Chapter 389: If: Percy Returns 5

Chapter 389 if: After Percy Returns 5

Percy jolted in surprise.

He quickly lowered his gaze, not daring to meet the Gods' gaze, and bowed deeply. "Forgive me, Mother Goddess, for disturbing your rest. I came to apologize for the mistakes during the Full Moon Festival. I deeply regret the off-key notes I played, I..."

Though he had rehearsed his words, now that the Gods of Pine Mountain stood before him, the Elven King found his mind blank. He instinctively fell into self-reproach, eyes fixed on the ground, his words going in circles until they took on a self-deprecating tone.

Elu cocked his head in confusion.

...Afraid of me?

"Percy," he interrupted the Elven King's ceaseless apologies, "I didn't hear any wrong notes."

Elu said honestly, "Your playing was beautiful. I was listening."

"I..." Percy choked on his words.

He had been prepared to repeat his apologies, but they all died in his throat. The Elven King was skilled at self-reflection, at holding himself to the strictest standards—this was his duty as "King." But no one had ever taught him how to respond to such direct praise.

Especially when that praise came from the Gods.

Like clockwork suddenly seizing up, he was forced out of his pre-programmed script, left utterly bewildered.

"Truly," Elu added. "Among all the harpists of the elves throughout history, you rank in the top three. When you played just now, even the fireflies among the branches and mountain birds paused for you. I heard no discordance."

"Th-thank you for your praise," the Elven King stammered. "It is... an honor to have earned your appreciation."

And so, Elu watched as the elf before him flushed pink—from his cheeks to the tips of his ears, from his neck to his collarbones, his whole body tinged pink.

Elu couldn't help letting his gaze wander downward, to where the thin fabric failed to conceal his chest.

And further down...

Ah, hidden by the leaves he'd thrown aside earlier.

He averted his eyes.

"Hmm, he's gone completely pink," Elu mused. "Such a bashful little elf."

In Elu's long life, he had heard many Elven Kings play the harp. They all had different personalities, but Percy was the first to turn completely pink from just one compliment.

Elu thought, "I should praise him more often."

In the prolonged silence, Percy finally emerged from his stupor. Gathering his thoughts, he hemmed and hawed before murmuring, "Then... would you like to hear me play the harp?"

The Mother Goddess in the Water Mirror had told him to talk more with the Gods, but Percy had no idea how to hold a conversation. Yet if the Gods enjoyed it, he would play for the Mother Goddess—one song after another, until dawn.

Elu: "Of course."

He loved Percy's music.

So the Elven King perched on a branch of the Mother Tree and produced his harp.

He lowered his eyes to the strings, lightly adjusting the tuning, but just as he was about to play, Elu suddenly asked, "Percy, did you bring any clothes?"

Percy, caught off guard: "...?"

Elu sighed. "Right, I see you didn't."

So, Percy watched in disbelief as the figure inside the barrier turned to leave, tripping slightly mid-step—perhaps having stepped on something—before returning to the barrier’s edge.

Percy noticed something emerging from the barrier—first a fuzzy corner, then a long stretch…

The God kept pushing until an entire blanket was pushed through.

"...?"

"Take it," Elu commanded. "You must be freezing."

Pine Mountain was perpetually cold, especially in its heartland where a peak eternally crowned with snow loomed. Nights were even colder. Though Gods felt no discomfort from the cold, Elu loved warmth—on such silent, frigid nights, you’d want to snuggle under blankets.

Percy dumbly took the blanket. Woven from the down of forest hares offered in tribute, it was pure white, flawlessly soft, and as cozy as cradling a cloud.

Elu: "Put it on. Why are you just holding it?"

After a pause, the Elven King slowly draped the blanket over himself.

Pleased, Elu eyed him as Percy covered up properly, then extended a hand. "Hand over those leaves."

"...?"

Percy felt as though he had been gaping more tonight than ever before. Bewildered, he retrieved the fallen leaves and returned them to the Mother Goddess.

Elu grumbled, "Leaves are important for a God lacking Mana."

He gestured to the Elven King. "Begin."

This was a moonlit fantasia—a hymn from the elves to the Mother Goddess. It likened Eluvier, Lord of Pine Mountain, to the moon, praising his hair as radiant as moonlight, his gaze as serene. The melody was tranquil and soothing, like standing bathed in silver moonlight or resting safely under the Mother Goddess’s protection.

Such a piece seemed simple, yet its steady rhythm made nailing the emotion incredibly difficult.

When performing, a harpist must immerse themselves in the music, imagining a stroll under the moon, surrounded by the fragrance of moonflowers and lilies of the valley. But Percy, at this moment, couldn’t picture it.

Between the night’s many surprises and just seeing the Mother Goddess’s face as she listened quietly beyond the barrier, Percy was on edge.

He inhaled softly, his thoughts scrambled, relying on muscle memory to complete the performance.

As he set aside the harp, Percy winced at his performance. Just as he bowed to apologize, the God spoke: "That was lovely."

Percy exhaled in relief.

Rising with the harp, he offered an elegant bow. "Thank you for your kindness."

