Chapter 195: All You Have to Do Is Wait (1)
Chapter 195: All You Have to Do Is Wait (1)
Elione did not back down a single step.
This was despite her opponent being an Elven Knight tasked with enforcing the orders of the Council of Elders.
Faced with Elione’s stubbornness, her opponent also seemed troubled.
The elf named Yurahis let out a long sigh toward Elione and spoke.
“Step aside, Elione.”
“I cannot do that.”
“If you refuse to cooperate, I will have no choice but to use force.”
“Force, you say…?”
Elione’s expression turned cold.
A beauty is a beauty regardless of her expression, but the aura she radiated at this moment was deadly serious.
She reached for the knife strapped to her back and said, “Go ahead and try, if you think you can.”
“Elioneee!”
Yurahis roared.
Elione’s words and actions had crossed the line.
Even if they belonged to different factions, as a fellow Elven Knight, this was absolutely unacceptable.
Yurahis glared at Elione with stern eyes.
“Are you truly going to stand against your own kin for the sake of a human? You, an Elven Knight, dare to do this?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“What was that?”
“There are already enough competitors as it is. I need to score some points while I can. If I back down now, how will that look?”
“……”
“You don’t have to understand. It’s my own personal business. Ahem, now then… I think it went something like this?”
Elione shifted her weight, standing with one leg slightly bent in a slouching posture.
Then, with an awkward but as-arrogant-as-possible expression, she held out one hand.
She beckoned with her fingers and said…
“Come… at me.”
Sometimes, a single drop of ink can stain the entire world black.
Yurahis was momentarily speechless, staring blankly at Elione.
The Elione he knew, though from a different faction, was an exemplary woman who was a model for their race.
He had even secretly thought she would make a fine mate.
To think that Elione had ended up like this.
He’s dangerous. That human is far too dangerous.
Even without the Elder’s orders, that human was a threat.
Just as one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel, if that human were left alone, the entire elven race would be corrupted and rot away.
Reaching that conclusion, Yurahis hardened his heart and spoke.
“Fine. This is your choice, so do not regret it.”
“I won’t.”
“Everyone, detain Elione and seize the human behind her. Exile him from Evergreen immediately!”
As Yurahis gave the command and the Elven Knights prepared to move…
“Wait!”
Patrick stepped forward, bringing everyone to a halt.
His shout, infused with internal energy, rang out like thunder, momentarily causing everyone who heard it to flinch and shrink back.
Having stopped the combat, Patrick stepped to the front.
“Everyone, stop this fighting. If you all start fighting among yourselves because of me, how do you think I would feel?”
“Amused?”
“Refreshed?”
“Happy?”
His companions, watching from a distance, whispered among themselves.
Patrick shot them a quick glare before turning back to the elves, speaking in a solemn voice.
“Please, stop the fighting. I shall leave Evergreen.”
When Patrick said this, Yurahis looked surprised.
“You’ll comply willingly? Is that it?”
“When the host asks the guest to leave, it is only proper to do so.”
At Patrick’s words, his companions began whispering again.
“Proper? Did the word ‘proper’ just come out of that bastard’s mouth?”
“Maybe he meant ‘pathetic’ and just mispronounced it?”
“Logically, that is a very strong possibility.”
His companions looked at Patrick with expressions full of distrust.
However, Patrick remained composed as he stepped forward and continued.
“There is no need for you all to fight over one man like me. I do not wish for conflict within the elven race.”
“Hmm…”
Since he put it that way, Yurahis had no choice but to take a step back.
He had come leading the Elven Knights, prepared for an armed clash.
He hadn’t expected the man to come out so reasonably and politely.
Patrick smiled at Yurahis and said, “Then, I shall take my leave of Evergreen now.”
And indeed, Patrick stood up and began walking toward the exit.
Matthew, Isabella, and the others followed behind him. Elione tried to follow as well, but…
“Elione. You stay here.”
“But, Lord Patrick.”
“Thank you for the invitation. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”
Watching Patrick leave after those final words, Elione clenched her fists.
This wasn't right.
Patrick needed to treat the World Tree to preserve the future of their race.
And yet, because of these idiots whose heads were filled with nothing but prejudice in the name of tradition…
Grit.
