—Gaun Territory Southeast – Forest of Emblems—
“Whew, I’ve run quite a bit. Is the Elf Village really here?”
This place is a lush area in the southeastern part of the Beast Kingdom Gaun, near the border with Trisen, a region of deep green forests. After reading the letter from King Leonhart of Gaun, which Rio had given us, we visited this place after a few days of preparation. It didn’t take as long as I expected. With our current speed, we’re several times faster than horses.
Now, about that letter, its contents were quite simple. Written in Leonhart’s own hand, it declared: “Announcement of the S-Rank Promotion Exam!”
…Honestly, the unexpected content made me stumble. He writes such things in a strangely powerful script. Besides, why would the King of Gaun send an exam letter? I blurted out my retort then and there.
Rio provided a supplementary explanation regarding this. First, there are several conditions for advancing to the S-Rank adventurer rank. To summarize them simply, they are as follows:
① Successfully complete 10 consecutive A-Rank or higher quests.
② Possess experience in completing quests equivalent to S-Rank.
③ Obtain permission from the Kings of two countries on the Eastern Continent. (Different conditions apply for those belonging to the Western Continent.)
④ Pass the promotion exam with an S-Rank adventurer as a witness.
In my case, I have already fulfilled ① and ②. The problems lie with ③ and ④. In fact, these two points are related to Leonhart’s letter.
Regarding ③, it seems Rio had made arrangements beforehand, and I had obtained permission from Lady Tsubaki of Traage. Perhaps because she is the only King I have met, Lady Tsubaki readily agreed. Connections with people truly are important.
However, to fulfill ③, I must obtain permission from one more King. Since Trisen is in a bad situation currently, I will exclude them. The remaining options are the Beast Kingdom Gaun and the Divine Emperor’s Kingdom Delamis. The first to react was the King of Gaun, Leonhart.
It seems the royal family of Gaun has a custom of going on a martial arts training journey when they turn ten. King Leonhart apparently lived as an adventurer during that time and rose to S-Rank. After his training journey, he brilliantly won a Battle Royale to select the strongest within the country, thus securing his current position. While I can’t say much about others, it’s quite absurd in its own way. The true intention behind the letter from such a King Leonhart is—
Well, put simply, King Leonhart himself, an S-Rank adventurer, will be overseeing the promotion exam (though he will apparently be monitoring from afar without showing himself). I was curious why it was being made such a big deal, but according to Rio, it was because Lady Tsubaki’s boastful stories reached King Leonhart’s ears.
Beast Kingdom Gaun is a country that praises the strong, and candidates for S-Rank adventurers do not appear frequently. In other words, he became interested. The King himself will serve as the examiner, likely to gauge my strength.
“…It’s strange. It feels nostalgic.”
Efil looks up at the trees in the forest absentmindedly.
“Efil, you’re a half-elf. Perhaps your elven blood is making you feel that way. This forest is rich in magic.”
“But it’s odd. Aren’t elves a race from the Western Continent? I learned that while stray elves as adventurers or merchants are occasionally seen, their main settlements are not on the Eastern Continent?”
Pure elves are a reclusive and rare race. As Sera’s memory suggests, it’s almost impossible to see them on the Eastern Continent unless they are unusually eccentric.
“Apparently, there was an elf settlement that moved from the Western Continent about a decade ago. I don’t know what happened, but Gaun is currently protecting them.”
“Hmm. And the one guarding this new Elf Village is the objective of this exam…?”
The exam mentioned in King Leonhart’s letter was the subjugation of an unidentified monster appearing in the Elf Village. Rio had previously mentioned that various troubles were occurring near the border with Trisen. This Elf Village is no exception, and it’s said that monsters have recently appeared in the forest.
While monsters that could be defeated by Rank E to D adventurers had appeared before, this new type of monster apparently leads Rank B monsters and abducts elves. Their strength is likely S-Rank equivalent… Gaun’s regular soldiers are no match for even the subordinate monsters and are struggling.
