"Alasta, are you here?" Josh calls out, his gaze fixed on the bookshelf.

In an instant, a radiant ball of light emerges from the far corner of the room, soaring towards us. It halts gracefully on the wooden table, revealing a petite female humanoid creature with two pairs of fluttering wings—a Fairy. These magical beings are known for their affinity with the elven races, evident from their pointed ears and delicately sculpted features.

image [https://gdurl.com/vE1u]

The Fairy has captivating blue pale eyes, a slender nose, and pale white skin. Her hair, a radiant shade of red-blond, cascades around her as she dons an ensemble of green leaf garments, fashioned into an exquisite dress that flows from her chest to her tiny legs.

Alasta faces Josh with an upbeat tone, introducing herself. "Here I am~! Alasta, at your service! How may I assist you in your reading today?"

"Fairy?" Alpha inquires, his curiosity piqued.

Josh nods affirmatively. "Occasionally, I delve into the study of creatures and their origins during my free time. If your descriptions of the demonist humanoid are accurate, let Alasta enlighten us about the entity we're about to encounter. Allow me to introduce this faerie to all of you. Meet Alasta, the book fairy."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance! I am Alasta, a Faerie with a vast knowledge of historical journeys. Just call upon me, and I'll accompany you on your bookish adventures!"

"Before we go, please enlighten us about the mechanics of this process," Josh requests, eager to understand.

Alasta nods, gracefully gliding toward Josh. "You may have heard of the Diving Illusion Magic. It happens to be my specialty. Through this enchantment, I can project the history of worlds within a book and transport you to its dimensions, enabling you to experience it firsthand."

"I see," Alpha chimes in, his curiosity growing.

"Prepare yourself, Rai. If this is your first time, the transition might leave you feeling a bit disoriented. However, you'll get used to it," Josh advises, directing his words to me.

I nod, my gaze shifting between Josh and Alpha. "Thank you for the explanation."

Raising his hand towards the ceiling, Josh exclaims, "Take us to the Great War of Ergardia!"

"To the history of Ergardia we go!" Alasta responds cheerfully.

With a clap of her hands, the atmosphere around us shifts dramatically. Sparkling dust begins to descend, and the wooden room seems to be gradually drawn upwards into the thin air above.

Closing my eyes as instructed, I sense a distinct change in the surroundings—a different atmosphere, scents, and sounds. Whispers of the wind, distant murmurs of a crowd from my right, and an intense aura enveloping everything.

"Behold, we have arrived six hundred years ago—the inception and culmination of the final war in Ergardia's history."

Slowly, I open my eyes, taking in the scene before me.

…

War rages on, spreading across a meadow where the sky is tainted red. Countless humans stand united with various humanoid beings—elves, dwarves, orcs, and even giants. The elves arm themselves with bows and rapiers, each accompanied by a fairy guardian by their side. Cloaked figures, a different race of humans, stand at the rear, wielding staffs, rods, and ancient-looking books.

Warriors, orcs, and dwarves line up on the front lines, led by five individuals positioned at the forefront. One wears regal attire, donning a golden crown and armor. Another wields an ancient staff, their dark purple and white cloak concealing their face. A humanoid elf, with long blonde hair, sharp eyes, and a gentle chin, wears a light green suit with a short skirt, their unique bow and quiver of arrows at the ready. A short, bearded dwarf grins widely, brandishing a massive hamaxe, clothed in a thick loincloth. In the center stands a figure with three eyes, one of which is wide open vertically between their other two, their yellow wings shimmering. With straight, long white hair cascading down to their chest and a lean build, they wield a peculiar, glowing halberd while hovering above the ground, propelled by their wings.

Curiously, Alpha gestures towards the opposing side. My eyes widen as I take in the sight before me.

It was them—the demonic creatures in red, armed with scythes—the very same beings that had ravaged our village in the past. Fear surged through my veins, memories of that fateful day flooding back. Hovering alongside them were other creatures with demonic wings, wielding tiny bodies and red tridents, while horned creatures on the ground wielded hammers, accompanied by an enormous horn-shaped entity.

"Is this what you described, Alpha?" Josh folds his hands in disbelief.

"Yes," he replies quietly, his hand firmly patting my shoulder as he notices that I am trembling. "Are you alright, Rai? Come back to your senses."

