Ch 226
“Oh my━”
Lisir recoiled in horror.
To some, the Divine Beast’s affectionate gesture, gently approaching someone and requesting a touch, could be seen as an active aggression, as if trying to gouge out one’s eyes with its massive beak.
Lisir usually respected others’ statements, and therefore remembered the warning the Elf had given earlier.
“Th-this friend—even if I stay still, it comes close and tries to stab me with its beak! Why is it doing this!? Did I perhaps do something wrong without knowing!?”
Lisir trembled like a human who had encountered a giant eagle.
Even without spreading its wings, the bird, whose size was comparable to his own, stared intently, with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Run?’, leaving him no choice.
Especially after having been warned by the Elf, ‘If you don’t want your eyes gouged out, leave, quickly!’
“…”
The Elf, Ratsil, watching the human and the Divine Beast, was simply shocked.
The scene reflected in the Elf’s eyes was quite different from that reflected in the human’s eyes.
“Beorndall is following a human…?”
The Elf’s shock didn’t last long.
Soon, that shock was overlaid with another emotion.
“No, that’s not the problem. Beorndall… is following someone other than me like that?”
“Um, excuse me…?”
Lisir cautiously observed Ratsil’s nunchi.
He had intended to ask her to get rid of the eagle, but she had a face that said, ‘Injury!!!’
Lisir did not know.
How much effort that Elf had put into communicating with the Divine Beast.
Also, how much pride she held in the relationship she had won with the Divine Beast.
Now.
The Elf was recalling the moment she first met the Divine Beast.
The Divine Beast’s appearance, wary yet showing curiosity!
-Ratsil! You’re amazing as always! The Divine Beast showed curiosity!
It was an appearance that the Divine Beast only showed to Ratsil.
Thanks to the memory of that moment, Ratsil was able to reach her current relationship with the Divine Beast.
That faith that she was the most special existence to the Divine Beast!
But.
The appearance of the human was shaking that faith.
‘B-Beorndall, how did it act when it first met me? Th-that’s right—like now, it approached without hesitation…!’
The Elf, overwhelmed by shock, began to alter her memories.
However, the self-loathing that followed was entirely her own burden.
“Ugh, ugh…!”
As a result.
The Elf’s expression contorted.
Unacceptable!
I don’t like you!
It was an expression of such misplaced resentment.
However, due to her original impression, it gave an impression of pity rather than malice.
“…”
Lisir thought as he watched Ratsil.
Her current insignificant appearance seemed more fitting than her earlier awkward display of humiliation towards the human.
Separately.
Lisir found his current situation confusing.
Why was the ‘insane giant eagle’ suddenly attacking him—
and why was the Elf, presumed to be its owner, suddenly expressing dissatisfaction towards him?
‘Huh?’
At that moment.
Lisir felt a sense of incongruity.
When he stepped back, the eagle no longer lunged at him.
Furthermore, it also stepped back, looking at him in a hunched posture.
As if trying to calm a startled opponent.
Or perhaps, as if trying to plead with him not to hate it.
‘What is it, is it not trying to attack me?’
Thus.
Lisir’s caution towards the eagle noticeably subsided.
“We, we don’t have time!!! Let’s move quickly!!!”
Ratsil urged Lisir, horrified.
Because she feared what would happen as the human spent more time with her Divine Beast.
“Beorndall! Thank you for bringing me here! It’s okay to go back now!”
Unlike her tone, her attitude seemed to wish for the Divine Beast to escape（?） quickly.
The Divine Beast tilted its head as if displeased, but obediently followed its master’s command.
After glancing at Lisir once more, it spread its wings and soared into the sky.
“To avoid any misunderstanding, let me make it clear—Beorndall is not a carriage! If several people ride it, it could strain Beorndall!”
“Ah, yes.”
Lisir gave a suitable response to the Elf’s explanation.
Judging from the circumstances, she was an agent sent by Caroer, who, for some reason, could not guide him personally.
In short.
A person who would guarantee his safety as a human in the Elf City.
Lisir concluded that forming an unnecessary tense relationship with her would not be beneficial.
‘The insane giant eagle unexpectedly followed me well, and the Elf’s pride was stimulated?’
Having roughly understood the situation, Lisir realized what he should do.
“Prioritizing the mount’s condition over her own convenience. I vaguely understand why such a mysterious creature obeys her.”
Lisir looked at the Elf with respect in his gaze.
