Ch.119Punishment (4)

I knelt down and couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight of Arwen begging for forgiveness with her head bowed to the ground. It was a humiliating posture for both a queen and a person.

Honestly, just bowing her waist would have been enough to convey her sincerity to me. But seeing her apologize so excessively showed how important Rain was to her.

“I won’t ask for leniency. But I want to say that not all elves, and dark elves, are like this.”

“…”

Arwen continued speaking quietly while lying flat on the ground. Her beautiful silver-gray hair was scattered on the ground, and since her head was bowed, I couldn’t see her expression.

Judging by the atmosphere and her voice, she was clearly repenting for her sins. The problem was that Arwen didn’t need to bow so deeply.

While Arwen had responsibility as the person in charge, it was essentially Rain who had committed the crime. This meant that Rain, not Arwen, should be prostrating herself.

With that in mind, I took my eyes off the back of Arwen’s head and looked at Rain. Rain was staring at Arwen with trembling eyes, apparently quite shocked.

Perhaps Rain was experiencing something similar to when parents apologize on behalf of their misbehaving child. For a child who has done wrong to clearly understand their mistake, the role of the parents is crucial.

Therefore, Rain, who was under Arwen’s guardianship, would be greatly influenced. I quietly waited to see how Rain would react next.

“Y-Your Majesty…”

“…”

“Ugh… hic…”

Tears began to well up in Rain’s eyes as she stared blankly at Arwen. Cyris, who was beside her, had his eyes closed, seemingly unable to bear the sight.

I wondered how Rain would react next. Would she shout at me, or would she beg for forgiveness like Arwen?

Whatever happened, Rain would definitely be punished. She had already tasted the bitter consequences, but if a definite punishment was added here, the effect would be doubled.

While I was inwardly contemplating what punishment would be appropriate for Rain, she squeezed her eyes shut and quickly approached Arwen. Then, in less than a second, she prostrated herself just like Arwen.

“I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”

“…”

“It was my fault! It was my fault, so please…”

I stared at the two elves lying on the ground, then glanced at Cyris. The situation had changed strangely, and I was checking his reaction, but he seemed to interpret it differently.

When he briefly opened his eyes and met mine, he closed them again and slowly walked toward us. Eventually, he stood beside Arwen and slowly prostrated himself with gentle yet precise movements.

“I apologize.”

“…”

“For not stopping Rain when I could have and for standing by. I’m truly sorry.”

No. You don’t have to do this too. Why is this person prostrating himself too? Did he do something wrong as well?

It was awkward enough with the chain reaction leading to Cyris’s prostration. Moreover, the picture was strange and bizarre.

All three were exceptionally beautiful elves, and Arwen was even the queen of a country. This made my heart tickle like before, but I endured it.

“Sigh…”

I looked at the three who showed no intention of getting up and sighed. It seemed better to make them stand up rather than continue like this.

“…First, all three of you, please get up. Honestly, I’m a bit taken aback that the other two are doing this when it should just be Rain.”

“…I wanted to convey my sincerity to you.”

Arwen answered with a gloomy expression as she rose from her position. I noticed that her knees were dirty with soil from lying on the ground.

Her dress, which was close to white, made the stains even more noticeable.

As she stood up, Rain and Cyris followed suit. Rain was sobbing and crying profusely, while Cyris maintained an expressionless face, though his eyes looked somewhat sad.

I rubbed the back of my neck and glanced at Cecilly beside me as the three waited for my response. She seemed determined to maintain a third-party stance, observing with a neutral expression.

It appeared she was leaving the final decision to me. In that case, it would be beneficial to resolve this as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, I voiced what I knew to the three people in front of me.

“I heard from Cecilly earlier. The dark elves themselves decided on Rain’s sentence. It’s 500 years in prison, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“500 years… that’s certainly not a short period even for elves, right? Having to spend half of your life in prison.”

