Kousuke’s face twitched as he looked at the scene unfolding before him.
“…What was that about being trapped in the past and unable to change the present?”
“Hahahahaha.”
Even Colette, skilled as she was, couldn’t bring herself to comfort the elves after such an extreme turn of events.
Shurein was tilting her head beside them, which was understandable.
Shurein hadn’t been privy to the conversation they’d had on their previous visit to the village.
That was precisely why she couldn’t connect what was happening before them now with the meaning of Kousuke and Colette’s conversation.
However, Colette had already heard about her past from the person herself, so she had some idea of what was going on.
“For starters, how about we begin by accepting what’s happening before us?”
Shurein said this, turning her gaze forward.
Kousuke and his companions, who had come to visit the Seuri Forest village, were now being welcomed by many elves.
Moreover, as far as they could see, the elves were enthusiastically accepting them.
This was a completely different reception from their previous visit.
“What can I say… when things are this different, it almost makes me stop thinking of it as them easily changing their tune,” Kousuke said, his expression weary as he was led to a room in a mansion, parting the sea of people.
“I hadn’t expected things to be this different either,” Colette replied.
The elves who saw Kousuke and the others spoke words of welcome.
Furthermore, some could be seen fervently worshipping Kousuke and Colette.
Kousuke, who had been careful to avoid being seen as an avatar in the Fifth Floor city and other towns, had never imagined receiving such treatment in an Elf Village.
“It probably means the elves were desperately waiting for children,” Shurein, who remained unaffected by the crowd’s fervor, calmly offered her opinion.
Romana, who had been offering a wry smile at Kousuke and Colette’s reactions, nodded at Shurein’s words.
“That’s right. The stagnation that had plagued the village for so long has completely vanished.”
“I see. So it’s like all the values you had until now were instantly blown away?”
“I suppose so.”
Customs and traditions inherited from the past cannot simply be dismissed.
However, Romana continued, they had finally realized the folly of being too fixated on them.
“But that doesn’t mean you should completely discard them, does it?” Kousuke said, finally regaining his composure as he listened to their conversation, looking at Romana.
Values that have been passed down have value in themselves. Kousuke believes that rather than completely denying them, it is important to adapt them to the times.
Of course, this was Kousuke’s own value system, and there were times when it might not align with the elves, who had cherished and protected old things for so long.
What is important differs from person to person, and naturally, there are differences between species.
“Of course. While we are enthusiastic in front of you both, there are few who desire rapid change at the moment. However, that will likely change eventually.”
In the sense that they now have children one after another, the elves are accepting Kousuke and Colette, but in terms of other values, as Romana pointed out, most things remain unchanged. Romana believed that any change would be gradual.
And this was the same for the Elf Village within the tower.
More than ten years had passed since they had moved from their previous homes into the tower, but aside from the matter of children, there had been no significant changes. It was thought within the village that any changes would occur gradually, over time.
This was the same belief held by Kousuke and Colette, who had watched the village change from the outside.
Kousuke had no intention of forcing his own values upon the elves.
Romana hadn’t invited Kousuke and the others to the village solely to show them the elves’ perceptions. She also wanted to express their gratitude for the two couples becoming pregnant.
That evening, the village representatives gathered for a welcome party. The dishes and drinks, prepared using ingredients from the forest, delighted Kousuke’s palate.
While it was fitting for elves, there was no boisterous revelry, even with alcohol, but their feelings were clearly conveyed. Kousuke understood that they were genuinely grateful, not just superficially.
♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦♢♦
Kousuke and his companions decided to stay a night in the Seuri Forest village.
Although they could have returned to the Management Layer using the Teleport Gate, they were persuaded by the elves, and Shioomara also mentioned having business with them.
Kousuke had told her he would speak with her tomorrow since there was no particular rush, and Shioomara had left the banquet, so he couldn’t hear the details right then.
Given Colette’s condition, Kousuke didn’t want to push her too hard, but Colette herself had laughed and said, “Don’t worry.”
Ultimately, it was decided that they would stay for the following day as well.
And the next day.
Kousuke and his companions met with Yutta of the World Tree.
The meeting took place at Shioomara’s mansion.
Normally, Yutta wouldn’t appear so freely, but if Kousuke, who had named her, was present, it was different. However, considering their history, it wasn’t easy for her to appear in front of people, so the location was chosen accordingly.
If Colette hadn’t been pregnant, they could have traveled to the foot of the World Tree, but Kousuke and Shurein had stopped them.
Colette had argued, “For elves, the forest and flat ground are the same,” but Kousuke and the others had insisted.
Ultimately, Colette relented, and the meeting was held at the mansion.
Upon meeting Yutta after a long time, she offered a series of greetings before turning her gaze to Colette.
“Colette, congratulations.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Surprised by the sudden congratulations on her pregnancy, Colette hastily bowed her head.
Colette hadn’t expected the World Tree itself to personally congratulate her.
However, this was partly due to Colette’s underestimation. As Colette was a priestess of Esena, it wasn’t particularly strange for another World Tree to congratulate her on her pregnancy. Moreover, since the father was Kousuke, who had named Yutta, Yutta felt it was only natural to celebrate the birth of a child.
“…What’s with that expression, Shioomara? I’ll congratulate you too, you know?”
“Ah, no. I didn’t mean to…”
Shioomara, who looked even more surprised than Colette, was called out by Yutta and quietly averted her gaze.
Yutta, who had been watching Shioomara intently, sighed.
“Besides, you always said, ‘I’m a High Elf,’ and never even considered marriage, let alone children. I congratulated you too, you know?”
Yutta continued, “Though you never let me,” causing Shioomara to make a choked sound.
Watching their exchange, Kousuke and the others covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.
This is a welcome ceremony in the Seuri Forest village. This has improved my relationship with Colette… or rather, it feels like it’s taken a different direction lol.
