chapter_0129

130 – You’re Going to Offend So Much!

130 – You’re Going to Offend So Much!

Reina had thought several times as she made her way to Max’s Illusion Shop.

“I’m not going there because I like that man.”

It’s simply because that’s the only place where she could experience such sensations while maintaining her body’s purity.

It was merely curiosity about the filthy desire of being violated by an Inferior species that drew her there.

“I don’t want to be violated just because I like him.”

With those self-hypnotic words, Reina headed to Max’s shop.

The pride of being an Elf still lingered deep within her heart.

Humans are an Inferior species, and Elves are superior, after all.

It was a given.

From Mana Sensitivity to Spirit Affinity, Elves overwhelmingly surpassed humans.

Their understanding of art and the speed at which they acquired knowledge were both much faster for Elves.

Moreover, their lifespans, which were several times longer than those of humans, allowed all Elves to achieve accomplishments that humans could hardly attain.

Elves lacked sexual desire and, due to their long lifespans, were a passive species when it came to reproduction.

Thus, aside from their absolute numbers being low, they could be seen as a species without any drawbacks.

Of course, Reina did not consider that a disadvantage of Elves.

Maintaining an appropriate number.

That was what truly represented the superiority of Elves.

A great species cannot be just anyone.

If the number of Elves were three times, or even twice, what it is now, she was confident that the species dominating the continent would be Elves, not humans.

Excluding the occasional irregular humans, Elves could defeat them all.

“Elves have a mission to protect the forest.”

That was why they did not think about conquering the continent.

Protecting and preserving the Elven Forest was one of the most important tasks for Elves.

But still.

“Huh.”

As Reina entered the shower room, she felt her heart racing.

“Why am I so nervous?”

She was just trying to experience it once more out of curiosity.

It was nothing special.

So why?

“Calm down.”

Thump thump.

Her heart raced with anticipation for what was to come.

Reina was excited at the thought of experiencing something that would never happen in Elven society.

Having spent some time in the human world, she had realized one thing: their world moved quickly without a moment’s rest.

It was vastly different from the leisurely society of Elves.

So, new experiences always awaited her.

Though not every experience satisfied her, the anticipation of novelty mostly thrilled her.

Among them, the one that had satisfied her the most was, of course, Max’s illusion.

That was why she had come back for one last visit before returning to the Elven Forest.

“Is that why my heart is racing like this…?”

She couldn’t understand why her heart raced at the thought of being roughly treated by an Inferior species.

It was just an illusion.

“Could it be because I requested Max’s face?”

She had added Max’s face as a condition.

It was because she wanted to be with someone she had already experienced in the illusion.

Elves were known for not easily changing their chosen partners.

A species that would strive to match frequencies even if they didn’t align.

Reina had thrown herself at Yuris several times to give him up, which was due to that species trait.

It was a decision made with the thought that being with Max, whom she knew the face of, was slightly better than being with a human whose face and name she didn’t even know.

It was definitely not because she liked him!

“Let’s get a grip. It’s just a fleeting pleasure… something I can’t enjoy in the Elven Forest.”

Exhaling, Reina washed herself clean and changed her clothes before stepping outside.

A familiar scent tickled her nose.

“Down Nips.”

As soon as she smelled it, she immediately recognized it as the tea from her hometown.

“I brewed the tea you sent me last time.”

“Oh.”

After her third visit with Yuris, Reina had sent Max this Down Nips as a gift.

– It’s not your fault, so don’t worry too much.

It was a message written in Elvish.

Honestly, she didn’t think humans would understand Elvish.

Yet, she insisted on writing it in Elvish in the letter.

“If an Inferior species wants to receive my encouragement, they should at least understand Elvish.”

That was the reason.

It was truly a Reina-like reason.

It meant that a species that couldn’t understand her language didn’t deserve to receive her comfort.

She also included instructions on how to brew Down Nips.

“Drink this. It will calm your mind before entering the illusion.”

Reina took a sip of the tea Max had brewed.

“Did you brew it properly?”

“Of course.”

The soft aroma and the subtle floral scent lingering in her mouth.

Even the slight resistance felt as it went down her throat was the perfect Down Nips tea.

Having met a few humans who dealt with Down Nips since coming to the Empire, Max was the first human who brewed it properly.

