Raising the Elf’s Genius Slayer

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Chapter

Rionne truly had no idea what Enok was up to.

Just in case he might unconsciously keep track of Enok’s presence, she even suppressed all her Ki Sense on purpose.

[Why go to such lengths?]

“Enok will be truly independent soon… so this is practice…”

[Practice?]

It seemed like he would do just fine without this kind of practice.

As Undine thought that, she realized by looking at Rionne’s expression.

She looked all scrunched up and restless, just like a puppy about to burst.

[Ah.]

Teaching him wasn’t about him practicing; it was about Rionne practicing—practicing to let go of Enok, practicing not to worry so much, that kind of thing.

[I truly see everything in this life.]

Sigh, Undine let out a long breath.

*

Rionne, who had been waiting eagerly, rushed over as soon as Enok called her.

But there were strange things scattered around.

“…Enok?”

“I won it all!”

Mercenaries lay there utterly defeated.

Amidst them, Enok proudly puffed out his chest.

“Oooh…”

Rionne slapped her forehead.

“How did all this happen?”

“Huh?”

Enok tilted his head and explained what had just occurred.

Someone picked a fight, there were guards, knights, a fight with Capri, and he even tried something called the ‘Middle of the War Technique’.

“’Middle of the War Technique’? I don’t think I taught you that yet?”

“Yep. I just did it.”

“Really!? That’s just like you, right?”

Rionne smiled brightly and patted Enok’s head.

“Sometimes, surprisingly, just doing it works out. But when I say that, no one seems to get it.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Isn’t that too much? Just try it, at least.”

“Right.”

With that encouraging answer, Rionne lifted Enok into the air.

Now that he had grown a bit, her posture was starting to look a little awkward.

“But what about picking fights?”

“Oh. I was making a Mercenary Guild.”

What had he said back then?

“That Gisaeng-Ohrabi-looking jerk should work at the brothel over there instead. Hey? If you just stretched those ears a bit, people would believe he’s an Elf. Those Elf hags are such a sight that they could kill you just by their looks…”

Recalling what Enok had heard, he repeated it verbatim.

Rionne, holding Enok, had her expression harden, unseen by Enok.

Her gaze turned chilly, with an aura that made it clear a mere mortal shouldn’t dare face it.

“…So, what did you do?”

“Just an arm and… a leg?”

“Aha, from now on, just kill them.”

“Can I do that?”

“Yep. It’s better that way, trust me.”

And what was that?

To think he’d said that Enok should go work at a brothel?

If anyone dared to talk such nonsense about our Enok, death would be the appropriate end.

“Understood.”

Enok nodded.

So, if you insult an Elf, you can kill them, right?

Jotting that down in his mental notebook, Enok suddenly had a thought.

“Oh, right.”

It was about the Mercenary Guild and the Clan.

What kind of identity verification could be done through a Mercenary Guild, and why did the city’s lords leave the Clans be?

Rionne took a moment to reflect on Enok’s question.

That was definitely…,

“I think the Emperor said something like that.”

“The Emperor?”

“Yep.”

The territories of the current nations on the continent correspond to the realms of the Demigods.

After all, if it’s a Demigod and there isn’t one on the other side, they could stomp all over an entire country.

The very birth of nations began when those corresponding races started to gather under the Demigod’s realm, so the Empire of Humans was no exception.

The Kaedes Empire is more or less synonymous with the Emperor’s domain.

Among humans, there was only one who reached the level of Demigod—the Emperor.

So, it’s only natural that the territory occupied by humans on the continent was entirely the Kaedes Empire, which was divided into several kingdoms.

The Emperor has loosely divided the land without much intention to govern.

He even left the task of appointing kings to others.

Thus, the throne naturally fell into the hands of the strong.

A king of a nation ought to be the strongest in that nation.

In any case, the Emperor’s will was absolute for the human race.

In fact, it would be reasonable to conclude that a single Emperor could defeat all the humans without much fuss.

“Such an Emperor tossed a vague command. Don’t nitpick over status, and don’t oppress military groups within your fief.”

“Why?”

“Dunno? But to me, it seems like a nasty hobby.”

The Emperor stood in a position close to an absolute being.

In a one-on-one scenario, he might have no equals on the continent.

If I were to guess, that kind of position is lonely and indeed quite boring.

Perhaps he’s trying to create worthy opponents to use as stepping stones for his own evolution.

“Then what about the Mercenary Guild…”

“Yeah, actually, it used to be more complicated, but ever since the Emperor ascended to the Paragon of Demigods, it became kind of loose.”

