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chapter 38
He asked me with a somewhat impatient air.
“Yes.”
When I agreed, he quickly began introducing himself.
“I am Ildre Dritan, a Sentinel of Chi Taen. I came because I heard you were dispatched along the Dragon’s Head Path with Irian.”
At the mention of Irian’s name, one of my eyebrows twitched unconsciously.
“So, you’re close with Irian?”
“Haha, close… well, yes. I suppose it’s fair to say we’re close.”
Oh ho…?
I invited him to come inside.
“It feels awkward to talk like this while standing. Please, come in.”
“Oh, no. I came to ask a few questions, but it won’t take long.”
“Please, don’t hesitate. If you’re a friend of Irian’s, I’m sure we’ll have much to discuss. Let’s have some tea while we talk.”
Spoken in a gentle tone, he hesitated, but could no longer refuse.
It seemed the name Irian carried great significance for him.
“I heard Irian went missing.”
After sending Keris to bring tea, Ildre asked as soon as he sat down.
I looked at him.
The reason I hadn’t told the elves of Chi Taen about Irian’s betrayal was not just a matter of trust. There were a few other reasons:
First, to observe how the betrayers would react to Irian’s disappearance.
Second, I didn’t want them to know I had discovered their existence.
And finally, I wanted to focus on my mother’s funeral.
So, for someone to come find me immediately after the funeral and confess to having a close relationship with Irian…
Bingo.
I decided this situation was significant enough to take seriously.
“Yes.”
Thanks to Irian and the seven Sentinels, we succeeded in driving out the dark elves, but my mother had fallen in battle, and Irian had fallen from a cliff during the fight, leaving his fate unknown.
The other Sentinels had been so badly injured by the wyverns that they were unrecognizable, and retrieving only my mother’s body was all I could do… That was the story I hastily told the elves of Chi Taen.
I mulled over this narrative internally as I spoke with him.
“But Irian… no…”
Ildre paused, thinking as he looked at me.
While he remained silent, Keris quietly brought the tea.
“…Thank you.”
Ildre looked uneasy holding the teacup, perhaps unsettled by the presence of the beastfolk, Keris.
Instead of drinking immediately, he gritted his teeth and spoke softly.
“The dark elves… no matter how strong, Irian is one of our village’s El Sentinels. He’s not someone who can be easily defeated.”
I gave a sympathetic expression.
“I too had never seen such a strong Sentinel. He was certainly strong. But the enemies were strong as well, and there were far too many. Moreover, somehow they anticipated our ambush and were waiting for us in full ambush formation.”
“I see…”
Ildre looked confused at the mention of ambush, not quite believing it.
I could feel my doubts solidifying into certainty.
This time, I spoke first.
“By the way… did you know that the dark elves had a princess?”
“…A princess?”
Ildre’s eyes widened.
While a natural reaction, the slight delay felt somewhat off. But perhaps it wasn’t too strange, so I needed more clues.
“Yes. I don’t know if she was truly a princess, but there was a woman they called that.”
“Hm… did you see her?”
“Yes. Unlike the other dark elves, her attire was quite distinctive.”
“Is she… dead?”
“No. Unfortunately, we couldn’t kill her.”
At that moment, Ildre’s gaze darkened.
Behind him, Keris quietly moved, taking position with her back to the door.
I briefly wondered if it was dangerous, but then decided it was my responsibility to ensure she wouldn’t be put in danger.
I winked at her subtly, unnoticed by Ildre.
She responded with a faint smile.
“A princess… I see. But knowing the dark elves had such a figure is valuable. It could be crucial information for future encounters.”
Seeing his composed response, I nodded.
“By the way, could you tell me how Irian went missing? Honestly, it’s still hard to believe… that such a strong friend of mine ended up like that.”
“Honestly, there’s not much to explain. The dark elves were unexpectedly strong, and that’s why such losses occurred. We trusted the scouts’ reports too much. We didn’t fully understand the enemy’s strength, and our assumptions led to the consequences.”
“I see… And I’m truly sorry about your mother.”
I clenched my fist unconsciously at those words.
“Thank you. May the forest’s blessing be upon you.”
Ildre nodded back in acknowledgment.
“I’ve focused too much on Irian and not enough on your situation. You must be going through a lot… my apologies.”
