Chapter 55: Budding Friendship with the Fanged Elves
The sun dipped low behind the ancient crystalline towers of Whispering Haven City, casting a golden hue over the horizon as Elton, Ramiro, Zoro, Shayleaf, and Joe-Pine strolled through a narrow stone path lined with floating lanterns. Laughter echoed in the air. The group had spent the day exploring artisan markets, sipping sparkling teas, and watching spirit beasts perform acrobatic displays in the city's amphitheater. For a moment, the world felt normal.
As twilight deepened into early night, the group found themselves overlooking a small lake at the edge of the city. Elton stretched his arms and looked over his shoulder at both Joe-Pine and Shayleaf.
"Welp, guess it's time we head back to the housing units," he said casually.
Shayleaf and Joe-Pine both let out an audible sigh.
"Aww, already?" Shayleaf pouted. "It feels like we just got started."
"Yeah," Joe-Pine added. "You sure you can't hang out a bit longer? You could come over to our place. We got snacks."
Elton gave an easy smile but shook his head. "Thanks, but we're good for tonight."
Ramiro let out a booming laugh. "Elton's the boss here, so I just follow his lead. If he says it's time to go, then I guess it's time."
Zoro, as always, said nothing, simply watching the water with an unreadable gaze.
There was a moment of silence before Joe-Pine cleared his throat.
"So… are you guys planning to leave tomorrow? Or the day after maybe?" he asked, his tone almost too casual.
"Ehhh…" Elton muttered, side-eying his companions. Ramiro frowned. Zoro's eyes narrowed.
Ramiro folded his arms. "What makes you think that, Joe?"
Shayleaf quickly spoke up, her voice slightly pitched. "It's just… a guess? Or maybe a feeling?" She turned away, pretending to watch the lake.
Elton chuckled. "Alright, alright. Cards on the table. We were planning to leave soon, But we hadn't pinned down the exact moment."
Shayleaf and Joe-Pine exchanged glances before nodding.
"Then… could you let us know before you go?" Shayleaf asked. "We want to give you a proper farewell."
Elton hesitated. His mouth opened, but before he could speak, Zoro took a step forward, voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"What are you plotting?"
The 2 flinched. A chill ran through the air as Zoro's killing intent briefly flared.
Ramiro spun around. "Zoro! What the hell, man?!"
Zoro ignored him, taking another step forward, eyes locked on Joe-Pine and Shayleaf. "You asked too many unnecessary questions. You also seem to know too much. Once more—what are you planning?"
"We're not plotting anything!" Joe-Pine said quickly. "Please, believe us."
"Yeah! We just wanted to spend more time with you!" Shayleaf added, voice trembling.
Zoro's hand drifted to the hilt of his katana. "I hate liars. This is your last chance."
Ramiro growled. "Zoro, cut it out! You're taking this too far!"
Elton stood silently, eyes fixed on the trio. He hadn't moved. He hadn't decided yet.
Then Joe-Pine sighed.
Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from him though not aggressive, but undeniable. He raised his hands slowly in surrender.
"You're not wrong," he said softly. "Zoro… you have good instincts."
Shayleaf stared at him in disbelief. "Joe?! What are you saying?"
Joe-Pine looked at her, then at Elton. "We were sent to befriend you. To learn about you. Our superior wanted to know what you three's intentions were overall. Also your future actions given your status. Shay didn't know the full details. I did."
Ramiro scratched his head, groaning. "Ugh. Knew it was too good to be true."
Elton gave a wry smile. "Honestly… I figured something was up. I'm not mad or anything because it logically makes sense, strategically speaking."
Joe-Pine's aura slowly faded, but what lingered was strength. He was no ordinary Silver Tier 5. His power was focused and heavy giving a feeling if someone on the cusp of advancement.
Shayleaf looked around, clearly shaken. Then tears brimmed in her eyes.
"I didn't know..." she sniffled. "I thought we were actually friends. I thought… this was real."
"It was real," Joe-Pine said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever the original mission was, I meant every laugh and every moment."
