Chapter 77: To the Elf Village

Getting off Oboro, while looking sideways at guard knight Tanya-san and maid Arisa-san embracing the safety of the ground, I carefully observed the elf forest. It’s the same as the background seen in the game. However, from the tree towering in the center of the forest, presumed to be the Spirit Tree, there are no glittering effects. Did something happen to the Spirit Tree…? Ah, no! In the game, the Spirit Tree was weak too! Estelle, who received the ‘Leaf of the Spirit Tree’, healed it with [Holy Miracle]. The glittering happens after that! Realizing my misunderstanding, I feel relieved. …No, this isn’t a situation to be relieved. It must be a big problem for the elves. But perhaps if Estelle heals the Spirit Tree, they might give us ‘Leaves of the Spirit Tree’ in return. Actually, in the game, the Elf Chief’s daughter was sick, and by Estelle healing both the Spirit Tree and her, we received the ‘Leaf of the Spirit Tree’. For now, have to bet on that.

“Then let us go. I will take the lead. Two subordinates will take the rear.”

Commander Patrick takes the lead, followed by Tanya-san and Arisa-san, then Bianca, me riding the enlarged Kohaku-san, Estelle, Ritsu, and finally two guard knights, heading into the forest in that order. Oboro might provoke the elves, so he’s staying behind.

“We could have gone by kitchen car though.” “Let’s avoid that. No need to provoke the elves unnecessarily.”

Well, that’s true. Barging in suddenly with an unknown vehicle would be explosively suspicious. It would give elves unnecessary wariness. Just as we approached the entrance of the forest, a single arrow pierced the ground at Commander’s feet leading the way. The Commander, Tanya-san, and Bianca reach for their sword hilts.

“Halt there! Who goes there! Have you come knowing this is the elf village!”

A voice questioning us flew from somewhere. Looking up, I see figures of several elves with arrows nocked on top of the forest trees.

“My name is Patrick Fagot! A knight serving the le Philharmonie Ducal House! And the personage here is the le Philharmonie Ducal House’s daughter, Lady Sakuraile le Philharmonie! We wish to speak with the representative of the elves! Could you pass on the message!” “Leave! The Chief meets no one but designated messengers!”

The elves offer no room for discussion to the Commander’s words. The Empire and the elf village aren’t completely without interaction, but apparently, one cannot meet the Chief unless they are a designated messenger. I heard nobles and merchants aiming for rare elf goods come recklessly and are turned away repeatedly, so naturally they are wary. If it’s like this, I should have brought the diplomat in charge of the elf village from the Royal Capital by kitchen car. While thinking that, Kohaku-san in his large tiger state carrying me stepped forward toward the elves.

“Elves, lower your bows. Turning arrows on Me, a Divine Beast, is regarded as hostility toward My master, the Spirit King, and by extension the Gods; are you prepared for that?” “T-The tiger spoke!? Divine Beast… Spirit King, you say!?”

Agitation appears in the elves for the first time. The elves on the trees come down to the ground while remaining wary, and stare at Kohaku-san. I wonder who Kohaku-san’s true master is? Is that person the Spirit King? But I recall him saying a God above the Goddesses. Not sure, but Spirit King probably means greater than spirits. From the perspective of elves who revere spirits, it must be an outrageous opponent. I doubt they would oppose…

“…Are you truly… a Divine Beast-sama…?” “If you doubt, bring the Shrine Maiden serving the spirits. If that clears the doubt, We shall wait here.”

Saying that, Kohaku-san lay down on the spot—goron. Ehh…? Is that okay? Those people look flustered though.

“Contact Lady Mutilia! Urgent!” “Ha!”

Several elves disappear into the forest. The other elves are wary of us from a distance but seem to have lowered their weapons.

“Is it okay…?” “No problem. Rather, if the Shrine Maiden cannot see through whether I am a Divine Beast or not, that would be the problem. Well, at that time I will summon the spirits themselves.” “Are spirits beings lower than Kohaku-san?” “Spirits are beings created by God. Great Spirits governing attributes aside, ordinary spirits are considerably lower than Me, a messenger of God.”

The spirits elves revere are considerably lower… Doesn’t that mean elves can’t defy Kohaku-san anymore? Am I making such an existence do guard duty…

“What is wrong? Little master?” “N-No… Just wondering if it’s okay to have Kohaku-san, who is greater than spirits, guard me…” “I do not mind. Partly because I was told by the Nine Goddesses, but I unexpectedly like you. Because you resemble my master somewhat.”

Being told I resemble a God is just awe-inspiring and not happy at all… Well, if he’s not serving unwillingly, I guess it’s fine… While I was feeling indescribable, numerous elves came rushing from the forest. Leading them was a pair of man and woman. Both mid-twenties. No, since they are elves, appearance doesn’t necessarily match age. Both are beautiful. As expected of elves. The male elf had long blond hair, a gold circlet, held a long knotted staff, and wore green and white robes. Ah, I know this person. The Chief of the elf village. Exactly the appearance from the game. Though the one I saw was ten years later. Probably because he’s an elf, he doesn’t age, or his appearance doesn’t change. The woman also had long blond hair, wearing a beautiful lace robe over clothes like a white priestess. Is this person the Shrine Maiden serving spirits or whatever?

