I proceeded deeper into the village with Muil-san, leaving the other Testers behind.
The pathways connecting the trees were lined with Dark Elves, who were striding about. They observed me, an Otherworldly Human, from various angles, taking advantage of the difference in elevation.
Word of our arrival as Testers had been disseminated beforehand, so there were no disturbances, but their expressions still showed unwelcome emotions.
Only a few Dark Elves viewed us with novelty and kindness. It was evident that most of them did not welcome our visit.
Despite this, I walked forward with my head held high, my expression unchanged.
“We’ve arrived, son-in-law.”
“Is this the place?”
I had a specific reason for walking through the village with such focus.
It was to greet the rulers of this village.
Keiri-san, who was supposed to be the person in charge, should have been here, but for a particular reason, I was acting as her proxy.
The destination Muil-san guided me to was not an overly ostentatious building, but it was significantly larger than the surrounding houses.
However, this mansion did not belong to anyone in particular. It was managed by the entire village as a gathering place for the elders of the Dark Elves, known as the Elder Council.
I was told it was a sort of community center building.
Unlike peaceful Japan, however, armed soldiers stood guard at the entrance, and I could sense the presence of several others hidden among the trees, watching us.
“Please place your weapons here.”
The guards were accustomed to such situations. Muil-san simply advanced and spoke a few words, and the soldier gave us instructions.
Upon undergoing a body check at the gate, I handed over the Ore Tree on my back to the Dark Elf gatekeeper, as weapons were not allowed.
“Ugh.”
It seemed heavier than he expected, as he stumbled slightly.
However, being an elite soldier, he managed to support it without falling completely.
While I was inwardly impressed by his movement, I kept my expression neutral. Another Dark Elf then gently opened the gate and allowed us inside.
Inside, another soldier was waiting to guide us.
The solemn atmosphere, unlike anything in a company, naturally silenced me, and no conversation occurred during our journey. Muil-san also remained quiet, so I couldn’t speak either.
Meeting important figures always brought a sense of tension, different from battles. I understood it was necessary, but I couldn’t say I enjoyed it. The tension of battle felt like a tightness in my body, a sense of my body becoming taut. In contrast, the tension of such conversations felt like a heavy weight in my stomach. I imagined that those who favored these kinds of situations might find it enjoyable, but I had not yet reached that level.
As I pondered whether my nerves needed to be thicker, we walked a considerable distance inside the building, turning right and left, descending stairs, before finally arriving at our destination. I recalled hearing that television stations were designed with intentionally complex structures to deter terrorists; perhaps this was similar.
“The Handelburg clan, Muil, has brought a guest. Grant us entry to the hall!”
Standing before the imposing door, Muil-san boldly announced himself to the guard. The door then slowly opened. Muil-san passed through without hesitation, and I followed.
“Welcome, Otherworldly Human.”
“!”
As I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by a voice imbued with magic. The sheer amount of magic power carried the weight of age, and the surprise caused my body to react reflexively.
I quietly put away my newfound wariness and looked in the direction of the voice. There stood five elderly Dark Elves. Beside them, Keiri-san, who I thought had gone with the other Testers, waved energetically.
“Good work! I’m relieved you arrived safely, sis.”
“…”
“Oh, you’re more reserved than usual.”
Keiri-san’s usual demeanor, despite the solemn atmosphere, almost made me relax. However, I couldn’t afford to do so now and tightened my resolve, offering a mere nod. Frankly, I was more surprised that she could speak so casually in this setting.
“Relax, guest. You are a messenger from the Demon Lord. While I won’t say you should act like the others here, you don’t need to be excessively formal.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”
Perhaps sensing my demeanor, the eldest of the five Dark Elves, appearing to be the leader, slightly relaxed his expression and smiled. This allowed me to ease some of the tension I had been holding.
“First, let us be glad that you were not attacked on your journey. And we apologize for burdening you, an Otherworldly Human, with the dangerous role of a decoy.”
