Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Elf Empire (6)
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The hero party matter was settled for the time being, and the meeting moved on to discussions about follow-up plans.
“Umm…”
The biggest topic was what to do with the World Tree seed.
The World Tree had already exhausted its lifespan and vanished, beyond saving.
That left nurturing this seed properly to grow a second World Tree…
The dilemma was where exactly to plant it.
The Elf Emperor, who had been lost in thought with pursed lips, finally spoke.
“It seems we should plant it somewhere the demons can’t easily reach.”
“Of course that would be ideal. But a place on this continent the demons can’t access…”
The Emperor stared straight at me.
“Isn’t there one such place?”
“What…”
“Daven Territory. The demons wouldn’t have an easy time getting there, would they?”
The Guard Captain nodded in agreement with the Emperor’s words.
These elves must not have ever visited Daven Territory, since they seemed clueless about it.
“Daven Territory is far more remote than you all imagine. Merchant caravans only show up once a month…”
“The more cut off from the world, the better for us elves. We could even keep out the occasional deranged hunters who try to enslave elves.”
“…Daven Territory also isn’t as expansive as you might think. It’d be tough for this many elves to settle there.”
The Elf Emperor tapped her fingers on the desk thoughtfully, then pointed to one area on the map.
It was a vast forest located behind Daven Territory.
A dangerous place teeming with venomous insects and rugged terrain—practically abandoned in development.
“We’ll live in this forest.”
“Umm… Being undeveloped, it’s full of hazardous plants and bugs.”
“Who do you think we are? Elves, who live alongside plants. The blessing may be gone, but we’re confident.”
I gave the Elf Emperor’s words some serious thought.
She was right—if the elves settled in that forest, it would be an enormous boon for Daven Territory.
First off, no more headaches from wild beasts occasionally charging out of the woods.
Second, trading with the elves would mean fresh produce on hand, no need to count down the days for the monthly caravan.
If anyone ever invaded Daven Territory, they’d defend our land as their frontline shield without hesitation.
And finally, once the World Tree seed took root under the Elf Emperor’s care, our territory’s soil would become incredibly fertile.
All these advantages made inviting the elves equivalent to a modern mega-development: a corporate headquarters, university, major hospital, department store, subway station, high-speed rail stop, airport, and courthouse all popping up in your backyard at once.
My popularity would skyrocket, and land values would shoot through the roof.
Of course, if we failed to save them and they all perished, it’d turn into the ultimate eyesore—a massive graveyard.
After weighing the pros and cons, I finished my mental calculations and clasped the Elf Emperor’s hand firmly.
“Daven Territory welcomes you elves!”
“Haha, thank you.”
***
Two days after slaying Kallos, as the elves prepared for their mass migration, our group began discussing our next objective.
With Kallos of Greed defeated and the Elf Emperor’s letter in hand, I figured we should head straight to the Church for hero certification.
Rainy shook her head when I voiced this.
“This isn’t enough. We need more legitimacy.”
“What? We took down one of the Four Heavenly Kings and got a letter from the Elf Emperor.”
Would anyone in their right mind refuse to recognize us as the hero party with that kind of proof?
Even if Rainy hated the idea, rejecting evidence like this would provoke a huge backlash from the Church’s followers.
“According to her, the Church is crawling with demons.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Rainy grabbed the cheek of timid Nania and yanked.
“Eek… Let go, please…”
“Quiet.”
“Yes.”
Rainy kept tormenting Nania, who teared up but couldn’t pull away, as she continued.
“Those demons will do anything to deny us hero party status. We’ve already beheaded one of the Four Heavenly Kings—if they certify us now, we’ll only get stronger.”
“Fair point…”
“And the humans even worse than demons will desperately oppose it because of me.”
“…”
A grand alliance between humans and demons, scheming to block hero party approval.
Humans and demons uniting for the first time in history… to stop the hero party.
It was a poignant thought.
“So, what should we do?”
“We’ve got the Elf Emperor’s letter—maybe snag one from the Imperial Emperor too?”
“…”
How exactly were we supposed to get a letter from the Imperial Emperor?
Sneak into the palace and blackmail him?
If I had a status window, it would’ve popped up right about now with a quest marker pointing the way forward.
Unfortunately, I was a plain old hero without one.
Unlike the noobs chowing down on easy wins with a few clicks of their status screens, I had to choose every step from start to finish myself.
Nibbling on crunchy herb cookies and sipping soothing mint tea, Laura—the duke’s lady with ridiculously picky tastes who’d snuck me some of her mint tea—finally spoke up.
“How about we just head to my house? A letter from my dad should be enough to strong-arm the Church with sheer influence.”
“Yes, that sounds like a solid choice.”
Yumi, who’d been practicing her vow of silence, nodded in agreement with Laura.
Thanks to its status as a founding hero family and guardian of the north, House Mastain wielded power second only to the Emperor in the Empire.
A letter from Duke Mastain would probably shut down any objections from the Church.
Conveniently, with the Elf Empire in the west, heading north to House Mastain was straightforward.
“That does sound like a good plan.”
“Right?”
Laura’s eyes sparkled with excitement at my agreement.
Getting this hyped about going home—she really was just a kid at heart.
Rainy, who’d been listening quietly, chimed in.
“But Lady, are you sure you can get that letter from Duke Mastain?”
“Huh?”
“Aren’t you currently exiled? You mentioned a five-year banishment—suddenly showing up might make him mad.”
“Umm… It’s a journey to save the world, and we’re the hero party… It should be fine, right?”
Laura’s response trailed off uncertainly—she didn’t seem fully convinced.
I had no idea what Duke Mastain’s temperament was like, but even she didn’t think he was the type to just hand over a letter willy-nilly.
That was when Yumi stepped in.
“The Duke is a reasonable man. If we explain the necessity well, it’s worth a shot—I don’t see the harm.”
Coming from the usually reserved Yumi, her words instantly boosted her trustworthiness.
“Well, in that case.”
Rainy nodded, clearly trusting Yumi enough to give it a go.
I pictured the continent’s map in my head.
The Empire and Church sat smack in the center, the elves’ forest to the west, House Mastain to the north, and the Academy to the east.
Even after swinging by House Mastain, we wouldn’t be too far from the Church.
It seemed worth trying.
They wouldn’t exactly lock us up just for dropping by the ducal house unannounced, right?
Besides, Laura wasn’t the only one from House Mastain in our group.
We also had Yumi, once called the Shadow of Mastain.
Even if the Duke dismissed Laura’s tomboy antics and didn’t trust her word, Yumi chiming in could tip things in our favor.
I patted Yumi on the shoulder.
“I’m counting on you. You’re my only hope.”
I’d been trying to use casual speech like she kept asking, but it still felt awkward on my tongue.
“Yes, just trust me.”
Yumi nodded boldly, apparently not picking up on any awkwardness from me.
Hmm, as expected from Yumi—the other bastion of normalcy in our party alongside me.
She was reliable.
I used to think the saintess filled the “everywoman” role in a hero party, but lately I’d changed my mind.
Not that I hated saintesses or anything, but thieves were the real MVPs.
Thieves rule.