The Namuhwalan Orchard was generally a tourist attraction. Although it was the off-season with the holiday rush long past, the large city still attracted many visitors.

But the people there could never have anticipated this.

On their visit to the Third World Tree, where they came to relax and enjoy the scenery, they would never have expected to encounter the ruler of all spirits, spirits of nature, mystical beasts, fairies, and elves—the Elven King, Hwa Seorin.

**Namuhwalan’s Central Plaza**

The central plaza wasn’t the highest point in the orchard, but it was an elevated plateau with scenic views, making it the most popular spot for tourists. Today, it was even more crowded than usual.

*"What’s going on?"*

*"Is there some kind of event?"*

*"Shh, it's not an event! They say the Elven King is here!"*

*"Really? The one who never appears in public?"*

To the average person, the Elven King Hwa Seorin was a mysterious figure shrouded in secrecy.

Rumors claimed she was so beautiful that anyone who laid eyes on her would instantly fall for her, which was why she kept herself hidden. No one had ever seen her face, much less caught a glimpse of her, so the truth remained a mystery.

But here she was, suddenly appearing in the Namuhwalan Orchard, standing alone on a ceremonial altar reserved for elven rituals. Dressed in her usual black dress and a white mask covering her face, her appearance left her true features concealed. Yet, this only intensified the strange allure people felt.

Even fully concealed, Hwa Seorin’s beauty radiated. Few would have guessed it was due to her innate ability, **Enchanting Form** (*Yeonjeongheubinjiche*), which subtly entranced anyone around her.

*Haa…*

Taking a small breath to steady herself, Hwa Seorin adjusted her posture.

Though her curse had significantly weakened, allowing her to appear as long as her face remained covered, it was still unnerving to be the center of attention after so long in seclusion.

But she had no choice.

If she didn’t attempt to speak with the World Tree directly, she would never find the source of the dark magic infestation.

As the leaves of the World Tree began to sway, a green aurora slowly unfurled across the sky, capturing everyone’s gaze.

*"Wow…."*

Those who had come merely to enjoy nature found themselves captivated by the breathtaking spectacle. It was a scene that left them feeling renewed, as if their very spirits had been cleansed.

But while the crowd looked on in awe, Hwa Seorin’s expression grew pained as she bit her lip.

*It hurts.*

*Go away.*

*…I’m sorry.*

*It’s unbearable.*

An innocent childlike voice echoed in her mind. The cry was unmistakably Namuhwalan’s, yet it was so tormented that she could barely understand it.

Namuhwalan’s mind was clouded, making communication almost impossible.

*"Ah!"*

Hwa Seorin clenched her lips so tightly they began to bleed, trying with all her might to focus, but Namuhwalan’s ceaseless cries made it impossible for her to reach him.

*Please, get a hold of yourself! Tell me where it hurts…!*

*Clatter!*

*"Ah…"*

She barely managed to extend her consciousness to convey her message, but Namuhwalan severed the connection, overwhelmed by the pain.

Collapsing to the ground, Hwa Seorin gasped for air as guards rushed up the altar to support her.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"Ah…"

Unable to respond, she looked up at the fading green aurora in the sky, a sign that the World Tree had refused her attempt to communicate.

*"Beautiful…"*

*"Wow!"*

But to the onlookers, even that tragic sight appeared beautiful, a fact that pierced Hwa Seorin’s heart.

She clenched her fists and lowered her head.

If only she could get a response from the World Tree, she might be able to heal it. But that, too, seemed impossible.

"Your Majesty…"

"I’ll have to search for the cure myself."

Determined, Hwa Seorin stood up unsteadily, descending the altar with a newfound resolve.

"Summon the knights and instruct them to search the roots for the cause of the contamination. I’ll conduct my own search."

"Understood."

As soon as Hwa Seorin gave the command, the knights signaled to the others, who swiftly dispersed to lead their respective divisions.

The World Tree was vast, towering, and labyrinthine.

Estimating how long it would take to search the entire structure was impossible, but if she heightened her senses, she might just manage.

*First…*

Hwa Seorin intended to start her search from the highest point of the World Tree and work her way down. As she approached the base of the altar, she caught sight of Baek Yoosul waiting for her.

She remembered belatedly that she’d promised to meet him along with Yiphanell.

*I was looking forward to spending time with him.*

But any time for leisure would have to wait. She had to save the World Tree.

"I’m sorry, could you wait a bit? I’ll resolve this quickly."

"No, let’s move together."

"There’s no need to go to such lengths…"

"It’s not just that. I think I’ve found the cause."

"What?"

Surprised, Hwa Seorin’s eyes widened as Baek Yoosul gestured behind him.

"…If that’s the case, shall we go together to Yiphanell’s garden?"

