🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 41
The distance between Chi Taen and Le Ruel was greater than expected.
It wasn’t just that the two villages were far apart; Eldmir was also visiting Chi Taen for the first time, so it took them a total of four days to reach Le Ruel.
During that time, Eldmir had the opportunity to organize his thoughts and also had time to explain and discuss them with the Keris sisters.
However, he didn’t bring up anything about demons, because at that point in time, the demonic race had not yet revealed its existence.
To explain such a presence, Eldmir was not confident he could do so without delving into his past life.
So for now, he only shared what he had heard from Ildre—that an unknown dark force had spread its influence across the continent.
Eventually, as they walked, they reached Le Ruel.
“This is the village I lived in—Le Ruel.”
Eldmir looked at the village he had grown up in with a slightly awkward expression.
It had only been about three weeks since he had left, yet the village felt entirely different.
A child of the forest, unable to contract with spirits, a late bloomer. Yet, despite that, as a Sentinel, his abilities were extraordinary—so much so that even the adult Sentinels of the village could not match his superhuman physical capabilities. Such was the general perception of the villagers regarding him.
Until now, he hadn’t particularly cared about that treatment…
“Brother, but won’t the villagers say something about your changed eyes…?”
“My eyes?”
In response to Esrin’s question, Eldmir touched around his eyes with his hand.
He had known his hair color had changed, but he only learned about the eye color change from them. Perhaps that was why he didn’t feel particularly affected by it. Occasionally, he would flinch when seeing his reflection in water.
‘Well, if I flinch, it must be a pretty big change for others too…’
“The villagers already see me as an oddball, so they probably won’t find this unusual.”
“…Huh?”
Esrin tilted her head at the remark, which was hardly a compliment.
Regardless, Eldmir didn’t pause his steps. Though briefly lost in nostalgic sentiment, this was still his hometown.
Despite his emotions, his steps were surprisingly light.
The Keris sisters hurried to follow him, and during that time, Keris faintly sensed someone approaching them.
“Eld… do you feel that presence…?”
“Don’t worry. It’s probably one of the Sentinels from our village.”
Though he couldn’t be certain from just the presence, Eldmir’s intuition told him that the one approaching was likely Iris, a friend and one of the few his age among the village Sentinels.
He didn’t know her exact age but estimated her to be around forty.
Twenty and forty. While that difference seems significant by human standards, for long-lived elves, age differences are perceived differently. Eldmir roughly understood that a ten-year difference among elves was like a one-year difference for humans. Initially, he struggled to accept this cultural difference, but over time, seeing little change in appearance over decades made it easier to accept.
So, despite the fact that Iris was more than twice his age, she was certainly a peer-like friend.
“Stop! This is the path to the elf village, Le Ruel. Who are you, leading beast-kin this way?”
As Eldmir was lost in his thoughts, Iris’s voice rang out from her hiding spot.
Once Iris properly concealed herself, Keris seemed to lose track of her presence and glanced around.
Hearing her voice completely dispelled the awkward feeling Eldmir had been holding onto.
A faint smile appeared on his lips, a smile of genuine delight.
“It’s me, Iris.”
“…Eld?”
Her voice made his smile grow further. Few in the village addressed him so familiarly.
“…You two are quite close, huh?”
Keris asked cautiously. Eldmir nodded without concern.
“A close friend.”
At that moment, Iris leapt from the tree and ran toward Eldmir.
“Eld! It really is you?!”
Her bright smile and graceful figure were unmistakably elven. Her characteristic blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, and her green eyes shimmered as if holding the essence of nature itself.
“Iri… oh!”
“Eld!”
Before she could even finish her name, Iris flung herself into his arms, laughing as she looked up at him.
“Oh my, it really is Eld! I didn’t recognize you with your hair and eye color changed! Even your aura feels different. What happened in just three weeks? And you didn’t have your coming-of-age ceremony! Where have you been all this time? Everyone’s been looking for you!”
“Iris, take it slow and ask one thing at a time. You won’t scare me off.”
Eldmir met her gaze, a faint smile on his face. Iris returned his smile.
“It hasn’t been long, but it really feels like forever. Is it because it’s you, Eld? I’m so happy to see you. Everyone was worried about you…”
Eldmir chuckled at her words, sensing her awkward hesitation.
“Hahaha, Iris, I’ve told you many times—you’re terrible at lying.”
Her face clearly betrayed her thoughts. Startled, she quickly tried to explain.
