episode_0030

Sss.

Ssssssh~

The sound of the carriage floating through the air as it moves.

A stable sense of movement without any vibration can be felt.

“Alright, Volpir. Tell me. What happened in the Elven village?”

In the midst of it all, a man looked at me.

In a situation where I unexpectedly joined as a guide to the invasion of the Elven village.

Even though I am the owner of that village…

The man, who had no idea about that, urged for an answer.

“Do you need time to think?”

“…In the Elven village, there is a formidable opponent that I cannot handle. That’s all.”

I replied, thinking of Shaela.

I hoped the man would turn away after this answer, but he did not.

“Oh~ That sounds interesting.”

A completely nonchalant remark.

There was a sense of arrogance and confidence that no matter who came, they were beneath him.

Even.

“Ah-”

Thud~

While conversing with me, he enjoyed physical contact with the women next to him.

I don’t understand why those women cling to men. Do they really like it?

In the end, I emphasized once again.

“To be frank, it was all a distraction to escape using others as bait. How about coming back with more power?”

I need to make him turn away if possible. It’s too risky to face such a formidable opponent. Even if Shaela steps in, it’s uncertain if we can face off properly, and we don’t know how much damage the Elves will suffer in the fight.

Returning the man would also have two advantages.

The first is time.

Whether fleeing the Elven village or preparing for defense, we can do so leisurely.

The second is infiltration.

If the man turns away, I can naturally follow him into the city.

But things did not go as planned.

“…What did you just say?”

The man furrowed his brow.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

What did I say that provoked him? It’s not good to remain silent for too long, although I might know if I think a little more.

I repeated my words.

“I said the enemy is weak. First, we should regroup in the city-”

“Do you think I will lose?”

Kuguguk!!!-

“Kk!….”

A powerful force pressed down on my body.

Yet the carriage remained eerily quiet.

Despite the intense pressure swirling around, strangely, it was solely focused on me.

I couldn’t breathe, and my head felt dizzy-

‘Right~.’

Shooosh~

Suddenly.

It felt like a small hand brushed against my head.

For some reason, just that made the oppressive feeling dissipate.

‘Comforting~.’

Rather, it felt warm.

My mind felt clear and refreshed.

“Hmm?”

The man looked at me with confusion.

He seemed surprised by my better-than-expected condition.

This was my last chance. I warned him once again.

“The enemy was stronger than this.”

“…Huh?”

The man’s face furrowed even more.

Finally, he seemed to pay attention to my words.

Of course, I didn’t know.

I am far from being able to guess who is stronger between Shaela and the man.

It would be better if Shaela is stronger…

The best thing is to avoid a confrontation.

I persisted.

“I dare say. That person changed the landscape with a single blow.”

“…This is the second time already. That woman or you, both annoy me.”

That woman?

Who is he talking about?

Is there someone military-like similar to me?

“I apologize.”

“Enough. I’ll keep your words in mind. But I have no intention of going back. Since you seem unaware, show me your true strength.”

“That means…”

“Blow away that guy you mentioned along with the forest. Haha! I’m actually looking forward to it.”

The carriage did not stop.

The persuasion failed, but it instilled a sense of vigilance and made me rethink my preparations.

In the end, is this how it will be?

[Shin-nim.]

At that moment, the elf resonated with the main body.

I think I know what they’re trying to say.

The target was the messiah.

[Messiah.]

[I have something to tell you, so I contacted you.]

[Tell me.]

[I sense a flow. Although I need to observe for a few more days to know the details, I can sense a flow of malice near the village. I thought it might be dangerous like last time, so I’m reporting it to you.]

[As expected….]

[Yes? Do you know something?]

[Tell Illian to be prepared to fight at any time. No, if necessary, tell him to prepare to abandon the village and pack up everything.]

[…May I ask for more details?]

[It’s a different guy this time. A crazy guy is coming towards the village. We still have some time, so observe the situation and let me know later.]

[Yes. I will convey that.]

It’s somewhat despairing….

But in reality, it’s not all bad.

If I had just passed by the carriage earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to prepare properly and would have been invaded.

Even if there is a messiah, without knowing the strength of the enemy, I would have ambushed like last time, and there would have been significant damage due to the overwhelming power of the male.

In other words, I need to take advantage of this opportunity now.

Currently, I am Volpir.

I can observe the trends and strengths from the side as a guide for the male.

Therefore.

“We need to go that way.”

“Hmm? Hahaha! Have you finally decided to guide me properly?”

We took the longest route possible.

*

Two days passed.

It was like hell.

I couldn’t open my eyes at all, even though all I did was sit still.

“Master, do you like it here?”

“Ah~ Yes.”

Those seductive women.

They would caress the men on both sides, lick their ears, and show all sorts of sexual gestures. They even served the men every few hours, alternating with the female guards outside the carriage.

I had to watch it against my will.

“Hmm? Volpir, I didn’t even think about you. How about it? If you want, I can lend you some slaves. They are all well-trained slaves.”

“It’s okay.”

