"You...... Can you hear what I'm thinking?"

I was amazed.

And not just because this apparition in front of me is the legendary great elf.

It's even more because he picked up the words in my heart.

I thought it was some kind of coincidence that Elle and I were able to enter Bladetooth City.

But the elf in front of him denied it.

"I can hear what you're thinking, it's not a strange thing"

The stout elves spoke eloquently, and in response to his voice, the shadows of other elves gradually appeared around him.

In a short time, we were surrounded by a group.

On the sandbar in the middle of the river, it is as lively as a speech or a dance party.

"Any magic is just a shortcut and a phenomenon in the world"

"Nothing can exist beyond that"

"There is no magic called omnipotent"

"Man obeys the doctrine of man, and magic obeys the doctrine of magic"

"That's all"

The elf named Erestel said as he held out two hands, pointing at me and Ellie.

"How do you think the soul connection magic between you was achieved?"

Wouldn't it?

"Right"

Once again, the burly elf picked up the words in my heart.

It seems that there is nothing wrong with it, he must have something to do with our soul connection.

"The connection between you, without exception, is connected by the torrent"

"And I, as the creator of magic, am right in the middle of the torrent, right in the middle of these connections."

"In the middle?"

This kind of voyeuristic feeling is really bad, and the first problem that flashes through my mind is not privacy, but ......

"But it's just the middle of the story."

The elf, who claimed to be Erestai, gestured to Leon Akaba, who was standing behind us and was about to be overwhelmed by the crowd.

"Like him, I am nothing more than an apparition of a soul that once existed"

"Neither power nor purpose"

"So anything that passes on the soul link, it doesn't make sense to me"

"They're just...... Yes, it's like an electrical signal in a neural network."

"Pure and pure"

I'm getting a little impatient.

This big guy standing across the campfire, although he was once a great elven king of a certain generation.

But now it's as annoying as a summer cicada.

"Did you just show up in front of us to tell us how the soul link works?"

"How could it be, of course it can't be"

Erestal's phantom shook his hands.

At the same time, his ethereal eyes were fixed on me and Ellie.

"The soul connection between you is strong"

"Better than most"

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if to spy on me and Ellie.

"It's not just because you've been through a lot of hardships"

"Ellie Heranna"

The elven phantage raised his hand and pointed a finger straight at Ellie.

"Your magic is the reason"

"Huh?"

Ellie looked surprised.

I'm also full of doubts.

"No, I don't understand, if you say that Ellie's magic is the cause of the enhanced soul link effect, then why didn't it be like this from the beginning?"

As if unhappy to be interjected by the others, Erestal's hand moved from Ellie's side and pointed at me again.

"You, that's why"

Belch?

I'm starting to lose faith in this ghost.

If he relied on others for the instability of the magic he had created, then what kind of elf king was he?

"You gave her your life"

Surprised.

Eresta's words struck a soft spot in his heart.

No...... I can't be sure.

Although this feeling of heartache and depression is indeed in my own heart...... But...... Is this the emotion that flows from Ellie's side?

The little one seems to have a huge sense of guilt about it.

'Ellie?'

"What's the matter, little ghost"

Although I wanted to comfort this little bit, I couldn't think of any words in my heart.

Ellie's mood has disturbed my mind, or rather, my mood has disturbed Ellie......

Now the two of us have no way to accurately tell each other's feelings.

All of this is happening in the hearts of the two of us at the same time.

"It is precisely because of human life that the magic of heavenly fire is so deadly"

"That's right, I created the magic"

"But that's at best, it rules how magic works."

"And it's you who make magic come alive."

"Fuel with your magic"

"Use the spell I carved as a channel"

"The Soul Link is melting the souls of both of you"

"And that ye may be one"

Although Erestel made a tirade, it didn't appeal to me.

What good is it for Ellie and me to listen to a dead elf tell me?

If there is any way to please the elves standing on my shoulders, I would rather pay a great price.

"Is it possible to make adjustments?"

Unlike me, Ellie seems to be a little interested in Erestal's words.

She's a little guy who never knows how to compromise and back down, and even if I know we're close to the limit, she'll never admit it.

In the eyes of the princess, as long as there is magic in the world, nothing is impossible.

"Nope"

Erestel shook his head, just as I had predicted.

But I'm not happy about it.

If this ghost in front of me can tell a lie and make Elle happy, full of hope and confidence, I will do whatever you want me to do.

"But the witches of Perry Hill can do it, but you can't?"

"Haaa......"

The ghost seemed to react.

"That's a very clever trick indeed, their magic is able to create a small loop in the soul link spell, thus cutting off some of the soul link's functions."

"I'll admit it's ingenious, but unfortunately, their magic can't cut off your current connection."

"This ...... It's really too strong and so beautiful."

In response to Ereste's words, Ellie's and I's bodies gradually glowed white.

These rays of light shimmer as if they were the Earth's atmosphere.

From this faltering layer of light, a swirl gradually lit up, reaching out like a cable, connecting to Erestal's body.

So...... This unstable thread is the soul link, this magical entity, the so-called "truth".

Although I am not reconciled, I still have to admit that this magic is wonderful like an illusion.

"Is it possible to do the other way around?"

Elle hasn't given up yet.

"What if I reversed and gave my life to the imps?"

Ay?

Little ancestor, what are you making a fuss about, I'm not ......

'Shut up!'

The little guy reprimanded me in his heart, not allowing me to interrupt her at all.

"Uh......"

The ghost seemed to be thinking about some deep question, and one of his eyes rolled at all, and I thought he was finally going to die this time.

"It's possible"

yeah！

After getting Erestal's confirmation, Ellie was overjoyed.

"But you only get one chance, you know"

"Once this magic is used, the soul link solidifies, becomes difficult to adjust, and there is no chance to cast the magic again."

"And whether you're an elf or a human, the risk is the same"

"If you divide too much, you will die before him"

No, I can't still let this ghost instigate Ellie to do something stupid.

"You naturally claim to be Erestei, the Elven King who created the Soul Link, so can you know how many lives I gave to Elle through the Soul Link?"

The ghost frowned, seemingly dismissive of me.

"You have lost thirty years, and you have seven years left in your own life"

As he spoke, the ghost smiled again.

"If you don't get any fatal wounds"

Oh......

This guy knows that I've been burned by Sluka.

Probably because of this curse, my Liu Xiaoqing's life will end in my 50s.

"It doesn't matter, it's still that long, if Elle is by my side, I can enjoy ten years of happiness a year"

"For me, for a human being, I couldn't ask for more"

The ghost narrowed his eyes again, seemingly surprised by my answer.

It's not just him.

I was surprised by my attitude, and at the same time, the princess who was standing on my shoulder.