Ch 227
‘This human… what is this…?’
He naturally engages in conversation with the Princess’s escort knight.
Even more, he naturally exchanges pleasantries with the overprotective escort knight and the Princess regarding her well-being!
Ratsil felt a deep curiosity about the identity of the human before her.
Even when Caroer, the Guardian of the World Tree, instructed him to bring this person, she knew he was an extraordinary individual, but to this extent?
‘Could it be that Lady Caroer asked him to bring this human not for a specific reason, but because of a personal connection!?’
At that moment.
The first emotion Ratsil felt was ‘relief’.
‘As expected! There was a reason why Beorndall followed him so!’
Her Divine Beast showed a positive reaction at their first meeting, comparable to its reaction when it first met her.
The memory of that moment still remained as a shock, but as the human’s extraordinariness was highlighted, that shock lessened.
He is not just a human.
Then?
A human recognized by the Elder and the Princess.
That’s recognition.
With Lisir and her（?） wit, they will escape the critical situation.
Ratsil spoke to the two in an excited tone.
“Lisir! What is this! If you knew Sir Gondola, why didn’t you tell me sooner!”
Ratsil excitedly grabbed Lisir’s shoulders and shook him.
This human-
No, this Elf, is he an Elf?
Lisir felt his energy drained by the cheerful atmosphere that completely denied the prejudice against Elves, and replied.
“That’s━ I didn’t think it was appropriate to confidently reveal our relationship. However, thankfully, Sir Gondola welcomed me warmly.”
Ratsil vigorously nodded her head upon hearing Lisir’s words.
Even to her knowledge, the escort knight Gondola was a rigid person who perfectly matched his rock-like appearance.
Yet, Gondola, upon discovering a human trying to infiltrate Illathein, instead of immediately arresting him, actually defended and helped him!
“Just in case I ask, you didn’t use mental interference on Sir Gondola…!? If you did… I would appreciate it if you just let him go. If the fact that you used mental interference on the Princess’s escort knight is discovered, you’ll be banished from the city at minimum…!”
“…”
As Lisir’s energy was completely drained, it seemed like Gondola’s energy was being drained as well.
Gondola listened to Ratsil’s rapid-fire words, then closed his eyes tightly.
“Watcher Ratsil. Do you think I, the wielder of Lady Rapita’s spear, cannot control my own mind?”
A moment later.
He glared at Ratsil with a wooden expression.
Ratsil was startled and repeatedly tapped Lisir’s forearm.
Look!
Look!
That’s Gondola!
As if to say so.
Lisir and Gondola looked at each other.
They had only exchanged a few words, yet they looked as tired as if they had fought a fierce battle after having their energy completely drained.
“Sir Gondola!”
At that moment.
His subordinates, having finished their random check, approached and reported the situation.
Lisir bowed his head again and listened to their conversation.
“We did not find any suspicious individuals!”
“According to the checkpoint leader, there were no suspicious individuals or signs during the time in question!”
“Is that so. I understand. Then let’s end the investigation at the main gate and move to the next area. Dendrona. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
The knight designated by Gondola widened her eyes.
“Do you intend to act alone from now on?”
“That’s right. However, it seems I will be undertaking a separate mission.”
“A separate mission…”
The knight was curious about what the separate mission was, but remained silent.
“I will follow your orders.”
She bowed to Gondola, then led her subordinates and left the place.
The checkpoint, which had briefly stopped its inspection, resumed, and the place began to bustle again.
“As expected of Sir Gondola! You have the complete trust of your comrades!”
With the situation resolved smoothly, Ratsil spoke in an unusually lively tone, conveying her relief.
“Don’t exaggerate. I merely showed proper respect to my superior.”
Gondola firmly rejected such insincere words, as if he disliked them.
“Actually, I received the same impression.”
“…Is that so?”
However, he scratched the back of his head, embarrassed by Lisir’s following remark.
‘Isn’t the reaction too different from my time?’
Ratsil, the beautiful Elf, pursed her lips in resentment.
“Anyway, Sir Gondola. It seems we have unnecessarily interfered with you. I’m worried that it might have hindered the separate mission you mentioned earlier.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hmm?”
“The mission I will undertake next is to guide you, isn’t it?”
“Oh, is that so?”
“It’s obvious. Didn’t you come to Illathein in response to the Princess’s summons?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“Yes?”
The two looked at each other with blank expressions and exchanged interjections several times.
