This Isn't a Request—It's an Order (2)
Claudy family lore. I'd even scribbled down notes on dragons back then. Sure, a cat might pass by a fish market without a second glance, but would I just walk past an elf? Especially since my elf lore was even more detailed than the dragons'.
That was back when Arcana was just a game. Elf rumors spread faster than dragons', all centered on one thing: arrogance.
They'd spent most of their time in Sisli, but unlike dragons, elves weren't bound by the system. Why? As AAU intel explicitly stated: 'They weren't monsters—they were NPCs.'
Indeed, even before the cataclysm, when it was all just a game, elves had appeared on the continent several times. That's how the rumors of their haughtiness started.
Boil all those rampant tales down to one phrase...
Heaven and Earth Sole Respect.
Just look at Elcidoir's debut. Not content with mercilessly slicing demons, he attacked Shadow Mercenary Rackid without a word.
Now he just mows down weeds in the flower garden, but...
'I knew elves were no pushovers from way back.'
Yeah. So how could middle-school me—brimming with chuunibyou fire—stay quiet...?!
『The Claudys and elves were like water and oil, impossible to mix.』
Once I learned of the elves' existence, it was only natural for my chuunibyou sensibilities to cram in every last detail.
『Elves could not tolerate the Claudys' presence. Mere lowly humans, yet the Claudys met even the harshest standards without flaw.』
Heavy stuff, Hoyeol! 'I don't even want to explain.'
Maybe because I wrote it myself, the contrived intent shines through. Probably just needed more padding for Grandfell's stunning looks, that past version of me...
Which is why: 'An appearance even elves would envy.'
Utterly mortifying, past me...!
Thanks to Diend dredging up my black history, the follow-up lore floods back crystal clear. The Claudys' radiant emblem: silver locks no elf could claim, aesthetic discernment rivaling elven beauty seekers, and a noble dignity that cowed even them...
With that history, the hostile glares raining down now make perfect sense. Truly like oil repelling water.
'...Their eyes are downright murderous.'
A hundred elves unleashing raw killing intent at me.
So I promptly invoked [Hierarchy of Blessings].
Yet the hostility lingers. All but one, that is.
"...Impossible!"
Agentress, the elven leader. His expression differed sharply from the others—not mere enmity, but outright shock.
'As expected, you know.'
About the Claudy family.
Hence his visceral reaction. Though even from his position, it'd be startling: humans he'd envied suddenly reappearing, one bearing his mother's blessing.
"I absolutely cannot allow it."
So I get the demonic scowl. But as I said, no need to cower from blatant threats.
Our rank differs.
I spoke leisurely. "You labor under a delusion, Agentress."
"...?"
"Are you not in a position to 'allow' anything?"
"...!!!"
How's that? Grandfell's pride-scraping rhetoric.
Yet Agentress himself seems less stunned than the other elves. Whispers ripple.
"Why endure such insult?"
"Silence. He must have a plan."
"How long must we wait?"
They've never tasted life's bitterness, huh?
'Truly pampered in their greenhouse.'
Makes sense—they've rarely left Sisli's shelter. Their bewilderment is understandable. Probably all firsts for them.
They haven't grasped their position. Why they can't move. Why Agentress just watches.
Explaining is simple. But remember what I said? You're all caught red-handed.
Even slaying demon kings doesn't excuse impure motives.
I continued in that vein, scraping relentlessly. "Do you not find your state laughable, Agentress?"
He ground his teeth. "...Laughable?"
"To borrow demonic power for mere immortality. Have you fallen so low? And yet you prattle of rank? Most regrettable."
"Silence."
Of course, I don't.
No—I go further. That's Grandfell.
"I express regret for your subject-less pride, past and present."
"...!"
Sudden talk of pride? The other elves don't get it, but Agentress does. This insult is for those who know Claudy-elf history.
Especially 'past and present'.
'Claudy pride is something else...'
He's caught it. Agentress's face flushes crimson.
But neither I nor Grandfell are the forgiving type.
Especially not for deals with archfiends beyond mere demons.
