Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: The Proper Way to Apologize
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I asked.
"Do you really think that makes sense? Ratipi."
She replied,
"There's no reason it wouldn't. This is only natural. In fact, wouldn't it be more unnatural for there to be no elves where an incarnation resides?"
"......"
And I was at a loss for words.
Because Ratipi's face was so utterly serious.
"Haa... No, is that even possible in the first place? How many residents does the elf village even have?"
"Around 30,000 in total."
"...That many?"
I tilted my head, and she nodded as if understanding.
"You've probably only seen the combat personnel. Besides, the elf village isn't structured for easy population counts. Yes, including children, it's about that many."
"...Is there an age limit for combat personnel?"
"Yes. Usually, they're recognized as combat personnel after 200 years."
"......"
So, in human terms... around 20 years old?
No, that couldn't be right no matter how I thought about it.
"How many combat personnel does the elf village have?"
"Roughly around 10,000."
"......"
Does that mean most of the village elves are kids?
At least, the number of people I'd call 'children' in the elf village could be counted on one hand.
Most elves looked like adults.
"Haa..."
Elf time perception was utterly incomprehensible.
"No."
"Why not?"
She tilted her head as if she genuinely didn't understand.
"If you all go, who guards the World Tree?"
"No need to worry about that. Though I said everyone, we'll leave guardians like Benuite behind."
"...And taking that many means supply issues..."
"Elves don't have problems from skipping meals for days. Besides, food is plentiful in the surrounding nature—what's the issue? It's a common misconception, but elves are omnivores."
I sighed as I watched her counter every point.
"...I'll just be honest. It seems like it'd be a huge pain to bring you all along."
"Th-that...?"
She looked deeply shocked, staggering as her face paled.
"Wh-what about us... What's the problem? Tell me, and we'll fix it all. So, please...!"
"That's exactly it... Ugh, seriously."
Rubbing my throbbing head at her refusal to give up, I reached out.
"Fine, fine. I get it. I'll allow it."
"Ah...! Really!? Thank you! We won't be any trouble, I promise...!"
I cut off her beaming words and stuck my hand out firmly in front of her.
"But no group migration. One. Just one can come with me."
"O-one... only? That's...!"
Ratipi swallowed hard, her face ashen as if she'd heard something horrific.
"You mean... leave one and kill all the other elves...?"
"...?"
How the hell did she interpret my words to reach that conclusion?
"Is something missing in that head of yours?"
"Y-you don't mean that... right...?"
I gave her a pitiful look, and she sighed in relief but carefully probed for my true intent.
"I meant exactly what I said: just one comes along. Is that so hard to understand?"
"One... just one...? Is that possible...? No, umm..."
"...Did I say something that complicated? Really?"
I stared at her in disbelief, and she gave a wry smile, her expression showing slight cognitive dissonance.
"Well... it conflicts with the image I get from you, Lord Alzen..."
"My image? What kind of image is that?"
"Like... you could lead and bless all elves right this instant...?"
"......"
World Tree, what the hell did you plant in me?
"Haa... whatever. Just one comes along... No, Ratipi. You come with me."
"M-me? Is that okay?"
"If you don't want to, forget it."
"N-no... Yes! If I've been chosen, it's an honor. I'll go tell them right now!"
She grinned and headed off, soon returning with hundreds of elves in tow.
"...What is this now?"
"Ah, well..."
Ratipi glanced around awkwardly.
"My kin don't believe me... They want to hear it directly from you..."
"...Ah."
So she wanted me to convince all of them?
I really hate elves.
It took a full three days to convince the elves.
After repeating myself endlessly until I was sick of it, emerging from the vast forest into the barren wasteland felt refreshingly open, making me shiver.
The golem-pulled carriages raced across the wasteland at steady speed.
"Phew... finally out. Damn..."
"Ahem. S-sorry. Our kin are so stubborn..."
"You knew, so why not help? You pointy-ear."
"Ahaha..."
Ratipi sweated nervously, her long ears twitching as she gauged my mood.
"...Hey."
"Yes, speak."
"Let me touch your ear."
"Y-yes!?"
She panicked and instinctively covered her ears.
I hadn't felt this way touching Nemes's ears, but the stark white ears with pronounced curves and shadows piqued my curiosity about their texture.
...And I wanted to mess with her a bit since she sided with the elves instead of helping me convince those hundreds.
"E-ear? Like that..."
Of course, elves took pride in their long ears, giving them great significance.
Only lovers or spouses could touch them.
"Why? Can't I?"
