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Chapter 7
“We don’t know either. We were only running away to survive…”
The beastkin were naturally unmatched when it came to fleeing or chasing prey, thanks to their animal-like instincts and sense of smell.
They were excellent hunters and excellent escape artists.
That they had been so easily tracked down by Eldmir was partly due to his own superhuman senses, but even more because this was the Elven Forest.
Their easy admission of ignorance was also their way of saying they still did not trust Eldmir’s group.
Eldmir understood that, yet he simply nodded.
Even in the Elven Forest, the fact that they hadn’t noticed Eldmir’s group approaching so closely meant it was possible they truly didn’t know.
“If you’re our guests, what do you expect us to do for you?”
The catkin girl asked boldly, still wary. Eldmir found himself intrigued by her.
He didn’t know much about the beastkin. Were they all as cheeky and headstrong as this girl?
“We can escort you safely to where you want to go—at least, for as long as you remain in this forest as guests.”
“Escort us?”
“You keep being on guard, but there’s no need. If we hadn’t meant to treat you as guests, we would have acted long ago. It’s not difficult.”
At his words, the girl bared her teeth again. Scratching the back of his head at his failed attempt, Eldmir muttered to Eshiria:
“Mother, isn’t this the part where they’re supposed to understand?”
“My son, just stay quiet.”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
Eshiria stepped forward in his place and spoke in a gentle tone.
“Everyone, we have no intention of harming you.”
“Hmph! Even in this state, taking down two pointy-ears wouldn’t be—”
“Keris.”
The wolfkin warrior cut her off before she could finish her sharp words.
The girl called Keris stopped, glaring at Eshiria and Eldmir for a long while. The wolfkin warrior placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back, bowing slightly.
“Forgive her. It would be best to dismiss her words as the nonsense of a child.”
“Teia!”
“Quiet, Keris. This is their domain, not ours.”
Keris pressed her lips tightly, sulking. A few of the other girls beside her nervously grabbed her hand, and she bit her lip as if restraining herself.
“As I said, as long as you respect the forest’s laws, we will treat you as guests. Teia, was it? My name is Eshiria Architea, Warden of the Forest, child of El R’darel. And now, your Sentinel guide through this forest.”
“We don’t need a guide. Just ignoring us as we pass would be enough.”
At Teia’s words, Eshiria gave a bitter smile.
“That is impossible.”
“…What do you mean?”
Eshiria spread her arms wide.
“You don’t seem to fully understand what it means for this to be the Elven Forest, Teia. It doesn’t just mean it’s where elves live. Not at all.”
And the moment she finished speaking—
“So the stench of beasts I smelled was wolves and cats.”
It came so suddenly.
“Cats—just cubs. Wolves and cats together, though? Strange combination.”
Yet it flowed with natural inevitability.
“Regardless, intruders are not permitted in this forest. Our duty as Sentinels is clear.”
It was simply the natural order of the Elven Forest.
“What?!”
Teia’s shocked cry rang out as Eshiria shouted:
“Brothers!”
From the shadows of the trees, elves appeared, stepping forth like ghosts.
“These are not intruders—they are our guests. Would you really oppress those who follow the forest’s etiquette with force?”
Three hooded Sentinels stared at her, their faces hidden. They were from another village, strangers to Eldmir.
One of them spoke.
“Eshiria of Le Ruiel, is it?”
“Yes. Judging by your voice, you must be Istein.”
They recognized each other. Istein nodded under his hood.
“They are our prey, Eshiria. Why do you call them guests?”
“Prey? They are not. It wasn’t elves who were chasing them. Do you claim the wounds on that wolfkin warrior’s body were inflicted by us?”
At that, Istein and the others glanced at Teia’s wounds.
“Indeed, we did not inflict those. Nor were we the ones pursuing them.”
“Then…”
“But that does not make them any less our enemies. We have always opposed their kind.”
Istein pointed to Teia.
“That wolfkin warrior has driven his filthy fangs into the necks of three Sentinels from our village. Even if we weren’t the ones chasing him, there is no reason for us to let him go now.”
His voice carried faint hatred and contempt.
The three Sentinels drew their bows in unison.
“Whatever their circumstances, they have set foot in our forest. As Sentinels, it is our duty to carry out our mission. Guests, you say?”
Even through the hood, the weight of Istein’s gaze pressed on Teia.
“They have long been our enemies. They cannot be our guests.”
Then he turned his gaze to Eshiria.
“Or is it that you’ve grown so soft in peace you can’t grasp even such an obvious truth?”
