Smile with Emotionless Eyes

Takehiko wanted to give the goblin a hug. All these years, he knew that there were people that came from his world as characterized by clues and texts. Though he has not checked to other kingdoms due to the increasing instability of the kingdoms surrounding the valley, he wished something for his brother to at least get a chance live in this world with him. He had been wishing on it for a long time. He had once asked by what he believed as his adoptive parents in a dream of what he wanted. He thought of it as just a dream, but they really did send him here.

However, Takehiko found himself being pulled away from the goblin before he could do something. Next thing he knew he was looking at his feet hovering from the ground away from the kneeling goblin. He wanted to protest but everything was happening so fast. He saw something was thrown away and instinctively looked at the area where the goblin was, the creature was gone. He instinctively looked around and he saw goblin's body moved farther from where it was previously. The goblin was curled up in a fetal position, clutching its abdomen. Something definitely hit the creature. He looked who had pulled him and saw Galvalen who has a golden light faintly shrouded the elven warrior's neck.

"Galvalen, it's a good think you arrived! You broke off Takei's enchantment." Elan said as if he saw a beacon of hope. He did saw something glowing, but he never paid attention to that. He was concentrated on the well being of the little black-haired elf.

Takehiko heard this and was in disbelief. 'Enchanted?' for once he felt punching the foolish prince. His guts were telling him that he should ask more questions at the goblin instead. Deep inside he also wanted to hear more. Things from the world he had missed. Fantasy and magic might be cool but there were stories that only existed in his former world.

"Mages prepare!" Alistair quickly grabbed the opportunity to counter whatever was done to their black saint. The two mages with them quickly summoned their spells and started to chant. While he had noticed the elven warriors are missing but there is no time to dwell on that. There is a dangerous creature in front of them which takes precedence in this situation.

"Put me down, Sir Galvalen!" Takehiko yelled after he realized what Alistair was doing. He looked at Galvalen's face and noticed his eyes had no shine at all as if it were devoid of life. His face was stoic and emotionless. He was frozen for a moment. Takehiko had no time to deal with Galvalen's oddity right now. In his mind, he needs to check on the goblin. He tried to yell on the rest of the party, "Stop!!!!"

"Attack!" Alistair quickly commanded that drowned the pleas of the black-haired elf to stop their attacks. The mages poured an offensive wind magic <Wind Shear> toward the green creature who was lying down. He quickly went to his son who was standing frozen and still holding Takehiko's clothes. "Galvalen, take the prince and the black saint away from here."

"No!!! There must be a misunderstanding here! Thats my br-!" Takehiko was cut off again as he was ignored by Alistair. He was trying to wiggle hard enough to escape.

Alistair then looked at the direction of the goblin which was covered by slabs of earth. "What?" he blurted in surprise. The next thing he saw was the goblin was standing few feet away from them.

"How dare you cast a spell on our saint!" Elan was furious. How can such a low creature do to the saint?

"It seems the one who wants to kill my brother is here…" Ryuji was clutching his abdomen. Using his <Linguist> skill, he was spoke elvish as he glared at the frozen elf warrior who was holding the small black-haired elven child. The force from the kick really hurt as if his insides were suddenly jumbled by that sudden attack. He thought that anything stronger than that force, he might possibly have puked his intestines out right on the spot.

Hearing this Elan and Alistair gave the goblin a confused and wary look. The goblin stood up even after receiving a kick and being able to block their magic attacks with earth. They can now confirm that this creature is a variant goblin. They were intimidated when it stood up. Furthermore, the goblin spoke fluent elven language. A feat that is unheard of even amongst goblins. He also mentioned something about someone wanted to kill his brother which does not make sense.

Before anyone can respond further, Galvalen's neck shines with a golden light and suddenly started laughing out of the blue. It was an unusual high-pitched laugh far from his low baritone that he usually uses when speaking.

"What are you doing Galvalen?" Alistair quickly asked as he was thrown off with the appearance of the golden light at the young elven warrior's neck. He could feel that it is not a simple magic that overflows with that thing as it is not mana that flows with it.

Galvalen did not bother to answer, and he just maniacally laughs for a whole minute. He did look at Alistair, but Galvalen did not pay attention to his words as if he was no one.

The rest of the elves looked at him confused. They never heard Galvalen laughed that way. Everyone could feel a hint of malice and insanity as the elven warrior laughed. After a minute or two, he stopped laughing. He smiled at the prince and his father of his face especially his eyes looked empty and expressionless. He lifted Takehiko a little higher who was now wriggling to be released, and he lifted his sword and pointed at the child. He announced, "All of your blood will be a great offering for master… And I will start with this annoying brat."

The rest of the elves looked at the elven warrior horrified. No matter how indifferent the elven family of Fleurwood, they would not look down on creatures that were recognized by the temple. Now his son, is pointing the sword to the black saint.

Takehiko who was struggling to free himself from the grip of the bigger elf. He knew something was wrong when he looked at Galvalen's face earlier. Those empty eyes and that golden light are something related. But everything was happening quickly. When he heard about the blood as the elven warrior spoke, he started to casted <Water Shield> at Galvalen to knock off his balance. But when he also saw the incoming sword that is about to pierce him, he at the same time he quickly casted <water shield> to protect his body from the incoming sword that was pointed to him.

All the elves were frozen as they were horrified at what they are witnessing. Seeing the

Ryuji quickly casted <Earth Spike> and hit the ground hard. He was aiming in front of Galvalen to knock his body off, but he wanted to mess up this person so badly for daring to lay his hands on his brother. They never had a proper talk with his little brother, but this guy is trying to kill his brother right away. He succeeded <Earth Spike> immediately the Galvalen off balance. He immediately targeted the arm who was carrying the black-haired elf.

'They said to keep him alive but not hurt him…' Ryuji thought. This guy and whoever is controlling them has the guts to really kill his brother. Something inside of him boiled. A feeling swelled from his chest as if a dam broke loose. He could audibly hear his own heart beating fast.

Takehiko was thrown few feet away from his hostage taker. He casted <water shield> to dampen the impact. Fortunately, he landed near the party. The elven mages swiftly came to his aid.

Alistair thought that this situation unfolding right now is very tricky. Was this also done by that goblin? He asked himself but he quickly perished that thought because if it were done by the goblin, his son would not kick the ugly creature hard for no reason if his son is under his control. It may probably be a ruse but it's a confusing ruse which was made so bad that only an idiot would believe it. "Secure the prince and the saint." He nervously quipped.

"Sir Galvalen! What is wrong with you?" Prince Elan demanded. He noticed how emotionless the person was. Even being hit by a spell at his arm, the man had no expression of pain and kept smiling. 'He is out of his mind.' He trembled on the thought.

"You shall be wonderful sacrifices for master…" Galvalen was laughing as he rambled. The golden light around his neck grew a bit brighter as it flickered. The golden light started to surround his body.