episode_0024

I was momentarily taken aback by the convincing words but managed to hold onto my resolve not to flee, then shot a glance at the elf.

…It’s not crucial that I cling to the coattails of this sharp fellow.

The negotiation is still ongoing.

If I keep getting caught up in the insane ramblings of this elf, time will slip away as negotiations turn into mere bubbles.

I gulped down cold water to cool my head and addressed the elf with a cool voice.

“Anyway, the conditions you offer are of no benefit to us. We have no intention of accepting such terms.”

“Hmm…”

“Furthermore, your kind has a history of breaking trust, haven’t they? What evidence do I have to believe in you?”

Trust is also an issue.

Regardless of what conditions the elf brings forth, our party will not return to the Great Forest.

For protagonists with clear goals in their adventures, it’s only natural.

I, too, have no desire to live in the Great Forest while filming survival shows.

Moreover, just the mention of “Great Forest” triggers a reaction from the priestess. Who would accept those insane conditions and return to the Great Forest?

Shaking my head in refusal, the elf sighed almost in resignation.

“This is troublesome.”

Then, as if contemplating something, she calmly spoke.

“It seems you have no intention of returning to the Great Forest.”

“With so many unpleasant experiences, why would anyone want to go back? I bet everyone here shares the same sentiment.”

“However, even so, we can’t just give up on you. The sisters who have already tasted the ‘premium’ are showing withdrawal symptoms.”

“…”

Before I could ask if surrendering peacefully was an option, the elf in front of me took the lead and spoke.

Truly, these women are endlessly devoted to pleasure.

How can their motives all revolve around intimacy?

Calming my swirling thoughts, I pondered slowly.

What condition could I propose to evade the pursuit of these erotic elves?

After much contemplation, a brilliant idea struck me, and I subtly raised the corners of my mouth.

“An eye for an eye, a lower garment for a lower garment.”

And below, well, below.

The special elixir to give those erotic elves.

“There are distinctions even among the superior, and within the premium category, there are gradations.”

It was about presenting a more exquisite lower garment.

How does the female protagonist in NTR material end up falling for someone like Gyeomtae?

That’s right! It’s because they provide greater pleasure than their own lovers!

So, what if we gift these erotic elves with even finer lower garments?

Perhaps, the protagonist and the others would forget everything else and be consumed by them alone?

Equipped with the vulgar line “‘Your lower garment is amazing, OO-nim…♡’” as a standard, I recalled a few individuals worthy of being called special after reading the original work several times.

Some of them are even referred to as “vagabonds.”

With their excellent night skills, they might be able to overshadow the pleasure provided by the protagonist’s group to the Great Forest elves.

Vagabonds seek happiness by pursuing the beauty race, while elves seek happiness by experiencing the “premium.”

Isn’t this a win-win situation?

After lengthy deliberation, I cautiously proposed to the elf in front of me.

“If you can’t give up due to pleasure, why not find someone who can offer even greater pleasure?”

“…It won’t be easy, but is it possible?”

“I already know a few who might fit the bill. How about it? Instead of chasing us, how about chasing them?”

“Hmm.”

The elf tapped the table lightly and soon nodded her head.

It seemed like a pretty decent negotiation condition to her, even though she wore a slightly uneasy expression as she muttered softly.

“Not a bad deal, indeed. If it’s top-notch even among the top-notch, it’s worth capturing despite enduring significant losses.”

“However, I came to negotiate solely to minimize damages, not to aim for a bigger catch.”

“If those are the only conditions, it seems better to just engage in combat with you all. Witch, facing your companions rather than the ones you mentioned seems more convenient for us, I must say.”

In summary, it implies requesting more enticing conditions.

Upon hearing her words, I reconsidered the conditions and could come up with quite a good idea.

…With this, could we temporarily calm down those erotica-crazed Erofs?

I smiled with a change of heart and threw a question at the elf before me.

“Wouldn’t you like to have a little fun before you go?”

—–

“Can’t we do it just once before we leave?”

“Stop talking nonsense and get out quickly. We didn’t come here for intimacy; we came to negotiate.”

“Well, isn’t there a saying ‘kill two birds with one stone’? Maybe if you taste it once, you’ll be even more motivated to protect your sisters.”