“How dare you—”
Eldmir was about to step forward, but Eshiria raised her hand to stop him. Istein gave a derisive laugh at Eldmir’s restrained anger.
Eldmir understood the insult but forced himself to stay calm for his mother’s sake.
“How dare you, you say? Strange words. That should be directed at them, not us.”
His tone was now flat and devoid of hatred, the voice of a Sentinel who had lived centuries bound only to his duty.
Eldmir sighed irritably. He had hoped not to intervene.
Istein drew his bowstring, aiming at Teia’s heart. The wolfkin warrior and the catkin girls all bared their fangs.
Just before battle broke out, Eldmir stepped between them.
“Wait, brothers.”
He pointed at Teia, then addressed Istein.
“You’ve seen this man before. But the children—you haven’t, have you?”
“…And who are you? An elf not yet of age, interfering in—”
“Forgive my rudeness, brothers, but…”
Eldmir smiled.
It was not a gentle smile.
“…I would appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like some naive child. Just as I respect you, respect me as well.”
His calm tone carried the weight of a predator. Istein flinched back involuntarily, and even Teia, standing behind Eldmir, felt it.
“…No, I have not seen them before.”
Sensing something in Eldmir, Istein admitted it.
“Then that’s settled, isn’t it?”
“But what does it matter? Child, they are invaders of our forest. As Sentinels, it is our duty to protect the forest from them.”
“No, it is different.”
Eldmir pointed at the catkin girls.
“By your logic, they are not our enemies. You have never fought them, have you?”
“…What nonsense.”
Eldmir swallowed nervously.
This was his first time meeting elves from another village, and he already found himself in conflict with them.
Debating like this with strangers felt more awkward than fighting outright.
Still, he steadied his nerves and continued.
“That warrior has been your enemy from the start. If so, then no, he cannot be considered a guest. But what about those children?”
He gestured at the trembling girls behind Teia.
“They are not yet our enemies. Shouldn’t they still have the right to be treated as guests?”
It was nonsense—a flimsy excuse—but Eldmir pressed on.
“Just as we are sworn to protect the forest from enemies, are we not also sworn to protect guests?”
“…I don’t understand your intent.”
Istein pulled back his hood, revealing a tall, striking man with golden hair and a hard, furrowed brow.
“You would shield our enemies, even against your own kin?”
“You exaggerate. I never said that. I only ask we distinguish between enemies and guests.”
“…I really don’t understand you.”
Neither did Eldmir, honestly.
“So you mean we kill the wolfkin but spare the girls?”
Though it meant sacrificing Teia, Eldmir nodded.
Better to save some lives than none. He couldn’t betray his kin completely; compromise was the best option.
“Yes.”
“Nonsense!!”
A shrill cry rang out.
“You can’t hand Teia over! You’re telling us to sell out our own kin?!”
It was Keris.
“You think the beastkin will just let this—”
“Keris!!”
Teia’s roar silenced her. She flinched, her ears and tail drooping.
Looking up at him with wet eyes, she heard him say sternly:
“Be still. This is not your place. If my life alone is enough, then so be it. Remember, Keris—your lives are what matter most. That is my goal.”
Ignoring the tears in her eyes, Teia turned to Eldmir.
“My life alone—will that satisfy you?”
Something stirred inside Eldmir.
For a moment, he was choked with emotion, then steadied himself.
“…If the Sentinels agree.”
He clenched his fists.
“Brothers, will you accept this? The children bear no blame. The only enemy here is this wolfkin warrior.”
“…I cannot understand you.”
Istein pressed his hand to his brow.
“Young elf, they are beastkin. They do not deserve your respect. Whatever sways your heart, they will one day be our enemies all the same. Girls or not, they are only potential foes.”
The very thought Eldmir himself had carried until moments ago. He laughed quietly.
“I used to think so too…”
He glanced at Eshiria, then recalled the tangled web of thoughts he’d been unraveling.
What had changed his mind?
Why had he turned his heart?
He searched for the answer.
The First Era, when all races lived in harmony—a golden age he could not even imagine.
The Race Wars, the blood-soaked conflict to unify them.
The fall of the elves.
The fleeting alliance with the beastkin.
Ah.
As soon as he grasped the answer, his racing thoughts calmed.
It wasn’t something grand. Just a dream.
Arrogant, perhaps, for a mere gamer like him. But at the same time, it felt natural—true to himself.
Smiling lightly, Eldmir spoke.
“To dream of the First Era… I am not the only one.”