“W-well, even if not everyone, a lot of people worried about you! Your teacher, and Eder especially.”
Eder. Eldmir’s peer friend he last met before leaving the village. A rare, genuine friend with whom he shared a playful, yet sincere bond.
“How’s Eder?”
“He’s well. Probably out hunting now. He was disappointed he couldn’t see your coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Really…?”
Eder, born the same year as Eldmir, was unique, even among elves, where finding someone the exact same age was rare. Their presence was highly valued in Le Ruel. Naturally, Eldmir, usually reserved in relationships, treated Eder as a special friend.
“But you still haven’t answered my question, Eld. What exactly happened all this time?”
Eldmir smiled wryly. What had happened all this time? Though seemingly simple, the question carried weight.
Still, he had to answer, and carefully gathered his thoughts.
“Well….”
“Eld? Won’t you introduce your friend to us?”
At that moment, Keris cleared her throat and spoke uneasily. Eldmir realized he had forgotten to introduce her to Iris.
He gently separated Iris from his arms and pointed toward Keris.
“Say hello, Iris. This is Keris. She’s a new friend of mine and an important character in the story I’ll tell.”
“Hello, Iris. I am Keris Kela, a descendant of Kelga and part of Kel’s lineage.”
Iris awkwardly but warmly smiled at Keris’s elegant introduction.
“Nice to meet you. May the forest’s peace and blessings welcome your kindness. A friend of Eld is my friend as well. Please, speak freely.”
“Oh? Then please, Iris, be comfortable. I’ll speak comfortably too.”
Eldmir was surprised. He had assumed Keris was still wary of elves, but her behavior suggested otherwise.
Even more surprising was Iris’s reaction. Despite being an adult Sentinel for twenty years, seeing her so happily greet someone was unexpected.
When Keris smiled, Iris smiled brightly in return.
“Shall we? Alright. Then I’ll be in your care as well. What about the rest?”
Eldmir tilted his head, sensing a hidden spark between Iris and Keris.
“I’ll introduce them. These are my sisters. I’m the eldest, this is Ersi, the second, Esrin, the third, and the youngest, Ketrit.”
“I’m Ersi. Sister… you better be careful.”
“Shut up.”
Ersi whispered something to Keris, then it was Esrin’s turn. She smiled awkwardly.
“I’m Esrin Kela, the third, and I’ve received a lot of help from Brother Eld. Nice to meet you.”
“…I’m Ketrit Kela. Nice to meet… you.”
Since Esiria’s death, Ketrit had become more subdued, introducing herself in a gloomy voice.
Iris politely reintroduced herself, smiling at them.
“Iris, recently, has anyone suspicious visited the village… other elves from other villages?”
Iris looked at him curiously.
“No, not really. But Eld, your way of speaking seems a bit different.”
“…Really?”
Eldmir tried to adjust his speech to match his old style but wasn’t sure it worked.
“Also, I faintly sense a spirit energy I didn’t feel before. Have you finally succeeded in forming a contract?”
Her slightly flushed cheeks showed genuine joy for her friend’s success. Eldmir, unsure how to respond, felt the weight of the story he would have to explain to the villagers.
“It’s not like that… it’s a little different.”
Before she could ask further, he continued.
“Iris, I’ll explain the other matters to the elders. There’s an important story that everyone needs to hear.”
“Hmm?”
Seeing his serious expression, Iris widened her eyes in surprise, then nodded.
“Follow me. I’ll take you to the elders.”
“Thank you.”
Eldmir was inwardly grateful for Iris’s trust. He signaled to the Keris sisters, and they followed behind.
Finally, they entered the village, and elves slowly emerged, watching them.
The elven village was simple in structure—houses built either on trees or beneath them. The choice was personal preference, but all houses were built with the aid of spirits.
Some elves even had spirits hollow out an entire tree and turn it into a home—ingenious and eco-friendly.
Though Le Ruel lacked such extravagant structures.
The Keris sisters instinctively shrank under the curious gazes of the villagers. Keris tried to walk confidently, but her stiff expression betrayed her unease.
Elves, rarely enjoying noise that disturbed the forest’s harmony, whispered as they observed the newcomers.
“Eldmir, that guy has returned?”
After a few minutes, Eldmir recognized a familiar voice and presence. One of his few peers, the oldest among them.
Iris gave a concerned glance at Eldmir, anticipating a potentially troublesome situation.
Eldmir lightly nodded to reassure her and greeted the voice.
“Adrian.”
