Ch.190190. Necessary Conversation (1)

Tania’s appearance and the pressure she exuded seemed to help. Or perhaps it was because I maintained my momentum without backing down. Either way, the subsequent coordination of opinions proceeded quickly.

The core of the plan was Pleta’s, with necessary supplements or additions coming from Ianet’s Aina or the elders. And any conflicts of opinion or disharmony arising from this were handled by Chelnis’s Elder Kasia.

Various routes were traced over the map on the round table, and small, colorful stones were placed widely across multiple points. Before long, the planning for the future was coming to its conclusion.

‘I suppose it’s because they’re elves.’

They were wise and rational.

Not the elves known to the world who tend gardens and weep at violence. Rather, they were a race who clearly weighed profit and loss, and didn’t hesitate to take lives when necessary.

They clearly demonstrated how they weighed the gains and losses of this plan. Especially how they balanced the importance of what they would gain against the weight of the Forest Keepers’ lives they would exchange.

‘Thankfully, there are no idealists spouting nonsense and impractical theories.’

I’m just glad there’s nothing to make me shake my head in disbelief or raise my blood pressure.

Most of the plan will be carried out by Forest Keepers rather than elders. And among those Forest Keepers who will kill the demons, Sione and I are included.

Nothing is worse than having to act on a poorly conceived plan.

Suppressing the hellish memories that were creeping up, I looked at Tania.

‘They were chasing each other yesterday, but have they already become friends?’

The cotton ball sitting on Tania’s small, neatly folded hands was blinking its eyes and watching Tania’s reactions.

Tania looked at the cotton ball and casually let her words drift so that I could hear them too.

─By the way, you’re in big trouble now.

─Myaang…?

─Changshik said he really wants to see your face later.

─Myong myong.

─Who is he, you ask? He’s a crybaby spirit even bigger than you.

─…Heng.

─This is no laughing matter. He’s a top-tier wind spirit like me. He’s your rival.

─……!

It seems a rivalry between Changshik… no, Elvis and the cotton ball has been established without my knowledge.

─Myong myong myong!

─What should you do, you ask? Hmm… first, you should quickly become at least a mid-tier spirit.

─Myaang…….

─”Even mid-tier is difficult,” you say. Can’t be helped. Well… cheer up, it’s not entirely your fault that Changshik is acting this way.

…Why are you looking at me like that again?

Tania kept her head facing the cotton ball but rolled her eyeballs to glare at me.

That small spirit let out a small chuckle.

─How upset must he have been when his contractor summoned everyone except him~ Our grown-up Changshik is jealous of even a low-tier spirit?

─……!

As if having realized some profound truth, the cotton ball widened its eyes and raised its fur to make itself look bigger.

─We could say this is all Shinwoo’s… I mean, Ray’s fault, right?

─Myong myong!

The cotton ball rolled its short front legs on Tania’s palm, strongly agreeing.

Tania encouraged the cotton ball, saying it was an appropriate response, and eventually the cotton ball floated up into the air.

Flap flap! Whoosh!

─Myaaang…!

The cotton ball orbited around me, protesting.

What was it thinking, causing such a disturbance in the quiet meeting atmosphere? And what was Tania thinking by encouraging this?

In this sigh-inducing situation, fortunately…

“Stay still…!”

─……!

Fortunately, while everyone else’s attention was focused on Chelnis and Ianet.

Sione, who had been quietly standing beside me, quickly snatched the cotton ball.

Trapping the cotton ball in her hand, Sione turned toward Diolia.

“Lord Diolia, if I may…”

“Y-yes…? Me?”

“It’s being too restless in my hand. If you don’t mind, could you hold it securely?”

“…Leave it to me. I’ll be sure to live up to your expectations.”

“No, that’s… you don’t need to live up to any expectations…”

Diolia received the cotton ball with sparkling eyes.

Just look at how the corners of her mouth are turning up.

Well, despite being a steadfast knight, Diolia has always had a surprising interest in cute things. She’s shown interest in the cotton ball before, but unfortunately, the cotton ball hasn’t been very receptive to her.

I suspect she sees this as a golden opportunity to pet the cotton ball to her heart’s content.

After handing the cotton ball to Diolia, Sione quietly dusted off her hands and whispered to me.

“Phew… did I do well?”

Sione’s blue eyes sparkled brightly, as if asking for praise.

