Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Elf (1)
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The Grand Temple of Roselia was abuzz from early morning.
It was all because everyone was busy preparing to welcome the delegation from the Elven Kingdom.
"Everyone's so busy."
Everyone except for us, who were in charge of internal security.
Lyrine, who was standing guard alongside him in the passageway leading to the gate, nodded coolly at Heinrich's casual remark.
"It was decided so suddenly. Compared to the scale of this exchange—even involving a High Elf—the time from decision to execution was incredibly short. They couldn't help but be underprepared."
Just as she said, it had been only a few days since the cooperation with the Elven Kingdom was decided, and everything had proceeded at breakneck speed.
This wasn't something one side could rush alone.
It required mutual agreement and maximum haste from both parties.
'Even if the Church side deems tracking the Immortal King's successor urgent, what pressing matter does the Elven Kingdom have?'
In truth, the Church only needed to prepare to receive the delegation, but it was they who had to cross the sea.
Traveling across the continent was no easy feat.
Yet they were hurrying like this, which meant there was some highly urgent business...
'Whatever their goal, it's pointless for me to speculate here.'
Thanks to getting the information first, he'd bought time to reinforce the barriers. For now, that was enough.
"Still, it feels a bit guilty that we're so leisurely while everyone else is rushing around."
"Can't be helped. It's our job."
Unlike the outer knight orders, who were busy strengthening patrols to guard against any potential unrest amid the guest preparations, the Glory Guardians in charge of internal security were simply carrying on with their usual duties—no special measures needed.
'The Inquisition handles infiltration route checks for the inner temple anyway.'
Of course, there were more things requiring extra attention than usual, but even accounting for all that, they weren't anywhere near as swamped as the others.
"Think of it as our real duties starting once the delegation arrives. It'll be nonstop then, so don't be too disappointed."
"Ah, no... It's not that I'm disappointed..."
As they chatted, a group led by the Saintess approached from down the passageway.
"Looks like it's about time. From here on, we can't afford even the slightest mistake. Stay sharp."
"Yes, sir."
They straightened up, facing forward.
"Hello! Knight Lyrine, Knight Heinrich. Are you two guarding this area today?"
The Saintess greeted them brightly, trailed by her entourage.
"Yes, Saintess. You're heading to welcome the Elven Kingdom delegation, I presume?"
"That's right! Word came from the eastern temple. They'll be here after passing through just two more gates."
Of course, everyone here was used to the Saintess's ways by now—her behavior was nothing new.
Lyrine naturally returned the greeting and chatted briefly before stepping aside and gesturing toward the gate.
"Then they must be almost here. Hadn't you better hurry in?"
"Oh! You're right. They've probably already passed the first one by now!"
The Saintess nodded and started toward the gate, then paused and turned to Heinrich.
She stared at him, lost in thought.
"......"
"......?"
The sudden silence drew puzzled glances. Heinrich could only manage an awkward smile in the awkward spotlight.
'What's going on? Did I forget to greet her?'
He'd bowed along with Lyrine. Did she miss it?
As he debated greeting her again...
"Knight Heinrich should come along too."
The Saintess dropped the bombshell.
"Ah! To welcome the Elven Kingdom delegation. No need for two people guarding here, right?"
Her hasty addition left the others looking baffled.
She had a point—there was no need for two guards here right now.
Especially with the impressive lineup following her inside.
Not to mention the Saintess herself, but...
Archbishop Ratius, who had led the Immortal King subjugation force, along with high priests, and elite Holy Knights including two Paladins.
With them heading to the gate personally, one or two regular Holy Knights made little difference.
"Is there a particular reason you're taking him along?"
But that was that, and this was this.
They weren't stationed here for nothing.
Letting guards move based on personal judgment now could create holes in security and undermine the system later.
The young Saintess needed to learn that lesson clearly.
The Saintess fidgeted unusually at Archbishop Ratius's serious question, sensing she'd erred.
"I... I wanted Knight Heinrich to gain more experience ahead of time."
"Knight Heinrich Landgard is indeed a promising talent, but the support he's already receiving from the Church is no small matter. No need to go this far..."
Even if Heinrich's unparalleled growth proved his worth, excessive favoritism could breed resentment.
The devout Church of the Main God would accept it if tied to strong divine power.
In fact, much of his frictionless acceptance as a newcomer stemmed from that.
But human hearts don't always bend to reason.
Some might feel inferior or develop hang-ups.
"It's... I can't explain it well, but... he just worries me. I feel drawn to him, want to look out for him..."
The Saintess stammered defensively.
Gazes shuttled between her and Heinrich.
"Hmm... If that's the case..."
The Archbishop pondered, then nodded slowly.
"No helping it, then. Proceed as you wish."
To their eyes, there was zero hint of impropriety.
Archbishop Ratius and the group nodded solemnly.
"Looks like you'll have to hold down the fort alone for a bit. All right with that, Knight Lyrine Setri?"
"Yes! No problem. Leave it to me."
It was the word of the Saintess, closest to the Main God.
Meaning she was most susceptible to His unconscious will.
"Oho~ I heard he received a blessing at his Holy Knight ordination—clearly someone the Main God favors. Makes me jealous. Hey, any interest in cracking heretical skulls?"
A fierce-looking man with short black hair grinned at Heinrich. One of the two Paladins, commander of the Black Crescent Holy Knight Order, dedicated to hunting black mages and devil worshippers.
