For a brief minor banquet, Akatosh went upstairs to prepare, leaving the people happily feasting his dish. And the moment Akatosh was preparing his armor, Ann's daughter came.

"Mister." She calls.

"Need something."

"Are you going?" She mutters.

Akatosh didn't answer her question but remain on his preparation. Sheathing the katana Akatosh briefly lowers his body.

"I didn't get your name," Akatosh says.

"Names Ellis." She exclaimed.

"Ellis, what a beautiful name you have. You know what I got some gift for you."

Using the magical bag, a blue screen appears showing all the items he looted. And while he was scrolling, "Oh… do you see some blue screen in front of me?"

Ellis shakes her head, "I don't see any, why?"

"It's nothing." Akatosh smiles sequentially scrolling until he found the silver ring. Conjuring the ring in his hand, right away Ellis was stun.

"You're a mage!" Ellis says as she augments her eyes.

"Nope, but Rag (Amaragnum) is."

"Rag?"

"It's complicated. Anyway, this ring here is a special one."

"You dare still calling me Rag!" Comes Amaragnum speaking through his mind.

"What? It's not my fault your name is long and tedious to call."

"You think your name is good, then why not starting today I shall call you Kat. A pretty decent name for a pussy."

"Bugger off!"

Handing over the ring, "What will this do?" Ellis asks tilting every angle of the ring.

"You said her magical energy flows is good, right?" Akatosh asks Amaragnum.

"Bahh! Let her wear the ring, the beast will make a contract with her." Amaragnum blurts fading away.

Akatosh shrug, asking Ellis to wear the ring and when she does, Ellis was petrified for a second. Not a voice but a feeling, Ellis can feel the faint probes gently brushing her mind. She senses the entity is curious as it reads her thoughts. Giving her a test as to why she wants to make a contract with her. And for a little girl who never had any friends to interact with, nor had a chance to experience an emotion from other people of her age, "I-I have no one but mom and dad. So, if you're willing to be my friend I would be glad!" Ellis shouts at the entity.

The spirit that dwells in the ring was startled when Ellis says her honest word. A feeling of pleased and grateful cinches her mind, accepting her, to serve her as her familiar.

When Ellis returns to herself, the ring glows summoning a gray wolf. Standing in between the two, about a meter tall and with soft fur, the wolf sits facing Ellis.

Twice the size of a grown man, the wolf gently brushes its fur to the girl's cheeks. And like a man's best friend Ellis cuddles her familiar.

"Hmm…" Akatosh smile after seeing the girl happily playing with the wolf.

When the three goes down, the people including Ellis's parents were frightened as they saw a large wolf coming down the stairs. Giving a sign not to be afraid Akatosh talks to Roel about the wolf.

"This is the least thing that I can give her," Akatosh said, leaning on to one of the columns.

"Well, I'm the one that should be thankful. And… about those elves."

"What about them."

"I think you should be the one to talk to them," Roel says scratching the back of his neck.

"I see; I'll do what I can."

After done chatting with Roel Akatosh then went to where the three elves are. Two of them are silently conversing to themselves through their own language that Akatosh isn't familiar to their tongue. When he approaches them the muttering stop.

"Yo, greetings, mind if I have a word."

The two elves were silent, only when the third elves approach in human language. He gave a nod to the two which they themselves breadth to the other side of the corner giving them some privacy.

"I'm glad that I have someone to exchange a common language."

"You can call me Lafary, and I thank you and on behalf of my people for saving us at that place."

"No need, but first it seems you didn't fill your stomach or, so I've been told."

Lafary shakes his head, "It's fine for us, don't worry we have our own ways of procuring our provisions. And we aren't very much costume to your people's culture."

Taking a deep breath, "Elven pride huh…" Akatosh's thoughts leaving Lafary.

In his return together with Ellis and with them are foods that vegan people like to eat, a burger consists of pure vegetables, some pie, salads, and two more.

"If you want to expresses your gratitude, you do so in tasting these and I insist. Don't worry, there's novitiate mix with it, so goes to the two of you there." Akatosh says with a very grave look.

Being forced to eat, Lafary together with his two kin takes his word. Just as they munch the food, chewing the combination of vegetables, fruits, cheese, and bread they were overwhelmed by the explicit aroma and the taste.