‘She handles that insane giant eagle well.’
It was sincere respect from the bottom of his heart.
“…”
Ratsil, who had braced herself for the situation of showing a shameful side in front of the human, was prepared.
Because humans would never let her shameful Elf behavior of despising them go unpunished.
So she thought that she would surely use her characteristic nonchalant atmosphere and her status as Caroer’s guest to insult herself—
But what was this.
She was suddenly shown respect.
‘Insincere words…’
Ratsil tried to glare at him, disgusted.
“K, Khem.”
But what came out was an awkward cough.
Her uncontrolled lips twitched.
It was because the anxiety she felt about the Divine Beast’s sudden behavior was greater than she thought.
The Elf’s defenses unconsciously came down at the human’s actions, which kindly soothed her anxiety.
“It’s… not a mount. It’s certainly not a pet either. Humans may find it hard to understand… but Beorndall is my precious friend. A reliable comrade as well.”
“A precious friend and a reliable comrade… Indeed, it’s an unfamiliar approach among us humans. For us humans, animals are generally divided into two categories: pets and livestock.”
“Yet they too are beings with souls… it’s a tragedy.”
“Actually, I quite like animals. Even so, the fact that I’ve never approached them from the same viewpoint as you gives me a great shock.”
“Hmm.”
“To accept them as equal individuals… it must be a way of thinking that requires a unique humility that acknowledges that one is merely a part of nature.”
“Ha, flattery.”
Even as she said that, Ratsil was already twisting the end of her hair around her finger.
Had she ever seen a human speak so beautifully in her life?
Perhaps it would be the first time even if she expanded the scope to the entire race.
“Anyway. I’ve definitely realized one fact from this short conversation.”
“May I also know what that is, if possible?”
“That you are not an arrogant ignoramus like other humans. I somewhat understand why Caroer brought you to Illathein…”
Lisir smiled faintly and bowed slightly.
“I too. I somewhat understand why Caroer trusts you and entrusts my safety to you. Come to think of it, I haven’t thanked you yet. Just now. If you hadn’t offered your help in time, I would have been in a very difficult situation.”
“…Khem.”
Ratsil had intended to clear her throat seriously.
However, without her knowledge, she had a beaming face.
An extraordinary human who elicited a special reaction from the Divine Beast.
Her defenses were crumbling one after another under his indiscriminate and merciless attack（?）.
“The conversation seems to be getting unnecessarily long.”
Ratsil did not know.
That her attitude towards the other person had changed.
She began to treat Lisir with a friendly attitude that suited her impression.
It was the attitude she had towards her kin, not towards humans.
Of course.
Her raised shoulders and smug expression were rarely seen even among her kin.
“Right now, you must be confused because you’ve been suddenly thrown into a foreign land. Isn’t that so?”
“Still. As I talk to you like this, I feel the tension easing somewhat.”
“…Do you think I’m easy to handle?”
“Yes?”
Ha!
She waved her hand and burst into hearty laughter.
“Just kidding. Don’t be so scared. I was trying to relieve your tension, not scare you.”
I wasn’t scared?
Lisir retracted the words that had come up to his throat.
Because her expression as she spoke was extremely cheerful.
“Anyway. Don’t worry.”
Ratsil confidently clenched her fist and pounded her chest.
“As long as I’m in charge of your safety, you’ll be able to complete your business without incident.”
Then she shouted to the Watchers still standing guard nearby.
“Everyone! You can all disperse now!”
Her comrades followed her instructions.
As they watched the series of events, they reacted by letting out bitter smiles or sighing.
The Elf, unaware of this, looked at Lisir with a triumphant smile.
As if showing off her influence.
How about it?
How about it?
Such a voice seemed to come from her face.
“How reliable…!!!”
Lisir was genuinely impressed, surprised in a different sense.
“Hee hee.”
The Elf’s smug smile was filled with a sense of duty.
She vowed to take good care of the insignificant human who could not survive without her help.
‘She’s a good friend.’
Without realizing that the human was looking at her with a strange expression.
✦✦✦
Lisir walked through the forest with Ratsil, listening to various stories.
“So, you see~”
The structure of the various stories was as follows.
1. Watcher Ratsil’s self-boasting about how great and amazing she is.
2. Situation explanation.
In effect, by praising her and listening to her boast, he received information about the situation in return.
“At that time! Beorndall appeared just in time. Can you imagine? What expressions the people had?”
