Ch.31Chapter 31. Actually Not an Archer, But a Botanist

Naidrian was buried in various books and papers in her room.

Thanks to the elven delegation that arrived late to the island, she had returned hastily from Efalterga and was able to immerse herself in research for a while.

During her journey to defeat the Demon Lord, she had been studying plant growth and species whenever she could, though not as much as before.

The Senate was displeased with what they considered her useless activities, but since she was fulfilling her duties as a member of the Hero’s party, they didn’t openly criticize her.

However, that was only as long as Naidrian was properly doing her job.

An Elder entered quietly after knocking and frowned at the sight of the room.

“Still wasting time on this nonsense?”

“Elder…”

“At this time of crisis for our race, you’re leisurely studying?”

“No. In my own way, I’m trying to help our race…”

Naidrian tried to defend herself but became intimidated when the Elder clicked his tongue.

“Helping our race means only one thing: serving as a member of the Hero’s party to defeat the demon race and the Demon Lord, and working for the revival of our people.”

“We’ve completed the mission to defeat the demon race and the Demon Lord. And if my research is completed, we elves can again…”

“Completed? You call that completed?”

The Elder slammed his hand on the desk in agitation.

Though elves were known for their composure and smiles, lately they had become easily irritated and impatient.

“Despite the Demon Lord’s defeat, demons still run rampant. Have you forgotten Efalterga? They killed someone in the middle of the street for all to see, didn’t they? You were dispatched there yourself, weren’t you?”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

“Tsk, instead of wasting time here, you should be pressuring the Imperial Princess and the Shield Knight to fulfill their contract with us elves!”

“I’ve been constantly demanding it. But you know as well, Elder. They keep postponing it, saying the contract conditions haven’t been met…”

“What a simple-minded fool!”

At the harsh rebuke, the timid Naidrian froze completely.

Her gaze automatically dropped to the floor, and though she felt wronged, she pressed her lips together, unable to speak.

“This is politics. Not some childish game with friends. It needs to be pushed through with a bit of justification, some force, and the power to back it up.”

The Elder sighed.

Though she was an unparalleled archer representing their race, her timid nature made her subpar in all other aspects.

She had always been innocent and rash, and despite strict teaching since childhood, she never overcame her timidity, only developing a shallow tendency to read the room.

The Elder wanted to scold her until his temper cooled, but Naidrian was the elves’ strongest card.

Knowing that talent couldn’t be managed by the whip alone, the Elder suppressed his anger and gently comforted her.

“I know how hard you’ve worked. But understand that we must place this burden on you because the survival of our elves depends on you.”

“No, I should have done better…”

Naidrian was startled by her own words.

That phrase was something the Porter used to say habitually.

Perhaps, she realized, she had always been in a situation and position no different from the Porter’s.

“Didn’t I just say you need power to back up your demands and use it?”

The Elder spoke with a gloomy expression.

“Our elven forest has shrunk again. Compared to the beginning, more than half of the area has…!”

“That can’t be… Until last year, only 30% had disappeared over a thousand years. How could it happen in just one year…?”

“You see? Despite all your research on plants, you’re woefully inadequate in understanding and accepting the current situation. The power of us elves comes from our numbers and our territory. But that foundation of power is shrinking. We must confront and claim what we can while we still have some strength left!”

The Elder emphasized with conviction to Naidrian.

“Our Senate and the delegation are also applying pressure. As a member of the Hero’s party, you must be our vanguard and work hard to achieve this.”

“…I understand. I won’t give up and will work hard to fulfill our race’s wishes.”

“Good! That’s what I want to hear.”

Thanks to the Elder’s satisfaction, Naidrian was finally freed from having to read the room.

However, like most timid people, she harbored different thoughts inside.

‘Even if I don’t know why the elven forest is shrinking, I can research how to make it grow again.’

Her research was showing results.

She had long developed tree seeds that could grow in harsh environments and was now working on enhancing their survival capabilities.

All this was possible thanks to an investor who had been funding her research for the past two years.

It wasn’t an enormous sum, but it was just enough to ensure she had no shortages.

The only worry was that she had recently received news that the investor would be unable to provide funds for a while due to personal circumstances.

This news had come right before the Demon Lord subjugation, so Naidrian hadn’t been able to focus on it properly.

Although her research was nearing its final stages, the lack of additional investment was painful.

While each member of the Hero’s party received generous support funds, those were strictly for the purpose of defeating the Demon Lord, and she had spent them all on preparations.

‘It will take time, but just a little more…!’

She hoped that perhaps the investor would recover financially and be able to help again.

It was really close now.

Knock knock

“Excuse me! World Postal Service here! A letter for High Elf Naidrian!”

As if by magic, a messenger arrived just as she was thinking about him.

