Ch.175175. Face to Face (2)

What are High Elves?

They are beings at the apex of elven society. Their lifespans and innate abilities far exceed those of ordinary elves. Only High Elves can become Grand Elders of the Great Forest, existing in positions to control and command other elves.

High Elves live for over a thousand years, burning their long lives for the World Tree. Their extensive history and time, combined with their already unparalleled talents within the continent, make them worthy of being called the greatest of sages.

‘Meeting the head of House Arielt is one thing, but meeting a High Elf today…’

It was bound to be an exhausting schedule.

Elves blessed by the World Tree possess abilities that allow them to glimpse the position of High Elves, despite being elves themselves. The head of House Arielt would undoubtedly exude an impressive aura and pressure.

And what would an actual High Elf who had reached the pinnacle be like?

“Well… I’ll manage somehow.”

I pushed back the surging waves of thoughts and focused once more on changing my clothes.

It had been a while since I’d worn formal attire suitable for nobility instead of my usual servant’s uniform or casual clothes. Quite some time had passed since I’d worn an expensive suit at the royal palace.

I changed into appropriate clothes and checked my appearance in the full-length mirror.

The formal attire, with its well-balanced black and white, had fewer decorations than other formal wear, so I couldn’t expect flashiness. However, that very simplicity was enough to create a neat impression.

Above the breast pocket was the distinctive emblem of the County—a sword piercing through a demon. Below it, the family name was engraved in the continent’s common language.

‘It suits me well.’

The clean style of the clothes created quite a nice harmony with my somewhat cold facial features.

The slave certificate still hadn’t been burned. Though as Sione’s exclusive servant, that wouldn’t happen anyway. If I had been born a noble, I would have been quite popular at social gatherings. Ray’s face is definitely better than my original one.

Just as I finished checking my appearance one last time and turned around—

—Myeong!

The cotton puff I had summoned to look around the room after I finished dressing flew straight toward me.

It bumped into my face with a soft thud before gently fluttering its small wings and climbing onto my shoulder.

Then it began rubbing its face against my cheek haphazardly.

“Why are you so excited?”

—Heng!

“Hmm. Is it because we’re near the World Tree?”

Unlike counties or marquisates, spirits could be seen everywhere here. Even I could easily sense the natural energy in the mana of this place. There probably wasn’t a better environment for spirits.

Our cotton puff seemed quite excited because of it.

As I casually stroked the cotton puff, I approached the wooden box I had carefully placed on the table in the room.

“Want to see this?”

—Myeong?

“You can look forward to it. I’ll only show you briefly, so you need to focus. Understand?”

—Myeong!

The cotton puff began staring intently at the wooden box.

I slowly opened the box to reveal what was inside. A fresh fragrance began to fill the room, and finally, the precious treasure within the box was revealed.

A spirit stone that Siabel had brought secretly from the County’s storehouse, prepared to face Ainel’s wrath. The invaluable gem shone beautifully.

—Hieh…!

The cotton puff made an unusual sound and began flapping its wings rapidly.

Boong!

It approached the box, hugged the spirit stone tightly, and made an expression as if it had gained the whole world.

“That’s enough. Let’s put it back in the box.”

The moment I reached for the spirit stone—

—Kiiing…

The cotton puff hugged the spirit stone even more tightly, its eyes becoming moist.

“That look won’t work. Besides, I’m going to use the spirit stone for you this time anyway. Just wait a little.”

—Myeong!

Despite my explanation, the cotton puff seemed unwilling to give up the spirit stone. Because it absolutely refused to let go, I had to forcibly pull it away and quickly close the box.

After carefully placing the box inside my clothes, the cotton puff climbed back onto my shoulder, smacking its lips regretfully.

Just as the small incident ended—

Knock knock.

Someone finally came to knock on the door, as they had said they would send someone to call for me when it was time.

“Sir Ray. Have you finished your preparations?”

A woman’s voice.

I opened the door to greet the servant.

“Yes, I have finished everything.”

However, the moment she saw me, her previously calm expression broke, and she stared at me with wide-open eyes.