Then.
Why are you here?
No.
How did you even get here in the first place?
Gondola looked at the other person with that expression for a while.
The human who came to the Elf City.
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
Lisir’s party entered Illathein with Gondola.
‘This is the Elf City…’
It was a city that looked like it was carved from a giant tree.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary city, but the colors of nature were naturally blended throughout.
Thus.
Lisir walked through the streets of Illathein with Gondola, explaining the situation to him.
“My goodness. How did you become connected to Lord Caroer.”
Gondola shook his head, saying he was amazed.
“That’s what I’m saying! Lord Caroer showing… what should I say!? Interest in a human!? Isn’t that expression too arrogant!? Anyway, Lord Caroer showing interest in a human! Lisir! You need to know how amazing that is!”
As Ratsil was acting excitedly, Gondola nodded.
“Well, if you’re someone like you, even if you’re a human, you wouldn’t lack anything to attract his attention.”
“Yes!? That’s it!?”
Whiz!
Whiz!
Ratsil looked back and forth between Lisir and Gondola with dynamic head movements.
“What, what is this!? What aspect of this person makes the noble High Elves lose their minds!? Can’t I know too!?”
“Even if you don’t try to find out, you will naturally find out.”
“What, what is this!? This incredible high praise…? Lisir, you were such an amazing person!? No, I mean! I knew! That you were an extraordinary person! But, to this extent!?”
Ratsil, so excited, grabbed Lisir’s arm and clung to him.
Lisir’s body swayed wildly due to her lively movements.
Lisir and Gondola continued their conversation, finding it difficult to keep up with Ratsil.
“However, I’m definitely curious. Aside from being able to make an impression on Lord Caroer, how did you manage to make contact with him? In these turbulent times, he shouldn’t have any reason to leave Illathein.”
“The weather is nice.”
“Suddenly?”
Lisir naturally changed the subject.
He couldn’t simply say, ‘My Sajjo is Forest Night, and I summoned a High Elf and half-threatened them’.
He skillfully changed the subject.
“Anyway, in these turbulent times━ did I perhaps visit at an inappropriate time?”
“That’s right.”
“Seeing your immediate answer, it seems that’s really the case. Is it something that would be difficult for me, an outsider, to know in detail?”
“Normally, it would be, but if that outsider is you, I should make an exception.”
“Ah! Then I’ll explain!”
Lisir felt a slight dizziness at the sight of Ratsil starting to talk about the ancient World Tree and the old stories.
Gondola, feeling a similar sentiment, quickly interjected.
“It’s too long. Explain briefly.”
“Yes!? How can I explain this complicated story briefly!?”
“There is ongoing tension among the royalty due to succession-related issues.”
“Wow!”
To summarize the story like that!?
Ratsil expressed admiration and disappointment at the same time.
Separately, Lisir felt deep satisfaction with Gondola’s explanation, following the great advanced culture of the three-line summary.
“By any chance, was the commotion just now related to that?”
Gondola nodded.
“Traces of an outsider attempting to infiltrate the Verdant Council were found. That’s why we took action.”
The Verdant Council.
It was the place where the royalty, descendants of the World Tree, resided.
Gondola added that although royalty usually stayed in their own residences, they were currently staying at the Verdant Council due to succession-related issues.
“Then… if my existence is discovered, wouldn’t it cause trouble not only for me, but also for everyone associated with me?”
A human hiding in the Elf City.
Lisir, aware of his special position, expressed a reasonable concern.
Gondola shook his head.
“No. You don’t have to worry about that. I and the Princess will vouch for your identity.”
“Me too!”
“Sir Gondola and Miss Rapita… no, the Princess vouching for my identity. Is that really alright?”
“Me too!?”
“I know what you’re talking about. You’re surely conscious of the fact that you’re a human.”
“That’s right.”
“Speaking of which, you’re not the only human in Illathein right now.”
“Is that so?”
“Re, really!?”
Creak.
Lisir’s head naturally turns towards Ratsil.
What is this person?
Is he from the same class as our Master?
In other words, the kind of person you shouldn’t trust?
Ratsil looked resentful.
“No, no…! Lisir! You can’t do this! If I lose your trust at this point, how unfair it will be for me-…!”
Surprisingly, it was Gondola who offered her a helping hand.
“She’s right. Right now, only a few people staying at the Verdant Council know about this in Illathein.”
