Chapter 5

"What the hell!?"

It would be tampering the facts to say Yuuri was nonplussed at the moment. For it is not everyday you see a person turn into an elf overnight. Wolfram seemed the same, only more perfect. His already soft skin now looked smooth as silk. His noble poise seemed more majestic. His eyes twinkled like captivating emeralds. His blonde bangs that gently bobbed in the breeze seemed like sunshine themselves.

More than anything, his sharp elf ears held everyone's attention. The way they twitched at the slightest sound…

"Y-YOUR EXCELLENCY!?"

With a sharp hiss, Wolfram covered his ears.

"Don't shout, Dacascos!"

'Even his voice sounds like music.' Yuuri noted.

"A-ah, p-please excuse me." Dacascos whispered.

"Shinou," Conrart finally spoke, "what is going on here?"

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"The elf queen of the northern mountains?" Wolfram asked, incredulous.

Murata smiled sagaciously. "Yes, you are to infiltrate her castle."

Wolfram considered whether he was off his rocker after doing so many cosplays.

"You do know elves are extinct, right?" He spoke slowly, as though teaching a child. Shinou chuckled. Yozak, too, seemed to be caught off guard.

"Cap'n?"

Shinou nodded.

"For many years now, the world believes that the elf clans up north have gone extinct after violent storms raged through their mountains."

Conrart folded his arms and leaned back on the wall.

"But, in truth, the elves had managed to protect their tribe."

Yuuri eyed him curiously. "How?"

Murata answered. "It is said that the elves managed to find a mountain, deep inside their forest, that was the perfect defense against the storm. As the storm continued to obliterate their earlier habitat, the elf queen ordered for her citizens to move to that mountain."

"But the problem is," Shinou cut in, "That mountain was not only a perfect defense against the storm, but also against other tribes. The mazoku and human traders involved in business with them were all at a loss. They had supplied them with invaluable gems, swords, silk and steeds. Imagine their surprise when there was no trace of the elves' existence after the storm. They incurred huge losses."

"But we've found out their location." Murata said, with a hint of pride.

"How?" Gisela asked, piqued.

With twinkling eyes "We have our methods." Shinou answered.

Gisela looked thoughtful and after a pause, asked "Is this why you asked for the seasickness roots and kept them with you for so long?"

Yuuri frowned, remembering how sickly Wolfram had gotten in their absence.

"Indeed Gisela, you are sharp as usual. We had incorporated magic into those roots so that whoever eats them would temporarily turn into an elf."

All eyes fell on Wolfram as he said this.

"Temporarily?" Wolfram stressed, his voice ringing pleasantly in everyone's ears.

"Yes." Murata said.

"Then these changes-?" Conrart started, "are temporary." Shinou finished.

Yuuri interjected. "You haven't yet told us what this mission is about."

Shinou replied. "As I mentioned earlier, before the storm occurred, the elves were trading a lot. They were provided with many valuables, especially swords. One of them happens to be Morgif- A priceless demon sword. If we get our hands on it…" He grinned cheekily.

Yozak grinned back, "Sounds nice. So is our prince going to be the only one to infiltrate that fortress?"

Shinou and Murata shared a meaningful look.

"About that…"

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Dacascos had experienced 136 tumultuous years of life, surviving through dark nights of war, travelling through belligerent human lands and safeguarding the castle against intruders. But never in his 136 years of life did he imagine he'd get to see the third prince as an elf, must less seeing even a soukoku elf too!

But indeed, standing below him was the cook, Yuuri (Shinou (the real one) bless his meals!) in all his elven glory.

After giving the much-needed explanation regarding the prince's transformation, the Captain and Vice-captain of this ship said that Yuuri would also be going on this mission. So the crew headed north. While Captain tackled the turbulent waters along with him, Vice-captain poured over maps along with Weller-kyo and Yozak. Meanwhile Sergeant administered a proper dose of those magical roots to the cook. Prince von Bielefeld, having already gone through the pain, helped him cope with it.

So now standing below him was an elven Yuuri, no less in aesthetic beauty than the prince. His dark hair looked like a night sky. The equally dark eyes shimmered mystically. His tanned skin looked flawlessly smooth. His elf ears, too, twitched sensitively at the minutest of sounds. But his posture was still like before. Perhaps, body language can't be altered after all…

"Drop the anchor!" A command from Shinou had Dacascos out of his reverie. After a lot of shuffling and heaving, the weight was dropped and the ship came to a slow stop.

Perched on top of the mast, Dacascos scoured through the island ahead of him for any signs of ambush. Raising his hand to shield his eyes from the scathing sun, he took in the vista laid in front of him. Miles and miles of flora enveloped the land until the horizon. Sprawling mountains and cascading waterfalls took his breath away. As his eyes swept across the panorama, he slowly curled his fingers and pointed up his thumb.

"All clear."

Gisela's statement set the plan in motion. Yozak and Conrart wordlessly jumped down the ship using ropes. As Wolfram crouched, preparing to jump, Yuuri handed him his rope.

"Rappel down with this." He whispered. Wolfram pushed it away. "I have a feeling our bodies have become more agile." He said with a cocky smile.

Taking a few steps back, he jumped swiftly. Yuuri was astonished. He didn't hear any sound and stepped in front to check on him. Looking down, he saw Wolfram smirking up at him; his pearly whites peeping through his soft lips.

Yuuri gulped.

As he too took a few steps back, Murata came from behind, hauling their satchels. He handed them over to Shinou, who threw them to Conrart and Yozak on the shore. Murata went to his friend and touched his shoulder.

"Remember Yuuri, you and von Bielefeld will be separated in the main city. While he will infiltrate the castle, you shall catch work at a local tavern to find clues from the citizens. Your first clue is to find out about the queen's illegitimate son. Conrart and Yozak will remain in the outskirts, ready to attack at your call."

Yuuri nodded.

"Well then, do you have any more questions?"

"What was his name again; the illegitimate prince?" He asked.

Murata smiled.

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Nine days later.

After braving through poisonous bushes, deep swamps and many belligerent creatures of the jungle, they could finally see the mountain where the elves took shelter. What a masterpiece it was! The stairs, the gates, the homes and the bridges- everything seemed to have grown naturally; as though it was tailor-made for the elves' purposes. It was living, breathing architecture.

Conrart stopped silently and Yozak moved around, looking for a perfect hiding spot.

"Wolfram, Yuuri. Here, take these." Wolfram held his palm open to accept. "These are Light Rocket-kuns, ordered from Annissina."

Wolfram immediately retracted his palm.

"Conrart, are you mad? You sound like you never knew her."

Conrart was surprised. 'The first time in so many decades he's called me by my name and didn't even realize it.'

"It okay, Wolfram." He assured. "Daikenja has made proper changes to them."

"What are these?" Yuuri asked, twirling one of those cylindrical objects in his hand.

"Light Rocket-kun will send a flash of light flying through the sky when you turn this knob at the bottom." Conrart pointed.

"Use them in emergencies. It will provide us with your location."

Wolfram reluctantly pocketed one. Yuuri put the other in his satchel.

"Well then," he said, "Shall we get going? Wolfram?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, see you Conrart!"

"Weller-kyo." Wolfram now said formally and turned around to go. Conrart just smiled, gentle as usual.

"Be safe." He instructed them.

As they neared the mountain, Yuuri recalled his first target's name.

'Saralegui.'

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Chapter 5 doesn't have much romance. However, I'm contemplating on raising the rating from next chapter onwards.

BirdsOfFreedom, Nickesha, Raywolf Shibelt, Belldandy55555, Lady and SoulxSpirit125- Thank you for you continued support! Do tell me how you found this chapter.