Sniff sniff.

She began sniffing, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

‘Ah. The spirit stone.’

She was probably reacting with such round eyes because of the lingering scent of the spirit stone I had just held. If it weren’t for that, she would never have shown such obvious surprise while trying to catch the scent.

Just as I thought that I had unintentionally sprayed myself with a perfume that attracted elves’ attention—

The servant finally regained her composure, bowed her head, and said:

“Then… I shall now guide you to the head of the house.”

* * *

While following the servant, I noticed Sione walking ahead of us.

‘She’s completely nervous.’

She seemed quite tense about meeting the head of House Arielt. She was walking somewhat stiffly as she followed the servant down the corridor.

—Myeong.

The cotton puff, having spotted her, quietly rose into the air with a flutter of its wings.

Bwoong—

Like a shot arrow, it quickly flew forward and bumped into the back of Sione’s neck.

“Eek…!”

Sione let out a strange sound at the cotton puff’s sudden appearance. All eyes in the corridor turned toward her, and she lowered her head after glancing around. Judging by her ears turning red beneath her hair, she was quite embarrassed.

—Heng.

“This…!”

Sione grabbed the cotton puff by the back of its neck, huffing. With so many eyes watching, she couldn’t just throw it away. In the end, she placed it on her shoulder.

I quickened my pace to close the distance between us. Thanks to the cotton puff, she seemed less tense and no longer walked stiffly.

“Lady Sione. Has your nervousness subsided?”

“Oh, Ray. Anyway… what nervousness?”

“You were walking quite awkwardly when I saw you from behind.”

“…No, I wasn’t.”

Sione pouted, unable to hide her reddening cheeks, while still keeping an eye on her surroundings.

I secretly poked her left arm and said:

“If it weren’t for the cotton puff, you’d still be nervous.”

“…I said I wasn’t.”

“Really?”

“Ah, really.”

I saw Sione’s hand slowly rising to pinch me, so I naturally moved my body to the side.

In the end, she couldn’t do anything and could only try to regain her composure by taking deep breaths with an irritated expression.

Knowing I’d get hit if I approached her now, I only moved back to her side after she had calmed down a bit.

“So… Lady Sione, have you heard anything about the head of House Arielt?”

Sione nodded slightly.

“Friel told me a little before I changed clothes.”

After saying that, Sione slowed her pace to create some distance from the servant walking ahead of us, then carefully continued:

“She said the head of House Arielt has a calm and taciturn personality. Today, our meeting with the head will involve brief greetings and… arranging a meeting with the Grand Elder of the Great Forest. The head will escort us to the Grand Elder.”

“When you say the head will escort us to the Grand Elder…”

“I heard that meeting the Grand Elder is not easily permitted unless you’re the head of one of the three great families of the Great Forest. That’s probably why.”

“I see.”

Well, the position of a High Elf must be quite elevated.

Most elves are generally closed off and have a clear internal hierarchy. It seems that to meet someone of the Grand Elder’s rank, you need the assistance of at least the head of each family.

With these thoughts, we continued walking through the vast mansion.

Finally, the servant stopped in front of a large door.

“…The head is waiting for you inside.”

After saying this, the servant bowed and quietly left.

There was no one else in front of the head’s room. The only sound in the quiet corridor was the faint singing of insects from outside the mansion.

Sione, who had been silent, looked at me and nodded once. After I quietly indicated my agreement, she slowly began to push the door handle.

Creeeeak…

The door opened. As Sione and I entered through the gap—

In the center of the room, an elf was enjoying the warm sunlight streaming through the window.

“Finally, you’ve arrived.”

Brilliant golden hair like Friel Arielt’s.

However, her eyes held a deeper, more somber green than her daughter’s. She seemed indifferent to everything, or as if there was nothing left in the world for her to enjoy. Like an enlightened sage, she had somewhat sleepy-looking eyes.

She slightly raised the corner of her red lips and adjusted the glasses she was wearing, then said:

“Welcome to the Great Forest… and to our House Arielt.”

She was an elf possessing a decadent beauty.