Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Elves in the Well
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"How is it?"
"Not much time left."
"That much?"
"There's hardly any life mana left in his body. Without the holy water and the priests' healing, it wouldn't be strange if he went to the gods' embrace right now."
"Hmm, I see. Good work."
"Then..."
In the residence of the Omer Ducal House, which held sway over the Bazran Empire.
The priest of the Goddess of Fate, Parayan, who had just treated the emperor in the imperial palace, exchanged a few words with the duke and withdrew.
"Heh heh heh. No matter how much holy power they pour in, they can't cure the tears of Damitrian that have built up little by little over the past ten years."
In the empty room.
Duke Omer let out a sneer.
The tears of Damitrian, produced in the eastern continent's Iraqts Empire.
They were not poison at all.
If simply consumed, they were an unparalleled elixir, but taken for over a year, they could slowly turn into a poison that damaged one's life mana.
The emperor, who had consumed those tears of Damitrian every day for ten years.
It would be stranger if there was still life mana left in his body.
"Now, at most five months. The emperor will die a natural death. And then... my true world will unfold. Heh heh heh heh."
He had been preparing for that day since decades ago.
Using his family's power as bait, he had pushed his sister into becoming the empress and produced the crown prince.
Everything had been executed perfectly according to his meticulous plan.
The empire's powerful families had pledged loyalty to the ducal house, and all key military positions had been filled with those appointed by Duke Omer.
Even if the emperor lived, he possessed a colossal power that could not be touched.
"Once the emperor dies... I will build a great empire. I will sweep away all the surrounding kingdoms and seize a vast territory that even those Laviter bastards will envy!"
Duke Omer, exhilarated by his ambitions.
The young duke, not yet fifty, was swollen with dreams.
He would create a great empire, and the true master of that empire thereafter.
It would not be Bazran, but the Omer family's house name, Pasain.
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"Congratulations. You are now one of our Blue Tree tribe."
"Yes?"
Elder Parkiano proclaimed with a benevolent smile that I had become part of the elf tribe.
'Why me?'
My resolve, which I had steeled for the sudden declaration, wavered.
"By elven custom, any non-elf who receives an elf's love is recognized as tribe. Even if the object is a monster, this custom does not break."
Parkiano kindly added an explanation.
'Well, this might be for the best.'
Elves, who lived inherently exclusive lives.
If I was now tribe, it was rather a good thing.
I wasn't the type to kiss Narmias on the lips and then pretend nothing happened.
"Thank you for accepting me as tribe."
"Narmias is a fine branch. Even among our tribe, few handle both magic and spirits."
'Narmias is a spirit magic swordsman too?'
I thought she was a harpy-riding warrior, but she was a spirit magic swordsman.
"And I have one request as a tribe member to you, Elder."
"Speak."
'Is this heaven's will too?'
By nature, elves clashed with humans.
Humans prioritized development, while elves cherished nature preservation like their lives—uniting them would be laughable.
It was like saying a dog and a rooster fell in love—an absurd tale.
Yet these elves had suddenly made me one of their tribe.
I couldn't ignore their goodwill(?).
"As you know, Elder, I am the lord of this Neruman territory. I possess a pitiful land caught between the battle-mad Temir and the greedy human empires."
I packaged myself as pitiful.
No, it was truly poor enough to need state aid.
"Our elves have a long-standing unwritten rule not to interfere in human affairs. Nothing good has ever come from mingling with humans."
The elder, sensing something, erected a barrier in advance.
"I admit it. Humans are greedy and their hearts shift like the wind with interests."
"Hmm..."
Parkiano shut his mouth as I readily agreed.
"I have a dream. A world where greedy, heartless humans, pure-souled elves, playful sky-loving dwarves, and born fighters beastkin all live together. I want to make that dreamlike world here in Neruman. Help me, Elder. I ask in the name of human Kayer."
Parkiano flinched at my words.
"I heard that in the past, when humans and elves mingled, the world was truly beautiful. They cooperated to repel monsters and beasts, laying the foundation for peace on this continent. I want to create that wonderful world once more."
