I’ve Reincarnated into an Elf

Chapter 17

Irian’s expression hardened at that question. Even the protectors standing behind him visibly tensed. Irian subtly wiped the smile from his lips.

“Are you talking about those beastfolks?”

“Yes. They’re the ones I’ve been traveling with. My companions, my guests.”

“Guests, you say?”

One of Irian’s eyebrows twitched. The atmosphere fell into a tense silence.

It was an utterly cold, unpleasant kind of quiet, one that clashed with the serene stillness of the forest.

Feeling uneasy, I instinctively reached for my bow, only to remember it wasn’t with me.

Did Irian notice that slight movement? His expression hardened again.

“Guests, huh… You do realize those beasts nearly brought the forest to ruin? No, you must know your life was on the line too, after all.”

His tone was sharp, his words barbed.

I felt my body stiffen with tension, but I tried to keep my voice calm and steady as I replied,

“They’re also the ones I was willing to protect, even at that risk.”

My response was unwavering, and Irian furrowed his brow.

“They brought calamity into the forest.”

“And why does that make it their fault? Monsters have been destructive for ages. Surely you’re not trying to blame those kids for that.”

“Eldmir.”

Irian said my name like he was trying to rein in his frustration. The pleasant mood from earlier was gone, replaced by a charged atmosphere.

The forest itself seemed to tense up at the clash between us, my sharp comebacks only further irritated Irian.

“Irian, I truly appreciate the hospitality and care you’ve shown me. So much so that, after my coming-of-age ceremony, I’d like to hold a ‘rite’ for you and your people. I mean that sincerely.”

The rite I mentioned refers to a ceremonial journey that protectors undertake. It involves traveling through the forest, visiting various villages, and offering prayers and blessings.

Normally, this rite happens every 30 years, but every protector performs their first rite after their coming-of-age ceremony.

For me, that moment wasn’t far off. The rite is a tradition meant to honor El Rdarel, the legendary protector of the forest.

It’s said that during this time, the protector’s words carry El Rdarel’s power.

Because of its significance, this rite is a deeply revered event among elves, and having a pilgrim visit your village is considered a great honor.

“That’s why I don’t want to think ill of you or your people.”

I avoided using the word “enemy.” Such a word should never be carelessly thrown around among our kind.

Still, my meaning seemed to be clear. I could sense the tension among Irian and the Sentinels.

Even though I was injured and unarmed, they clearly regarded me as a real threat.

I let out a bitter smile.

“Irian, you said you saw me as an honored guest and that your people wanted to check on my condition. I didn’t sense any lies in that.”

Sure, they probably admired the person who single-handedly defeated eight Warhammers and wanted to make sure I was okay.

I’d feel the same way if someone I looked up to was injured, I’d want to visit them myself.

But these were protectors. Guardians of the village. Watchers of the forest’s safety.

They wouldn’t gather in such numbers over something so trivial.

“As you call me brother, I see you all as brothers too. For now, at least. So please… brother.”

I slowly raised my hand. Irian didn’t move, but I could see his body stiffen even more.

His lack of reaction reassured me, he still trusted me, at least for now. Gently, I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Those kids aren’t our enemies. Please understand that.”

“…The monsters called them sacrifices to fulfill their destiny. As long as they’re here, the monsters will keep coming.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but stay still. I’d been trying to stay calm, but Irian’s words hit a nerve, and I couldn’t just let it slide anymore.

“…Don’t call them ‘creatures.’”

Not beasts, not creatures—he was referring to those kids that way. I couldn’t stop my voice from rising.

“Who’s really the enemy of the forest? The monsters who invaded it? Or the poor beastfolk who barely survived the monsters’ savagery, fleeing after their tribe was wiped out?”

I realized I’d tightened my grip on his shoulder and quickly let go, but the tension in my hand lingered, forming a clenched fist.

The reopened wound on my arm started bleeding again, but I didn’t care.

My entire focus was on the protector standing before me.

“Blaming those kids is cowardly. Just because you couldn’t handle the Warhammers, you want to dump all the blame on them?”

“Eld, calm yourself.”

My mother’s voice cut through, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away.

Even as the Sentinels behind Irian drew their weapons, I ignored them and kept my eyes locked on him.

Irian didn’t back down either, meeting my glare with one of his own.

“You seem to have lost your way, clouded by emotions. What nonsense are you spouting? Calling beastfolk your guests? Accusing us of blame-shifting? Ridiculous. Monsters are guilty in their way, and beastfolk are guilty in theirs. It doesn’t matter who’s more wrong, they’re all enemies to our people.”

His eyes burned with fury as he continued.

