Chapter 128: Position(1)
Chapter 128: Position(1)
A forest dense with ancient, towering trees.
Within that mystical atmosphere, sharp voices rang out.
“Is that woman really Elena’s hero?”
“I’ve heard a hero was chosen.”
“She certainly has the air of someone who could call herself a hero.”
The elves murmured amongst themselves at the claim that Lina was the hero. That’s our Lina’s beauty for you. Even the elves had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Just then, one of the elves shouted.
“So what if she’s the hero? We don’t serve Elena.”
“That’s right. It has nothing to do with us.”
“She might look like a hero, but there’s no proof she actually is one.”
It seemed their interest in the word ‘hero’ was fleeting.
The elves began shouting for us to leave again. Lina spoke in a calm and elegant voice.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe I am the hero. But please, listen to what we have to say. We came here to help you!”
“Help us? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“A mere human, helping us? Even if you are the real hero, you’re far too arrogant.”
“Disappear at once! Get lost!”
The elves’ hostility was extraordinary.
We showed no signs of aggression, yet this was their attitude.
It felt excessive, no matter how many wrongs humanity had committed against the elven race.
From the old rumors Kerry had heard, it wasn’t supposed to be this bad. Lina, however, remained calm, as if she knew something.
“We will help you. Please give us a chance.”
“We don’t need help from humans!”
Lina, seeming to decide it was no use, sighed and spoke.
“I don’t think that’s true. The elf village is currently… in the midst of a crisis, is it not? An epidemic.”
“!”
It was then.
The elves who had been hiding revealed themselves in perfect unison.
With well-trained movements, they instantly surrounded our party. From atop the ancient trees, they concealed their bodies and aimed their bows at us.
Being targeted by arrows from all sides was a rather dizzying experience.
Especially when surrounded by enemies filled with such hostility.
Kerry cautiously touched his bracelet. Only then did he feel a little relieved.
“I’ll ask just in case. Self-proclaimed hero. How did you know an epidemic was spreading in our village? You wouldn’t happen to have something to do with it, would you?”
Lina shook her head.
“That is not my doing. More importantly, everyone, please calm down. You are too agitated.”
“Prove it! Prove you have nothing to do with the epidemic!”
The elves’ bowstrings were drawn taut. The tension was so thick it felt as if the arrows could fly at any moment.
Kerry also prepared himself, subtly channeling mana into his bracelet. Damn knife-ears. Why are they so jumpy?
It was at that moment.
Lina brought her hands together and closed her eyes. The elves’ eyes widened at her defenseless posture.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on her.
Lina began to sing. Her elegant voice echoed through the forest.
“Ellen sie-la lumen te-voinde-”
Though I couldn’t understand the lyrics, words that I presumed to be the elven language flowed from Lina’s lips.
The taut tension in the forest began to dissipate.
The elves, who had been on high alert with their ears pricked up, let them droop.
Their wary demeanor vanished as they became entranced by Lina’s song.
They even forgot they had been aiming their bows.
The palpable tension, reminiscent of a battlefield, melted away like snow. It was as if spring had arrived in the dead of winter.
“…Human woman. No. Hero. How do you know that song?”
“I had an elf friend I knew for a long time. It was a song she often sang.”
“…”
Lina’s elf friend must have been Arein, her companion from her past life.
“I will trust you. The ancient fairy tongue carries the echo of the soul. I pride myself on having lived quite long… but I have never seen one with a soul that resonates as clearly as yours. Truly, the name ‘Hero of Elena’ is not one you bear in shame.”
The other elves nodded as if in agreement.
“However, allowing you into Scandinavia is impossible, even for a hero.”
An elf said in a slightly calmer voice.
Does it not work even after all this? Kerry was wondering if there was anything he could do.
Just then, a voice was heard.
“No. Entry is possible. Hero. And her companions. Welcome to Scandinavia. Our queen has invited you.”
The one who welcomed Lina’s party was that damn pretty-boy chasing bastard. Lina’s companion from her past life, Arein.
Guided by the elves, Lina’s party headed toward Scandinavia. The elves now showed a certain degree of courtesy, treating them as guests.
“To see you three beautiful ladies again. It is truly an honor. But… I see a new, peerless beauty with you this time. Your orange hair is truly beautiful.”
It would have been perfect if Arein had just kept his mouth shut.
But not even Arein’s flapping gums could ruin the breathtaking sight of Scandinavia.
