Changes in the Orc Tribe
Auuuuwuuuuu!
The first light of dawn was breaking. Against the backdrop of sunlight pouring from behind, a massive wolf stood atop the corpse of the stage-5 beast Tritan, letting out a victorious howl.
"That's right!"
"♬♪!!!"
In response, the Elven Knights lined up along the front lines set down their bows and swords, raising cheers. Most of their gazes were fixed on Estina, who had shown an astonishing performance.
"As expected of Lady Estina!!"
An elf shouted in the common tongue, as if deliberately for Tiny to hear, voicing the feelings of them all. But the person in question calmly wiped the blood splattered across her body using wind mana.
And all of this was a lesson for Tiny.
Even though it's not her original attribute, she handles it so naturally. That's the power of spirits, I suppose.
Estina's innate mana attribute was 'plant,' common among elves. It doubled her combat power in places thick with trees, but its utility was limited. Yet with the power of her spirit Kyrum, she wielded wind just as easily—and with the unique acceleration ability to boot—she was undoubtedly the strongest knight among humanity at this point.
And over the past night, she had proven it without a doubt.
Of course, she herself seemed utterly unfazed.
"The monsters have definitely thinned out. Even this unnaturally massive monster wave is finally coming to an end."
Estina smiled amid the freshly spilling sunlight. She looked so dazzlingly beautiful that Tiny unwittingly widened his eyes. Then a sense of incongruity hit him.
Huh...?
He quickly realized why.
Come to think of it, she's smiling a lot...
He felt like he'd seen her smile more in these few days of the present life than in the years they'd spent together in his previous one.
Probably because the end times haven't come yet.
Before the World Tree burned and the elves' homeland was half-destroyed—before the Demon King Army descended. Right now, his comrade the Sky Knight was brighter than in his previous life.
"...You look good."
"What?"
"No, nothing."
This was probably Estina's true self. The her who wore demon blood like war paint and smiled chillingly. The her nearing 300 years old yet insisting she was still in her youth by elven life cycles and demanding casual speech. They were all the same person, but the latter felt closer to her original nature.
I hope I never see the former again.
As he watched with that thought, Estina asked with a peculiar expression.
"Why are you smiling with such a weird look?"
"...What?"
"You just looked at me like my grandmother did before she passed."
Tiny's face stiffened involuntarily at her words. Memories surfaced of Estina's grandmother, who had pulled the guilt-ridden young Estina back into the world.
And Estina's feelings from back then brushed his mind.
"Uh... no, it's nothing. I just felt relieved thinking everything's going well."
He laughed it off awkwardly, but Estina grew slightly serious instead.
"There's still unfinished business in Elvenheim. Don't let your guard down."
"...I know."
"Well, once we wrap things up there, maybe you can relax a bit? Those bastards must be shitting themselves anyway."
Seeing his half-hearted reaction, Estina patted his shoulder encouragingly, but Tiny still felt stifled.
"...I just hope nothing's happening elsewhere."
Was he truly preventing the events in Elvenheim well, or had the past changed so much that the enemies' schemes were invisible? He still couldn't be sure.
Suddenly, Estina approached and put him in a headlock.
"You've done well so far. You can keep doing it. What's with the uncharacteristic worrying?"
"Ack, ugh. Y-yeah."
Her rather aggressive skinship pressed their bodies too close, reddening Tiny's face. Estina released him with a smirk and tossed an unexpected question.
"Where do you think their main base is?"
"Huh?"
"The demon worshippers don't seem like they'd scatter everywhere. You said they made those Thunderbolts, right? There must be a production site—at least village-sized base."
Her words pierced a blind spot he hadn't considered. The demon worshippers always lurked in the shadows, scattered like a plague infiltrating human society. He'd never thought they'd gather somewhere.
Defeat washed over him, and a groan escaped naturally.
"...Never thought of it. Damn."
Estina frowned at his honest reply, looking at him.
"...Well, even if you didn't, the Sword Emperor probably did. He seems the type."
Her sigh and headshake irked him.
"If there was, they'd have been wiped out ages ago!!"
He snapped, but it sounded plausible upon saying it. However.
"Then they couldn't have made those Thunderbolts. There has to be somewhere. Separate from the Empire or Valentia—we'll search too. Clean up first."
Estina's words rang truer, and the killing intent flashing in her eyes as she said 'clean up' silenced him.
And naturally.
A base...? Does a place exist where demon worshippers gather?
The thought lodged in his mind. One place came to mind.
Taran? Nah, even so...
Even as an extraterritorial zone permitted by the Empire and Alliance, ties to demon worshippers would mean it was already smashed.
