episode_0054

“Proof… Is this?”

Carmene seemed to be out of her mind. She didn’t say anything for a while.

“What do you mean?”

Arda, who could not wait, asked again, and only then did she slowly open her mouth again.

“That human… When he left me, he said I would forget him. Besides, I said I would soon become happy after meeting other guys.”

“Yes?”

That was the story back then. So, I’m stuck here because of that hero… .

“I didn’t like that. I left after saying something like that to a subject I knew nothing about. … Here, hatred raged for 100 years, longer than a human life… while doing. I… Well, that’s not the case… I was trying to prove it.”

Carmene trailed off and was on the verge of crying. Now he looked so sad that he didn’t even care that he was seen by us.

But was it really necessary to go that far? Even if you went through so much trouble, that person wouldn’t even know… .

“But… You came out in the end. They harass the males a lot too.”

right. Come to think of it, it was like that.

“When I reached my 100th year here, you were born. It’s been 100 years since I last met that person… Suddenly, Arna, I have you. Isn’t it amazing?”

It took some time to accept Carmene’s words.

So, um. I knew the elf’s body was a little strange, but… . Pregnancy is 100 years away? Anyway, does this make sense?

“Well, then… .”

“Even though I hate that person every day… I offered a prayer to the divine tree that I wanted to leave behind the fruits of love. That wish came true.”

“Si, the sacred tree grants such a wish. If you’re desperate… .”

This tree is quite closely related to elves… Is it really possible to achieve anything within the body of an elf?

“So that person is your dad. I was able to keep remembering through you.”

Arna’s hands were shaking with a mysterious expression.

“Things I loved and things I was sad about. And everything I resented.”

Even though he resented me to the point where he tried to kill me for being human, I think he still liked that person immensely. Until now.

“After that, I wanted to forget about that person and only think about Arna. But no matter what I do, I can’t erase it… … .”

Was it something he wanted to forget by trampling on himself?

It is difficult to understand what kind of pain it must have been, but the elf’s pure love is as deep, rich, and spicy as it is truly scary.

I held Arna’s hand and looked up at her. Arna looked at me and smiled.

And then I saw Carmene again.

“Yes, anyway… Thank you for letting me know.”

“… … So, have you been to the place where humans live?”

Carmene did not respond to the words of thanks and turned away.

“Yes.”

“Can you tell me something? What did you see?”

Arna sat down on the floor and faced Carmene through the bars. Carmene’s expression still looked weak, but it had become much softer.

“I went to a place where humans worship gods.”

“That’s right. How was it?”

“I thought it was the same as how we honor sacred trees. I thought it was just a difference in method but not a difference in heart.”

Carmene nodded quietly.

Arna seemed to not want to talk about something that didn’t need to be said, so she moved on to another story.

“I also went to a place called the Congress where humans gather. There were a lot of people in a very small place.”

“I’ve been there too.”

“Ah… … .”

Arna was speechless.

When Carmene was traveling around the human world, she would have memories of being connected to that hero.

A moment of breathtaking silence followed.

I don’t think I’ll be angry, but I feel weird and cautious for no reason.

Because it’s not a good idea to say bad things to someone who is so weak and has no energy at all.

“He made stone statues of heroes in front of him. At that time, only the hero of Ende village near our forest did not exist.”

This is a story I heard from the village chief. And now the first one is… .

“You must have seen that man’s face.”

“Oh indeed! And I also met Cheshire. Do you remember Mom?”

Arna hurriedly spoke.

If I just keep talking about the past for no reason, I think it will only make me more depressed.

It would be better not to think about it any more now.

“Uh, it’s gotten really big. Hehehe… .”

“Ah, you mean that girl. You seem to be doing well.”

“Yes, yes. He graduated from the academy and was smart and good at using magic. You helped us a lot both this time and last time.”

Carmene smiled softly.

It looks like the Cheshire story has eased his mood a bit.

“I miss that kid. It was much better than my disobedient daughter.”

“I’ll bring it next time.”

Then, when the conversation stopped for a moment, Arna stood up and held my hand.

“Let’s go out. I’ll come again next time. Mom, are you doing well?”

Unlike other times, Arna spoke to Carmene in a friendly voice and took me out of the quarantine facility.

I don’t know what Arna is like, but I was a little shocked.

To become pregnant with the power of a sacred tree after 100 years, according to my common sense, it was ridiculous… Because elves are different from humans. It wasn’t something I could use my common sense for.

However, I am curious about the structure of the body.

Arna, who came out, let out a slightly heavy breath.

“Ha, I feel strange.”

“Why are you a little surprised?”

“Yes… Still, I feel a little fortunate that the person my mom once loved is my dad.”

Arna smiled awkwardly, as if she didn’t know how to feel.

“Seeing my mom doing that makes me feel… I felt like I did a lot wrong.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, of course, I’m not saying I regret meeting Jihoo. Apart from Jihu. I was wondering if I could have treated my mom better.”

When I see my mom doing that, I can’t help but feel that kind of regret. I also suddenly… It reminds me of the old days.

“Did you have a nice meeting?”

Lutia, who was outside, approached us and smiled. It was a friendly smile that made me feel reassured when I saw it.

“Yes.”

Arna answered stiffly. Of course, we are in a situation where there is nothing to be happy about. Starting with the fact that Carmene is in here.

“What about your aunt?”

“Ah, Isela? I just went.”

Lutia closed the door to the quarantine room we came out of and hugged the little elf who was standing next to us as if watching us.

“Something strange. Long ago, when Carmene gave birth to Arna, I was guarding this place. I said I would give birth to you inside and then come out.”

“In there… .”

Arna looked back at the quarantine center again.

“At that time, I carried you as big as my forearm, but now you are all grown up and walking alone. It’s amazing.”

