Martial Elf

The end of the fall from a high altitude resulted in landing on a hill path slightly removed from its original position.

Following along the upper end of the hill path, there stood a large mansion at the top.

Including the managing participants, it was a place suitable for quite a few residents. However, perhaps due to the night and the dark hill path, apart from Lamia, who was pressing on a wound and breathing heavily, and Rajin, who circled around her protectively, there was no one else in sight.

Lamia had lost her wings and fallen from a high position, but thanks to Rajin’s help, aside from the wound I had inflicted, no other serious injuries were visible.

“Haah… Haah… The wound… won’t heal.”

It was naturally obvious that the wound wouldn’t heal well since it had been caused recently, though it was common sense to think so. However, given the peculiar traits of living beings in this world, it didn’t seem too strange to think there might be beings with almost super regenerative abilities.

“It seems we’ve reached a point where we can roughly talk.”

“…Shut up.”

I casually threw the broom aside by the roadside and approached Lamia, who was standing there.

Rajin, puffing up in a show of aggression, was threatening me, but Lamia only looked up at me, sweating with her hostility clearly diminished.

“It’s my first time with an interview, so I’m not sure what to ask.”

I scratched my head awkwardly before speaking.

“First, what was the reason you were trying to monitor me?”

“… I was tracking down the one who broke the boundary of the gate. And following the clues led me to you.”

“Indeed, impressive. To find me in less than a day. Did you create that boundary yourself?”

“Well, I don’t know?”

“It seems someone else made it. Then what is the origin of the energy contained within you?”

“… The mana I have hasn’t changed from what I was born with, other than being light.”

“You mentioned you came from across the sea to the east… do you know the reason for the energy flowing in from the east? It seems similar to the energy you possess.”

“……”

“What are you and your companions who made the boundary plotting here?”

“……”

Lamia kept quiet, fearing she might let something slip about the important questions.

‘Unless it’s a duel or challenge, I really don’t want to resort to torture to extract confessions.’

In the midst of those thoughts, I sensed an approaching presence and smiled at Lamia.

“Then I can just ask someone else.”

I swiftly dodged the energies that surged toward the ground where I stood.

“Lamia!”

“Kinble… how?”

“Alia discovered you falling from the sky and moved. Alia will be here soon.”

A woman possessing the same type of energy as Lamia descended from the sky, quickly attending to the injured Lamia.

Much more mature women hovered in the air, flapping their large wings as if surrounding us, controlling the movements around.

Suddenly, there was a wave of energy that overturned the entire path.

The energy spread geometrically, forming a territory in a dome shape. Floating between the seams of energy were what looked like patterns or symbols.

‘It’s a spell to restrain rather than to subdue.’

However, despite how grand it appeared, there was a sense of rejection from the energy, yet it didn’t greatly affect movement, much like a formation or barrier. It felt like an intention to block entry into a territory rather than preparing for battle.

‘To avoid causing a commotion, perhaps it’s a pre-emptive act.’

I glanced at Lamia’s wound, displaying animosity beyond mere hostility, focusing instead on the figure slowly approaching on the hill.

While the surrounding women revealed their bat-winged forms, the woman remained in an ordinary human appearance, pausing about six meters away.

These seductive bat-human sisters displayed beauty in a different direction from elves, but this woman stood out particularly.

Moreover, since human clothing was still quite simple, her slender form was accentuated, wrapped in clean fabric.

Regardless, I kept my gaze fixed on the last woman, raising my energy.

‘Purely judging by energy, she’s far above Saras.’

“This barrier… is it your work?”

“Yes, it is. Based on Lamia’s condition, you must be the one who broke through the barrier?”

“That doesn’t sound very pleasant. I went through formal procedures to enter this city.”

The moment I reached into my coat, I sensed the four in the air tense up, readying themselves to act.

However, I responded by shaking a pouch I took out, creating the sound of clinking coins.

“Ten enchanted coins per person. I passed through the gatekeeper’s inspection through the proper procedures.”

“But you forcibly broke through the barrier.”

“It was self-defense. I couldn’t just do nothing when suddenly attacked by an unknown barrier, could I? Besides, given the attitude of the gatekeepers, they didn’t seem to know about the barrier’s existence either.”

“That’s because the barrier is designed to filter out beings other than humans. It was kept secret as it’s a vision.”

“Filtering out beings other than humans…”

I looked around and chuckled.

“Am I dreaming with this scene before my eyes?”

“We are exceptions as managers of the barrier.”

While the surroundings seemed to wobble, the person in question remained unfazed, smiling as she spoke.

“That barrier was part of a contract between us and King Priegoss, established for safety from monsters from Pohelrn.”

“Did King Priegoss initiate that contract with a sound mind?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A girl who appears to be your subordinate or sister was using a manipulation technique to control souls. Are you not using King Priegoss as a puppet?”

“Ah.”

The woman replied with a smile.

“King Priegoss’s mind is intact. However, recently, someone broke a carefully made barrier, which made him quite angry.”

“Though I shouldn’t judge by appearances, that isn’t a very trustworthy answer.”

“We need sincere conversation to build trust.”

The woman simply smiled softly, suddenly bowing her head slowly to introduce herself.