Having a slight breakfast with the humans, Akatosh grabs some of the food fully satisfying his stomach. Asking Ellis to give some to the other elves staying inside the room, Ellis quickly abides.

After some time, Ellis emerges with a swift smile on her face. Giving Akatosh a thumbs-up both of them smile at each other. When Ellis is on her way to the kitchen Akatosh resumes their conversation.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"You and your people are free, and I understand your keen perspective of going back home. But I'm afraid this time… you're on your own. However, I am certain you're better than these humans."

"That's certainly is true, but we cannot leave one of our brethren behind… not while she's still…"

"I understand; I can talk to the couple about your concern."

"I appreciate your help--"

"However, you are to be at their presence... do you understand." Interrupting Lafary, in a low voice.

Lafary nods to his words which then again silence their dialog for a mere second. Till, asking about the elf who gave birth, not to involve in a parental affair but rather engage in curiosity. And in acquaintance to his in-depth understanding as a son whose father is a bandit. Born from a captivated slave moreover an elf, things wouldn't go smooth to a mother and her child, not just the elf but so too the others.

"About them… the elf and her child." Comes from Akatosh, chomping a lump of grilled meat, not an appropriate way to show to an elf.

"Frankly… I don't know what to say. It's up to her to decide for her boy."

"A boy I see."

"Yes, and by the looks of it, you won't be staying here for long, no."

"That I am, the boulevard is long, so my stay is short but I'm in no hurry to hit the road."

"Is that so," Lafary smiles. "Then would you mind if my brethren would set their eyes to one such as yourself?"

Akatosh returners with a smile and say, "Too, I'm quite curious, so why not."

When he gently opens the door, Akatosh was greeted by silence and agitation. To their surprise, Akatosh greeted them with a smile. Acting his delight expression all the female elves gracefully bow to him. And to their respect, he wags in response.

It was an open room comporting of a single bed around the open window, taking the full view of the field. Mellow wind sweeps through the thin curtains flapping the soft fabric. And from the bed lies the lovely elf, peacefully resting.

As for her child, Akatosh notices the mute elf is tending the infant, girt in white fabric. Unsure if they are genuinely or shamming their delight grim Akatosh leans close at the window taking some of the cold wind. He was told by Lafary that they understood the human language but were unaccustomed to speaking.

"Names Akatosh." A sudden word from Akatosh folding his arms.

"Umm… I'm Fillina." The elf resting on the bed said.

"What a good name… the wind is very nice don't you think."

Fillina muffs her voice responding only to nods as she slightly unveils her sullen face.

"The wheat sure is very bright this time of year… They say that a seed that grows on harsh soil won't either grow or wither before it can bare. Unless it was grown on lush soil. But it all depends for me." Akatosh says, speaking metaphorically.

"Why… why are you telling me this?" Understanding what he said Fillina imply in a low voice.

Yet before Akatosh could answer her question Ellis came in. "Pardon me…" She bows, "Mister Akatosh, t-their waiting for you."

"So, it's time then." He sighs walking past the elves. But before he steps out, "A boy ehh… it just reminds me of the barren dirt I'd been." Akatosh nods, "It's a pleasure knowing you all." He continues exiting the room.

Drafting the wagon Akatosh takes the front seat. However, before Roel could kick the horse running the mute elf suddenly climb aboard sitting with the humans.

Confusion alerts his brain as to why this muted elf happens aboard. To Roel's perplex he looks at Akatosh giving him a sign to whether take her with or reason her first.

"So…" Akatosh asks the muted elf but to no avail.

Beginning to get tired Akatosh gave a sign to Roel to continue. Again, they were halted by Ellis riding her large gray wolf.

"Mister Akatosh!" Ellis exclaims offering him a medium sack full of provisions.

Turning to his father, Roel nods.

"Thanks then."

"Make sure to come visit us again!" Ellis shouts waving her hand as they progress the road.

"By the way, how far is the main road," Akatosh asks Roel as they advance through the open road.

"Err… you will need to cross those two hills," Roel says, pointing to the mountains, west from where they are.

"Ehh…"

Using the shortcut Roel talked about, they stop on the face of the dense forest. To Akatosh's observation on the snake-road ahead of them, verdure plants overlap the track.

