Chapter 188: Why Are We…. (1)
Chapter 188: Why Are We…. (1)
Evergreen.
Located at the northern tip of the continent, this place is a sanctuary for elves and a forbidden zone for humanity.
In a sense, it is a place even more inaccessible to humans than the Great Forest.
People do not enter the Great Forest because it is dangerous; no one explicitly forbids them from stepping foot there.
But Evergreen is different.
This is territory that humanity officially ceded to the elves after a long conflict. The agreement that humans must not enter this land is a core part of the covenant between the two races.
The moment a human trespasses, regardless of their status, they have no right to complain even if they are struck down by elven arrows. In fact, there was once a prince of a certain kingdom who met his end after wandering into Evergreen without permission.
And yet, in such a place…
"Kaaaah… The scenery is great, the air is even better, and the booze tastes especially amazing today."
There was a lunatic trekking along, chugging straight from a liquor bottle.
It goes without saying, but it was Patrick.
Taking a long swig from the bottle, Patrick took a deep breath and remarked, "Kaaaah… I don't even need snacks. The air is delicious. Simply delicious."
Watching him, his companions looked at him as if questioning whether he was even human.
Patrick was the only one leisurely enjoying the beautiful nature of Evergreen. The others were on high alert, bodies tense as they scanned their surroundings for an attack that could fly in at any moment.
Patrick spoke to his comrades. "Relax, everyone. Didn't I tell you? We’re here on a formal invitation."
"You crazy bastard. Does being invited make you immune to arrows?"
"Logically speaking, if you were in my shoes, would you believe that?"
"Just die already!"
Patrick sighed at his companions' reactions. "Fine. It’s your loss, then."
Bright sunlight filtered through the dazzling verdant canopy, accompanied by a refreshing, fluttering breeze. This pristine nature, untouched by human hands, was a magnificent accompaniment to his drink in its own right.
Tsk. It’s so beautiful, yet they’re too frozen with fear to enjoy it.
Patrick smirked.
They were here on a formal invitation anyway. Why be so scared? It wasn't like arrows were suddenly going to start flying—
Clang!
"Oh… they’re flying."
Patrick stared blankly at the sparks that had just ignited right in front of his face.
An arrow had flown in silently, but April had stepped forward and swatted it away with her sword. Judging by the sound of the impact, the force behind the arrow was no joke.
"Wait, this is…"
As Patrick scratched his cheek in embarrassment, his companions descended into chaos.
"Dammit, I knew this would happen!"
"Residents of the forest! We are leaving now! Please, calm down!"
"Or just kill him and let the rest of us go!"
Amidst his panicked comrades, Patrick scratched his head and said, "Hey, hold on. This is all a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding?!"
"They haven't decided we're enemies yet, right? Maybe it was just a stray arrow—"
Clang! Cl-cl-clang!
As if on cue, a whole volley of arrows rained down. April managed to deflect them all, however.
Patrick watched with an awkward expression, then rubbed his nose. "This isn't how it was supposed to go…"
"What isn't? What?!"
"Your entire existence is what's wrong!"
"Die! Please, just die!"
Faced with his companions' fierce protests, Patrick cleared his throat and stepped forward. He shouted toward the direction the arrows had come from.
"I am Patrick Schneider, here by the invitation of an elf named Elione! People of the Elven race, please cease your attack!"
As he spoke, Patrick felt a sense of pride.
Wow, Master, look how much I’ve improved. Even with people shooting at me, I’m trying to resolve things through dialogue first.
Regardless of what others might say, this was a monumental leap forward from Patrick’s perspective.
Kaaaah… if Master saw this, he’d be moved to tears. Your disciple has finally become a decent human being, Master.
In reality, if the Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect saw him now, his reaction would likely be:
[Are you feeling sick?]
Regardless, for the notorious Patrick Schneider, he was showing an incredible amount of restraint. And then…
—What do you mean, you were invited by Elione? Human.
"Oh, Six Harmonies Battle Cry… or something similar? It’s close."
It was a technique that made the voice echo from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint the speaker's location. He didn't know how they did it, but it was very similar to the Six Harmonies Battle Cry used by martial artists.
At any rate, it seemed communication was possible.