“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Ul Alia, the fourth daughter of the great father Ul Kanadiel and the advisor to King Priegoss of Pohelrn.”

“I am El Araya, the seventh daughter of the Earth Mother El Prigion, entrusted with the mission of a coordinator. As you can see, I am not human like you; I belong to the elf race.”

“…Einherjar?”

Everyone around muttered an unknown word, but Lamia widened her eyes for a moment before showing a look of understanding.

It seems like Einherjar refers to beings that mean life.

Are there races similar to elves in the east?

No, if that were the case, I would have judged it from the start.

It seemed that her reaction wasn’t to the word “elf” but rather to the preceding introduction.

“Thank you for the introduction, Araya. What brings you to Pohelrn?”

“If I restrict my visit to the reason for coming to Pohelrn, it’s to meet King Priegoss.”

“To meet the king…? If I may ask, for what reason do you wish to meet him?”

“Humans are one of the adversarial life forms that have created civilization on this land; consider my visit a reconnaissance to assess whether a human capable of leading is a threat to elves.”

“That’s quite an overly honest remark.”

“I have no reason to lie.”

Alia asked with a somewhat serious expression.

“If humans become a threat to elves, what will you do?”

“Well, I don’t know. Unless humans attack first, it doesn’t seem we would actively try to do anything against them.”

“Meaning…?”

“As a race, we are beings created to balance the overall ecosystem, so unless it disrupts the cycle, we wouldn’t be overly concerned.”

“……”

“After all, I introduced myself as a coordinator; wouldn’t it be foolish to annihilate a race simply because they might pose a slight threat to elves? There are many things in nature that can pose threats to elves in directions different from those of humans.”

“It seems you are saying it’s possible if you wished.”

“Who can say for future humans?”

I spoke while gazing at the view of the city of Pohelrn stretched out below the hill.

“If it’s humans of today, it shouldn’t be that hard.”

I made a light assertion.

“Nature is so organic that we can’t even imagine, and the extinction of one race can create unpredictable ripples in the ecosystem. It goes without saying that a race as influential as humans would have a similar impact. It’s not something we would create ourselves.”

“…You mentioned visiting for one reason, but do you have any other purposes?”

“Determining the origin of the energy you possess and the reason for the energy flowing in from the east.”

“Can I assume that’s a similar reason as before?”

“It would be similar. If it’s an unknown phenomenon, I need to be prepared in case it poses a threat.”

With that, Alia fell silent, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Lamia had suffered severe injuries, and it was not strange for a battle to happen at any moment. Yet, neither Alia nor I expressed any particular intent for confrontation, leaving everyone confused.

I too waited with my arms crossed for Alia to finish her train of thought.

Eventually, Alia opened her mouth.

“Can I assume that you, Araya, represent the race of elves?”

“I suppose that would be valid.”

After hearing my answer, Alia nodded.

“Very well. I will speak to ensure that you can meet King Priegoss.”

The surrounding witnesses looked at Alia in surprise, but she continued without concern.

“However, such a matter cannot be dealt with at this late hour, and we need to prepare as well. It will soon be time for the king to sleep. I will send someone early tomorrow for the discussions; how does that sound?”

I had just been pondering how I would meet King Priegoss by morning when the matter suddenly resolved. I nodded, feeling slightly flustered.

“The conversation regarding the energy…”

“This is not a topic suited for a light discussion in such a place. We’ll find an appropriate time to discuss that as well.”

Though I felt something slightly unsatisfactory about the neat conclusion, I agreed, and the unsettling barrier we had set up to block the approach of others was retracted in an instant.

“Can we take Lamia with us?”

“Of course.”

Once the barrier was lifted and sensing no sign of battle, the four who had been encircling us exchanged glances before landing to assist Lamia.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. I will send someone tomorrow to escort you.”

I watched Alia and the women swiftly disappear.

“By the way, did I mention where I was?”

I scratched my neck while gazing at the broom that lay awkwardly on the deserted hill path.

“… Having already come today, they will find a way somehow.”

It wasn’t a matter for me to worry about.

If anything, they would search for me on this side.

I looked down at the city below the hill and said, “Shall we return?”

◈ ◈ ◈

I quietly arrived at the inn I had booked for accommodation, and Kyle was waiting outside.

“Kyle? Were you out here?”

“Araya! You’re safe!”

As Kyle rushed in to hug me, I stepped back, pushing my face and body away before contact.

“Things seem a bit chaotic around here?”

“Ah… yeah… ah!”

Noticing the people outside even at night, I spoke.

Kyle, feeling a bit embarrassed by my reaction, seemed to recall something.

“A witch appeared!”

“A witch?”

I frowned in disbelief, but Kyle argued in indignation.

“No, no! I’m not joking; I swear multiple people witnessed it!”

“Oh?”

Seeing my interest piqued, he started explaining excitedly.

“After you disappeared, it became nighttime and dark, and someone pointed to the sky and shouted. ‘It’s a witch!’ So people looked up, and suddenly a witch on a broomstick was flying from the moon… Huh? Where are you going?”

“…To sleep.”

Kyle, not finished with his tale, followed me inside as I entered the inn, continuing his explanation.

“Anyway, the witch eats the flesh of children to stay young and… I was worried about you…”

“Kyle.”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up.”

---