"Do you think that's possible? I roughly understand the dreamlike world you speak of. But it's impossible from the start. Though they share human forms, humans and elves are born with different cultures, customs, and natures. Nothing can change that."
Unlike other stubborn elves, I thought the elder would be different, but his words were utterly inflexible.
"There's an error in your words."
"Error?"
"Yes. You say elves and humans are fundamentally different, but I heard that in the past, humans and elves fell in love, bore children, and lived. I think I'm one such example. But what of it? Do you truly believe they regretted their choices because of differing innate cultures and customs? I'm certain they didn't. Just as I accepted Narmias, humans and elves are not different at all. It's just... the fixed notion that 'we've always been this way' is the essential issue dividing humans and elves' tragic fates."
"....."
The elder closed his eyes and fell into thought at my words.
"Help me as if you believe it too. Do you want the elves out there to live and die under this stifling protective magic array forever? Don't you pity their future, seeing only the same sky and earth every day? Why think this continent belongs only to humans! Give them freedom. Show the elves the endless expanse that vast sky promises. That is the true duty of you, their guiding elder!"
Passionate words poured out.
The sky I loved would grant that unbound freedom to the elves too.
Elves dying while merely gazing at it.
Pitiful.
I lived one day fully, letting my heart and soul revel, but those elves would end their lives staring at an empty sky.
"It's dangerous. I am the elder with the duty to protect the tribe over such freedom. If I let emotions sweep me and release the elves to the world, I would be unfit as elder."
"Hahahahahahaha!"
As soon as the elder finished, I burst into wild laughter.
"You really only say frog-in-the-well things."
"W-What!!! How dare a mere human!!"
"Why? Am I wrong? What's the difference between a frog living and dying in a well, fearing the world outside and staring only at the visible sky, or elves doing the same—not by their will, but by yours, Elder!"
"Shut up! What do you know about us elves to spout such nonsense! Better to peacefully end our lives here than go out to that filthy, wicked world! Even one day lived in peace and coexistence is what we elves truly desire!"
"Is that true? Narmias, tell me honestly. Do you want to live your whole life in this tiny space not even a few kilometers across and die in emptiness, as the elder says? Or go out to the world beyond and die after even one day soaring freely through the skies!"
Narmias, pale-faced amid my heated exchange with the elder.
She bit her lip at my question.
"Speak, Narmias."
Like a long-lived elf, Parkiano calmed his excitement and asked.
"Speak only the truth. I will abide by your opinion."
If Narmias agreed with the elder, I had no more to say.
Even a president can't be forced if unwilling—that's the way of the world.
"...I think the elder is right."
'Ah....'
Narmias's words after brief deliberation.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
I felt like a fool for arguing so heatedly until now.
"But... I will go to the human world with Kayer."
".....!!"
Narmias's sudden declaration.
The firm will in the words of the always quiet, obedient Narmias was enough to shock me and the elder.
"And this feeling of mine will never change."
Before the elder could speak, Narmias firmly expressed her unchanging heart.
"Haa...."
Parkiano let out a long sigh.
"Is it just your thought, or are there other elves, especially the young ones, who think the same?"
The elder asked quietly.
"Most young elves probably feel the same as I do."
'Elves?'
Narmias's words shocked me too.
Elves who always absolutely obeyed the elder and moved quietly.
I couldn't believe something hot burned in their hearts.
Narmias might because she loved me, but.
"So that's it. So it is...."
Elder Parkiano nodded, muttering "so it is."
"You may go now."
"Understood."
Even if they called me tribe, limits were set.
Moreover, at a time when a crucial decision for the entire elf tribe was needed, it was far better without me.
"Take care, Narmias."
"Yes... Kayer."
The elf woman's eyes moistened at my warm words.
The warmth of Narmias's body that morning confirmed she was no monster or beast—just a human with slightly unusual ears.
"Just one more thing. If you face the discrimination or insult the elves felt in the past in Neruman... I will stake my life."
Such obstacles were nothing on a man's path.
And I was confident.
I had more than enough courage and wisdom to achieve my dream.
Step by step.
I turned and left the elder's room.
The die was cast; the rest was up to heaven.