"My name is Patrick Schneider. I have come to Evergreen to fulfill a promise I made to an elf named Elione back in Arcana."
Patrick could sense a stir among the elves. After what seemed like a brief discussion among themselves, they finally revealed themselves.
Dozens of elven warriors leaped gracefully down from the trees.
Ooh… look at those moves.
Patrick was genuinely impressed.
Despite dozens of elves landing at once, not even the sound of a single crushed leaf could be heard. Their movements were incredibly light.
When he had seen them before, they had all been masked, but perhaps because this was their own territory, none of them were covering their faces now. Every single one of them was a stunning beauty, a true feast for the eyes.
Then…
"You are Patrick Schneider?"
An elven warrior, so beautiful it was hard to believe he was a man, stepped forward. While the other warriors carried bows and arrows, he uniquely held a formidable-looking iron spear.
And…
Huh. Have I seen him somewhere before?
The features of this elven warrior felt strangely familiar to Patrick.
The elf spoke. "My name is Kyrios."
"Ah, hello."
"I am the younger brother of the Elione you mentioned."
"Ahhh… so that’s why."
The mystery was solved. He thought they looked alike, and now he knew why.
"Nice to meet—"
Just as Patrick was about to step forward to greet him…
Whoosh!
"Is it you?"
The spear was thrust forward sharply, pointing directly at Patrick.
Kyrios radiated blatant killing intent as he glared at the now-halted Patrick.
"Are you the one who dared to steal my sister's purity?"
"…Excuse me?"
What did this brat just say?
Patrick was genuinely bewildered.
Who stole what?
This was easily one of the top ten most baffling situations he had encountered across both his past and present lives.
"Wait… hold on a second."
Calm down. Stay calm.
Patrick composed himself and began to try and persuade the other party reasonably.
"There must be some kind of misunderstanding here. We are all civilized beings, so let’s resolve this through calm dialogue."
"There is no need for that."
"Huh?"
"Everything will be resolved once you are dead."
"…Huh?"
"Die!"
Simultaneously, the elf’s spear lunged toward Patrick like a bolt of lightning.
It was a strike of clean precision and blistering speed.
However, against Patrick Schneider, it wasn't nearly enough. Patrick lightly dodged the spear and increased the distance between them.
"Hey, hey… wait, let’s talk."
"I have nothing to say to you."
"This is definitely a misunderstanding."
"There is no misunderstanding."
"Nothing happened between your sister and me—"
"Do not speak of my sister with that filthy mouth!"
A barrage of thrusts followed at terrifying speed. Patrick sighed as he watched the assault.
This is driving me crazy.
Dodging the attacks, Patrick shouted to his companions.
"Hey! Someone stop him!"
He expected his comrades to understand his grievance and restrain this unreasonable elf.
But instead…
"Haah… that lunatic."
"To think he caused that kind of trouble."
"……."
Matthew sighed in despair. Riman looked at Patrick with a gaze full of pathetic pity. And his fiancée, Isabella, looked at him as if she were staring at a disgusting insect.
Patrick realized then.
Wow… I have no one on my side. Not a single soul.
Even April had turned her head away, muttering something to herself that didn't sound particularly favorable.
Meanwhile, the elven warrior Kyrios continued to thrust his spear, shouting, "Stop dodging and fight! You hateful Patrick Schneider!"
"No, really, what did I even do?!"
"Did you not forcibly take my sister's purity?!"
"I did no such thing!"
"Lying until the very end!"
"Wow… I’m seriously going to lose it."
Patrick looked like he was about to die of frustration, but Kyrios was even more frustrated. Not a single one of his strikes had even grazed Patrick’s clothes.
Kyrios’s eyes sparked with fury. "Indeed, your skills are as formidable as my sister described."
"I don't know what she told you, but it’s all a misunderstanding."
"I will be the judge of that."
He readjusted his stance. "I shall show you my full power!"
"Listen, I don't say this often, but can we stop the violence and just talk?"
"Dieeeee!"
"Ugh, this brat really doesn't listen."
Patrick grumbled as he continued to dodge.
His true instinct was to just beat the kid senseless. However…
No, I can't.
He had to endure.