"Knight Heinrich doesn't seem interested in the Holy Knight Orders. But if you change your mind, don't forget Silver Wing comes first."
Even Paladin Tuskin chimed in from the side.
Sudden attention from these heavyweights left him flustered.
Their favor wasn't unpleasant, but...
'So the Saintess's unusual friendliness toward me stems from the Main God's influence?'
The Main God was indeed intrigued by him.
Enough to grant a blessing.
Her personality—drawing her to those strong in divine power—likely combined with that.
Either way, it wasn't bad for him.
Especially the immediate benefits.
"Hmm... We'll be late if we dawdle. Best hurry now."
The group, now including Heinrich, rushed to the gate room.
Fortunately, no disaster of the delegation arriving first.
"The gate will activate shortly."
Less than a minute after arriving, the high priest managing the room announced.
"Phew~ Almost late! But we made it just in time! Ahaha..."
The Saintess laughed cautiously, glancing around, her face flushed with embarrassment at her own fault.
Wooong—
A blue vortex swirled at the gate's center, vibrating.
Moments later.
Figures emerged one by one.
Nearly twenty formed ranks immediately upon exiting.
...Elves, seen for the first time in his life.
Led by their frontman, they approached our waiting group.
"Welcome, delegation from the Elven Kingdom. We greet you at the Grand Temple of Roselia. I am Riesta Saint Hatianus, Saintess of the Church of the Main God."
As they drew near, the Saintess stepped forward with a gentle smile and words of welcome.
Her demeanor was serious and dignified, fitting the formal occasion.
"Thank you for your warm reception. I am Rapori Granwood, High Elf of the Elven Kingdom."
The sky-blue-haired beauty placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
His delegation mirrored him.
Thus, the Elven delegation set foot in the Grand Temple of Roselia.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A meeting was swiftly arranged at the elves' urgent request.
The Church graciously accepted their plea to receive aid first due to their circumstances.
Thanks to the Saintess's consideration, Heinrich attended the talks with the elves.
Standing behind her and Archbishop Ratius, alongside the two Paladins.
From the Elven Kingdom side, besides High Elf Rapori, two others—a man and a woman.
Those three were likely the delegation's leadership.
'But this is really something.'
Heinrich snuck glances at them from behind the Saintess.
His main focus: High Elf Rapori Granwood, with soft sky-blue hair reaching his shoulders.
Snow-white skin, slender build, pointed ears—all as imagined.
The green tree-like pattern on his forehead was unique but not shocking.
What truly captivated were his star-like shining eyes.
...Not a metaphor—literally twinkling like stars.
'Whoa, star-shaped pupils. And gold.'
Deep blue irises with golden star pupils sparkled like a morning star in the dawn sky.
'Other elves have normal eyes, so not a racial trait. High Elf symbol? Rude to ask?'
As he peeked and pondered...
"My eyes seem to intrigue you."
Rapori's sudden words made him flinch.
It could be seen as rude.
But he wasn't addressing Heinrich.
"Ahem... My apologies if it bothered you. Your eyes are stunning—like stars in the sky. I couldn't help staring."
The Saintess cleared her throat and apologized calmly.
...She'd been entranced by them too.
"No offense taken. It's relevant anyway. These eyes are the mark of a High Elf."
'Knew it!'
His curiosity sated, Heinrich listened intently.
"I was once an ordinary elf. Chosen by the World Tree, I awakened and became known as a High Elf."
High Elves were a kind of priest.
Bridges between elves and their object of faith, the World Tree.
"High Elves are precious to us. Few have the aptitude. Maybe two or three per generation."
Of course, an elf generation differed greatly from humans' long lifespans.
And not all with aptitude became High Elves.
"Elves born with aptitude grow and meet certain conditions, then get chosen by the World Tree, gaining the qualifications."
Guided by the World Tree, they reach it, eat its fruit, and awaken as High Elves.
"Fewer than ten High Elves remain now. Mostly elders, so we're desperate for new ones."
Seemed even fewer than ten.
Even trusting the Church, they wouldn't reveal everything.
"Recently, we received an oracle from the World Tree. A child qualified to become a High Elf was born on this continent, Ion."
Most non-humans migrated to Enamel Continent long ago, but some remained on Ion.
Apparently, one descendant qualified.
But couldn't reach the World Tree on their own.
"...Sold to black mages as a sacrifice via slave hunters. Not long in their hands, but delays increase danger. We need swift search."
Oracles had limits.
Hence, needing the Church's continent-spanning intel network.
"We need every detail. Likely locations, precise appearance, surroundings—more accurate, the better."
Archbishop Ratius, seated beside the Saintess, spoke quietly.
"...Tracked to northern mountains via slave hunters. After black mages, lost them."
"Northern mountains are vast—practically all of Ion's north. No other info?"
"Hasn't awakened, so ordinary elf look. Human mid-teens, light green hair, orange eyes."
'Huh?'
"We'll mobilize the Church network fully. Ah, what's the child's name?"
"Cecily. Please, hurry. Anything could happen. We'll help however we can..."
'Wait... this...'
Their discussion continued, but it hardly mattered now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hahaha! This is awkward!"
Harley boomed with laughter, scratching his head—or rather, the black panther pelt.
"So, little miss. What's your name?"
He smiled as innocently as possible, asking gently.
Though blood-splattered, it only looked ferocious.
"Ce... Cecily... Cecily."
The elf girl with light green hair and orange eyes.
Looks like Harley found her first.