episode_0010

It had been over a week since the uncomfortable cohabitation with the priestess began.

A period that could be considered short if it was short, or long if it was long.

In none other than the Southern Great Forest, one of the four major magical realms, naturally, many events had come and gone. Going through a series of incidents, the priestess and I…

“…Did you kill another guardian deity?”

“Come on, would I really kill another guardian deity? Not this time.”

“You said the same thing last time, but enraged followers came looking for us. From wolf followers to bear followers, even tiger followers held grudges against us. If we add the grudge of another follower…”

“We’re going to leave the forest soon anyway. What’s there to worry about? They are people we’ll never meet again once we leave tomorrow.”

“She’s like an evil witch. The thought of… Ugh, never mind. It hurts just to say it.”

Unfortunately, we hadn’t grown any closer.

Misunderstandings that seemed like they would quickly unravel only grew in size like a snowball rolling down a snowy field as more incidents occurred.

The emotional rift deepened, and before I knew it, the priestess was glaring at me with disdain in her eyes.

I couldn’t fathom the reason behind it at all.

Just trying to live as I wanted, I even made efforts to clear up misunderstandings. How did things end up like this?

“I can’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Since when have you cared so much about me?”

“…”

Wiping away the bloodstain on my cheek, I pondered.

Indeed, it seemed like the prejudice against witches in this world was too severe.

Honestly, even if someone saved your life, sheltered you, and even fed you, isn’t it unreasonable to look at them so harshly?

Even if one harbored such deep-seated hatred towards witches almost bordering on brainwashing, this was just too much.

*Sigh.*

I sighed deeply and shook my head.

It’s fine. Just until today, I’ll endure living with this ungrateful priestess.

My life in the forest, spent day by day in anxiety, would come to an end, and now I could truly enjoy a leisurely fantasy life.

“A life outside the forest.”

As I gazed out the window with eyes full of anticipation, the priestess sent me a stern look.

“The promise to live quietly, you haven’t forgotten it, have you?”

“Oh, come on, after agreeing to receive so much money, do you think I’d forget that promise? Don’t worry, I really intend to live quietly.”

I have no intention of causing trouble like the protagonist and his companions.

Not only am I not the type to engage in such reckless behavior, but also, considering half of the fortune gathered belongs to someone who is even a ‘saint candidate.’

“As long as I don’t get swept up in any incidents, I won’t make any moves first, absolutely.”

“…That was the agreement. Well, you should be able to protect yourself.”

For a moment, we conversed without emotion, then soon fell into an awkward silence once again.

With no more conversations to be had and nothing to do to avoid the silence, I found myself unable to overcome the awkwardness and decided to lie down on the soft bed, hoping to take a nap, while receiving the priestess’s disapproving gaze with closed eyes.

However…

*Rumble!*

Suddenly feeling the vibration of the ground, I couldn’t help but open my eyes wide again.

“Did you feel that?”

“…Yes.”

“The demons must be fighting for territory, right?”

“That seems likely. There wouldn’t be any humans entering the Great Forest unless they were quite foolish.”

“No need to be so self-deprecating. You didn’t come here because you wanted to, did you?”

“It’s noisy.”

She spoke curtly while double-checking the bag she had prepared.

Watching her closely, I felt another, stronger vibration from the ground than before.

*Rumble!*

For some reason, the tremors felt even more intense than earlier.

Feeling like the origin was getting even closer, I picked up the Chinese food that had been placed on the table.

…Why did this have to happen the day before leaving Daelim?

How much more suffering must one endure to enjoy a peaceful and happy life?

Gritting my teeth, trying to make sense of the situation, I looked out the window and witnessed a truly bizarre sight.

It was none other than…

“Is that… even possible?”

Though only a few trees were burning, the fact that they were on fire left me momentarily questioning my eyesight.

Even after rubbing my eyes, the scene remained unchanged.

Were it sorcerers or dragons? No, even if they came, setting fire to Daelim would be impossible.

While forests burning may be common, it was unheard of in the “Southern Daelim.”

