Ch.50The Farming Nation of Elves #5

“Huu……”

Helena exhaled a long, thin breath as she set down her wine glass. The pigeon blood-colored liquid that had been swirling in the glass was now empty, leaving only stains here and there.

The nobles held their breath at the astonishing sight. Any thoughts about whether Krauser might be somewhat rude had long since flown away. How could they express any dissatisfaction when she had personally proven that it wasn’t meant to mock them?

Moreover, the subtle aroma rising from the wine stimulated their noses. It had a complex yet refreshing scent that was hard to believe came from a wine that had just completed its aging process. The surprising intertwining of two contradictory qualities was remarkable.

Indeed, the duchess was truly a duchess.

Albert Barkan, regretting his past attempt to connect his family with Helena through marriage, followed her example and brought the wine to his lips. For a nobleman with ordinary sensibilities, this was no small decision.

Since Dark Elves were treated as filth, the grapes they harvested must also be disgustingly unclean. Even while feeling that no amount of washing could remove the distinct filth that must be on them, he was compelled to taste the deep red liquid.

It was astonishing.

He couldn’t hide his admiration for the remarkable taste. If this was the quality of a wine that had just completed aging, how excellent would it taste when it reached its peak? His heart raced just imagining it.

He felt pathetic for his pettiness in avoiding this excellent product simply because it was made by mere Dark Elves. Other nobles, following Helena’s example, hesitantly brought their glasses to their lips with awkward expressions. Since the duchess had recommended it so strongly, it was only polite to at least pretend to taste it.

“Huh, huuh…!”

They all expressed admiration not unlike Count Barkan’s. It was a moment that made one deeply understand the saying that even something made by dirty hands could be used if it was excellent enough. This was proof of Krauser’s meritocracy and, to add some exaggeration, proof of a vision that transcended historically rooted notions.

“How is it? Quite good, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes, it is.”

“Ahem. Though it’s still somewhat unsettling, it’s just as you said, Duchess.”

The nobles cleared their throats and showed reluctant expressions at Helena’s probing question. While it had been proven that she was right, their aversion to Dark Elves wouldn’t disappear overnight.

The taste was certainly among the finest, but the mere fact that Dark Elves made it was a significant drawback. The years they had lived with their prejudices were too deep and rigid for them to step outside common sense and evaluate purely on quality.

Though slightly unsatisfying… at least I’ve opened the door.

Helena decided to be content with this much, knowing that one couldn’t expect to be fully satisfied on the first try. Ideally, everyone would be clamoring to purchase the wine, but reality was what it was. Just getting them to admit it tasted good was a significant achievement.

The banquet continued afterward, but there was a noticeably subdued atmosphere.

It was due to the lingering effects of surprise, awkwardness, and the shock from Helena’s statements.

◎◎◎

“…That’s how it went. Nothing will change immediately, but I believe we’ve seen the beginnings of change.”

After the banquet, I visited the Dark Elves’ residence to talk about the multi-day event. My conversation partner was, of course, Ellen, but other Dark Elves had also gathered around to listen.

In a spacious log cabin with warm embers rising from a fireplace built into one wall. Though it was a shame that the wooden windows prevented seeing outside, I imagined that from the outside, this place must look like a scene from a fairy tale.

“Really? That’s wonderful news. And quite surprising.”

Ellen nodded while chewing on a grilled vegetable skewer placed before her. It was a dish I had prepared to express my gratitude and to create a small banquet just for them. Though not difficult—just seasoning and grilling vegetables—it did require some skill in controlling the fire.

“Aren’t you disappointed?”

“This might sound insincere, but not at all. As I’ve always said, humans have always been beings who look at us with uncomfortable gazes, and we chose to live among them. At least they didn’t reject us as severely as they did the Elves, and we could manage by using force when necessary.”

She leaned back in her chair with an easy manner, as if she truly had no desires. As if to show it wasn’t just her, the other Elves displayed the same reaction as Ellen.

“That’s what I was told.”

“Yes. That’s how it was. So even this situation is luxurious enough for us. We have land where we can settle, trees and plants we can cultivate. It started as wasteland, but… as you can see, it’s not anymore. Right?”

“Yes. It’s quite splendid. It’s like a well-maintained garden.”

“Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration? It can’t compare to a nobleman’s garden. Still… to our eyes, it’s more splendid than any garden.”

The Dark Elves’ expressions were very bright, as if having even a small plot of land to farm was a blessing in itself. The difference between having one’s own land or not was significant, so their joy seemed natural.

Moreover, they had been mercenaries wandering across the continent for over half a century, which made it even more understandable.

“By the way, is it okay to leave the duchess alone? She’s someone who dislikes being separated from you. She might reluctantly accept it if you have work, but today wasn’t such a case.”

“She grudgingly allowed me to come up for a visit.”