“Is it alright for you to tell me such information?”
“Well, it’s alright if it’s you.”
“Hey, Ms. Ratsil also heard it, didn’t she?”
“Oh dear. That was certainly careless of me.”
“I’m an Elf!?”
“Anyway, to continue, various outsiders are flocking to the Verdant Council right now. As I just said, that’s why there are humans in Illathein.”
“Is it related to the succession issue you mentioned earlier?”
“That’s right.”
“…”
Lisir nodded, understanding at last.
He realized the meaning of the ‘Princess’s summons’ that Gondola mentioned at the gate.
‘The royalty are mobilizing as many… people? as possible due to the succession issue. Indeed, it seems to be quite a complicated situation. The fortunate thing is that it doesn’t seem to be as serious as a martial situation. If it were, the royalty wouldn’t be able to gather together peacefully and openly bring in outsiders.’
As Lisir was organizing his thoughts, Gondola, who was walking in the lead, stopped and stood in place.
“Well then━ Lisir. What are your plans in Illathein from now on?”
When Lisir looked at Ratsil, she answered.
“Lady Caroer said she would summon you when everything is ready. Until then, you will be waiting at the residence she has prepared.”
Ah!
Ratsil, remembering something, spoke to Lisir.
“Don’t worry! Lady Caroer said it won’t take more than a week, no matter how long it takes! And, the residence I mentioned is a mansion owned by Lady Caroer━ you will live there like a noble of Illathein! And, this is the most important part.”
Ratsil proudly pointed to herself.
“I will take care of you during that time! I’m ready to do anything to alleviate all your inconveniences, including boredom! How about it, isn’t that reliable!?”
“Really, yes.”
Lisir immediately answered, recalling that he had never been bored for a single moment since he started spending time with her.
“In other words, I don’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
Gondola nodded his thick chin and said.
“Then, shall we part ways here?”
“Yes! Oh! Sir Gondola, I almost forgot. Thank you for your help! If it weren’t for you, we would have been in an unpleasant situation at the checkpoint!”
-Although it was because of meeting Sir Gondola in the first place.
Ratsil created a wall between herself and Gondola with her palm, and whispered in Lisir’s ear.
Even in this situation, Lisir admired her actions to prevent boredom and said to Gondola.
“Sir Gondola?”
“Hmm?”
“If I say I want to visit the Princess to greet her, would that be an unnecessary interference?”
“…”
Surprise appeared on Gondola’s face as he understood the meaning behind those words.
It was only recently that Lisir had heard about the complicated situation in Illathein.
That contacting the Princess in the current situation would unnecessarily take on risks-
He couldn’t possibly not know that.
Gondola looked at Lisir with that question, and he smiled wryly.
“But we’re on good terms. Since I’ve come all this way, shouldn’t I visit her?”
“On good terms?”
“We’re like family, connected by the bond of Perin, aren’t we?”
In other words.
He was saying this.
That he wanted to help willingly, considering their connection related to Perin.
“Huh.”
How that connection came about.
Gondola chuckled, recalling the memory of that time.
“Are you sure it’s alright?”
Gondola, recalling the Princess’s position, asked with both worry and expectation.
“Anyway, I don’t have anything else to do while I’m staying in Illathein.”
Lisir’s nonchalant smile.
A similar smile appeared on Gondola’s face as he looked at it.
-Do you usually seduce people so recklessly?
“?”
Ratsil whispered in Lisir’s ear with an exasperated expression.
✦✦✦
“A prophecy?”
On the way to the Verdant Council, following Gondola.
Lisir was able to hear more detailed stories about the Princess’s situation.
“Yes. There was a prophecy that someone who will receive the World Tree’s Selection will soon be born in the Verdant Council.”
“And then?”
“That’s all.”
“Yes?”
“Your reaction right now was our reaction back then. An ambiguous situation with no set timing or exact method. In the end, the best we could do was gather at the Verdant Council and prepare as much as possible. Gather as many people as possible… prepare as many supplies as possible… achieve as many merits as possible…”
“Hmm…”
Lisir thought, ‘Fortunately’, as he heard Gondola’s story.
When succession issues like this arise, bloodshed is inevitable-
If it’s a situation where nothing is certain like this, they won’t be able to take extreme actions like recklessly reducing the number of competitors.
‘Doing the best they can to become the main character of the prophecy… it’s healthy, or should I say.’
