"I Reincarnated But Have No System? You Must Be Kidding Me!"

Hours after Auren first crossed paths with Austaire, the two had reached a mutual agreement- a fragile alliance formed under pressing circumstances and a common enemy.

Now, the towering silhouette of the Aetherthorn rose before them.

The Grand Hall was nestled within its colossal trunk, its bark glimmering faintly with golden runes that pulsed in time with the heartbeat of the forest. Each root was thicker than a cottage, curling into the earth like the limbs of some ancient guardian. Wisps of light drifted lazily around the structure, drawn from the luminous moss that clung to its base.

It was their strongest fortress against the King Beast disasters three years ago.

Elves stood like sentinels at the vine-woven gates, their armor carved from living wood, some made of Runesteel. Their faces are expressionless, but their eyes are sharp.

As the gates opened, the pair stepped into a vast, cathedral-like interior. The rest Auren's elven comrades followed along with respectful stride.

The air was cool yet heavy, thick with the mingled scents of moss, sap, and old wood.

Faint motes of green light hovered above, casting dappled shadows that swayed like restless leaves.

Before them loomed the Elven Queen, still in her awe-inspiring Grand Velzar form.

Her towering figure was a reminder of her glorious sacrifice for her people during the war against Vulkris and Nighthral. Her armored bark shimmering faintly under the warm glow of enchanted light, branches stretching above like a canopy, and eyes that held the calm weight of centuries.

Auren held his composure, his face steady, shoulders squared, the faint rustle of his clothes the only sign of movement.

Beside him, however, Austaire was another story entirely.

Sweat beaded along her brow and traced down her temple. Her hands twitched ever so slightly at her sides, and her knees quivered despite her best efforts to keep them still. She could feel every gaze burning into her- a forest of judgment and suspicion pressing in from all directions.

'I can't believe I'm actually standing before the Elven Queen…'

she thought, forcing her breathing into a steady rhythm.

'One wrong move and I'll end up as a fertilizer in this elven land.''

Auren's voice broke the stillness.

"We greet the Queen Mother,"

His tone respectful yet strong as he lifted his head.

"I am here today to-"

"I have heard everything, Auren."

The Queen's voice swept over the hall like a wind through ancient branches, deep and resonant, commanding silence without effort.

"I know who she is, and I know why you are here. I have seen everything before you even met her. perhaps you have forgotten who I am?"

The gathered elves did not stir, yet their expressions betrayed flickers of curiosity.

Before the countless elders and witnesses, Auren had brought Austaire here to seek permission to leave Runewood.

His destination is Austerra, with a goal to find his missing parents and do his business.

Yet before he could speak a word of request, it seems the Queen had already known, her awareness carried by the Velzar trees that lined and guarded every inch of Runewood, their roots and leaves serving as her eyes.

Auren hesitated for a fraction of a moment.

I forgot… she can hear and sense everything here. heck, she probably even knows more than I do about my own plans.''

Steeling himself, he continued, his voice firmer.

"Queen Mother, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Runewood and the elven people- not only for allowing me to live here but for accepting me as one of your own. However, I have recently received troubling news about my father, who is currently being held unjustly as a prisoner in Austerra. And as his adopted son who owes my life to him, I wanted to go and help him..."

He turned slightly to glance at Austaire, who was still bowed so low her hair almost brushed the floor.

"This woman beside me is Austaire, Princess of the Austerra Kingdom. She crossed into our land while fleeing her pursuers. Like me, she is being hunted for standing against the tyrannical ruler, King Auborn, successor to King Aurelus, our father. It was through her that I learned of my father's plight.

Auren lowered his gaze again, placing his hand to his side as he bowed. "As for me, I humbly ask for your permission and blessing to go and rescue my father, and…"

He paused, drawing in a slow breath, and when he lifted his eyes again, they carried a glint that silenced even the faintest rustle of the hall.

"I plan to overthrow the current King of Austerra, claim the throne for myself, and restore balance and justice to that cursed land which the people had been longing for."

The words rippled through the gathered crowd, sparking a storm of whispers.

Some elves leaned subtly toward each other, lips barely moving as they exchanged sharp comments. One older elf's brow furrowed deeply, while another smirked faintly as if amused by human ambition.

In the far corner, a younger warrior's eyes gleamed with something between respect and reckless curiosity.

"Did I hear him right? He wants to take over Austerra Kingdom?"

"I heard he bested some of our elite warriors. Maybe he has a chance, though humans are far weaker than us."

"You fool, this is King Aurelus's bloodline we're talking about! I saw Aurelus at the border once- if Queen Elarya hadn't pulled me out, I'd be in the ground already!"

"I thought Aurelus was overthrown by the Emperor's forces? Isn't it his firstborn who rules now?"

"Why leave? He finally earned a place here."

"Didn't you hear? His father's wrongfully imprisoned."

"Hah. Or maybe this is just a convenient excuse to leave without being called a spy."

The mutterings swelled and broke against the walls of the great hall, but all fell quiet again when the Queen spoke.

"What if it is already too late?" Her voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of gravity that made even the elders shift uneasily.

Her gaze locked on Auren.

"Do you understand you are not only facing the forces of the Austerra Kingdom, but there is a high chance you will encounter the agents of the Dark Fate?"

"I am aware, Queen Mother," Auren said, rising fully now, his voice unwavering.

"I also know I may not return alive. But my father is suffering under the grip of a ruthless king. I cannot stay here and do nothing. And more than that…"

He turned to Austaire. Their eyes met briefly, and she gave a small nod.

Facing the Queen once more, he declared,

"My full name is Auren Sullan Golrath, abandoned third child of King Aurelus. My decision is final and that is to claim the throne and free the people of Austerra."

Austaire straightened and stepped forward, her voice firm despite the lingering tremor in her body. "I am Austaire Katana Golrath, of the proud Katana Knight lineage. Second child of King Aurelus. I pledge to aid Auren in reclaiming Austerra."

Auren bowed deeply. "With your permission, Queen Mother, we ask for your blessing to save my father and the people of the Austerra Kingdom."

Austaire lowered herself again, her words softer yet sincere. "I also vow not to burden Runewood or bring battle to your sacred lands."

The entire hall's attention was fixed on them- the only two humans in a sea of immortal faces. The expressions they received were a tapestry of curiosity, doubt, and silent calculation.

The Queen remained still, her eyes distant, lost in her own thoughts.

' If the Dark Fate is truly involved, they stand no chance. Unless Auren can regain his mana and call upon the form he used against Vulkris, perhaps then… but now, this is suicide. I could send aid, but that would risk war. And with Aurelus's cunning, these two would die in vain. I cannot allow it.'

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut short by a cute and excited voice.

"Now that sounds fun!"

The voice was high-pitched, almost playful, yet it carried enough weight to make every elf in the room stiffen.

Heads turned sharply toward the source.

There, on the polished wooden floor, stood a tiny, familiar figure.

The green Punto.

'Bonbon?' Auren almot muttered those words but he stopped it before the elves wouild kill him.

In an instant, the elves- including Auren- bowed low. Some shook as though in the presence of a god, others smiled in awe, but all radiated deep respect tinged with fear.

The identity of the tiny beast was no longer a secret- it was a Primordial Beast in disguise.

Austaire, sensing the shift, quickly lowered herself in a bow as well, though confusion darted through her mind.

'What's the deal with that strange little creature? Some kind of mascot? No- judging by the way they're all looking at him, that's a "shut up and bow" situation.'

With light, almost careless hops, the Punto approached Auren, then sprang up onto his bowed head. Looking out over the hall with beady eyes, it grinned.

"I like your guts, kid. Count me in!"