IRE 22

chapter 22

As I panicked internally, sweating nervously, trying to figure out how to calm the first one down, Irian cleared his throat.

“I will allow the Myoin tribe girls to go free. Eldmir, through the story you just told, you have proven yourself worthy of accepting them as guests. You are not someone who would bring harm to our people out of selfishness or emotion; on the contrary, you are someone who could be a benefit. It is my sincere hope that your journey with them will be known throughout all the elves.”

He said this, bowing slightly, placing his left fist behind his back and touching his chest with the index and middle fingers of his right hand.

“Glory to the forest.”

The sentinel’s salute.

I couldn’t help but smile and respond.

“Glory to the forest.”

I wasn’t a sentinel yet, so I couldn’t use the salute exactly as they did.

But a slight imitation like this should be understandable.

Irian smiled back at my grin, and we both burst into laughter.

I felt a pleasant warmth as I helped him sit down.

For the first time in this world, I had found someone who resonated with my ideals.

It felt amazing.

For the first time, I felt like I had a friend.

Dangerous.

Irian thought to himself.

This was the immediate thought that struck him as soon as he understood Eldmir’s mindset.

At first, he had worried: how could he coax this strong, capable young warrior into joining him in his own humble path?

But that worry vanished instantly.

All he could feel now was the ringing alarm in his mind warning him that the being before him was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

“Eldmir… Eldmir Arhithea.”

At first, he had assumed Eldmir was like him.

He thought that because Eldmir acted in ways other elves couldn’t understand and called himself a heretic, he would walk a similar path—a new comrade to share a dangerous future with.

But that was a mistake.

Eldmir was instead a formidable opponent to his goals.

“I didn’t realize he had such insight.”

Eldmir… he had to be eliminated.

For the sake of his future.

His eyes burned with a strange intensity.

“Eldmir, I have a small request.”

Ever since Irian shared his ideals with me and expressed agreement, the mood between us had been amicable.

My mother was slightly sulky, which made me sweat nervously, but overall, the atmosphere was very pleasant.

As we continued chatting, Irian suddenly became serious.

“A request?”

The first word that popped into my mind: quest.

After reincarnation, this was the first time I received a non-repeating quest.

“In fact, it’s not really a small request. I should preface by saying there is no obligation for you to grant this favor. I merely felt compelled to speak after hearing your thoughts—it woke me up, so to speak. I seem to have momentarily forgotten that preventing crises in advance is the true mission of us Sentinels.”

This guy really talks a lot.

His eloquence is impressive, but also irritating.

I smiled faintly to show that I didn’t feel pressured.

“No need to hesitate. What’s the request?”

Irian leaned on the desk, clasping his hands, and spoke directly.

“As you know, Eldmir, our Chi Taen often come into contact with outside forces.”

Not only Chi Taen, but also every village on the outskirts of the World Tree’s forest.

Think of them as frontlines or border settlements.

Therefore, many village elves, including those from Chi Taen and El Lien, were also sentinels.

In short, this place was far from peaceful.

“Because of this, we’ve encountered hostile forces with ill intentions toward the forest, including scouts targeting the World Tree.”

A common story.

As mentioned repeatedly, the elves of this forest faced many hostile forces.

The reason: the World Tree. It is said to be the source of all life and the origin of the land, brimming with vitality.

This made it a coveted prize for all races.

Additionally, simply being near the World Tree was said to purify one’s energy and heal minor ailments.

The important point: the World Tree, just by existing, influences the entire continent.

If a race war were to occur, and the elves were wiped out, the World Tree would fall into another race’s hands, to be used according to their nature.

Sometimes, if conquered by orcs or dark elves, it could be scorched or corrupted, weakening the continent’s vitality.

“Recently, by tracking a few of these forces, we found locations that seem to be their bases. But they were too dangerous to fully explore.”

“…Is the goal to eliminate them?”

Irian shook his head with a small smile.

“No, of course not. I’m not so shameless as to ask for something that extreme.”

He then spread out a map from a corner of the desk.

It detailed the World Tree forest and its surrounding regions.

He pointed out Chi Taen.

“This is our village.”

