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chapter 45
“I should probably say this just in case, but the reason I don’t have any spirits is…”
“I know.”
I cut him off mid-sentence, and Atracal let out an awkward cough. Then he ground his teeth again.
“Someday, I absolutely have to fix that old man’s head. No wonder everyone calls him senile or a weirdo.”
To add, Asuhira enjoyed hearing people talk about him like that. He truly was a quirky old man.
“So… what will you do now?”
Atracal asked.
“I’ve summoned the elves from the village, but there’s no need for you to be there.”
Understanding what Atracal meant, I couldn’t hide a bitter expression.
“Is it because I’m a heretic…?”
“A heretic… do you really think it’s such a trivial reason?”
I had no choice but to frown and ask back.
“Then… why?”
“Your home.”
“……”
“It’s probably been empty for quite a while, so you must be eager to return and see it again.”
At those words, I momentarily lost the ability to speak and shut my mouth.
In Atracal’s calm gaze, there was only the red-haired elf who couldn’t find words to say.
“…Thank you.”
Atracal didn’t reply. He simply nodded lightly.
I stood up and bowed deeply to both Atracal and my grandmother.
“Thank you for listening to my story.”
“Thanks to the story you brought, we’ve been able to prepare like this, El. You’ve done a great service. Be proud.”
Grandmother spoke warmly, as if offering comfort.
Feeling a faint smile, I straightened up and nodded.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Rest well.”
“…Good work.”
At Atracal’s low voice, his faint smile deepened slightly. I nodded again.
“You stay here.”
“Uh… yes?”
When Keris asked hesitantly, Atracal spoke again.
“No, not all of you need to stay. Only you.”
He was pointing at Keris.
Keris froze, unable to say a word, and Atracal narrowed his eyes.
“Was all that talk about making an alliance with the elves nonsense?”
“…Eh? Ah, no! Yes! Well, not that it was nonsense! I mean…!”
I couldn’t help but laugh lightly at the awkwardness of the situation.
“Keris, just answer yes or no.”
“…Ah.”
Her cheeks began to burn as if they might burst at any moment. It was the heat of embarrassment, but also of joy.
After a long while of blushing bright red, she finally spoke in a strong voice.
“Yes!”
“Was it really necessary to send El out?”
“Not strictly necessary.”
Atracal answered Keris’ question.
“Then why…?”
“Just because something isn’t strictly necessary doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done.”
“……”
“She’s a child who’s already carrying a lot of wounds. There’s no need to let her go through unnecessary processes because of trivial disturbances. She more than deserves rest.”
Keris, understanding their intentions, didn’t ask further. She had merely asked because it felt odd to remain among the elders without El.
Keris glanced at Iris. But Iris only gave a stiff, uneasy smile and a drop of cold sweat, also feeling awkward.
“Don’t just stand there, come sit. It’ll take a while for Asuhira to gather everyone, so let’s talk in the meantime.”
“Ah, yes.”
At Islitryn’s gesture, Keris and Iris hesitantly sat down. Even Atracal did not intervene this time. He sat with his arms crossed, staring straight ahead, lost in thought.
“Leave that old man be. He always needs time to think.”
Islitryn gave a warm smile, her face lined with years.
“How old are you, child?”
“Uh… fifteen this year.”
“Is that so?”
Islitryn smiled brightly at Keris’ cuteness. Keris lowered her head, unable to meet her gaze.
“Ah, what a cute child. Oh, would it be rude to say that to the king of the beastfolk?”
“Not at all. I actually feel more comfortable that way.”
Keris had heard about Islitryn from Eldmir a few times during their journey to Le Ruel, as she had asked consistently about his hometown.
“By the way, I don’t think I mentioned my name. I’m Islitryn Arcal. Pleased to meet you.”
“Keris Kella. It’s a pleasure.”
It’s never bad to make a good first impression on someone you regard as a grandmother. Keris smiled brightly, gradually shedding her initial awkwardness. She began speaking comfortably with Islitryn.
Iris, who occasionally chimed in, soon joined fully, and the once-stiff atmosphere became filled with chatter and laughter.
“……”
Even Atracal, in the midst of all this noise, couldn’t remain entirely lost in thought. He cast a somewhat uncomfortable glance at the three women, but their chatter showed no sign of stopping. Eventually, he sighed quietly and closed his eyes, lost in thought.
After some time, Atracal sensed someone approaching and opened his eyes. Slowly, he rose.
“They’re here.”
Islitryn turned her gaze toward the avenue. Leading the crowd was Asuhira, followed by every elf currently in Le Ruel.
Keris instinctively stiffened, and Islitryn gently tapped her shoulder to give courage.
“Hey, old man, we brought everyone.”
Asuhira flopped down, speaking in his characteristic tone.
“Phew… walking around the village at my age, this is exhausting.”
“You’re exaggerating. You’re not tired from just that.”
Islitryn teased, and Asuhira responded with a sly smile.
“Try being my age first.”
“Just a hundred-year difference, and you’re boasting?”