Forgery?

Isn’t that common?

But as long as you don’t get caught, it’s not a problem.

They don’t really hunt for these things with much effort, and it’s rare to get caught unless you really screw up.

They simply let it slide as long as you don’t cause trouble in the city.

“The same goes for the Clan. After all, the nobles are just those who gained status through strength or have significant backing.”

Surprisingly, despite being high in the power hierarchy, some may have negligible military strength.

The Chancellor of the Empire’s royal court is one such case.

The Chancellor was positioned there because the Emperor needed someone to keep the country running, so unless you’re completely insane, no one would think of messing with them.

“Anyway, what the Emperor is saying is this. Form military organizations? If you can, take the position of a lord. If you succeed, I’ll recognize you.”

The lords might well face headaches, but for the Emperor, that’s none of his business.

In fact, amidst the conflict, unexpected superhumans might emerge, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Reduced national strength from frequent battles?

Nations don’t rely on soldiers to maintain their integrity.

To put it bluntly, even if the Emperor killed all the humans and still marked the territory as an empire, it would still be considered an empire.

“Oh….”

So that’s why they say the Emperor is an insane person.

Enok understood.

[Hmm?]

Suddenly, Eri peeked out from inside Enok’s chest.

Not from some pocket-like pouch.

But genuinely from inside his ‘heart.’

“Wow! Eri has grown so much in just a few days!”

Eri, nestled in Enok’s Central Dantian, had grown a lot.

Nourished by Enok’s mana.

“Yeah. But it doesn’t seem particularly useful.”

[Ugh!?]

As a spirit, Eri had succeeded in residing within Enok’s Central Dantian, departing from the physical realm, but it didn’t mean she had fused successfully.

Of course, he had been learning how to use Eri within his Central Dantian through spirit arts, but…,

“Do I really need to?”

He didn’t feel much value in it.

Maybe once her abilities improved, it would matter, but for now, it felt rather vague.

“Enok, you can’t think that way. She’s your partner for life.”

“For life?”

“Of course!”

Enok gazed intently at Rionne.

The intensity of that gaze was so strong, even Rionne could perceive it.

“What’s wrong?”

“The one I want to be with for life is Rionne.”

“……!”

Rionne’s eyes widened.

Did she get it?

Enok’s heart thumped rapidly, thump, thump.

“G- gosh…!”

Rionne beamed brightly and lifted Enok high into the air.

“How could you be this adorable…!”

Rionne was as thrilled as though her son had graduated with honors in the past.

“Oh my dear Enok…! Yes! I want to live with you forever too!”

“Yep….”

Enok’s smile faded.

*

Back home, Enok pondered.

Is the age gap really the issue?

To Rionne, he must just look like a tiny kid.

Well, technically, he was still a kid.

Wasn’t he shorter than Rionne still?

So.

So, someday when he’s taller than Rionne and much more mature…

Would she think of him a little differently then?

Clenching his fist, Enok made a determination.

‘There’s really only one thing I can do.’

Get stronger.

Even if, in the distant future, he hasn’t matured enough, if he’s strong enough to impress Rionne, perhaps then things might change.

Or, thinking about it, there was also the method of sudden transformation often experienced by superior warriors, which could allow for rapid maturation.

In this case, if possible, he might become an adult as soon as tomorrow.

If that happens,

‘Wait, no.’

Actually, he needed to figure out that Heavenly Death technique first.

Rionne was worried about him like that.

Even if he entered her heart, there was a chance she’d refuse him before that.

In the end, it’s all about cultivation.

The stronger he became, the higher his level would naturally rise, and as levels went up, he would naturally become stronger.

“Eri.”

[Whew?]

“I’m not giving you any free time starting tomorrow.”

[Wha…!?]

*

Two years passed.

Enok turned 15 years old.

Having made his determination, Enok had grown remarkably stronger but still felt unsatisfied.

“Damn it.”

Crunch—!

With a swing of his hand, a bear-like monster was crushed.

Scoffing, Enok shook off his hands and stomped the ground.

Crash—!

Lightning burst forth, explosively scattering everywhere as Enok shot up into the sky.

Overhead, gazing down at the scenery of the deep forest, Enok, engulfed in lightning, plummeted back to the earth.

Boom—!!

Trees were uprooted and flung away in a flurry from the shockwave.

As the cloud of dust settled, Enok spat out a phlegmy wad of spit.

In the center of a completely turned-upside-down area stood Enok, gazing up at the sky.

“Ahhh… so frustrating.”

Fifteen.

A tumultuous age.