Chapter 138: In Alfheim(3)
Chapter 138: In Alfheim(3)
A storm had swept through, but somehow, Cecile managed to complete her entry procedures. Because the previous officer had flatly refused her, she had to start from the very first step, just like Mari, Lina, and I had.
However, Keir followed the proper protocols, and more importantly, Cecile possessed a letter of approval personally signed by Arwen. The previous officer had simply been a stubborn idiot; with that letter in hand, it was essentially an express pass.
"I won't make this public, but I will be lodging a formal complaint with the Queen. Since there's a national address coming up and you've handled the situation well, I'll let it slide for now."
"That is perfectly fine. We were in the wrong, so we must accept the consequences. I suppose I can take this opportunity to fire that fellow as well."
"What happens to him once he's fired?"
Cecile pointed behind her and questioned Keir, who was busy filling out several documents. In the direction she pointed, the unconscious officer was being carried away by other Elves.
It had only been one kick, but it was powerful enough to embed him into a wall. It seemed that no matter how sturdy an Elf might be, he couldn't escape a blackout.
Keir looked toward where Cecile was pointing and answered in a calm voice. He spoke with his characteristic gentle yet laid-back tone.
"I'm not sure if the Princess is familiar with our ways, but Elves usually stick to their chosen profession for life. Unless their mindset changes or there are unavoidable circumstances, they rarely step down. However, being expelled for a grave mistake brings significant problems. Not only is he barred from related professions, but in the worst-case scenario, he may face the punishment of having his ears cropped."
"Ear cropping... that must be the most severe punishment for an Elf. Will that happen to him too?"
"He insulted the princess of a foreign nation. At the very least, one of his ears will be clipped."
As explained before, ears are a body part that must never be damaged for an Elf. Thus, ear cropping would be one of the most horrific punishments imaginable for them.
An Elf with cropped ears would likely never be treated as an equal again, living a life of contempt and disdain. While Dark Elves might cut their own ears and think nothing of it, for an Elf, it was like advertising to the world, 'I am a criminal.'
That officer would likely never be able to proudly declare himself an Elf for the rest of his life. It was a fitting price for his arrogance.
"I like the sound of that."
"I'm glad it meets your satisfaction."
Cecile, well aware of the implications, wore a satisfied expression. Thanks to Keir’s flexible handling of the situation, only Arwen would have to deal with the headache; the rest of Albenheim wouldn't be dragged into the mud.
Though there had been a brief commotion, she began listening to Keir explain the points of caution one by one. Another surprising thing was that he was being 'considerate' toward Cecile.
No matter if Cecile was the Princess of Helium, he seemed concerned that various troublesome situations might arise because she was a Demon.
"Once you've heard the speech, how many days do you plan to stay?"
"I plan to return immediately after the speech. I have no choice because of Academy matters."
"Ah~ come to think of it, I heard you enrolled in Halo Academy."
"You're well-informed."
"The world has changed so much that I feel like I'm falling behind if I don't read the newspaper. Anyway, since you're returning right after the speech, I'll issue your permit. Since situations like the one earlier might happen again, keep the Queen's approval letter, and here is my own approval, and..."
Was this man really the same race as the officer he had just kicked? Even if that officer had been excessive, it was common for Elves to view Demons in a negative light.
Cecile seemed to be thinking the same thing as she watched Keir with a peculiar gaze.
"You're a bit different from that officer. Your name was Keir, right?"
"Yes. Keir Windhover. Just an ordinary warrior of Albenheim. And it would be a mistake to think all Elves are like that fellow over there."
"Did you experience the Race War as well?"
"I did."
It was a short answer, but it made Keir seem even more special. The officer over there was also a veteran of the Race War, yet their mindsets were worlds apart.
"First, I truly welcome your entry into Albenheim, Princess of Helium. It may be late, but I hope you can see the beauty of Albenheim with your own eyes now."
"Thank you for the welcome. And guys? Sir Balak and I will be waiting over there, so take your time."
"Okay."
"And Keir... what is your rank?"
"I was originally a supervisor, but as of five minutes ago, I became an immigration officer."
"Pfft."