As the Dark Elf elder bowed his head, I slowly shook mine.
“While this task was indeed indicated, I ultimately volunteered because I believed it was necessary.”
“Your efforts allowed us to hear the details of the Demon Lord’s message from this individual.”
It seemed Keiri-san had successfully conveyed the purpose of this training within the Dark Elf village.
“It is an honor to be chosen as a place to lure out those who would obstruct the Demon Lord’s plans. We, the Dark Elves, will lend our strength.”
The stated objective of this training was to improve the skills of the Testers. However, the Supervisor, even with the potential profit, could not have limited the mission to such a scope during such a dangerous period. While Keiri-san, Nostalfer, and I were ostensibly leading the expedition, I heard that numerous operatives of the Supervisor were hidden locally, to a degree that would make even a certain spy turn pale.
“I believe that simply lending us the land is sufficient. We will be the bait, and if the target bites, all the better. And if the perpetrator is among us…”
“You mean, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”
“Yes.”
The encirclement was already complete. By strictly managing the Testers and creating a clear vulnerability that couldn’t be exploited internally, it appeared as an opportune moment for the opponent. However…
“But this plan, I suspect, the opponent is also aware of it, aren’t they?”
“Yes, the Supervisor mentioned as much.”
The opposing side was likely aware of the plan’s details. It was like placing prime, marbled meat inside a cage before a carnivore. Invisible hunters were waiting around the cage, ready to shoot before the meat could be devoured. Any creature that wasn’t exceptionally calm or utterly foolish wouldn’t notice.
“And yet, they are provoking us, knowing this.”
The countless instances of evasion and hiding had frayed the Supervisor’s patience. However, rather than succumbing to fiery rage and losing control, she transformed that anger into cold air and calmly devised strategies as if processing administrative tasks. That was the Supervisor. While provoking us to strike if we could, she used this training exercise as a mirror to the opponent. The plan was not necessarily about defeating them, but about inflicting significant damage. Whether they attacked or retreated, the Supervisor had created a stage that would reflect the opponent’s thoughts.
“When I heard the details from this young lady, I could scarcely believe it. However, hearing that such events occurred under the Demon Lord’s command, our clan cannot remain indifferent. Therefore, as I said, cooperation is not an issue. But.”
The Elder Council listened to Keiri-san’s explanation of the plan with calm reactions. They weighed the risks against the potential trust gained, carefully considering the details. Yet, their gazes pierced me, as if sensing something that could not be overlooked.
“If I understand correctly, the linchpin of this plan is…”
And then, in the plan explained to the Dark Elves, who bore the most significant risk?
“It would be you, wouldn’t it?”
“That is the plan.”
In this plan, I, who was supposedly the main target of suspicion, was likely the most dangerous element. And being the most dangerous also meant being the most critical part of the plan. That was why I was chosen. However, a doubt lingered: could I, a human, fulfill such a significant responsibility?
“It’s necessary. You’re suitable. You can list any number of reasons, but I suspect you’re not looking for such justifications.”
“Indeed. We only know you by hearsay. It would be too convenient if we could gain your trust on such grounds. Furthermore, you are scheduled to make a contract with a High-ranking Spirit soon. If you were to become a decoy, lure out the perpetrator, and by some chance, lose that Spirit, the consequences would be irreversible. What are your thoughts on this matter?”
To the elder, who was implicitly suggesting that I was too risky and untrustworthy and that a substitute should be found, I shook my head, implying that would defeat the purpose.
According to the Supervisor’s (Evia’s) deduction, the previous attacks on the Testers were likely preparatory and verification steps. It was a confirmation of whether the method to disrupt the magic body that injured the Testers was functioning correctly. By circulating information that damaging the main body could lead to life-threatening situations, they aimed to restrict the Testers’ movements and, consequently, hinder my actions. These were likely the objectives behind the act within the Dungeon. Based on these actions, the Supervisor’s profile of the perpetrator was…
“There is no need to discuss that point. From the enemy’s perspective, this is merely a preliminary skirmish. They are unlikely to commit sufficient forces for a deep pursuit. Or rather, they *cannot*. Because they fear leaving traces, i.e., information, by deploying such forces. The perpetrator will likely use a diversionary tactic, different from their main force, for this plan. They understand that this is not the main event. However, they will still send someone to confront me. Moreover, if I were to fall here, it would be a welcome miscalculation for the mastermind. They likely view it as a bonus if it succeeds.”
