Ch.171Chapter 171

Elves are a mysterious race. Not in the sense that they have mystical energy flowing through their bodies, but rather that very little is known about them.

This was natural since, except for the rare wandering Elf, there was no opportunity to meet them.

After all, you need to meet someone first before you can extract information or confess your feelings, right?

The only information available through wandering Elves was that Elves possessed exceptional beauty and lived in harmony with the forest.

So…

“Lord Geron. Please allow us to join you when you visit the Elven residential area this time. My youngest has dreamed of marrying—no, just meeting an Elf since childhood—”

“Please request to bring warriors like us instead of those who are infatuated with their faces. If we could obtain even a speck of their martial arts knowledge accumulated over thousands of years, imagine how much stronger Manheimr’s warriors would become!”

“Ahem, the demand for Elf-related items has surged throughout Manheimr. Even the Empire is secretly requesting trades behind the Emperor’s back, so for this reason alone, we merchants should…”

Apart from Wendigo’s personal visit, there was an overflow of people wanting to visit the Elven residential area.

Beautiful appearances, a nation boasting thousands of years of history, and expensive mystical (or not) products filling the Republic of Elvenheim—how could anyone resist such an exclusive connection?

“Everyone, please calm down. His Majesty isn’t visiting the Elven residential area out of boredom, but to personally resolve issues for the kingdom. I cannot assign people as I please.”

Of course, bribes had no effect on the incorruptible Geron. He even threatened to exclude persistent solicitors from the candidate list, driving them away.

Watching the disappointed solicitors leave, Geron massaged his brow and grumbled.

“Whether we like it or not, Elves have settled in Manheimr, so we’re destined to interact with them eventually. These young people have no patience… I just hope they don’t go whining to His Majesty.”

No one wanted to hear others whining when they barely had time for their duties. The subordinate officials working with him snickered.

How many people in the world would dare describe nobles and wealthy merchants as “whining”?

A perceptive subordinate offered Geron a cup of tea he had prepared for himself.

“You’re working hard today as well. Why don’t you take a break and have this?”

“That sounds good, especially since I’ve just finished the roster.”

“Ah, so that’s why you told everyone to leave. May we take a look?”

“As long as you don’t try to find out names and cause a fuss about giving up positions, it’s nothing special, so feel free.”

The officials, startled by Geron’s savage joke, gathered around eagerly. Curiosity overcame their fear.

Sipping tea together while reading the roster, the officials were puzzled.

“There aren’t many famous people here, are there?”

“Most are merchants I’ve never heard of…”

“Aren’t these professors?”

“Ah, I’ve heard of these people. They’re the ones who recently hunted down monsters rampaging during mating season.”

While there were some known individuals, most positions were filled with relative newcomers.

To be honest, they didn’t seem… appropriate for accompanying the king.

After throwing a fit about the king being absent again, was he now trying to rebel?

Sipping his tea, Geron shook his head at these ungrateful subordinates.

“I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not it, so drop those disrespectful glances. When His Majesty said it wasn’t a big deal, he meant he wanted people who were available.”

In terms of seniority, Geron stood at the highest position alongside Skadi Brynhild. Simply put, Geron understood Wendigo’s mind better than anyone else present.

Would the king really want to surround himself with famous people and hold lavish banquets every day?

‘He would hate that.’

Geron knew well that Wendigo would prefer having a skilled chef assigned to him.

So when organizing the personnel, he assigned several chefs and filled the rest with emerging talents who had recently distinguished themselves. Naturally, none were people who had solicited positions.

After all, those powerful enough to make such requests would have sufficient ability to establish connections once Elves began formal exchanges, wouldn’t they?

Long-standing structures are always solid from the bottom up.

This time, it was right to give opportunities to those at the lower levels.

‘Of course, such people will probably make a fuss when they meet His Majesty, but well…’

Honestly, His Majesty should handle that himself.

While understanding the hardships he endured during the war, the administrative and supply challenges they faced due to his sudden departure were just as difficult.

… Truthfully, Wendigo was at fault for throwing work at them when they were expecting a break.

* * *

Unfortunately(?), Geron’s small revenge took a different form than expected.

Heading toward the Elven residential area with the personnel Geron had assembled, Wendigo looked at the warriors with a sour expression.

“… Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“Yes! It’s an honor to serve Your Majesty!”

“That’s not what I asked, but…”

“Yes!”

The warriors assigned to escort Wendigo were as excited as boys meeting their hero… and extremely tense.