The scenery was that astonishing.
Ancient trees, larger than any I had ever seen, stood in rows.
Atop those trees were what appeared to be elven houses. They were strange homes that looked as if plants themselves had formed their structure.
“Welcome to Scandinavia, Heroes.”
“So this is Scandinavia…”
“You are the first humans to come this far. Because you are heroes, our queen has granted a special exception among exceptions.”
“We are truly grateful for that, Arein.”
Lina seemed to genuinely mean it.
Kerry took in the surrounding scenery. The houses built all over the ancient trees were so high he had to crane his neck to see them.
Just then, hearing the commotion, the windows and doors of the elven houses began to open.
“What’s with all the noise?”
“Looks like someone’s here.”
“Who else would come here besides us… Huh? Is that a human?”
Perhaps because it was the first time they had seen humans in Scandinavia, elves began to appear from all over, curious to get a look at Lina’s party.
‘My god…’
Kerry rubbed his eyes. Is this a dream? The elves in the village weren’t covering their faces with masks and hoods.
Finally, I could see the elves’ faces clearly!
From all around, pointy-eared beauties—no, walking dolls—appeared.
Wow. Their faces are the size of a fist, yet they have eyes, a nose, and a mouth all packed in there.
Among the elves were some with a pure style, wearing long clothes, but there were also proper, progressive women who, like the Saintess, favored short skirts.
The lines of their legs, their slender waists, their ample chests.
Truly, the elves were the race of beauty!
The rumors that all elves were beautiful were true. But Kerry was able to suppress his overwhelming emotions.
After all, he was already accompanied by beauties who could rival any elf.
Lina, Natasha, Victoria, and the Saintess. Not a single one of them was outshone by the elves.
“Husband! Why do you keep staring at the elves with that goofy look on your face? Don’t look at the elves! Close your eyes!”
Not a chance. After all the trouble we went through to get here.
“Natasha, this won’t do. The look on Kerry’s face is concerning. Go find a blindfold. It might be better for Kerry to just wear one while we’re here.”
“Victoria, why are you being like this too?”
Worried by Kerry’s delighted expression as he watched the elves, Victoria and Natasha grew agitated.
But it wasn’t that Victoria and Natasha were inferior to the elves.
Even the male elf, Arein, acknowledged their beauty. It seemed rare to find an elf who could even compare to Lina’s party.
If there was one elf who could hold a candle to them, it was just one.
It was the elf with the pale, light-green hair whom Kerry had met first.
And that very elf with the pale, light-green hair was now approaching.
Arein introduced the light-green-haired elf.
“Allow me to introduce you. This is my younger sister, Arwen. She’s a thoughtless tomboy, so I would be grateful if you would forgive her for any rudeness. Her mouth is a bit harsh, but she’s not a bad person at heart.”
“Who are you calling a thoughtless tomboy!”
Arwen shot a glare at Arein.
Then, suddenly, Kerry and Arwen’s eyes met. Kerry grinned at her.
“…Wh-what are you looking at! Don’t look! Human!”
“Arwen. They may be human, but they are guests of the Queen and they are heroes. Show some respect.”
“…”
Surprisingly, Arein showed some sense this time.
Kerry casually sized Arwen up. The beautiful lines of her body he’d seen before were still visible.
A sexy pelvis above long, slender legs. Light-green hair that went well with her white skin.
Above all, her jewel-like eyes and delicate features.
It felt like even a master craftsman would struggle to sculpt a doll this beautiful. Sigh. I don’t know who’ll be her boyfriend, but I’m seriously jealous.
If I could get Arwen to join the hero party as a damage dealer instead of Arein, I felt like I would do anything.
‘Nabi said Arwen was weak, but… I should try using the Goddess’s Eye.’
[Name – Arwen Winslett]
[Stats – Strength 8, Agility 10, Mana 70, Stamina 8]
“…”
She really is weak. Her mana was extremely high, but she was so weak in every other area that I couldn’t get my hopes up.
She was weak enough that Kerry could probably beat her in a fistfight.
There was one peculiar thing, however: her occupation.
[Occupation – High Elf Spirit Master]
I’d heard of Spirit Masters before.
I didn’t know what the ‘High Elf’ part meant, but it sounded like it couldn’t be bad.
Could this be an unexpected jackpot? With a glimmer of hope, Kerry carefully examined her status window.
[Talent – Beloved of the Spirits (SSS)]
“!”
