Ch 218
『Title: Wait, I think I met a Dark Elf???』
Content: Is that Forest Night?
They said they sent the Dark Elves’ perception to hell.
-: Ah, was she the one who made the Dark Elves’ skin black?
-: You little brat!
-: Hey hey hey
-『Author』: What the hell is this racism?
-: But are Elves included in racism?
-: You insane racist! Are Elves not even human?
-: They aren’t.
-: Aren’t racist bastards not Elves?
If you treat them as equals to humans, they cause seizures.
-: Ugh… hatred is rampant in the world.
-: In fact, didn’t Forest Night want to purify this dirty world?
-: But honestly, the Dark Elf slander is excessive, seriously.
What did Forest Night do?
-: What the hell, now there are even Forest Night fanatics.
-: She’s pretty.
-: Did Forest Night’s face appear?
-: Isn’t it just text on the forest screen?
-: Forest Night fanatic, seriously.
-: You’ve opened your eyes. Come to the plant bulletin board.
-: But does Forest Night really appear in the story?
Isn’t she a really old character from the story’s perspective?
-: （roughly, an explanation that because of her extremely high status, even after her death, her mental world created by her will remains）
-: Then Hitler is also alive somewhere in this world?
-: I heard a rumor that there’s a Nazi base on the far side of the moon.
-: So that’s why they tried to conquer the moon somehow after World War II.
-: Time Magazine） The strongest man on Earth, I’m Strong Hitler, attempts a 2nd phase puzzle boss strategy.
-: The puzzle pieces are really coming together, seriously.
-『Author』: Uh, uh, wait, emergency, emergency.
What is it, Forest Night fanatic?
I hate her so much?
No, she called me, seriously.
I used the silver bracelet.
-: That
When forging Shallado’s Silver, all sorts of potions are used.
One of the potions used to make that bracelet contained herbs that Forest Night cultivated.
So I was kidnapped by Forest Night’s energy, yeah.
-: Let’s tell the truth.
Forest Night will understand, right?
-『Author』: Okay.
✦✦✦
『Title: I reached an amicable agreement with Forest Night, yeah.』
Content: When I said I entered by mistake,
she said she would send me back immediately.
『Picture』
-: But she’s dead.
-: Ah, is she an angel?
-『Author』: You crazy woman!
She attacked without warning??
What kind of person is she?
-: Well, her name is Night, so of course she’s crazy.
-: Do you think the name Night is given to just anyone?
-『Author』: You crazy woman, she kills no matter what, seriously.
Isn’t there a strategy to defeat her?
-: No.
-『Author』: ?
-: There’s nothing you can do inside.
You have to enter while meeting certain conditions outside the dungeon, yeah.
-『Author』: What are the specific conditions?
-: Going with an item or person that Forest Night would like.
-『Author』: Seriously?
The dungeon strategy is
to please the boss and beg for your life.
Is this right?
-: Forest Night is originally very difficult,
and since that place is a space created by Forest Night’s will,
even if you die and wake up there, you can’t beat Forest Night, yeah.
✦✦✦
“Forest Night…”
The moment the entire forest moved and spoke that name, Lisir was captivated by a terrible sense of unreality.
It was-
the name of the being that reigned as the worst existence in the chaotic era before today’s peace, in that distant past.
The seven worst beings that are the origin of the name Night.
Forest Night was the one who occupied the top position among those seven worst beings.
-Seeing your reaction, it seems that this name has become your answer to your question. Then, child. It’s your turn this time.
The moment Lisir reacted to the name Forest Night.
-You.
The cold voice, as if dealing with a harmless but repulsive pest, was filled with intimidation.
It wasn’t because of anger, nor was it an expression of caution.
Just a mechanical reaction.
-Why. And how. Are you, a human, here?
The owner of the voice seemed to know very well how to deal with someone who felt confusion and fear.
Like a predator dealing with prey.
In fact.
Right now, Lisir was trapped in a single thought according to the other party’s intention.
‘Forest Night… can kill me anytime.’
It was an intimidation strong enough to paralyze thought.
In that intimidation, Lisir was able to maintain his composure thanks to a few slender possibilities.
‘Will my purifying power work on Forest Night?’
Faith that his ability would help him again.
And-
‘Forest Night was probably a Dark Elf…?’
Hope that his connection might help.
Hoo.
Hoo.
Lisir found himself struggling to maintain his composure, even resorting to Blue Breath.
In that state, after carefully choosing his words, he opened his mouth.
