I Refused To Be Reincarnated

A second later, he appeared under the thousand-meter tree serving as Selene's housing. The dense foliage cast refreshing shadows on him, and the fresh scent of nature filled his nose.

Despite the natural atmosphere and incredible vista, he frowned and raised his vigilance to the maximum.

"Didn't think you would prepare a welcoming party for me."

"Yeah. We were too excited to see you again."

Elysia chuckled behind the elf army encircling the Gate.

He saw them channel mana to their wands and staves, ready to attack the moment Selene's creations showed any hostile sign.

Then, she continued.

"You know, we're never safe enough. Selene is watching through the crack, too."

He chuckled at his smiling former teacher, noticing her green, regal dress embroidered with intricate suns and the majestic crown adorning her green hair. And what a crown! He could only gasp at the sumptuous design representing leaves and the multicolored lights it reflected on the surroundings.

'She seems energetic and in good health.'

"Even if we're not in the best spot, it's good to see you're still as childish as last year."

He smirked, unfazed by her newfound title or attire.

The elves surrounding him frowned at the harsh words, ready to teach the impertinent kid a good lesson.

However, she jumped down, raising dust as her long, elegant legs met the ground and approached him.

"Who speaks? You deserve to be crowned king, too. The king of childishness!"

Without warning, she hugged his wooden frame, whispering gently.

"My life changed because of you, and I'll never thank you enough for your help."

"Mhh. I'm not sure about the consequences, but at least you're happy."

He patted her back, his lips stretching into a warm smile as the Gate flashed non-stop behind.

Soma emerged first. Jaws bulging, fists clenched and blood rushing to his eyes, he scanned the gathered elves warily.

Following him, Hecate appeared. Despite her strength, the recollection of everything that had happened in this place erupted like a fierce torrent in her usually calm mind.

Her eyes trembled, and her lips quivered as she gazed at the tree.

"We're really back..."

He bit his lips, a pang of guilt assaulting his soul. Her sorrowful tone and tense posture showed how she hated this place.

'I'm sorry.'

He pulled back from Elysia, lowering his head as the other werewolves and vampires appeared, one after another.

Elysia leapt back as the mages tensed. Icy sweat rolled down their foreheads and their wands shone a verdant light, ready for a full-blown battle.

Alarmed and unwilling to see the situation worsen, he raised his hand and his voice boomed loud enough for the entire bastion to hear it.

"Lower your weapons. They're willing to cooperate if you treat them with respect and dignity."

Soma stepped onward, eyes fixed on the tree's throne room, and confirmed his words.
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"We'll work for you like we did in the past. We only want you to promise us freedom of movement in your bastion."

As his voice reverberated, Selene answered from the distance.

"Bring Soma, Hecate, and Adam here. The rest, help the citizens settle."

everyone sighed in relief, including him.

Even if he expected Selene to negotiate with them, he wasn't entirely sure. After all, he could have enslaved everyone on the spot, making his plan a failure.

Before the proud suns's words could linger, Elysia moved her head to the side, asking them to follow her as the mages moved to guide the others.

After a short walk, he found himself back in the Lorienwyn mansion's throne room after a year.

'It's the Sunfire mansion now, though.'

Despite the starlit sky and chilly night breeze, he saw Anorvalë encased in the ground, absorbing and pulsing with potent solar energy to fuel the fortress' operation.

'It's a tier seven-blade.'

He narrowed his eyes to scrutinise the engravings for a second before Selene's voice cut through his focus like a solar knife.

"Welcome back to my bastion."

In a bright show that made him roll his eyes, Selene descended like the sun from the floor above.

'We all know you were watching from here. Why did you have to hide and make a grand entrance?'

As he shook his head, he caught Soma's and Hecate's chattering legs and exhaled.

Still, they had to show respect to the prideful man, even if they hated him. Therefore, he stepped before the duo and took the lead in the conversation to buy them enough time to recover.

"I'm grateful you're receiving us with... such fiery passion. As Elysia requested, I brought the vampires and werewolves back."

At his words, Selene landed and dismissed the light blurring his body, revealing his long, milky white hair and dark leather clothes.

With a satisfied smile, he sat on his intricate wooden throne and tucked his fingers around his chin, interest sparkling in his eyes.

Before he could ask, he cut him off.

"They weren't hard to convince. I just told them you returned. After Hecate convinced Soma, we discussed how they could collaborate best."

"Mhh. I didn't think you'd succeed so soon. Well done!"

Selen's claps echoed and his smile stretched to reach his eyes as he focused on his old creations.

"You'll have to help me build the emperor's bastion and end its construction in four months. Outside your working hours, I'll grant you freedom of movement in my territory."

He noticed the newly promoted archmage's eyes narrow into burning slits.

"I don't need to warn you about trying to desert, correct?"

A tremor shook the duo as memories they never wanted to remember filled their minds.

"Our desire to help is genuine. We'll start working now and return to sleep with our people by midday."

Hecate bowed her head, clutching her trembling hands as dread gnawed at her like a swarm of poisonous insects.

Meanwhile, Selene's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Still, he offered them a nod and waved his hand to tell them to leave.

"Supervise them until they return to their house, Elysia. I'll meet them later."