It had been 3 days since Elen leaved the capital with Kirin, the elves, and a loaned army. Elen and Kirin stayed in a decorated, brown carriage with lavish furnishing inside. A few wagons of supplies are in front of them and an army following them.

It was a very pleasant journey. Elen talked about the good-old days with Kirin, discussing current issues with the elves, and learning about the situation in Jules Domain from their native elves. Everything was going smoothly. Maybe... A bit lonely. No! Forget about them.

Elen's life had became stable with a cleared head: without Kei fooling around, Polin's love sick puppy behavior, and Bridget's clever-than-you eyes. She looked outside the window and gazed the wide open green plains and passing clouds. It was so peaceful, far from destruction. Sometimes she wondered: how the world will change once everything was done? Done with the scheming, done with the wars, and the people who will stand on top.

They were drawing closer to the border, it won't be too long.

After a long silence, Kirin wanted to ask something. "Hey big sister Ele. After taking back the throne..." Kirin shifted in her seat and looked down. "Is it possible to... Take me back home and help?" Kirin looked up and stared at Elen with her big eyes.

Elen scratched her head after looking at her sad face. Elen wasn't so sure about this. IF she managed to get back her rightful throne, she needed to spend time to clean house of corruption, maintain public order, and keep her end of her deal with Kei. Does she even have the time? She really wanted to help her but...

"I'm sorry Kirin, but I don't think we will have time," Elen said in a calming voice. "Once I'm in power, I will have a lot to do. I can send a small troop or a dragon to escort you and help fight Cloq."

Kirin sighed and felt dejected. Since she was alone with Elen, she hoped Elen could do a favor. She was worried about her family and homeland. Also, she was not a leader, how can she make the right decision? She was extremely worried about her family but she wasn't confident going anywhere with strangers. She didn't want to go by herself.

Elen got up and sat next to Kirin - bringing her arm over her, drawing her closer. Then an idea came to her head like a chick breaking from its shell. "How about you write a letter to your family saying you are fine. That you are with me. Then when the time comes, we both go. Okay" Elen rubbed her head and hugged her tightly. Kirin responded with a nod.

Finally passed the border! And no patrol! Tall trees can be seen sparsed all over. Won't be long until they reached the Eoi Forest, which took over half of the country. It also acts like a barrier that surrounds the capital from invaders. The only known roads were from the southern and lake fortresses that connects to the capital. There were many isolated elf-only settlements within the forest. There were strict requirements when accepting immigrants into Eluvia.

A few more weeks and they can reach the capital but first - Elen needed to visit a remote village where someone from the remnants of the former royal family's loyal guards, army, and supporters. If there were any.

Elen left the army at the edge of the forest. She told the tan elves to return to Jules Domain and delivered a letter. Kirin tagged along, not letting Elen out of her sight.

The Eoi forest was densely pack with towering trees. How elves get around was leaping from branch to branch. At least that was the way of the residents of the forest. The capital of Eluvia was no different from any other castle-town except a colossal tree that was part of the capital. For Elen, she fairly experienced traveling in the forest. Part of her training and hunting took place here.

Elen was carrying Kirin on her back and she zoomed through the forest. She tried to find markers and small signs to locate the secluded village where she can make contact with any allies.

After a few hours, she finally made it to a small village living on the trees. Platforms were built around the trunks of the trees, a few bridges connecting between platforms, and the homes' size can range from compact to ordinary size houses. The trees and wood used for contruction were quite sturdy. The residents of the forest lived above ground to avoid dangerous animals, predators, and kidnapping bandits.

Once she stepped a foot and appeared in front of the residents, the residents stopped what they were doing. They noticed her golden eyes which was widely known to be a trait of a royal family. Everyone bowed down to their (former) princess and a young man leaped from a tree and kneeled in front of her. "Your highness!"

Elen looked at him and was surprised. It was Johl! He was a servant at the castle and knew him since she was young. They been friends for years. Her parents were not against forming friendly relationships with fellow elves or servants.

"Johl!" Kirin also recognized him and jumped off of Elen's back.

"Princess Kirin as well!" Johl yelped as he was tackled by Kirin.

Kirin was hugging him tightly. He was another familiar face that Kirin was happy to see. He was safe after the new established ruler.

After calming down, the three of them went into Johl's little hut to catched up on what been happening. Johl's mood dampered after hearing that Jules Domain will not be sending any assistance. Elen wanted to keep the army a secret, and both Elen and Kirin agreed to not talk their slavery to keep their reputations and pride from being tarnished.

After the changed of rulers, the daily lives of elves barely changed and Eluvia became less restrictived on human migration. Which opened up to rising tensions between races and crimes committed by humans. Since most of the humans who came had ill intentions. Then Johl told something that stunned her. "The production for mining the mana stones became sky high."

Elen glupped. "I see. So, the slaves are working day and night, right? I mean, don't they have at least rights to breaks and rests?"

Johl shook his head. "The new king or your uncle, Remis, wants as much of mana stones as possible. From our spies, there is a secret deal between him and the king of Runis State. For what in exchange, I don't know."

