many as Istar.
But Elsie was completely alone.
Listening to Arti and Laaruel, Leo looked at Celia, who was approaching him.
“She'll be fine.”
Screech-!
Leo drew his sword.
“She's a little special, you see.”
-Huh?
Leo gave a wry smile.
The Shadow Spirit whom Lysianas had recognized as the strongest spirit.
‘It’s just that my capabilities weren't enough to properly draw out that power until now. Elsie herself probably doesn't even know.’
5000 years ago.
Her true power, which had single-handedly annihilated the Necromancer King's legion, which was considered the strongest legion.
***
Thud-thud-thud-
Istar, who had been impaled deep underground, stood up.
Thump-!
Elsie, with an expressionless face, landed in front of Istar.
“You don't seem to be a mere lower spirit after all.”
Istar's muscles twitched menacingly.
“You possess power comparable to an arch-spirit. How did this happen? Did the Spirit of the Abyss vanish and a new arch-spirit of darkness get born without my knowledge?”
“Ignis is doing well.”
Elsie said calmly.
“Then what is your true identity?”
“I am Elsie, the Shadow Spirit. The arch-spirit of darkness from the past.”
“Hoho?”
Istar stroked his chin.
Just a little while ago, he would have shouted at her not to talk nonsense.
But even if Istar had only lived in this palace, he wasn't ignorant of the outside world.
It was an era where great heroes appeared and gods revealed themselves, miracles happening.
“Does that mean it's not strange for an arch-spirit from the past to appear in the present world? Intriguing.”
Istar spread his arms.
“In that case, I have no choice but to treat you as befits an arch-spirit.”
Kwaaaaaaaaah-!
Blue flames raged.
“Hahahahahaha! I shall purify you! Arch-spirit of the past!”
Hwarrrrrrruk-!
“Worship! This is the flame of I, the Spirit of Purification, called the strongest spirit of this era!”
Immense flames engulfed Elsie.
Istar, who had been laughing maniacally, stroked his chin.
“Oh. Was it too hot for the old geezer?”
“Grin and bear it.”
“What?”
Istar flinched at the voice that suddenly came from behind him.
Elsie's fist, wreathed in darkness, violently struck Istar's face.
Kwagagagang-!
“Ugh!”
Istar, slammed into the ground, felt an enormous pressure.
Looking down at Istar, Elsie said.
“If you apologize for looking at Leo disrespectfully and treating Celia carelessly, I will apologize for attacking you.”
“Don't make me laugh!”
Istar sprang to his feet.
“An arch-spirit is a being at the apex of a single attribute! Do you think I would ever bow my head and apologize to anyone?!”
At those words, Elsie blinked.
“Isn't it just a simple difference of opinion? Is there really a need to fight to the death? I feel a little better after punching your face once.”
“It's not that kind of problem!”
Flames blazed even more fiercely from Istar's body.
“An arch-spirit is an exalted being! My word is law! And soon, truth!”
“…”
Elsie made a dumbfounded expression.
‘He's impossible to reason with.’
Elsie had never seen a spirit so full of pride before.
“Hoi.”
Elsie pointed, and a shadow extending from her fingertip extinguished Istar's flames.
“What?!”
Istar was startled and reignited his flames, but Elsie suppressed them once again.
“It seems my power is stronger, doesn't it?”
“Ugh! Unacceptable!”
Hwarrrrrrruk-!
The surrounding area instantly began to blaze.
Elsie was surprised and looked around.
-Ah. That's why I said let's fight together.
-You stubbornly refused, saying you could win alone. What is this embarrassing situation?
What appeared were the top-tier Fire Spirits.
“Hello.”
Elsie bowed politely to them in greeting.
The top-tier Fire Spirits were flustered by Elsie's attitude.
They hadn't imagined that an arch-spirit, even a being from the past, would greet them, who were mere lower spirits.
“Excuse me, but I'm in conversation with this spirit here. Could you please wait a moment?”
At Elsie's words, a beautiful spirit with fiery hair that reached her waist gave a wry smile.
-I'm sorry, but I don't think that will be possible.
“Huh?”
-For a lower spirit, the command of the arch-spirit they serve is absolute.
Hwarrrrrrruk-!
The top-tier spirits spewed flames.
In response, mighty flames began to surge from Istar's body.
Elsie's face stiffened slightly at his increasingly powerful flames.
Seeing Elsie, Istar grinned.
“You will regret starting a fight in my domain, Shadow Spirit.”
Kwagagagagang-!
A massive explosion of flames engulfed Elsie.
***
Elsie felt her consciousness fading.
‘Oh? Did I fall to the floor?’
Elsie, flustered, recalled the situation from a moment ago.
‘Ah… I was fighting the Spirit of Purification.’
And she seemed to have momentarily lost consciousness after being hit by a powerful attack.
‘I have to get up.’
Elsie tried to raise her body.
But her body wouldn't obey.
It was then that Elsie frowned.
“You are a special spirit, Elsie.”
It was a voice she had heard somewhere before.
Elsie turned her head towards the direction of the voice.
And there, a beautiful woman with black hair smiled as she looked at Elsie.
‘This person is…’
A face she knew well.
‘The King of Wisdom…?’
Lysianas, who had walked over to Elsie, crouched down.
“Because shadows are another me.”
The black dragon before her understood darkness as well as the spirit of darkness itself.
“And there is no being in this world without a shadow.”
Lysianas smiled gently.
“So, use that power to help Kyle.”
‘…This conversation… from somewhere?’
Elsie's eyes widened.
She had never had such a conversation with Lysianas.
No, she had never even met the real Lysianas in the first place.
But… she vaguely remembered it.
She had definitely exchanged these lines with Lysianas somewhere.
‘Ah…’
Elsie's eyes widened.
‘Memories of another me?’
Grab-!
Something grabbed Elsie's hair.
The top-tier Fire Spirit who had spoken to Elsie said.
-Are you really going to execute her? We might end up at odds with Leo Plov.
“Hmph. That has nothing to do with me.”
-Anyway… always doing as he pleases. Grow up a little.
“What did you just say! Alsia!”
-Nothing.
It was when Alsia, the top-tier Fire Spirit, sighed and raised her hand at her childish master's behavior.
“Your name is Alsia.”
Alsia, who turned her head at the soft voice, met Elsie's eyes and felt something drop, thud.
Elsie smiled gently and said.
“Alsia.”
-Yes?
“Would you like to come into my shadow?”
Alsia's red eyes, meeting Elsie's black eyes, instantly became tinged with black.