Elves, known to live for five hundred years at least, often a thousand. Their race had imbued every shrub in Daelim with defensive and elemental resistance spells.

Their flame immunity could even withstand a Red Dragon’s breath.

Indeed, they had reached such a level that they were called “Makyung.” If they were pierced by crude flames, they wouldn’t even be considered Makyung.

Regardless, the sight before me was astonishing.

Who could have intruded into Daelim to set ablaze these sturdy shrubs?

As I pondered the identity of this presence, my expression hardened.

It couldn’t be “him.”

It was barely mid-game, so why would “he” already be in Daelim?

No, the youngsters fooling around catching liches in the northern mines wouldn’t be here.

At this stage, the protagonist’s party should be heading north to strengthen themselves.

Recovering strength while battling the Arc Lich fiercely, identifying and improving individual weaknesses, a time for growth.

Since they were far from ready to enter Daelim, no matter how many times I thought about it, the protagonist’s party didn’t seem likely.

Then who was it?

Was there a formidable entity entering Daelim to set it ablaze at this stage?

I slowly recalled the original setting but couldn’t remember anything specific.

As the flames and vibrations gradually subsided, I shook my head and dismissed my thoughts.

“I don’t know, probably nothing.”

“…It doesn’t look like nothing to me?”

“No, let’s just ignore everything and leave tomorrow.”

“Well, that seems difficult right now.”

“What?”

Looking puzzled at the priestess, she silently pointed outside.

What could possibly be out there?

If I had cautiously glanced outside, I would have cursed at the terrifying sight that met my eyes.

“Holy sh*t.”

Bright magical runes covering the sky.

Even as a magic layman, those runes looming threateningly above my house were on the verge of manifesting.

—–

Let’s think calmly for a moment.

How many races in Daelim could pull off something as enormous as this?

Undoubtedly, aside from the Elf race obsessed with reproduction, prioritizing all actions around it, there was no other.

So, let’s ask again.

Have I ever done anything to provoke the Elves or warrant their revenge?

No, not really.

Entering their habitat was always with their permission. Even the harvested vegetables and fruits were just ordinary ingredients unrelated to their vitality.

I could confidently say that I hadn’t done anything to upset the Elves.

Yet why…

Were those lunatics unfolding magic to attack me?

I wanted to understand the cause a little better.

However, the situation was too serious to just sit and discuss it.

It was only a matter of time before encountering the boatswain from the other world at that fierce magic circle.

Thus, I had no choice but to grab my sword and rush out of the house.

It was to somehow stop the indiscriminate bombardment by the elves.

And then.

“Oh, there’s the landlord.”

“…”

“Too bad. If we had met outside the Great Forest, I would have proposed right away. But of all places, we meet in such a fierce place.”

As soon as I left the house, I realized why the elves were floating such a terrifying magic circle in the sky.

A muscular body that could easily be the final boss of a boy’s comic.

Blue eyes that revealed desire even amidst the burning enemy and this desperate situation.

The protagonist of the original work, Carl Pashible, classified as ‘special grade’ by the picky elves.

He was facing off against the elves in front of my house.

My mind began to feel confused.

…Why are you here?

Shouldn’t you be up north dealing with Ark Lich?

I tried hard to figure out the situation, but the elves didn’t even give me time to think; they seemed eager to engage with the ‘special grade’ immediately.

[Witch.]

The amplified, colorful voice echoed through the Great Forest.

[I will give you a chance to surrender. If you incapacitate that male now and hand him over to us, we will spare your life.]

At first listen, it seemed like a truly merciful offer.

However, I did not trust the words of beasts driven by lust.

I saw firsthand what happened to the village chief who made a pact with them in the original work.

So instead of answering, I tightened my grip on the sword.

Then, with a smirk, I subtly embraced the protagonist from behind.

“…This is kind of exciting.”

“Shut up, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

In a calm voice, I whispered as I aimed the sword at his lower abdomen.

Next, looking at the elves with bewildered expressions, I boldly shouted,

“If anyone dares to act up even a little from now on, I’ll cut them down.”