Ch.186Chapter 186 – Waiting for the Full Moon (3)

Several days had passed since I calmed Serra down.

“Today’s the day.”

As I spoke while looking at the sky where the sun was still up, Serra, who was beside me, nodded.

“Indeed.”

“Serra, are you prepared enough?”

When I asked out of concern for Serra, who had barely rested while researching the golem core, she smiled and replied.

“Yes. Since you arrived, I’ve focused on resting.”

“What about the core?”

“For now, I’ve organized what I researched up to that day.”

In the end, Serra apologized for not meeting the deadline.

“It’s fine. Much better than ruining your health.”

“…Yes. Still, I brought something as a substitute.”

As Serra finished speaking, a rather large rock person appeared behind her with a thud.

“Is it similar to the golem we saw before?”

“Yes. If it’s an ordinary core, not the special one I was researching, we could have this.”

However, it seemed she could only bring one due to material and magical power constraints.

I lightly tapped the golem with the back of my hand and quietly nodded.

‘This will be quite helpful.’

Since Serra is the controller anyway, I could have her keep it with her.

Among our group, Serra is the least capable of protecting herself, but the golem would compensate for that well.

“The best thing is to avoid exposing the rear in the first place.”

“That’s right.”

But this time the situation is a bit different, so it can’t be helped.

Nodding at my words, Serra asked again.

“You remember our positions well, right?”

“Of course.”

We were assigned two routes.

I would take one path, and Beatrice would take the other.

Eve, Chris, and Serra would be a kind of reserve force, waiting behind our positions to provide support if needed or buy time in case of emergency.

“I heard Pine will move with the main force along with the other elves.”

“The lich too, right?”

After saying that, Serra took a swig of a drink made from honey.

“…I know it’s greedy, but I wish they wouldn’t come today—or ever.”

“That would be difficult.”

In the end, we couldn’t find their base, but it seemed they no longer intended to hide, as sightings of monsters that appeared to be demon familiars were being reported among the elf rangers.

I also heard that deployments were being changed accordingly.

“I hope nothing happens.”

“Yeah.”

But call it intuition.

I strongly felt that they would come tonight.

“I don’t think there’s anything else to check around here.”

“Yes. The elves have already prepared enough traps.”

Serra mentioned that they would set up traps in the areas they were responsible for.

We turned around and walked along the path.

After descending the wooden path for a while, I saw Eve, Chris, and Beatrice together ahead.

Looking at Chris, I said:

“That cloak suits you well.”

“R-Really?”

It was the hooded long cape we had obtained from the count’s territory before.

According to the priest we met then, it had belonged to the first saint, Roxanna.

Beatrice looked at the cloak with interest and said:

“I was worried because of how old it is, but it’s in good condition, and most importantly, all the magic on it works properly, so it will be an excellent piece of armor.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. But don’t rely on it too much, okay? It only reduces magical attacks.”

Beatrice smiled as she cautioned Chris.

“Looking at the quality, it really makes me think, ‘As expected of Lumen, the Dragon’s Magician, the first Tower Master, and a member of the Hero’s party.'”

“That’s a lot of titles.”

Whether that magician had many titles or few, it was certain that it would be very helpful to us.

Just like Serra’s golem, it would protect Chris well.

“You could have kept it, Sir Kay…”

“Let’s just say it’s according to the giver’s request.”

After all, the priest had expressed that he wanted Chris to have it, so I was respecting his wishes.

After praising Chris’s equipment for a while, Eve smiled and said:

“By the way, how was your inspection?”

“Traps have already been set at all the good points, so I don’t think we need to prepare anything more on our side.”

“And we have plenty of potions left over from the labyrinth last time, so quantity shouldn’t be an issue.”

Eve nodded at Serra’s and my words.

“What about Pine?”

“That elf went to the training grounds. Seems like she plans to wait there fully armed, thinking today will be the most dangerous.”

Beatrice said the atmosphere was very tense.

Then, lighting another cigarette, she asked:

“What should we do with the remaining time?”

“We’re not soldiers. We can spend the time until nightfall freely.”

“I feel like we might be resented if we relax too much.”

I nodded lightly at Chris’s words.