No mercy needed. So I declared:
"Kneel."
"!!!"
Time to make it crystal clear.
Too impure for chats on world trees, dragons, fruits of good and evil.
Yes—discipline time.
Thud!
Agentress and every elf dropped to their knees. Heads bowed to the earth.
In this oppressive scene, I continued grandly, as always.
"This is the demon king's castle you trampled."
"...?"
"Until you grasp the true value of your actions."
In simple terms:
"I permit you not to rise."
Kneel and reflect.
Trembling.
'I... cannot even resist...?'
The third humiliation of his life.
Agentress quaked with rage, then chewed on the shame.
First: inferiority to lizards. Dragons—flawlessly perfect.
But his mother's blessing freed him from innate envy.
Second: on Arcana continent. Feeling shame from lowly humans? Unimaginable.
Yet he shrugged it off. Human lives are finite; even blooming glory fades swiftly.
But this third... indescribable.
Inevitable. The silver-haired Claudy who'd inflicted the second now stole his mother's blessing.
'Damn it.'
Seething fury beyond words.
'Cannot resist.'
Yet he sensed it. With the blessing, defiance was impossible.
The icy floor against his knees proved it.
'...I am not alone.'
Alone, he'd break before bending. But kin were here.
Pitiful kin, sheltered in Sisli, lacking basic judgment.
Agentress gritted his teeth.
'So I shall bend.'
Not forever. Humans remain human, blessing or not.
He trusted himself to seize the throat in a lapse of vigilance.
No matter the flesh or blessing—elves' millennia outstrip it.
Agentress spoke. "State your desire. I shall cooperate."
"...!!!"
Kin stirred in his mind. But this was best.
'He has a goal.'
Uncover it, induce the lapse.
But the first step faltered.
A cold voice: "Have you grasped the value?"
What riddle is this? Agentress racked his brain desperately.
No revelation. They smashed the visible demon castle. Executed the unresponsive.
What value in that?
He gritted again. "...I have not. But seek understanding."
The reply: "As expected."
"...?"
"No expectation, thus unchanged."
...Isn't that how I eyed demon kings?
His gaze matches mine on demons?
Agentress's forbearance—for kin's sake—cracked.
But fortune smiled. "Thus, understand. Progress enough."
"...".
Reason irrelevant. He could lift his head.
Still kneeling, he met the man's eyes. Prompt words followed.
"My purpose in seeking you is simple."
"I cooperate. Speak."
"I wish entry to Sisli."
Sisli? A mere human's business there?
Agentress couldn't guess. But advantageous.
Sisli: their home. Unfamiliar to him.
Strangers err, grow lax—like him missing Gluttony on Arcana.
In Sisli, lapses inevitable.
'Convenient.'
Strike then, reclaim the blessing. No need to return themselves.
Agentress hid glee. "As promised, I cooperate."
Lift the restraint, insolent human.
Then: "But first, confirm one thing."
Fine. If it leads to Sisli.
He nodded. Words came.
"What think you of dragons?"
...Sudden lizard talk? Still provoking, human.
Suppressing ire: "What intent?"
The spark: "To restore your ties."
Laughter died. A human meddling in dragon-elf affairs?
Elves aside, arrogant lords of all wouldn't tolerate it.
Answer irrelevant.
'No.'
Use to dispel suspicion. Swallow nausea...
"Pleasing news. Restoring ties harms us not. But not ours to decide. The lords of all won't yield easily."
Then—oddity.
No hesitation: "Then ties restored. I believe it."
...Heard right?
Not theirs—dragons'. Stated clearly.
Yet as if confirmed...
'Such certainty...?'
Doubt swirled.
"...?!"
Something appeared in Agentress's eyes. Vast silhouette rippling behind the man.
Unmistakable. He stammered.
Th-that's...!
"Dr, dragon...!"
Materializes the legend, 'Black Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol'.
Agentress. I can hear your brain churning from here.
But you just slipped up big time.
Daring to question dragon will before the Black Dark Dragon itself.
Time to answer for your words.