Chapter 105
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Southern Great Forest (2)
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3.
As they entered the Southern Great Forest, a new landscape began to unfold.
Unlike the lands of the southern kingdoms, devastated by war, the Great Forest teemed with life.
Animals could be seen roaming everywhere, and the growth of the flora was beyond comparison to the outside world.
You seem quite surprised.
Had Karron's group been too obvious in their gawking?
Orion continued with a faint smile.
Where the Mothers blessing reaches, abundant fruit always grows. Because of this, many lives have made their home here.
Are elves the only demi-humans here?
That term, demi-human. Have you ever considered it to be a rather human-centric way of thinking?
Now that you mention it, you're right. Alright, then are there any other intelligent life forms besides elves?
Karron was quick to adapt.
Orion shook his head at Karrons question.
Not at all. Quite a few races live here. The Beastkin are a prime example; the Rabbit Tribe resides here among them. Their numbers aren't large, so they live in a village. Still, they are excellent hunters and sometimes come to Gallad to sell their game.
The Rabbit Tribe, huh. Come to think of it, I did rescue a member of the Cat Tribe while saving Neria.
Youre more benevolent than you look.
At those words, Karron narrowed his eyes and stared at Orion.
Than I look?
Your features don't exactly scream kindness, do they?
Physiognomy is a superstition. Compared to elves, all humans must look ugly. Does that make humans an evil race?
To that, Orion nodded as if it were obvious.
Of course. The faces of humans are proof of their nature. Selfish and wicked. Am I wrong?
You guys are racists.
I admit it.
He had momentarily forgotten that elves had a baseline hatred for humans.
Seeing that stubborn attitude, he honestly started to worry.
Would the elves of Gallad even welcome them?
Hating humans seemed to be their default setting. What should he do if they were uncooperative?
But Orion quickly picked up on Karrons concern.
You will be treated as our honored guests, so theres no need to worry. We will cooperate to the best of our ability, so please be at ease.
Come to think of it, youre so different from my first impression. Back then, you looked ready to kill us on sight.
Is it not perfectly natural to take good care of a friend? Youre making it sound so strange.
Although the massive variable of the Demon King's fragment had appeared, overcoming that crisis led to receiving significant support.
Things like this made him think that luck was on his side in this life.
Perhaps his garbage-like past life had served to ward off bad luck.
Do you have any enemies?
A place this prosperous couldn't possibly be without hostile forces.
At Karron's question, Orion glanced at him.
Hmm.
Right, humans excluded.
Occasionally, creatures like orcs and trolls cross over from the eastern Rahal Mountains. But the most threatening are probably the Nagas who enter the southern part of the forest through the South Sea.
Nagas. Ive heard of them.
The Nagas are an aquatic race with gills.
A race that has built its own civilization beneath the warm South Sea.
To think such creatures would threaten the Great Forest.
The reason they invade the Great Forest is for the Mothers power.
Even though they live in the sea?
Its a long story, so Ill just give you the gist. The Nagas are a race born from elves corrupted by dark mana. That is why they, too, constantly crave the Mothers power.
This was the first time he'd ever heard this.
The origin of the Naga race, something he'd never even read in books.
Orion continued with a bitter expression.
They wish to corrupt the Mother with their mana.
Sounds like its different from ordinary mana.
The mana of the deep sea is a fusion of dark mana and regular mana. It is a power permitted only to the Nagas. So, naturally, we have no choice but to fight them.
His interest was piqued.
A fusion of dark mana and regular mana.
Did that mean they maintained their sanity despite being corrupted by dark mana?
It might be a case similar to orcs or ogres.
It was useless for now, but it was good information to have.
Because the elves were such a reclusive race, every piece of information like this felt unfamiliar and new.
Living in a land of plenty doesnt always seem like a good thing.
I agree.
Just as Karron and Orion were chatting about this and that,
the elven city of Gallad, which had felt so distant, began to appear in the distance.
He had expected a city in the forest to be the size of a village, but that wasn't the case at all.
High fortress walls.
And behind them, several tall buildings.
Karron felt a similar impression from Gallad as he did when viewing the Imperial capital from afar.
And when his gaze went further, to the colossal tree visible behind the walls, Karron couldn't help but let out a small gasp of admiration.
The World Tree.
A tree so massive it seemed to touch the sky was endlessly radiating mana into its surroundings.
It is too early to be impressed, Karron Leston.
The city is much bigger than I thought.
It is the last bastion of our race. Of course it has to be large. Judging by your reaction, it seems youve been underestimating elven civilization until now.
Not at all. Its just surprising.
At Karron's awe, Orion smiled gently and summoned a fire spirit.
Fwoosh-!
The fire spirit burned a brilliant white as it rose into the sky.
A moment later.
Wooooong.
A light emanating from the city walls began to shine upon them.
Its beautiful.
Rion, who was behind them, murmured with a small gasp.
It was beautiful.
Unlike the artificial light emitted by the fanatics, this light was warm, like the sun.
Orion faced the light and spoke in a calm voice.
It is a light that honors the warriors who sacrificed themselves for our people.
Karron turned his head to look at the elves behind him. To be precise, at the bodies of the fallen warriors held in the arms of the spirits.
He had heard that nearly half the elves who had left the forest had died in battle.
But the surviving elves showed no signs of sadness.
They were all moving forward with the same stoic expressions as Orion.
Our fallen comrades have simply returned to the Mothers embrace. So, we must not show sadness before their bodies. Only then can they close their eyes in peace. This is our way of honoring those who have gone before us.