“Well, if you say so. Were you completely submissive to your taste? I won’t force you. But it would be nice if you could enjoy different flavors.”

“Yes…..”

I lowered my gaze and closed my eyes.

Because I couldn’t stand to look.

Even though I looked completely defenseless, I didn’t dare to make a surprise attack. I didn’t think I could kill him even if I used poison, and the courtyard was guarded by slave warriors.

It would just be a waste of life.

Instead, I listened to their conversations for a day and learned some information.

The man was called Kardepeon.

The women, as former slaves, served the man happily for some reason.

As if it were their mission.

Are they really doing it sincerely?

Or is it brainwashing?

If my elf is captured too….

Let’s not think about it.

That won’t happen.

The carriage turned onto a different road.

Not towards the elf village, but spiraling towards another place.

The man didn’t seem to notice.

No, he didn’t even try to confirm.

He was too busy with the female slaves.

I thought that was the case, but….

“Oh.”

Suddenly.

The man bit one of the female slaves.

Eyes narrowed, concentrating.

I asked if he was caught.

“Why are you doing that, Kardepeon?”

“Indeed. Volpir. It was the right choice to bring you. I was suspicious when you turned back on a different path, but fortunately, I won’t have to scold you.”

“Yes?”

“An elf. Amazing. I never thought so many elves would pass through the forest.”

“What does that mean….”

Something was wrong.

He knew I was going a different way?

No, no, suddenly there are elves passing by?

Why?

There’s no way.

I am still sensing the main body and surveying the entire village’s sight.

In preparation for any contingency, the elves have completed their migration preparations, and once my command is given, they will immediately leave the misty forest in the opposite direction of the males.

Then….

Other elves?

Ssak-

I communicated with the surrounding plants.

My sight extends hundreds of meters.

As Kardephion said, there was a group of elves moving close by in a line.

They were truly different elves.

“Looks like there are about 500 of them. Hahaha! Seems like I made the right choice coming here.”

“500….”

His words instilled confidence in me.

Another group of elves happened to pass through the forest, and I guided them to that place.

“What a situation….”

It was awkward.

No matter how ruthless I may have become, I am not so heartless as to push hundreds of people into the depths of despair.

So what should I do?

Should I save them?

No, can I save them?

“Alright, everyone. Hunt down some new slaves.”

“Yes!!”

“Let’s go now!!”

The male’s command was given.

The slave warriors escorting the carriage swiftly headed towards where the elves were.

This is all very dangerous.

I had no choice but to kill the elf who felt the most familiar among those visible through the sight of the surrounding plants.

A green-haired female elf.

Probably a high elf.

I felt like I could communicate with her.

“Run away from here immediately.”

Startled.

The high elf’s body jerked.

Whether she was surprised by my sudden voice, she quickly turned her head around.

“Um, could it be the great mother?”

There was no time to hesitate.

I warned her again.

“Those who are targeting you are heading towards that direction. Run away from there immediately.”

“What!?”

“Neria, why are you doing this?”

“T-the, the voice of the great one was heard. Run away immediately…”

“What is this….”

But it was already too late.

“They’re humans!!”

“Aaah!!”

The slave warriors rushed to the rear.

Crash!!

“Aaah!!”

Thud.

“Ugh!!….”

I cut down the male elf.

Subdued the female elf child.

Or stunned them to prevent them from escaping.

The elf hunt had begun.

Only then did the green-haired high elf, called Neria, regain her senses and command her people.

“Ugh. Let’s run away!! The great one is guiding us. Everyone, put in all your strength and run forward!! We must hurry. Run!!”

“Aaah!!”

“Run!! They are slave hunters!!”

Thud.

“Aaah!!….”

“Darn it. I don’t have hands right now. Someone please carry this child and run!!”

“Ugh!! I will buy some time.”

“I’ll help too!!”

Chaos ensued.

Elves who knew how to fight gathered and rushed towards the slave warriors.

“It’s a futile resistance.”

Crash!!

“Ugh!!-”

The elves’ movements seemed weak, but compared to the slave warriors, they were indeed weaker. Some elves who tried to resist to buy time could not hold out for long and fell to the ground.

While it seemed like the elves could win if they properly faced off against the slave warriors in numbers, the sudden ambush, coupled with the real problem, made things difficult.

“Hahaha! Can you feel it? The sight of them running away in desperation. However, unfortunately, it seems that the strong one you mentioned is not here.”

Inside the carriage.

Kardephion spoke.

Even inside the carriage, he was well aware of the current situation.

If this guy steps in, it’s all over.

More elves will be captured.

“Hmm? Why are you staring at me like that? Do you have something to say? Don’t worry if it’s your turn. I’ll take care of it enough. Unlike other rulers, I know how to reward.”

Frustrating.

Sudden, but I realized.

I have to make a choice with countless lives as collateral.

Should I help the elves?

Should I pretend not to know?

I don’t know what to choose.

Those elves look so similar to mine.

It was the fate that my elves were supposed to experience.

Knowing that, my shoulders feel heavy.