Ch.135135. Entry Record (1)

# The Elven Kingdom

A name that seems vaguely familiar, this kingdom exists on an island across the western sea of the Western Continent. Comparing it to Earth in my previous life, it would be situated where Britain or Ireland is located.

As its name suggests, the Elven Kingdom is a nation composed of elves, and simultaneously a considerable superpower with a reputation (or notoriety) in the international community.

Based on the elves’ superior magical technology, they have built the world’s largest fleet, bringing most of the seas under their control. Having established colonies throughout the world, they are somewhat hyperbolically called “the empire on which the sun never sets.”

Not only have they built colonies in such diverse locations that when the sun sets in one colony, it rises in another, but perhaps this name also stems from the fact that elves worship the sun god as their primary deity?

Thus, the Elven Kingdom exists in this world as a nation that has undisputedly seized hegemony, and while their notoriety may grow alongside it, no one denies their maritime supremacy.

The source of the Elven Kingdom’s great national power lies in the exceptional abilities of the individual elves who make up the kingdom.

The elves of this world are a race that embodies the typical “arrogant elf” image, like the pointy-eared snobs often portrayed in fiction.

However, this arrogance is by no means unfounded, as the elven race possesses truly remarkable abilities.

On average, elves are taller than humans, possess exceptional beauty, and all have superior physical abilities along with high bodily immunity and recovery capabilities.

In particular, their bodies and muscles are as if compressed to the extreme, so despite their relatively slender builds, their physical abilities surpass those of even the most muscular humans.

Additionally, elves possess an innate affinity for magic, which, combined with their considerably high intelligence, means that each elf has the potential to become what is considered a rare intermediate-level magic user.

Thus, from an objective perspective, the capabilities of each individual elf exceed those of humans, but…

The problem is that the elven race happens to be born with extremely emotional and sensitive temperaments, essentially embodying the very definition of hysteria.

Sensitive, emotional, neurotic—a race where coolheadedness is the possession of only a select few.

Their objectively undeniable superior abilities, combined with their excessively emotional and sensitive aspects, have given birth to their arrogance.

Of course, a moderate level of arrogance might be tolerable considering their abilities, but the true problem with elves is that they are arrogant beyond their capabilities.

While the average abilities of elves are superior, they are by no means absolute. They too are ultimately a mortal race, one of the terrestrial species that will lose their lives if stabbed with a sword.

Like other long-lived races, they face difficulties in surpassing the intermediate or advanced barriers, or have disadvantages such as being too lightweight for close combat.

Nevertheless, the elves remained arrogant. Excessively arrogant.

One might wonder if colonial empires of the old imperialist era were like this. Deeply rooted in their thinking is an elven supremacist mindset born from arrogance.

No matter how benevolent an elf might be, no matter how humble they claim to be, they inwardly regard non-elven races as inferior, lower species, to the extent that this sense of being the chosen people leaks through in their speech.

And this is the state of the citizens of the nation that Mother is now suggesting I consider visiting.

“…’That country’?”

“Yes. …Would you at least listen to my explanation?”

Perhaps I had expressed my aversion too blatantly.

Mother looked at my face and began to explain very carefully, and because of her attitude… I decided to at least hear what she had to say.

“Yes. By all means.”

“…Thank you, Gregory.”

To be honest, I have no desire to set foot in the Elven Kingdom where I would have to deal with those disgusting creatures, but I also know well that I cannot live completely uninvolved with them.

The relationship between elves and druids is so deeply intertwined that they cannot be separated, so as a druid, not visiting the Elven Kingdom even once… would actually be foolish.

So, as I was mentally preparing myself to interact with elves, Mother, after much contemplation, finally spoke.

“My master is in the Elven Kingdom.”

“Your master…?”

I was surprised. Truly shocked.

Well, since Mother was once a mortal human, it’s not strange that she would have had a master who taught her druid techniques.

But I was completely taken aback by the mention of Mother’s master, someone I had never heard about until now! As I expressed my surprise at this figure who had never appeared in any of the records about Mother that I had personally researched.

‘…Hmm?’

A thought occurred to me.

Mother’s current age is at least several hundred years. I had thought that since her master would also be a druid, age wouldn’t matter much, but hearing about the Elven Kingdom changed my perspective.

Moreover, considering the invisible connection between the elven race and the druid profession, and all their associations…

“…Is this master of yours possibly an elf?”

“Yes, my ‘respected’ master is… well, an elf. Currently residing in the Elven Kingdom.”

Mother finished speaking, revealing a glimpse of complex emotions particularly when saying ‘respected,’ and noticing that Mother and her master were in a very complicated relationship, I didn’t probe further.

“Then why…?”

Instead, I simply asked why Mother had brought this up with me.

“…It’s a long story.”

After a moment of silence, Mother opened her mouth and began her story with a slightly trembling voice.

And so, she told me about her past.

※ ※ ※

In a distant, far too distant past. An era when demigods and divine apostles, fragments of myth, still roamed this earth.

As the mythical age was gradually fading, and humanity… the ancient empires were soaring and carving their history in a brilliant golden age.

Surprisingly, Mother was a princess of a small kingdom conquered by the ancient empire during that golden age.

Like most ancient nations, the ancient empire was a cruel entity, and naturally, they were invaders filled with thoughts of exploiting and plundering the conquered nations rather than showing mercy.

And because there was no trophy that seemed as valuable to such people as Mother, who was a princess of the kingdom, she fled alone at the young age of just 11.

Of course, what could an 11-year-old child raised in nobility do alone when escaping? No, would escape even be possible in the first place?

The ancient imperial army, employing magical means, quickly found Mother and tried to capture her…

And the one who saved Mother was none other than her master, whom she had just mentioned.

Mother’s master, who was adrift and lost at the time, easily rescued Mother using various spells, and whether it was a simple change of heart or not, took Mother as a disciple and taught her magic.

With first-class talent and excellent qualities required of a disciple, Mother received her master’s education and was able to reach the intermediate level…

The day after Mother reached the intermediate level, her master disappeared, leaving her behind.

Of course, at the time, she was sad, shocked, and lonely, but after so much time had passed and they had reconnected, she came to understand the circumstances and established an amicable relationship.

Mother’s master, who had to return to her homeland, the Elven Kingdom, couldn’t bear to abandon Mother and took care of her until she could fend for herself.

So when Mother reached the intermediate level, her master left, thinking she could manage on her own.

“What kind of…”

“It’s a normal way of thinking for elves.”

Although it’s mind-boggling, I somehow attributed it to my lack of elven sensibility and moved on.

After briefly summarizing what must have been a story of about 5,700… no, 57,000 words in density, Mother finally got to the point.

“My master… would like to meet you.”

“…Your master?”

To be honest, I don’t want to. I really don’t.

But not everything in life goes according to one’s wishes, and since I would eventually have to visit the Elven Kingdom at least once anyway, now there was even a justification for it…

“Yes, fine. Let’s go see, whatever.”

“…Thank you, Gregory.”

After much deliberation, the words that escaped my lips contained my consent.