Chapter 59: Gratitude to the Elves

After visiting the Dwarf village, I parted ways with Theo, who returned to the Workshop, and I came to the Elven Forest. As usual, I entered the forest where the Forest of Illusions was cast. After walking through the quiet forest for a while, the Hidden Village came into view. I asked the Elf who greeted me to please tell the Chieftain and the Elder that I had something I wished to discuss with them briefly.

I intended to wait a while, but the two of them came out immediately.

“I apologize for intruding so suddenly.”

“No, not at all. What is your business today?”

“You mentioned that you would explore the Ley Line Cross-Point to the south of this land, but I believe the Unsettled Land holds many dangers. I thought I would like you to have even slightly better equipment, so I brought this.”

When I took out the Leather Armor stored via Magic, the Elder was surprised.

“This is… it has two resistances Granted to it.”

The Elder, being an expert in Magic, can also use Appraisal Magic.

“Yes. For now, I brought about 10 sets.”

I tweaked the types of Granting a little. Unlike the Armor, I thought the hats and boots would be less likely to be pierced by Monster horns or blades, so I gave them Slash Resistance instead of Thrust Resistance. Wishing to protect the Elves traveling through the forest when Monsters swung their claws or when Kidnappers or Bandits swung their blades, I Granted the Leather, and was able to attach Slash Resistance.

“Savior-sama, this is wonderful Armor for those exploring, but it is precious and expensive. How much should we pay to purchase it?”

Lucelina said something similar to the Dwarf Chieftain. They don’t have the mindset of trying to get things for free or borrowing them without paying, unlike humans.

“I Granted it myself, so it didn’t cost any money. I consulted my Father as well, but this is a token of gratitude for finding the Plant Materials, so no payment is necessary.”

“No, we cannot simply…”

“Lucelina-san. After hearing the story of the World Tree, I also began to think that I want to do what I can for the world. Although I still think I am not cut out to be a Savior.”

Being called Savior will probably always be embarrassing, though.

“I believe I should also participate in the exploration of the Ley Line Cross-Point. However, I am still a child and cannot leave my home for long, nor am I good at fighting. Therefore, at the very least, I wanted to hand over slightly better equipment.”

“Luna, let us accept Savior-sama’s kindness here.”

“Grandmother… Then, we will gratefully accept it.”

I am glad they accepted it.

Truthfully, I don’t want to let the Elves go alone. I thought about explaining the situation to Father and asking for Knights to accompany them, but the Knight Order of the Margraviate can only operate within our own territory and the Sea of Trees. Aside from the Royal Knight Order under the direct control of the Royal Family, only a Ducal House allows their Knights to operate freely outside their own territory. Unlike ordinary nobles, a Ducal House is granted many authorities by the Royal Family.

We gathered the Elves scheduled to participate in the exploration and had them put on the Armor, boots, and hats. I made them so the size could be adjusted to some extent with leather cords, but for cases where that was still difficult, I adjusted the size using Production Skill. It is a convenient skill that even allows for altering clothes via Magic.

“Thank you, Savior-sama.”

“This is about the only thing I can do.”

After adjusting the sizes, I asked the Elder.

“Thank you for teaching Magic to my sister. Is Sophia‘s Magic improving?”

Sophie comes to the Elven Forest about once every few days to be taught Magic by the Elder.

“Your sister has good instincts. She is currently practicing Magic for each element, and if things go smoothly, I think she can proceed to the next stage within this year.”

“The next stage?”

“Yes. Although I have never taught this to a human before, I would like to teach her Composite Magic, passed down among Elves, which releases multiple attributes combined.”

To think such Magic exists.

“That sounds like very powerful Magic. But is it alright? For you to teach Magic known only to Elves to my sister?”

“Sophia-san is an honest and straightforward good girl, so I do not mind. The Fairchild House is full of good people.”

“Thank you.”

“Besides, if the battle against the Monsters intensifies eventually, Sophia-san, who is a Trimagia and possesses extraordinary Magic Capacity, will likely become a valuable asset on the side of humanity.”

“For the Elder to call her a valuable asset, Sophie‘s aptitude must be the real deal.”

“Yes, your sister’s aptitude is genuine. When I told her that, she said she would be happy because she felt frustrated that her eldest brother was a genius of the sword and her second brother was a genius of Production Skill, while she only had ordinary Magic talent.”

I didn’t know the always cheerful Sophie was thinking such things.

“I told her that it was not my intention to involve a child in battle, but Sophia-san said she would be happy if she could be of use. She is very mature despite being small.”

“Even as a child, as long as one is a noble, if one has the power to fight, one fights. Neither Father nor Mother would oppose it.”

As a brother, truthfully, I don’t want to expose my sister to danger. However, in the Fairchild House, children are educated to do what they can for the people, regardless of gender. I understand Sophie‘s feeling of wanting to be useful too.

Finally, I handed over the remuneration for teaching my sister Magic. The Elder was reluctant to accept payment for teaching Magic, but Father had asked me to “hand it over no matter what.” I told her that it would be a problem if the Fairchild House didn’t pay gratitude to their child’s teacher, and managed to get her to accept it. Both Dwarves and Elves are truly selfless people.