Having lost the duel, an injured yet conscious Grimdal is brought back to kneel before the council. You stand beside him and await the Elders' judgment.

"Elder Grimdal," Chief Ginta turns to him after a long discussion with the other council members. "There are no two ways about it: this is unequivocally your loss."

Grimdal lowers his head in total submission. "I understand that, Chief Ginta."

"As per tradition, you are to do as you vowed prior to the match. And do you recall the stakes you put up for yourself?"

"I could never forget them."

"And so, under Gaia's watchful eye, you are to step down as a sitting member of the Elderwood Council, and in doing so relinquish your position as Leader of the Elderwood Warriors and title as Elder."

"Yes, Chief Ginta."

"But that is not all. There is one final thing you must give up."

The Chief glances at you and orders a nearby soldier to unsheathe Grimdal's sword from his scabbard. And the soldier hands you the blade, visibly shaken. You grip it and notice a blue sheen on its tempered surface.

[Lunar Glaive]

Quality: Epic

Description: A remarkable sword forged from Lunarite. When wielded in darkness, the blade glows a brilliant blue that mimics the starry night sky.

Weight: 5.0

This is the finest weapon you've ever laid your eyes upon. You don't need God's Eye to inform you of that. Its sleek and curved design is leagues above anything you've ever seen in Darius' book.

And it definitely beats your rusty dagger.

"Nameless Seer," Chief Ginta says unto you, "it is time."

"Time... for what? Pocketing this cool sword?" you ask, bewildered.

"Execute Elder Grimdal."

"E-eh?"

His words dance around your head till it finally registers.

"W-woah, woah, woah!" you take a step back. "I didn't sign up for this!"

"It is customary in duels for the defeated Elder to be decapitated using their own blade by the victor, lest they die a dishonorable death."

Grimdal closes his eyes and nods. "You may exact revenge on me this way, Garden Beast. My arrogance led me down this road."

"Eeehhh?!"

You are troubled as it's not really your style to cut people's heads off. And you mull over what to do next for a good while. The whole chamber quietly watches as you stroke your chin and wrack your brain for ideas.

Then, it hits you.

"Ah! I'll be right back!" you turn around and scurry out of the room, leaving everyone stunned, including the despondent Grimdal.

Alimarc is compelled to ask his fellow council members, "Did she just... run out on us?"

Outside the building are your Mystfox friend and the Elderwood Scouts, waiting amidst the congregation of elves. They all stand in front of this great Eldertree to witness the outcome of Elder Grimdal's loss. Instead, they see you scuttling out and scanning the area.

"Garden Beast?!" the Elderwood Scouts shout.

"Oh, there you are!" you wave your hand carrying Grimdal's sword. "Leronil could you come with me for a bit!"

"Wait, i-isn't that the Lunar Glaive?!" the leader of the group recognizes the blue glow of the blade.

"Who cares what it is? Get over here!!"

Leronil shifts his focus to his team and is met with clueless shrugs. As he doesn't have much of a choice, he reluctantly follows your lead. And you return to the council chamber with Leronil in tow.

"Leronil?" Chief Ginta scratches his balding head. "What in Gaia's name did you bring my son for, Garden Beast?"

Without missing a beat you hand over the sword to Leronil and confidently gaze at the Elders. "That should solve things!"

"You plan on having Leronil do the deed?!"

Leronil is initially puzzled as to what his father means. But upon catching a glimpse of Elder Grimdal on his knees, he quickly puts two and two together.

"What?! You want me to execute Elder Grimdal?! No way!" he protests. "I didn't sign up for this!"

"That's exactly what I said!" you shout along with Leronil. "Also, no! That's not what I meant when I gave you the sword."

The council members trade looks with one another, still unaware of what you're planning.

"So, what do you mean?" Anna takes the initiative to question your motives.

"Excellent question!" you place your hand on Leronil's shoulder and wink back at the Elder. "I was thinking of having Leronil replace Grimdal as head of the Elderwood Warriors!!"

The room falls silent, and the elves stare at you with wide emerald eyes. Leronil too is speechless, but indubitably elated.

Alimarc staggers to his feet, hot under his collar. "T-t-this is outrageous! You come here, beat an esteemed member of our community into submission, and install this... boy, as his replacement?!"