Naidrian brightened and opened the door to the World Postal Service, which had the privilege of distribution anywhere and anytime.

“Lady Naidrian! It’s been a while. Here’s your letter, and please sign to confirm receipt!”

“Yes, yes!”

Her expression brightened even more as she checked the sender.

Conversely, the Elder’s mood sank.

After sending off the mail carrier and returning to her seat, Naidrian faced the Elder’s undisguised discomfort.

“Have you found a man?”

“What? Me?”

“…If not, then never mind.”

Seeing her genuinely bewildered reaction, the Elder awkwardly stopped his questioning.

If the timid Naidrian could make such an expression, it clearly wasn’t the case.

Just as she was about to open the letter with a smile, another urgent knock interrupted her.

“Yes, come in.”

“Lady Naidrian! An urgent summons from Lord Rainfold!”

“So suddenly?”

“Following the incident in Efalterga, demons have now appeared in Valtercrois! Additionally, Saint and Tigria, who were part of the Efalterga subjugation team, have retreated to the island after contact with demons claiming to be members of the Demon Hero’s party!”

“Is this information reliable?!”

“And they’ve also discovered the whereabouts of Hero Luciana Estel!”

“…!”

There was no reason to hesitate.

“Elder!”

“Go to the meeting immediately. I’ll return to the delegation and inform them of this news.”

“Yes!”

With that, everyone left the room, leaving only the letter on the desk.

The letter that was Naidrian’s only comfort and contained her dreams.

On the envelope, the sender’s name was written as follows:

[Sender: Investor Lee]

—

“He~llo.”

A blue-skinned, white-haired woman with a side tail greeted a gray-haired woman with a bob cut.

“You’re late, Spear Wielder.”

“I walked here.”

“Don’t you know speed is essential to our plan?”

“It’s a super long-term plan anyway~. Lots of phases, as long as we’re not too late, it’s fine~.”

“Sigh.”

The Illusionist sighed, but the Spear Wielder didn’t mind.

But she was curious about something.

“Hey, how was Rin?”

“What’s there to say? Rin was just Rin. Upright and kind.”

“Waaah~!”

Her heart fluttered just imagining it.

Even hearing it through the Illusionist’s words, the Spear Wielder had a girlish expression.

“And in typical Rin fashion, smiling despite carrying all sorts of pain.”

“Uhhh….”

Both their expressions darkened simultaneously.

After a moment of silence, the Spear Wielder burst out:

“Originally, Rin should have been our comrade!”

“Yes, exactly. If that were the case, I would have taken on all his pain and comforted him.”

“Huh? That’s strange. Shouldn’t that be my role?”

“On what grounds are you saying that?”

“It’s simple logic, isn’t it?”

The Spear Wielder tilted her head, twirling her spear.

“Right now, the Hero is by Rin’s side, right? So if Rin were our comrade, I, as the Hero’s counterpoint, should be by his side, right?”

“Yes, that is simple logic.”

The Illusionist agreed.

“Then in this world line, since I was chosen as the Hero’s rival, it’s natural that I should be by Rin’s side.”

“How did the conversation turn that way?!”

“I’m just following your logic, aren’t I?”

“…Want to fight?”

“Anytime.”

The Spear Wielder took a stance and emitted a fierce aura, but soon lost interest.

The Illusionist waved her hand and sighed again.

“If Rin were our comrade, he’d be sad to see us like this.”

“That’s true. I should practice restraining myself in front of Rin.”

The two oddly agreed when it came to Rin.

Sitting down and tending to her spear, the Spear Wielder asked casually:

“Did Rin go to the Zramun Archipelago?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So Rin knew everything after all.”

“Well, that’s Rin for you.”

“Amazing. Kind, patient, and knows everything.”

She took out a whetstone and sharpened her spear blade.

In her battle with the Saint and the Mage, she had deliberately dulled the blade.

Next time they meet, she’d skewer them cleanly.

The Spear Wielder had no intention of forgiving the two who had hurt Rin.

“Oh, but in the Zramun Archipelago, that person is there, right?”

“Why bring that up now? Her being in the Zramun Archipelago was part of the original plan.”

“No, no, I mean, that person doesn’t like Rin, right?”

The Illusionist sighed for the third time.

“Haa, you really only know yourself.”

“Well, of course?”

“She likes Rin too.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then why does she act that way?”

The Illusionist shrugged.

“She’s a genuine tsundere.”

The Spear Wielder hunched her shoulders.

“A tsundere with that face and body?”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t suit her.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

The Spear Wielder focused on sharpening her spear blade again.

But a moment later, she shouted:

“Then she’s a love rival too?!”

“Haaaa~.”

The Illusionist’s sigh grew even deeper.