By then, midnight had arrived. Percy hesitated, wondering if he should bid the Mother Goddess goodnight and take his leave. But before he could decide, Elu spoke again: "Percy, may I make a request?"

The Elven King froze once more.

The God had already named two desserts. "Would that be alright?"

What could Percy say? Only: "Of course, your wish is my command."

So the next day, when Kemi arrived with the Elder Council’s missives, he found the Elven King whisking cream again.

The whisk clinked cheerfully against the glass bowl as Percy worked with practiced ease, seemingly thoroughly enjoying the process.

Kemi was fuming.

He glared at the bowl, thinking bitterly, *Is this wretched thing really what’s distracting the Elven King from his duties at a time like this?*

Frustrated and furious, Kemi made a grab for the glass bowl, demanding, "Percy! Do you have any idea what the elders were discussing in today's council meeting? How can you still be doing this?!"

Percy held the glass bowl deftly, avoiding Kemi's grab while checking the whisk. He noted the egg mixture had reached the perfect consistency, forming elegant peaks.

Kemi: "Percy!"

Percy sighed lightly. "Alright, tell me. What did the elders say?"

Kemi: "The same old issues. During yesterday's full moon ceremony, the Mother Goddess still didn't appear, right? The whole clan is in an uproar. The council passed a resolution demanding you step down as the Elven King! They even want to banish you from Pine Mountain!"

Percy: "Yeah, I know."

"Know what?!" Kemi was losing it. "How can you be so indifferent about something this serious?"

Percy paused. "Truth is, it's not that big a deal."

To the Elven King, nothing could harm Percy except the Mother Goddess's own stance.

Kemi was practically vibrating. "No, how can you be so calm about this?! They're going to exile you! Exile you!"

Percy: "Then I'll go."

Kemi: "What?"

Percy: "I was gonna leave anyway."

From his conversations with the two in the water mirror, he knew Elu's condition wasn't good. He also knew the Withering kept spreading at the edges of Pine Mountain, threatening many rare species and gradually encroaching toward the center, already eating into the elven territory.

As the current king of the elves, Percy figured it was his job to investigate and attempt to dispel the Withering, protect Pine Mountain, and await the Mother Goddess's revival.

At this point, being Elven King was just holding him back.

Moreover, the Mother Goddess hadn't informed the elves of his slumber—clearly, he didn't wish to. Percy wasn't about to explain anything to the elders against the Mother Goddess's will, nor did he plan to let them disturb the Gods' rest.

Percy glanced at Kemi. "I know what the elders are planning. I'm preparing to investigate the Withering at Pine Mountain's borders. During my absence, I'll leave the elven clan in your hands, Kemi."

Kemi: "Huh?"

Percy's eyes crinkled with amusement. "The clan's got no good replacements, and few are qualified to be Elven King. Considering age and aptitude, I suspect they'll elect you after I leave."

"..."

Kemi's jaw dropped.

With that, Percy stood and left to discuss the banishment with the council.

Behind him, Kemi wailed in despair: "What? Hell no!"

If even Lord Percy's harp skills couldn't please the Gods, wouldn't he be struck by divine lightning if he presided over the full moon ceremony? He definitely would!

*

Percy wrapped things up quick.

The elders still couldn't stand him and couldn't wait for him to leave. Percy threw together a light pack, taking his bow, arrows, and his whole cake-baking kit before departing.

He moved through the trees like a shadow, perching high in the canopy between the elven territory and the Withering, where he threw up a basic shelter.

Being as quick as he was, living here allowed him to scope out the Withering and return to the Mother Tree to continue baking treats for the Gods.

No time lost.

And beside him, a huge leaf drooped down, holding the morning dew.

Percy was taken aback for a moment before bowing respectfully. "Mother Goddess."

Elu in the water mirror sighed softly. "So you really left after all."

Having loved another Percy for so long, Elu knew his temperament all too well—seemingly compliant but stubborn as hell once he set his mind on something.

Elu said, "You should have explained things clearly to your other self. Otherwise, you’ll have to figure out how to make it up to him when the truth comes out."

Percy looked slightly puzzled. "You mean...?"

At this moment, he didn’t believe he had the right to coax the Gods of Matsuyama.

Knowing his lover’s temperament all too well, Elu gave up trying to persuade Percy and simply said, "If you accidentally get infected by the Withering during your investigation, remember to ask Elu for help. He’ll help you craft you a new body."

As he spoke, Elu grumbled to himself, "So infuriating. Just thinking about this personality makes me both heartbroken and angry. No... I’m going to give Percy what-for tonight to vent my frustration."

No matter the reason, as the Mother Goddess, it’s perfectly normal to discipline her own elf who keeps running into danger, right?

The water mirror gradually dissipated as Elu withdrew.

Percy couldn't quite comprehend the meaning of today's conversation and remained somewhat bewildered. He proceeded with his original plan to explore the edges of the Withering, tending to the wounded flora along the way, then returned to the Mother Tree on time to present the Mother Goddess with sweet offerings.

This routine continued as usual for nearly two months.