Jackpot. Her talent was a whopping SSS-rank.
A talent more than sufficient to be a hero’s companion! I couldn’t understand why Nabi had called Arwen weak.
‘Of course, her stats are shit, but… with her occupation and talent, I think she might be able to hold her own.’
As Kerry was deep in thought.
Someone suddenly thrust their face in front of his.
“Who gave you permission to stare at my sister like that?”
“…”
It was Arein. This bastard seemed to dislike me, picking a fight over every little thing.
Well, he’s right about one thing. I don’t fucking like him either.
“I wasn’t staring. I was just lost in thought. If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry, Arwen.”
“…”
Arwen looked at Kerry for a moment before whipping her head away. She’s playing coy.
But I have allies on my side, too.
Seeing Arein act rudely toward Kerry, Natasha came and clung to him.
She stuck close to his side and glared fiercely at Arein.
“…Haha. So you two were… lovers.”
Arein’s expression soured in an instant. Don’t tell me he was trying to make a move on Natasha.
If so, I could guarantee I’d make his life a living hell.
In any case, Lina’s party had successfully entered Scandinavia.
And they were welcomed, at that.
The elves of Scandinavia treated Lina and the others as proper guests.
But perhaps because they’d never had guests before, they didn’t even have guest rooms.
It got to the point where one elf had to hastily vacate their home for us.
Lina’s party roughly unpacked their belongings in the home of some unknown elf.
After that, a banquet to welcome them began.
A series of rather splendid dishes were brought out.
Elves normally ate only light vegetarian meals, but these dishes were specially prepared for us.
Seeing the whole roasted pig sizzling away made my mouth water.
“By the way, Lady Lina. When do you think the queen will speak to us? She’s really putting on airs for a queen.”
“…”
The Elf Queen was visible in the distance. Perhaps because elves live for so long, she still looked young.
And, of course, being an elf, she was beautiful.
The queen sat on a high throne, looking down on Lina’s party.
It was a rude way to treat guests, but such common sense didn’t apply in this world.
Above all, she was a queen.
Kerry decided to ignore the queen, who sat with her chin propped on her hand, trying to look important.
A crucial event was about to begin.
“Oh. It’s starting.”
Natasha and Victoria tried to cover Kerry’s eyes, but it was no use. Kerry desperately stared straight ahead.
Elven dancers in transparent silk clothes began to dance to liven up the banquet’s atmosphere. Oh yeah. This is the real deal.
Compared to my beloved homeland, it felt similar to a belly dance, but the elves’ version had a magical quality to it, making it even more dreamlike.
On top of that, all the elves were glamorous super-beauties.
“Wow.”
“Ah! Husband. I told you not to look.”
“Natasha, be a good girl and stay still. That’s a good Natasha.”
“Euh… Husband… you’re so mean.”
No one can interfere with my happiness.
Victoria had simply given up, as if to say, ‘look if you want to.’
One of the elven dancers looked at Kerry and gave him a seductive smile. Our eyes definitely met, right?
I want to have sex with her.
After the elven dancers’ performance ended, the banquet’s atmosphere grew lively.
It was then.
The festive mood died down in an instant. Lina, who had been sitting next to Kerry, was now on her feet.
She strode confidently toward the queen.
“Hero Lina Knightly greets the Queen of Scandinavia.”
Lina performed a splendid knight’s salute.
“…”
“I believe Your Majesty would like to know the reason we have come here. There are several reasons for our visit.”
“…”
The queen didn’t answer. The rude bitch could at least say something back.
But she was the queen. No one could say anything to her.
“First, it is to extend an invitation to Lord Arein to join our party. Lord Arein’s magical skills will surely be a great help in protecting the peace of the continent.”
“…”
Lina hesitated for a moment, as if the words were difficult to say. After a moment of her lips trembling, she seemed to make up her mind and spoke.
“And… second, it is to obtain the Spirit Sword Endymion.”
The moment Lina finished speaking, the elves in the banquet hall began to murmur. Their reaction was as if she had said something completely absurd.
Lina knew it was an unreasonable request. But she had no choice.
She was the hero, but due to a prophecy, she couldn’t obtain the Holy Sword.
If that was the case, she had to obtain the Spirit Sword Endymion, said to be the most powerful blade after the Holy Sword.
Upon hearing the request for the Spirit Sword Endymion, the queen burst into loud laughter.