“I will explain without hiding the circumstances that led me here.”
-Speak.
Lisir explained the process in detail, as it was.
Excessively!
It was to prevent any room for doubt.
“…-So, in the process of investigating the spoils found in the dungeon, I have come to this point. In that process, I had absolutely no intention of encroaching on your territory, and I knew nothing about the connection between that item and you.”
-So, you are also a victim?
“That━”
-There are no perpetrators, only victims. It’s a truly coincidental situation. No, no. According to your statement, I could be the perpetrator. From your point of view, I am an evil person who unjustly holds you responsible for an unavoidable situation.
“…”
Lisir was speechless.
Was Forest Night’s statement too logical?
No.
‘This…’
It was because he vaguely realized that refuting that statement was pointless.
Forest Night’s intimidating voice was somewhat artificial.
As if she was forcing herself to act angry.
And, as if she was forcing herself to hide her pleasure.
For example.
Forest Night was enjoying this situation.
The situation where an intruder had invaded her territory.
And, the situation of considering the disposal of that intruder.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t imagine Forest Night being persuaded.
On the contrary, the image of being treated as a toy by Forest Night and meeting his end was too easily drawn.
Sara-ra-ra-rak.
As if sensing Lisir’s inner thoughts, the forest burst into laughter.
The sound of grass and leaves rustling in a gust of wind naturally transformed into laughter in Lisir’s mind.
-Suddenly, I have this thought.
It wasn’t a mistake.
A clearer joy was evident in that voice than before.
-You didn’t know what was here, but you didn’t care what was here, did you? That dungeon investigation is ultimately a part of conquest, and conquest is always like that. The only thing you cared about was the reward for conquest ━ the spoils. In other words, this is it. You didn’t have no intention of encroaching on my territory. You only gave up the encroachment because of me, the obstacle.
A way of speaking that seemed to manipulate and guide the other person’s mind.
Lisir frowned as if something foreign had entered his mind.
-Even if I hadn’t been a sufficient threat to you, would you have been as polite as you are now? Peaceful?
The tone was sharp, as if not allowing the other party to refute.
However-
Lisir thought.
‘I shouldn’t get involved…’
The other party was pressuring him so that he couldn’t refute, but at the same time, they wanted him to refute.
They were curious how he would get out of this situation.
It was a kind of riddle.
Thus, Lisir opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Your words are…! Certainly reasonable. However. There is one point I would like you to consider.”
-Let me hear it.
“Dungeons generally retain the form of legacies or ruins left by figures of the past! Therefore, most of them are left unattended without an owner!”
-In other words, you only sought unattended objects?
“That’s right!”
-It’s a truly greedy sophistry. Did those who created that secret dwelling, the dungeon, really want their ownership of the dungeon to be passed on to others after their death?
“The act of seeking the belongings of the dead. Is that truly greed?”
-Then what is it?
“The act of not letting go of one’s belongings even after death. That is true greed, and isn’t it something that goes against reason?”
Lisir was confused about what he was doing while passionately arguing.
Why is he suddenly discussing what greed is?
However.
That question is immediately forgotten in the following situation.
Sara-ra-ra-rak.
The forest burst into laughter again.
Thus, it mocked the struggling intruder.
Like that.
This was to please the vast forest that could swallow him at any time.
What can’t you do to survive?
‘By the way, what happened to the others…!’
There, as his thoughts were organized, he began to worry about his unseen companions.
There was no time to hesitate.
-Reason. At such a young age, you discuss such magnificent values.
To satisfy her, Lisir tried to escape from the pressure of the voice that moved the entire forest, and to understand the person behind the voice itself.
The tendency to make the deep forest her dwelling and companion.
And, the identity of a Dark Elf.
There was a face that had been repeatedly appearing since a moment ago.
That face overlapped with the owner of the voice repeatedly.
‘If it were Master here…’
Lisir had been approaching the problem from that perspective since some time ago.
Trying to find a common point between Forest Night and his Master.
He knew it was a reckless method, but in his current situation where he had nothing to rely on, it was a basis.
Thus.
Lisir came up with the words she would want to hear.
“Isn’t it the same with grass and trees!?”
-Hmm?
“They also use the corpses of dead animals and insects as nutrients to bloom beautiful flowers!”
-…
By now.
Lisir himself couldn’t understand what he was saying.
What connection is there between dungeon investigation, personal territory encroachment, and the ecology of nature?
However.
Lisir firmly believed.
