Chapter 19
Chapter 19
EBI OPEN UP!
After peacefully driving out the ants, I was greeted by Brand the old man upon returning.
“You’ve worked hard! Thanks to you, we’ve reclaimed the mine!”
“It was nothing.”
“I’m curious how you managed to send off the Mineral Ants without killing them, but I won’t ask.”
“I appreciate that—but aren’t you curious about anything else? Like the adventurers?”
“I trust you handled them properly. I knew from the moment you worked without pay.”
What a sly old man.
So he already guessed I’d deal with them.
“I’ll take care of the guild investigation, so don’t worry.”
“Make sure it doesn’t come back to bite me.”
“Leave it to me. And here’s the rest of your reward.”
Another 50 gold coins.
Now I didn’t have to worry about money for a while.
“Since this is worth celebrating, I’ll end work early and prepare a feast!”
“You don’t have to go that far.”
“It’s also for the miners, to boost morale.”
“In that case, we won’t attend.”
“…What?”
“What?!”
Rene jumped in immediately.
Clearly disappointed.
I flicked her forehead.
“Why?!”
“We’re not here for sightseeing. We’re just passing through.”
“B-but…!”
“Don’t you want to go home? Your mother might be waiting.”
“…Okay….”
She gave up.
Family wins over fun.
“Why the rush?”
“Not me. Her situation is complicated.”
“…I see. I’ll find a carriage for you.”
“Thanks.”
While he arranged transport, we packed our things.
“...The feast….”
“Still thinking about it?”
“The festival in Front was so fun…”
“Sigh. Fine.”
“When we reach the next town, I’ll throw a small feast.”
“Really?!”
“Food, drinks, maybe some entertainment.”
“KYAA! I love you!”
She hugged me tightly.
Rubbing her face against mine.
Honestly—
More like a puppy than a dragon.
“Enough. Pack up.”
“Yes!”
She moved faster than ever.
Lesson learned—
Offer rewards.
Get results.
“One carriage left! Leaving in 5 minutes!”
“Let’s go.”
“Ready!”
We boarded quickly.
The carriage departed.
Rene waved out the window.
Brand stood at the entrance, waving back.
I nodded slightly.
‘Not bad… this place.’
Maybe I’d come back someday.
After they left—
Brand sighed.
‘Things will be boring again.’
Then—
“Sir! Big trouble!”
“What is it?”
“The carriage—they must be stopped!”
“…Explain.”
“Those people… have been spotted.”
“…Who?”
“You know.”
“The most dangerous ones around Lukbranton.”
“…Don’t tell me—”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“Elves… have appeared.”
The road to Bardel Village was peaceful.
Forest.
Fresh air.
Green everywhere.
Even Rene fell asleep—
On my lap.
Normally I’d smack her awake—
But not today.
The mood was too good.
“This trip isn’t bad.”
…
“KYAH!”
Peace lasted ten seconds.
She jumped up screaming.
“…What now?”
Then I saw it.
Her tail—
An arrow stuck in it.
“What…?”
There was a hole in the carriage wall.
Then—
The horses screamed.
And—
“EBI OPEN UP!!”
BOOM!
The door exploded inward.
Elves stormed in.
Pointed ears.
Green hair.
Sharp features—
And massive muscles.
“We are EBI—Elf Bureau of Investigation!”
“Resist and die!”
“…What the hell is this?”
“Silence!”
They aimed bows at us.
While others searched the carriage.
Nothing.
“Leader! Nothing here!”
“…Unfortunate.”
“Take them anyway.”
“Understood!”
They approached with ropes.
Seriously?
“Move and you die.”
“Before that—why us?”
“You dare question—”
“Stop.”
A new voice.
A different elf entered.
Slender.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Completely different.
“Priest.”
“These are civilians. They deserve to know.”
“They could scheme against us.”
“Even so, dragging them blindly is wrong.”
Kind.
Gentle.
But—
I didn’t care.
Because—
That “beautiful elf”—
Was a man.
“…Of course.”
In this world—
Male elves look like that.
And female elves—
Look like soldiers on steroids.
‘Damn it… I ran into elves already…’