“Ah, yes… Thank you.”

“Anyway, I’m worried. A child who still has a long way to live is already doing something like that. If elves meet the wrong man when they are young, their lives become very difficult.”

Lutia glanced at me and smiled sheepishly.

Although there are differences in degree, the thoughts of elves are generally similar.

“The amount of time humans have… Especially since it’s a bit short.”

If Arna were older, she might not have cared about meeting me.

If I were trash like Carmene said, Arna might have been ruined before she was even 100 years old.

“But… Phew, Arna must be having a hard time because her mom is like that.”

“There’s nothing we can do.”

“By the way, does Arna go outside the forest often?”

“Yes?”

“I heard that an elf who went outside was making a fuss? The elves will have to capture them and imprison them, but who will do it? … Anyway, be careful. You shouldn’t fight for nothing. Because it will be very strong.”

It was an interesting story, but there is no end to listening to the stories of people on ‘duty’.

Arna may have sensed that fact, but she shrugged her shoulders and turned around, holding my hand.

“I’ll just go.”

“Uh, okay. Take care!”

Lutia greeted me brightly when she left.

Even though human time is short, my time, Kim Ji-hoo, has become infinite. Although he is human, he has become something that transcends humans.

I’m so glad that Arna doesn’t have to worry about my lifespan, at least.

–

“Is it Isela this time?”

Carmene spoke without even raising her head.

Isella came to her side, opened the iron cage door, went inside, and grabbed Carmene’s crouching face.

“Did you have a good talk with Arna?”

“… … Yes.”

Carmene smiled weakly and rubbed her eyes.

“That guy was amazing. The guy Arna found… He’s the same hero, but he’s so much better. Isn’t it strange?”

Isela smiled and sat across from Carmene.

“Didn’t you tell me about fighting and crying with Arna back then?”

“Are you crazy? Why do I say things like that with my mouth? You too, watch your mouth. Don’t talk nonsense again.”

Carmene, who had no energy, reacted quite sharply. Feeling like usual, Isella smiled and stroked Carmene’s head.

After doing this for a while, Carmene suddenly cried.

I let go the tears I had been holding back and hugged Isella.

“… I still miss that person. Honestly, I think I’m going crazy because I’m jealous of Arna.”

Isella sighed and patted Carmene’s back.

“Still… I don’t know what would happen to me if Arna were to go wrong like me. So, Isela. you help me That human, Jihoo… Don’t go wrong. Got it?”

“Sure.”

But what can you do?

In the end, everything is in Jihoo and Arna’s hands. Even if you try to help from the side, nothing will change.

–

As soon as she returned home, Arna went out to the forest to look for dinner as usual. Even if you pretend to be okay, you look a little confused.

I returned to my room and read a book.

I re-opened 『Elves, Creatures of the Great Forest』, which I had already read several times, and studied about the reproduction of elves.

Even when I read the Carmene case carefully again, there was still nothing there. I wrote the sentence ‘I may become pregnant after a long time’ in the empty space of the book.

Thinking about it that way, I could roughly understand why elves like only one person for such a long time, and why they like creatures with relatively long lifespans.

Because one day, after a long time, you may end up having a baby with the person you liked.

Liking another person may be a difficult thought for an elf to instinctively do.

“That will happen.”

Time flew by as I rolled around in bed and read a book.

It was late in the evening, and even then Arna had not returned.

Why again… Did something happen?

I grabbed my weapon and went out to the front of the house. I slowly came out to the front of the house and stood looking in the direction Arna had entered.

There’s no way something could happen in this forest… .

“Jihuya!”

Arna’s voice was heard from very far away.

My worries melted away at the sound of a very excited voice, and my curiosity arose as to why I was in such a good mood.

“Jihoo!”

Arna quickly ran out of the forest and jumped in front of me. Carrying something incredibly large on your shoulders… .

What are you bringing now?

“Hey, look at this. It’s really big. I didn’t know there was something like this in the forest.”

It was a huge wild boar.

A wild boar is a wild boar, but it felt a little different from what I was used to. It was a little bigger and had grass growing all over its body, so it didn’t look like an ordinary wild boar.

“Wow, this will be delicious too, right? My sister will try it deliciously.”

“Uh, what are you going to do?”

“Hmm? Can’t you just bake it over a fire?”

yes. I think it would be delicious then.

Arna prepared a pork barbecue that felt like something I had seen before.

“Would you like to drink the wine brought from our village?”

“Okay, it looks delicious.”

I can’t help but drink a snack like this. Even though I’m young now, it’s okay.

I went straight into the house, took out the wine I brought from the village, and came out.

“I saw it in a book, and it said like this. Right?”

“Yes, I think that’s right.”

We sat side by side roasting a pig over a bonfire and shared a glass of wine.

“Would you like to try this today, sister?”

“Try it.”

“I want to like what Jihoo likes.”

It’s what I like… .

There is nothing better than liking something you like together. However, I may have been negligent in such matters.

So, I also wanted to like what Arna likes more.

“Then tell me what you like from now on.”

“What does your sister like?”

Arna thought for a moment while taking a sip of wine.

“Umm, my sister likes it… … .”

Arna paused slightly, holding the wine glass tightly, then smiled brightly at me.

“Jihu?”

me? It’s me.

“I see. I also like my older sister the best.”

“I know. Hmph.”

“Uh, I’ll take this.”

Although I felt good, I felt burdened. I turned the pig over and looked at Arna, whose eyes were full of anticipation.

“Wow… . This is how it goes.”

“How does it look?”

“I don’t know. What does this taste like?”

How should I express it?

“I don’t know either. Sister, try it yourself.”

“Ehehe, I’m looking forward to it.”

I should like myself as much as Arna likes me.

Because then my favorite Arna will be happy.