Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Elf's Past Revealed
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Overwhelmed by Enoch's madness, the elf let out a sigh at her inability to call humans by their name and apologized. Afterward, Enoch examined the map and roughly sketched the route to the Elf Union in his mind.
'It’s not that far.'
Even traveling with this nameless elf, it didn’t seem like it would take more than a month. There was just one thing he needed to ponder a bit now.
'I could swing by home....'
Having come in a direction completely opposite from home since departing, a straight line to the Elf Union would pass right by it. Stopping by to see Lione’s face sounded nice, but...
'She’d be embarrassed, right?'
It hadn’t even been weeks since their tearful parting—it was today.
No, wait. The day was about to turn soon, so technically it was yesterday now. But that wasn’t much of a difference anyway.
'Pass for now.'
He did want to see embarrassed Lione, but it still felt a bit off. Otherwise, he might end up lingering in the area and dropping by home every other day.
“Um... is it really okay to just stay here like this? Things seem pretty chaotic right now.”
“Hm?”
At the elf’s voice, he looked in the direction she pointed. Torchlights blazed brightly between the dark alleys. Men who were clearly Adolph’s underlings were desperately searching for him.
“Now that I think about it, we haven’t introduced ourselves. What’s your name?”
“I-in this situation...?”
“I’m Enoch.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Enoch removed his mask.
'She’s an elf, so it should be fine, right?'
Based on his Insight’s conclusion, he added one more thing.
“Enoch Estor.”
“Estor...!?”
The elf’s mouth fell open. It wasn’t surprise at the family name. Sure, it was a great house, but elves weren’t as bound by human notions of family prestige.
Rather,
“You—you’re an elf!?”
The elf stared piercingly at Enoch’s unmasked face. He did look elven enough. The short, rounded ears could be managed with magic or artifacts, so it wasn’t entirely implausible. But that wasn’t the issue right now.
“To think an elf was going around saying such insane things...?”
“What?”
“What? What do you mean, what?”
The elf looked ready to lose her mind and jump in frustration. Of course, Enoch, oblivious to the problem, paid it no mind.
“So, you?”
“H-huh...?”
“Your name.”
“Yonia Clemford...”
“Clemford? You’re nobility?”
“Nobility? What are you talking about?”
Yonia gave Enoch a strange look. Then it dawned on her.
“You... that ring...”
“Oh, this?”
Enoch held up his hand. A single golden ring gleamed beautifully on his left ring finger. Somehow, it carried Lione’s warmth, bringing a smile to Enoch’s lips.
Seeing that, Yonia vaguely realized something. In her haste, she hadn’t noticed until now, but a strong elven scent emanated from the ring.
The Estor crest engraved on his sword made sense, and the faint wind scent from him was a high elf’s blessing. That ring was likely a gift from a high elf too.
“You... you’re not an elf after all, are you?”
This man named Enoch, probably human, was likely just an elf enthusiast. Elves, called the race of beauty, attracted plenty such admirers, so it wasn’t an unfounded guess. It was just unusual for a high elf to favor someone that much.
“Elves don’t divide into commoners or nobles like humans. We earn the title of high elf when we transcend race, but it’s merely a term of respect.”
“Oh?”
“My own family name, Clemford, is the same. Not just nobles have surnames among elves.”
It was news to Enoch. Lione hadn’t been fond of talking about her past, so he knew little about elven matters.
“I see.”
Enoch’s favorability toward Yonia rose! He figured he could learn more about elves through her.
- Found him! He’s over there!
- Get the boss now!
Enoch looked at Yonia.
“Want me to carry you, or ride the fox?”
“Fox?”
“Eri.”
At Enoch’s call, Eri poked her head out from his chest. Yonia’s eyes sparkled at the tiny fox kit.
“So cute!”
“Yeah?”
Perfect. Then she could ride Eri.
“Eri, give her a lift.”
[Okay, Daddy!]
With perky steps, Eri positioned herself in front of Yonia and did a flip in the air.
Whoosh— With the light motion,
Crackle—!
Sparks flew as Eri’s body grew larger. Plenty big to carry one elf, and her round, cute form turned sleek too.
[Hop on! But if you’re too heavy, it might hurt my back....]
“I-I’m not that heavy!?”
Blushing, Yonia mounted Eri’s back with graceful ease. Elves were nimble indeed.
[Whoa, Daddy! She’s lighter than Mommy!]
“Lighter than Lione? Hm...”
Maybe because her chest weighs less?
Enoch barely held back the quip. He had enough sense to know that wasn’t polite.