“Oh my. Even just imagining it, it’s chilling.”
“Hey~ Chilling? You’re overreacting~”
Lisir appropriately responded to her, taking the time to organize the newly acquired information.
Thereby—
‘This person, was more amazing than I thought?’
Ratsil, as a key figure in the Forest Watchers—
He confirmed that she held a fairly high position and influence within Elf society.
Also—
‘But is this really okay?’
He confirmed that his acquisition of the Seed of Nature Magic as a human was a far greater event than he had anticipated.
That was the reason why Caroer could not come to greet him personally.
According to Ratsil, Caroer must be racking her brains in Illathein, working on the preparations for transferring the Seed of Nature Magic to the human.
“I still can’t believe it. That Caroer, granting the blood of nature to you, a human. What kind of magic did you use?”
“That’s—”
“Ah!”
Ratsil hastily raised her finger.
“That’s enough! Caroer instructed me not to reveal details!”
“How reliable. As expected of Ratsil.”
“Hee hee.”
Lisir could not help but admit that Ratsil was a wonderful conversationalist.
“Oh!? We’re already here!?”
As Ratsil said.
While listening to her boast without realizing it, they had already reached their destination.
Leaving the vast forest, a well-maintained road appeared—
and beyond that road, a giant tree that seemed to reach the sky was visible.
‘Following the insane giant eagle, an insane giant tree… is that the World Tree?’
It, called the heart of the Elves, stood proudly in the center of their city, Illathein.
“Stop!”
It was Ratsil’s voice, stopping Lisir, who was naturally about to step onto the road.
She fumbled around in her arms and pulled something out.
It was a robe of a similar teal color to the one she was wearing.
“Put it on!”
Ratsil suddenly thrust the robe at him.
“In broad daylight! If a human appears at the main gate of Illathein and tries to undergo entry screening, there will be a commotion!”
“Certainly.”
“Ah! Don’t misunderstand! This is absolutely not because I feel that you are an unclean human!”
“I understand.”
“…Ah! It doesn’t necessarily mean that other Elves will look at you with that kind of gaze either!”
“I understand.”
“…Are you hurt?”
“I almost was, but Ratsil explained it well, so I’m fine.”
“Phew. As expected of me.”
Lisir, wearing the robe, pulled the hood down deeply.
“How does it look?”
“Hmm…”
Ratsil, carefully observing his appearance, slowly nodded.
“It suits you. If you were an Elf, you might have been my type?”
“Yes?”
“Just kidding!”
Ha!
Ratsil burst into laughter and patted Lisir’s shoulder.
“As expected, I knew that appearance would be helpful! With that on, you’re an Elf.”
‘Because I’m covering my face with the hood, I look like an Elf?’
Lisir tried not to take her words to heart.
Then she grabbed Lisir’s shoulders.
She, who was considered tall even for a woman, looked up at him from a slightly lower height and said.
“Lisir! Let me make it clear, I’ll take care of everything from now on, just stay still. Okay?”
“Of course. I’ll trust you, Ratsil.”
“That’s right! Just trust me, and act naturally. Don’t be tense.”
They went up the road towards the gate of Illathein.
The moment they joined the long line in front of the checkpoint.
“Oh…”
Lisir was overwhelmed by the surreal sight before him.
Elves.
That mysterious race, which he rarely saw, was literally lined up.
And beyond that, the teal city.
Illathein, the city of Elves.
‘From now on, I’m infiltrating—no, visiting that city.’
Thump!
Lisir found himself getting seriously tense.
“Illathein’s inspection is notoriously strict. But don’t worry. I’m here.”
Ratsil whispered softly into Lisir’s ear.
“With me by your side, even a Dark Elf could pass this gate.”
“Oh, then can I take off my hood?”
“That was assuming you were wearing the hood.”
“Ah.”
The line slowly shortened.
When their turn was about to come.
“Huh?”
Ratsil moved to the side and looked at the Guards conducting the inspection.
A small commotion had occurred in front.
Lisir also cautiously moved to check the situation.
At that moment.
Their expressions contorted simultaneously.
Figures whose armaments were clearly extraordinary compared to the Guards guarding the checkpoint appeared and took the Guards’ places.
“The Verdant Spear…!? Why are they—”
The Verdant Spear.
A martial group in Illathein that protected the most noble Elves, having the nature of a royal guard.
