'What? How does he know?' Wain inwardly muttered.

"You shouldn't be so surprised." Sven smiled, "The discovery of the Forgotten Forest is a great event. Many, even very strong people are interested in it, I am no exception. So what do you say? Will you do my errand?"

"What if I refuse?" Wain asked.

"Nothing, I understand, but then you'd have to give ten instead of a million for the elixir." Sven shrugged.

"Hmm..." Wain pondered.

Nine million was a lot of money, and he didn't have that much money to overpay for the elixir, but he also didn't know exactly what Sven would ask.

"Okay...I agree..." Wain said slowly, "What do you want me to do?"

"Two things." Sven smiled, "Got the Blue Spirit Flower and killed one of the Purple Carnation officers. What's more, if you do that, I'll even pay you extra, say five million, will that do?"

"Isn't that two jobs?" Wain raised his throw.historical

"Yeah, but you don't have a choice either way." Sven grinned.

"I think I can find that flower, but who are Purple Carnation? Some kind of organization?"

"It's strange that you go to the Forgotten Forest and don't know that. Purple Carnation is one of the two ruling Elf Royal Families. I have definite information that this officer will be there. Here is his picture."

In the picture was an Elf with unnatural for them purple short hair. He had a long scar on his left eye and a tattoo of a prickly wreath on his neck.

"What's his name?"

"August Heim, one of the strongest officers. Don't ask me why I want to kill him. I won't answer anyway."

"Okay." Wain nodded, "But, why can't you do it yourself? You're definitely stronger than me."

"Huh, that would cause too much trouble. I don't want this trip to turn into a massacre."

"I'll do it. Here's your million." Wain held out his hand as he released many souls from his palm.

Sven turned them into Void Souls, so Wain got his elixir. After absorbing the souls, Wain didn't have much left, but it was enough to get one million Void Souls.

"So, what did you want to ask me?"

"You told me about the Pillars, the twelve strongest races, but I recently met the Spirits in Demon City and wondered. Who in this world has the most power? Which beings are the most influential?"

Wain was sure that to meet the last condition for evolution, he needed to defeat someone strong and special. He thought it certainly wasn't someone from the Pillars. It was too trivial.

"I know what you mean. Indeed, there are many other significant players in this world besides the Pillars. Obviously, one of them is the Dragons, undoubtedly, they are majestic beings. Only the heads of the Pillars can stand against them, but there's more. You probably remember that girl who attacked you."

"Yes, it was rather unexpected."

"You noticed that she looks like a human, but she's not. She's one of those who can also be a threat to the head of the Pillars and even the Dragons. I won't say any more about them. When the time comes, you'll find out for yourself." Sven waved his hand.

"How curious..." Wain nodded, "I didn't give it much thought before since I knew you wouldn't answer, but now it's become abundantly clear to me. Sven, you look like a human too, but we are not of the same race. That girl knew you, so you're related to them, right?"

Sven smiled, "I won't confuse you. Think what you want."

...

Wain returned to his room. He spent half the night pondering Sven's words and the secret of the last condition until he fell asleep.

In the morning, Wain met the others at the main entrance to the city. They, too, had prepared themselves. Erza and Ern used their supplies and sought out the weapons and medicine they needed. Alas, in turn, appointed a deputy. He planned to develop this city, he trusted his men, they were true professionals.

"Ready?" Ern asked.

Wain, Alas, and Erza nodded.

"Good, then go ahead. The Forgotten Forest is waiting for us!"

They had a map, so they progressed rather quickly. They had to cross the snowy mountains near the town, and after a few hours, they reached a place where the map stopped working.

"What's going on?" Erza asked, "Why did we stop?"

"It's simple." Ern sighed, "We're here. The entrance to the Forgotten Forest is somewhere around here."

"Hmm? I thought it would be a forest..." Alas muttered, "Is this the right place?"

They stopped in front of the entrance to the ancient ruins. Many arches and stone structures were ruined, covered with moss and vines. Several trees had long since sprouted from the ground, it looked like an abandoned city. There were various symbols and writings on the ruins, each hiding some kind of mystery.

"We're almost there. All that's left is to find the entrance, go!" Ern exclaimed as he jumped off the ledge.

They set about search. They were lucky as they found the intended location rather quickly. It was a temple under a tall tree. Inside was a half-destroyed archway. From it emanated vibrations of energy, albeit very faint ones.

"Suppose it is a portal... But how do we activate it?" Erza muttered.

"We have to find the key." Wain said.

"Look. Doesn't it look like a key?" Ern pointed forward.

"Hmm? Where are you pointing?" Alas was puzzled.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Suddenly the ground trembled as the slabs in the temple's field parted to the sides. A large Stone Golem climbed out, its body made of temple parts and held together by sprouting branches and vines.

"Every treasury has a guardian. This place is no exception. If it were any other way, I would even be upset." Ern stepped forward.

"Wait." Alas stopped him, "I'll deal with him myself. It would be my honor as an Elf, I want the Gatekeeper of the Forgotten Forest to fall by my hand!"

"Huh, all right, do what you have to do." Ern jumped aside.

Alas nodded as a long green spear appeared in his hand.