Chapter 79
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Never Provoke the Elves (9)
We were immediately expelled from the forest.
It was only natural, in a way. To the elves, the World Tree was something akin to a god. It was their unwavering guardian, protecting their home without any conditions, a fundamental part of nature's order.
Even if it came with the caveat of demanding elves as sacrifices. The other elves had no way of knowing that. If anything, the fact that it ended with mere expulsion was a stroke of great luck.
However, we'd dealt with the corrupted World Tree. But that didn't mean everything was resolved. If anything, this was just the beginning. They now had to forge ahead without it.
"Expelled, huh. We probably won't be seeing that forest again."
"Yeah, probably not."
"No regrets?"
"None at all."
"I see."
Before we left, Cluna had a brief meeting with Amelie. At first, I half-expected them to come to blows. Fortunately, things started off in a relatively calm atmosphere.
"What kind of face do you show up with to see me?"
"So prickly~ Well, I suppose that's to be expected."
"Touching my daughter was a mistake."
"I know. But I have no regrets."
For a brief moment, Cluna and Amelie locked eyes. Their unyielding wills clashed, pressing down on the air around them. The only thing that kept it from escalating was Clara.
"Mom, I'm okay."
"Clara..."
"I can't forgive you for controlling me. But I understand, Aunt."
"You're still calling me 'aunt'?"
"Yeah. After all, Aunt was trying to save Mom."
"...You're so naive, Clara. Or are you just an idiot?"
This time, Clara lunged at Amelie, but Cluna barely managed to hold her back. Watching them, they didn't look like sworn enemies so much as old rivals.
Still, Amelie had made the wrong choice. She'd tried to sacrifice everything for Cluna—including Clara. It was inevitable they'd end up as enemies.
With that short exchange concluded, we boarded the carriage right away. The horses soon bolted forward with resounding neighs. We could only sit quietly amid their momentum.
"Are you two really okay with this?"
Inside the carriage, I broached the sensitive topic. It was about our expulsion from the forest. Amelie would face some punishment, but not the massive penalty of immediate banishment.
According to the elders, sacrificing humans had been the right call back then. No wonder those bitches kept popping up from start to finish. So that's what it was.
"To shift the blame, huh."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. What about you?"
"I'm fine."
"Me too."
Cluna and Clara had no regrets about leaving the forest. They'd already been prepared to depart, and after everything they'd witnessed so far, they weren't shaken.
In the end, it worked out well for me. At least they wouldn't rebel like the elves. Unlike them, the elf forest had made it clear they wouldn't forget this incident.
"Relations with the elves are going to be rocky for a while."
"Can't be helped."
"Blind faith can be a terrifying thing."
Things would start off badly between us, no doubt. Still, I believed a day of reconciliation would come eventually. The game meta suggested as much. In the end, I set off alone once more.
"That said, I didn't expect you'd bolt out of the forest so soon."
"Is that really so surprising?"
"Of course it is."
Of course, it was part of joining the story. But separately from that, elves were infamous for their conservatism. They'd defend the World Tree's system even if you held a sword to their throats right in front of them.
Their opinion of us wouldn't change much. Even if it meant reviving the World Tree at all costs. I let out a sigh. What a hassle.
The carriage we rode in kept galloping without rest. There was a route back through the forest paths, but Cluna and Clara were too exhausted to take it.
I'd been away from the fortress for quite a while, so I figured I'd hole up and sleep once we returned. Anyway, we were almost there when Clara started looking uneasy.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just... it's a bit awkward."
"Awkward?"
"Yeah. I don't know how to put it."
"Ah."
I chuckled. Come to think of it, when Cluna had left without a note, Clara had blown up in front of everyone. She was probably embarrassed about that.
"Don't worry about it too much. No one's dwelling on it."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. Of course, I remember everything."
"Captain! That's not fair!!"
"What are you talking about?"
Cluna, who had left first and didn't know the situation, tilted her head. I started to explain, only to get grabbed by Clara like a rat. It was noisy, but...
Not a bad atmosphere.
And as expected, upon returning to Lionheart Fortress, everyone welcomed us without a care. Especially once they saw Cluna with us—they finally relaxed.
"See? I told you. Everyone's happy to see you."
"...Yeah. The Captain was right."
"Hm, they've probably forgotten all about the old days by now."
Though calling it "old days" was a bit much since it was so recent. At my words, Clara flushed and turned away. Seemed I'd convinced her. Good enough.
"Good work, Captain."
"Thanks for covering for me, Acting Captain Yuren."
"No big deal. It was nothing."
Acting Captain Yuren shrugged. Still, she'd done a solid job this time. She'd handled the captain's duties admirably in my absence.
If she hadn't been there, I never would've been able to fake going mad and charge into the elf forest. Can't do anything without a captain. Any other notable events?
"Oh, right. There was one unusual commission."
"Unusual commission?"
"Yeah. We haven't dispatched anyone yet since we had time, but you should probably read it first."
With that, Yuren handed me a letter. Damn, no rest for the weary. I couldn't complain outright, so I grimaced and took it instead.
I owed the Captain so much.
From the day we first met until now. The favors he'd done us were beyond repayment with anything material. Coincidentally, both mother and daughter were thinking the exact same thing.
To Clara, he was the brilliant captain who'd rebuilt the fallen Royal Knights. To Cluna, he was their family's savior, rescuing both her and her daughter at once.
The Captain had said it would be good for the family to have a long talk once we returned. They agreed. So the moment they arrived, they retreated to their room.
Of course, there was a barrage of questions from the others. But the Captain had blocked them off. Owing him yet again. With that thought, Cluna spoke first.
"I'm sorry."
"Huh? For what?"
"For always acting on my own without telling you."
"..."
She'd thought it was for her family. Past or present, family was always the most precious thing to her. But in doing so, she'd overlooked how it hurt them.
If not for the lessons from the Captain, she might never have realized. Surprised by Cluna's apology, Clara soon beamed and replied.
"I'm sorry too. For not listening to you, Mom."
"Clara..."
"So let's promise. No more incidents like this."
"Yes, let's."
Cluna hooked her pinky with Clara's, who offered it with a smile. The promise they sealed with their fingers carried far more weight than it appeared.
"By the way, I wonder what the Captain's up to right now?"
It was just idle curiosity. Naturally, you'd wonder what someone you cared about was doing. But the response was unexpected.
"Th-The Captain? Why bring him up out of nowhere?"
"...???"
Clara narrowed her eyes. A flustered, evasive answer. Flushed cheeks and wandering gaze. It could only mean one thing.
"Mom, don't tell me...?"
"Wh-What are you saying, you cheeky girl?!"
"It's okay. I get it."
She got it. Completely. Her mother hadn't married for love in the first place. Not that there'd been zero affection, but time had passed.
And the Captain was undeniably charming, even to an elf like her. A man who took responsibility for his words and never fled any situation.
"But I'm not backing down either."
"Clara? You mean you too...?"
"Yeah. It just kinda happened."
Cluna stared silently at Clara. Clara met her gaze without flinching. Was it imagination, or did sparks fly between them? No, it wasn't imagination.