In the Gaun Territory’s southeast, within the Forest of Emblems.
After safely defeating Diamante in the Grotto of the Divine Beast, we returned to Gaun, rejoined Sera, and then headed for the Elf Village atop the dragon-formed Dahak and others. As a souvenir, I stored the exceedingly rare Divine Beast Meatloaf with Kuro. However, our journey through the skies only lasted so long. Once the Forest of Emblems was near, we descended to the ground at an opportune spot and proceeded on foot from there.
“Big Brother, why do we have to walk from inside the forest? If you rode me, we’d get there in a flash!”
Dahak seemed slightly displeased, perhaps wanting to fly longer. But it was impossible to ride Dahak all the way to the village.
“The elves living in the village fled here after being attacked by the Fire Dragon King. If we were to suddenly arrive on giant dragons like Dahak or Boga, the villagers would be surprised.”
For that consideration, Boga and Mudoph were left behind within my magic.
“Haa, something like that… My old man’s stories said the Fire Dragon King had a short fuse.”
Ah, right, Dahak’s father was the Dark Dragon King. He lived in the Underworld where demons dwelled. The Underworld was an underground region somewhere in the world, and it was also Sera’s hometown. This time it was Efil’s homecoming, but perhaps someday we could stop by on our way to Sera’s hometown. By the way, can I fight his father?
“Easy now. It’s Efil’s homecoming, after all. Let’s enjoy the scenery as we take a stroll.”
“Alright, fine. Walking once in a while isn’t so bad!”
“Thanks, Haku-chan. I’ll make you something you like later.”
“Big Brother, I’m going ahead! Right now, I want to stomp on the ground as far as I can!”
Dahak rushed into the forest ahead of everyone else. Hey, how badly do you want to eat… Ever since we defeated the Demon King, monsters haven’t appeared, but the numerous barriers placed throughout the area are still active. If he rushes too far ahead carelessly, he’ll get lost.
“Ah, Haku-chan, that’s unfair! Older Sister Efil, what about my share? I want a hamburger.”
“Understood. I’ll also include fried shrimp and an omelet rice.”
“Really? Yay, I’ll do my best to win against Haku!”
Just as I was about to chase after them, Rion casually requested her favorite foods. That’s like a kid’s meal, but it’s too late for that now. Rion will eat anything regardless of her favorite foods, so even a little capriciousness is cute. But where did the leisure to enjoy the scenery go, and when did this turn into a competition for Efil’s cooking…
As I watched the scene with a mixture of exasperation, Ange lightly tugged on my sleeve from the side.
“Kelvin, can I join that race too?”
“…You’re too old for that, so stop it.”
Putting aside the competition, Efil would make it if you asked her. Look at Melfina, she’s already negotiating directly. The Goddess is living a robust life today as well.
***
In the Forest of Emblems, at the Elf Village.
After a few minutes of navigating through the barrier’s secret path using the same method as last time, and finding the correct route, it seemed our chosen path was appropriate, and we arrived at the village directly. The black castle walls, built as a defensive measure against an attack by the Trisen army, came into view.
“Halt, you there!”
And then I experienced the same line as before. Hmm, the sense of déjà vu is overwhelming.
“This forest is protected by a barrier— By Kelvin and Older Sister Efil!?”
“Ah, it’s been a while. Is Elder Nelras here?”
“W-Wait, no! Please wait a moment! I’ll drag him here if I have to!”
“Uh, you don’t have to rush that much—”
“I’ll bring him! Messenger, messenger!”
“Yes, sir!”
The elder is being treated rather roughly.
“What!? Lord Kelvin is here!? And Older Sister Efil too!? Prepare a banquet, a banquet at once!”
…He’s loud. I can hear him even from out here beyond the castle walls. And he was so quick there was no need to drag him. Elder, you’ve flipped a strange switch again.
— THUMP THUMP THUMP!
Immediately after his shout, heavy footsteps echoed from the direction of the castle gate. I have a bad feeling about this.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! The banquet preparations are complete! Today is a celebration, so let’s drink until morning!”
“No, we weren’t waiting at all.”
Elder, is your character fluctuating again? And the preparations were completed so quickly, hey.
“It’s an order from the Elder! Bring all the alcohol and food we have! It’s a festival, a festival!”
” ” ” ” “Hooray!” ” ” ” ”
The elves bustling around inside the village are already eager to drink. They have such big smiles. Huh, are elves this kind of race? I usually only interact with Efil, so I had an image of them being pure and quiet… This is just a group of festival enthusiasts. They aren’t just using the celebration as an excuse to drink, are they? It’s still early in the day, you know.
“Hey, make sure to prepare a platform for Lord Gerard too.”
“Of course. It wouldn’t be the same without it!”
Hey, stop it.
“Ufufu. Everyone looks like they’re having fun, Master.”
“U-Um. Yeah…”
Efil’s angelic smile is something I’ll keep as a permanent mental snapshot, but the false information about being a “poetic warrior” in the Adventurer’s Compendium, issued by the guild after the naming ceremony, was mostly due to that. My anxieties only continue to grow.
“It’s rude to stand around here. Come, please come inside.”
“Yes. Please go easy on us.”
“What? What are you saying? We’ll go all out!”
Damn it!
“Excuse me for intruding.”
“Ah, e-excuse me… Ah, w-wait, Rion-chan!”
“Hmm. I don’t have many memories from here… Was I not feeling well?”
“No, you were in top form.”
Ignoring my unease, everyone, led by Rion, entered the village.
“Well then, let’s go. Master.”
“Mhm. That’s right.”
“?”
Pulled along by Efil’s hand, I, speaking in broken sentences, also began walking into the village.
***
The night deepens. After somehow enduring the banquet in the village square, Efil, Ange, and I took a short break in a separate building atop the castle wall. Just like last time, Sera retired early, followed by Rion and Shutra, who were tending to her, also going to sleep. Even so, the festivities continued in the main venue, led by Gerard and Elder Nelras. Incidentally, the platform was destroyed due to an unforeseen accident. The cover-up operation was also perfect.
“Ah, that was fun! The elves were surprisingly friendly.”
Ange, with a slight blush on her cheeks and her arms outstretched to express her joy, seemed very satisfied.
“Rather than friendly, it’s more like their personalities have changed from the beginning… Though perhaps this is their true nature.”
“I’m glad the souvenir meatloaf was well-received.”
“Ah, a few people shed tears and declared they were giving up vegetarianism.”
Was it really for the better that they became like that? It’s not that all elves are vegetarians; apparently, they were originally a minority. Efil herself eats meat, so I can just dismiss this as “natural order” with that convenient phrase.
“This trip is almost over. Once we return to the mansion, I’ll need to take care of every nook and cranny.”
“Ahaha, little Efil is so diligent.”
Efil puffed up her chest with determination, and Ange laughed. …Returning to Parse, the event waiting for us is likely a harrowing situation at the Adventurer Guild. My stomach starts to hurt.
“…Um, we’re returning to Parse via a Transfer Gate, right?”
The relaxed atmosphere suddenly shifted as Ange asked with a solemn expression.
“Hmm? Ah, that’s the plan. It’s faster than riding Dahak and the others back. Though we’ll need to be wary when parting with the Beast Kings.”
“There’s something I’d like you to be more cautious about than the Beast Kings, perhaps… Regarding the Guild Master.”