There would certainly be some who disliked it—or rather, some elves.

“Well, we just need to rest without being caught.”

And then, as if reading my mind, Beatrice answered:

“It’s almost mealtime. Shall we go to the inn?”

“I don’t want to eat too much and feel uncomfortable when moving. Let’s just eat something light around here.”

Beatrice offered her opinion in response to Eve’s words.

After thinking for a moment, I answered Beatrice:

“Then let’s buy something light to eat on our way to the inn.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, considering Chris’s opinion that showing too much leisure might be disliked.

We headed to the now-familiar market and looked for suitable food.

After finding something appropriate, Eve and Serra left to buy enough for everyone.

“It’s all your fault! Get out now!”

“How is that our fault?”

“Demons? That’s a lie! This is all a human conspiracy!”

“There are beastkin too! Let’s drive them out!”

“What are you doing! Stop disrupting business and get lost!”

“Shut up, commoner! Do you enjoy selling things to these mixed races, you money-obsessed corpse!”

The surroundings suddenly became noisy.

“W-What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

But just from listening, it seemed like nothing good would come from getting involved.

Looking toward the source of the noise, I saw several elves harassing others.

They were shouting at human and beastkin merchants, and also yelling at some elves who tried to stop them.

“Could these be those isolationists?”

Pine had mentioned them with annoyance before.

“Shouldn’t the guards or rangers come out to stop them when such people gather?”

Beatrice thought for a moment before answering my small question:

“…They might have temporarily reduced the forces allocated to maintaining order.”

“So the timing is bad.”

Conversely, the timing was too good for those elves.

They were probably acting out more because they knew there was no authority to stop them.

“Seeing this, elves and humans don’t seem that different.”

Humans sometimes also have people who reject outsiders or claim they shouldn’t be accepted.

Perhaps surprisingly, places where sentient beings live all have similar aspects.

But that didn’t matter anyway.

‘I wish they’d come quickly.’

It was obvious we wouldn’t hear anything good by staying here.

It would be better to avoid trouble by meeting up with Eve and Serra, who weren’t here right now, and leaving this place.

As I thought this, I saw Serra and Eve approaching from a distance with paper bags containing food.

“Kay?”

“Let’s go quickly. No point in getting involved.”

They seemed to understand the situation as they nodded and moved to leave.

Or rather, we tried to leave.

“You humans there. Stop.”

“Damn it.”

Thinking we were too late, I stepped forward as the representative and asked:

“…Who are you?”

“You don’t know me? As expected of lowly creatures.”

The red-haired male elf replied.

I thought he was quite rude, but decided to be patient for a moment.

“What do you want?”

“What you’re holding. Hand it over.”

The man was pointing at the bags Eve and Serra were holding.

“Why?”

“Why? You inferior beings are treading on elven territory. Isn’t it normal to comply with our demands?”

Is he insane?

But the male elf continued shamelessly:

“Since earlier, I’ve been forgetting to eat while voicing arguments with my sister and comrades to reclaim the great Albheim. Why should we pay for our meals when we’re doing such important work? Enough. Hand it over.”

‘What am I even hearing?’

I could only laugh in disbelief.

My head was spinning a little.

I wondered if there was a separate continental common language for elves.

Sensing that things were getting strange, Beatrice approached me.

“What’s going on?”

Beatrice came over with an expression that seemed to say this was pathetic.

The male elf, apparently not noticing Beatrice, shouted at me:

“Why are you just standing there? Do I need to use force to make you understand?”

“Helmet, did this elf eat something bad?”

“No, I think it’s the opposite—he hasn’t eaten anything.”

Beatrice made an incredulous face.

“…Maybe Pine was actually the normal one, really.”

She might have some dark aspects, but that would be better than this.

At that moment, the atmosphere changed slightly.

Perhaps because Pine’s name was mentioned, the man narrowed his eyes and said:

“Pine, the elf you mentioned, is she from the Blue Pine clan?”

“I think so.”

Honestly, that clan name was hard to forget.

The male elf seemed even more uncomfortable as he glared at me and said:

“Is that why you’re acting so arrogantly, because you associate with that elf?”