I nodded in response to Sione’s question.

“Yes, thanks to you, Lady Sione—”

But at that moment, Friel Arielt, who had been staring at the elders across the round table alongside her mother, was suddenly gazing blankly in our direction. When our eyes met, I caught her letting out a small smile.

“…we’re saved.”

The ones acting silly were the cotton ball and Tania.

The one who snatched the cotton ball and handed it to Diolia was Sione.

The one petting the cotton ball while pretending to observe the table was Diolia, not me.

These were all other people’s actions.

“All spirits are like that, but it seems our knight’s spirit friends are even more mischievous than expected.”

“…Indeed they are.”

…Why am I the one feeling embarrassed?

* * *

The discussion ended.

The general consensus was as follows:

The forces to be used for subjugating the half-human half-demon would mainly consist of Arielt’s elite Forest Keepers and Ianet’s Forest Keepers.

The remaining forces from Chelnis, whose Forest Keepers were fewer and less skilled compared to Arielt and Ianet, would focus on the final cleanup and stabilization of the southern and northern regions.

Some of them would be used to support us as we ventured deep into the eastern forest.

‘Well, I guess that’s all I need to know.’

They seemed to have discussed more details, but ultimately, I just need to focus on swinging my sword and shooting arrows in the forest, and I should be fine.

If there’s anything I should pay attention to, though:

‘Ianet’s eldest daughter will be joining our subjugation team.’

The fact that Ianet’s head, Aina, requested that her daughter join our subjugation team.

During that conversation, I noticed her subtle interest directed at Sione and me for a brief moment.

I suspect they might have some ulterior motive…

Only those directly involved would know for certain.

‘It won’t hurt to keep this in mind.’

Especially since they’re the family that both Friel and Eunice Kallia specifically warned me about.

After finishing my brief contemplation, I refocused on the two elders.

“Now then… let’s discuss the heroes of the prophecy who have come to our great forest.”

“You said the young lady inherited the power to destroy demons. Could you tell us more about that power?”

“Even within our great forest, the County of Sianella is known as a family skilled with the sword. Yet, for a member of such a family to choose the bow instead of the sword, you must surely possess exceptional talent. If the opportunity arises, I would like to see your archery skills.”

“Young lady…”

“So—”

Answering their questions willingly was fine for the first few times.

But with the endless barrage of questions, Sione eventually became exhausted.

“Now, moving on to… Spirit Mage Ray.”

Finally, it was my turn.

The red-haired elf.

Aina looked directly at me with a slight tension between her brows.

That subtly tense facial expression somehow gave me the impression that she viewed me unfavorably.

“I just heard that a single arrow you shot killed a low-tier demon instantly. Could you tell us how you used spirit magic at that time?”

If you caught it, you caught it. Why are you curious about how it was caught?

At this rate, it seems the conversation will be a bit longer.

* * *

Chelnis left the tent first, followed by Ianet.

The Arielt family, who had arrived at the tent last, were also the last to leave.

Finally escaping from this stuffy tent and filling my lungs with fresh air, I felt my tired body and mind being somewhat revitalized.

That’s when it happened.

─Myaaang!!

The cotton ball’s loud cry erupted.

“Heh, that fool is still caught.”

Guided by Tania’s small laugh as she floated in the sky, I turned around.

I could see Diolia still firmly holding the cotton ball in her hand.

And the cotton ball was struggling desperately to escape from her.

“…I think you can let it go now.”

“Ah… is that so? Then I have no choice.”

Diolia reluctantly released the cotton ball, and upon gaining its freedom, it began flying around, enjoying the cool breeze.

Sione watched the cotton ball quietly before speaking.

“Come to think of it, Ray. When are you going to name the moth?”

“Hmm… I should do it soon, but I can’t think of a good name easily.”

“Then can I help think of a name for the moth too?”

“Of course.”

It’s much better to put our heads together than to think alone.

Who knows, Sione might come up with a surprisingly good name.

Just as I thought that, Tania abruptly chimed in while riding on my shoulders.

“How about something that sticks in your mind like our Changshik? Hmm… Park Taesik?”

“……”

Tania, you be quiet.

As we were conversing briefly.

A woman approached from ahead.

“Lady Sianella.”

Eunice Kallia.

“Do you have some time now?”

For some reason, she wanted to speak with my master privately.