episode_0045

“So, you see~ Sir Zeke comforted me under the brilliant starlit night sky… Huh?” “…” Aria, who had been continuously recounting her stories with Zeke, looked at Veronica when she received no reaction. Aria then saw Veronica following her listlessly, her head bowed as if she were out of her mind.

“Oh? What’s wrong? Was the story about Sir Zeke and me so beautiful? But you should know… only I can have Sir Zeke, alright?” “…That’s not it… You mean I’m human…? Not born with a human appearance due to illness…?” “My, you’ve never had such doubts in your life?” “…Father told me I had an illness. I… I thought I was an elf born with a deformed body because of that… You’re saying I’m not an elf, but human…?”

“Yes. Although you reek of elf… that aura you possess. Earlier, when you attacked Sir Zeke and me, I felt that you alone had a different aura.” “…You’re saying I’m that inferior human… No… No… No way!!!” “…Do you truly believe humans are inferior?”

“…” “From the reasons you just gave… it seems you just want to believe humans are inferior. To judge other races by picking out only your own supposed superiority… Sir Zeke would truly dislike that. If Sir Zeke hadn’t asked me not to kill you… I would have killed every single one of you, who are like thorns in Sir Zeke’s eyes, with these hands.”

As Aria spoke with a chilling smile, goosebumps began to rise all over Veronica’s body. But Veronica swallowed hard, mustered her courage, and shouted at Aria.

“…That can’t be… No matter how much you can massacre the Alraunes… you can’t kill all the elves… not even the elves, can you?! Because you have to eat meat! If you wage war and there’s no meat, you’ll…” “We can live without eating meat. Especially me, I can live without eating anything at all. I just… teeheehee… find mealtime with Sir Zeke so enchanting that I simply eat with him… And… you, a human, know that well, don’t you?”

“Huh…?” “Although you’ve lived until now unaware of the fact that you’re human… have there been any inconveniences while living an elf’s life? Lifespan? If you’re going to claim superiority based on that one thing, you might as well say rocks are superior, no?” “…”

“You’re human to begin with, so why are you arguing about who’s superior or inferior now? You… you are inferior to Sir Zeke, whom you looked down upon… And that you treated Sir Zeke that way… have you forgotten I’m trying hard to hold back right now? Alraunes? Those things can be killed without even needing a staff. I only use a staff because I don’t want the dirty blood of Alraunes on the hands that should be serving delicious food to Sir Zeke. I can kill all of you perfectly well without any blessings.” “Why do you think that…?”

“Because you think others are so inferior, you’re intoxicated by that sense of superiority and look down on others. It’s obvious you won’t even use your full strength, and if I just twist one elf’s neck and kill them, wouldn’t the other elves be shocked?” The smile vanished completely from Aria’s face, and she stared at Veronica with glowing eyes and a very chilling expression. Veronica then saw Aria’s red pupils, and as their eyes met, she looked at Aria with a terrified face, her stomach churning.

“Remember this clearly. You are alive thanks to Sir Zeke.” “…… Ah… Ahh… Ugh, ahhhhhh!!!” Suddenly, Veronica screamed and collapsed onto the spot. She then clutched her head tightly with both hands and began rolling on the floor. Aria continued to watch such a Veronica with a chilling expression.

“Ahhhhh!!! No!!! No way!!!” “What is it?” “You’re saying I’m human!!! Absolutely not!! Elves losing to humans?! No!! No way!! It doesn’t make sense!! Everyone has lied to me then!! Even Father…”

“Hmm…” “No… I clearly heard that Father was killed by humans… I became a soldier for Father’s revenge… But I’m the same race as the humans who killed Father…? It’s shameful… it’s shameful… it’s so shameful!!!” “…Didn’t your father also know you were human?”

“What…?” “Hmm… Perhaps it would be better to ask a different question? Do you have a mother?” “…No… Father said… Mother passed away from illness…” “Then didn’t your father pick you up and raise you, hiding the fact that you were human for your sake?”

Veronica was greatly flustered by Aria’s conjecture. If Aria’s words were true, it meant her father had raised her even knowing she was an inferior human. Veronica then became furious and shouted at Aria.

“Nonsense!! Father was a great person who even held the position of Elf Captain! He knew better than anyone that humans were inferior! You’re saying such a person raised me, knowing I was human?!” “I don’t know what that elf was thinking either. But you’re alive like this thanks to that elf, aren’t you?” “Th-that…”

“That life of yours, saved by that elf. If you don’t want it to vanish in vain, follow me quietly. And tell all of that to Sir Zeke now. Then Sir Zeke will tell me what to do. Hehehe… I hope he asks me to exterminate you and the elves…” “…Father… why did you lie to me…? Why did you hide that I was human…? Why… did you raise me…?”

Veronica mumbled her hatred towards her father and followed Aria with her head bowed. But Aria ignored Veronica’s murmuring and continued to walk towards Zeke. While Aria moved her steps towards Zeke, Alten continued to wander inside the World Tree.

