An Elven Gift and an Uninvited Companion
At first glance it looked like a worn, unassuming trinket, but any Spirit Master would sense the familiar power dwelling within it.
It gave me a strange, comforting feeling, as if breathing suddenly came easier.
“Thank you. Daria, it’s been a really long time since I received a gift I liked this much.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. Thanks to you, I can return to my homeland safely.”
“I’d like to meet again someday… Would it be too much to ask where your home is? That altar you mentioned has me curious…”
“Human! Do you want to die? What kind of scheme is this!”
Tsk. If only the innocent Daria had been here, I might have learned where the dark elves’ territory lay. But Jecar’s wariness was no joke. How utterly disappointing.
“When I think about how you’ve tarnished the honor of the dark elves, I want to kill you right this instant. The only reason I’m holding back is because you’re my sister’s benefactor!”
“What are you even saying? Got any proof? Proof that I spread those rumors! Stop falsely accusing people with your rudeness!”
“You habitual offender!”
“I don’t know anything about it!”
Want to find out whose voice is louder?
“Stop it. Both of you, please stop! Brother, I told you not to act like that, didn’t I? Lady Jeanie is my benefactor. Please treat her with at least a little kindness.”
“Daria! You still don’t understand. Humans are truly wicked creatures!”
“I know that because I was kidnapped.”
“Then…”
“But it was also a human who saved me, wasn’t it? Brother, humans are just like us. They’re beings who can be both good and evil.”
It seemed Jecar was weak when it came to his little sister.
I inwardly mocked the speechless Jecar before sidling up to Daria with a coaxing smile.
“You speak so well! Daria? I like you. Shall we be friends? Even though we’re different races, isn’t it wonderful for fellow Spirit Masters to share friendship? Right? Don’t you agree? So next time, you’ll definitely invite me to your house, won’t you? Or I’ll send a letter, so just give me the address…”
“Let’s go now, Daria! You mustn’t associate with this human! Who knows what she’ll try to wring out of you next!”
“Oh my, I would love to be friends.”
“Not while I still draw breath!”
Had he seen through my pure-hearted desire to rip off a piece of that altar? Jecar ground his teeth and vehemently opposed our budding friendship. Tsk, what a quick-witted bastard.
“How about getting along with my brother as well? He’s the one who frequently ventures out into the outside world.”
“What a creepy suggestion! Daria! You can befriend every human alive except this one!”
“Who’s talking? Why would I want to meet you!”
“My brother is a Chastiser. That’s why he often comes to human lands. You might even run into Lady Jeanie again someday.”
In that moment, I could tell Jecar and I were perfectly in sync.
We both hated the idea completely!
“By the way, what exactly is a Chastiser?”
“It’s a position that handles all external matters. They rescue kidnapped kin like me… or run errands for the elders. They do all sorts of things.”
“I see.”
“It’s a role given to the young and strong. My brother is a truly outstanding individual, recognized even among our clan.”
I wasn’t sure about the outstanding part, but it was clear he was a severe human-hater. The way he suspected even a good person like me made that obvious.
“Now that I think about it, I have a lot of questions about elves.”
“Not telling you.”
“…Brother? Please mind your dignity.”
Since ancient times, elves had always been shrouded in secrets. As the originators of Spirit Magic, there was much I wanted to dig out of them, but it didn’t look like they’d share any of it. Just learning about the altar was already a miracle.
I licked my lips and thought of the one thing they might actually tell me. As expected, I was a genius at scheming.
“Ah! This is just a hypothetical question.”
“What is it? If it’s something I can answer, I’ll tell you anything.”
“Are there any other kidnapped elves? I’d like to rescue them too. You know, while I’m at it…”
“Hey! Is it my imagination, or does that ‘while I’m at it’ sound incredibly suspicious?”
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a paid service, is there a problem?”
Every dark elf probably had a bracelet like this one. It seemed like an excellent supply source, so whenever I saw one, I’d have to rescue them. I really am too kind for my own good.
“Daria, let’s go now! What an impure human!”
“Brother!”
“Human! Meeting you was filthy. Let’s never cross paths again!”
Jecar’s whole body trembled as if I’d done something unspeakable, then he spun around and stormed off like he was fleeing in disgust.
At least tell me before you leave!
Don’t ignore my pure goodwill!
“Hey! You could at least tell me where the other kidnapped elves are!”
“Eat this.”
Who taught an elf to curse like a human! Was that middle finger just now intentional?
“Damn elf bastard! Go bald on your way there! Someone offers to help and this is how you act!”
“Your black heart would block out the sun itself!”
“No it wouldn’t! It’s shining bright!”
Who was it that said elves were beautiful beings who lived on nothing but dew? Jecar and I stood in the middle of the market square, generously showing each other our middle fingers without reservation.
I hadn’t had the slightest inkling that I would meet that guy again.
“Lady Jeanie! May the light of truth be with you!”
The only one sad about parting was Daria. She left a wistful farewell before Jecar dragged her away by the hand.
They say a man leaves his name and a tiger leaves its skin, but an elf leaves a bracelet.
On the way to see Einy off, Ash’s entire party had shown up even though no one had invited them. Chad, of course, and even Lox.
“Hiiing! Uncles, I’m going to miss you!”
“Take care, kiddo! Study hard.”
“Make lots of friends… and stay healthy. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“Don’t cry, Einy.”
