Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Elves' City (3)
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'What the hell is with this human...?'
Ratsil naturally conversed with the princess's escort knight.
She even exchanged casual pleasantries about the princess's well-being with this notoriously rigid knight!
Ratsil felt a deep curiosity about the identity of the human standing before her.
She had known he was no ordinary man when Caroer, guardian of the World Tree, ordered her to bring him—but she never imagined it would be to this extent.
'No way... Did Caroer summon this human not for some specific errand, but out of personal friendship!?'
At that moment.
The first emotion Ratsil felt was 'relief.'
'I knew it! That's why Burnedal took to him so well!'
Her divine beast had shown a positive reaction to this human upon their first meeting—one comparable to the one it had toward her.
That memory still lingered as a shock, but highlighting the human's extraordinary nature softened the blow.
He wasn't just any human.
Then?
A human acknowledged by the elders and the princess.
That was enough for her.
With Rishir and her(?) ingenuity, they could escape even the direst crisis.
Ratsil spoke to the two men in an exuberantly excited tone.
"Rishir! What's this!? You should've said you knew Sir Gondola from the start!"
Ratsil excitedly grabbed Rishir's shoulders and shook them.
This human—
No, this elf... was he really an elf?
Rishir felt his energy draining amid the cheerful atmosphere that directly challenged elven prejudices as he replied.
"Well—I didn't think our connection was something to boast about. But thankfully, Sir Gondola has welcomed me warmly."
Ratsil nodded vigorously at Rishir's words.
As far as she knew, Escort Knight Gondola was as inflexible as his rock-like appearance suggested.
For such a Gondola to discover a human sneaking into Ilratdein and not immediately seize him, but instead defend and vouch for him!
"Just to be sure, you didn't use any mental interference on Sir Gondola, right...!? If so... I think I'll just let you go. If it got out that you used mental interference on the princess's escort knight, you'd be banished from the city at minimum...!"
"..."
As Rishir's energy fully drained, it now seemed Gondola's was next.
Gondola listened to Ratsil's torrent of words, then closed his eyes tightly.
"Guardian Ratsil. Do you think I, Rapita's spear, cannot guard my own mind?"
A moment later.
He fixed his stone-like gaze on Ratsil.
Ratsil startled and repeatedly tapped Rishir's forearm.
Look at this!
Look!
This is that Gondola, right!?
As if saying exactly that.
Rishir and Gondola looked at each other.
They had only exchanged a few words, yet both wore faces exhausted as if they had fought a fierce battle.
"Sir Gondola!"
At that moment.
His subordinates, having finished their random inspections, approached and reported the situation.
Rishir bowed his head again and listened to their conversation.
"No suspicious individuals detected!"
"We've confirmed with the checkpoint officer on duty—no one suspicious or acting oddly during the time in question!"
"Understood. Then we'll wrap up the main gate inspection here and move to the next area. Dendrona. I'm leaving the rest to you."
The knight Gondola named widened her eyes.
"You'll be acting alone from here?"
"Yes. But it seems I'll be handling a separate mission from the investigation."
"A separate matter..."
The knight eyed him curiously but held her tongue.
"Understood."
She bowed to Gondola, then led her subordinates away.
The checkpoint resumed inspections, and the area buzzed with activity again.
"As expected of Sir Gondola! Your comrades place their full trust in you!"
With the situation resolved smoothly, Ratsil spoke in an especially lively tone laced with relief.
"Don't make a fuss. I merely showed proper respect to a superior."
Gondola dismissed the flattery with firm disdain.
"Truth be told, I felt the same impression."
"...Is that so?"
But he scratched the back of his head sheepishly at Rishir's follow-up.
'Isn't the reaction totally different from with me?'
The beautiful elf Ratsil pouted in injustice.
"Anyway, Sir Gondola. It seems we've unnecessarily hindered you. I hope it doesn't interfere with that separate mission you mentioned."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hm?"
"The mission I'll be undertaking from here is escorting you, isn't it?"
"Oh, is that how it is?"
"Of course. You came to Ilratdein in response to the princess's summons, didn't you?"
"No?"
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
"Hm?"
"Pardon?"
The two stared blankly at each other, exchanging interjections several times.
Then.
Why are you here?
No.
How did you even get here in the first place?
Gondola stared at his counterpart with that expression for a while.
At the human who had come to the elves' city.
Afterward.
Rishir's group entered Ilratdein with Gondola.
'So this is the elves' city...'
It resembled a city carved from a massive tree.
At a glance, it looked like any ordinary city, but nature's hues permeated every corner naturally.
And so.
Rishir walked Ilratdein's streets with Gondola, explaining the full story.
"Good grief. How on earth are you connected to Princess Caroer?"
Gondola shook his head in exasperation.
"Right!? For Princess Caroer to show interest in a human... How should I put it!? It's not too arrogant to say she takes an interest!? Anyway, for Princess Caroer to take an interest in a human! Rishir! You have no idea how incredible that is!"
As Ratsil fussed dramatically, Gondola nodded along.