In ten years, mountains and rivers change, but in 500 years, the world would change beyond description. The reason why people who have been imprisoned for a long time can’t adapt to society after being released is precisely because the world and society have changed so drastically.

So even if Rain were released after spending 500 years in prison, she would likely be unable to adapt at all. It’s too harsh a punishment for a child whose personality is just beginning to form.

However, stealing the manuscript was clearly wrong, and she even broke into my mansion. No matter how immature a child is, they shouldn’t do things that can’t be forgiven.

‘But throwing her straight into prison is also problematic…’

For the next 500 years, it would be fine. Even if I died after a long life, I could entrust the future to Cecilly.

But this alone can’t be a fundamental solution. Who knows what kind of monster might emerge when she gets out of prison after 500 years.

In the worst case, she might harm my descendants while evading Cecilly’s watchful eye. It’s not an impossible story, considering she would harbor all sorts of resentment during her time in prison.

So I need to impose a punishment on Rain that is not excessive, appropriate, and acceptable to everyone.

Ah, of course, this applies not only to Rain but also to Arwen and Cyris. These two are in positions of responsibility rather than direct punishment, so it’s almost embarrassing to call it punishment.

After organizing my thoughts as much as possible, a good idea suddenly occurred to me, and I looked at Cecilly. She tilted her head as if wondering if I had something to say.

“Sis.”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“You said you’d do anything for me, right?”

“That’s right. But why? Does it have something to do with these people?”

She’s quick-witted as always. Instead of answering, I gave an ambiguous smile.

Cecilly saw my smile and chuckled as if she couldn’t help it, then quietly opened her mouth.

“Alright. So what punishment are you going to impose?”

“Probation.”

“Probation?”

“Yes.”

Cecilly made a puzzled expression as if she had never heard the term before. Not just her, but the three people in front of me were the same.

Certainly, in this world, there isn’t even the word “imprisonment,” let alone “probation.” There’s only the mention of sentencing someone to a certain number of years when they commit a crime, and even the laws aren’t systematically structured.

I thought carefully about how probation is structured and began explaining one by one.

“As everyone knows, I’m human. A human with a lifespan that’s short compared to demons or elves. It’s natural that I can’t even last 100 years, let alone 500 years.”

“…”

“So I’ll leave Rain’s management entirely to Cecilly. However, considering that Rain is sincerely repentant and young, I’ll reduce her sentence somewhat. Not 500 years, but about 300 years?”

“Th-Thank you! Thank you so much!!”

Rain prostrated herself once more, overwhelmed with gratitude, as if she never dreamed that I would mention a reduced sentence. Arwen also looked as if she had survived a near-death experience, slightly opening her mouth with a dazed expression.

However, contrary to their thoughts, my words weren’t finished yet. The true essence of probation comes now.

“I haven’t finished explaining yet. There’s a condition attached here.”

“By condition, you mean…”

“Since the 500-year sentence has already been confirmed within the dark elf community, I won’t change that. The 300 years I mentioned is probation, or a kind of surveillance, you could say? Anyway, if Rain commits a crime during these 300 years without any special reason, she’ll spend 500 years in prison as is. Additionally, depending on the severity of the crime, more time can be added to the 500-year sentence. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I had considered making Rain serve our family as a guardian or maid for 500 years, but it didn’t feel right. Cecilly had already declared that she would protect our family, so there was no need for Rain to be involved.

Therefore, I’m giving Rain another chance, but if she commits a similar crime again, she’ll be made to rot in prison for 500 years without mercy.

At first glance, probation might seem good, but since she’ll be under strict surveillance for 300 years, restrictions on her actions are inevitable.

“…So if Rain doesn’t commit any special crimes and behaves quietly for 300 years, she’s innocent?”

Cyris asked me with his characteristic low, husky voice. Judging by the expressions of the other two elves as well, they didn’t seem to understand.

Well, probation is a novel, even new, punishment for this world, so their reaction is natural.