Originally, high-ranking individuals within the royal family or military would handle such matters, but with the recent increase in monster ferocity and such, they are short-handed. King Leonhart likely sees this as a two-birds-one-stone opportunity to test my abilities and resolve the problem. Well, I don’t really mind. It’s not often I get a chance to fight an S-Rank.
“Older Kel, don’t you think that country, Trisen, is involved?”
“There’s a ninety percent chance of that. Elves do not age, and both men and women are beautiful. It’s not strange for someone to try and make them slaves.”
“Indeed, just like the King.”
“Yes, just like Kelvin!”
“Yes, just like you, my lord.”
Hey, why is everyone looking at me? Let me be clear, I haven’t done anything Efil dislikes. Nor do I intend to.
“Older Kel, you have an elf fetish!”
“Rion, don’t misunderstand.”
I’ve noticed recently that Rion’s knowledge is quite skewed. Things like “Siblings should bathe together!” and then she barges into the bathroom daily. I can’t help but wonder if she genuinely believes the knowledge from some manga and novels is real. As the older brother (provisional), I must raise her properly!
As I was resolving this in my heart, Efil gently tugged on my sleeve.
“It’s alright, Master. I love you, Master, and I take pride in being your slave.”
Efil was truly an angel.
—Forest of Emblems – Elf Village—
The forest inhabited by elves is called the “Forest of Emblems” around here. As its name suggests, emblems are carved everywhere. From my Appraisal Eye, they appear to function as magical barriers. It’s likely a means to protect themselves from intruders, but it’s a disquieting thought that it’s also affecting us. Even looking down from above, it generates illusions to prevent the location from being pinpointed visually.
“I’ll enhance our senses with magic.”
“Hmm, this way!”
“Yeah, yeah… Older Kel, this little bird says the village is that way!”
“I feel a familiar presence from that direction.”
Even so, we have more than enough ways to search: Melphina’s support magic, Sera using her Detection Skill, Rion getting directions to the village from the animals she befriended, and relying on Efil’s elven senses. Relying on everyone, we proceeded and soon saw a wooden watchtower and a palisade. It seems we arrived at the village without much difficulty.
My purpose is, after all, subjugation, but what would they have done if we got lost here… Well, I suppose this is part of the exam.
Incidentally, unfortunately, we haven’t encountered any monsters that appear to be Rank B or higher so far.
“Halt, you there!”
As we approached the main gate, a shout came from the watchtower. Looking up, three elves were aiming their bows and arrows toward us.
“This forest is protected by a barrier! You are not lost travelers, who are you?”
“We have come by the command of King Leonhart. I am Kelvin, an adventurer.”
“K, King’s messenger, you say!?”
The elves became flustered.
“This will be my letter of introduction. Please examine it.”
I held up Leonhart’s letter of introduction, which Rio had given me, and used Green Magic to generate a gentle breeze, delivering it to the hands of the elves.
“W, wait! We will call the Elder! Wait there for a moment!”
“Understood.”
Will it reach the Elder so quickly? As expected, King Gaun’s letter of introduction is remarkably effective. Well, I am still concerned that the elves remaining haven’t lowered their bows. Perhaps they are agitated by the appearance of monsters.
“…Thank you for waiting. We welcome you as guests. Please forgive any rudeness. Open the gates!”
With a creak, the wooden gate swung upwards. As we passed through, a large number of elves had gathered in what appeared to be the village square. There were no elderly people; everyone was young and beautiful. Standing at the forefront was a male elf. Is this the Elder? Naturally, he looked like a young man.
“Welcome, you have come from a distant land. I am Nelras, and I serve as the Elder of this Elf Village.”
It seems he was indeed the Elder.
“I am Kelvin. On this occasion—”
After a brief greeting, I introduced myself.
—Things proceeded in order until it was Efil’s turn.
*Clatter!*
“I-Impossible…?”
“Elder? Is something wrong?”
Upon seeing Efil, Nelras collapsed, his legs giving out. Several of the surrounding elves also appeared incredibly surprised.
“R-Rumir… How are you alive…?”
…Who?