“You brewed it well.”

Down Nips was not the kind of tea that could fully express its flavor just by steeping it in hot water.

Down Nips, which only survives on the morning dew of the Elven Forest.

As expected from its growing environment, the key was to brew it in cold water.

After steeping it in cold water for about five minutes, the leaves should be removed, and the infused water should be boiled to enjoy Down Nips properly.

If brewed in hot water without knowing anything, it would taste bitter, and one wouldn’t be able to experience its unique softness.

Many Inferior species insisted on brewing tea hot.

It couldn’t be helped for an Inferior species.

Max calmly replied to Reina’s words.

“You told me last time, didn’t you? To brew it in cold water and then boil that water. It definitely tastes good when done that way.”

Reina paused and asked.

“When did I tell you?”

“It was written in the letter you sent with the gift.”

“…You read that?”

“Yes. I also read the encouragement letter well.”

“…I see.”

Reina’s voice softened.

She slowly savored the gentle tea that reminded her of her hometown.

It was truly a perfect aroma and flavor.

It wasn’t a taste that could be learned simply from a letter.

As she marveled at the flavor, she soon found the bottom of her teacup.

“Well, now that you’ve finished, shall we begin?”

“…Ah, yes.”

Reina felt her face flush without her realizing it.

“Wait a minute.”

Why am I acting like this?

Why do I keep feeling this way since earlier?

“Then, I will begin.”

“Ah, okay…”

Feeling the world change, Reina tightly shut her eyes.

“……”

When Reina opened her eyes again, she realized she was in the imperial palace.

“Are you ready?”

A man with a strange face dressed in imperial attire was waiting for her.

“Who are you?”

A cold voice escaped her lips.

“Have you forgotten? We are the delegation heading to the Elven Forest on the Emperor’s orders. The things behind us are gifts for the Elven Forest.”

Even as the official explained calmly, Reina’s voice did not change.

“Such pointless actions… The treasures that Inferior species hold so dear are nothing special in the Duri Elf Forest.”

“It is the Emperor’s sincerity.”

“Hmph, he is the Emperor of an Inferior species, not my Emperor, right?”

Why am I acting like this?

Contrary to her initial thoughts, Reina’s lips kept spewing harsh words.

She felt bad.

But she didn’t know why she felt bad.

With an inexplicable discomfort, she shuddered.

“Ahem, anyway, our procession is all prepared. The guards will arrive shortly, and we will depart as soon as they do.”

“Are they still not here?”

“I apologize. This task was entrusted to the border guards, not the regular army of the Empire…”

“What? You entrusted it to an unprepared army?”

“I apologize.”

For some reason, irritation surged.

She was angry.

She knew better than anyone that this official had done nothing wrong.

Yet, Reina’s anger did not subside.

What was the reason?

With her sharp mind, she retraced her thoughts several times, but no proper answer emerged.

It was then.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m a bit late.”

A careless voice.

The sound of footsteps dragging along the floor.

Hearing the voice of a man that exuded a sense of delinquency, Reina furrowed her brows and turned her head.

“Do Inferior species have no sense of time? What kind of mentality are you walking around with…”

Reina couldn’t finish her sentence as she saw the man in front of her.

“Huh?”

Bronzed skin, brown hair, and thick muscles.

Max, looking like a warrior, swaggered toward her.

He was tall enough that she had to look up at him.

Without realizing it, Reina looked up at Max.

Just like when she had knelt in the past and looked up at him.

Gulp.

Reina swallowed unconsciously.

The moment she saw a man who bore a striking resemblance to Max, one thought filled her mind.

‘It’s this man.’

The one who would violate her during the journey.

Thump thump.

Her heart trembled at the thought of the events to come.

“I’m sorry. But I will ensure the escort, so please don’t worry.”

With a smile, the mercenary Max spoke, and Reina thought.

‘That’s a lie!’

He was going to violate her tremendously!

As expected of an Inferior species!

“Le, let’s depart.”

“Understood.”

Reina’s voice was softer than before, like a feather.

Suppressing her ragged breath, she climbed onto the largest carriage positioned at the center of the procession.

An automobile made by dwarves was far too trivial for a noble Elf to ride.

Once she was on the carriage, she stole a glance at the mercenary Max, who was closely guiding the horses.

Until the procession began.