“Absolutely not. Don’t misunderstand. Rain has already received an appropriate punishment, and this is a stigma that will never be erased. I’m giving her one more chance out of leniency, but that doesn’t mean she’s innocent at all. Would you want to be monitored for 300 years? Especially when you’d have to rot in prison for 500 years without any excuse if you commit a crime during that time?”

“…So her body isn’t confined, but it’s not complete freedom either.”

“That’s right. It’s a novel concept, so it might be hard to understand.”

What’s important to remember is that Rain is not innocent but guilty. That’s also why I entrusted her to Cecilly, not anyone else.

“After this time, you can act as usual, but Rain will be under Cecilly’s surveillance from now on. Arwen wouldn’t do this, but just in case, it might be good to write a contract or a memorandum. Is it possible with magic too?”

“It’s possible. There’s something called a ‘pledge,’ a magic that’s almost impossible to break forcibly. It’s usually used in master-servant relationships, but…”

“…”

As Cecilly trailed off and looked at Arwen, Arwen gave a bitter smile. A pledge between a demon descendant and an elf chosen by God.

And with the elf in the subordinate position, it can’t help but feel strange.

“…I will gladly accept it. It’s essentially a form of punishment that’s as good as showing leniency to us.”

“Arwen, remember this too. This is not a declaration of innocence but of guilt. If Rain commits something similar to this again, there will be no leniency whatsoever. It’s a 500-year sentence, no questions asked.”

“I will keep that in mind. Rain will know this too.”

“I-I’ll never do it again! Really!”

Rain nodded her head vigorously as if to emphasize that she would remember, speaking with a trembling voice. For her, it was like having one foot in the gates of hell and barely managing to escape, so her reaction was entirely natural.

Well, even with this, Arwen’s qualification as a guardian will inevitably be revoked. But that’s their business, not mine.

Above all, I’ve only decided on Rain’s treatment now; Arwen and Cyris remain. I turned my gaze from Rain to Arwen.

“And Arwen, you need to take responsibility too. You as well, Cyris.”

“…”

“…”

Perhaps because it was their turn. Both elves’ expressions hardened. I had been pondering deeply.

The two were not accomplices but bystanders, so the severity wouldn’t be that great. In fact, it’s almost embarrassing to call it punishment.

‘Hmm… I’ll go with this.’

A good plan came to mind, both to satisfy my self-interest and to gain various knowledge. With this in mind, I spoke to Cyris first.

“Cyris. Please serve as a messenger between Arwen and me. So that I can contact her whenever I have something to say to Arwen or need something.”

“A messenger… I understand. Does that mean I need to stay by your side constantly?”

“Hmm… Is there a way for me to contact you whenever I need you? Or summon you?”

In a world where science hasn’t developed, there are no telephones, and the only means of communication is letters.

So I was curious if it was possible to make up for it with magic, and just then, Cecilly taught me one suitable method.

“There’s something called a summoning scroll. If you tear the scroll with the target’s hair or blood on it, you can summon them anytime, anywhere. But the target has to respond within a certain time.”

“So they could ignore the contact?”

“That will never happen. I will respond to your request whenever and wherever if it means atoning for my sin.”

Cyris spoke with firm and responsible words. His fierce eyes had given the impression that he was glaring at me all this time, but it seemed that was just his natural expression.

Anyway, now that Cyris’s treatment had been decided, I finally looked at Arwen. When our eyes met, she had a tense expression.

As Rain’s guardian, she bears a great responsibility, but having already bowed her head to the ground, it’s difficult to punish her severely.

I wondered if this would be acceptable, but decided to speak anyway. If she found it difficult, I planned to push through; if she absolutely refused, I would back down.

“Arwen. As queen, you can freely come and go to the ‘sacred place,’ right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then can you also bring out books from there?”

Alfheim’s sacred place is the first-built library and history itself. It houses various knowledge that could be said to contain all the history of this world.

There are even critical books about elves, but because elves were stubborn in strange ways, they didn’t discard them but kept them intact.

