Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Festival
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The elf village was currently preparing for a festival.
No matter how reclusive and quiet the elves were as a race, they couldn't just sit idly by after crushing a high demon's scheme, slaying the demon itself, purifying the World Tree's corruption, and witnessing the birth of a new Incarnation of Nature in the process.
...Though honestly, the latter seemed to carry a bit more weight. Anyway.
"Ahem, ahem..."
"Ahem. Ahem! Cough, cough!"
I turned at the endless fake coughs, only to find Vivian and Cecilia peeking over with mischievous grins.
"......"
I knew exactly why.
Even though I knew the elf houses had terrible soundproofing, I'd gone all out anyway. The girls right next door had heard everything.
I had no idea what possessed me to do it.
Was it the alcohol?
Maybe I should quit that damn booze this time.
...Nah, on second thought, no need for that.
"You beast..."
"......"
Weller glared daggers and spat curses, but with nothing to say in my defense, I clamped my mouth shut.
It wasn't quite shame... but it was embarrassing enough.
Even I had some sense of decency.
Having those kids overhear my wild night with the women... I couldn't show my face.
"Ahem! Heh-heh!"
"Kehm! Cough-cough! Hack!"
I shot a glare at the kids repeating their ridiculous coughs to get my attention, then let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... What is it?"
"W-what are you talking about, big brother? We just have some dust in our throats, that's all."
"Yeah. With all the elves running around, there's a lot of dust."
"......"
These little punks.
I narrowed my eyes at them, but they just giggled and played innocent.
"Haa..."
They'd turned beet red and frozen when they heard the elves going at it, but with me, their first thought was to tease.
I took a swig of booze and lit my cheroot.
Then Vivian sidled up and whispered softly.
"But big brother... who's your principal wife?"
"......"
I never expected that question from her.
I thought she'd stay innocent and childlike forever... but she was already at that age.
...Actually, yeah, puberty was hitting right about now.
"Principal wife? I don't plan on any of that."
"Ehh? What do you mean...? Big brother, saying that will hurt the sisters' feelings! You have to set a clear hierarchy so the principal wife and concubines don't fight!"
"...Who taught you that crap?"
"Arpe told me? She said it happens a ton in the imperial palace!"
I shot Arpe a glare, but she glared back like she wanted to kill me.
"Mm..."
Outmatched in intensity, I averted my eyes.
She'd been glaring like that since morning. Guess she didn't like me messing with her possession Nemess or playing around with other women when I'm her 'friend'.
"...Don't worry. There won't be any fights."
"Really? Why do you think that?"
"Well... it's a secret."
"No fair! Tell me!"
"Not telling a naughty little sister who teases her big brother."
"Eeeek!"
I pressed down on her head with my palm, and Vivian flailed her arms, pouting.
"Sir Alzen. I have something to say too."
"...What."
Cecilia, who'd been listening, placed a hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow sternly.
I had a bad feeling this would be a pain, but I couldn't run, so I responded.
"There's that saying about a hero's true colors, and since you're the goddess's champion, it's natural to embrace multiple women... but there's a limit!"
"Are you lecturing me...?"
I slumped and chugged my booze. Cecilia's eyes sharpened further.
"You must conduct yourself properly, upright, and righteously so as not to tarnish the goddess's name!"
"...Cecilia. Isn't it a bit late for that now?"
I waved the booze bottles in both hands and my cheroot, then gestured to my disheveled clothes. Cecilia stiffened.
"Uh, um, that's... No! That's separate from this!"
"How is it separate?"
"Anyway! Moderation! Got it!?"
"...I don't wanna hear that from someone who eavesdropped on sex."
"S-se...!? Ahem! We didn't eavesdrop! You're misunderstanding!"
"No, you're playing innocent...?"
"It's not! Even with our ears plugged, it came through! We couldn't help hearing!"
"......"
Speechless, I bit down on the bottle and chugged like a trumpet.
"...Oh, and this is unrelated."
"Pwah. What now?"
"P-please pay a little attention to Wendy too."
"...Wendy?"
The unexpected name made me tilt my head and roll my eyes.
