Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Recap - 10
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"That doesn't make sense."
Regaining her sanity, Nerwen cried out to the healer standing before her as if wailing.
"That kind of man...."
"Did you perhaps smell anything else from him besides that scent?"
"No. Only that... intensely..."
"Then it's even stranger."
The elder tapped his fingers on the desk.
"I get what the disgusting scent was. Lust. It's natural for an elf not to accept that as normal."
"Of course it's not normal!"
For elves, reproduction was a sacred act permitted by the World Tree, bringing forth a child in one's own image. That was enough.
The idea of engaging in such filthy, sordid acts just to have a child was something even elves who understood humans well struggled to accept.
When elves did form such bonds, it was usually under coercive circumstances.
A young elf freshly born wandering beyond the forest and encountering a slaver, or wayward elves committing crimes meeting even stronger knights or criminals.
Such things rarely happened nowadays, but that did nothing to lessen Nerwen's revulsion.
"Usually, it's mixed with other scents. It can come alone sometimes... but blended with the scent of love, that lustful aroma becomes even sweeter."
"I swear, I didn't smell anything like that."
"...That's what makes it so serious."
Nerwen racked her brain, recalling exactly what she'd just said, and glared at the elder as if she could kill him.
"That can't be true."
"I want to believe my judgment is wrong too. But for a more accurate diagnosis, you'd have to submit yourself to the World Tree."
"I am... the World Tree's Great Warrior, her most special daughter. There's no way I was born like that."
The elder's wavering gaze clashed with Nerwen's domineering one.
"Then, could you go to the World Tree?"
"...Even breathing right now is impossible. Somehow, that scent keeps screaming in my head that I need it, that I should submit before him."
If not for the forest scent emanating from the elder, she would have lost her mind long ago.
"...Scents don't usually dictate every single action in detail like that."
"What?"
"If there's a thought arising in your mind, follow it. It's exceedingly rare for gods or demons to enter an elf's mind."
The elder smoothly rolled his tongue, reassuring her.
"Whatever this is, you believe it too, don't you, Miss Nerwen? That elves are born the most noble of all."
"...Yes."
"There are no meaningless births, and since we were born, there are no meaningless impulses for us."
"That impulse is utterly ridiculous...!"
But in the end, Nerwen had no choice but to heed her words.
Her noble elf status and bloodline meant nothing in her current predicament.
"That baron, right? If I push a little, I might secure a chance for you to apologize. Let's do our best together!"
"Ah...."
Nerwen's mind shook violently.
She, the noble elf Great Warrior, refused to acknowledge it, but the impulse in her head, the elf healer before her eyes, and her body yearning to surrender all compelled her to yield.
"Under...stood."
She would bow her head somehow, and if he wished, go even further.
It was pathetic, but she could visit the World Tree for treatment and return to her noble elf self afterward. Until then, it was just pretending to be servile for a while.
Nerwen compromised with herself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize..."
The goddess who had always calmed her anxiety was no longer felt. Celia lurked near his room, glancing around for an opportunity.
Enel was a kind man. If she explained enough, he would understand her again.
He wasn't the type to harbor grudges for long against others. Celia knew that instinctively.
She felt a twinge of self-loathing for relying on his kindness once more, but she could make it up to him many times over. Her position and abilities as Saintess would surely prove useful.
But no matter what she planned, nothing would happen without meeting him.
She lacked the courage to barge past the guards and kick down the door.
She could probably subdue one or two guards with holy power, but she didn't know how to control it.
She had never sparred or used holy power in petty fights. Her only attack was unleashing it all against massive, vicious demons or monsters.
His room's entrance was a bit noisy, though. Peeking from afar, it seemed the maids and guards were all outside.
Then, a shout rang out. Even knowing it wasn't aimed at her, Celia flinched a little.
But what she saw next was even more shocking.
'Princess Elenor...?'
Elenor, dressed sloppily in her gown, strode out.
Of course, royalty had dedicated maids who adjusted every inch perfectly for first-time gown fittings.
But her clothes were disheveled here and there. The loose ribbons and slightly dragging hem went beyond mere movement-induced messiness.
"Ah.... Ah?"
Even with her naive thoughts as Saintess, she could tell. Those were traces of clothes removed and put back on. It was certain.
"No way, no way, no way..."
He wouldn't embrace the princess.
A loud voice had just echoed. No one could make such noise in the midst of intimacy.
If the princess and the baron were having a secret tryst, they wouldn't meet so openly. It could spark a massive scandal visible to anyone—unless in the palace gardens or a hunting ground...
"Huh?"
But if the rumors were true, if the princess really intended to marry the baron.
Pregnancy wouldn't show immediately, so even a brief scandal could be hushed with marriage. The child born would be theirs, with no legitimacy questioned.
"No, why, of all people...."
The Saintess fell into despair. If the princess had already claimed him with her power, there was no place left for her.
She knew she had no right to demand anything. If there was someone better, she would have yielded without hesitation.
Whether coerced by external pressure or swept up in the moment, the fact that she had hurt him remained unchanged.
But why did it have to be the princess? The Saintess wept in defeat.
"What are you doing here?"
A petite girl with purple hair addressed the Saintess.
"Lady Pashier...?"
The Saintess hurriedly wiped her tears. She didn't want to be seen like this.
"Yeah. Looks like you're here to see the Hero too. Am I right?"
"The princess... she went that way. All the way..."
Pashier shook her head as Celia pointed down the opposite hall.
"You really have no idea. Whatever, fine."
Pashier marched toward his room.
"W-Wait, even you, Sorceress?"
"Things are getting serious. It's largely my fault, so I have to end it."
"What?"
The guards, fresh from the stormy ordeal, awkwardly gripped their spears. But the next wave left them reeling once more.
"S-Sorceress!"
"No need to block me. I'll say it here. You wouldn't stop me just by shouting in the palace halls, right?"
Pashier took a deep breath.
"I know you're listening, Enel! I don't know what you want, but leave this place. Accept the reverse summoning ritual and go back!"
The sorceress gritted her teeth. The emperor, who doted on his daughter so fiercely, was rushing an unwanted marriage in desperation.
The Hero's revenge had already begun. After reviewing everything done to him, Pashier abandoned any vain hope he might not retaliate.
The Hero was wavering, the Saintess broken, the Archer imprisoned. To think his will wasn't behind it all was overly optimistic.
She didn't know why she alone was unscathed, but she couldn't wait any longer.
"W-What are you saying?!"
A guard paled and shouted, but Pashier had no intention of stopping.
"If you want, I'll offer everything I have to send you back tomorrow, no, right now."
Her shout carried more weight than imagined, leaving her breathless. A maid smiled faintly seeing tears well in her eyes.
"Baron, he doesn't want to see anyone!"
"Enough. I've said my piece. I'm leaving now."
But defying all expectations, the door opened.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
He who opened it glared sharply at Pashier. Due to their height difference, she had to look up at him.
"That true? Sorceress."
For the first time since defeating the Demon King, something other than hatred flickered in his eyes.
Hatred had surpassed lust, and hope now suppressed even that hatred.
If only for a fleeting moment.