Sitting on a makeshift, whimpering chair with one leg crossed over the other, Riteinia was chewing on her food in a foul mood. Her sharp, steely eyes gazed at the unchanging scenery of trees in front of her. The forest that surrounded Hossylei Nac was bountiful and rich in resources. Her tribe had been hunting preys to bring back to the elves’ city, as well as to change gears after the Blood Trial. It was the same for their Matriarch, who had elected to go alone. Having finished eating her snack in a ghastly manner, she stretched her hand out for one more.

The large reptilian beast that she was sitting on growled weakly. The creature resembled a chameleon covered in brown fur and its body was five meter long and two meter high. Lying on its side, it took shallow breaths and endured the pain of having its four legs broken and its ribs crushed. Although the animal possessed four beady yellow eyes, each the size of an apple, one of them was missing, having been ripped out and just eaten.

Riteinia ignored her captured bounty’s agony, its caved-in chest as well as the blood leaking from its jaws and empty eye socket as she sat on its neck. While thinking about a certain irritating man, she proceeded to pull out one of the beast’s remaining yellow eyes. The hairy lizard roared in pain as more dark red blood gushed out from the fresh wound.

“Tsk!” [Riteinia]

Annoyed by the loud sounds and shaky movements, she hit the side of its skull with the back of her hand that held the eye. The lizard’s head violently sunk into the ground and the creature stopped moving.

The Matriarch, now having found some peace and quiet, bit into the blood-covered eye like it was a ripe apple.

“Rosaminta would be mad if she saw you treat an imucan like that.” [Itham]

Itham’s voice warned her from behind. When Riteinia turned around, she leveled a frightful glare at the High Elder, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he exaggeratedly shook his head and sighed disappointedly.

“… Its eyes and brain taste better when they’re freshly harvested.” [Riteinia]

“She still wouldn’t approve since ‘freshly harvested’ means ripping them out while the imucan’s still alive.” [Itham]

After a moment of silent glaring, the light green-haired amazon hit the side of the lizard’s head again, but this time, with more force. The result was that half of the half-dead animal’s head caved in.

“There. I killed it properly. No need to worry, we’ll listen to the Gatekeeper’s wishes. Amazons value strength. A being as powerful as her is revered by my kind as well.” [Riteinia]

The Matriarch said as she calmly stood up. Her clothes had blood stains from her kill and meal. It was quite obvious on the yellowish white cloth tied around her waist. Still, she paid no mind to her appearance and gobbled down the entire eye in her hand.

“What about bloodletting? The meat will taste funny if you leave it like that.” [Itham]

Ignoring Itham’s query, the Matriarch simply turned her sharp, golden eyes at him for a moment as she grabbed onto the lizard’s tail. Easily dragging her five meter long bounty behind her, she walked back towards her tribe with the High Elder. No conversation was exchange. Riteinia’s beautiful face was impassive. Her ice cold aura had returned as the fiery rage and passion that she demonstrated earlier during the Blood Trial faded away. It seemed like her attitude of casually killing creatures weaker than her like they were garbage had returned in strength.

However, Itham knew better than that, which was why he elected to avoid holding a conversation on their way back. Inside those frigid, deadly eyes, violent torrents of emotions unceasingly swirled about. Frustration, anger and disappointment silently simmered deep in Riteinia’s heart. Ryner occupied her thoughts, much to her dismay. The desire to rip his guts out, force him in bed and duel him again battled for supremacy. It was probably the same for the other amazons.

“(… A waste.)” [Riteinia]

The Blood Trial played out in her mind again. The skills that Ryner displayed and his blood-stained figure tugged at her instincts once more. He demonstrated that he possessed what her tribe wished for in a man.

Power. Unyielding power that stood even in the face of death.

It was the correct choice to chase after him across the lands. Yet, he couldn’t produce future generations.

“(A damn waste.)” [Riteinia]

He was worthless and she should pay him no mind from now on. But, on second thought, she should just kill him. Ripping his guts out sounded like a good idea.

“My Patriarch…” [Riteinia]

Such words accidentally leaked out from her mouth when she forced down her volatile emotions. Itham wisely chose to ignore what he heard since he could understand her feelings.

