Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win
Chapter 160: Reagan and Kros The Great One. [3]

Chapter 160: Reagan and Kros The Great One. [3]

[Malik, Salyan Kingdom.]

It took them half an hour to reach Malik’s front gate from Avlyen.

Despite the protest from Viros and Luca, Akamir insisted on checking it out.

Just because of what Nayomi told him.

’A great one’s curse that resulted in the death of millions of elves.’

From what Nayomi had told him, in the game Kros, the great one had cursed the elves.

The curse that became the reason why half their population turned into mindless monsters.

’It all happened because they messed with her corpse.’

Had they not done it, had they let her body float back, it wouldn’t have happened.

’They got greedy.’

Akamir wasn’t happy to know that their neighbours are going to turn their deadliest enemy.

’What a pain.’

"You don’t have to be too concerned," Nayomi said, who floated beside him. "The ending of half their race is inevitable."

"Doesn’t mean, I would let them all die." Akamir grumbled softly.

Even though he wasn’t a saint, Akamir wouldn’t sit there and see millions just die.

’I can’t be that heartless.’

"Your involvement won’t matter much, pretty boy." Nayomi said, her voice cynical. "I would advise to just run away before you are affected by the curse as well."

"...What’s a great one anyway?" Akamir mumbled, glancing at her.

Nayomi crossed her arms as she explained. "Remember, how mana leaks from Clandestine?" she said. "These old ones also come from there."

Akamir frowned. "How?"

Nayomi floated a little higher, her eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of Malik’s cloudy sky.

"No one really knows," she admitted. "Most plausible reason is they slipped through cracks thousands of years ago."

Akamir gave her a small thoughtful nod. "...I see."

There was so much in his mind right now, the most important being Kros’ immortality.

’If they just let her be, then she would turn into pure mana and become whole once again.’

But...

They are messing up with her body, which they should never do.

’Well, I should do what I can and get this over with.’

"Do you usually talk with yourself often?" A voice echoed from his side.

Akamir glanced at Reagan who rode atop his shoulder now, his little frame surprisingly steady.

It made the walking easier, and he didn’t protest when Akamir offered.

"No." Akamir said, looking forward. "Why did you wait for so long before taking action?"

Reagan’s small teddy bear frame remained silent for a while.

"I was afraid." He admitted grimly. "What if that thing is still alive."

"...I see."

Akamir didn’t ask anything else, he understood him.

’Fear what you don’t understand and fear the unknown.’

It was one of the things that made him a wise king in his old life.

To never look down on what you don’t understand.

---

They entered Malik through the eastern path.

The air felt thicker here, like it was soaked in grief.

Most of the houses were intact, but no one came out to greet them.

Even the trees along the path were wilting slightly, their leaves dull and brittle.

Reagan, still on Akamir’s shoulder, spoke after a long pause. A notebook in his hand.

"There," he pointed, "the site was near the temple river. That’s where the first sightings were."

Akamir looked at the river running on the side.

A temple was on the bank. "And the body?"

"Supposedly drifted to the sea," Reagan said. "But I doubt it."

Akamir just gave him a nod as they walked past the main gate.

The soldiers didn’t stop them; instead, they bowed slightly towards the teddy bear.

"Aren’t you famous." Viros said softly.

"I have been living here for thirty years." Reagan replied without looking back. "Of course, they know me."

The town was made on either side of the river with a long bridge connecting them.

’Do they not fear floods?’

Akamir wondered, rubbing his chin as they kept on walking down the road.

The place was eerily silent despite it being the daytime.

The few elves that passed by moved quickly, heads lowered, avoiding eye contact.

No children laughed in the streets. It was like a town holding its breath.

Even Viros found it odd as he whispered, "What is wrong with this place?"

Reagan didn’t answer right away.

He just tapped his cane lightly on Akamir’s shoulder and pointed toward the bridge.

"Let’s cross. You’ll understand once we reach the old temple grounds."

The wooden bridge creaked with every step.

Below them, the river looked unnatural, with smooth, almost glass-like water.

The water should have been flowing fast, yet it moved slowly, as if something beneath it was pulling it down.

"I don’t like this," Luca muttered, glancing over the edge. "This place feels cursed."

"Come on, boy!" Viros said, patting his chest. "I will protect ya!"

"No thanks." Luca replied, looking away.

Once they reached the other side, the air grew colder.

The sunlight above barely reached the ground through the darkening clouds.

But when they tried to walk towards the centre of the village—

A sudden whistle echoed within the place.

Akamir tensed up as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.

A few seconds passed and no one came out.

Until.....

"Halt! This area is under the supervision of House Faelor! No one is allowed inside."

The voice rang out sharp and commanding.

Akamir turned toward the sound, his grip still firm on his sword hilt.

From the misted path ahead, a group of elves emerged in silver armor.

Their cloaks bearing the crest of a blooming tree....a mark of House Faelor.

There were five of them, weapons drawn and eyes cold.

One of them, a tall elf with sharp cheekbones and narrow, suspicious eyes, stepped forward.

"Identify yourselves," he demanded. "This area is under quarantine. Leave at once."

Akamir didn’t move as he simply stared back.

’Doesn’t Lewin belong to the same house as well?’

Akamir remembered the Royal advisor who he had met a few days ago.

That man had the same surname as them.

Reagan tapped the side of Akamir’s neck, then raised his voice.

"I am Reagan, I’ve lived in this place for three decades. This boy is under my protection, and I’m here to investigate."

The elf frowned. "Master Reagan? I thought you were gone."

"I was," Reagan replied. "Now I’m not, so let us through."

The elf looked at the others as they shifted uncomfortably.

"...Still, we have our orders," he said. "House Faelor’s second son, Lord Elsin, is conducting a sealed investigation."

Viros scoffed. "Second son or not, he doesn’t own the land."

"Tone your tone, human boy!" The elf snapped. "This isn’t your home where you can say whatever you please."

Viros, who was clearly annoyed, wanted to say more, but Reagan used his cane as a hook and pulled him back.

The sea-green haired boy looked at him with surprise. "How the fuck do you have so much strength."

Reagan ignored him as he looked at the elf.

"We are not here to fight." He said, his voice calm. "Just let me through to check the place for my own satisfaction."

They didn’t seem to take his words kindly as they all pointed their weapons at them.

The guard narrowed his eyes. "I advise you to turn around before things get messy."

Akamir drew out his sword and so did the other two.

But....

Reagan let out a sigh and stopped them.

"Let’s go." He said, tapping Akamir’s shoulder.

Akamir gave him a look but didn’t rebuke.

He just turned around and walked away, the other two following behind him.

"Why did you stop us?" Viros asked, looking at him. "It’s not like we can’t beat them."

"Violence is never a solution." Reagan replied, looking at them. "They are soldiers of the Duke, you won’t be left alone if you attack them."

Viros opened his mouth to rebuke but no words came out of it.

Akamir remained silent as he knew that Reagan had a plan in his mind.

’Wait, does he even have a mind?’

It was beyond him, how a teddy bear is a functional species.

They crossed the bridge once again and arrived on the other side of the village.

Just as they walked past a silent road....

"Huh?"

Someone grabbed Akamir’s hand and dragged him into the alleyway.

Akamir was ready to punch him but stopped when he saw a child.

"Ekilo?"

Reagan said, recognizing the child.

The elf in ragged clothes immediately knelt down, tears trickled down his face.

"M..Master Reagan, h..help us."