"Indeed. A man of your caliber would draw her attention, human or not."
"Really!?"
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Ratsil whipped her head back and forth between Rishir and Gondola.
"W-What!? What part of this guy makes noble high elves lose their minds!? Can't I know too!?"
"You'll learn naturally without being told."
"W-What!? This glowing praise...? Rishir, you're that amazing!? No, I knew it! I knew you were extraordinary! But to this degree!?"
Ratsil clung to Rishir's arm in her overwhelming excitement.
His body shook wildly from her vigorous movements.
Rishir and Gondola continued their conversation, struggling to keep up with such an energetic Ratsil.
"Still, I'm curious. Leaving aside how you impressed Princess Caroer, how did you even make contact? In these chaotic times, she wouldn't leave Ilratdein."
"Nice weather."
"Suddenly?"
Rishir smoothly changed the subject.
He couldn't very well say, 'My master made the high elf come out at night in the forest and half-threatened her.'
He deftly shifted topics.
"By the way, these chaotic times—did I come at an inopportune moment?"
"Yes."
"Your immediate answer confirms it. As an outsider, is it problematic for me to pry?"
"Normally, yes. But you're an exception."
"Ah! Then let me explain!"
Rishir felt a mild dizziness at Ratsil launching into a tale of ancient World Trees and distant history.
Gondola seemed to feel the same, interjecting urgently.
"Too verbose. Summarize."
"Huh!? How do you summarize such a complex story!?"
"Tensions persist among the royals over succession."
"Wow!"
To condense it like that!?
Ratsil showed both admiration and disappointment.
Separately, Rishir felt deep satisfaction at Gondola's three-line summary, a hallmark of advanced culture.
"Was the recent disturbance related?"
Gondola nodded.
"Traces of an outsider attempting to infiltrate the Turquoise Pavilion were found. That's what prompted the measures."
Turquoise Pavilion.
The residence of the royal family, descendants of the World Tree.
Gondola added that while royals usually resided in their own estates, they were now gathered there due to succession issues.
"Then... if my presence is discovered, won't it trouble not just me, but everyone connected to me?"
A human sneaking into the elves' city.
Rishir voiced a reasonable concern, aware of his unique position.
Gondola shook his head.
"No need to worry. Your identity is guaranteed by me and the princess."
"Me too!"
"Sir Gondola and Lady Rapita... no, the princess guaranteeing my identity. Is that truly fine?"
"Me!?"
"I know what you mean. You're conscious of being human."
"Yes."
"On that note, you're not the only human in Ilratdein right now."
"Really?"
"I-It's true!?"
Screech.
Rishir's head naturally turned toward Ratsil.
What was with this woman?
Was she the same type as his master?
The kind you couldn't trust?
Ratsil looked wronged.
"N-No...! Rishir! You can't do this! Losing faith in me here—how unjust that would be...!"
Unexpectedly, Gondola came to her aid.
"She's correct. Only a few in the Turquoise Pavilion know about this."
"Is it alright to tell me?"
"For you, yes."
"But Ratsil heard it too?"
"Oops. That was careless of me."
"I'm an elf!?"
"Anyway. To continue, various outsiders are gathering at the Turquoise Pavilion now. That's why humans are in Ilratdein."
"Related to the succession issue you mentioned?"
"Something like that."
"..."
Rishir finally understood and nodded.
He grasped the meaning of the 'princess's summons' Gondola had mentioned at the gate.
'The royals are mobilizing as much manpower as possible for the succession. It's complicated, but not on the verge of armed conflict. If it were, they wouldn't gather openly with outsiders.'
As Rishir organized his thoughts, Gondola halted ahead.
"Well then—Rishir. What's your schedule in Ilratdein?"
Rishir looked to Ratsil, who answered.
"Princess Caroer said she'd summon you once preparations are complete. Until then, wait at the residence she prepared."
Ah!
Ratsil suddenly remembered something and told Rishir.
"No worries! Even if it drags, it won't exceed a week, per Princess Caroer. The residence is her mansion—you'll live like Ilratdein's nobility! And the most important part."
Ratsil proudly pointed to herself.
"I'll be taking care of you during that time! I'm ready to ease all your boredom and discomfort! Reliable, right!?"
"Sure, really."
Rishir immediately affirmed, recalling he hadn't had a dull moment since pairing with her.
"Then I needn't worry unnecessarily."
Gondola nodded his thick jaw.
"Shall we part ways?"
"Yes! Oh! Sir Gondola, almost forgot. Thanks for the help! Without you, we'd have faced an unpleasant situation at the checkpoint!"
-Though it happened because we met you.
Ratsil whispered in Rishir's ear, forming a wall with her palm between her and Gondola.
Rishir, admiring her anti-boredom efforts even now, said to Gondola.
"Sir Gondola?"
"Hm?"
"Would it be presumptuous to ask to greet the princess?"
"..."
Gondola's face showed surprise as he grasped the implication.
Rishir had just learned of Ilratdein's complex politics.
Contacting the princess now would impose needless risk—he knew that.