“Is, is that enough? If that’s all, I can transfer them to you using spatial magic without directing Cyris.”

Arwen’s eyes widened as she heard my request, and she asked in a slightly surprised voice. It seems this is an easy request for her as queen.

“Then please do it that way. I don’t mind. If possible, I’d like history books.”

“I understand. But is that really enough? For me as queen, it’s a very easy task…”

Arwen asked again, as if she couldn’t believe it. It might be easy for her as queen, but not for me as a human.

As Professor Elena had told me, entering the sacred place requires strict and complex procedures. Even entering Alfheim involves rigorous screening, let alone the sacred place.

To this, I shrugged my shoulders and then mimicked writing with a pen as I answered.

“Forgot my profession? What thoughts do you think I’ll have after reading those books?”

“…”

“As I said before, I’m asking for books that I want, not books that you found interesting. It’s the sacred place, after all, so there should be books I want. If you lie and say there aren’t any… you know?”

“Ah, I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Arwen’s complexion paled slightly, perhaps afraid that I might write something unfavorable about elves in the Biography of Xenon. She might think that bringing down elves would be as easy as eating rice lying down, just as I had raised the perception of demons from devils to people.

Of course, I can’t change the already determined story, so it’s purely her misconception. The collapse of Alfheim in the book is already a decided matter, and the story of elves and dark elves harmonizing and restoring it remains the same.

I didn’t care what they would think about this. After all, the demons went through the same thing, so what meaning would it have now?

“Well. Now that the punishment is over… Rain.”

“Y-Yes!”

Rain responded briskly, standing at attention when I called her. She probably thinks I hold her life in my hands.

In reality, the authority is with me, so if things go wrong, she’s confirmed for 500 years. She seems to have matured a bit because of this, but there’s no need to remind her again.

“I’ll say it again, but you’re not innocent; you’re guilty. You’ll have to live under Cecilly’s surveillance for 300 years, and if you commit a crime during that time, you could receive an even harsher punishment on top of the 500 years. Understand?”

“I-I’ll keep it in mind! I’ll surely keep it in my heart even after you’re dead!”

“That sounds a bit off… but I understand.”

“…May I ask one question?”

Just as the situation was about to conclude, Cyris asked me a question in his low voice. With that, everyone’s attention turned to him.

Cyris maintained his characteristic sharp expression even with all eyes on him. Curious about what question he wanted to ask, I nodded.

“Go ahead.”

“Until when will I serve as a messenger?”

“Ah, I hadn’t thought about that. Would you like to do it until I die? After all, I’m human, so it would be a short period for you.”

It was just a joke to slightly lighten the mood. But as expected of an elf.

“So about 80 years… I understand. I will accept it.”

“…You’ll really accept it?”

“I think that duration is appropriate.”

Cyris accepted it straightforwardly without any objection. Judging by his face, he seemed to have accepted it on his own, which made me feel rather taken aback.

Somehow, it felt like I had gained a slave for life. I scratched my head in embarrassment and bewilderment, then glanced at Arwen.

“I-I too will fulfill your requests until you return to the embrace of the gods. Since even I haven’t read all the books in the sacred place, 80 years will feel very short.”

“…”

Let’s just let it go. This is a gain, not a loss at all. Even if it’s burdensome, they’ve accepted it without difficulty, so I’ll accept it too.

Anyway, after that, the situation was resolved by getting the manuscript back from Rain, and I checked if it was genuine and if there were any damaged parts.

Fortunately, there were no damaged parts anywhere, as it had been well preserved until now.

As I was looking through the clean manuscript, a question suddenly came to mind, and I looked at the three in front of me.

“Hmm… Oh, right. I’m curious about something: how did you break into the mansion? There were knights dispatched from the imperial palace on guard duty, which is a bit strange. Are dark elves that strong?”

“Rather than strong, their abilities are different. It’s very difficult to detect them unless there’s a magician.”

The answer came from Arwen. I kept my gaze on her and continued.

