Chapter 32: We Meet Again, Hero

After receiving Ryuu's confirmation, Galadriel finally let out a sigh of relief.

At the very least, her people were now protected.

Thinking about it carefully, there wasn't much of a downside. They had simply gained a new master.

"As far as I know, there's another elven faction in the Rune Kingdom," Ryuu said, his gaze sharpening.

"Yes," Galadriel nodded. "The Night Elves, led by Nia, have been waging war against the Dwarves of Rune."

Ryuu smirked. "I see. Looks like it's time to unite the elves."

He had already decided—the two elven factions needed to be merged.

That way, their full combat potential could be maximized.

The Otherworld was divided into five major territories:

Northern Continent: Ruled by the Northern Empire (Human race).

Southern Continent: Ruled by the Southern Empire (Human race).

Western Continent: Home to Vampires, the Undead, and Necromancers.

Eastern Continent: A mix of Elves, Humans, Orcs, and Dwarves—where the Demon King's Castle was located.

Mingna Mountains: A mysterious, isolated region few dared to enter.

Since his castle was already in the Eastern Continent, Ryuu had no intention of sharing territory.

If he wanted to expand his rule, this land needed to be his first.

Uniting the Night Elves and Forest Elves was merely Step One.

However, Ryuu's words seemed to shock Galadriel.

"M-My Lord!" she stammered. "You just said… you want to unite the Elves?"

"Yeah, so what?" Ryuu raised an eyebrow.

Galadriel's expression shifted between shock and excitement.

The hatred between Night Elves and Forest Elves had lasted for over a thousand years.

Despite many attempts throughout history, no one had ever succeeded in uniting them.

If Ryuu truly accomplished this, he would become a legend among the Elves.

She hurriedly explained the deep-rooted conflict between their two factions.

Ryuu wasn't impressed.

"Tch," he scoffed. "They failed because they were weak. You can't unite a people just by talking."

His Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed dangerously.

"Don't worry. I'll handle it."

Galadriel's eyes lit up.

She suddenly bowed deeply.

"My lord, if you need assistance, please allow the Elven Elders to aid you!"

Ryuu smirked.

Her attitude had shifted completely.

Just earlier, she had resisted him—now, she was practically worshiping him.

He could tell how much this goal meant to her.

If he succeeded, her people would see her as a hero.

"I'll be borrowing your Elders for a while, then."

"Of course, my lord!" Galadriel nodded eagerly.

Her loyalty was no longer in question.

With his preparations complete, Ryuu turned his attention back to his true priority—

The Hero, Nitta Haruto.

That fool was heading toward the Elves, hoping to obtain the Sage's Ring.

Ryuu's lips curled into a cruel grin.

"Let's see how you handle failure, Haruto."

His Mangekyō Sharingan spun, and his body twisted into a vortex of space.

In the next moment—he was gone.

---

Forest of the Elves

Morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the elven forest.

By the campfire, Nitta Haruto, Ellie, and Sayuri were finishing breakfast.

Beside them, Kowa silently chopped firewood with his sword.

Since Ryuu left the party, things had been awkward.

Everyone spoke less, and the atmosphere was no longer the same.

"Ellie, here," Haruto said, handing her a skewer of grilled meat. "Careful, it's hot."

Ellie eagerly took a bite—

"Mm! Delicious!" she said, her voice muffled.

Then—

"Ah—hot!!"

Haruto laughed. "I told you to be careful!"

Sayuri, sitting nearby, accepted her food with a graceful nod and ate slowly, like a noblewoman.

Seeing her, Ellie tried to copy her refined style…

…but gave up almost immediately and resumed devouring her food.

Haruto then walked over to Kowa, handing him a skewer.

"You've been working hard. Here, have some."

Kowa shook his head. "No. Finish chopping first. Give it to the Goddess instead."

Under a large tree, the Goddess leaned against the trunk, a mysterious smile on her face.

She watched Haruto approach, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Here, Lady Goddess," he said. "How much longer until we reach the Elves?"

"Not long," she replied. "You'll see them very soon."

Haruto sighed, frustrated.

"You say that every time. It's been three days, and we haven't even seen an elf's shadow!"

"Be patient," she teased. "You can't rush these things."

Haruto froze.

That phrase—

It was Ryuu's catchphrase.

For a moment, the entire camp went silent.

Even Sayuri, who had been quietly eating, stopped moving.

No one spoke of Ryuu anymore, as if he had never been part of the party.

The Goddess, however, had no such restraints.

She smirked, clearly enjoying the tension.

Then—

A voice echoed from above.

"The Lady Goddess is right, Haruto. You can't rush these things."

Haruto's eyes widened.

That voice—

It couldn't be.

Kowa and Ellie immediately grabbed their weapons, stepping into formation.

Only Sayuri trembled in place.

The air distorted—

And Ryuu appeared.

Haruto's expression twisted with hatred.

"TRAITOR!" he snarled. (T/N: the audacity to call that word when they are the one that did it.)

Ryuu grinned. "Now, now… is that how you welcome an old friend?"

Haruto's grip on his sword tightened.

"For a traitor, I have only one word—"

"DIE!"

He lunged.

His greatsword swung toward Ryuu's neck—

Ryuu didn't move.

Then—

In a blur of speed, he raised his right leg—

And kicked Haruto straight in the stomach.

CRACK!

Haruto's eyes bulged.

Blood and bile burst from his lips.

His body was sent flying.

With a deafening crash, he slammed into the ground, leaving a massive crater.

Coughing up blood, he clutched his abdomen, struggling to breathe.

Kowa jumped in front of Haruto, blocking Ryuu from advancing.

Sayuri rushed to heal him, hands trembling.

Haruto's face twisted in disbelief.

"How… how is he this strong?!"

Ryuu chuckled.

"Haruto, are you seriously trying to fight me up close?"

His crimson Mangekyō Sharingan spun ominously.

"Did you already forget?" Ryuu smirked.

"Last time we fought, you were on your knees…"

"BEGGING ME TO LET YOU LIVE."

Haruto's face darkened.

This—

This was the darkest moment of his life.

And Ryuu had just humiliated him in front of everyone.

Haruto gritted his teeth.

"…Bastard."

He struggled to his feet, sword trembling in his grip.

"This time," he growled, eyes burning with rage.

"I WON'T LOSE!"

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