Chapter 81: The Elf Exploration Team and the Volunteers from the Knights

With the Summer Solstice Festival over, the Elf exploration team searching for the Leyline Crosspoint was finally set to depart. The point where thick leylines intersect, allowing the World Tree to grow, seems to be located in the undeveloped lands south of the Fairchild Margravate. Since the undeveloped lands are territory governed by no one, there will likely be bandits in addition to monsters, making it a dangerous land where resupply is impossible. I am glad I was able to give the 15 Elves of the exploration team the Mithril equipment with four properties enchanted, but that doesn’t mean I’m not worried.

The Elves who fled from the Sea of Trees numbered 70 at first, but Elves living quietly in various parts of the Kingdom gradually gathered, and now there are 120. Still, the 15 members of the exploration team represent a little over ten percent of the total. They are all elites, and if something were to happen, the impact on the Elf clan would be immeasurable. I understand it can’t be helped since only Elves can sense leylines, but truthfully, I want to go too, and I want to ask Father to send knights to accompany them. However, only a Ducal family can officially dispatch knights outside their territory.

As I was thinking that, the knights said something surprising to me. “Will you take a vacation and accompany the Elves’ exploration personally?” Since they cannot operate outside the territory as knights of the Fairchild Margrave family, they offered to take leave and accompany the Elves as individuals. And not just one or two, but ten of them.

“We were taken care of quite a bit by the Elves during the exploration of the Middle Layer of the Sea of Trees, so I thought we had to repay the favor a little. I haven’t asked what they are going to do, but their faces are serious. They must have some important business in the southern undeveloped lands.” The veteran knight James, who acts as the coordinator for the ten, said so.

When the Knights started exploring the Middle Layer of the Sea of Trees, the Elves accompanied them. Eventually, the Knights got used to it, so they stopped accompanying them for a while, but the situation changed when the herd of Magic Boars appeared during the joint exploration with the Cardiff family. In subsequent explorations, Elves skilled in Detection Magic accompanied them again, and the knights seemed to feel indebted.

Gilbert, who usually guards me, is included among the ten. “I apologize for taking a break from guarding you, Lord William. But if you look at the Elves’ faces, you can tell; they have all sworn loyalty to Lord William. In other words, they are my comrades. If my comrades are in danger, I can’t leave them be. Ophelia-san shares this view.” To think they thought of it that way. Ophelia and Gilbert have become my exclusive guards now, and it seems they were told by Father and Commander Liam to serve me personally. Between the Elves and them, I wonder if I can answer their loyalty.

Taking a vacation to go on a dangerous journey requires resolve. If one falls ill or gets injured while working as a knight, it is considered honorable; treatment is the responsibility of the Margrave family, and in the worst case, the family is compensated. But with illness or injury during vacation, there is no honor, and treatment costs are out of pocket. To begin with, one cannot receive proper treatment in the undeveloped lands.

Still, it is reassuring that the knights are accompanying them. The Elves are strong too, but they don’t specialize in combat. In that respect, knights who have trained to fight for a long time are combat experts. Knights are better suited than lightweight Elves to fight heavy-class monsters. And if it comes to fighting bandits, the knights are experienced and strong.

“Thank you, truly. Since it is outside the territory, the Margrave family cannot move, and I cannot say the details, but the Elves are risking danger to go on this exploration for the sake of the world. I am very grateful that you will act as their guards.” I bowed my head to the knights.

“Could you come to the workshop? I want to give you a parting gift.” When the ten arrived, I handed them the Mithril weapons and armor kept at the workshop. All of them had four properties enchanted. “We can’t accept such precious items.” “No, James, I insist you accept them. I am happy for everyone’s feelings, but if you get injured, you can’t get treatment in the undeveloped lands. Since we don’t know what will happen in the undeveloped lands, you should go with the best equipment possible.” I am worried about the Elves, but I want the knights to return safely too.

For the sake of the knights who are going on a dangerous exploration as individuals, I will tell Father everything. Even if the result is that I can no longer stay in the Margrave family. If Father understands the necessity of the knights accompanying the Elf exploration team, he will likely treat it as work rather than vacation if the knights get injured or fall ill.