RISE OF EROS

"I see. I was really curious, but if it's not appropriate to say so, I won't ask anymore," the elder Vilmon said after a few seconds of silence. The elder's words puzzled Andrew, as he was sure they would be more insistent.

Elder Vilmon noticing this smiled and asked, "Did you think we would force you?". Andrew noticing that the elder spoke more casually, also put politeness aside and replied with genuine surprise, "Honestly, yes."

Hearing Andrew's very honest answer, the elder Vilmon let out a laugh that surprised him and after a few seconds, when he had calmed down, spoke again, "Boy, do you know elven pride?".

Elder Vilmon's question confused Andrew. He couldn't understand the reason why he asked him that question when they were talking about a completely different subject.

The elder did not wait for Andrew to answer and continued, "We elves are a proud race, however, our pride is not the same as that of humans."

Pausing the elder Vilmon noted Andrew's reaction and continued speaking, "Our pride focuses on connections. Simply put, our creed is to give back what was given to us. If it is help we deliver gratitude and if it is harm we deliver vengeance."

The elder's last words contained a hint of power and somehow Andrew understood that it was not directed at him, which surprised him, but he continued to listen to what the elder had to say.

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Then Elder Vilmon continued his speech, "Many mistake our love of plants and nature as pacifists and indeed we prefer to be, however, make no mistake, we have our loves and hates well defined."

"You have provided help, so we will repay gratitude, so we will not pursue your secret, I guarantee you that as Evergreen's founding and protector," the elder added.

Despite the impassioned speech, Andrew was skeptical because regardless of race there were always bad apples. Certainly, there were more in some races than others, but he didn't think the elves would let him go so easily.

Elder Vilmon seeing the doubt on Andrew's face spoke again, "I understand your doubts, but you should know that an elf who undoes his pride is no longer an elf, and as I just promised you, at least in Evergreen you will not suffer."

The old man's words had many implications. In short, he was telling him that whoever attacked them no longer belonged in Evergreen and once out of the village they would have no restraint.

That was worrisome because Andrew who had activated his Eros's eyes, could see that except for Elder Vilmon and Elder Afilis, all the others had auras that did not forecast anything good.

At that moment Fluffy's words came, "Master, don't worry if any of them attack you on the way out, it will be the last thing they do." Fluffy's words surprised him and he couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so sure? Honestly, I think any of these elders are more powerful than Oliver."

"That's true, but none are stronger than me," replied Fluffy with a cold tone. Andrew again was taken aback because he did not understand. Certainly, Fluffy as a divine beast must be powerful, though Andrew wasn't sure, but the problem was that he couldn't move freely.

Fluffy noticing Andrew's thoughts clarified, "Indeed, I can't actively manifest my strength, but for a price releasing some of my power to protect you is no problem."

"I thought you couldn't do that?" asked Andrew again quizzically because Fluffy many times had told him that he was only a guide, but Fluffy again said, "That is correct, but as you release your divine seals the situation changes."

Andrew wanted to continue asking questions but noticed that the elder elves were watching him curiously, decided to leave the conversation for another time. "Is something wrong?" the elder Vilmon asked.

"Nothing is wrong, it's just that the elder's words surprised me. I would also like to mention to you that my pride is similar to yours, I just like to multiply things."

Andrew's words surprised everyone. The two elven demigods were interested and urged him to continue, while the other elves, looked at him scornfully, as they thought he was very impertinent.

"Like you, I have well definite my loves and hates, but as I said I like to multiply. Every friend will receive my support multiplied by 10, but my enemies will receive my punishment multiplied by 1,000," Andrew said with a dangerous look looking at the rest of the elders.

Elder Vilmon and Elder Afilis looked at Andrew in dismay and could not help but ask, "What do you mean?". Andrew who with the assurance that Fluffy gave him felt braver replied, "I can see that unlike Elder Vilmon and Elder Afilis, the other elders do not look like elves."

Such words infuriated the elders and one of them stood up seething with anger, "Brat, don't act arrogant just because we treat you with respect. That is only our gratitude for the help you provided, but we will not allow you to humiliate us...".

The elder was about to continue his outburst when Andrew interrupted him by saying, "These eyes are special," the elders paused and Andrew added, "I can see the intentions of others."

He said no more because that little sentence was enough, to make the elders who had evil intentions towards him sweat. The two demigods immediately understood what was going on and were annoyed because they had realized that their counterparts seemed to want to disgrace their pride even when they had been warned.

However, before they could say anything Andrew spoke again, "I am not arrogant. Everyone who has treated me with respect I have returned the gesture, now, Elder Vilmon, a word of warning, only you and Elder Afilis have been honest with me."

Andrew paused and continued in a threatening tone, "Control your fellow elders, or your council could be left with only 2 elders." Andrew's words were a clear threat.

The two demigods did not understand where Andrew's confidence came from because although he had a very pure divinity, his power was not strong, even so, the young man's words in front of them frightened them.

Unable to remain in doubt the elder Afilis spoke for the first time, "What are you insinuating? Speak clearly and directly," then Andrew did not hold back, "These elders have malicious intentions towards me, so I am warning you, even if you attack me together when I leave this place, you will all die."

Stupefaction was what everyone present had because if Andrew's words came from a powerful being they would be frightened, but Andrew was not that. The two demigods were not fools and could sense that it was not an empty threat, although they did not understand why they thought that.

On the other hand, the other elders were ridiculing him, even if they didn't show it on the outside. Despite that, Andrew noticed the mockery of the elders but said nothing more, but at that moment a strange aura burst forth from Andrew.

It was a golden aura, extremely powerful. Even the demigods felt suffocated. The sudden power that Andrew emanated frightened them because not even Elder Vilmon who was the oldest and most powerful of them could match that power.

The aura suddenly retracted and with a smile, Andrew said, "I think you understand now. Remember, my enemies receive my punishment multiplied by 1,000", then Andrew left the tree without waiting for the elders to say anything.

All the elders were silent even though Andrew had already left. They all had their backs full of cold sweat and it was Elder Vilmon who first recovered and said looking at his companions, "I think you understand."

The other elders were greedy, but not stupid. They understood that Elder Vilmon was telling them that Andrew's threat was not empty and that if they did anything, they would die.

The aura that Andrew had released earlier was the aura of Fluffy, who had told him that he would scare the elders to kill the problems before they started, and although because of that Andrew lost all the points he had earned the night before, he did not regret it.

Andrew believed it was a fair price to pay for avoiding trouble. While Fluffy had assured him that he could protect him from the elven elders, it didn't change the fact that killing these elders would break his relations with Evergreen and he didn't want that.

While he had no relationship with the elves, he didn't want them as enemies either. Andrew was looking ahead, he was sure that being friends with them in the future could generate benefits, so he preferred to kill the conflict before it started.

And although in a way his actions broke relations a little, Andrew thought that with the elders Vilmon and Afilis, there was still a high possibility of having friendly relations.

Andrew returned to Ifiris' house and after a small talk that did not reveal the conversation he had with the elders, he retired to his room, where Oliver, Marie and Aki were anxiously waiting for him, since they did not know if anything had happened.