Chapter 261

“Hmm, a good plan, you say.”

“What is it?”

The high elves looked at me with skepticism.

They were curious, but it was hard for them to believe that I had come up with a good plan so quickly.

“Did you just blurt that out without thinking?”

Hiresia gave me a suspicious look.

…It seemed like the elf senior had finally figured me out.

“No way,” I denied.

It was true that I had blurted it out, but I hadn’t done so without thinking.

I was a man who always thought things through.

‘The problem is their lack of numbers.’

The issue was simple.

Lack of manpower.

With three of their already small number gone, the remaining two high elves were simply not enough to protect the forest.

If I focused my thoughts solely on how to solve this problem, solutions would naturally come to mind.

And I had a few ideas in mind.

All I had to do was present the most feasible one.

“First, I have a question.”

I said, after organizing my thoughts.

“Ask away.”

The elder nodded readily.

It was probably a privilege granted to their savior.

“Thank you. My question is about the rules of this forest. Are there any regulations regarding who can enter this forest?”

“Hmm, regulations. I want to clarify something first. This forest and we high elves don’t have laws or regulations in the conventional sense. We simply have traditional ways of life that have been passed down for generations.”

“Ah, you mean customs.”

“That’s a more accurate term. Anyway, to answer your question, this forest is the land and home of Mother and us high elves. Naturally, it’s not a place for outsiders to tread.”

…Perhaps due to his age, the elder had a peculiar habit of making simple things sound complicated.

In the end, it just meant that outsiders were forbidden from entering.

I chuckled inwardly and continued, “I see. But I’m already here…”

“Well, you’re not an outsider, human husband. You’re the princess’s husband.”

This time, it was Hiwyn who answered.

I had simply followed the elf senior into the forest, but our relationship was already being treated as a marriage.

…It seemed like there were no other exceptions to the high elves’ custom of bringing a man into the forest.

I should have denied it from the beginning, but the atmosphere was such that I had stayed silent, and now it was too awkward to deny it.

But why didn’t the senior deny it?

…Well, there was no need to ask.

Her blushing face and the way she was secretly enjoying the situation spoke volumes.

“Alright, I understand.”

I adjusted my posture.

“Then let’s get back to the main topic. Do you believe you can protect this forest safely with your own strength?”

“If the princess and human husband are here…”

“I’ve already said that I can’t stay here and help.”

“Hmm, if only the princess is here, we can somehow…”

Hiwyn changed his words.

In the end, their hope rested on Hiresia.

I understood.

But she wasn’t just theirs to rely on.

I couldn’t let my girlfriend be taken away by her “family.”

“I understand that it’s natural and reasonable for you to want Hiresia’s help. But…”

I almost called her “senior” out of habit, but I quickly corrected myself and used her name.

It felt awkward.

But the elf senior’s expression was strange.

…Why was she blushing, her ears twitching, as if she had just heard someone say, “Senior is my girl?”

It was incredibly embarrassing.

I managed to compose myself and continued in a serious tone.

I almost ruined the mood.

“Hiresia has her own life. She can’t be tied to this forest forever. You know better than anyone why she left the forest and went out into the world.”

It was a bold statement, intentional on my part.

But it could also be perceived as crossing the line.

That was what I was worried about.

But fortunately, they didn’t seem to take it that way.

It seemed like being recognized as Hiresia’s husband gave me enough leeway.

At this point, I had no choice but to play the role of her husband to the end.

“Hmm, if we create a barrier and guardians…”

The elder finally spoke up.

But I wasn’t going to back down.

I had to keep pushing now that I had made a bold statement.

“That’s a good idea. But from my limited knowledge, it seems like that would take a lot of time, wouldn’t it?”

“Hmm, that’s true. But if the princess buys us time…”

It always came back to Hiresia.

I knew it.

I stared at the elder intently.

“That’s possible. But you don’t think that’s a permanent solution, do you?”

“What do you mean…?”

“A barrier and guardians are just tools. Do you really think you can stop them with tools alone?”

“Hmm…”

The elder hummed in thought, unable to refute my point.

Hiwyn also remained silent.

They knew it deep down.

That those methods wouldn’t work.

This was where I presented my solution.

“In the end, tools are not the answer. What this forest lacks is residents.”

“R-Residents?”

“Yes. This forest needs new residents. That’s the only way to ensure its safety.”

My statement seemed to have shocked them.

The traditional way of life that the elder had mentioned, the custom that had been passed down for at least a few thousand years.

They had probably never considered anyone other than high elves as residents of the forest.

The elder blinked in confusion and asked, “Residents… What kind of residents are you talking about?”

“Residents other than yourselves.”

“There are only three of us left. Who else is there…?”

“Of course, I’m not talking about high elves.”

“What nonsense are you…”

“That’s right. Outsiders can’t become residents of this forest.”

The elder and Hiwyn reacted negatively.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected this much resistance, but considering how old their customs were, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

I wouldn’t have been able to convince them on my own.

