episode_0003

A corner of the conference room.

The elf’s appearance caused a stir in the hall.

The fact that she was an elf with a cut-off ear, a unique symbol, was enough to draw the attention of those around her, but what was most shocking was her remarks.

“The warrior from another world is a good person?”

“But didn’t he commit all kinds of evil deeds?”

“The words of someone who dropped out of the warrior party. You lack trust!”

The meeting, which had been filled with excitement and praise, suddenly became cold.

Chaos filled the place.

There Serena drove a wedge in.

“I swear on the honor of the elves. Lee Han is never a person who would betray a human.”

The commotion grows more intense.

Some looked back at Aina, their eyes filled with suspicion.

If an elf is saying something like this, I suspect there must be a reason.

Barr.

The corners of Aina’s mouth tremble involuntarily.

Kuk.

Aina bit her lips as if she was trying to suppress her trembling. Blood was rising in her mouth, but she couldn’t feel it properly. It was something she hadn’t expected.

‘Serena, why is that woman…’

Serena.

She is a representative of the elven group that settled in the central forest. With her excellent archery skills and accurate navigation skills, she was an important member of the warrior party.

Until something happens.

In that incident, Serena lost the tip of her ear, the pride of an elf. The cause of the incident was Lee Han, and Serena rushed at Lee Han as if she was going to kill him. After a fierce fight where all the warrior party members rushed to stop him, Serena left the party.

So it was unexpected.

Why is Serena, who left the fight after arguing with Lee Han, protecting him?

While preparing for this speech, I had anticipated and prepared for numerous variables, but I could not have predicted this situation.

“That… That’s it.”

Aina’s voice shook.

Serena sees this as an opportunity and presses on.

“Although his intentions were different, Lee Han was definitely great. He always thought about how to protect the weak of this continent. Isn’t that right? Claire. Aria. You guys, say something too!”

A sudden designation.

Wince!

Aria’s hands were shaking.

Claire, who was standing next to her, grabs Aria’s hand.

Tch.

Serena clicked her tongue and continued.

“Those unscrupulous people. Did you do that because you wanted to make all of Lee Han’s achievements yours? Even finding a hidden passage to the Demon King’s castle! Even causing discord among the Demon King’s military leaders and destroying them without even fighting! His achievements are so numerous that even I, who stopped midway, could talk about them endlessly! But why you!”

Ugh.

Serena cried out, as if spitting out something she had buried deep within her chest.

“You mean you put that guy on the scaffold and cut off his head? Don’t you humans have any conscience?”

Serena’s cry of indignation without reservation.

The crowd began to murmur even more violently. Serena’s words were straightforward, but that made her trustworthy. Besides, she was an elf. Elves, with their boundless pride, never lie. And didn’t they even swear an oath?

“… Are you sure it’s not true?”

“No matter what, there’s no way the three heroes would have lied.”

“But I also knew a man named Lee Han, and he didn’t seem to have that kind of personality. He was truly a young man with the right insight.”

A murmur of doubt spreads.

The number of people who are half-believing and half-doubting is increasing.

Some looked at Aina as if asking for an explanation.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Even when she stabbed the Demon King’s chest with her sword, Aina’s previously calm heart began to beat faster.

It was a crisis of the utmost magnitude.

If things continue like this, I will fall behind in the line of succession again.

It’s ruin.

Anything…

Say something!

“Se… Serena, you are…!”

A voice so trembling that it even bewildered the listener came out of her mouth.

It wasn’t the voice of the princess, who was always calm, dignified, and at the same time majestic.

Even Aina herself was so flustered that she stopped talking mid-sentence. It was the worst.

Hesitating, hesitating.

She took a few steps back.

“The devil is not Lee Han, it is you!”

Serena’s scream, like a wedge being driven in.

Now everyone was looking at Aina, not Serena.

Aina’s head turned faster than ever.

But I can’t think of a way to get out of this situation.

It’s the elf’s oath.

You have to say something true enough to break the Elf’s oath?

Should we make a ‘pledge of truth’?

But that was impossible.

Because what Aina said was not true.

“That… That’s it.”

My legs feel weak.

The moment Aina staggered and was about to fall.

“Are you okay, Princess? You’ve been worrying a lot about standing here since yesterday. You must have had a hard time.”