That what the other party was demanding was not something like flawless logic.
That was something you could only expect from an equal conversational partner.
If that transcendent being wanted something from him, it would probably be-
A kind of performance?
One that perfectly hits her taste.
“…”
Lisir was completely free from the pressure and tension.
He was facing the master of the forest naturally.
Just like he was facing his master.
-…
After a moment of silence-
Sara-ra-ra-ra-rak!!!
The forest shook violently.
The grass and leaves began to rustle wildly, surrendering to the strong wind.
This time, Lisir didn’t need to understand the meaning contained in the sound of nature.
-Hu-hu-hu-hut.
Because that melodious laughter was being conveyed through a clear voice.
-Do you understand what you’re saying?
The artificial intimidation in that voice faded.
The tone softened.
“…Honestly, I don’t know.”
Sara-ra-ra-ra-rak!!!
-Then, did you utter words you don’t even understand?
“It may sound irresponsible… but I thought you would be pleased if I said this.”
-That’s quite an intriguing statement. I want to hear the reason right away, but… it’s better to hold back.
The commotion in the forest subsided.
As if catching their breath after a good laugh.
-If I hear the reason, my thoughts might change.
Clap clap.
Polite applause came from beyond the forest.
At the same time.
The grass and trees regained their shape, as if to engulf Lisir.
After a while.
A path was created before Lisir’s eyes.
“This is…”
-Follow that path. Then you will be able to leave this place.
Lisir couldn’t be purely happy with those words overflowing with mercy and tolerance.
Because a meaningful statement followed.
-I’ll just let you go. As a reward for making me happy, as you said.
“You…”
Lisir’s pupils dilated as he chewed on those words.
His breath, which had barely stabilized, began to rise again.
He looked around, searching for his companions who still hadn’t appeared.
“Master Melthas… Master Didoa…!”
On the other side of the forest.
In the darkness, the two were bound by vines, unconscious.
That wasn’t all.
Yellow Tower.
White Iron Adventurer’s Guild.
They were all mercilessly devoured by the forest.
“Wait-…!”
Lisir tried to seek mercy from Forest Night, revealing his relationship with them.
However, a firm voice blocked him.
-Do you want to know how they amused me before you?
“…”
-Hurry and go. Before my whims end.
The forest moved, pushing Lisir onto the path.
At the same time, it dragged them deeper into the forest.
“Li, Lisir…!”
Lisir’s eyes widened.
A third voice was heard from somewhere.
“Ca, Carozen Lord…!?”
The Archmage’s clone, the Golden-patterned Pigeon, was hanging from the vines with a broken wing.
Lisir looked where the pigeon’s gaze was directed.
Rocard.
The Golden Divinity was hanging upside down, bleeding.
Lisir took a deep breath and listened to Carozen’s words.
The Archmage must have prepared an ingenious plan to save his disciple.
“Escape!”
“…!”
However, the Archmage’s following statement was shocking.
“First, we must escape from here! Only if you escape can we plan for the future!”
Lisir couldn’t believe it.
That Golden Star was suggesting the humiliating option of escape.
That unrealistic sight-
Bang!
Bang!
Added to that was the reality of a wildly beating heart, creating a terrible sense of alienation.
Meanwhile.
The forest relentlessly pushed Lisir onto the path.
Thus.
Just as Lisir was about to be driven out of the forest.
“Pa, Pamon…!”
Whatever.
Lisir called out her name and looked.
“Do, do you know someone named Pamon!?”
At that moment.
Lisir realized how his companions had been devoured by the forest.
A vibration like a heartbeat occurred, and before he knew it, everything that made up the forest was subduing him.
Vines entangled his limbs, and grass entwined his skin like snakes.
-If you know, what will you do?
For the first time, anger was evident in that voice.
-What is the reason for uttering that name?
It pressed for Lisir’s answer.
Lisir barely answered amidst the pressure squeezing his whole body.
“Pamon… is my Master…!”
Lisir’s gaze was fixed straight ahead.
The sharp branches rushing towards his eyes-
A flower bud suddenly bloomed at the end.
-Oh my.
Pamon.
That child has a human disciple.
Normally, Forest Night would never have believed that.
She would have twisted the neck of the one who mentioned that name.
However, the short but impressive conversation she had with him.
She thought.
That it might be true.
-Pamon has a disciple?
Lisir was now sitting on a soft sofa woven from grass and decorated with flowers.
-My child. Tell me more.
✦✦✦
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