As Sion walked through the majestic halls of the Sidom Palace beside King Elion, he couldn't help but feel admiration. Unlike the cold stone and towering pride of human castles, this place pulsed with life. Vines curled naturally around ancient columns, glowing moss lit the marble corridors, and mana-rich air soothed the spirit.
"I must say, Your Majesty," Sion began, his voice carrying a rare softness, "your palace is more than impressive. It feels alive."
King Elric chuckled, "You have a keen sense. The palace was grown, not built. It listens, breathes, and remembers." He glanced at Sion with interest. "You've been honest. So allow me to return the favor. You said you wished to learn more of our traditions?"
Sion nodded. "I do. I admit, I know little of elven ways. This world is still new to me."
With a wave, Elric guided Sion through a side corridor, opening into a radiant garden bathed in soft moonlight. Towering trees, each with bark like etched glass, lined the grove. Their branches shimmered with lights that blinked gently, like stars caught in leaves.
"This is the Memory Grove," the king said reverently. "Each elf is given a Memory Tree at birth. It grows with us, absorbing our most defining emotions. When we die, our memories return here. These trees are our legacy."
As Sion stepped between the trees, a hum filled the air—and suddenly, one of the oldest trees, rooted near the center of the grove, began to glow in soft blue pulses.
Gasps rang out from the attending nobles.
The king halted. "This tree belongs to my bloodline…"
Raphael, standing nearby, grinned. "Either your trees are defective, or your kingdom just adopted a new son."
But Sion remained silent, his hand brushing the bark. Deep down, he felt it too. A presence—gentle and welcoming, as if the land itself recognized him.
After a long pause, the king placed a hand on his shoulder. "There is much about you that goes beyond comprehension, Sion of the Leaf Dukedom."
They returned inside, and the king asked, "May I see it for myself? The warp gate magic Rebecca mentioned?"
Sion agreed. With a short incantation and a sweep of his arm, a swirling warp gate tore open space beside them, revealing a direct portal to the Leaf Dukedom. Its power radiated in waves.
The king's gaze sharpened. As an elf, his mana-vision allowed him to perceive magic more clearly than most. What he saw stunned him.
"…Your mana reserve," he whispered. "It's like a sea with no bottom."
Sion tilted his head. "You saw it, didn't you? My mana core."
The court gasped. None outside Sidom had ever known of the elves' unique ability to perceive magic so precisely.
The king recovered quickly, but his curiosity had only deepened. "How do you know?"
Sion smiled faintly. "It's a secret "
The king let out a low, impressed breath. "I see."
"But I didn't demonstrate this for pride, Your Majesty," Sion continued. "I did it because I want to propose something important."
.
King Elric raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"I want an unofficial treaty between Sidom and the Leaf Dukedom."
The room went still.
"Unofficial?" the king asked cautiously. "Why not formalize it?"
"Because," Sion replied, voice firm, "King Nathan is not fit to lead Clover Kingdom through what's coming. He's afraid. Paralyzed by stronger enemies like Bethel and Spade. I need allies who are willing to move in silence, prepare in shadow, and strike with unity. That cannot happen under a king who panics."
The king's expression turned serious, and the nobles around them shifted uncomfortably.
From the corner, Raphael folded his arms, whispering to himself, "That boy's tongue is sharper than his sword. Cunning as a fox."
Before the king could respond, he beckoned Sion to follow him into a dark room where a silver flame danced atop a pedestal of obsidian crystal.
"This is the Binding Flame of Will," Elric said. "It cannot be swayed by lies. If your purpose is pure, it will respond."
Sion stepped forward.
"I carry many burdens. War is coming. I will not wait for it to consume us. I will reshape this world from the shadows if I must—if that means saving the people I care about."
The flame surged, rising high in a flash of brilliant silver light, then calmed.
The king smiled. "Then we will consider your request. But know this—unofficial or not, we do not offer trust lightly."
"I would expect nothing less."