“Damn it… I keep stumbling walking without seeing where I’m going… Those damned humans… I’ll never forgive them…!!” Inside the lightless World Tree, Alten kept tripping and bumping into walls, leaving him wounded. Alten then began to hate Zeke and Aria, who had made him feel such humiliation. And at that moment.

“Hmm…? Footsteps? Is that an Alraune! Good… If it’s an Alraune, I can get out of here…” Alten, guessing the source of the footsteps was an Alraune, let out a sigh of relief. But at that moment, Alten remembered that Alraunes moved using vines and thus made no footsteps. And simultaneously, light began to leak from the direction of the footsteps.

“This light… Could it be… those humans?! No way… It’s been 30 minutes since they entered here… Surely, by now, those humans should have been eaten by the Alraunes and died…!!” As the light grew brighter, a human began to appear in Alten’s eyes. Yes, it was me. Having heard truly shocking truths from Prosh, I was walking along the path in a very bad mood. Then, Alten’s eyes and mine met.

“Human…!! How are you alive!!” “…It’s Captain Alten. The Alraunes did attack. But when I threatened to burn down the World Tree, they willingly retreated.” “What?! You threatened to burn down this sacred World Tree…!!! You… you impious wretch…!! Willingly surrender your life to my greatsword, human!!” “…Alten, you idiot…!!”

I placed the glowing stone on the floor and watched Alten charge at me with his greatsword. As the distance narrowed, I drew Trahan from my back and parried Alten’s greatsword. Alten then became greatly flustered upon seeing Trahan.

“Th-that’s Trahan?! H-how do you have Trahan…!!” “I’ll tell you that later, so listen to my story…” “Shut up, you snake-like wretch!! Don’t tell me you dug up former Captain Prosh’s grave!! So all your talk about not doing anything was a lie too!!” “Grave…? You mean you didn’t even recover that man’s body, but made a fake grave?! Don’t insult him, Alten!!!” “Shut up, impious human!!! Your story isn’t even worth hearing!! I’ll reclaim Trahan from you and avenge former Captain Prosh’s resentment!!” “You idiotic Alten!!!”

Damn it… He’s not listening to me at all… Alten pulled his greatsword away from me, then immediately swung it to attack me. I wouldn’t just take it lying down. My body was trained for moments like this! I swung Trahan, continuously parrying Alten’s greatsword.

“Quite impressive, human…!! But I am one step above you!!” “…Oh, really? We’ll see about that.” “What…?!!” I had only been defending, but then I seized the moment Alten pulled his sword back and began to press him hard. My sudden fierce offense seemed to greatly fluster Alten. Clanging sounds of Trahan and Alten’s greatsword colliding began to echo inside the World Tree. Damn it, the Alraunes will come rushing here if they hear this…! I have to tell Alten the truth as soon as possible!

“Alten!! Snap out of it and face reality!! Sir Prosh asked me to do this!!” “How dare you insult the deceased former Captain like this…!!” “Hey, Alten!! In the human world, it’s known that elves live in Probellitu!!” “What does that matter!!” “If you and the Alraunes killed all the explorers who arrived here, then who told the outside world that elves live in Probellitu?! There clearly should have been no survivors, so who leaked that information to the outside world, I ask you!!” “…What?!”

I could feel through Trahan that Alten, greatly flustered by my words, had unconsciously loosened the strength he was using to push me back. Good. It’s a relief that Alten is at least listening to me… And now is the time. Now that Alten’s resolve is slightly shaken, this is my chance…!!

“The outside world isn’t aware that Alraunes live in Probellitu! So think about it, Alten!” “What are you talking about…? Didn’t you arrive here knowing that elves live here!!” “Not at all!! I was actually doubtful if elves even lived here! Furthermore, the outside world doesn’t know the exact structure of Probellitu! So think! Who do you think would have leaked information about you to the outside world!!” “What…?”

Alten seemed to be in great shock from my words, as he completely released the threatening power he held over me. At that, I too planted Trahan beside me, grabbed Alten’s shoulders, and shook him violently while shouting.

“Think, Alten!! Who knows you well?!” “Don’t tell me, a traitor among the elves…?” “Besides that!! Who warns you that there are intruders?! And who are the beings that profit from you!!” “…Don’t tell me… D-don’t tell me… Is it true…? The former Captain… knew that fact…?”

While I was persuading Alten, Aria and Veronica were surrounded by numerous Alraunes.

“Oh?” “Hehehe… You turned our sisters into minced meat, human…” “Oh? Do you want to end up the same way?” “Let’s eat those two, girls! They look delicious!!”

The Alraunes seemed to be salivating as they looked at Aria and Veronica, casually wiping away the drool that unconsciously escaped with their arms. At that moment, Veronica, hearing the Alraune’s words, was greatly surprised and shouted at the Alraunes.

“What…? W-wait! I’m an elf!! I just took on a human form because of this saint!!” “My… you’re a really foolish elf, aren’t you?” “What…?” “You… are just food to us too, you know?” “…Huh?”