Orion slowly turned his head to look at Karron and his companions.
With new friends among us, the ones who have passed will surely be pleased. So you, too please smile for them.
At those words, Karron gave a faint smile.
Thats not a difficult request.
Orion smiled along with Karron. Then he said in a bright voice,
Once again, I welcome you to Gallad, my friends.
A warm light was guiding them into the city.
4.
Karron and his group entered Gallad with the elves.
Oh.
Karron let out another sound of admiration as he took in the scenery inside Gallad.
Well-maintained roads.
Buildings intertwined with trees.
That wasn't all.
The elves walking the streets, spirits of various colors, and a few other races, including the Rabbit Tribe, all coming together created a scene that was
Like a painting.
Just as Leo said, it was a scene straight out of a painting.
There are fairies, too.
The tiny, palm-sized race of fairies sat atop the heads of tree spirits.
The sight of the small, cute fairies kept a smile on Rion's face.
Even Utulla, the giant,
This is the most harmonious and beautiful city I have ever seen!
he exclaimed, his mouth wide open in awe.
There was none of the discrimination Karron had worried about.
Everyone who met the eyes of Karron's group placed their right hand on their chest and bowed their heads.
It is a greeting of respect. You are worthy of their admiration.
At Orions words, Karron scratched his cheek lightly.
I think Ive misunderstood elves all this time.
The situation would have been different if you had come with uninvited humans.
How so?
You would have been able to watch that human hang from the gallows in the town square in real time, perhaps?
Hic.
Leo hiccuped at Orions words.
Orion chuckled and patted Leos back.
Its an elven joke. Only slave hunters are hanged on the gallows. Refugees fleeing for their lives are detained for a while, then deported to the eastern part of the Great Forest. Theres a refugee camp set up by humans there.
And here I thought you killed all humans. The rumors say you kill any human who sets foot in here.
Do you think we are like you? To flee here despite those rumors means they desperately want to live. To kill even them would be to go against the Mothers will, Karron.
Having finished his brief explanation, Orion took out a silver medal from his pocket.
It was a medal engraved with a tree.
He handed one to each member of Karrons group and said,
Your audience with the Regent is tomorrow. So, for today, feel free to spend your time here as you wish. If you present this medal, you can use all facilities for free.
Karron grinned and tucked the medal into his pocket.
A free pass, nice. Ah, I need to contact Azure Castle. Are there any elves who can use communication magic?
There is a place called the Relay Station in the square. It usually handles deliveries, but communication is also possible. They have the coordinates for Azure Castle, so you can go there.
How do you have Azure Castles coord Ah, right. My grandfather said he visited before.
Elven magic is exceptional, so dont worry. I will come for you tomorrow. Until then, please rest well.
The elves must have much to do, having just returned from an expedition.
And so, after giving Karron's group everything they needed, Orion left with his patrol.
Hmm.
Karron watched the patrol's retreating backs and let out a small breath. Then he turned to his companions.
So, what does everyone want to do?
The first to answer was Utulla.
My axe and greaves are badly damaged! I must take them to a blacksmith for repairs.
The battle had been so fierce that everyones equipment was likely damaged.
Leo and Rion also nodded, agreeing with Utulla.
I need to stop by a blacksmith, too.
Me too, Karron. Hey, shouldnt you go too? Come to think of it, your armor probably took the most damage.
Leo remembered the weapon of slaughter that had pierced Karron's body.
But Karron just smiled and shrugged.
Ah, my armor can repair itself.
Right, it was Kavana, wasnt it? The elders are really something else. They only gave us swords
If youre so upset, you should get stronger, brother.
Hah, shouldnt the better equipment go to the relatively weaker person? They say a master doesnt blame his tools.
Thats bullshit. The better the master, the better the equipment they use.
Karron, having lightly shut down Leo's sophistry, smiled and said to his companions,
Alright, the three of you go get your gear repaired at the blacksmith, and Ill go report to Azure Castle. Lets meet back here in an hour. Rion, please make sure nobody gets into trouble.
You can count on me, Karron. But Karron, can I say one thing?
Yes, Rion.
Youre usually the one who causes trouble.
Ahem.
Just saying. See you later.
With that, his companions left to find a blacksmith, leaving Karron alone on the street.
I wonder if theyll understand me.
If words fail, I guess Ill have to get by with gestures.
Nodding to himself, Karron immediately headed for the city square.
And when he finally arrived at the square,
I guess I wasnt in a position to worry about others, huh?
Karron couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
The commercial district packed tightly around the square.
Elves walking about ceaselessly, and the chaotic touting of merchants.
Most importantly, all the shop signs were written in Elvish.
But Karron didnt panic. He placed his hand on the hilt of Guillotine.
Didn't he have a translator?
Guillotine, find it. Quickly.
A moment later, Guillotine replied, its tone incredulous.
How am I supposed to find it?
You understand Elvish.
I understand the spoken language. How am I supposed to read the script? Be reasonable, Master. Why do you expect so much from a sword?
Was this what it felt like to be betrayed by a trusted ally?
Karron frowned and said,
To think my translator was illiterate Im disappointed in you, Guillotine.
You crazy bastard! A sword is for cutting enemies! If you want translation, then go find a translator!
Sigh.
In an instant, Karron was lost.
But what could he do?
Guess Ill have to use my body.
And so, Karron began to perform a fantastic display of body language for the passing elves.
It was only thirty minutes later that a rumor began to spread through the Gallad square about a strange human.