“Really? Is that all there is to it?”

Ellen rolled her eyes as if she couldn’t believe it. The slight upward curl of her lips suggested she was expecting some dramatic answer. She probably had a sense of what kind of person Helena was.

As evidence, the other Dark Elves were tilting their heads, seemingly unable to follow the conversation. It made sense since Ellen was the only one who directly dealt with Helena.

“Yes. There’s no other reason.”

“It feels like you’re hiding something…”

I was inwardly sweating but outwardly pretended to be nonchalant. If my mental state hadn’t been solid, I might have wavered at her words, but since it was, I could calmly maintain my composure.

In truth, Helena had objected. She wanted to just send someone else with gifts, but I argued that would be too impolite. I felt it wasn’t just about giving them land and helping them settle.

—No. There’s no need for you specifically to go, Jion.

Her opposition continued. Rather than having a specific reason, it was opposition for opposition’s sake. She simply didn’t like me leaving her side to be with them.

As a result, I had to forcibly break her stubbornness through various intense actions. Since Helena still had no resistance to my attacks, she might still be sitting dazed in her office chair even now.

“…Alright. It’s also impolite to pry too much into personal matters, so I’ll stop here.”

Fortunately, when I kept my mouth shut, Ellen seemed to give up on prying, though she made no effort to hide her disappointment.

“Yes. I’d appreciate that.”

“I will. Anyway, what an enviable relationship.”

“If you’re envious, Ellen, why don’t you find a man?”

“Me? Are you joking? I show clear discomfort even with humans I meet for requests or business matters. Do you think there’s a man in this world who would dare touch me?”

Ellen’s gaze sharpened, and her voice grew tense. Though very slight, her displeasure was clearly evident. She probably knew I wasn’t trying to provoke her, but the unpleasant emotion was unavoidable. After all, just hearing it sounded not much different from provocation.

I was about to bow my head deeply to reflect on my mistake and apologize for my wrongdoing. However,

“Or would you like to embrace me? I know well that you’re engaged to the duchess, so I won’t hold you back. Nobles are promiscuous even after marriage, aren’t they? So how about trying it as a preview experience?”

“Ellen?! That’s too—!”

“Be quiet. I’m asking Jion Altram right now.”

An unexpectedly provocative challenge flew at me, and Ellen silenced Dana, who showed clear signs of shock, as her eyes gleamed. It seemed as if she might do something drastic depending on my answer.

I felt sorry that this pleasant atmosphere was ruined by my single mistake. Even though our relationship had improved, I had crossed a line that should have been respected, and I felt apologetic for unintentionally stirring up old wounds.

Also, it was a moment that reminded me that while the perpetrator might think nothing of it, the victim certainly does.

What should I do?

I considered whether there was a way to break through directly rather than resorting to tricks. I wasn’t clever enough for tricks, and the thought of getting a headache from trying to be cunning made me sick.

“Huu——.”

Yes. Let’s go for it.

With the thought of trying everything possible since I’d already messed up, I firmly grasped Ellen’s hand that was resting on the table.

“What’s this suddenly…?”

“I don’t know if this will be an answer, but if I had met Ellen before Helena… I would have certainly confessed to you first. You are that attractive in my eyes.”

“…Ugh?!”

Her cold eyes filled with bewilderment, and her sharp gaze turned round and large like a rabbit’s. The other women listening to the conversation also seemed surprised, though not as much as Ellen herself.

It might seem like I was trying to seduce a woman, but I wasn’t speaking falsely. Though her body was less developed than Helena’s, her smooth yet mysterious ash-gray skin was truly attractive. In terms of firmness, she was excellent beyond measure.

“Aren’t you… being too direct?”

“I’m sincere. I’m not lying just to get out of this situation. But I cannot betray Helena. Everyone knows that nobles’ sex lives are promiscuous, but at the very least, I don’t want to be like that.”

Nobles are promiscuous both before and after marriage. They are allowed to be.

While that might be the common sense of this continent, I didn’t want to be bound by that common sense. I shouldn’t be. Apart from betraying Helena or not, I could easily imagine what would happen if I did such a thing.

“…Sigh. I’ve never met a man like you. So young, or… maybe it’s because you’re young.”

“Perhaps. Anyway, I sincerely apologize for my careless words.”

Seizing the opportunity, I bowed my head and begged for forgiveness. Not too submissively, but with appropriate dignity.

“Alright. I understand your sincerity, and I’ll forgive you… so, please let go now. It’s embarrassing.”

Fortunately, my sincerity seemed to have gotten through, as a softened Ellen tried to free her hand from mine while blushing. Her voice had also become small, indicating that she was indeed very embarrassed as she said.

“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”

As I let go of her hand and sighed with relief, Ellen rolled her eyes as if reproachful. It wasn’t out of genuine negative emotion, but rather like the face of a child pouting lightly.