"When did this road became like this." Akatosh ask Roel.

"Ermm… about a year."

"As expected, the bandits' camp and now this, someone wants to control the road." That's what he thinks. "Stay here I'll scout ahead; don't worry I won't distance myself." He continues pulling off the deck.

Forwards as he goes but when he was slightly far from the wagon, the muted elf surprised him nearly drawing his blade.

"Don't startle me like that! I could have nearly slice you." Akatosh exclaimed at her.

She didn't flinch, only when Akatosh turns around he sees words floating in the air saying, "You can call me Lila."

Akatosh flung back towards her, "Is this your doing?"

Lila nods and begins to change the words, "I heard you are heading to Mavigrid."

"Yes, but will talk about it later, right now I can feel it in my guts, the things that creep me. You should return back; this is too dangerous for you."

Lila shakes her, and while the words are scribbling in front of him saying, "I'll help too." Lila begins to gather long sticks and branches.

Using her magic, Lila begins to bend the long cane forming a bow. Next, she flawlessly yarns the spider's web hardening it with her magic. And for the arrows, using the leaves as feathers she had created twenty ammunitions in just a minute.

After watching her aimlessly, Akatosh return scouting. "This world never ceases to amaze me." He reckons.

Putting on his mask, and not before long they felt a soft grumble, something is fast approaching.

"Spiders." Lila notes. "Watch out for their spit."

Whizzing in hunger they charge through as they slush their venomous liquid. Unfortunately for them, Akatosh is already prepared. Utilizing the whip as a barrier and like a twister he sands their legs, crippling their movements. Harassing his enemy in this kind of formation isn't his style unless he was in an odd situation.

Splattering their slimy poison as they pass through the Akatosh whip-barrier. He whirls to avoid the incoming liquid nearly painting his left shoulder.

Know knowing their arsenal Akatosh switches to aggressive mode. Instead of standing, letting the whip do the work he first inspects Lila.

Unlike Akatosh, Lila was more reflex easily evading the spiders' liquid. She dined well to her weapons, aiming at their heads but how long can she maintain her stand.

Inwardly Akatosh was beginning to get discomfort to where they should cross. The spiders have poisoned the forest too; they infest faster in the past months considering the wave of them.

"We should retreat!" Akatosh shout at Lila.

Lila nods which then they sprint off the battlefield. Fading back to where Roel is Akatosh looks back to see they slowly reverse their movements.

"What happen," Roel says.

"This road is too dangerous for us to use. The spiders are more than we can take." Akatosh pants.

"Then--"

"I'm unfortunate that we have to use the longer one to get to the closest town." Akatosh interrupts when…

"I think I can help with that." Lila writes.

"Really?" Akatosh says, staring at her for a second. "What do you imply then."

"We can use the forest to reach faster. Don't worry will use the farthest side away from the lairs of the spiders."

His lack of knowledge about elves doubts her but soon he agrees. "Fine will go with your way." Akatosh sighs climbing on the front seat.

Instead of railing the curvy roads Lila leads them into the flat underbrush. And when they head deeper, Akatosh sight the people beginning to get nervous. Even Roel's grip is tense.

"Well, this is to be expected." Akatosh thinks. "People like these who thought they are safer on the roads are affright to these kinds of new things." He continues staying with them to fix their timid affliction.

On the good side, having its flat trajectory and few bushes Akatosh can sight incoming ambush or enemy.

The people including Roel felt like eternity passing through the place. The only people who were not afraid are Akatosh and Lila. And after three hours of crossing the forest, Lila gave a sign they have reached the place, and after a few hundred yards they are now on the borders of the town.

The free slaves are now smiling in sensation as they went to rejoin with their families and relatives. Though some of them are not as happy as the others especially the three children who lost their parents. Their only choice was the temple if not, some of the people might welcome them into their house but who knows to what they will do to them. Still, there are others whose homes are far from the next village.

"Well, this is what I can do. Are you sure about the others?" Akatosh sigh as if a burden has been removed.

"Don't worry there is a transportation that they can aboard I just have to pay their expense."

"Alright, then I'll leave the rest to you. Ahh… are you fine in going back alone."

"It's fine I have been through this place before."

"I see, Godspeed to you," Akatosh says, moving towards the forest while Lila follows.