“How is it? Mutilia.” “Th-There is no mistake. This divine aura, this majesty… cannot be explained unless he is a Divine Beast-sama.”

When the Shrine Maiden answered the Elf Chief’s question, she hurriedly knelt on the spot. Then, all remaining elves similarly knelt on the spot and bowed their heads. Wow, Kohaku-san’s effect is tremendous. This might not even need negotiation.

“It is an honor to be granted an audience with Divine Beast-sama. My name is Mutilia, Shrine Maiden of the Spirit Tree. Pleased to make your acquaintance…” “I am Rexrum, father of this one and Chief of this elf village. I ask for your forgiveness for the rudeness this time…” “Umu. There is no harm done to us. Therefore, I forgive. My name is Kohaku. One of the Four Gods, governing the West and the Great Path… well, that is fine for now. We came here having a request for you elves.”

Wow, this is already Kohaku-san unmatched… The haughty (from human perspective) elves are all terrified. The Elf Chief raises his face and asks Kohaku-san.

“Divine Beast-sama has a request for us…? wh-what does that mean…?” “Umu. We wish to receive a few ‘Leaves of the Spirit Tree’.” “L-Leaves of the Spirit Tree, is it…! That is…!”

The moment Kohaku-san voiced the request, the elves buzzed with surprise. Huh? They seem troubled…?

“I apologize, but handing over ‘Leaves of the Spirit Tree’ would be difficult…” “Mu? Why? Is the spirit of the Spirit Tree refusing?”

Spirit of the Spirit Tree? Does that mean a spirit residing in the Spirit Tree? It didn’t appear in the game at all. The Spirit Tree itself was like a spirit.

“No, that is not it…” “Father. I think it is faster to have them look. I will guide you beneath the Spirit Tree. Please, this way.”

We stepped into the forest guided by the elves. The elf forest is protected by ancient magic barriers. Intruders are immediately known to the elves, and those with malicious intent cannot reach the elf village. Their sense of direction is confused by the barrier’s power, and if unlucky, they end up wandering the forest forever. If we get separated from the elves, we could be caught in the barrier’s trap and get lost in the forest. Well, Kohaku-san could probably break such a barrier, and Ritsu could call Oboro and escape from the sky though. While walking through the forest being guided, I felt gazes from elves glancing at me—chira chira. Well, naturally. Being a person treated as a master riding on the back of Divine Beast Kohaku-san, it’s no wonder they are curious. Certainly, to make talking with elves easier… in short, so the le Philharmonie Ducal House isn’t taken lightly, I am straddling Kohaku-san as a strategy, but I am tasting quite an uncomfortable time. Being carried on a pedestal is tough. When I sighed for the umpteenth time, suddenly the forest in front opened up. The dense forest ended, and we emerged into a place filled with light pouring through the trees. There, many giant trees rooted in the earth, and houses were built on top of those trees. No, rather than built, are they integrated with the trees? There are stairs to climb and handrails to prevent falling, and wooden houses are connected to wooden houses by suspension bridges. Truly a village full of treehouses. And in the center of that village, an exceptionally giant tree sits. That is the Spirit Tree. Same as the background still I saw in the game.

“Welcome to the elf village. We are honored to welcome Divine Beast-sama.”

Perhaps our visit was already conveyed, one of the welcoming elves greets us with such words. The part ‘Divine Beast-sama’ sticks a little. Considering us as extras? The suspicious gazes of the village elves since earlier are also bothering me. If I were to put the gazes into words, it would be something like, ‘Why is Divine Beast-sama with humans?’.

“I apologize. Most people in the village have never been involved with humans, so they direct rude gazes. Please forgive us.” “Ah, no. It’s okay.”

Mutilia-san, the Shrine Maiden of the Spirit Tree, bows to me. Did she sense I was a little irritated? However, she and Chief Rexrum-san don’t seem to look down on us that much. Have these people interacted with humans a little? Being the Shrine Maiden of the Spirit Tree and the Chief of the elf village, naturally they would have some interaction with humans. What’s been sticking in my mind since earlier is that the Chief’s daughter who was sick in the game I know isn’t Mutilia-san… Is there another daughter? While I was thinking such things and looking at Mutilia-san, she also turned her gaze toward me.

“Umm… so why is a Ducal House’s daughter with Divine Beast-sama…?” “Ah, that is…” “My little master is the ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’. I received words from the Gods to guard her.” “Holy Sword’s…! I-I see, so that is why…!”

At Kohaku-san’s words, Mutilia-san nods slightly as if convinced while surprised. Surrounding elves also open their eyes wide, and gazes with different emotions than before fly at me. Well, the feeling of being unable to stay calm doesn’t change either way, but it’s better than before I guess… Or rather, has the story of the Holy Sword reached even the elf village…? Come to think of it, there were bards among elves too… Truly, how far has it spread… While sighing many times, we arrived at the base of the Spirit Tree.

“This is the Spirit Tree…”

I feel a looming size more than seeing from the sky. The giant tree housing the spirit revered by elves was quietly looking down on us.