episode_0031

1. Should I help the elves?

2. Should I pretend not to know and pass by?

Hesitation crept in.

Seeing the overlap between the elves and my elves made me feel inexplicably frustrated.

But I thought rationally.

Pretending not to know could hide my identity, but helping the elves could not only endanger my identity but also the village.

I steeled my heart.

If I were strong enough to save everyone, that would be great, but I am well aware of the impossibility.

I am weak.

Kardepion is strong.

The gap is so wide that it would be a losing battle if I were to confront him.

Even if Shaela were to be called, by the time he arrived, the situation would likely be over, and there is no guarantee that he would defeat Kardepion.

There is nothing I can do to help.

In other words, the choice was already made.

2. I have no choice but to pretend not to know them.

Even if they are elves, they are not related to me, and the risk is too great. Helping them would only be a one-sided loss, while the latter would benefit me.

Above all, look at the number of elves.

There are over 500 of them.

No matter how much the slave warriors rampage, they cannot capture all those elves. At least 3-400 of them should be able to escape.

…except for one variable.

Kardepion.

“Hmm. The number is too large, so it will be difficult to capture them with just the slave warriors. Volpir, would you like to go hunting elves with me?”

Swish-

He stood up from the carriage.

It seemed like he had the same idea as me, wanting to take action himself.

Swoosh.

“I will follow.”

I stood up as well.

It is necessary to know what power Kardepion is using if possible.

“You can keep the elves you catch. It would be difficult to capture them all.”

“Thank you.”

“Then let’s go.”

Thud.

I stepped out of the carriage.

Due to the fog, it is not visible to the naked eye, but the situation is clear through the plants and communication. Even the elves who are fleeing or fighting back.

“You heartless creatures!!”

“How long do you plan to torment us!!!!”

As some elves fell, enraged elf warriors gathered to attack the slave warriors.

Although they may be outnumbered, if they do well, they can hold them off, but the slave warriors are nothing more than pawns for Kardepion’s amusement.

If Kardepion steps in, it’s futile.

“Go ahead first. Let’s enjoy this to the fullest.”

Shoo!!

Whiiiiing!~

He disappeared before my eyes.

At the same time, a fierce wind swept through.

Whooosh!!~

This time, it is visible through the plant’s perspective.

He entered the battlefield at a crazy speed, striking the ground with his fist.

Thud!!

Crack crack crack!!!

“Ugh!? The ground!!….”

The elf who was running away blindly stumbled.

But that’s not all.

Boom!!

The surrounding fog dispersed.

The scene of the forest and the chaos of the elves and the slaughtering slave warriors were revealed.

And soon after.

[Kneel quietly.]

Whoosh!!-

Crash!!!-

A powerful shockwave erupted.

It was different from the aura that oppressed me earlier.

Mana burst out together, spreading a wide shockwave. The range was wide, so the intimidation was weaker than before, but it was a sufficient blow to the elves.

“Ugh!!….”

“Ouch… I can’t breathe… Mom….”

“Who is this presence….”

Dozens of elves nearby couldn’t resist and stood still. Just that alone greatly dampened the morale of the rebellious elves.

Thud!!

In that gap, I moved.

If things continued like this, many elves would be captured.

If possible, I need to guide them like a shepherd.

*

“Run!!!”

“Scream!!!”

Elves running in all directions.

Even if they run away, if they scatter like this, they will only become prey for the monster.

Crack!!

Crash!!!

“Ugh. There’s an enemy over there!!”

“Over here!!!”

A fist was thrown.

I tried to threaten them as much as possible to prevent them from coming towards me. It was to lead them to a place where there were no slave warriors.

Thud.

“Eek!!….”

I deliberately intercepted an elf just before they were about to be caught by the slave warriors.

It’s not a problem.

They are slaves.

“This elf is mine.”

“…Yes.”

Nod.

The blue-haired slave warrior. The strongest-looking slave bowed his head and disappeared.

Although his attitude seemed more polite than I expected….

But only for a moment.

Grin!

“Sacrifice yourself for your master!!!”

With a crazed laugh, I found another elf and swung my weapon.

He was like a madman resembling a Jeju Islander.

“Ugh!! Let go of me!!!”

As I watched for a moment, the elf woman who had been caught by me resisted roughly.

Snap.

I let her go.

“Run away over there.”

“You bad!!…… Huh?”

“Go.”

“….?”

“Quickly.”

“……..”

Thud!!

While the slave warrior was distracted elsewhere, I released the one I had caught. If I pretended to be confused and careless, it should work out.

I continued to move in that manner.

*

Thud.

Roll~

Some elves’ heads rolled.

They were elf warriors who had resisted until the end against Kardephion and died.

“Ugh…..”

“Now we…”

The captured elves knelt down.

Despite the elves’ desperate attempts to escape, nearly half of them died or were captured as Kardephion intervened.

About 60 dead elves.

About 160 captured elves.

Fortunately, after Kardephion appeared, the elves were too scared to resist and were captured or killed less.

“How is it, Volpir. Aren’t there many superior ones? Elves are indeed worth capturing. I should have brought more subordinates if I had known there were so many. It’s a shame that we missed the rest.”

“…Yes.”

I looked down at the elves kneeling with Kardephion.

I couldn’t save them.

Knowing that, I couldn’t do anything more.

If I tried to do more, I would only valiantly sacrifice my pathetic clone.

I just agreed with his words.

Drip.

“Ugh…..”

I observed the elves.

Crying.

Despairing.

Angry.

Closing their eyes tightly.

I understood their emotions, but I buried the sorrow in my heart and remained silent.

“Even male elves are in demand, so sell them all and choose good slaves now… Where should we start the selection.”

