Chapter 78 : eleventh-hour agreement

 The strongest, opaque Tyranno roared. But the elves handled the excited Tyrannos like trained horses, as if it were nothing new.

The creature, thrashing its head like a chicken for a moment, quieted down not long after. Slightly sobering.

About ten elves, riding five Tyrannos, approached us.

A male elf, who appeared to be their leader, stretched out his arms toward the people outside the tavern and shouted:

“Zmun men Arundus Piery!”

This time, the area fell silent in a different way than before. It was like the awkward silence when a foreigner asks for directions.

After someone whispered in his ear, he laughed awkwardly and switched languages.

“Oh, my apologies. It’s been a while since I used the common tongue. Nice to meet you all. May the blessings of starlight be with you.”

Didn’t they say that elves have different standards for age than us?

To put it nicely, he looked youthful; to put it poorly, he didn’t act his age.

Still, they seemed to mean no harm, slowly approaching and starting to look for the people from Morado Academy.

“Blendo Wortree Arundus Piery.”

The elf leader’s ears twitched like a rabbit’s, and his gaze fell on me.

Probably because I was the one who had greeted them earlier.

For some reason, I felt like I was getting unintended attention. I gave an awkward smile and stepped forward.

The man looked to be well over 190cm tall.

“May the blessings of the Mother Tree be with you as well. Correct?”

As I hesitantly reached out my hand, he also laughed heartily and shook mine.

With a clunk, my entire hand disappeared into his.

His hands were calloused—clearly hardened through training.

Though he appeared gentle, his hands revealed a life of hardship.

“There are probably nuances different from standard Elvish. You must be quite learned. I am High Elf Marsil.”

“I’m Trea Ludbeck.”

The few words we exchanged just now were in High Elvish.

Even if I didn’t want to learn it, I had to pick it up more or less by force.

Many important books were written in High Elvish, untranslated.

There was no one to teach me, so I learned it on my own, uncertain.

Thankfully, it didn’t go to waste.

“Thank you for the overwhelming hospitality, Lord Marsil. I am Heights Ingrid, fencing instructor at Morado Academy.”

“Ha ha, yes, it was quite impressive.”

Yeah, it really was impressive.

Professor Heights had come outside and greeted him, but I didn’t care.

My eyes were still glued to the mounts they had arrived on.

Dinosaurs in armor—honestly, that’s every guy’s dream, right?

We’ve already taken down dragons, so dinosaurs shouldn’t be a problem,

but just the sight of them alone looked incredibly powerful.

“Oho, looks like you’re interested?”

“I couldn’t believe these actually existed—

besides, my brother didn’t even teach me about them.”

“They’re certainly good at catching attention. Feel free to go take a look.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Is it because he’s a noble elf, a High Elf?

He’s way cooler than regular punks like Isabel.

This is why early education is so important. Like with me.

The Elves’ Mother, guardian deity of the earth.

There are many names for the World Tree.

That just shows how important this religious tree is to those punks.

From the carriage window, it looked just like a big tree.

Ah, maybe not just big—

they say that in full leaf season, it can block the noon sun.

‘Still, that’s all it is.’

It was my first time seeing such a massive tree in person,

but approaching it didn’t make me feel any special divinity or mystical presence.

The group of Tyrannos leading the way ahead of the carriage

felt far more fascinating by comparison.

So the World Tree really is just a giant tree?

Elven chief, go ahead and sign the treaty!

Of course, saying that while going on a diplomatic mission

would mean I had no intention of talking.

So I’ll just keep it in my thoughts.

And another thing…

Yeah, they say that one in a hundred of those dinosaurs ahead

glows brightly in the dark at night.

Even under a pitch-black sky, or even under a blanket,

its light doesn’t go out—on the contrary, it glows even brighter.

I heard all this earlier while asking around.

They say Dark Elves, despite the name, are a completely different race from Elves,

and that spirits are actually born from the morning dew…

“Ugh, can you stop already?”