“(Ryner, you have horrible luck with women.)” [Itham]

He thought as he wondered if there would be casualties in the next fight between the amazons and Ryner.

After gathering together, the group composed of Ryner, Mi, Rosaminta, Itham and the amazon warriors were returning to Hossylei Nac. Traveling on rock platforms controlled by elves that had been on standby all along during the Blood Trial, they were leisurely relaxing in their own way as the boats propelled by elven magic were steadily advancing towards the city. Most of the amazons, having butchered, tied up and piled up their spoils from hunting, were checking their equipment or just absentmindedly staring at the surface of the huge lake.

However, every now and then, their golden eyes would wander in Ryner’s direction. This was followed by bitter feelings rising up from their guts, which was then followed by an urge to punch something. The main victim was the platform they were sitting on, so the elves on each boat, who were in charge of controlling it, warned them not to punch a hole through it.

“The amazons brought back a lot of meat after their hunt. This is great. And tonight our cousins are having a fishing competition.” [Itham]

The High Elder, seeing the spoils on the other floating platforms, was happily nodding to himself. He and Rosaminta were traveling alone together, so no one could hear their conversation.

“Maybe we should prepare a feast.” [Itham]

“My, my, my, in that case, make sure to honor the amazons during the feast. Those girls did the most work since they got all that meat after hunting so enthusiastically. Ah, invite me too. I love festivals.” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta said while languidly lying on her back and enjoying the breeze. However, with her rich body, skimpy outfit and sweet voice like warm honey, languidness turned into seductiveness. Especially when she stretched her arms out above her head and curved her back since it caused her already prominent chest to become even more obvious.

“It was more like they were using the critters in the forest as outlets to vent their anger, but true.” [Itham]

However, despite the impropriety, Itham, who was controlling the water around the platform, never stared at her with lust. Even though any man would be infatuated, no elf would consider putting their hands on the Gatekeeper, on the guardian of the forest.

“Fufu, venting anger, because of that man, right?” [Rosaminta]

There was an amused glint in her red eyes when she thought about Ryner. Even though any man would be bewitched by her upon first meeting, it didn’t appear to be so for that sleepy head. Even now, on a different platform, he was lying on his back and yawning loudly without a care in the world.

“Speaking of which, what did Ryner want from you?” [Itham]

Itham steered the conversation to the topic that intrigued him the most. Ryner and Rosaminta had returned after a while and, though the sleepy-looking human seemed slightly annoyed, the Gatekeeper was a bit perturbed and, strangely enough, excited.

“Nothing much. I just told him about the past.” [Rosaminta]

“The past?” [Itham]

“Yes. It was nostalgic~.” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta stared at the sky as nostalgia slowly filled her eyes.

“About a time when elves weren’t hunted, when dwarves didn’t need to hide, and when humans and beastmen still spoke more than one language.” [Rosaminta]

Going back a dozen or so minutes earlier…

“Pfft… Hahahaha!” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta rolled on her back and laughed.

“And here I was thinking that you brought me all the way here so we could do something fun in private, but that’s what you want?! More than this body, the barrier interests you more?!” [Rosaminta]

The Gatekeeper seemed to find Ryner’s question really amusing. Ignoring his sleepy, motionless stare and the puppy’s curious countenance, Rosaminta got up while giggling once she was done laughing.

“Learning new things is always fun.” [Ryner]

The man asserted.

“Really?” [Rosaminta]

“… Except for math. It was so painful to learn, even though math is so useful. And then there’s quantum mechanics. I wondered why the hell I was interested in that field during the first lecture. But then I heard about the poor cat and figured that I shouldn’t let its sacrifice be in vain.” [Ryner]

The scantily clad woman had no idea what he said and looked puzzled, but soon smiled again.

“Fufufu, I get the feeling that things are never boring with you around.” [Rosaminta]

Because she was lying on the swampland’s wet ground, mud and grass stuck to Rosaminta’s body, dyeing her light green skin brown. However, she paid it no mind because in the next minute, she easily got rid of it in an inhuman manner.

