Ch.185185. The Count’s Family and the Marquis’s Family (1)

The forest was quiet after sunset.

Only the chorus of insects carried by the cool breeze, the occasional laughter of spirits, and the soft whimpering of the cotton ball that refused to return to the spirit realm and stayed by my side filled the air.

I had arrived at the great forest, spoken with the head of House Arielt, and even made the acquaintance of a High Elf named Edelin.

After returning to my lodgings, I had a brief discussion about future plans with Friel added to the mix.

It was a day qualitatively different from the days I had wasted away in the carriage.

Time flowed endlessly, and the sky had darkened with the arrival of night. Only the moon and stars adorned the black canvas.

After the Milky Way, spread wide across the sky, was devoured by the brightness of the approaching dawn.

By the time the sun rose on one side of the sky and began to warmly illuminate the world.

I was checking my appearance in the full-length mirror of my lodgings.

“This should be good enough.”

Unlike the casual clothes I had been wearing recently, I was now dressed in armor that Ainel Sianella had prepared for me.

Even before Sione and I arrived, there were members of House Arielt who had been separately searching for and tracking traces of half-human half-demons.

Today, I would not only have time for simple greetings and various discussions with them.

Arielt, as well as Chelnis, and as Friel had informed me.

Sione and I would gather with House Ianet, who apparently viewed the County’s appearance with displeasure, to hold a military discourse.

“How do I look? Okay?”

—Meow!

“That’s good then.”

Given the importance of the upcoming meeting, and since I wasn’t simply accompanying Sione as her servant.

As the Great Elder of the forest had designated me as an honored guest and one who would twist fate, such grand descriptors following me.

I needed to pay considerable attention to my appearance.

“Well, shall we head out now?”

I had a sword at my waist.

As for my bow, since I wouldn’t be leaving the city today, there was no need to bring it along.

—Myaang.

As I was about to leave the room, the cotton ball skillfully climbed up and sat on my head.

Now accustomed to its weight, I opened the door without reaction.

“Eek…!”

“…Lady Sione?”

Thud…!

A dull sound echoed softly.

I felt something collide with the doorknob I was holding…

So I carefully opened the door the rest of the way, and right in front of me I could see Sione backing away with a startled expression.

“Umm…”

…Why did she have to be standing in front of the door at this exact moment?

It seemed that Sione’s forehead had collided with the door, as she was rubbing her forehead while her silver hair fluttered.

Even if she looked at me with a sullen expression… how could I have known she would be standing right in front of the door at this exact moment?

Still, since I was the one who had hit her, I carefully apologized.

“I… I’m sorry.”

“…It’s fine.”

Fortunately, Sione accepted my apology, and after that, I noticed the others who came into view.

The first person I saw was our reliable expert knight, Diolia.

“Ahem…”

She seemed to find the unfolding situation rather amusing, as she covered her upturned lips with her hand and cleared her throat.

Glare!

“…Lady Diolia.”

“…I’ll restrain myself.”

Despite her words, Diolia still had traces of amusement on her face.

Behind her, another person wedged in between the gap.

Friel Arielt suddenly appeared and made her presence known.

“Well, since everyone seems ready now… let’s get going.”

Unlike her mother Fleta, her clear blue-green eyes swept over the three humans gathered here.

First Diolia, then past Sione, and finally settling on me, who had just finished preparing and exited the room. Her gaze fixed on me.

I could immediately tell that Friel’s pupils contained expectation and interest.

“Not only the other elves of our family, but many others are eagerly waiting for all of you.”

Friel was curious.

About what would happen when we, especially I, met the other elves.

* * *

Although I had only been at the House Arielt mansion for barely a day, I was already somewhat famous within it.

First of all, I was a hero who had come after receiving a prophecy from a High Elf, and I had been personally escorted by the family’s eldest daughter. Naturally, it wasn’t strange that my name had spread.

But my recognition in the mansion wasn’t just limited to my name being known.

Yesterday, by unintended fate, I reunited with my superior spirit Tania.

Although she had been downgraded from superior to high-grade after leaving the area guarded by the Great Elder along the path.

Tania was still an exceptional spirit, far beyond what humans of this world deserved.

‘It seems the rumors have spread completely.’

Yesterday, while walking through the corridors and talking with Tania after returning to the mansion.