“My father said that the knights dispatched from the imperial palace are incredibly strong, but they’re not enough?”

“They might see silhouettes, but it’s difficult to discern covert operations. Because of this, enhanced detection magic is installed in mansions of count level or higher by human standards. Below that, detection magic is installed only to block common criminals.”

So no matter how skilled a Zealot is, they can’t defeat a Dark Templar? An Observer (magician) is definitely needed.

From the explanation, it seemed that dark elves, as in many media from my previous life, are a race specialized in “stealth.” The profession of thief would suit them very well.

‘If dark elves had also participated in the racial war…’

They would have been slicing the necks of human leaders from unseen places, leading to a 100% probability of defeat. Elves preferred frontal battles over covert operations (assassinations).

But when the war situation became unfavorable, some elf warriors tried to turn the tide through covert operations and were arrested for tarnishing the honor of elves. Even though that warrior was the first to realize the decisive method to win the war.

If the elves had realized that fact a little earlier, wouldn’t that elf warrior have been hailed as a hero? As I was thinking about that elf warrior, with Arwen right in front of me, I decided to ask about what happened to that person.

In the book, there was only a record that they were imprisoned, with nothing written about what happened after the war.

“Arwen. Can I ask one more thing? It’s about the elf warrior who was imprisoned for breaking the law during the racial war.”

“That warrior is currently released and living in seclusion in his mansion. Probably because of the pain of being betrayed by Alfheim.”

“…”

“For Alfheim, it’s a great loss to have lost a patriot and an outstanding warrior. Even I requested his return, but was lightly dismissed.”

Certainly, the pain of a soldier betrayed by his homeland is indescribable. Especially if he came to know that his choice was the right one, his resentment would have deepened even more.

In fact, the elf who represented “pride” in the Biography of Xenon experienced similar pain. He was angered by the ugly reality of Alfheim and converted himself to a demon.

‘But thanks to that, I can create a good story.’

The destruction of Alfheim at the hands of demons is a predetermined course, but it’s natural for a hero to appear in the process afterward.

As I was roughly sketching the story in my head, I looked at each of the three people in front of me. They were still waiting with tense expressions for my words to fall.

To this, I chuckled and opened my mouth slyly.

“It’s all over now, so there’s no need for such expressions. I don’t have anything particular to say either.”

“Is, is it really over?”

Rain asked with a trembling voice. I nodded without much thought.

“Ah…”

Thud!

Perhaps her tension was released? As soon as I nodded, Rain’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.

Thanks to Cyris’s urgent support beside her, she was barely able to stand up, but I could see her legs trembling like a newborn mountain goat.

After briefly looking at the two dark elves, I met eyes with Arwen. There was a subtle mix of emotions in her silver-gray eyes.

Whether it was gratitude or thanks for showing mercy, it was certainly a favorable emotion.

But more than that, I was concerned about her dirty knees. It was already awkward that she had prostrated herself to apologize, but seeing her dirty knees made me uncomfortable.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Y-You? What are you…”

Tap- Tap-

Regardless of Arwen’s surprise, I slightly bent my waist and dusted off her dirty knees with my hands. Her dress, which was close to pure white with a silver-gray hue, would need washing, but for now, I was just dusting off the dirt.

Fortunately, whether it was magically treated or the material was good, just dusting it with my hands made it much cleaner than before. There were stains, but it seemed like they could be washed out with water.

“No matter what, it was a bit excessive for the queen of Alfheim to prostrate herself. You might not think so, but I found it a bit uncomfortable.”

“…”

“Although the situation might make things a bit awkward between us, let’s try to get along like we did during the festival. Understand?”

After dusting off Arwen’s knees, I slowly straightened my back. Arwen listened to my words, blushed slightly, then lowered her head and answered softly.

“…I understand.”

“Now that everything is settled…”

The result of the long manuscript theft case.

“We’ll be going now.”

It ended with Rain being placed on probation.