Seeing their reactions, I was certain.

But,

‘I have the senior.’

I had Hiresia.

A mutant high elf, completely different from ordinary high elves.

And someone who could understand me, her human boyfriend.

From the beginning, I had intended to persuade the high elves with her help.

Did she read my mind?

The elf senior intervened, lending me her support.

“Tell us more about your idea.”

“Princess, what he’s saying is absurd…”

“That’s right, Princess. This is…”

“I know him well. He wouldn’t say something like this to disrespect our traditions. I want to hear him out.”

Hiresia cut off the elder and Hiwyn, pushing forward with her opinion.

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

As expected.

She was supporting me.

To repay her faith, I would make sure this plan succeeded.

“Continue.”

Hiresia said, and I continued.

“As Hiresia said, I’m not saying this to disrespect your traditions. I’m simply suggesting a solution to ensure the safety and peace of the forest.”

“But his solution is absurd to us.”

“Well, that…”

“Let him finish before you argue.”

Hiresia interjected.

“Alright.”

I nodded and presented my plan.

“I said ‘residents,’ but I have something specific in mind. I’m not sure, but there must be other elves living around this forest, right?”

As far as I knew, the Forgotten Forest was the deepest part of a vast forest.

It meant that there was a wider forest outside.

And forests were the traditional dwelling places of elves.

They weren’t called the “Race of the Forest” for nothing.

“That’s right. There are many elf tribes living around this forest.”

Hiresia confirmed.

As I had expected.

“I see. And if I’m not mistaken, those elves are not unrelated to you.”

“They’re like distant relatives.”

Hiresia answered again.

Having her here made the conversation so much easier.

It was great to have such a reliable ally.

“Ah, I see. Then one more thing. I believe elves wouldn’t harm or defile the forest. Is that correct?”

“Of course.”

Hiresia nodded.

Judging by the elder and Hiwyn’s expressions, there didn’t seem to be any issues so far.

“As expected. Then let me get to the point. I propose that you accept the surrounding elves as new residents of this forest. That will solve the problem.”

I said with conviction.

Because I was confident in my idea.

The reason the forest had been attacked was because of their small numbers.

If they had a larger population, no one would dare attack them so easily.

That was the power of numbers.

“But we said no outsiders. Even if they’re elves, they’re still outsiders.”

The elder shook his head.

As the eldest, it was understandable for him to be conservative about traditions.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one.

“I understand your intention, but that’s impossible. This forest is a sanctuary for Mother’s children only. There might be exceptions, like human husband, but a large number of residents is simply out of the question.”

Hiwyn also voiced his opposition without hesitation.

This was the real challenge.

Whether I could persuade them or not.

As I was thinking about my next words,

Hiresia spoke first.

“Yes, what’s forbidden is forbidden. But who said it will be forbidden forever?”

What?

I had expected her support, but I hadn’t expected her to be so proactive, so I decided to keep quiet and observe the situation.

“Who said it? It’s our tradition…”

“Are traditions set in stone? They can change with the times.”

…Her mindset was completely different.

Was she really a high elf?

“Princess, you can’t talk about it so lightly…”

“Lightly? What are you talking about? I’m saying this because the situation is so serious.”

The elf senior easily countered Hiwyn’s protest.

She was amazing.

I wanted to applaud her.

“Princess, even if he’s your husband, you’re taking his side too much…”

“I’m not taking his side. I’m speaking for Mother, the forest, and everyone. I also believe that the forest needs to change in this situation.”

Hiresia countered the elder’s words as well, her eyes filled with sincerity.

“We’re the only ones who can change it. There are only three of us left. I’ll do anything to protect our remaining family. Losing them would be too painful.”

“…”

“…”

The elder and Hiwyn fell silent, their eyes filled with complex emotions as they felt Hiresia’s sincerity.

I knew it too.

She was the only one who could persuade them.

My role, presenting the solution, was over.

All I could do now was cheer her on in my heart.

“I hate dragging things out, so let’s decide now. But let me just say this. If we don’t learn from this tragedy, we’re nothing but fools.”

Wow, she was so straightforward.

But it seemed to be working.

Judging by the way the elder and Hiwyn flinched.

“Raise your hand if you agree with his idea, and don’t raise your hand if you disagree. We’ll decide by majority vote. Then…”

Hiresia raised her hand first.

The elder and Hiwyn were the only ones left.

I was more nervous than them.

Because Hiresia’s decision was at stake.

‘Just one more.’

I prayed that at least one of them would agree.

“I’ll count to three. One, two…”

Just before Hiresia could say “three,”

The elder and Hiwyn’s hands shot up almost simultaneously.

“Huh?”

“Hmm?”

They seemed surprised at each other’s actions.

They had probably expected the other to disagree.

“Good, the decision has been made.”

Hiresia smiled brightly.

Of course, I was happy too.

‘With this…’

I felt relieved.

But I didn’t know then.

That this was just one of the good things that happened to me in the forest.

An even greater good fortune awaited me the next day.