Chapter 369: False Accu?sation
Chapter 369: False Accu?sation
Early morning, as the sun was beginning to rise. I was in the middle of changing clothes and clearing away the traces of yesterday.
“Master. I think I’ll just live as your slave for the rest of my life.”
“Huh? I didn’t have any intention of letting you go anyway.”
“Phew…”
Carla let out a sigh of relief, looking truly heartened.
It seemed that seeing me release Elisha and Iris from their slave imprints had left quite an impression on her in many ways.
Though the two actually involved didn't seem to care all that much.
“Master, please move out of the way!”
“Ahem. My disciple, is it right to persecute your master like this?”
“…Is that something coming from the person who sold me off to Yandel yesterday?”
“T-That couldn't be helped! And besides, though the order was different, didn't I end up in the same boat in the end?!”
In front of a full-length mirror just large enough to reflect one person, Elisha and Iris were bickering with each other while checking their now-clean necks.
Well, unlike Carla, those two used to hate the status of being a slave. …No, hating it is the normal reaction. Carla is the strange one.
In the first place, hadn't I secured their cooperation with the condition of humane treatment and the promise of eventually releasing them from slavery?
Of course, we cherish each other enough to risk our lives now… but back then, it was closer to a transaction where I received their bodies and abilities in exchange for guaranteeing their futures.
Could you call it a sort of political marriage?
But even such a political marriage is still a marriage, and the two of them had tried to love me, just as I had tried to do the same for them.
And now, there are no contracts or restraints between us. We are together like this purely out of our affection for one another.
“A vow that will not fade even after a thousand years.”
I don’t know who said it first, but I think it’s the most appropriate phrase to describe an elf’s love.
…Or perhaps it’s a phrase for someone who loves an elf.
I approached the two, who were still struggling to push each other aside. I placed a hand on each of their shoulders and offered a smile.
“What are you two fighting about? There’s a much easier way to check.”
“You? What kind of strange thing are you planning to do now?”
“Your smile is exceptionally suspicious today, Master. Just what are you plotting?”
“That’s harsh… You don’t trust me that much?”
When I sniffled as if I were genuinely hurt, Elisha and Iris finally turned away from the mirror to look at me. The two of them stood side-by-side, crossing their arms and tilting their heads skeptically.
“Trust you? Me? You? After what you did yesterday?”
“I knew Master was a man without a conscience, but to think it was to this extent…”
“…….”
Wait, where did all the favorability I earned during the time distortion go?
I let out a hollow laugh at their drastically changed attitudes after just one day and continued.
“I’m telling you, it’s a really good method. Can’t you at least listen before you judge?”
“Hmph! Since you’re going that far, I’ll listen.”
“It is as Elisha says. We are merely listening, so keep that in mind, Master!”
Elisha and Iris stuck close together, eyeing me warily as if they hadn't just been squabbling a moment ago. I shrugged at the two priests.
“It’s simple. Can’t I just give a command and see if it works or not?”
“Ah… certainly, that is true.”
“It is a way to feel it more surely than the disappearance of the brand on our necks.”
Finding the idea reasonable, Elisha and Iris nodded with softened expressions. Geez, they really didn't believe me when I said it was a good idea.
As I grumbled inwardly, the two of them curled their lips into slight smiles and began gently stroking my forearms and sides, urging me on.
“You? I’m sorry about earlier. It sounds like a great idea, so shall we try it?”
“Master. Just now was a joke. It was a form of affection, so don't be so upset and give us any command.”
I basked in their touch for a moment before nodding as if I were giving in.
“Let’s see. What would be good…”
I pondered for only a moment. Looking into their eyes, which were full of anticipation, the words I wanted to say flowed out as if I were possessed.
“…It’s a command, Elisha, Iris. Love me. Until the moment death finally parts us.”
“…….”
“…….”
Elisha and Iris widened their eyes and looked at each other in silence.
Tsk. Did I overdo it? But just once, I wanted to say it not in the elven way, but in the human way… or more accurately, the Earth way.
In the silence that suddenly descended, Elisha slowly opened her mouth.
“This is… a bit much. What do you think, Master?”
“Mmm. I feel the same.”
At their subtle reactions, I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
“Ah, so it really is a bit much?”
“Yes. After all… we can’t confirm the compulsiveness of the command this way, can we?”
“Exactly. Is Master not already our partner?”