At the Alraunes’ scoffing words, Veronica collapsed onto the spot and lost her wits. Having continually received great shocks, Veronica found it increasingly difficult to maintain her sanity upon receiving yet another one.

“You were merely the teeth that finely chopped up what was hard for us to eat, elf~ Didn’t you know? There have been elves suddenly disappearing lately!” “My… don’t tell me you blamed all of that on humans? After you ate them all?” “Exactly! They’re foolish elves who blame everything on humans, aren’t they?” “Ah… Ahh…” “…”

Aria looked at Veronica, who was staring blankly upwards, dazed. Then she surveyed the Alraunes who were laughing at Veronica. At that moment, Veronica suddenly began to laugh.

“Ha… hahaha… Hahahahaha!! I’m foolish… really foolish… Betrayed by my father… told lies by the elves that humans are weak… and now I’ve been deceived even by the Alraunes…! Hahahahaha! I must really be an idiot! Hahahahaha! Heeheehee…” “…Veronica, I don’t care whether you’re foolish or smart. But you, Alraunes, that is.”

“Puhahaha!… Huh?” “Right now, I wanted to kill all the elves… but it seems Sir Zeke would dislike you more than the elves. And I… intensely dislike things that Sir Zeke dislikes, you know?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Girls~ Let’s eat now!” “Wow! Food! Food!!” As the Alraunes slowly approached, Aria raised her staff towards them. Then she glanced at the raving Veronica beside her and said with a sigh.

“Haa… Are you going to keep doing that? If you’ve lived your life being deceived like that, now is the time to use that precious life your father saved and decide what the truth is, don’t you think?” “Hahahahaha… There’s nothing trustworthy… Hahahahaha… Everyone’s a liar… I want to die…”

“…Are you just going to die without doing anything? At the very least, you should try to uncover the truth before you die.” “…What if it’s a lie again then? Hehe…” “…Then you must uncover if it’s the truth, to the very end.” “…To the very end…”

“…Oh dear… I want to see Sir Zeke quickly, so I’ll just…?” The moment Aria was about to hurry to Zeke, Veronica tugged at Aria’s collar. She then rose from her spot, holding her spear, and stood beside Aria.

“I… I don’t want to die deceived either!!! At least I’ll die knowing what I can trust… My father who plunged me into this hell… and even the Alraunes who created this hell… I’ll kill them all!!!” “…Do as you please.”

Aria and Veronica, each raising their staff and spear, charged at the Alraunes blocking their way. While Aria headed towards Zeke, Alten was clutching his head, listening to the unbelievable truths from Zeke. Everything, from Veronica being human, to the Alraunes spreading stories about elves to lure people here.

“Haaah… So the Alraunes used our existence to summon humans… to eat them…” “That’s right.” “And the former Captain found that out… and was trapped here and eaten by the Alraunes…?”

“Yes. But he succeeded in leaving this Trahan behind, and remained here as a ghost. Hoping that someday, a survivor of the Alraunes would be here.” “…That’s incredibly shocking. Humans outside didn’t even know elves existed in the first place, and the Alraunes were behind the elf disappearance incidents in the forest… Furthermore, the Alraunes were even eating elves… If it weren’t for that sword, I wouldn’t have been able to believe you, human… No. Zeke.” “…The man said this sword could help me… Didn’t you not believe me at first?”

“That… of course, I thought you had obtained it by grave-robbing… Still, it’s true that my heart wavered for a moment. All artifacts like Trahan can only be used if the artifact acknowledges its wielder.” “Ah… so that’s why you started believing me… But well… I’ll have to give it to Veronica when I meet her.” “…If Veronica really is human… then our perception of humans, ingrained in our minds, must definitely be wrong.”

“…You don’t dislike Veronica, Alten?” “Huh… rather, realizing she’s human made me realize I had a wrong ideology… Um… Zeke.” “What is it?”

When Alten suddenly called out, I turned my head to him. But Alten looked into my eyes, then suddenly lowered his head and sighed. He then said nothing.

“…” “What is it?” “Earlier… Earlier, I beat you… and genuinely tried to kill you… I’m truly sorry… I’m ashamed… I also massacred your race… Truly…” “It’s okay.” “What?”

“In any case, you were deceived by the Alraunes into killing innocent humans. Deceived by the Alraunes. And beating me was also due to having a mistaken ideology. Now that you’ve changed your mind like this, I feel a little happy. The man too would…” “…H-how could you…”

My face hardened when I saw tears streaming down Alten’s eyes. It was impossible not to be flustered to see Alten, who had shown such a strong demeanor until now, shedding tears… As I became greatly flustered by Alten’s appearance, Alten grabbed my legs, bowed his head, and then…

“How could you say… such words… such kind words… *sobbing*… Thank you… Thank you so much, Zeke… *sobbing*…” He began thanking me while crying. But… I’m thankful too, Alten. That you, who found everything unfamiliar after hearing the truth, were the first to apologize to me. I bent down and embraced Alten, who was crying loudly while clinging to my pants, with both hands.