Thanks to those who saw Tania and me talking about it.

After sending Tania back to the spirit realm yesterday, while separately discussing matters with Friel alongside Sione.

I felt the curious or distrustful gazes of several elves boring into the back of my head.

Now it seemed the news had spread throughout the entire mansion, as I could feel even more gazes fixed on me than yesterday.

‘Well, I suppose it’s fascinating.’

The humans of this world have no innate talent for spirit arts.

Because they know that my position and status, bestowed through prophecy, is by no means low or insignificant. Although the pointy-eared ones here don’t show it…

I imagine they normally think:

How could a human, a short-lived species with inferior spirit affinity, form a contract with a high-grade spirit?

Even elves, who are born superior to other races, don’t easily form connections with high-grade spirits. So it must be concerning.

And that was—

“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve formed a contract with a high-grade spirit. Is that true?”

The forest guardians that House Arielt boasts of.

The mere fact that Tania and I were together.

Was enough to attract the interest of these sentinels who each had contracts with at least two mid-grade spirits or higher, and who traversed the great forest with swift and silent footsteps.

A straightforward question.

The voice was dry, but it wasn’t tinged with negative emotions.

She was simply expressing her curiosity and asking a genuine question.

‘Rather fortunate, I suppose.’

The sentinels I knew were among the most arrogant of the already haughty elves.

Not just anyone who wants to can become a forest guardian among the elves.

Only those with exceptional talent in spirit arts and combat compared to their peers can become forest guardians.

True to the pointy-eared ones’ love of creating hierarchies and ranks even within their closed society.

Since the position of forest guardian is quite a prestigious role, they are typically more steeped in racial supremacy and chosen people ideology than most.

At least the forest guardians of House Arielt didn’t seem to be the kind to create uncomfortable atmospheres with useless hatred like other pointy-eared ones, so I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I quietly nodded to the elf who would be performing missions with Sione and me.

“Though my skills are still lacking… I had the opportunity to form a contract with a high-grade spirit. It was an undeserved connection for me.”

“Oho.”

The elves stirred at my words.

The forest guardians lined up behind the elf who had questioned me were quietly conversing among themselves.

The one facing me, who seemed to be their leader, slowly responded to my words.

“Even if one encounters a good opportunity… those who are unprepared easily lose that chance.”

The elf’s eyes gleamed.

“I look forward to it.”

The atmosphere suddenly shifted.

Sharp military discipline settled into the elf’s previously relaxed body.

“Indeed… I hope the day comes when I can witness Ray’s spirit arts with my own eyes. And Lady Sione’s archery as well.”

However, she, or rather they, instead of looking down on and dismissing us as humans.

They simply harbored deep doubt and even some distrust about whether we had sufficient skills to stand beside them.

“…Look forward to it.”

I spoke with an expression as confident—no, as backed by skill—as the pointy-eared ones.

“I will strive to meet your expectations in the near future.”

No matter how excellent these forest guardians may be.

The pointy-eared ones gathered here have never truly mastered anything.

None of them seem to have experience handling two superior-grade spirits.

With Tania returning to my side, I had confidence.

Confidence that I would leave those elves slack-jawed.

* * *

The conversation with the forest guardians didn’t last long.

Not only did we have that discussion with them, but we also needed to participate in a military discourse with other families soon.

So after exchanging greetings as representatives of the Count’s household—myself, Sione, and Diolia—we immediately headed outside the mansion.

The massive city created by the elves is divided into three major areas, each managed by one of three great families.

The east is Arielt, the south is Chelnis, and the west is Ianet.

Since the military meeting was to be held in the southern part of the city, we left the Arielt jurisdiction and entered the Chelnis area.

Before long, we arrived at a fairly large military camp where most of Chelnis family’s military forces were gathered.

Flags fluttering in the wind.

The acrid smell of burning torches.

The occasional clear sound of steel clashing against steel.

As we reached the camp and drew closer to the facility for commanders.

I saw a familiar face.

‘That person is…’

Warm brown hair contrasting with pupils containing deep, deep darkness.

Along with a handsome face exuding a cold atmosphere.

‘Eunice Kallia?’

The eldest daughter of Marquis Kallia, who was stationed in the great forest.

She was looking at me, and at the sword hanging at my waist.