Elisha and Iris shook their heads as if they couldn't help it, wearing gentle smiles.
“We love you. Even if we are no longer your slaves.”
“This is a vow that will continue even after a thousand years pass and death parts us.”
As they spoke, their faces were filled with a serene happiness.
I imagine mine was the same.
*
“Pardon? You’re saying you’re leaving already?”
“That’s right! We were even thinking of holding a festival for the heroes…”
The office I headed to as soon as we finished our preparations. Milone and Nariel, who were clinging to each other openly as if they had no intention of hiding it anymore, asked back in shock.
“Yes. My body is fully recovered, and I have a lot to do. Alfheim isn't the only place being invaded by the Evil Gods, is it?”
“…Duke Lindelheit, you truly intend to annihilate all the Evil Gods.”
“They’re probably at their weakest right now. More than anything, I can’t just obediently die or fall into corruption, can I?”
I shrugged and asked back jokingly, but all I got in return were even more reverent gazes.
This is a bit burdensome… I mean, they are technically the leaders of a nation.
I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
“Ahem. Anyway, you haven't forgotten what you promised last time, right? The dungeon raiding rights and clearing Elisha and Iris’s… false accusations.”
“Of course. Regarding the Spirit Stone dungeon, I have already prepared the documents, so you just need to show them to the person in charge. However, regarding the matter of the other two… could you wait just a moment?”
“It seemed like you were already leaking information over the past few days; is there something more that’s needed?”
“Yes. An official announcement is required so that it doesn't end as a mere rumor. Of course, we could do it ourselves, but…”
“It’s more effective if the parties involved show their faces once, right?”
“Correct. But it won’t take long. As I mentioned just now, the preparations are almost complete, so all that’s left is to set the stage. Conveniently, with refugees flocking to Alfheim, many elves are currently on the streets helping with the reconstruction of Yggdrasil.”
“Could it be…?”
When I asked just in case, Milone nodded confidently.
“It is a pity you are leaving so soon, but how could we dare to stop you? If you haven't visited the Cyclic Life yet, why not go there once? We will have everything ready by the time you return.”
“…I was planning to visit the Cyclic Life to say goodbye before leaving, but since there’s a time distortion in the sanctuary, shouldn't it only take a few minutes?”
Nariel, who was playing with Milone’s hair, shook her head with a bitter smile and answered instead.
“Not anymore. It seems she used too much power this time…”
“Ah.”
Right. I heard later from Carla and Elisha that just before I emerged from the time distortion, her divine power was so depleted that she could barely move the roots of the World Tree, let alone maintain a barrier.
“There is a bit of divine power left, but the Cyclic Life decided that since it will be safe for a while now, she would use it to help rebuild Yggdrasil instead of protecting the sanctuary. Like that.”
Nariel turned her body and showed us the view through the window. Thanks to the office being located in a high place, we could clearly see the roots of the World Tree sweeping away the debris of the fortress walls in the distance.
“Aha? Then I’ll take my time and head over. Would you mind showing us the way, Your Majesty?”
“Of course. …Milone? I’ll be back after taking the heroes to the Cyclic Life.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“Hey now. Don't make such a sad face. It’s not like we’re out of time anymore, right?”
Nariel smirked and poked Milone in the side. To my eyes, Milone just looked like her usual expressionless self.
I had many questions, but I decided not to ask. In fact, I already knew.
They must have become a bit more honest with each other in the face of a life-threatening crisis.
Milone gave a faint smile as if she couldn't win against Nariel’s playfulness.
“Understood. Then I will be here preparing, so please take your time.”
“Great! Shall we go then, heroes?”
Nariel stood up with a bright smile and led the way out of the office.
My companions and I looked at each other for a moment, then followed her with light chuckles.
And so, we arrived at the upper layer of the World Tree. Is it because of the memories remaining in my subconscious from the time distortion that this place feels more like home than just familiar?
With a pleasant smile born from a rising sense of internal intimacy, I opened the door.
And then, my expression froze. I had no choice.
“You’ve come? I suppose you’re thinking of leaving now.”
“Uh, Cyclic Life?”
The Cyclic Life greeted us warmly from a table in front of a cozy fireplace. I looked at the painting hanging above her head and asked cautiously.
“What on earth is that?”
“What do you think? It’s the original painting that will serve as the basis for the statue of you… that is to be erected this time.”
They’re going to build a statue that looks like that?
…Seriously?