From the tip of her toes to the top of her head, the surface of her skin started peeling off in the shape of leaves. Moreover, the same phenomenon was happening to her clothes. At that moment, she resembled a porcupine before each of these leaves began vigorously moving and the mud was all steadily flung off. The same applied to her hair that also moved about as if they were snakes.

Not a speck of dirt was left.

“What the heck, that looks freaking useful. Teach it to me if I ever turn green and plant-like.” [Ryner]

Before her sudden queer appearance, Ryner blinked his eyes and seemed amazed, which caused the Gatekeeper to chuckle slightly at his mild and unexpected reaction.

“My, my, my, you’re not surprised, boy? The last time a human saw me like this, he was utterly terrified, even when he had taken all of his clothes off and could hardly wait to do fun things with me.” [Rosaminta]

“That’s because I know you only look human and can do things that humans can’t while the guy probably saw you as a green-skinned human or something and freaked out when you didn’t act like one. Also, don’t call me ‘boy’.” [Ryner]

“Hmmm~.” [Rosaminta]

Hearing him plainly reply and not show a shred of disgust, Rosaminta hummed playfully.

“More importantly, answer my question… And you did meet with humans.” [Ryner]

“Of course I did.” [Rosaminta]

She said just as all of the leaves flattened down and retook the shape of her skin and clothes. One moment she looked like her body was covered in leaf-shaped scales. Then the next, a porcupine as they all flapped about vigorously like wings. Now, her skin was once more smooth and silky soft, easily fooling anyone into believing that the light green-skinned woman was composed of flesh and blood.

“I’ve tasted plenty of them, in more ways than one. But, that was a long, long, long time ago.” [Rosaminta]

The Gatekeeper alluringly passed a hand from her generous chest to her navel, as if caressing her body, and flicked off the substance accumulated on her palm and fingers. Upon closer examination, a transparent liquid could be seen clinging onto the sensuous beauty. She possessed a human shape, but was not human. Whether it’d be her hair, body or clothes, Rosaminta could secrete that fluid at will, which made her very slippery, and was what had allowed her to fling off all of the mud with ease.

“It’s there that lies your answer.” [Rosaminta]

“What’s that supposed to mean?” [Ryner]

“It means that I don’t know. Like you guessed, something as simple as a barrier that makes things invisible isn’t protecting Hossylei Nac or the forest around it. It’d get found out eventually if the elves tried to hide in these lands. But, that’s why it isn’t here.” [Rosaminta]

“Then, you’re saying that we DID get teleported?” [Ryner]

“No, no, no, not in the least.” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta chuckled. For some reason, she was having fun watching Ryner tilt his head as he stared at her skeptically. The scene was all the more funny with Mi mimicking him for fun as she sat next to his feet.

“Among all of the gates in the world, this one next to us is the only way in or out of Hossylei Nac.” [Rosaminta]

The Gatekeeper gestured at the arch that was located next to them with one hand.

“It’s surprising. Really, really, really surprising. I don’t know what ‘jetlag’ is, but you’re intuition was right on the mark. It isn’t a teleportation gate. It’s a gate to the past.” [Rosaminta]

“… A what now?” [Ryner]

“Fufu, you see, boy, I can control the gates all over the world because they’re trees, plants, the same as me. But, I didn’t make them. I don’t know how to make them, only how they work after using them myself… And the one to Hossylei Nac is special.” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta put an index finger to her cheek, tilted her head and observed Ryner while smiling seductively. She couldn’t understand why, but she found him rather refreshing. Talking with him was a new experience to her, despite having enjoyed several intimate meetings with many different men in the distant past.

The more time she spent around Ryner, the more delight she found in his company.

“It’s been so long that no one remembers anymore, let alone the elves. So, so, so long that I barely remember it.” [Rosaminta]

That was why, even though she knew she shouldn’t, the Gatekeeper willingly answered his question, and revealed what he wanted to know.

“Boy, you see, the elves’ home, the forest where they live, shouldn’t exist anymore-” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta spread her arms as if showing off.