Patrick cared deeply about this meeting with the elves. The strength of the elven race, the people of the forest, was essential for the pioneering of the Great Forest. To gain their cooperation and build a good relationship, he had to minimize violence as much as possible.
I can clear up the misunderstanding later.
Hadn't his Master always said it? Hadn't he been told countless times that a person should make a habit of solving problems through dialogue rather than the blade? So…
Wait?
Sh-sh-shing!
It happened then.
A vivid blue aura flared from the tip of the extended spear, stretching outward. Because of this, the reach of the attack suddenly increased just when Patrick thought he had dodged with room to spare.
It was a surprise attack that caught him off guard in a completely unexpected situation.
Patrick hurriedly drew his sword to block the strike.
Boom!
It was a decisive move, but Patrick managed to parry it.
"Tch."
Kyrios leaped backward and landed. "To think you blocked that."
While he clicked his tongue in disappointment, the onlookers were the ones truly shocked.
"Aura?"
"An elf using Aura?"
"Hooo, I’ve never seen anything like this."
Matthew and Isabella were stunned, and even Riman pushed up his glasses, watching the scene with interest.
According to common knowledge, elves did not use Aura. They were a race that utilized Spirit Power, a force unique to them.
Yet, the power Kyrios had just used was unmistakably Aura. He had clearly trained in it, accumulating power in an Aura Hall and drawing it out.
"It looks to be around 5-Star."
"Interesting. Even among the elves, who are slow to change, are there those seeking reform?"
"Patrick looks a bit surprised too… wait?"
It was then.
Matthew noticed something startling.
"Wait? Senior, he’s…"
"He’s bleeding?"
A tiny scratch had appeared on Patrick’s forehead.
Seeing the small red droplets of blood slowly seeping out, Kyrios wore a triumphant smirk.
"Heh. Serves you right."
"……."
"That is the price for daring to touch my sister."
"……."
Patrick didn't answer.
He simply raised a hand to his forehead, confirmed the blood on his fingertips, and stared blankly at the sky for a moment. Then he looked at the blood on his palm, then back at the sky, repeating the motion.
Kyrios spoke to the silent Patrick. "It is too late for regrets. For the sin of touching my sister, I shall make you atone with your death."
"…I did. I… really tried."
"What are you babbling about?"
"Master, did you see? I really tried to hold back this time. I kept asking for a dialogue."
"What are you—"
"But you know, I guess there really are people in this world who just won't listen. You understand, right, Master? Oh, you don't? Well, just deal with it."
"Have you gone mad?"
"It’s okay from here on out, right? …Ah, whatever. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve caused trouble."
"You truly are insane."
Kyrios sighed in disbelief and turned his gaze toward Patrick’s companions. "You humans… huh? Where are they going?"
But all Kyrios saw were the backs of Patrick’s companions as they sprinted away at full speed.
"Run! Run! Run!"
The usually cynical Isabella was leading the pack, screaming like someone possessed.
"Wait, logically, you should tell me why we’re running!"
"Shut up and run if you want to live, you four-eyes!"
Riman asked for a reason, but all he got was a fierce scolding from Matthew. And…
"We must leave this place immediately."
Even April was in absolute agreement that they needed to get away right now.
Kyrios stared blankly at the four figures running for their lives and was about to order his subordinates to pursue them. However…
Rumbleeeee….
He couldn't.
A terrifying surge of killing intent and fighting spirit had begun to emanate from Patrick’s body.
"Uh… uhhh…"
Kyrios stumbled backward.
What was this? Was this what it felt like to stand before a volcano on the verge of eruption? A violent red alert was blaring incessantly in his mind.
Patrick’s shoulders began to shake as an ominous laughter leaked out.
"Heh… hehehehe…"
"W-wait, human."
Faltering, Kyrios raised a palm toward Patrick, attempting to mediate the situation. "Let’s just calm down. Calm down and talk—"
"Taaaaaaaalk?"
With his neck tilted at a ninety-degree angle and a crazed look in his eyes, Patrick locked onto Kyrios.
Kyrios flinched under that gaze and instinctively took another step back.
Then Patrick—or rather, the terrifying entity that used to be called Patrick—pointed a finger at Kyrios like a demon crawled out of hell.
"You."
"……."
"You're dead."