The fervent and warm light of the late morning sun successfully streamed down onto the earthy ground.
It was warm and gentle.
The entire way here, Célia had been carried like a daughter, hauled over his shoulder.
Now, suddenly put down, she actually felt a bit unaccustomed to it.
She felt a little nostalgic for the man's warmth…
Célia hugged her knees, obediently curling up as she sat on a large tree root.
She looked up at the man standing before her with his eyes closed.
His dark, medium-length hair fell over his cold, stern brows and eyes; his pale grayish skin seemed even cooler under the dappled tree shadows.
The sharp contours of his profile were more profound and hard-edged than any male elf present.
Even without actively channeling magical power, his figure still seemed to radiate an aura of immense strength.
It felt… very secure?
The feeling was like – at any moment, those detestable humans might breach the hidden defenses and attack, but as long as this man was here, there seemed to be nothing to fear.
Watching him… just watching him…
Unconsciously…
Célia found herself staring dazedly at that profile.
Her lips parted slightly, a faint blush spread across her small face, and her pure, jade-green eyes grew shiny, misted with a layer of moisture.
Was this her husband?
Her husband…
Célia felt proud.
Célia really liked Lian!
Immediately after…
Realizing what she was thinking, she abruptly lowered her head, covering her burning cheeks.
Her mind felt chaotic, messy.
Had she just… was she just… in heat over a man?
Actually – Elf maidens, genetically, were predisposed to develop a unique attachment to the man who conquered them.
This gene was the result of long evolution.
In early times, their reproductive ability was extremely poor, and daily conflicts easily led to the breakdown of relationships between couples.
To solve these problems, this trait gradually evolved over long ages.
Of course, it wasn't just evolution; during this process, many ancestors used every means possible to intervene.
Because of this, a family within the clan, even over a thousand years, would not split due to one or two conflicts.
Both parties could quickly empathize with each other, understanding and being tolerant.
Separations were extremely rare, maybe one in ten thousand.
In this regard, they were much better than humans.
This was also why, after the first night, when the man held her while sleeping…
Célia naturally felt a sense of security, even wanting to stay nestled in his embrace like that forever, never leaving.
Of course, it was because, deep within Célia's buried heart…
She had long since accepted Lian as her man.
During this time, she had already developed many feelings different from familial love; she just wasn't willing to admit it to herself.
Lian, standing by the Eternal Tree, was comprehending the flow of natural mana around him.
After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes and glanced sideways at the girl sitting on the ground.
The elf maiden at his feet was burying her head in her hands.
Whatever she was doing, those pointed elf ears of hers were completely red, faintly steaming.
"What are you doing?"
Célia jumped at the sudden question.
"I-It's nothing!" she mumbled into her hands.
She didn't dare look up, afraid Lian would see her disgraceful state.
A trace of an amused, faint smile appeared on Lian's usually calm face. He slowly crouched down, his large hand reaching out to stroke the cheek she was hiding.
Célia trembled again, her small hands feebly clutching his wrist, but it was useless.
"Very hot," Lian said.
He lowered his head,simply; looking up at her from below.
He furrowed his brow, pretending concern.
"Could it be some illness after giving birth? A fever?"
"N-No… It's just… a bit hot…"
Célia's heart tightened.
Feeling his gaze, she hurriedly covered her face again with her pale, small hands.
"Wuu~"
The man, unable to see, promptly pinched her chin and lifted it, forcing her to reveal her shy, tear-glazed face.
Exposed to the air…
Célia just felt embarrassed, as if everything had been laid bare, not a shred left.
Feeling both shame and indignation, she averted her gaze with a resentful little expression.
Lian grew even more interested.
He pinched her soft cheek.
"What are you thinking about?"
Having long seen through Célia's thoughts, he looked back towards the other elves, his gaze seeming meaningful.
"It's not, it's not that!"
Célia frantically shook her head, her slightly red-rimmed eyes glaring as if she might cry at any second.
And after hearing his words…
Her eyes felt even more sore, her conscience even more guilty.
Because what he said wasn't false.
"You're truly amusing. I'll tease you more tonight. For now, come see my natural mana."
"Wuu… Mmm…"
Célia nodded, her eyes still tearful.
Before she could even react, the man took her hand and pulled her up from the ground.
She stumbled a couple of steps after him, steadying herself against the tree.
"L… Lian, sir? You know natural magic too?"
Having the topic actively shifted, Célia certainly didn't want to let this chance go.
She immediately asked, wanting him to forget her embarrassing state.
She couldn't believe herself – actually being in heat over a man.
But Lian's words had indeed planted a doubt in her heart.
Since she was little, her parents had told her that natural magic was inherently meant to harmonize and merge with elves.
It was a vital tool for resisting external storms, and in this world, only elves were worthy of using it.
Including during the human invasion back then, she hadn't felt any disturbance in the surrounding natural mana; they seemed to use magic of other attributes.
But now this man said he would demonstrate natural mana.
He was a demon.
Could demons use natural mana?
Were they closer to nature than humans?
Célia was puzzled.
She nervously clutched her skirt.
The heat in her face had finally subsided a bit, but it was still very… unsettling.
As the man raised one hand, the elves on the other side seemed to sense something, turning their gazes towards them.
Actually, even before this, most eyes had been on Célia and Lian.
Their every move had already been thoroughly observed by all the elves present.
Even those who were practicing couldn't help but glance over from time to time.
Especially Kaimete.
Célia's brother, since following them on their stroll, had been sitting peacefully on an outward-jutting branch of the Eternal Tree.
One leg dangled casually; he seemed quite leisurely, not putting his mind on cultivation at all.
His gaze never strayed from his sister and Lian.
As for the other elves…
A man of the demon race…
For millions of years, the elves had never ventured beyond their clan, so they hadn't seen much of the world.
Regarding this demon, the female elves were all quite curious.