The reason I was rambling about stuff nobody cared about since earlier

was because of these two.

I thought the topic had changed naturally and the conversation was over,

but in the carriage, round two had begun.

A little tap on the leg is cute,

as long as they don’t tap my leg.

Just leave me alone already.

Why do I keep thinking of that scene

where I’m riding a yacht with all my limbs chopped off,

only my head remaining?

I got chills.

[This is a girl talk, so please mind your own business.]

“I’m a girl too, you know?

And if you’re going to talk about something that concerns me,

at least do it when I’m not around.”

Now that I mention it—

female intuition or gut feelings?

That’s all nonsense.

They keep leaving out the subject when they talk,

so I can’t make sense of what they’re saying.

It’s definitely not that I’m too slow to understand.

The only saving grace is that this childish fight

didn’t escalate into physical violence.

I probably shouldn’t be showing this kind of behavior,

considering I’m going as part of a diplomatic delegation.

But let’s chalk it up to the karma of having commoner friends

who don’t know a lick of etiquette.

Come to think of it, I heard Lulie would be coming too,

but I haven’t seen her.

There’s one more face I’d really like to see.

“Surely, the conversation isn’t progressing because you’re here.”

“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying. At least while I’m around, change the topic…”

“Then just sleep.”

Amiter’s bright yellow eyes turned to me.

She seemed serious.

I glanced to my side in disbelief,

and even Teferi looked like he thought it was a great idea.

“No one’s on my side…”

I miss my siste—

no, my brother back home.

Lately, I keep thinking of him.

He really is amazing in many ways.

With a tired expression, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

The time, and the fatigue from the journey,

finally caught up to me and I yawned.

[Are you really going to sleep? Want me to help?]

Pop — a pair of teal and blue rings formed on Teferi’s wrist.

A sleep spell.

You’ve learned even more since last time, huh…

Would a non-combat spell like that

actually be useful if mastered to the extreme?

As I pondered that, I suddenly remembered what happened

on the flying island of Noble.

“Hey Teferi, I know this isn’t the time,

but remember that spell you showed me last time?

It was a bit odd…”

[Goodnight.]

Flick

My mind suddenly went blank,

and I immediately fell asleep.

Very effective.

In my sleep, I could faintly hear the two of them talking.

Maybe because I was in REM sleep,

the conversation came in and out in fragments.

All.

Even in a half-asleep state,

Teferi’s telepathy didn’t reach me.

Only Amiter’s faint voice was audible.

‘…broke it first…’

Were they really fighting?

I don’t think I’ve seen either of them act this way before.

I knew they weren’t especially close,

but I thought they were at least considerate toward each other.

‘In the first place… forced it…’

Amiter’s words didn’t form clear meanings in my head.

Maybe it’s better not to listen.

It just feels like eavesdropping. Let’s stop.

‘…from behind?’

I let my awareness fade,

and my consciousness disappeared completely

with her last muttered words.

‘To check?’

I’ll probably be at the destination by the time I wake up.

When I woke up, we really had arrived.

Was it morning?

Then I must’ve slept a long time.

No wonder my back hurt—

probably from sleeping uncomfortably.

I forced my stiff body upright and stepped out of the carriage.

Thankfully, the morning air wasn’t too cold.

Thankfully, no one had drawn anything on my face or played any pranks.

Maybe it’s because we’re closer to the World Tree,

but the city has a faint, pleasant floral scent in the air.

…Is this scent from the World Tree?

“We came to an understanding.”

Amiter stepped out of the carriage

and brushed my shoulders gently.

My silver hair was all messy from sleep.

I squinted in confusion and rubbed my eyes.

“An understanding?”

“You don’t need to worry about it.

Just act normal. Like you always do.”

“…Okay.”

I’m not sure what happened,

but it sounds like things wrapped up nicely somehow?

I don’t know the cause or the details,

but if it ended well, that’s all that matters.

I’d been suffocating under the tension between the two of them.

Now that it’s over, I feel like good things are ahead.