Swish~

Kardephion examined each elf.

He passed by many elves, muttering various reasons like ‘not my type, weak, not very healthy.’

How perfect of a talent was he looking for.

It was soon clear.

“You are suitable.”

Whoosh!

“Ugh…..”

He grabbed the chin of a green-haired elf.

It was Neriah, a high elf I had communicated with earlier.

By the way, she had tried to save the elves and had an impressive performance of hitting the arm of a slave warrior with an arrow, but she was caught in vain as a prime target.

“Beautiful, healthy, strong. Enough to become my slave.”

“No!! Not her!!”

“Let go!! Take me instead!! Please, not her!!….”

Immediately, the surrounding elves shouted.

As if that high elf was the only hope of their kind.

“Wow~ Noble lineage, huh. I like her even more.”

“…Let go. You trash!!”

“You seem to have a rebellious spirit. Then there’s no choice. Early education is the only way.”

Shrrr!

Clang!!

“Huh!?”

Was she a noble after all.

A transparent circle appeared in the air, and shining iron chains sprang out.

The iron chains bound the hands and feet of the High Elf, lifting them into the air without a single movement, digging into their flesh with a strong grip.

Clang.

At the same time, a shining sword appeared in the man’s hand.

That sword pierced through the High Elf’s abdomen.

Swish!!

“Scream!!!”

“Neria-nim!!!”

“Ah!!… S-stop!! Please!!!”

“You’re quite noisy.”

Swish!!

Thud!!

“Ahh!!”

At the man’s word, the slave warriors subdued the screaming Elf.

In response, Neria pleaded pitifully.

“Please… please stop. Please, spare them….”

“Do you still not understand your position? It’s okay~ I’ll make you realize, and then it will be over.”

Cardepion, instead, created another sword and struck down the nearby Elf.

Swish!!

“……!!!”

“Ahhhh!!”

The head of a female Elf rolled off.

Satisfied, Cardepion turned back to the High Elf and spoke.

“What do you think you should do now?”

“……I-I’m sorry!!”

“Surely that’s not all you have to say?”

“I-I will comply. Please, forgive them.”

“Your apology is lacking.”

“I apologize excessively! Please!! Please spare only them!!!”

Sobbing, she bit her lip.

A few tears fell.

It must be heartbreaking.

She must be in despair.

More mentally agonizing than physical pain.

She must be unable to bear it, but she must. How can she control her anger.

Understood.

My eyes must have furrowed in frustration.

But in a second, I reverted.

It’s time to control my expression.

“Alright. This should be enough for now. Punishment for rebellion, reward for compliance. From now on, remember only this.”

Swish.

He seemed satisfied as he sheathed his sword, and the slave warriors approached Neria to treat her.

Meanwhile, Cardepion turned his gaze towards me.

“Volpir. How about you? You seem to have not chosen a suitable slave, but I’m in a good mood, so if you’re okay, I’ll let you choose a few.”

“If you’re willing to give, I’ll gladly accept.”

I didn’t refuse. I didn’t want to raise suspicions, and if I did well, he might release me later.

I chose three young Elven women.

“Hmm? Did you prefer the younger ones?”

“…It’s a new preference.”

They might have become trash in the end, but I turned a blind eye.

My goal is to save them.

[…Great Mother……]

Suddenly, a desperate voice echoed in my ears.

I turned to look at the High Elf Neria, who had tightly closed her eyes.

[Please… help the children. I am powerless and can do nothing. Show mercy and save them. Please……]

A heartfelt prayer.

It touched me.

I unconsciously wanted to help.

But how?

Can I help?

Do I have the power to do so?

Will a surprise attack work?

Is it right to help now?

Should I have just watched until now?

I clearly understand.

I have no power to save them.

I must harden my heart even more.

But.

Sob.

Tock, tock.

Tears fell from the tightly closed eyes of the Elf.

The prayer continued without stopping.

[Please… don’t abandon us.]

Please let us live.

Don’t let us lose hope.

Let us live a normal life.

We don’t ask for much.

We didn’t ask for a grand life.

[Now we can’t even hope anymore.]

Feeding the children.

Making them smile.

I just wanted them to be happy.

How should I do this?

Is it too much to ask for?

Please take care of us.

Please save us.

[Please….]

A plea that seemed to be directed at me.

If you are listening, my chest area began to feel warm.

I have no obligation to take care of them… It’s so unfair to hear this voice.

But on the other hand, I start to think.

Do I really have no power to save them?

In fact, there is one way.

Bring the main body here.

If I give it my all, I might be able to face Cardepion.

But even that is questionable.

I’m confused about whether risking my life is the right thing to do.

There shouldn’t be any reason for that.

[We… just wanted to live.]

The dilemma continues to repeat.

It was such a heartfelt prayer.

Reason and heart argue separately.

I should ignore it, but the contradiction of wanting to save them is crashing.

I don’t know what to do.

I….

[Do-]

Another voice that comes at such a time.

Awakened from meditation.

This is not an elf’s prayer.

It’s a voice I already know well.

[Do… will you come?]

Shayla.

For some reason, her voice was ringing warmly in my mind.

“Shayla. You might have to leave this place. If there is anything you need to take, please let me know. I will prepare it for you.”

“Things to take… Munchan.”

“…Yes?”

The tree trunk house.

I closed my eyes and touched the trunk wall.

“I can feel your emotions.”

You seem confused.

Something troublesome has happened.

You might need my help.

That’s why the elves are so busy.

I clearly said it.

If it’s dangerous, call for me.

If you need help, speak up.

Munchan.

I am strong.

Much stronger than you think.

You need to know me properly.

So tell me.

Ask for help.

Then I will go.