While well-known individuals might recall scenes from heroic epics when meeting Wendigo, for these recently distinguished warriors, it was nothing short of an ordeal.

Some warriors had even initially turned away the king’s attendant who brought news of their selection as guards, thinking it was a dream—that’s how overwhelming it was.

As the warriors stood stiff as trees, afraid of making major mistakes, Wendigo looked at their commander.

Fortunately, Geron hadn’t selected a rookie for the commander position as well.

The burly forest keeper scratched his cheek when Wendigo’s gaze fell on him.

“What can I do about these humble young folks? At least they won’t cause trouble, so take it positively.”

Dario, who had just joined them, nodded in agreement with the forest keeper’s words.

“The forest keeper is right. While lively fellows have their uses, isn’t it best to have those who won’t cause trouble?”

Wendigo turned his head toward Dario’s voice. There were Dario and Elhemina riding horses together.

Judging by the strangely friendly atmosphere flowing between them, providing them with an excuse to spend time together hadn’t been useless after all.

“Unlike you to say something nice—you must have had some good fortune.”

“Ahem!”

When Dario and Elhemina simultaneously became embarrassed, Wendigo smirked.

Had Dario confessed, or merely expressed his feelings?

Since they were riding separate horses rather than together, perhaps he had only expressed his feelings. Being more sensitive than expected, he might be looking for a nice gift before confessing.

The forest keeper, noticing the pink atmosphere between them, smiled contentedly.

“Hehehe. People around me were asking when we would interact with Elves, and it seems it won’t be too far off.”

“I just hope that fellow doesn’t make mistakes and create discord. Let’s depart now.”

Ignoring Dario, who was blushing at the teasing, Wendigo waved his hand and ordered departure. As Wendigo’s procession passed, people cheered and wished for their safe return.

“Wow… Is that passing person an Elven noble? They’re certainly beautiful.”

“Bring back some pretty Elf girls! We want to marry beauties too!”

“Merchants, please buy us some of that cosmetics Elves use!”

“Ah, I want to grab an Elf maiden’s flowing hair and—”

“Shut that bastard’s mouth! No, pull out his teeth!”

…Apart from some minor incidents, the response was quite favorable. Considering how beastkin from the same continent were often disparaged as “furries” or “horsies,” this was surprising.

‘The rumors about Elves are certainly positive.’

Like how Elves love nature and treat animals as friends.

Or the myth that Elves cry only once every thousand years, and their tears are a panacea.

Or that Elves love trees so much they marry them and use mysterious arts to bear children as fruit…

‘…That rumor sounds like something Freya might have spread.’

However, the prevalence of positive rumors itself was proof of goodwill toward Elves.

As long as they didn’t cause problems, maintaining good relations shouldn’t be difficult.

Dario, obsessed with establishing the best relationship, rode beside Wendigo and asked:

“By the way, is it alright to depart so leisurely? We prepared as quickly as possible, but considering the time it took Elhemina to get here, I’m a bit worried.”

“You’re calling Elhemina quite familiarly now.”

“Someone helped me with that, so of course. Now, please stop teasing me…”

Dario trailed off, looking back at Elhemina following behind.

The way he gazed at her with a gentle smile was like a sunflower glistening under the sun—

“I get that you’re smitten, but pull yourself together. And I’ve been thinking about this while waiting—it should be fine.”

Dario’s concern was one that Wendigo had shared. Initially, it seemed like a minor issue, but cases where small problems became major ones were quite common.

However…

“If something serious had happened, The World Tree would have sent a new envoy long ago. The fact that it hasn’t—what do you think that means?”

“That The World Tree doesn’t perceive what happened to its body as a threat?”

Wendigo nodded. The World Tree wasn’t just some big tree on a neighborhood hill, but a divine tree significant enough to be the pillar of an entire race.

If there had been an entity threatening The World Tree, it would have certainly raised an alarm and requested help.

Having learned a little about Elves from Elhemina, Dario also understood The World Tree’s power to some extent and easily agreed.

“To be honest, The World Tree is secondary—my real purpose for visiting is interest in Elven cuisine.”

“Are you serious?”

“…Do you really think I was being serious?”

When Dario took the joke seriously, Wendigo asked back in disbelief. Meanwhile, Elhemina, who had been secretly listening from behind, let out a sigh of relief.

Reassured, Elhemina approached Dario’s side. Wendigo asked her:

“By the way, what kind of food do Elves enjoy?”

“……”

Dario and Elhemina stared at Wendigo in disbelief.

He really was visiting to help The World Tree… right?