“Because it was destroyed and turned into this swampland.” [Rosaminta]

Thinking back on her conversation with Ryner, Rosaminta was surprised at herself. She didn’t think that she could so happily divulge such important information to a human. Although she acted flirtatiously and donned the form of an erotic beauty, she wasn’t a woman led by loose morals. Certainly, she used her crafted charms to have several relationships with men that ventured in her domain, but it was all under her control.

The Gatekeeper had a bit of fun, enjoyed the intimacy of companionship and properly cleaned up after herself once her partners snapped out of the short dream. It usually ended with her turning them into nutrients for the forest since there was never much between her and them besides lust that overwrote caution and wariness. Fear would soon kick in once the fun was over which resulted in hostility that ended in death for her short-lived lovers.

“(What a strange man.)” [Rosaminta]

In all of her encounters, Rosaminta had never met someone like Ryner, and it wasn’t just because he was the first one that didn’t fall for her charms.

“(… No, I’m the strange one.)” [Rosaminta]

The sleepy-looking man attracted her interest in a way that she had never experienced before. However, that didn’t explain why she felt like it was alright to spill everything. For some reason, she believed that it would be fine to do so.

It was as if she trusted him.

Even though she was naturally cautious of him at first, and they only met yesterday, and the two barely held any conversation, being around him felt comfortable. It was like his aura was soothing and reassured her that he was no enemy.

In fact, Rosaminta would go as far as say that it sort of felt familiar.

“… Guess I’ll go confirm it.” [Rosaminta]

The guardian of the forest, who was lying on her back and sunbathing, muttered out such words as she recalled Ryner’s face. Itham, who was steering the platform across the lake, chose to keep quiet and let the Gatekeeper sort out the multitude of emotions she was currently feeling. Deep down, he hoped that she wouldn’t turn his benefactor’s daughter into a snack.

But, after a few seconds, Rosaminta stopped pondering her actions and, saying farewell to the High Elder, simply jumped into the water.

On another boat, which was a platform made out of solid rock that elves preferred to use, Ryner was similarly lying on his back like Rosaminta. However, unlike the half-naked woman that was beautiful and erotic, his figure made others think of a sloth. There was no charm in his movements or position. The slender, plain-faced and unassuming man was the very picture of laziness as he yawned loudly and scratched his stomach.

“(… I’m sleepy.)” [Ryner]

But, although he appeared carefree, he was feeling a bit annoyed since he had planned to sleep for an hour or two after he had heard what he wanted from Rosaminta. However, the sensuous beauty refused his request and half-forced him to return with her to Hossylei Nac, subtly threatening to not open the arch for him if he stayed behind to nap. Moreover, she didn’t even give him the time to change and mischievously said that his current look was very charming.

As such, Ryner was feeling irritated and annoyed, not to mention that he was still covered in cuts from the Blood Trial, though the shallow wounds weren’t serious and the bleeding already stopped. Still, walking around in tattered clothes and with dried blood sticking to his skin was uncomfortable, no matter how many times it happened.

Mi, the only other passenger besides the elf keeping the boat afloat, didn’t share his feelings and was happily running around the floating platform. When she nearly fell off the edge, Ryner stretched out his arm and quickly grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

“The hell are you doing, kid?” [Ryner]

“Woof woof!” [Mi]

“I’ve got no idea what you’re saying. Ho-*Yaaaawwn* How are you going to grow up into a big sister if you drown?” [Ryner]

Watching the yawning human and the frolicking puppy was the elf in charge of making sure the platform didn’t sink. At first, the beautiful male was cautiously and curiously watching Ryner as he worked his magic. But, upon seeing his interaction with the little red doggy, his expression warmed up right away.

Though it quickly tightened again the next second when a certain well-known woman popped out of the water.

“What’s up?” [Ryner]

Feeling her presence, Ryner asked without turning his head and continued to sleepily gaze at the sky.