“…I’ve barely said anything except to listen.”

I wondered what structure this elf’s brain had.

“Damn that cursed elf. Isn’t she the hero’s daughter? How can someone of such noble blood associate with inferior races? Is it okay to throw away the dignity of the great elves like an old shoe?”

“……”

Isn’t it more ridiculous that those who claim dignity are trying to extort food from these “inferior races”?

“Helmet, what were you thinking just now?”

“Isn’t it more ridiculous that those who claim dignity are trying to extort food from these ‘inferior races’?”

“Right, let’s stay quiet.”

While having this absurd conversation with Beatrice, I looked at the elf in front of us.

Now I was curious about what crazy things would come out of his mouth next.

“Damn, that woman who boasts about being a Griffon Rider… Instead of that, wouldn’t it be more important to use her wisdom to prevent these mixed races from further defiling our Albheim!”

I wanted to ask what benefit that would bring to Albheim.

“By the way, why does he keep calling everyone inferior races?”

“Maybe because being an elf is all he has to boast about.”

Though Beatrice and I were speaking quietly, this man had already fallen into his own world.

“Does it make sense for mixed races to tread on the land where the sacred World Tree stands? Don’t you think, fellow elves, that it’s because of people like these that we elves are looked down upon?”

“That’s right!”

Now he seemed to have forgotten about us as he addressed the elves behind him.

Of course, only the elves who had been harassing other races like this man agreed with him.

Most were just looking at him with contempt, as if he were insane, which seemed to provoke these guys even more.

As I watched the elf continue to spout nonsense, I quietly spoke to Beatrice:

“If we slowly back away now, do you think they won’t notice?”

“Let’s do that. It’s annoying to get involved, and I’m hungry.”

Beatrice and I carefully backed away.

It seemed many people and elves had similar thoughts, as I could see several others retreating from view.

Then, the male elf who had been ranting in front of us suddenly looked at us and shouted:

“How dare you try to flee while Lium of the Red Oleander clan is expressing serious opinions about the future of Albheim?”

“Ah, crap. We’ve been caught.”

Beatrice said with a face that showed no regret whatsoever.

And to the side of the elf who introduced himself as Lium, a female elf with the same red hair and several other elves approached.

Backed by them, Lium shouted at us:

“We are struggling to return Albheim to its original pure purpose, yet you dare to ignore us?”

I wondered why such people—or rather, elves—were doing this here.

“Helmet, be careful not to let your inner thoughts leak out.”

“Did I mutter something?”

“No, I could tell from the atmosphere.”

As Beatrice and I continued our absurd conversation right in front of them, Lium the elf finally seemed to explode:

“How dare you, in front of us, freely…”

“Isn’t our own conversation up to us?”

“Fine, since your tongue seems quite sharp, let’s hear what you have to say. What insults were you muttering about us?”

If that’s what he wants, I can oblige.

“I was thinking, ‘Why aren’t these self-proclaimed excellent elves who claim to care about their country trying to contribute by becoming proper rangers or knights or something else, instead of trying to extort food from those inferior races? What a waste of years.'”

“What…”

“Just to be clear, I don’t do encores.”

Honestly, that was longer than I usually speak.

Fortunately, judging by his reddening face, I wouldn’t need to repeat myself.

His face was turning red, fitting for the Red Whatever clan.

“So, are they the Red Tomato clan?”

“It’s Red Oleander! How dare you mock us!”

The man drew his sword and shouted:

“For an inferior race, this calls for summary judgment!”

“Let’s go, comrades!”

The elves who had been agreeing with him since earlier began charging at Beatrice and me with weapons drawn.

“…How did it come to this?”

“You’re not really asking, are you?”

I shrugged slightly at Beatrice’s words and said:

“Of course not.”

I might have provoked them too strongly.

“Still, the ones who draw swords and attack first are in the wrong, right?”

“In cases like this, it’s usually recognized as self-defense.”

As Beatrice and I calmly continued our conversation, ignoring those who were about to charge at us with weapons, the elf’s face grew even redder with anger.

“Die!!”

Lium swung his sword at me.

I stepped on the sword with my foot, breaking it, and swung my fist toward the male elf.