I escaped Keraino’s attack and reached the High Elf village.
The High Elf woman told us to leave. I understood; they couldn’t afford to have more intruders.
“Is that so? And where are the Dark Elves now?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
“We’ve been chasing them from another continent. We can’t back down now.”
The woman sighed soundlessly. She must think I’m an impudent human.
“What is your true objective?”
“To stop Auroa’s ambitions. You can think of me as just a human. You’ve told me that many times before. But we will always advance.”
I’ve heard it all before. Exiles, losers – call us whatever you want. I have no regrets; I will catch up to Auroa. The woman’s eyes still held disdain. She probably mocks my companions for being half-breeds.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me. I need to return to everyone.”
“Wait.”
I was called back just as I stood up from my chair to leave. Did she have something more to say?
“Be honest. What do you gain from fighting the Dark Elves? Are you working for someone?”
“We are not working for anyone. We are a group of people with different objectives. Yet, we face the same direction.”
“I don’t trust you. If you won’t obey my words, I will force you to.”
With that, the woman produced a glowing bow from somewhere. It seemed to appear in her hand in an instant. As she drew the string, a similarly glowing arrow was nocked. Is this magic too? Being a High Elf, she must have light attributes. At this close range, it would surely hit.
I wondered if even a shield could block it. I reached under the table gently.
“Hmph!!”
And then I flipped the table towards the woman. Tea splashed from the cups. In that moment of distraction, I opened the door and went outside. Where is everyone? I need to regroup quickly.
Something grazed my shoulder.
“Iyy…!”
The cut felt hot, as if a burning iron had been applied.
“Did you think you could escape with such a petty trick?”
“Where is everyone!!”
My voice echoed alone in the quiet village. The High Elf woman, still holding her glowing bow, looked at me with pity.
“Sigh, even if you kill me, nothing will change.”
“The Siren from earlier, did you ask her about the bridge to cross?”
“I found the bridge myself. She had nothing to do with it. Please treat her and release her.”
I had no strength in either hand. Flipping the table had taken all my energy. How was I supposed to fight when I couldn’t even grip my sword?
“You just helped her. How could you talk to her?”
The woman drew her bow again. Did she really intend to kill me? She reminds me of Cecilia before we met.
“I’ll ask one last time. What is your objective? If you can’t tell me, then leave.”
“My objective is… to continue this journey to the end. I won’t give up halfway, even if a fate of death awaits me, I will fight until I burn out. My life begins from there.”
This is a battle against Auroa, and also a battle against myself. If I give up here, I’ll remain the same person I’ve always been.
“It really seems like you’re just trying to overcome a wall. But you’re not the protagonist of a story. Such childish, immature thoughts. You won’t even live a hundred years, are you alright with such slow growth?”
Suddenly, the woman widened her narrowed eyes and leaped to the side. The target of her bow changed.
“As expected of a High Elf, those large ears have a purpose.”
“Cecilia, did you find me?”
The attacker was Cecilia. She shouldn’t have been able to sense me from my position, yet I hadn’t sensed her at all. Dodging that sword strike at the last moment was indeed impressive, just like a High Elf.
“I heard you crying pathetically in a loud voice.”
“Hahaha, good.”
Cecilia glared at the High Elf, looking for an opportunity to attack.
“Elf, no, you’re a mixed-blood. You have a human-like quality.”
“Was it too stimulating for your sensitive High Elf nose?”
Cecilia’s body vanished, leaving a gleam of her sword. The woman dispelled her bow and arrow and stepped back quickly. A moment later, the sound of her sword cutting through empty air was heard. However, the High Elf, who should have dodged, was restrained by another attacker.
“What! You guys, how did you…?”
Nina’s dagger was at the woman’s slender throat.
“I understand you are no ordinary people. I will stop attacking.”
The woman raised her hands slightly in surrender. It seemed even a High Elf couldn’t move when restrained by a Naga’s tail.
“Hmph, you feel safe locking us up in a hut like that? Aren’t you too complacent from your peace?”
Sigh, that was close. In the end, I was saved by everyone, but now I can finally talk to them on equal terms.