If his suspicion was correct, a barrier would likely surround the area by now. She wouldn’t be able to breach it alone. Normally, a second-year or early third-year student would need specialized items and skills to penetrate such a barrier, but she was currently far too weak for that.

*Perhaps… it’s fortunate Hwa Seorin is here.*

In the game’s storyline, the protagonist had to resolve this episode alone, which made it excessively challenging. But now, with Hwa Seorin’s power, comparable to a ninth-class mage, by his side, there was no reason to worry.

*The only concern is…*

He felt uneasy at the thought of encountering the *Spirit Slayer* in front of Yiphanell.

Only a handful of players had ever faced the Spirit Slayer, and it was notorious as one of the most difficult episodes.

*Just in case, I’ll stay cautious.*

After all, if he had learned anything, it was that the unthinkable always happened.

With that, Baek Yoosul led Hwa Seorin toward Yiphanell’s garden, hoping that the contamination had not spread too far.

---

Among Stella Academy’s students, nobles made up a significant portion.

Since these noble students often missed classes due to family events, the academy allowed excused absences of up to four days with a legitimate reason.

In other words, they could miss an entire week’s worth of classes.

Of course, students rarely used the full four days, as few noble families held such grand events.

But this was Hong Bi-yeon, after all.

The princess of the Adolevit royal family.

Taking the full four-day leave, she proudly left the academy on a royal airship. As she gazed out at the drifting clouds, her thoughts drifted.

*Father has approved it. As a member of the royal family, I have every right to participate in the Purification Ceremony.*

The Purification Ceremony of Morfran Forest was Hong Si-hwa’s critical weakness.

Hong Bi-yeon’s interference would undoubtedly create a disadvantageous situation for her rival, but the Orkan Duke had accepted it all too easily.

Did he have his own ulterior motives?

Hong Bi-yeon cast a sideways glance at Sa Yeran Orkan, who sat at a distance.

The girl, only two years older than herself, had dark, unreadable eyes, hiding whatever thoughts lay within. Skilled in masking her emotions and adept at rhetoric, Sa Yeran was as polished in politics as she was in pure magic.

Though their magical prowess was close, as a person, Sa Yeran possessed qualities Hong Bi-yeon admired and knew she could learn from.

But that was all.

Sa Yeran was still her adversary, someone she would eventually have to eliminate.

*If I am to become queen, I must learn even from my enemies.*

A phrase she had once read floated to mind: “If there is something to be learned, you must be willing to bow, even to a beggar.”

Who had said that again?

It was… Isaac Morfr…

*Hmm.*

The serene, peaceful expression of Aijel surfaced in her mind, and she quickly shook it away.

"Princess, would you like some dessert?"

The royal attendant offered her dessert, but she shook her head at first.

*Dessert? I wouldn’t taste anything anyway…*

But then she reconsidered.

“…On second thought, bring me cake and sweet cocoa.”

Recently, she had discovered that if she focused her tongue, she could faintly sense *flavor*.

It was faint, barely a sensation at all. Most people wouldn’t even call it taste, just a subtle hint of something touching her tongue.

But she was sure of it.

Her sense of taste was beginning to return.

Since the day she lost her taste, she had longed desperately to experience flavor again.

Could it be that her countless attempts to reignite that happy sensation had finally worked?

"Here it is."

When the attendant presented the chocolate cake and cocoa, she carefully lifted a forkful to her lips. She couldn’t believe how nervous she felt over something so simple.

With a

 small bite, she focused intently on the flavor.

*…I don’t understand.*

But she tasted nothing. In fact, instead of flavor, she felt a disgusting, slimy texture that made her stomach turn. Her taste had not vanished completely; instead, it was twisted, and the vile texture filled her mouth.

*"Ugh…"*

She dashed to the restroom, spitting out the cake and wiping the cold sweat from her brow.

"Damn it…"

She should have known better than to try such a rich food. She’d been so eager to taste something again that she had taken on too bold a challenge.

*Why this time…*

She was sure she’d tasted something before. What had been different then?

And then, she recalled the person she had been with when she last tasted something.

A laugh escaped her.

To think her sense of taste might depend on the company she kept.

*That’s… absurd.*

She brushed the thought away, feeling oddly unfamiliar with herself for having such a trivial notion.

"Princess, are you alright?"

"Yes. I’ll be out soon."

As she exited the restroom, Sa Yeran waited for her, wearing the same impassive expression.

Hong Bi-yeon pretended to be unaffected as she returned to her seat, and Sa Yeran watched her for a moment.

*…Taste, huh.*

A thought surfaced in Sa Yeran’s mind, but she chose not to voice it.

After all, Hong Bi-yeon was her rival; she had no reason to help.