Chapter 20
Chapter 20
The Elves’ Circumstances
They say if you treat a man like a woman, he becomes one.
Back when I first saw that phrase online, I laughed it off as nonsense.
But now—
I understood it perfectly.
And I hated that I had to learn it in another world.
“Ugh…! P-please spare me!”
“Priest!”
“…How the hell did I end up like this…?”
Right now, I was holding an elf priest hostage—
And threatening a group of elf warriors.
More precisely—
I had a male elf by the neck while facing off against female elf soldiers.
Normally, you’d take a woman hostage.
But here—
That logic didn’t apply.
Because female elves?
If captured—
They bite their tongues and kill themselves.
Zero hostage value.
Male elves, on the other hand—
Gentle.
Afraid of death.
Rare.
So they were more valuable.
‘Still… this feels weird.’
The one in my arms looked like a woman.
Acted like a woman.
But was a man.
And more useful as a hostage than any woman.
My brain—
Was breaking.
“Let him go if you don’t want him hurt.”
“You coward!”
“You attacked first.”
“Your kind kidnapped our people!”
“Aye.”
“Ah! S-sorry!”
The subordinate snapped to attention instantly.
But I already heard enough.
So—
Elves kidnapped.
Humans responsible.
And now—
Retaliation.
“Then go after the ones who did it. Why target random people?”
“Because every human we met was greedy.”
“We are living beings too.”
“But humans treat us like goods.”
“So I’m one of them?”
“Yes.”
“…Bullshit.”
I lowered my sword.
And shoved the priest forward.
The elves froze.
Didn’t expect that.
“Don’t lump me in with trash.”
“If anything, you’re the same as them—attacking first.”
“….”
“Do you think this helps?”
“You’ll only make humans hate you more.”
“They’ll enslave you harder.”
“Then we’ll—”
“Fight back?”
“Sure.”
“Like we’re about to.”
I raised my sword.
Killing intent—
Filled the air.
They trembled.
Even warriors—
Fear death.
“Stop!”
The priest stepped forward.
Braver than the rest.
“This is our mistake!”
“We shouldn’t harm innocent people!”
“…Oh?”
“And he’s different.”
“No greed.”
“Very pure.”
[…That’s nonsense.]
‘Say that again and I’ll stop maintaining you.’
[Ah… cruel master♡]
“…Why is my sword like this?”
“Anyway.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Can we go now?”
“W-wait!”
“What?”
“Please help us.”
“…Are you insane?”
“You attacked me.”
“We’ll reward you!”
“With what? Leaves?”
Different currencies.
Worthless to me.
“…We know.”
“So we’ll offer…”
“A fruit of the World Tree.”
“…Deal.”
That—
I couldn’t refuse.
A single bite—
And you gain druid-like affinity with nature.
A legendary fruit.
Even Kang Junhyuk gained massive power from it.
“Let me guess.”
“You want me to rescue a kidnapped saintess.”
“Yes.”
“Explain.”
“She is one of twin priestesses.”
“Blessed by the Earth Mother.”
“She maintains the World Tree.”
“So without her—”
“It’s withering.”
“…And the other twin can’t hold on forever.”
“Yes.”
Got it.
Clear objective.
Rescue.
Simple.
“…But seriously.”
I looked outside.
“Why are they pulling the carriage like that?”
“HA! PUSH HARDER!”
“YES!”
Female elves—
Running.
Pulling the carriage.
At horse speed.
“…What am I even looking at?”
“Proper feminism?”
Maybe.
Then I glanced at Rene—
Watching them with sparkling eyes.
“…What even is a woman anymore?”
I decided not to think about it.
“Anyway—do you have a messenger bird?”
“Yes, but not for long distances.”
“Good enough.”
I wrote a letter.
Sent it.
To Brand.
Information network.
Expensive—
But worth it.
Soon—
A reply came.
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“A blind woman will bring information.”
“….”
A chill ran down my spine.
“…Why do I feel like something bad is coming?”