I couldn't hold back a laugh at his witty reply. While I turned my head away, stifling my giggles, Cecile looked at Keir with an intrigued expression.
Then, with a small smile, she spoke quietly.
"Very well, Mr. Officer. Please make sure nothing like this happens ever again. Understood?"
"Well, given the nature of Elves, that might be difficult, so I'll probably have to do this at least four more times."
"What an amusing answer. Sir Balak?"
"Yes, Princess."
"It's short, but I hope you have a pleasant trip."
Keir stood up and bowed politely from the waist to see them off. Perhaps because the first impression was so good, every one of his movements exuded the characteristic elegance of an Elf.
A unique person—sometimes seemingly flippant, sometimes firm, yet never close-minded. Even among humans, that kind of personality isn't common, but seeing it in an Elf made him stand out even more.
"Will you be returning after the speech as well, My Lady?"
"Yes. Oh, by the way, are there any local specialties I should definitely buy while I'm in Albenheim?"
"To be honest, anything you buy will be a specialty. I think a dress woven from white silk would suit you well, My Lady. Since there's a day left until the speech, the place I recommend is..."
Since it was Lina's second visit, she passed through easily, and Keir kindly explained even the smallest details to Mari. As it was Mari's first time setting foot in Albenheim, she listened to his stories with a hint of excitement.
Seeing my girlfriend chatting amiably with another man—an Elf, no less—made me feel a bit uneasy, but I was able to relax after hearing Keir's next words.
"My wife and daughters have white hair just like yours, My Lady. I'm sure it will look wonderful on you."
"You're married? Ah, you did say you fought in the Race War. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
"I have watched 532 springs pass so far."
He was a married man and an Elf who had lived for over 500 years. This Elf named Keir was definitely a rare breed.
"Thank you. You've saved me a lot of wasted time."
"Don't mention it. After showing you such a disgraceful display earlier, this is the least I can do. Regardless, I truly welcome you to Albenheim. You can reach Yggdrasil by taking the teleport over there."
Mari stood up after receiving his welcome. She then moved toward the area where Cecile and Lina had gone.
Finally, left alone, I stepped forward even without Keir calling my name. Once I sat in the opposite seat, Keir spoke in his characteristically relaxed voice.
"As you saw earlier, I'll conduct a brief identity check. May I have your name?"
"Isaac Ducard Maishal."
"Isaac Ducard Maishal... So you are the son of the Red Lion."
"You know my father?"
I looked surprised that Keir knew about my father of all people. It seemed the combination of red hair and golden eyes made me instantly recognizable.
"Strong humans like him are rare. Technology may have advanced since the Race War, but there are few humans who can stand toe-to-toe with a Warlord like the Red Lion."
"Did my father ever fight a Warlord?"
"Not exactly, but I heard news that he claimed victory over a Beastkin warrior who was on par with a Warlord. Nothing is absolute in battle, but it's likely accurate. He is indeed that strong."
Come to think of it, I had heard that my father had a record of subjugating Beastkin scattered along the border during his active years. Perhaps one of the Beastkin there possessed skill rivaling a Warlord.
He even had a record of subjugating a Dragon, albeit with the help of the army, so nothing surprised me anymore. To an ordinary person like me, combat and the military were distant stories.
"Are you a knight as well, sir?"
"No. I'm just a student aspiring to be a scholar."
"How unexpected. At any rate, I truly welcome you to Albenheim. Here is your entry permit."
"Thank you. By the way, Mr. Keir, you're a soldier too, right? I heard you fought in the Race War."
"Yes."
"This might be a sudden question, but what do you think of humans, Mr. Keir?"
Hearing him talk about my father and being a veteran of the Race War made me curious. Keir viewed even Demons as ordinary people; I wondered what he thought of humans.
The Race War remained a humiliating defeat for the Elves, but conversely, it had instilled a sense of alarm regarding the human race. While there were Elves like the officer from before who still hadn't come to their senses, there were also cases like Keir whose perspectives had broadened.
Keir blinked at my question, then smiled and asked one in return.
"Do you want a sugar-coated answer, or should I be honest?"
"I would appreciate it if you were honest."
"I think of you as a terrifying race."