I teased as she blushed and flustered, her ears twitching. She squeezed her eyes shut and finally nodded reluctantly.
"P-please...! Though unworthy, I'll devote my life...!"
"So dramatic just for touching an ear."
I chuckled and reached for her ear.
Sensing my presence, she trembled even with eyes closed, stiffening her long ears.
...Definitely cute-looking.
"Hm?"
But I couldn't touch it.
Nemes had snuck up and grabbed my wrist.
"What? Nemes. Why?"
"Eh? Ah, um... well."
She seemed surprised by her own action, then shook her head seriously.
"Lord Alzen. An elf's ears aren't something to touch lightly."
"I know."
"You know...? What does that mean?"
Her eyebrows sharpened slightly.
Not annoyance, but a face saying she couldn't accept or allow it.
"Just messing with her since she's annoying?"
"...Ah, i-is that why? Th-then... ahem, if that's the reason, it's fine..."
I stared as she awkwardly released my wrist.
"Nemes. Were you misunderstanding something?"
"Yes!? Ah, well... ahem. Yes. A bit of a mistake. Sorry."
"What mistake?"
"Ah, that... umm..."
I grinned at her fumbling awkwardly.
This seemed like prime teasing material.
"What? Your reaction's suspicious. You didn't think something weird, did you?"
"Yes!? N-no! Absolutely not!"
"What's this 'weird thought'? What did you imagine?"
"No... th-that... nothing... no..."
I cut her off and pulled her waist close.
"Eek...?"
"Doesn't seem like nothing. Hm? Tell me. What did you imagine?"
"......"
I stroked her side as she stubbornly kept her mouth shut, blushing.
"Were you jealous, by any chance?"
"Yes!? Ah, no...!"
She ducked her head, unable to finish, her words hitting home.
"Jealous... Hmm, weird. Nemes, didn't you say you have no feelings for me?"
"......"
"And you never react like this when I'm with other women, but with Ratipi you do..."
"......"
"Ah, I get it. Dark elves were discriminated against and oppressed after the World Tree's curse, right? Lingering resentment maybe?"
"Th-that's..."
I deepened my smile as she couldn't deny it and clamped her mouth shut.
"Ah, so you can't tolerate Ratipi doing something 'you haven't even tried'? You need to be strictly above her, huh?"
Whoosh. Nemes's face flushed bright red.
"It's not... like that..."
"Well, makes sense. I know elves have shitty personalities best. Can't even imagine the hardships."
I clicked my tongue softly and glanced at Ratipi.
"......"
She flinched, fidgeting her fingers while watching us.
"Nothing to say, Ratipi?"
"...I see. It's not something an apology can fix, but for atonement, I must act."
With a blank expression, she bowed deeply to Nemes.
"I'm sorry. Nazarus Nemes. Through misunderstanding, misconception, and incompetence, I sinned against you and the dark elves. I don't expect forgiveness. But... I promise. I'll atone to you from now on."
"......"
Nemes stared stiffly at the back of her head at the sudden apology.
"Ah, no. That's not it, Ratipi. Your apology isn't 'swinging' at all."
"...Pardon?"
I met her blank, upward gaze and smirked slyly.
"You say you'll atone with actions, but all you do is bow? That's not right. Right?"
"Th-then... what should I...?"
Sensing something ominous, she sweated and cautiously asked.
"Well, you gotta strip first, right?"
"...Pardon?"
A moment later.
Ratipi, having neatly folded all her clothes, knelt naked on the carriage floor, forehead pressed to the ground, face beet red.
Her flawless body curved gracefully, and as she bowed, her surprisingly ample breasts squished against the floor—a sight that seemed to add years to one's life just watching.
"I'm... sorry."
"Kuh~ That's more like it. Naked dogeza is the pinnacle of atonement. Right?"
"Uh, uhuh..."
Nemes looked extremely flustered, at a loss.
"Ah, Lord Alzen. I didn't ask for this much..."
"I did."
"Pardon?"
"Gotta see a beauty's naked body when the chance comes~ Right?"
"......"
I ignored Nemes's half-lidded glare and smacked Ratipi's firm butt.
"Ahng!?"
Though secluded, the lewd cry drew curious glances.
"Nice work. Hm? With kids around too..."
Weller sneered loudly at me, but I ignored her and enjoyed Ratipi's naked dogeza.
The carriage sped across the wasteland toward the barbarian tribes.
Toward the "Claw of Kubel" tribe, led by Starnassila Lindel—the traitor of the Starnassila Duke's Family.