Ratsil was taken aback by the appearance of those with far greater authority than the Forest Watchers.
She wasn’t the only one surprised.
“What? Why did it suddenly stop?”
“Is something wrong?”
Those in line began to murmur.
The line was congested because the inspection was suddenly stopped.
A moment later.
A heavily armed Elf Knight stepped forward and spoke to them.
“Currently! Due to an incident that occurred within the city, we are conducting a random check, so we ask for your understanding!”
“An incident!?”
“What’s going on? Is there an intruder?”
“An intruder in Illathein, who…?”
Intrusion.
While everyone was surprised by that part, some were surprised by the part about “random checks”.
“This…”
It was none other than Ratsil and Lisir.
-Us!?
-Ratsil! We haven’t even attempted an intrusion yet!?
-Just kidding!
-A spirited person!
The random check had already begun.
They were thrown into confusion as they watched the Knight slowly approaching them from the front.
-What do we do!?
Lisir asked with his eyes.
“There!”
Meanwhile, their turn quickly approached—
The Knight conducting the random check called out Lisir’s name.
His appearance with his hood pulled down blended with the situation, making him look particularly suspicious.
“Hand over that hood!”
“Wait!”
“Huh? Knight Ratsil?”
Ratsil quickly stepped forward and blocked them.
“This person is my companion!”
“…”
“I will vouch for this person’s identity. So, please don’t worry about it.”
The Knight looked at Ratsil and Lisir alternately, then reluctantly left.
-As expected of Ratsil!
-This isn’t the time to be relieved!
Ratsil pointed to the Knight with the largest build among the group of Knights.
-Over there, that! Do you see that man who looks like a rock? Don’t make eye contact with him!
-What?
-That man won’t listen to me! He won’t even consider my circumstances! He has that kind of personality, and the authority to do so—we need to leave before he shows interest in us!
-…
-But, in this situation, acting rashly will only attract attention! Just wait a moment! I’ll come up with a solution!
-Ratsil. I think—I might be able to do something.
-What!? Did you come up with a solution!?
-I’ll try to persuade that man.
-What!
Ratsil was startled.
Has this human become confident after becoming friendly with me!?
His suggestion was absurd.
That huge Knight was a man who was incomparably stricter than her when it came to matters related to humans.
The most noble Elf—
The Knight who guarded the Princess right beside her lived in a completely different world from ordinary Elves and humans.
-…!
Suddenly.
The huge Knight looked towards where they were standing.
Did his wild senses detect the incongruity emanating from the human!?
-Oh dear!
Ratsil had no time to react.
The huge Knight strode with his log-like legs and instantly approached them.
Thump thump thump thump!
Ratsil felt as if her ears would be deafened by the pounding of her heart.
-What do I do! What should I do!? Should I distract them and let him escape!? If we’re caught, I won’t be able to avoid mentioning Caroer’s name…!
Ratsil continued her thoughts in the tense atmosphere, as if time had stopped.
At the same time, she desperately hoped.
Please. May the huge Knight not see Lisir’s face!
May that situation that would lead the situation to ruin not happen!
However, as if to mock her wish, the huge Knight stood before Lisir—
and Lisir looked up and met his gaze.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Ratsil focused all her attention, preparing for the impending disaster.
“Huh?”
Then, suddenly, a deflated sound escaped Ratsil’s lips.
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s fine! It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it!”
The huge Knight sent his approaching subordinates away.
After that, Lisir and the huge Knight continued to look at each other without saying a word.
Ratsil looked at Lisir in astonishment.
As promised, he seemed to have succeeded in persuading the Knight.
‘How…? ‘
As Ratsil struggled with bewilderment, Lisir checked her condition and said.
-We know each other.
“?”
Ratsil wondered for a moment if that was human slang.
As an Elf Princess’s Knight, an Elf among Elves who would never leave Illathein, there was no way he could personally know a human.
At that time.
The huge Knight spoke to Lisir.
“Why are you here…”
Gondola, the Knight who guarded Princess Rapita.
It was the moment he unexpectedly reunited with the Princess’s benefactor.
“Pr-Princess Rapita, is she doing well?”
Ratsil was horrified.
Mentioning that name in this situation!?
She quickly checked Gondola’s reaction.
How dare a human mention the Princess’s name.
There was no way that rock-like Knight would let it go—
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
Ratsil’s eyes trembled at the sight of the Elf’s bitter smile as he looked at the human.
✦✦✦
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