“I… I…”

Struggling to compose myself, tears well up in my eyes—a mix of fear and anger. I attempt to rush towards the demonic creatures, but soon realize I'm running in place, my transparent form unable to make physical contact.

"It's futile. This is merely a simulation, encompassing the history of the past thousand years within these pages. Try to calm down and comprehend the situation," Alasta's voice echoes within my mind. Trying to calm me down through her soft voice.

Taking a deep breath, I manage to steady myself gradually.

"On this day, under this reign, we, the people of this land, shall triumph and banish the encroaching shadows!"

The King in golden armor rallies the troops, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Together, we will end this day of terror and bring peace to our families and our world!"

"LET US SHOW THEM WHO TRULY RULES THIS LAND! ATTACK! LEAVE NOT A SINGLE CURSED CREATURES BEING ALIVE!" The wizard in the hooded cloak bellows.

Thunderous cries reverberate through the battlefield as they charge towards the horde of demonic creatures. The creatures ready their weapons, prepared to retaliate. The clash of blades, the clang of armor, the pounding of footsteps, and anguished cries fill the air—a momentous battle where the fate of the world hinges on protecting or succumbing to its destruction. Humans, elves, orcs, and dwarves fight side by side, united against their common enemy—the demonic creatures.

"These creatures you spoke of resemble the demonic Ergardians in the distant past, but it's difficult to believe they were the ones who raided Ezlea," Josh remarks, his voice filled with disbelief.

"I agree, but it truly happened. I took a few of them off with ease. They seemed weak, but still capable of wiping out armed civilians," Alpha explains, memories of the village's tragedy resurfacing.

"Weak, huh?" Josh muses.

"Observe," Alpha urges, drawing their attention back to the battle.

The demonic creatures prove their strength, mercilessly slaughtering numerous human soldiers, slashing and devouring them alive. The scene is brutal and agonizing.

"This is odd. Back in the village, they didn't... feast on anyone..." I recall, realizing that the deceased villagers had only suffered fatal stabs or slashes.

"You've noticed it too," Alpha interjects.

I nod, acutely aware of the discrepancy between what I witnessed in the village and the present scene. "There must be more to this. They might be plotting something," Josh surmise.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

My gaze settles on a horn-shaped stone structure in the distance, where three demonic creatures cloaked in darkness gather around it. Each wields a distinctive weapon—a sword, spear, and bow. Chanting incantations, they emanate a red aura directed towards the stone, which remains eerily motionless. The ground quakes as they continue their ritual.

image [https://gdurl.com/Y6Bb]

"What is that thing?" I inquire.

"That, my friend, is Ergardia itself," Josh responds, his voice laden with gravity. "A colossal calamity that arrived uninvited in our world, heralding doom. Some claim it originated from the underworld, unleashed to bring about the world's end. It is a pivotal part of our ancient history."

"I see," I whisper, awestruck by the magnitude of the revelation.

"I believe we've seen enough. I couldn't establish a clear connection between the creature that attacked us and the ones in the simulation. While their physical forms were similar, their behaviors and patterns differed greatly," Alpha concludes.

"Very well, Alpha. Let's conclude this for now," Josh declares, raising his transparent hand.

"Alasta, it's time to return," he calls out.

"Al-righty!" Alasta chimes cheerfully.

A cold breeze sweeps around us, and gradually the sounds of war, the cries of people, and the scent of the battlefield fade away, distorting above us. The transition leaves me feeling dizzy, prompting me to close my eyes until the shift ends, and I'm greeted by the familiar scent of wood.

"How was it? Did you enjoy the view?" Josh looks at each of us in turn..

"...dizzy," Alpha replies while pinching the root of his nose.

"What a sight. This was my first time experiencing something like this," I add.

"Thank you, Alasta. You can go about your business now," Josh dismisses the fairy.

"Call me anytime~!" Alasta exclaims, floating towards the bookshelf before disappearing, leaving a trail of fairy dust behind on the wooden table.

"So, did you gain any insights?" Josh asks, leaning on the table with a serious expression.

"In my opinion, they are the same creatures. They exude a similar aura, but they are not as formidable as the ones we encountered in Ezlea," Alpha responds, pacing around.