“Shall we go?”
Adolph’s presence was drawing closer. Getting caught would be a hassle, so best to retreat for now.
One thing he didn’t get, though,
“What’s with these guys’ grit?”
Toward the swarming humans who’d found his position, he tossed a gift.
“O lightning, chain forth, burn them.”
The lightning spell commonly called Chain Lightning. Violet bolts leaped from target to target, scorching people and lighting up the streets.
“Let’s go.”
Thud. Enoch kicked off a building, and Eri with Yonia followed. Yonia looked down at the streets with a pained expression.
“All those lives...”
“Don’t worry about it. Pitying enemies is foolish.”
They’d tried to sell her into slavery, no less. Enoch couldn’t comprehend it.
But Yonia thought differently.
“Still, they’re lives before they’re enemies. Those people have families and friends too.”
“You’re the same. No reason to care about their sob stories when you nearly got in deep trouble yourself.”
If she planned to slit their throats herself, maybe. Elves seemed gentle—soft, even—Enoch thought as he gathered lightning in his hand.
Brutal Slaughter - One Origin
The starlight in his hand tore through the barrier blocking their path in an instant.
Craaaack─────────!!
For the record, it had nothing to do with Adolph. It was the city’s own barrier.
The barrier enveloped the city in a dome along the walls, meant to block aerial attacks. Breaking it naturally triggered blaring alarms.
Like this.
Wheeeeeeen────────!!!
The city erupted in chaos in seconds.
Sounds of soldiers rushing out. Clanging metal armor. Ringing bells. Lights rising atop the walls and shouting soldiers.
Enoch glanced at Yonia staring blankly below, then slyly put his mask back on.
[Daddy! We’re gonna get in trouble for this, huh?]
“...No. I told you to just focus on escaping danger.”
[Oh!]
Eri’s eyes widened in realization—not from shock, but as lightning gathered in her open mouth. It mimicked a dragon’s breath technique.
Petit Breath
The fox’s little puff crossed the night sky.
Flash—!
Tearing through the lightning and charging was Adolph. Rushing in disarray, he poured all his power into his fist.
“Stop right there!”
As if anyone would. Enoch glanced back and extended his gloved hand.
Hummm─────
Complex circuits lit up over the glove. Spells he’d stored earlier.
The glove’s new function was simple: Memorize. It let him stock spells for later use.
But it wasn’t just store and release. A single glove held five spells, one per fingertip, and Enoch could tweak them slightly.
Kieeeeng──────!!
Tiny halos floated at each fingertip.
Seeing them, Adolph instinctively assumed a defensive stance. Getting hit directly wouldn’t just hurt—it’d be devastating.
“Good instincts.”
Enoch smirked, clenched his fingers, then flung them open. The dark night exploded into a purple light show.
Rumble────────!!!!
The bombardment cratered the plain before the walls. Adolph, blocking at full power, ground his teeth as he watched Enoch vanish into the distance.
“Damn it...”
Why was the bastard so fast? Adolph was sure his own realm was superior, yet he couldn’t keep up in speed.
Some authority from those stars etched on him? Clenching his fist, Adolph turned as a subordinate rushed up.
“Boss! Word from upstairs!”
“...What’d they say?”
“They’ll help track him. They’ll hold you accountable later, but priority is keeping it from the Sword Marquess’s ears...”
“Yeah, figured.”
Relief washed over Adolph at the expected reply. Accountability be damned—he had to survive first.
Tangling with a monster like the Sword Marquess? He’d rather fight a whole nation.
“Prepare. We move the second we have his position.”
“Yes!”
*
Fleeing at speeds surpassing sound, Enoch suddenly halted. The scenery was familiar. He’d habitually entered Lione’s forest.
“This is...”
Yonia’s eyes sparkled as she looked around. Elves like forests? He eyed her curiously, but got an unexpected response.
“Is this Lady Lione’s forest by any chance?”
“You know Lione?”
“Lady Lione! How rude—do you even know how much older she is than you?”
“A thousand years or so?”
“N-not quite that much...?”
Yonia scratched her head. Enoch pondered briefly before asking.
“Is Lione that famous among elves too?”
“Huh? Of course! No elf hasn’t heard of her!”
As expected.
An elf like Lione wouldn’t go unnoticed.
With her looks and personality. Talented, and skilled at so much. Word would spread on its own.
“The Iron-blooded Sword Marquess! Avenger of Blood! Sneering Sword Ghost!”
“...Huh?”
“Even the tale of her throwing a teacup at the Estor family head is legendary!”
“...Oh.”