As Gondola eyed him questioningly, Rishir smiled wryly.
"We're connected, after all. Having come this far, shouldn't I pay a visit?"
"We're connected?"
"We're sort of family, linked by Perrin, aren't we?"
In other words.
He was saying he wished to help out of connection to Perrin.
"Heh."
Recalling how that connection formed, Gondola chuckled.
"Are you sure?"
Gondola asked, mixing concern and anticipation for the princess.
"I have nothing else to do while staying in Ilratdein anyway."
Rishir's nonchalant smile.
A similar one appeared on Gondola's face.
-Do you always seduce people so recklessly?
"?"
Ratsil whispered in Rishir's ear with an exasperated look.
"A prophecy?"
On the way to the Turquoise Pavilion with Gondola.
Rishir heard more details about the princess's situation.
"Yes. A prophecy that soon, one chosen by the World Tree will emerge from the Turquoise Pavilion."
"And?"
"That's it."
"Pardon?"
"Your reaction mirrors ours. The timing and method are vague and undecided. The best we can do is gather at the Turquoise Pavilion, prepare as much as possible—collect people, stockpile supplies, rack up achievements..."
"Hm..."
Rishir felt 'relieved' hearing Gondola's account.
Such succession issues usually brought bloodshed.
But in this uncertain state, no one could resort to extremes like eliminating rivals.
'Doing one's utmost to become the prophecy's protagonist... Healthy, I suppose.'
Rishir had to acknowledge the elves' dignity here.
Humans would have purged rivals and declared, 'With everyone else gone, my survival is victory.'
"Here we are."
Soon, Rishir's group arrived at the Turquoise Pavilion.
'Not actually all turquoise and sparkling.'
It resembled an ordinary mansion.
Just grander and more ornate, befitting elven royals.
They headed to the main building, said to house the royals.
-Wow~ Thanks to you, I've finally visited the Turquoise Pavilion~
Ratsil, stuck close to Rishir, kept tapping his arm.
She explained to him every notable figure they passed in the corridor.
-Oh! That's—
Then.
Ratsil gasped in surprise as Gondola halted ahead.
A girl approached from the opposite direction, attended by many.
He had seen her kind before.
'Another royal?'
Rishir instantly recognized her as a high elf.
Gondola bowed to her.
"Prince Rasnian."
'Right, right. See? I knew at a glance it was roya—huh?'
Rishir doubted his ears briefly.
'What did he say?'
Not princess?
"Gondola."
At that moment.
The elegant voice responded, then shifted gaze to those beside Gondola.
"New faces... Rapita's new friends?"
"..."
As Gondola held his tongue, he smiled mischievously, muttering not-quite-to-himself.
"Rapita must be getting desperate."
"...!"
"Anyway. You were probably heading to see Rapita? Perfect timing."
Prince Rasnian.
He beckoned them with a smiling eye-crinkling gesture.
"Your Highness. What is—"
Rishir's group arrived at the destination following Prince Rasnian.
Gondola voiced his doubt.
Numerous altars prepared in the Turquoise Pavilion for spirit communion—
They reached one, but Rapita was nowhere to be seen.
Then.
The prince smiled 'Oh ho?' at Gondola's gaze.
"Gondola. You don't think I dragged you here to toy with you, do you?"
"..."
"How hurtful. Look."
Gondola pointed to the altar.
A uniquely shaped candle there still emanated faint warmth, as if recently extinguished.
"I saw it clearly. Rapita heading to the altar to 'do that.'"
'That?'
Rishir grew curious.
The moment it was mentioned, Gondola's face clouded with worry.
"Hm?"
Then.
Sensing the gaze, Rishir looked at the prince.
The high elf, exuding elegance surpassing any noble girl, eyed Rishir oddly.
"You know the elves staying here are desperate to attract the World Tree's attention, right?"
"Pardon?"
The prince suddenly began speaking.
Rishir nodded in confusion.
The prince stroked the altar and continued.
"One spirit of great importance to us elves has lost its contractor. Everyone's frantic to gain its favor. Rapita, its former contractor, especially so."
Rishir realized the prince was laying groundwork for a boast.
"Wait, Your Highness!?"
Gondola urgently called out.
The prince was preparing a ritual at the altar with attendants.
"Sylph is Princess Rapita's—"
"Gondola. Why bring up old tales now? What use is it?"
They didn't know the criteria for the World Tree's chosen from the prophecy.
So they accumulated achievements as best they could.
Like winning over a great spirit without a contractor.
"Since you're here, watch what I do."
Whoooosh—
Wind swirled through the area.
"This is..."
Gondola muttered in alarm.
All elves present felt it.
The great spirit had manifested here.
The prince immediately addressed it.
And it responded promptly.
"...!"
Shock and a radiant smile lit the prince's face.
"You remember me?"
"..."
Gondola's face showed immense shock.
Had this spirit shown interest in any elf since turning to Rapita?
'This won't do...!'
As the escort knight fretted over the crisis for his princess, the spirit spoke.
The prince's face twisted.
Did it mix up my name, Rasnian?