“Just a hundred? Ha ha ha, we’ll see how you talk in a hundred years.”
“Well, by then, you won’t be seeing me anymore.”
Asuhira laughed, unable to counter the teasing.
Regardless of their chatter, Atracal ignored them and watched the elves gather.
“Thank you all for coming.”
Once everyone roughly took their places, Atracal stood.
“Except for those out hunting or on watch, this should be our entire village. We’ve gathered everyone for a very important announcement.”
He scanned the crowd of nearly sixty elves.
“As you know, Eldmir disappeared for about three weeks, neglecting his coming-of-age ceremony. Some of you have seen him return in a changed form, while others have not.”
The long fiery hair and crimson eyes left a strong impression. Every elf who had seen him nodded in acknowledgment.
“What I’m about to tell you concerns Eldmir’s experiences outside the village during that period. It may be a long story, but I ask you all to listen carefully.”
Atracal paused and gestured to Keris.
“Keris, come forward.”
“…Uh, yes.”
Caught off guard, Keris reacted a moment late and straightened up.
“Yes. From here on, tell them everything. It will make it easier for the story you’re about to tell.”
Keris nodded and stepped forward.
The alliance between the elves and the beastfolk depended on persuading Le Ruel first, before confronting El Rel. This was the first step. There was no time to hesitate.
She stepped forward, meeting the gaze of roughly sixty elves. Their eyes contained suspicion, hostility, and a variety of emotions—none of them friendly.
She held her breath briefly, then closed her eyes and took deep breaths, calming herself.
I am the self-proclaimed king of the beastfolk, and I chose to rise to this position. I will not bend to such hostility or falter. I did not take this crown with such weak resolve.
One, two. Keris counted silently, steadying herself.
One, two. One, two.
Good. She opened her eyes.
“Greetings, everyone.”
“And…”
“I am the king of the beastfolk, Keris Kella.”
Thus, the prelude to the alliance between the beastfolk and the elves began.
“Is this El oppa’s house?”
The moment Ersi entered, she asked this.
Familiar scents, a beloved structure. I had finally returned home.
“……”
Was it my imagination, or did I smell the mushroom stew my mother used to cook? Perhaps it was just sentimentality.
I chuckled at my own thoughts.
“It’s very simple… and quaint. Hehe, it’s kind of cute.”
“…It smells familiar.”
Esrin smiled, and Ketrith was filled with nostalgia.
“I’m glad things worked out, oppa.”
“…Yes. Truly.”
I unbuckled the belts holding my bow at my waist and hung them on the wall.
—Welcome.
Instinctively, I glanced at the desk. Dust had accumulated from weeks of neglect, with no trace of spirits.
“……”
Indeed… it seems I need rest.
I was about to sit when I noticed the dust. After being empty for three weeks, it was natural. I waved my hands, burning away all the dust throughout the house.
The sudden burst of flames made the three sisters scream. Ketrith stomped on the flames, trying to extinguish them.
“Calm down.”
They had seen me summon flames before, but this was different, hence the panic. Ersi recovered first.
“Ah… so it was flames created by oppa. No wonder it didn’t feel hot.”
“E-El, El oppa… next time, please tell us first…”
Esrin, startled, even hiccupped. Ketrith, relieved, breathed slowly.
“Why suddenly make fire?”
“Cleaning. There was dust.”
“Can fire really clean?”
Ersi muttered, astonished.
Although I can control spirit flames at will, it’s still a feat requiring strong willpower. Even Artir might struggle to manage them so cleanly. This is the power of top-tier mastery.
“…Tired.”
“Ugh, me too. Sleeping rough all this time is exhausting.”
Ersi stretched on the only sofa in the house. The three sisters took up all the space, leaving me to sit separately.
“Show me around!”
Ersi exclaimed. I waved my hands.
“There’s nothing much. Just look around. If you want to sleep, there’s a room with a bed. I cleaned that too.”
Indeed, the flames could clean dust even in bedding effortlessly.
“Really?”
Ersi leapt up and entered the room. There were only three rooms anyway: mine, my mother’s, and the storage/arrow-making room.
Although arrow-making was normally handled by trained villagers, elves learned to make bows and arrows as early education for survival situations. My skill was poor, as I never properly trained. Even top-tier potential couldn’t change my natural talent. Production is best left to experts.
“Then I’ll go too.”
Ketrith entered my mother’s room, showing her keen sense of smell.
“Um… do you want to sit here?”
Ersi motioned to the empty space beside her. I smiled and went there. Sitting on the sofa after so long, the cozy feeling filled me despite its simple comfort.
“Sleepy?”
“…A little. Yeah, a bit.”
“Then rest. I’ll wake you when your sister returns.”
Keris. She came to mind. She’s still growing for her goal. Could I rest while leaving her alone? But exhaustion soon overcame me.
“…Alright.”
“Of course.”
Slowly, I sank into a deep, restful sleep.
Finally, I heard Esrin whisper:
“Good night, oppa.”