Zoro finally relaxed, letting his hand fall away from his blade. He exhaled slowly and then, surprisingly, smiled.
"Then we're truly friends now. Just know that true friends don't lie. They don't keep secrets."
Ramiro blinked. "Wait, what? Did Zoro just say something… friendly?"
Elton laughed. "You forget, that's how Zoro and I met. We even fought each other."
"Oh yeah…" Ramiro groaned. "There was that time not long after we met when I got slammed into the dirt after trying to go toe-to-toe with this monster…"
Zoro gave a rare grin. "You weren't bad. Just not good enough."
They all laughed heartily after that.
The laughter gradually faded, leaving a soft silence among the five. Elton's expression shifted from light-hearted to serious as he leaned slightly against the stone railing nearby.
"So, Joe-Pine," Elton began, voice calm but edged with curiosity, "What exactly does your superior want from us?"
Joe-Pine paused, taking a breath before answering. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I was just told to keep an eye on you three, learn what I could, and ensure no threats came to you. But I truly believe her intentions are good."
Ramiro raised a brow and crossed his arms. "You 'believe'? Doesn't sound like certainty to me."
Shayleaf jumped in, waving her hands frantically. "Aunt Aeloria may be intense, even scary at times—but she's not evil! She's always fair and kind to people who don't give her a reason to act otherwise."
Joe-Pine gave a half-smile, glancing at Shayleaf. "You really shouldn't just say her name like that out loud..."
"I-I was just trying to help!" she protested.
Elton stayed quiet for a moment, gazing out at the moonlit skyline. "Another thing I've noticed… I can't help but to think that we are being followed every so often by lurkers..."
Joe-Pine blinked, surprised. "I figured there'd be some… surveillance, but I barely noticed anything. That's impressive."
Elton shrugged. "Just instincts."
Zoro nodded, silently affirming. Ramiro hesitated, scratched the back of his head, then forced a confident nod. "Totally! Same."
Shayleaf looked between them, eyes wide and sparkling. "You guys are so cool..."
Joe-Pine chuckled, then straightened up. "The power structure in this city is… complex. Five factions hold influence. Four come from nearby Aboveground lands. The fifth comes from far away from a place called the True Whispering Expanse."
Ramiro leaned forward. "True Whispering Expanse? That sounds dramatic."
Joe-Pine continued. "It's said to still have a thread connecting it to the True World; a place of high secrecy, known only to those with true power. Even most nobles don't know it exists."
Ramiro gasps in amazement at the mention of a True world, "Wow it sounds like an amazing place"
Joe-Pine laughed lightly, then looked at Elton again. "I still think it's best if we talk more back at our estate. It's safer and more private."
Elton's eyes narrowed slightly, focusing beyond the nearby buildings. In the dim torchlight of a passing patrol, he spotted something—a soldier with a different kind of neck shackle. One he recognized. A worn, rusted ring with Brymian runes etched into its edge. His expression hardened.
"Let's go now," Elton said. "To your estate Tonight."
Joe-Pine blinked. "Tonight?"
Shayleaf practically bounced. "Yes! Great! I mean… of course! You're all welcome!"
Joe-Pine chuckled, scratching his head. "Guess it's decided."
They moved quickly. The streets passed in a blur of stone and shadow. Lanterns flickered as they crossed districts, moving through parts of the city Elton and his group had yet to explore.
Eventually, they stood before a grand iron gate adorned with a sigil — two fangs piercing through a leaf with veined patterns. The estate was massive, ancient yet refined. Tall hedges lined the walls, and soft blue lights lit the walkway.
The gate guard recognized them immediately and bowed. "Welcome back, Master Joe-Pine. Mistress Shayleaf. Guests are expected."
Elton's group passed through. Along the paths, servants and maids paused, bowing respectfully. A few Fanged Elf clansmen watched from balconies and archways, their expressions unreadable, eyes full of curiosity and calculation.
As they stepped up the polished steps and into the grand hallway, a subtle tension lingered in the air.