Elione gritted her teeth and whipped around.
Her gaze was so savage that the Elven Knights she looked at flinched instinctively.
Elione spoke.
“You have made a grave mistake today. You have trampled upon the future of our race.”
“Stop this nonsense, Elione.”
“Nonsense?”
“We are merely executing the decision of the Council of Elders. Do you intend to defy the will of the race all by yourself? Since when did you become so foolish?”
At Yurahis’s stern scolding, Elione spoke as if he were pathetic.
“Aha… and who exactly is ‘by myself’ right now?”
“What?”
“Are you blind? Why don’t you take a look around?”
At Elione’s words, Yurahis looked around.
His eyes widened in shock.
Contempt, anger, disillusionment…
These were the emotions openly displayed on the faces of the young elves surrounding them.
“Wha… what is this…?”
The Elven Knights represented the martial might of the race and were idols and goals for the young elves.
They, who had always been the center of respect and envy, were now being met with blatant hostility from their own people.
Some were even trembling with rage as they glared at them.
Seeing them desperately resisting the urge to reach for their weapons, Yurahis felt a surge of indignation.
“How dare you look at us like—”
“Why? Are you going to use the authority of your precious Council of Elders to suppress your own kin too?”
“What?”
“Since when did the Elven Knights take on the role of oppressing our people? Wasn't our role to protect the race and safeguard our future?”
“……”
Yurahis fell silent at Elione’s words.
He had no logical rebuttal.
And thinking realistically, pushing further here would bring no benefit.
The elves opposing them here weren't just from the Reformist Faction; there were many from the Neutral Faction as well.
What would happen if he lost his temper and pushed them with force?
He would turn all of them into enemies.
Dealing with the aftermath of that was far beyond his capabilities.
In the end, Yurahis suppressed the anger rising in his throat and spoke.
“Let’s go.”
He turned and led his comrades away.
Regardless, he had achieved his goal.
For now, he just wanted to leave this unpleasant place as quickly as possible.
* * *
Crackle, crackle.
The sound of a campfire burning in the dark night.
Sizzle.
The sound of a plump duck being roasted to a golden brown over the fire.
And…
“Kaaaah… As expected, meat is the best snack, and strong liquor is the best drink. This is the true taste of camping.”
The sound of a madman drinking.
Holding a golden-brown roasted duck leg in one hand and a bottle of liquor over 70% ABV in the other, he looked quite familiar.
If he just had a large sword at his side and a tiger skin draped over his shoulders, he could easily pass for a ‘Green Forest Bandit Reincarnated in Another World.’
Naturally, this was Patrick Schneider.
“Elven wine is nice, but it’s too bland, that’s the problem. And the snacks are all just fruit.”
With grease and alcohol entering his stomach for the first time in a while, his body seemed to be saying, Yes, this is it. This is what I wanted.
Patrick’s face unreservedly showed that he was extremely happy right now.
Watching him, Riman spoke.
“Double Dragon. May I ask you one thing?”
“No. Getting asked questions while I’m drinking is the fifty-fourth thing I hate most.”
“Why do you hate so many things?”
“Because I want to.”
“……”
“Go away. Shoo, shoo!”
Patrick’s dismissive hand gestures were enough to make the back of Riman’s neck go stiff with frustration.
“Ugh…”
Riman scowled deeply and spoke to the others beside him.
“Matthew, are you okay with this?”
“With what?”
“Are you not at all curious why this man is doing this?”
Currently, the group was hiding on the outskirts of Evergreen, drinking and roasting meat.
This was an action only someone who had left their common sense behind would take.
The elves had clearly told them to leave.
And he had replied that he would leave.
Yet here he was.
Logically, is this something a sane person would do?
It was enough to drive one mad.
Seeing Riman’s emotions written all over his face, Matthew gave a warm smile and spoke.
“Riman Sierra, keep one thing in mind.”
“What?”
“There is no reason for a madman to do mad things.”
“……”
“It’s just the way of nature.”
“……”
“So let’s not worry about it and just enjoy the moment.”
As he said that, Matthew reached for the other leg of the duck Patrick had roasted…
Slap!
“It’s mine!”
“You stingy bastard.”
He tried to take it but failed.
Seeing that scene, Riman fell into despair.
