Seraphel didn’t return to the kingdom because she was informed of Byung’s new location. The goblin king had returned.

But Seraphel knew she wouldn’t step somewhere so filthy herself. The very thought made her skin crawl. No. She had no intention of walking into that pit.

But there was one person who would be eager to prove herself.

The fallen elf. The one who had lost her power with Naz. Aelindra.

Seraphel’s lips curved into a cold smile. The disgraced elf was still with Naz—still in position, still desperate to prove her worth. And Aelindra would be desperate—desperate to redeem herself, desperate to prove she hadn’t truly fallen, desperate to show the elven kingdom that she still deserved her place among them.

This would be their way in.

Seraphel tracked them carefully. She followed the group with Naz and Aelindra, staying far enough behind that they wouldn’t detect her presence. She moved through the forest like a shadow, her steps silent.

She didn’t confront them. Any direct contact would tip off the orc. Confronting Byung’s people would only make things worse.

This required subtlety. Very careful planning.

On the third day, Seraphel found the perfect tree. An ancient oak along the path they would pass. She placed her hand against it.

Then she began to inscribe.

Her fingers traced patterns in the air, mana flowing from her fingertips and burning into the wood. Not deeply—nothing visible to goblins or orcs. But to elven eyes, the message would shine like beacon fire.

The inscription was clear and precise.

It was a clear instruction to return back to the goblin settlement because Byung had returned but she gave a clearer instruction: do not harm him. Watch him and report everything.

But she added more. Instructions that went beyond simple surveillance.

The elves needed to know what side he aligned with. That was the critical question now. Because it was clear the dwarf had been trying to fight him in that moment—Seraphel had seen it with her own eyes. The possessed creature had targeted Byung specifically, had attacked with clear killing intent.

This meant Byung had opposed him. Had stood against whatever corruption now wore the orc’s skin like a suit of flesh.

And if there was a chance they could get the being who could bring down the barrier—if Byung was fighting against the same enemy the elves feared—then everything changed.

But this also meant he had the power to strengthen it. That was the terrifying alternative. Especially with his access to magic that they had just discovered. The raw power he displayed, it was unprecedented.

They had never seen something like this before. A goblin with mana pathways. A goblin who could evolve, who could enter restricted dimensions and return stronger. They had no idea what kind of abnormality they were facing.

But they knew Byung had the power to put an end to this once and for all if they could use him.

That was the key word. Use.

Seraphel finished the inscription and stepped back. The message was complete. Instructions for surveillance. Orders to determine his allegiance.

If Aelindra was still loyal—if she still wanted redemption—she would see this message. She would understand what was being asked of her.

And if she succeeded, if she could infiltrate Byung’s inner circle, if she could determine whether he was an ally or a threat to the barrier’s integrity, then the elven kingdom would finally have the information they needed.

Seraphel turned away from the tree and began her journey back toward elven territory. The queen would want a full report. The council would need to convene.

But for now, the seed was planted.

Aelindra would find the message. She would understand her mission.

And then they would know the truth about the goblin king who wielded power that should not exist.

The question was whether that truth would save them or doom them all.

Seraphel moved through the forest, her mind calculating the next moves in this dangerous game. The barrier was weakening. The corruption was spreading. And at the center of it all was a goblin who defied every natural law.

They had to know which side he was on.

Everything depended on it.

Behind her, the inscription glowed faintly in the bark, waiting to be discovered by elven eyes.

-

Aelindra and Naz travelled endlessly through the forest, the horse moving at a steady but unhurried pace. There was no doubt that they were lost—or rather, Naz was stalling because she kept asking questions about the elf and what her home was like. Her voice carried a cheerful curiosity that grated on Aelindra’s nerves.

"What are the elven cities like? I’ve heard they’re built into the trees themselves."

"Do all elves have silver hair like yours, or are there other colors?"

"Is it true that your people don’t eat meat? What do you survive on then?"

Aelindra wished she would just shut up and take her to where Byung was so she could kill him and put an end to this once and for all. Every question was another delay, another moment wasted when she could be tracking down the goblin king.

She might not have access to magic anymore, but she was more than enough to take care of him. She’d trained for centuries in combat. She was skilled with blade and bow. She knew how to kill.

But this was delusional on her part.

The truth was that Byung was stronger than when they last fought. Far stronger. And he would only keep growing stronger at this rate.

There was no stopping his ascent. Even death could no longer claim him. He’d died and come back. He’d evolved.

In a sense, Byung had become immortal.

They moved on horseback through dense woodland and despite Aelindra not having access to magic anymore, she could still see the inscription.

It appeared suddenly on the bark of an ancient oak tree—glowing faintly with elven script that only her eyes could perceive. Seraphel’s work.

She told Naz to stop. Naz did just that but was confused as to why.

"What’s wrong?" Naz asked, turning to look at her.

Aelindra hadn’t spoken much other than asking for Byung. Every conversation had been variations of "How much longer?" This sudden command caught the orc off guard.

"I need to relieve myself," Aelindra said, dismounting from her horse.

Naz nodded, still looking puzzled. "Of course. Take your time."

Aelindra walked to the tree, placing her hand against the bark. Aelindra pretended she needed to relieve herself and read the entire message rapidly, her eyes scanning the inscription and absorbing every word.

Do not harm him. Watch him closely. Report everything you observe. Determine his true allegiance.

Aelindra couldn’t believe the elves still had use for her. This was an opportunity of a lifetime because they didn’t have to worry about a creature stealing her magic and turning it against them—she had none to steal. She was immune to that particular threat in a way no other elf could be.

And her death wouldn’t affect them either. She was basically useless to the kingdom now. Expendable. A piece they could sacrifice without consequence.

But here, in this mission, that uselessness became an advantage.

And her heart settled. The consuming rage that had burned in her chest since she lost her power—it disappeared like someone had flipped an off switch. One moment it was there, the next it was gone.

She had purpose again. Direction. A mission.

Aelindra returned to where Naz waited.

She told Naz that she was done looking for Byung and asked if it was possible to return home, but also informed Naz she knew she was intentionally stalling.

Naz’s expression flickered—surprise, then calculation.

"How did you figure it out?"

"Elves might not be one race to interact with the rest of the world," Aelindra said, her voice calm, "but this doesn’t mean we don’t know the way to certain locations, especially if it’s one of interest. We’ve been circling the same area for two days now."

Naz smiled nervously and didn’t try to deny it. "You’re right. I was stalling. I was trying to see if you were a threat or not. I couldn’t bring just anyone back to the mines. Byung would have my head if I led someone dangerous straight to him."

Aelindra understood this much. It was the most logical choice. Smart, even. She would have done the same thing in Naz’s position but klling would have been involved.

She just needed to see Byung. Get close enough to observe him. Determine which side he was truly on.

"I’m not a threat," Aelindra said, which was technically true. She wasn’t planning to harm him anymore. "I just want to talk to him."

Naz studied her face, searching for deception.

"You’ve changed your mind about killing him?"

"I’ve realized that revenge won’t bring back what I’ve lost," Aelindra said. Also technically true. "I need to move forward. And I can’t do that while consumed with hatred."

Naz considered this. Then she nodded slowly.

"Alright. I’ll take you to him. But if you try anything—anything at all—there will be consequences."

"I understand."

Naz turned her horse toward a new direction.

"We’re two days away. Maybe less if we ride hard."

Aelindra mounted her horse and sat behind the much bigger orc.

The game had changed. She was no longer a fallen elf seeking revenge.

She was a spy. An agent of the elven kingdom.