The four of them seemed so close that I felt like the odd one out.
Einy was sniffling and clinging to Chad, while Ash and Lox hovered beside her, doing their best to comfort the girl.
I stood with my arms crossed, watching the scene with clear displeasure, when Hansen sidled over and whispered.
“So… which one has caught the young lady’s eye? The big swordsman, I suppose?”
“Chad? That idiot isn’t my type.”
“Then it must be the intellectual one with the glasses! Well, you are quite clever yourself, young lady…”
“Not that petty guy either.”
“…Um, then only that ordinary fellow remains?”
He clearly didn’t think it was that particular man. Ash did look like an utterly plain person on the surface. His true identity as an imperial prince was hidden, after all.
“Ash is a good guy.”
“I can’t say I understand your taste, young lady.”
With my arms still crossed, I ended up tapping my elbow in irritation.
“It’s not like that, so don’t misunderstand. Just go back safely.”
“Yes. Then I’ll see you in Dmitry.”
“Good work.”
“I will pray for your safe return. Sincerely. May my prayers reach the gods…”
“Enough of that. Don’t worry about me and just take good care of Einy.”
“Leave it to me! I swear on my sword that I’ll look after her as if she were my own daughter.”
Fortunately, there were plenty of people to watch over Einy. I left everything concerning her until enrollment in Hansen’s hands. Once she entered the academy, the dean would be there, along with Mia and Iruse.
She would soon meet Teacher Iel, so like the childhood me, Einy would live a somewhat stifling yet safe life.
Just as Sister Arnel had hoped.
“Einy! It’s time to go.”
“Huh? Just a little longer…”
“You know that’s the third time you’ve said that, right? Come here.”
Warp magic had to be performed at the exact promised time. Otherwise, you risked the catastrophe of your body merging with another traveler’s.
I lowered my voice and crooked my finger, calling Einy over to the front of the magic tower.
Watching her trudge over like a scolded puppy with her head down made me feel like I was the one doing something wrong.
It seemed I was doomed to play the hated role until the end, but then again, the characters who left the strongest impression were always the villains.
“Sister.”
“Yes.”
“You’ll come soon too, right?”
“Within a year.”
Hansen lifted Einy into his arms so our eyes could meet. She reached out her small palm toward me. It looked like she wanted to shake hands; she seemed to understand that we were parting.
“Take care.”
“Yeah. Thank you.”
That was a phrase I hadn’t expected to hear. After all, our relationship had been far too complicated to call it good.
“…Not at all.”
“I’ll try not to cry while I’m there! Instead of crying, I’ll try to be like you, Sister.”
“What do I do?”
“When you’re angry or frustrated, you say ‘Ah, fu—’”
The moment Einy uttered that particular strong syllable, the men rushed over in a panic to stop her from finishing.
“Stop! That’s not appropriate!”
“You really don’t need to learn that!”
“Miss Jeanie! Did you teach a child profanity?”
“What exactly have you been teaching her! Einy! You mustn’t copy that!”
I ignored the noisy men and happily finished my farewell with Einy. There were no tears between us.
“Bye! Take care! Uncles, I’m going to miss you!”
Held in Hansen’s arms as they entered the wizards’ tower, Einy kept waving at us for a long time. The two of them would soon arrive at the Dmitry royal palace. Then Einy would be completely safe, and I could finally write Sister Arnel a letter filled with good news.
Until Einy disappeared from sight, the ones waving until the very last moment were Chad and Ash.
“She’s gone.”
“She is.”
“Miss Jeanie, it must feel bittersweet, but please cheer up…”
“Hah! I feel so refreshed inside!”
Freedom! Liberty! Hooray!
The men stared at me with strange eyes as I cheered.
“…You really are a heartless person.”
“Ugh, you demon.”
No matter how much Lox and Chad criticized me, I stretched my arms high like I was celebrating and savored the sense of liberation.
Kha! Finally, I can roam around however I want!
I’d been roaming freely until now, but there had been quite a few invisible restrictions holding me back.
“But why is she going separately?”
“It was something about motion sickness… right?”
“Warp Sickness.”
The only one who remembered it properly was our Ash, as expected.
Fully basking in my newfound freedom, I spun in circles before stopping in front of Ash with my hands clasped behind my back.
“So, what shall we do now?”
I was looking at Ash, but the one who answered was Lox standing beside him. Whenever I spoke to Ash, he would always intercept like this. He even blocked the way with his body sometimes.
“We plan to leave this place as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow. A reply we’ve been waiting for has arrived from our companions.”
“That’s perfect! Where’s the next destination?”
“We’ll stop by Daniz before heading to Heidricke. What do you plan to do now, Miss Jeanie?”
“Heidricke—I’ve heard of it. It’s an island nation with abundant tourist resources, right? They say it’s incredibly beautiful.”
“That’s correct.”
“I’ve wanted to go! This is great.”
Why was everyone looking so shocked? Had I said something strange?
“Pardon?”
“What?”
“You’re speaking as if you’re going with us. But Dmitry is in the opposite direction…?”
“Right. I’m going to follow you guys.”
“…What exactly do you mean by that?”
“Didn’t you know? I’m coming with you.”
Looking at their rapidly changing expressions, it seemed they really hadn’t known. Now that I thought about it, I guess I hadn’t actually told them.
My future schedule is ‘following you all around’!
You were the only ones who didn’t know!