Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Forest Elf Photoshoot
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"Aren't elves the race that communes with animals and chats with birds perched in the trees?"
The nomadic elves were taught more as 'pointy-ears' than actual elves, while the forest-dwelling ones felt like the 'true elves.'
That's the image I'd held, similar to my past life memories.
"Aren't elves a nomadic people?"
"Do elves commune with animals? I thought they were the race that roams the plains on horseback, hunting."
"Those are the bad elves."
"Bad elves?"
"Are there good elves and bad elves?"
The image I learned as a child differed vastly from what others knew.
There was no way our family had taught it wrong.
Embarrassing as it is to say, among humans, our family had the most contact with elves.
Even if it was as enemies, that let us distinguish friend from foe clearly.
"Am I the one who's wrong?"
"I'm not sure... Spider beastkin are so reclusive..."
"I heard they live on the plains..."
No answers from the humans, so I quietly asked the beastkin, but their responses felt like nails in a coffin.
"Ugh..."
I desperately stared at Caterina, who maintained a meaningful expression right up to the end.
Maybe as an elf herself, she'd have a different take—a faint hope.
"To the disappointment of the others, Sir William has it right. Good elves live in the forest."
"...!"
It wasn't our family that was wrong—it was the world.
Realizing our household education was correct, I clenched my fist in joy, heedless of the stares.
"What's a 'good elf'?"
"Humans oddly assume beastkin races are monolithic nations?"
As I basked in delight, Lord Herbert's question made Caterina's eyes sparkle like she'd been waiting for it, and she launched into an explanation about elves.
"Just as humans have many countries, we have various tribes based on where we live or our faith. At the root of roots are us forest elves and the Great Tree faith. But humans war often with the nomadic elves, so when they think 'elf,' they picture those barbarians. No real harm done, so we let it slide, but it irks us subtly."
"I've traveled the world extensively, yet this is my first time hearing of forest elves—or that elves have multiple tribes."
"Why didn't you know until now?"
"Probably because there are so few elves?"
"You never bothered to learn? Humans think all elves are the same. Who's the fool who slaps 'Fairy' onto every pointy-ear as a surname?"
"......"
The workshop's atmosphere chilled instantly at those three words: 'pointy-ears.'
For a moment, I thought I'd misheard, but seeing most others' eyes twitching confirmed it was real.
"Ahem...!"
"Cough!"
From humans to the other beastkin, everyone pretended not to hear, clearing throats and averting eyes from Caterina.
"Ahem... Let's drop the sensitive topics. We should pick a shooting location quick. Tomorrow, the imperial capital's eastern forest—sound good?"
"I'm all for it. Shall I bring my bow and arrows and strike a pose?"
"No, that's too much. Everyone else?"
"Sounds good!"
"The forest is perfect."
"Y-yeah, just the forest!"
Unlike the initial flood of questions, strong support from the forest elf sped things to a decision.
"Alright, then Caterina and Lady Elizabeth meet at the forest tomorrow. Rest up, got it?"
"Yes!"
Reminding the staff of the finalized schedule, I wrapped up and sent everyone home.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We went with Lady Elizabeth's idea for the first photo.
Starting strong might work, but with multiple ads planned, easing in mildly then ramping up to bold would sear it deeper into minds.
"Lucky the weather's holding."
Arriving at the forest, I gazed skyward while waiting for Caterina to change in the carriage Lady Elizabeth brought.
After deciding and heading home, clouds gathered suddenly; even light rain fell at dawn. I fretted over bad weather.
But morning brought mostly clear skies, save a few wisps.
"Ugh..."
The staff had hustled to make the timeline. A weather delay would've been nightmarish—just thinking it twisted my gut.
Plans derailed, efforts wasted...
I'd be too ashamed to face them.
"Sir William, could you come here a sec?"
"Sure."
Grateful for the clear sky, I stood as the carriage window cracked open, Lady Elizabeth peeking out to call me.
I hurried over and looked up at her.
"What's up?"
"Nothing major. Check it before I get down?"
"Got it."
I nodded, and her head ducked back in. The firmly shut door swung open.
Out stepped Caterina in a deep green V-neck dress, flanked by Lady Elizabeth's maid adjusting her attire and Emily.
I narrowed my eyes, scanning Caterina slowly.
Her ponytail was usual, but styled bangs gave a more mature vibe.
The dress—borrowed from Lady Elizabeth—hugged her like tailored, flowing naturally.
No petticoat, just garters and bra, so the skirt draped from hips, legs teasing through with each move.
Black pumps finished it plainly.
It fit Lady Elizabeth's vision: a refined elf beauty.
"Ugh..."
As I eyed her intently, Caterina groaned, tugging the waist.
"Why do human dresses cling like this?"
"It's the fashion."
"Then why not go naked? What's the point of this fussy thing..."
"Only a pretty elf could say that naked. How's your waist match mine, corseted and all, without much squeeze?"
"Lady Elizabeth, your bust is bigger than mine."
"Ahem!"
Watching silently, the talk veered oddly, so I cleared my throat, stepped closer, and spoke.
"Looks good. We can shoot right away."
"Really? Where, then? Somewhere not too deep—don't want the dress dirty."
"About a minute's walk. Nice tree there—leaning against it should make a pretty shot."
"Got it, Caterina. Time to get down."
"Yes."
At Lady Elizabeth's gesture, Caterina poked her head out the door.
Unsteady in heels, she wobbled; I quickly grabbed her waist and hand to help her down.
"Ah, thanks. You're skilled at escorting."
"No big deal."
Her feet on ground, Caterina bowed slightly in thanks.
"I'm fine—keep escorting Caterina so she doesn't trip."
"Got it."
Wondering if Lady Elizabeth needed help too, I glanced; she hopped down nimbly, waving toward Caterina.
"Ready to head out?"
"Yes."
"That way."
Supporting Caterina, confirming Lady Elizabeth's maid and Emily down, I pointed to my marked tree and took a slow step.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Young Master, um... could you stop rolling in the grass?"
"Shh! Angle's perfect now."
"Can't we shoot soon...?"
"Hold on. Angle's good, but height's off a bit."
"Ugh..."
"Ah, this is it!"
Hours of rolling in grass, climbing trees to find Caterina's best pose—I finally nailed the spot.
"Caterina, serious expression. Look at that spire."
"Like this?"
"Head a bit higher... just a tad... hold!"
Guiding her pose, crouched in grass, I aimed the cubic magic tool, holding breath till focus locked.
Blurry image sharpened gradually; about five seconds in my mind, a crisp view emerged.
"Okay, on three..."
About to signal—
- Flutter!
A fist-sized bird flapped in, landing on Caterina's shoulder.
It hopped to settle, then stood gazing the same direction from her shoulder tip.
A rare chance—I bit my lip, finger on the button.
Held breath, pressed firmly.
Flash burst atop the tool, mana scattered, etching Caterina's image.
"Done?"
"......"
As flash and mana faded, Caterina whispered softly, but I signaled wait, anticipating the print.
Dozens of tense seconds later, out slid a photo: palm-wide horizontally, half vertically.
"Whoa..."
Checking it, I whooped, jumping up to yell.
"That's a wrap! Done for today."
"Phew~ How'd the photo turn out?"
As Caterina relaxed with a big exhale, I nodded fondly at the skyward bird.
"Perfect."
"Heehee~"