“Have you ever fought against beastfolk? Seen their claws tear through the hearts of your tribe? Watched their fangs crush your parents’ skulls?”

“…What?”

His words made me frown. This place was far from where the beastfolk lived. How could they have been attacked by them?

As if answering my question, Irian kept going.

“You said you’d perform a rite for our village. That’s a blessing to me, but at the same time, those words feel like a curse.”

It was an unexpected revelation, but also one that hinted at deeper wounds. Personal pain, while valid, doesn’t justify dragging everyone into the same conclusion.

“They’re just kids.”

“They’re royal children. High-blooded heirs. Potential leaders who could rebuild the beastfolk clans that were destroyed.”

“Don’t take your personal bitterness and pin it on all beastfolk. Those kids didn’t harm your parents, and they haven’t hurt anyone from our race. Their claws and teeth have never been used against anyone.”

Irian’s calamity broke at that, and his tone grew increasingly irritated

“Even so! They’re the last of the beastfolk’s bloodline! …The monster was right. If we get rid of them, tragedies like this will never happen to us again—”

Smack!

Irian couldn’t finish his sentence. His head snapped to the side, not because he turned it himself, but because someone slapped him.

And that someone? My mother.

“…!”

Honestly, the most shocked person here wasn’t Irian or even the protectors standing behind him, frozen in disbelief.

It was me!

My mother? Hitting someone?

She was the kindest, most gentle person I knew. The embodiment of warmth and calmness.

I’d never seen her resort to violence outside of missions. Not once.

“Shut your mouth, Irian. There’s a limit to how much nonsense you can spout.”

Now I was properly stunned. If I wasn’t shocked now, I’d never be. My jaw hung open, but no words came out.

I could only look back and forth between my mother and Irian like an idiot.

“Well… that was a hit.”

“I’ll do it again if you cross the line.”

Her voice was still polite, but the fierceness in her tone was unmistakable. Even my earlier frustration vanished as I scrambled to calm her down.

“Mom, please, relax. Calm down.”

“…”

She didn’t budge, her sharp gaze still locked onto Irian. He stared back at her silently, then finally let out a deep sigh.

“You’re a remarkable pair, you and your son. I can’t win here.”

“…”

“But do you realize what’s just happened? No matter how close we may be as a tribe, there are limits. You’ve just struck an Elf protector from another village. We’re under no obligation to tolerate such an insult.”

“We appreciate your hospitality and care,” my mother replied evenly.

“But that doesn’t mean we owe you submission. You have your pride, and we have ours. Whatever debt we owe you, we’ll repay it in due time, but those children…”

“Enough.”

Irian cut her off in a calm tone, raising his hand to stop the protectors behind him as they began to step forward.

“I see it now. You’re willing to break ties with your own kind just to protect those beastfolk. That’s clear enough.”

“Irian.”

My mother tried to interrupt him, but he raised his hand again, silencing her. She closed her mouth, her glare unwavering.

The atmosphere had turned downright dangerous, and I felt a chill spread through my body.

The protectors who had shown me nothing but respect earlier were now glaring at us coldly.

The warmth they’d shown was completely gone.

And Irian’s gaze, his cold, piercing gaze. The moment I felt it, I moved on instinct.

“Who the hell are you trying to threaten?”

How did things intensify like this? Was it really because of Keris and her group?

That didn’t seem like enough to explain it. Their behavior hadn’t made sense from the start.

“They came to show their respect with over thirty armed protectors, led by their Elf protector. They even tried to create a warm atmosphere, but as soon as Keris was mentioned, everything changed.”

I grabbed Irian by the collar, my gaze icy as I glared at him and his group.

Just as he’d said earlier, I had taken on eight Warhammer warriors alone and won.

It wasn’t something I liked bragging about, but there was no denying it, I had carved my name into legend.

To exaggerate just a little, you could say I was practically a one-man army, capable of wiping out an entire village by myself.

Of course, that was only possible thanks to some mysterious skill I’d stumbled upon, but the results speak for themselves.

And yet, despite knowing all this, they still choose this path.

It had to have been their plan from the start.

“Irian. Chi Taen’s Elf protector, Irian Alskra.”

You called yourself the Elf protector of this village. That means you’re ready to take responsibility for the choices you’ve made.

As I gathered my thoughts, I finally stopped focusing solely on Irian and started surveying the protectors surrounding us, packed tightly in formation.

If Irian’s anger had been aimed only at me, this wouldn’t have twisted out of control like this.

Sure, I was furious about how they treated Keris and her group, but at least there was still room for negotiation, room to talk things out.

But they crossed a line they shouldn’t have.

So I spoke.

“I request the Trial of the Forest.”