He then spoke to Isabella, a princess of the kingdom and someone who seemed slightly less corrupted than Matthew.
“Princess, do you think this is okay? As royalty, shouldn't you say something when a noble of your own country is causing such trouble?”
Indeed. Was she not a princess of the realm?
And privately, she was Patrick’s fiancée.
In Riman’s common sense, it was only right for her to say something at a time like this. However…
“And if I do?”
“Pardon?”
Isabella replied nonchalantly.
“If I say something, will he change?”
“…Uh… well…”
True. Honestly, it didn't seem like it would work at all.
“Why do something that won’t work?”
“……”
The fact that he couldn't logically deny this was what saddened him most.
Drained of energy, Riman turned his head to look at April, who was pouring drinks for Patrick.
When their eyes met, April said…
“The Young Master is always right.”
“……”
Right. I didn't expect anything from you anyway.
Riman covered his face with both hands, desperately trying to maintain his composure.
Calm down. Calm down and think logically.
This was Evergreen.
It was one thing when they were invited guests, but now that an exile order had been issued, this was a truly dangerous area.
An arrow could fly out from anywhere at any time and pierce their heads.
They had to get away quickly.
They had to, but…
“Hey, give me some!”
“Catch your own!”
“I did catch this one!”
“Ah… anyway, I’m not giving it to you. If you’re annoyed, go catch another one. Oh… Senior!”
“You should give some to me.”
“Why? Why should I?”
“It’s an order from your princess.”
“Wow, how petty. This dirty class system. I’ll abolish it one day.”
Watching the three of them fight over a single roasted duck, Riman felt he finally understood what true despair was.
None of them are sane.
He knew Patrick Schneider wasn't sane, but seeing them now, the people traveling with him weren't normal either.
Well, I suppose that’s why they travel together.
Matthew and Isabella seemed to have half-given up, but behind that was a strong sense of, He must have a plan, so he’s doing this.
April went without saying.
To Riman Sierra, they were all just the same.
Why do I have to act with these madmen who have no sense of logic?
Riman desperately wanted to return to the Tower of Truth. No, joking aside, he really had to.
Even while he was despairing like this, if they were caught by an elven patrol…
Thwack!
It happened then.
An arrow whistled past Riman Sierra’s ear and thudded into the ground right in front of Patrick’s roasted duck.
“M-Mers!”
Riman Sierra quickly activated his flight-type Soul Weapon.
Wings appeared on his feet, and his body lifted slightly off the ground.
But at the same time, numerous elves appeared from all directions, aiming their bows.
They looked ready to fire the moment anyone made a suspicious move. And among them was a familiar face.
“What… what do you think you are doing here?”
Speaking through gritted teeth was Yurahis, the one who had issued the exile order to Patrick earlier.
To Yurahis, whose handsome face was thick with resentment, Patrick clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, I haven't finished drinking yet…”
“I asked what you are doing!”
“Just a second.”
Patrick raised the bottle in his hand and took a heroic swig toward the sky.
The strong liquor gulped down his throat smoothly. After emptying the bottle in one go, Patrick pulled it away from his lips and…
“Kaaaaah… All finished.”
“Is that what’s important right now? Is it?”
“Of course.”
Patrick answered Matthew’s scolding as if it were obvious, then looked back at Yurahis.
“Ahem, so… where were we?”
“Seize them!”
At Yurahis’s command, shouted as if he couldn't bear to hear another word, the elves charged all at once.
Then, Patrick jumped up and shouted.
“Get caught!”
“Oka— wait, what?”
“Huh?”
“Pardon?”
Matthew and Isabella looked dazed at Patrick’s instruction.
Even April looked at Patrick with a face that said, Did I hear that wrong?
However, Patrick shrugged and said, “He said to seize us. So we should let ourselves be caught, right?”
And indeed, Patrick walked toward the elves, held out both hands, and said, “Here. Take me away.”
“Uh… uh-huh… Ahem.”
“Aren't you going to catch me?”
“No, it’s just…”
The flustered elf awkwardly bound Patrick with a prepared rope.
“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve been bound by a capturing rope. Kaaa… brings back memories.”
And so, just one day after being exiled from Evergreen, Patrick was taken back into the elven village.
This time, as a prisoner.