“My, my, my, you didn’t even give me the chance to say ‘boo!’. I’m mad, boy. Really mad.” [Rosaminta]

Emerging from the lake was Rosaminta, the Gatekeeper revered by the elves. She crossed her arms on the edge of the platform and leaned on it while staring at Ryner. Despite her words, she didn’t seem mad at all and happily giggled at his lazy form sprawled out on the platform’s smooth surface. With her upper body sticking out of the lake, her wet green hair stuck to her face and droplets of water flowed down her skin, amplifying her bewitching aura.

“Don’t you have more questions for me?” [Rosaminta]

After signaling the fretting elf conductor not to stop the boat and waving at the cute Mi, Rosaminta spoke to Ryner while still in the water.

“Even if I did, you don’t have the answers to them, so the rest will be self-study.” [Ryner]

“Mmmm~? If that’s what you want, then fine. But, remember-.” [Rosaminta]

“I know. Not a word, right?” [Ryner]

“Correct, boy~. Otherwise…” [Rosaminta]

Raising her right hand, Rosaminta pointed at Ryner. A slim green vine slid out from under her skin, near her elbow, and wrapped itself around her forearm all the way to her wrist.

“I’ll punish you very, very hard.” [Rosaminta]

She said sensually.

The vine stretched out more and more until the tip was right before the human’s cheek. Unlike the first time the two met, the Gatekeeper’s vine didn’t feel like a dangerous spear that was about to skewer him, so Ryner didn’t make a move. Like he thought, she only poked him lightly with it and he annoyingly grunted in reply.

“Kya?!” [Rosaminta]

However, the moment she did, the light green-skinned woman let out a startled, and rather cute, yelp. Her body jolted and the usual flirty expression broke down instantly. Flustered, with her eyes wide open and her cheeks red, Rosaminta quickly withdrew her vine and sank back into the lake in panic.

The elf controlling the platform, shock and confused, alternatively stared at the human guest and the lake’s surface where the beloved Gatekeeper hurriedly dove into.

“… What was that?” [Ryner]

Ryner, clueless to the cause of her reaction, blinked his eyes and shifted his gaze to Mi as if asking for her opinion. The puppy didn’t seem to share his concern as she happily wagged her tail, barked and proceeded to climb on top of his stomach.

“Ryner.” [Itham]

Before the tired human could contemplate further on Rosaminta’s strange behavior, Itham showed up next and cut off his thoughts. Seeing the High Elder, who appeared right after the Gatekeeper left, put the elf controlling Ryner’s boat in a tense mood again.

Itham spoke a few words in the elven tongue and then jumped from his platform to his human guest’s. Wind wrapped around his body and guided his trajectory as he gently landed next to Ryner. Then, he told his fellow elf that he would take over and the two traded places as the beautiful male jumped onto the High Elder’s platform in a similar way.

“Have you finished your business with the Gatekeeper?” [Itham]

Itham asked, indirectly revealing that he had been observing and waiting for Rosaminta to finish talking with Ryner before approaching him.

“I gues-.” [Ryner]

“Great!” [Itham]

Cutting off the human’s words, Itham, with a friendly expression on his face, pointed at the enormous monument located in the middle of the lake.

“Then forward!” [Itham]

The tall, wide tower of stone from which water powerfully cascaded down was at the end of his line of sight. Above it rested his city.

“The Blood Trial is over! Let’s go back and get this done by today! The goal is to gather up a pile of achievements before sundown!” [Itham]

The High Elder loudly declared in a determined voice.

“… That’s nice and all, but can you let me sleep first? Far away from people. One of those small islands with giant crystals is good enough. I’ll nap there, then swim back and climb up to Hossylei Nac later.” [Ryner]

As for Ryner, he was more preoccupied with other matters.

“No! We’re going back right away! You still need to get treated and wear some clothes that aren’t all cut up and bloody! You can rest after. Want me to sing a song to help you sleep?” [Itham]

“I refuse!” [Ryner]

“Really? I’m good at singing. I always lulled my daughter to sleep in the past. She was soooo cute then! Ah, but she’s still cute now! There’s no one cuter than her! You hear me!!? MY DAUGHTER’S THE CUTEST IN THE WORLD!!!” [Itham]

“Annoying!” [Ryner]

Because of the doting father, the ride back to Hossylei Nac became a noisy one.