Swallan held her breath upon seeing those figures slowly standing up from the ground. Just like Swallan, all of them had their ears cut off. Furthermore, their nose, lips, and eyes had also been cut out—however, she could recognize them at a glance. They were Swallan’s elf comrades who had traveled with and helped her for a long time.

They were also those that Swallan and Celine had once taught as well as received help from. Although a long time had passed, their bodies seemed to have not rotted at all.

“...Undead?”

“You shouldn’t compare them to such crude things. They are still alive, you know.”

Celine smiled and moved her fingers to gesture. One of the elves groaned and slowly turned his head at Celine’s hand gesture. His mouth gaped open, but his empty mouth couldn’t spit out a proper word.

Swallan covered her mouth with her hand; she was speechless at the miserable sight of her old comrade. Celine hummed a strange tune and wandered around her comrades.

“The elves that were born after the emperor killed Iolin, who used to protect the forest and the lake, couldn't enjoy a long life like their ancestors. They lost their harmony with the spirits and ended up growing old, just like ordinary humans. Just like you and I, Swallan. Our parents didn’t even consider or treat us like elves,” Celine said as she reached out her hand to poke her...