"During the attack, there was a Blood Moon in the sky. Perhaps it serves as a catalyst for their summoning? But why Ezlea? And why didn't they consume the villagers, opting instead to mercilessly slaughter them?" He then continue, ponders aloud.

A tremor of emotion surges through me again, remembering the day our village was attacked.

"For now, let's set it aside. It seems someone has been emotionally affected," Josh intervenes, walking towards me and playfully punching my shoulder.

And thanks to his punch, I regain my senses.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"You must be exhausted. Why don't you take a rest for a while?" he suggests.

"I'm fine, actually. I think I'll take a stroll," I reply.

"Alright, if you say so. Just make sure to return before nightfall," Josh reminds me.

Nodding, I leave Alpha and Josh engrossed in their discussion and step outside.

...

"Human, a moment," a bitter voice calls out from my right as I just getting out from the house.

I turn to face the source of the voice and see the purple-clad elf leaning against the wall, her hands folded and eyes closed.

"Me?" I ask, taken aback.

"Who else but you?" she retorts.

Approaching me, the elf gazes directly into my eyes from an uncomfortably close distance. Instinctively, I try to back away, and she notices, redirecting her gaze elsewhere.

"Sorry," she mutters.

"For what?" I inquire.

"For attacking you back then!"

"Oh, it's alright. I don't hold any grudges," I reassure her. "You were protecting the village, and I understand that. No hard feelings."

My words cause the elf's face to flush red, and she quickly averts her gaze once again.

"Hmph!"

Confused by her reaction, I decide to ignore it and take a few steps forward, heading outside the house.

"Galvana."

"Huh?"

Turning back, I find her extending her right hand towards me.

"I'm Galvana. And you're Rai, right?" she asks.

"It's Raiken. You can call me that," I reply, shaking her hand. She releases it quickly, her gaze drifting elsewhere.

...

Huh.

What a strange elf.

…

I step outside the house and decide to take a leisurely stroll towards the eastern area. As I walk along the path, I can't help but admire the charming treehouses to my right, nestled among the foliage.

Turning my gaze to the left, I'm greeted by the sight of a serene river, its waters flowing peacefully. A group of elves catches my attention as they merrily dive into the river, dressed in nothing but their birthday suits. I quickly avert my eyes, feeling a bit flustered by the unexpected sight.

However, my focus shifts when I spot something intriguing on the other side of the path—a quaint little shop. A variety of goods is neatly displayed on a wooden rack, and a young female elf sits behind a table, tending to the shop.

The shop itself is quite impressive, featuring a spacious wooden table divided by flat planks, which separate the items into different categories. I can see herbs, fruits, vegetables, and even some stylish accessories like bracelets that some of the elves are wearing.

"Is there anything you want to buy?" the elf smiles at me, as I glance around and notice some Cevel coins on the table.

"Does this shop use Cevel as well?"

"Rarely, yes. But we mainly use good-quality leaves as our form of currency. We place them on the table, so customers of other races can pay and receive change easily."

"I see."

Several herbs lie there, and I decide to take four of them.

These herbs are known as Healing Herbs, capable of aiding in the recovery of minor wounds.

On the other side, a uniquely-shaped feathered hat catches my eye. It feels light in my hands, and the price is reasonable, around 35 Cevel. After finishing my selections, I go to the counter.

"The total price is 75 Cevel," the elf informs me.

I retrieve the money from my pocket, tuck the herbs into a small pouch, and place the feathered hat on my head.

"It suits you well," someone commends from behind me.

Glancing toward the voice, I exhale a bit while narrowing my eyes, "Dad? Are you here to buy something too?"

Rodger nods, his gaze fixed on a wooden bow hanging on the one-sides wood wall beside the table.. He rubs his chin, admiring its quality.

"The material on this bow is excellent. I'm not sure if I can afford it. Hey, how much does it cost in Cevel?"

"The bow is priced at 60 Cevel, made from the finest wood available," the owner responds.

"I'll take it," Rodger declares.

"Do you have enough money? I can lend you some if needed," I offer.

"Save it, kid! You need it more than me. I've earned enough from my work. I thought it would cost around two hundred Cevel or so," Rodger grins at me, proceeding to the counter to pay for the bow.

"Thank you! It's a pleasure doing business with you humans!" the shop owner expresses her gratitude.

Both Rodger and I exit the shop right after purchasing our new items in hand.

#

End of Chapter 7