Then he traced diagonally to a rocky mountain labeled Dragon’s Head Path.

“It takes about two days to reach a rocky mountain from here. Wyverns nest there, hence the name ‘Dragon’s Head Path.’”

I had heard this name in the game.

It was a known hunting and capturing spot for wyverns.

But it was famous for more than that.

“Our reconnaissance indicates dark elves inhabit that location.”

Dark elves.

The descendants of El Lyure, the first fallen elf, and the corrupted elves who turned away from the World Tree.

They hide across the continent, seeking its destruction, with the ultimate goal being the World Tree.

They are traitors to their own race, having forsaken their origins.

“The traitors?”

My mother’s voice sank.

Being a sentinel herself, she could not ignore their presence. She was visibly angry—a rare sight.

“Yes, Essiria. These cursed beings have appeared before us again, dark followers of evil intent on corrupting the World Tree.”

Irian’s eyes glowed with intensity as he looked at us.

I could already guess the quest’s content.

“A request, Eldmir, Essiria. Please help us exterminate these children of evil.”

A subjugation quest.

In-game, quest difficulty is determined by type.

Subjugation quests are notoriously difficult.

And the target here: dark elves, at the Dragon’s Head Path, a wyvern’s nest.

This was top-tier difficulty.

It wasn’t suitable for someone like me, still in the tutorial stage and not having completed the coming-of-age ritual.

Dark elves are a troublesome race, unavoidable in the mid-to-late story, so handling them early is ideal.

In-game, lists of early subjugation sites exist, but Dragon’s Head Path isn’t one of them—too difficult.

The reason: they are elite hunters and wyvern riders.

Wyverns are on par with field bosses; in the early game, you couldn’t hunt them.

Even if they weren’t top-bloodline, multiple dark elves with riders could rival high-bloodline strength.

“Irian, I appreciate you… and I hold equal regard for you.”

But.

“That and this are separate matters. As you know, we have our own duties. Even if they aren’t formal missions, there are priorities. There’s no reason to risk so much right now.”

Dark elves with wyverns were not to be underestimated.

Even if I had completed the coming-of-age ritual and unlocked the system, risking this now was unnecessary.

My mother nodded, understanding.

“As a sentinel, I would want to eliminate the traitors immediately, but this isn’t my mission currently. If the situation is too dangerous, perhaps you should request aid from El Rel.”

El Rel.

Their forces in the forest’s center could easily handle the dark elves at the periphery.

Even though the dark elves’ high elf leader is worrisome, if explained, El Rel could send a high elf to assist…

No, that’s dangerous.

If a high elf acts directly, it could trigger a race war.

The elves focus on forest protection. Occasionally, border villages engage intruding races, but a full mobilization never happens.

If high-bloodline forces suddenly move, external enemies would react, possibly triggering a chain event.

I remembered a similar in-game situation while playing as an orc.

The high elf forces intervened because I accidentally threatened the forest, and it almost triggered a continent-wide conflict.

It was absurd, but it happened.

“I want to help… but due to personal reasons, I cannot inconvenience you. Please forget my previous request. If you request El Rel’s aid, you will get high elf support anyway.”

Damn.

I had to reconsider carefully.

“…Could you wait a week?”

“A week?”

I had to think fast; telling him to wait until after my coming-of-age ritual would sound ridiculous.

“I’ll help once my injuries heal and my strength returns. A week should suffice.”

Waiting for my strength to return was safer than risking a direct battle now.

Irian scratched the back of his head, realizing my logic.

“Ah… I nearly made a mistake.”

Yes. Going in with an elite, small force was a smart choice.

Even high-bloodline enemies wouldn’t overwhelm a skilled team.

Probably the better option.

[Author’s Note:] Today, if all goes well, I might achieve three consecutive updates!

Thanks to Blue Coral Forest for the support coupon—it’s more than enough.

This controversial Chapter 22 was difficult.

Many readers questioned the protagonist’s lack of justification in hunting the dark elves.

Reflecting on this, I agree. The story advanced without sufficient cause for the protagonist.

This revision incorporates your feedback. I’ll strive to avoid such mistakes in the future.

Thank you for your understanding.