Lisir couldn’t help but acknowledge the class of the Elves in this regard.
If it were humans, they would have purged all their competitors and proudly declared, ‘Since it’s come to this, my survival is a victory’.
“This is it.”
Soon, Lisir’s party arrived at the Verdant Council.
‘Unlike its name, it’s not all green.’
It was in the form of an ordinary mansion.
However, it was simply grand and luxurious, befitting the residence of the Elf royalty.
They headed towards the main house, where the royalty were said to reside, within the grounds.
-Wow~ Thanks to you, I’m visiting the Verdant Council~
Ratsil, clinging to Lisir, kept patting his arm.
She explained to Lisir one by one how important the people they met in the hallway were.
-Oh, that’s!?
That’s when it happened.
Ratsil was surprised, and Gondola, who was walking in the lead, stopped in his tracks.
A girl, being served by many people, was walking towards them.
Having already encountered her several times.
‘Is that person royalty too?’
Lisir recognized at a glance that she was a High Elf.
Gondola bowed to her.
“Prince Lasnian.”
‘Right, right. See? I knew she was royalty just by looking━ huh?’
Lisir doubted his ears for a moment.
‘What Prince?’
Not the Princess?
“Gondola.”
At that time.
She━ no, he, who responded with an elegant bow, turned his gaze to the people standing beside Gondola.
“I don’t recognize these people… are they Rapita’s new friends?”
“…”
As Gondola remained silent, he chuckled mischievously and muttered to himself.
“It seems Rapita has become quite desperate.”
“…!”
“Anyway, you must have been on your way to see Rapita, right? It’s fortunate.”
Prince Lasnian.
He gestured towards them with a smile.
✦✦✦
“Your Highness. What is the meaning of this━”
Lisir’s party arrived at their destination, following Prince Lasnian.
Gondola expressed his doubts.
Numerous altars prepared for communication with spirits in the Verdant Council-
They arrived at one of them, but Rapita was nowhere to be seen.
At that time.
After looking at Gondola looking at him, the Prince smiled, ‘Oh really?’
“Gondola. You don’t think I’m playing a prank on you, do you?”
“…”
“That’s disappointing. Look.”
Gondola pointed to the top of the altar.
There, a peculiar-shaped candle, as if it had just been extinguished, emitted warmth.
“I clearly saw it! Rapita heading towards the altar to do ‘that’.”
‘That?’
Lisir felt curious.
It was because Gondola’s expression turned somber the moment it was mentioned.
“Huh?”
At that time.
Feeling a gaze, Lisir looked at the Prince.
The High Elf, exuding an atmosphere more elegant than any ordinary noble girl, was looking at Lisir with a strange gaze.
“You know that the Elves staying here are desperate to attract the World Tree’s attention, right?”
“Yes?”
The Prince suddenly started talking.
Lisir nodded, though he was surprised.
Then, the Prince stroked the top of the altar and continued.
“Right now, a spirit of great importance to our Elves has lost its contractor. So, everyone is desperate to attract the attention of that spirit. Rapita, the original contractor, even more so.”
Lisir realized why the Prince explained it to him so carefully.
It was a groundwork for a kind of show-off.
“Wait, Your Highness!?”
Gondola urgently called out to the Prince.
He was preparing to perform a ritual at the altar with his attendants.
“The Sylph is Lady Rapita’s━”
“Gondola. Why are you doing this? What’s the point of telling old stories now.”
They didn’t know what criteria the World Tree’s Selection mentioned in the prophecy would be based on.
Therefore, they simply accumulate as many merits as possible.
For example, winning the favor of a great spirit that has lost its contractor.
“Since you’re here, why don’t you watch what I’m doing?”
Whoosh-
The wind swirled around the place.
“This…”
Gondola muttered in dismay.
All the Elves present could feel it.
That the great spirit had manifested itself in this place.
“Sylph.”
The Prince immediately spoke to it.
Then, it immediately responded.
-Long time no see.
“…!”
Shock and a bright smile appeared on the Prince’s face.
“You remember me?”
“…”
A great shock appeared on Gondola’s face as well.
Had that spirit shown interest in any other Elf after turning away from Rapita?
‘No, this won’t do…!’
As the escort knight was flustered by the crisis that had befallen the Princess, the spirit spoke.
-It was probably the name Lisir.
The Prince’s expression contorted.
Did he mistake my name, Lasnian?
✦✦✦
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