Someone supports her back as she almost falls.

It was Claire.

Claire smiled and whispered in Aina’s ear.

‘I’ll cooperate just this once. You have to prepare a reasonable compensation.’

Aina stepped back without even nodding her head.

Claire steps forward, smiling brightly.

“The princess seems tired, so I will speak on her behalf. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Claire, a magician in the warrior party and a caretaker for Harold’s company.”

Sararak.

She bent down, grabbing the hem of her dress.

Textbook etiquette that is not off by even an inch.

It was a personnel decision enough to catch the attention of high-ranking officials.

He opens his mouth, looking at Serena who has simply focused his attention.

“Serena. Why did you leave the warrior party? Do you remember?”

“I couldn’t stand it without going crazy! You guys were too cruel! Didn’t you just send that kid to death without a second thought! That’s really…”

match.

Claire clapped her hands.

Serena’s voice suddenly stops.

Claire, who naturally focused her gaze on herself, opened her mouth in a somewhat sad voice.

“You said I was crazy.”

“… What?”

“You yourself said you were crazy.”

A look full of pity, as if looking at a pitiful person.

Claire manipulated the minds of the audience with her voice and actions so naturally.

“That’s…!”

Serena cries out in frustration.

But Claire no longer met Serena’s eyes. Instead, she looked at the high-ranking officials and opened her mouth.

“There are many dangers that come with the journey to defeat the Demon King. In the process, there are often crazy people. Even the smartest people are no exception. It’s truly tragic.”

A few knights familiar with war nod their heads.

The nod quickly spreads around.

Claire accepted those feelings as if she was familiar with them.

“Unfortunately, Serena was too noble. Anyone who has been through war knows that there are always sacrifices that come with it. Serena couldn’t endure that process. Sadly.

Everyone, look. Does she still have the elven look? ”

The crowd is easily manipulated.

The more emotions are involved, the more so.

Claire knew that fact well.

As expected.

The gazes of those in the audience looking back at Serena were filled with sympathy.

“Ugh, Claire… You now!”

People nod their heads to the words of the person who sympathizes. But that is only ‘sympathy’. The cries of the object of sympathy become nothing more than an empty echo.

“Poor Serena. I’m so sorry I couldn’t take care of you.”

“I, I’m not crazy!”

“I sincerely apologize for that. I’ll try to be more careful.”

“Claire! How dare you! Let go! It’s you! You framed Lee Han!”

Serena’s screams fill the hall.

Elfagon’s voice cracked with rage that was hard to believe.

“It’s really hard to believe that he’s an elf.”

“I’ve never heard of such a rough elf.”

People’s eyes become cold and sink.

In the meantime, Serena cried out in frustration.

“Humans! You are really narrow-minded and ungrateful!”

“… Please pull it out.”

“Let go! Let go…! Lee Han can’t do that! Who is it! Who framed Lee Han like that…!”

Rattling!

“”……””

As she is dragged out, the chairman becomes extremely quiet.

Sarak.

Claire gracefully bowed to those watching her. She stepped back, letting Aina stand in front.

As if all his work was done.

Chancellor, Reinhard speaks instead.

“Creaking a scene at the welcome party. This is truly a troublesome incident. I guess we’ll have to punish them.”

Aina flinched at Reinhardt’s infinitely cold gaze.

Veins were bulging out from his tightly clenched hands.

It was a warning to behave well.

Gulp.

Aina swallowed and opened her mouth.

“No. Instead of Reinhardt. Serena is just out of her mind. As her comrade, I beg your forgiveness. ”

Aina swallowed hard and looked up at the prime minister.

Is this correct?

Reinhardt’s clenched fist loosened.

“There’s nothing I can do. I can only admire the heart of a child or a childish person like Hahae.”

Reinhardt bows his head.

The atmosphere of the audience that had been silent at that sight began to loosen up.

“If the Minister says something like that…”

“Then that’s right. There’s no way the heroes would lie, right?”

So this incident passed as a minor incident.

All that was done was sow a handful of seeds of doubt.

The welcoming party for the heroes ended successfully.

… and.

— Foolish ones! You have failed to properly resolve the ordeal! The Demon King will rise again. With greater darkness!

A conference room with only three heroes left.

A revelation has been given.