"Well, when you put it that way... you're not wrong," you chuckle and scratch your cheek. "But seeing as Leronil wants to help his kin without being bossed around by a bunch of grumpy higher-ups, I can't help but selfishly do what I'm doing. He deserves a life he wants, you know?"

"Chief Ginta, please tell me you're with me on this. That son of yours failed to get into the Elderwood Warriors and now he'll become its leader?"

The Chief is apprehensive at first, but seeing the lopsided smile on his son's face is enough to bolster his confidence.

"As you are the winner of the duel, we shall honor your request." Leronil's father bobs his head and strokes his beard

Alimarc's lips quiver and an indignant frown line his lips, and he sits back down on his throne, sulking like an angry toddler.

"And what of Grimdal?" Anna rivets her attention on the man.

"He said it himself right?" you answer with a smug grin. "He offers to me his life. But that doesn't mean I have to execute him."

"Oh?"

"It simply means I hold ownership of him!"

"O-oi, you're saying some awfully scary things with a carefree attitude."

You swing back to face Grimdal and stretch your hand out to him.

He looks up at you with an emotionless countenance. "You would play with me as a pet, Garden Beast?"

"Uh, no," you dismiss his concerns. "I had other plans for you."

"Other plans? You would not spare me the shame of living with my defeat? At least let me die with my pride intact."

"I don't quite get stuff like shame and pride... If you're bummed out you lost, then you just move on and better yourself don't you?"

"I would not expect an invincible monster like you to understand the struggles of a mortal man."

"Then how about serving this invincible monster as her teacher."

And Grimdal's cold expression melts away, leaving behind an astonished gaze. "A teacher? For you who has beaten me? Is this a joke?"

"Nope! I've only mastered the Short Blade and Hand-to-Hand skills. It'd be a waste if you died with all that combat experience. You are a battle-hardened warrior right?"

"Y-yes. I am a master at the Long Blade skill. I could offer you training if you so like..."

"Good, then it's decided! Besides, I don't do well with gory stuff. I always skip the pages of Dariu's book with blood in them!"

Anna laughs at your remark and rises from her throne. "You're a real oddball you know that, Nameless Seer?"

"Haha! True, I've never encountered an outsider like you!" Chief Ginta chimes in.

Alimarc refuses to look at you, and Elder Illya, the sweet old woman, smiles amid the joyous mood.

"This calls for a celebration!" Elder Anna declares. "In honor of your victory against Elder Grimdal and Leronil becoming head of the Elderwood Warriors!"

And the news is promptly announced to the masses and a banquet in your name was to be held that night.

It was hard to sympathize with Elder Grimdal after his cruel display in the fight and thus the public's reception of you swiftly changed. It also helped that you brought along heaps of food to pass around, effectively ending the famine.

Leronil's rise to the position of council member and Leader of the Elderwood Warriors was met with a more mixed reaction. Alas, none was absolutely against it. And so it was up to the Chief's son to prove himself to his people through action rather than prestige.

By the time the sun sets, the entire village has been completely converted to service this party.

Tables line the streets and lanterns containing glowing mushrooms brighten up the area. The smell of cooked food pervades the air and the inhabitants of Elderwood Village dance and carouse like there's no tomorrow.

"You elves work quick huh..?" you overlook the town from the council building and are amazed by the speed at which it was prepared.

"We're a close-knit community," Leronil tells you. "We can accomplish anything when we put our heads together."

"Community..."

Suddenly, Anna's voice resounds from the center of all the merriment.

"Nameless Seer, where are you!" she shouts. "Come over, the party's just getting started!"

Her inviting words envelop you in a warmth comparable to that of a clear spring day. And Leronil slaps your back, snapping you out of your reverie.

"You better join them. You're the guest of honor after all," he says with a smirk.

"What about you?"

"I need to have a word with my father in the council chamber. About my responsibilities as an Elder. Honestly, what you did really threw me for a loop..."

"Ehehe, sorry."

The man talking to you has finally gotten his chance in life, thanks to your actions. He is to be a leader at a relatively young age, and with that comes a lot of challenges. But those challenges you're certain he can overcome, for he has gotten this far dealing with the worst life has to offer."

And the night, no different than the beaming elf before you, is still young.