Ah, damn... probably not...
Unnecessary worries deepened as a new morning dawned.
As Estina predicted, the monster wave ended a week later.
"Even after the wave ends, stragglers will come, but we can't block and guard the entire front forever."
With that, Estina officially announced the monster wave's end and her return to Elvenheim.
Tiny traveled with her to weed out remaining traitors among the Elven Knights.
On the way back.
"Ah, maybe it's rude, but could you deliver a branch of the World Tree to a dwarf I know?"
"Hm, a dwarf. Refusing means no help rooting out traitors?"
"No way. Just keeping a promise. Low odds, but he might prove a big help."
"One dwarf?"
"Low odds, yeah. That's why I'm asking."
"...If you put it that way, can't refuse. A fallen World Tree branch is fine?"
"Of course."
He obtained the material for Grandal far easier than expected.
But upon arriving in Elvenheim.
With all elven forces gathered, trouble arose instead.
Precisely two weeks after the wave ended, as inspections of all Elven Knights concluded.
"None?"
"Yeah, not one."
"Is that true? There were three in Lady Estina's unit alone."
"But truly none. Right, Wolrang?"
"Woof!"
Estina and Elder Eourina looked incredulous, but Tiny was the one going mad.
If even one or two had turned up, he wouldn't feel this uneasy. But after a week-long sweep of 10,000 rotating Elven Knights and 30,000 Elf Rangers, not a single demon worshipper emerged.
Unbelievable, but reality.
"Only in Lady Estina's unit...? No, that can't be. Sorry."
Garen cautiously offered, but silenced under glares.
Beside him, Tiny sighed in relief.
...Close call.
First thought. Without traitors in Estina's unit, even with elder council gains, he'd be a fraud who deceived the elves, paying dearly.
Going straight to her was sheer luck. Otherwise...
Everything would've unraveled. No, worse.
At least 100 years in elven prison, or to avoid, become a public enemy sparking conflict, pursuit, enmity... Horrifying just imagining.
Post-regression life threats paled; now his heart chilled most.
Irony: no worshippers meant greater peril averted.
At least the worst was dodged.
"...What the hell happened."
Scratching his head irritably yielded no grasp.
Then.
"Um, maybe I shouldn't say, but."
Garen glanced at Estina and Eourina before speaking carefully.
"I heard from Elven Knights lately—after the wave, some volunteered for front patrols."
"Hm?"
"What do you mean, Sir Garen?"
"My friend Haruel and his Elven Knight comrades said some volunteered for patrols despite fatigue, letting them rest. They were grateful."
"What?!"
Tiny shot up, gasping, eyeing Estina.
"...Happens in Empire knights sometimes—swapping off-days among themselves. Usually not reported up. Here too?"
As Garen finished, Estina and Eourina's gazes clashed with sparks.
"Those damn!!! Filthy ♬♪ bastards toying with the Elder Council!? I'll rip them...!"
The no-elf spewed unforeseen curses, storming out.
"...I'll mobilize the main force, swap duties, round up all on patrol. Execute resisters on the spot."
Estina followed grimly.
Alone with Garen, he eyed Tiny awkwardly.
"...I did good, right?"
"Yeah, hugely. Thanks, really. Man, never crossed my mind."
Tiny exhaled in relief; Garen laughed heartily, releasing held breath.
"Haha, glad I earned my keep. Tell them well later. Especially Drexler."
"Pardon?"
"He's probably cursing me hourly now. That mild guy's scary mad. Lingers too..."
Tiny awkwardly smiled at Garen shuddering.
"...Me?"
"Just put in a word. Why so serious? Hurtful."
"No, I... not going to the Empire? Lots to do, if at all, way later..."
"What!?"
Garen bolted up, yelling.
- Sir Garen, are you there?
A voice came from outside.
"Haruel?"
Knowing the owner, Garen glared at Tiny, opening the door. A male elf with sky-blue hair and eyes appeared. Casual clothes, but Blader-level at least—Elven Knight or elite Elf Ranger.
As Tiny judged briefly, the human and elf embraced warmly.
"Two days, Sir Garen."
"Oho. What brings you this hour, friend."
"A friend of yours asked to relay."
"Hm?"
"The human merchant outside."
Elf Haruel handed a note; Garen tilted his head.
"Jay?"
Tiny's gaze naturally fixed on it.
"Yes, said deliver anytime needed."
"Ah, right. Thanks, Haruel. Elf wine soon."
"Haha. Waiting."
After Haruel left, they unfolded the note together.
War has broken out among the Orc tribes.
The brief contents dyed their eyes with shock.