"A terrifying race..."
Hearing that from an Elf, of all people, felt strange. No matter how much humans excelled, they shouldn't be able to compare to Elves, who were born with superior innate abilities.
However, I had to consider that Keir was a veteran of the Race War. I, who was about to stand up, sat back down.
Keir seemed to have found me interesting as well, maintaining his beaming smile.
"Why do you think so? No matter how much humans develop, they can't naturally keep up with Elves."
"That is exactly why you are terrifying. You said something earlier—that humans commit countless wrongs due to greed, selfishness, and foolishness. But paradoxically, you also said your potential for growth is greater than any other race. Indeed, watching over 500 springs, I have seen with my own eyes the unbelievable pace of human development. Conversely, we have experienced only one major change in all that time."
"The Race War?"
"Yes. And even now, rapid changes are occurring due to the half-blood issue. The situation will change depending on what kind of speech the Queen gives. I truly hope she does well..."
Judging by how his voice trailed off, he was being sincere. Keir was someone who truly worried for Albenheim.
I almost doubted if such a person could really be one of those arrogant Elves. I wondered if he was a half-blood like Arwen.
As if reading my thoughts, Keir immediately continued.
"Ah, for the record, I'm not a half-blood. I may look like this, but I'm 100% pure-blood. You could call me a native."
"...Calling yourself a 'native' sounds a bit strange."
"Is that so? Well, as long as the meaning gets across, it's fine. Hahaha."
"I bet you hear that you don't act like an Elf very often, don't you?"
"My wife told me that was my charm point before she confessed to me first."
He wasn't just pleasant; he was overflowing with refreshing energy. Even if humans liked him, he must have received cold stares from his fellow Elves.
Furthermore, Keir was a warrior—a soldier. Given the rigid nature of the military, such a personality would inevitably lead to disadvantages.
"Well, during the Race War, this personality made things quite frustrating in many ways. My superior, who tolerated me well, was even dragged away by the Senate for a ridiculous reason, which left me feeling quite disillusioned."
"..."
Was the superior he mentioned perhaps Warlord Iker? Seeing as he was dragged away by the Senate for a ridiculous reason, it was almost certain.
As if reminiscing about the past, Keir stared blankly at the desk with a wistful gaze before chuckling. His reaction suggested it wasn't even worth being upset about anymore.
"But what's the use of talking about it? It's all in the past. My apologies for rambling on about useless things."
"No. If anything, I'm sorry for poking at a sore spot. It's probably rude to even say such things to a veteran."
"It was nice to think about the old days for a change. Is there any other information you need?"
"Not particularly. I think I should be going now."
"I hope you have a pleasant trip. Oh, and one more thing. I wasn't hitting on your fiancée, so I hope there's no misunderstanding."
"Ahem. Ahem."
Did he see my expression back then? I felt embarrassed and let out a dry cough. I couldn't stop my face from turning red with shame.
Then, just as he had done for the others, Keir handed me my entry permit and saw me off politely. I also bowed respectfully and walked toward where the rest of the group had gone.
In human society, one would use a carriage, but this was Albenheim. Teleportation facilities were provided for each region. Naturally, there was a teleport leading to the capital, Yggdrasil.
"You're a bit late."
"I was just talking for a moment."
"He was a really unique person, wasn't he?"
I nodded at Mari's question. Even if he weren't an Elf, that kind of personality was extremely rare.
But because he was an Elf, he left an even deeper impression.
"Are you going to include him later? People would find an Elf with that kind of personality really interesting."
"I already have Mary, so why would I? Still, I should consider it. A great character model just fell right into my lap."
"I wonder if he reads the Xenon Biography too? Do you think he'd see it and go, 'Wait, is this me?'"
Cecile also seemed impressed by Keir, asking me all sorts of things. Most of her questions were about whether I'd add him to the Xenon Biography.
I wasn't entirely against the idea, so I gave a vague answer. There was no risk of this conversation leaking out, as there was no one around and Cecile had already set up a soundproofing barrier.
And so, just as I was thinking about whether to include a character like Keir in the Xenon Biography...
"Ahem."
"...?"
Gartz, who had been listening quietly, cleared his throat.