“And what of it? It is still dangerous.”
Cunning. That was the only word for it. The movements of the perpetrator in the Magic Sword incident, their skill in withholding information and preventing the tracking of the Magic Sword’s wielder. From the gathered information, the Supervisor described the opponent in one word: Cunning.
“Therefore, a mere decoy will not work against such an opponent. We too must bear risks. And within that, we must minimize damage.”
“And that person is you?”
“It is the Supervisor’s judgment, derived from inferring the opponent’s objective.”
“Evia-sama.”
Mentioning the Supervisor’s name alone seemed to dissipate the previous suspicion in their eyes. There was something about that demoness that made them think she might have some unpredictable scheme in mind. The elders before me were also influenced by this.
“The enemy is cunning; we must take every possible action.”
The Supervisor asserted that they were the type to avoid dirtying their own hands, having others do the dirty work while they watched from a comfortable distance. Skilled at shedding their many tails the moment they were grasped, regenerating them instantly. Even while facing an unseen enemy, they were the most troublesome type. To alter the plan based on the factor of me being human, and to cut corners, would be to give the opponent a genuine opportunity.
“What’s frightening about the current opponent is the lack of a discernible motive. The Supervisor believes that the current unrest most likely stems from the actions of forces harboring rebellious intentions against the current Demon Lord’s regime, but she also mentioned that the crime itself seemed too crude for that. Although there’s a lack of concrete evidence, the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. She also sensed an attempt to deliberately frame that faction.”
The possibility I had raised earlier, that it was the action of extremists seeking to prevent me from becoming a General, was also considered by the Supervisor, but she deemed it unlikely. Instead, she suggested during the meeting to finalize this project that there might be something else hidden behind it.
“The purpose of this instruction is to investigate that motive, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. However, I doubt the enemy will give up their hands easily. But we should be able to catch a glimpse of their shadow.”
The task of calmly explaining the situation and gaining understanding and agreement was met with a brief silence, followed by a few seconds of contemplation.
“…We have understood the details. Therefore, we see no reason to refuse our cooperation. What do you all think?”
The elders, who had not proposed an alternative, reluctantly indicated their assent, giving the impression that they were trusting the Supervisor’s word this time. The objective was achieved. I had half shared the information from Keiri-san, my own information, and what the Supervisor had conveyed, carrying and transmitting it to the intended recipients. This was the moment my role ended. I, the obvious decoy, was also the main target, and Keiri-san, who moved in the shadows of the decoy, was also a main target—a somewhat forceful strategy, but we had gained the Dark Elves’ cooperation. The elders concluded that despite the inherent danger, a response was necessary, and after confirming with the others, the surrounding Dark Elves nodded in agreement.
“Hoo.”
“You’ve worked hard, son-in-law.”
“Yes, my cerebrally taxing work is now complete.”
I felt an unexpectedly strong fatigue, likely from being on edge the entire time from the company to here. The Supervisor had said I wouldn’t be attacked on the way, but I was still tense. And now, the main event would begin.
“Indeed, this is where the real work begins.”
Up to this point, it had been intellectual labor, but from now on, it would be physical labor.
“Yes, let’s put our all into it.”
The contract with the Spirit, and the movement of the shadow that the Supervisor foresaw. This was the crucial moment to hold firm and prevent harm from coming to Kaido and the others moving freely on the surface.
A word for today:
I shall brace myself and proceed.
That is all for today. If you found this interesting, please leave your thoughts, ratings, and bookmarks. I look forward to your continued support of this work.