Wendy was chatting with Murel, Rebecca, and the other women.
Too far to hear, but it looked serious.
"Why Wendy?"
"You're really asking?"
She glared with a serious, scolding face. I smacked my lips.
Precocious kid.
"Fine. Can't promise, but I'll keep an eye out."
"Good. That's enough."
She nodded satisfied, then soothed the still-pouting Vivian and headed toward Wendy.
"...Sir Alzen. A word."
Arpe approached as if she'd been waiting, lowering her voice.
"Your turn now, huh..."
This was getting annoying.
Something about needing permission for sex since we're 'friends' who own parts of each other, or unforgivable to mess with her possession Nemess without asking, or let's set rules now...
I brushed off Arpe's serious nonsense and escaped.
She wouldn't let me flee, but with Nemess blushing and helping out of embarrassment, I barely got away.
"Ehehe... Sir Alzen, you're so popular!"
"...Doesn't feel like it."
I gave a wry smile at Pashtra's words as she tagged along, watching the elves bustle with festival prep.
"Connect the roots here!"
"Got it. Like this?"
"A bit higher... Ah, perfect. Just right!"
As expected from a secretive, mystical race—their prep wasn't ordinary.
No bonfires in sight. Tools were replaced by moving roots, vines, or earth spirit magic.
For moving things or needing water or fire, they commanded invisible spirits.
Add the elves' graceful, near-flying movements and stunning beauty, and it felt like watching a mystical, dreamlike play.
"Wow..."
I dazedly watched the elves while listening to Pashtra's admiration.
They were building a massive temporary structure in the village center square.
A festival-only building serving as a sort of temple.
"...Seeing it for real is pretty amazing."
Obvious, but no artificial materials went into that temple.
Roots and vines from surrounding trees, tables and chairs from uplifted, spirit-molded earth.
I knew from the setting guide, but knowing and seeing were worlds apart.
"Ah! Incarnation of Nature! What brings you here?"
Latifi, directing construction, spotted me and flew over, eyes sparkling.
"Uh, uh... Just sightseeing. Never seen an elf festival."
"I see! If anything's not to your liking, please say so!"
"Nah, it's fine. Do it your way."
"Thank you! Oh, and... I was going to pass this on later."
"Yeah?"
She leaned in and whispered.
"The World Tree has a message for you, Sir Alzen. And wants to repay you for saving her and the elves."
"Hmm, a message and reward... Got it. I'll visit after the festival."
"Yes!"
She beamed up at me happily.
"......"
Still a bit jarring.
The Latifi I knew was asocial, taciturn, and a cool hunter... Now she was overflowing with affection like a big dog.
...But I preferred this side.
I reached out and stroked her butt.
"Ah...! Incarnation. If you need to relieve some lust, anytime...! E-even right now...!"
Far from hating it, she eagerly offered even more intense acts.
"Whoa..."
It was almost too much; I felt hesitant.
If even Latifi was like this, didn't that mean the whole village of elves was absolutely obedient to me?
I'd known somewhat, but feeling it was different—my mood soared.
Overwhelmingly powerful elves at my beck and call... This was basically an organization.
"Hmm..."
Until now, my only backer was the Starnassila ducal family.
But they weren't unconditional allies, nor could I use them freely.
"If things go south... maybe switch. But geography and social position are issues. To use the elves more actively..."
"Sir Alzen. What's troubling you?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing."
Pashtra's voice snapped me out of it. She was hugging my arm, cheeks puffed out.
"Sir Alzen. Am I not enough?"
"...Jealous?"
I kneaded Latifi's butt demonstratively, and Pashtra's cheeks ballooned further.
"Yes! I'm jealous! I want you to look only at me!"
"You think that way too...?"
"Of course! Even if I'm dumb! I don't just accept everything indifferently!"
"Hmm... Got it."
I pulled my hand from Latifi's butt, grinned lewdly, and grabbed Pashtra's.
...The volume difference was huge; 'grab' wasn't right—more like burying my hand.
"Sir Alzen...!"
She lunged and rubbed her face all over my chest.
And so, we strolled the elf village for a while, enjoying a short date.