“You said it yourself. There’s a saying that goes, ‘Those who haven’t tried burning themselves have never done it, but those who have done it once won’t again.’ Do you think you can restrain yourself?”

“…Tsk.”

After successfully concluding the negotiation, the elf left on a bicon, not entirely satisfied but having bought some time through the negotiation.

I let out a sigh of relief, not completely content but having saved some time through the negotiation.

“Phew…”

Due to being overly tense, my mind was exhausted.

No, perhaps I’ve heard too many insane words, leading to this.

Each word felt like a blow, causing intense emotional exhaustion.

“Ugh…”

To clear my mind, I gulped down some cold water, and the priestess sitting beside me approached.

“Do you have something to say?” she asked with a serious expression as I nodded absentmindedly.

“Are you okay?”

“What?”

“The elves, they didn’t keep their promise properly back in the Great Forest. Do you think they will do the same this time?”

Seems worried probably due to the harsh treatment received in the Great Forest.

I chuckled and shook my head.

“I don’t believe so.”

“What?”

“I’d sooner trust a traitor than those elves. I never even thought they would keep their promises in the first place.”

The other party is none other than the elves.

Although they left with a satisfied demeanor after the negotiation, they will undoubtedly find loopholes in the contract and cause trouble in the near future.

…Knowing this, why did I agree to the negotiation?

Well, because I needed to buy some time.

When the blonde commander saw the appearance of the Great Forest elves through the witch, I was prepared for battle.

No matter how hard I tried to escape, I would be caught within a day or two at best.

So, I kept pondering solutions and feeling despair.

There seemed to be no solution to the grim future ahead.

However, the situation changed drastically when the high-ranking elf arrived.

For some reason, the elf took a submissive stance first.

Seeing this, a good idea came to mind.

If handled well, could we lead the Great Forest elves all the way to the west?

It was truly a crazy idea.

What kind of deranged race goes on an expedition to capture escaped prisoners far away?

But, precisely because they are elves, it seemed possible.

Even now, they are charging madly on bicons to capture the escaped prisoners, aren’t they?

So, I thought.

Let’s throw out a plausible proposal to incite confusion among the elves for a moment.

A tactic known as – Divide and Conquer.

To stir up discord between those who want to experience the taste of the top-notch and those who want to help the prisoners and enjoy a better delicacy.

Of course, the former will most likely emerge victorious from the chaos.

The first one has solid information from experience, while the latter is uncertain with no firsthand encounters.

Still, amidst that insane debate, there might be time gained upon reaching the west.

If by some miracle a skirmish erupts as soon as we arrive in the west between the elves and followers of the dark spirits.

Or if, by an extremely slim chance, the elves propose and engage in combat with the followers of the dark spirits.

“…There probably won’t be another stroke of luck like that.”

I briefly entertained optimistic thoughts but quickly shook my head.

Considering my luck so far, it would be fortunate not to get caught up in a brawl upon reaching the west.

In the realm of worst-case scenarios, indulging in such fantasies seems futile.

“Hmph.”

Even chuckling to myself, I realized that luck tends to regress to the mean. When will I ever witness that regression?

Gazing at the powerless, dark night sky, the priestess, seemingly out of words, headed back to her room to rest first.

“You’re looking haggard these days; keep it up, and wrinkles will start showing on your face.”

“Shut it.”

Had some more time passed? Suddenly, only Kalman remained, teasing me with his playful banter.

Why does he always end up staying behind, causing me distress?

With a dissatisfied glare, I stared at him, recalling the elf’s words from earlier.

“Weren’t you harboring tender feelings for that male?”

“…”

Closing my eyes for a moment, I looked back at him.

What emotions do I harbor towards him?

Before I could answer my own question, Kal pulled me out of contemplation.

“What’s with that intimidating look? What bad thoughts are you having now?”

“…It’s nothing. Just had something else on my mind.”

He chuckles softly, folding his eyes.

Indeed, I couldn’t possibly like him.

Having been through experiences, becoming friends is possible, but being lovers might prove difficult.

Under the warm moonlight,

I approached him and playfully whispered,

“Have sweet dreams.”

My dream.

Without dreaming.