“No need for concern. It is always the duty of the forest to endure hardships.”
Ildre looked genuinely impressed.
“So this is why Irian praised you. Your mother surely returned safely to the embrace of the Forest Mother.”
“Thank you. May El Rdal’s blessing also be with you.”
Exchanging pleasantries, I wondered internally: Is he genuinely naive, or just naturally innocent? I hoped for the latter, but part of me wished it was the former.
I realized these subtle mind games weren’t my forte. I was better off asking direct, meaningful questions, even if it showed a bit more plainly.
“I heard something strange while I was there.”
“Something suspicious?”
Seeing Ildre react, I nodded.
“The dark elves seemed to know Irian.”
“Irian?”
“Yes. Irian’s behavior was strange too. He didn’t act as if facing enemies for the first time; he displayed a strong anger as if he had been deceived.”
“You mean… Irian was deceived?”
Seeing his wide eyes, I decided to plant more seeds.
“The dark elves said things like, ‘We can’t trust those with pale skin, those with two faces who aren’t ready to accept the darkness like you.’ They treated it as a trap, expecting it to be dealt with eventually, mocking it with satisfaction.”
“….”
By now, it was almost as if I had blatantly revealed that I knew about their betrayal. Too blatant to even be considered a tease.
Sure enough, Ildre’s expression began to crack.
“They also said, ‘The rest of your friends will soon be sent to join you. Go to your mother’s side and wait.’”
“Those wretched children of El Lyr…”
I heard him mutter something faintly. I couldn’t make out exactly, but it sounded like a curse.
“Pardon?”
“…Nothing. It seems Irian truly fell into their hands.”
“No. We can’t be certain he’s fallen yet. Didn’t Chi Taen form a separate search party after hearing my story?”
“You said he fell off the Dragon’s Head Path cliff, right? At least fifty meters. Then it’s safe to assume he’s dead. It’s unfortunate, but the eight Sentinels, including the El Sentinel, already fulfilled their duties and left. If we pursue futile hope and send more Sentinels outside, it could compromise the border.”
Ah, I had mentioned that before. It was so hectic at the time that my memory was hazy.
“I see…”
“Did you hear anything more suspicious?”
I stroked my chin. Could he still not understand the true meaning of my words? Or was he simply playing along, trying to gauge my intentions? Or perhaps… he hadn’t realized I suspected him of betrayal?
I couldn’t discern his intentions.
So, I decided to take a risk.
“Well… I think they said they moved up the operation…”
At that moment, Ildre’s expression froze completely.
I nodded subtly at Keris, realizing we didn’t need to watch him any longer. The throwaway comment had hit an unexpected target.
“You are… Ildre, right?”
“Yes? Yes, y-yes… that’s right. By the way, Eldmir, after hearing all that, you didn’t…”
“Would you show me your spirit?”
“….”
Watching his expression fade, I stood and slowly retrieved the bow I had placed against the wall.
Immediately, Ildre lunged at me, dagger in hand, a burst of malice in his eyes.
“Die, you filthy beast!”
“You’re the filthy one.”
Without nocking an arrow, I swung the bow, striking him across the cheek.
A normal bow might have broken or only dealt minor damage if used as a striking weapon, but with sufficient strength, the impact is extraordinary.
Boom!
“Graaah!”
Ildre screamed and rolled away, his dagger flying into the corner.
I walked toward him slowly, shouldering the bow.
Seeing me approach, he screamed and tried to flee toward the door—but there, waiting…
“Nyahhh!”
Keris, with a roar-like yell, delivered a precise, clean punch to Ildre’s abdomen.
He didn’t expect her to be there, eyes wide, staring at the punch embedding into him.
Whether due to her beastfolk heritage or former noble training, her strike was remarkable enough to make me admire it.
“Kuh!”
Unable even to scream from the impact, Ildre let out a weak breath.
I grabbed the back of his head and lifted him roughly while he kneeled, clutching his stomach.
“Khh… ah…”
Still winded from the blow, he could barely breathe.
After letting him catch a short breath, I began my questioning as he groaned in pain.
“You… are working with Irian, right?”
Cough! Cough! “Khh…”
Ignoring his coughing, I asked what I wanted.
“What made you so bold to reveal your identity to me? Do you have some plan?”
“Do… you… think I’d tell…!”