Knowing why her uncle killed her parents to usurped the throne was important, but this was something equally important. "I will find out when I see him," Elen said with cold eyes. "But please give me more details about the slaves! Are they alive? Are they being well treated? How many are still in the market?!"

Elen's aggressive line of questioning made Johl raised both of his hands in the air. "Woah! Woah! I don't really know the juicy details. I only heard they are dying by the dozens each week! Remis been buying slaves left and right, no matter what race, to work in the mines or send them to who knows where. Everybody knows most of them are work to death." Johl lowered his hands and scratched his head.

Elen brought her right thumb up near her mouth and began nibbling her nail. Elen's mind became too much occupied.

"Is she okay?" Johl asked directly to Kirin.

Kirin can guessed more or less that the slaves are important for some reason. That it had something to do with Kei. But she didn't want to pry into her big sister's personal matters, where her nose doesn't belong. She can only hoped Elen was a little bit more opened with her.

"Yeah, she's fine. Just... It been a long travel." Kirin gave a cute smile to ease Johl's worries but it failed.

Johl moved closer in front of Elen and grabbed both of her hands. Elen jolted and noticed he was holding her hands. Both stared at each other. "Your highness, Elen. We known each other for so long. I know that you have a lot on your mind. We're friends here, me and Kirin. You can tell us anything and we wouldn't tell a soul." He said with a smile plastered on his face.

Elen looked at Johl and Kirin. Two of the oldest and closest companions she had. What was she doing? Keeping things all locked up in her chest. The chains felt it was tightening every time she had to keep things bottled up. She trusted both of them, there was no harm when it was them two.

With a sigh, Elen told the truth. The enslavement, Kei, her travels, the army, and her secret deal with Kei. Afterwards, Kirin also told her side of the story to Johl, following her big sister's example.

Everything was a lot to take in, to everyone. Truth be told, Elen, Kirin, and others were the lucky ones. What happened if Kei didn't go slave shopping? What their fate would be if they were bought by someone else? Or will they be killed in the destruction made by Kei?

Elen felt her shoulders relaxed. She exploded everything she been through, things she didn't tell Kirin honestly about. But it didn't seemed Kirin wasn't angry one bit.

In the end, they were glad that they were alived and well.

...

It was night and Johl prepared dinner. The mood in the little hut was better and more cheerful.

Everyone was eating on the ground and Johl gave unexpected news. "Remis is sending an army to the south towards Runis State."

"What? Is he declaring war on them?" Elen was surprised.

But Johl rebutted: "Nope. The pope of the life church made a decree to help Runis State. A so-called army calling themslves, Deco Parade. People only know them as a bunch of demon death goddess worshippers creating mayhem. Is this the army you talk about? That this Kei guy summoned and sent out?"

Elen nodded and didn't say a word.

"He is a madman! He letting his little army killing innocent people and destroying homes! I heard that anyone who survived became slaves!" Johl was sicked to his stomach.

"And what makes him different from us!" Elen yelled back at Johl. Johl and Kirin was taken back. "What Deco Parade doing now, how is it different from what we did to the demon race in the last war?" Her voice was dreary and her words had no falsehood. Both Johl and Kirin knew the history and demon treatment.

Johl still couldn't accept that. '"But... That doesn't mean it makes it alright."

"I wouldn't accept it either. But what do you want me to do? Talk sense into a madman? Maybe this is Kei's way of eye for an eye. Blood for blood for his kind."

"And what happen if he turn his blade against you? You don't even know the army you borrow will take over the country if you lead them into the capital! For your sake and the world, we should expose him. Talk sense into your uncle and have the world turn on Kei before it's too late!"

"Enough!" Elen snapped her spoon and stood up. "As long as Eluvia is safe from harm, then the other countries have to defend themselves. My responsibilty is to my people, not the world. I don't think Kei would take over Eluvia without reason."

"But you don't know that." Johl said his last words before leaving his hut in a huff.

Elen sighed and rubbed her temple.

Kirin was listening and didn't intervene. Kirin got a little worried after hearing that Kei's creations were sweeping across the land, bringing fire and death. Her country wasn't on friendly terms and out right persecuted demons. If by chance, Kei stepped into her home and received a negative reception - there was no happy ending.

But, what are the chances?

Kirin started to sweat. She had to triple sure know where Kei was heading. "Um... Big sister Ele. Kei is going north, right? Like, no side trips or anything?"

***

Johl was angryly pacing back and forth at the edge of the village. He was surprised and happy that Elen was abled to come back. Kirin was a curve ball that came along with Elen.

He was troubled by hearing their stories - about Kei. Johl thought this person will be a calamity waiting to happen or already happened. Eluvia was going on the right path. Elen and Kirin made it sound like Kei was a loose cannon. That Kei can go and do whatever he pleased. Johl must act before Eluvia get targeted by him.

Johl stopped pacing and began writing a letter. Writing everything what happened and everything he heard.

He finished writing his letter and put them in a cylinder container. Johl looked around to make sure he was by himself. Then Johl gave a bird-like whistle. A hooded figure appeared in front of Johl.

There were no words made between them. Johl only handed the container and the hooded figure left.