episode_0079

“Huh? Ah… That’s the promise I made to you a little while ago.”

‘Excuse me, Chief? Please don’t be so upset. We will pass through the eastern part of the continent and enter the Northern Kingdom, and if possible, we will join up with you, my lord. At that time, we will persuade you and take measures to allow the princess of the water tribe to return to her homeland. I promise this in the name of the saint, Milicia Airgrants. Definitely.’

“That’s right. I’ve often heard that the saintess and the warrior are close, but…are they close enough that she would easily grant such a ‘personal’ request? By any chance, are they close enough to link arms without hesitation? Or…have they already hugged each other?”

What expression is that?

Glenn was on the verge of losing his temper, even though he wasn’t the one being questioned. He complained that the elf priest was acting all snobby and rude.

Sensing Glenn’s gaze, the elf priestess Sieta glanced in Glenn’s direction.

‘That’s, really…’

Sieta was pushing Glenn’s patience to the limit. She winked playfully, closing one eye. Glenn looked in his pockets, wondering if there was anything he could throw. While Glenn planned his revenge, the saint slowly opened his mouth.

“Not to that extent. Still…he is someone who listens to my advice quite a bit. Especially when it comes to relationships, I’ve given him a lot of advice, and he’s said several times that he’ll keep that advice in mind. Perhaps…there were some misunderstandings regarding the princess of the water tribe, Linne, so I think we can resolve them if we try to sort them out.”

“Hmm, misunderstanding… Isn’t that a great interpretation? Could it really be that the warrior was attracted to a pretty woman and enslaved her?”

Yeah, that’s right.

Suddenly, Glenn turned his gaze to Sieta in a friendly manner. He agreed with her argument, which seemed to be mocking the warrior’s womanizing. The sudden change in his stance proved that he was just a human who fell in love in broad daylight.

‘He’s just become a complete idiot. An idiot.’

And with a pitiful yet bitter expression, Briwen watched their conversation from a distance.

“I will not deny that the warrior is interested in the opposite sex. However… he does not carelessly take beautiful women as slaves. If he did not respect manners when dealing with people, he would not have been given the title of warrior who saved the continent. Perhaps, he may have taken them as slaves so that they could be protected under his command, fearing the discrimination system of the Northern Kingdom.”

‘I expected Millie to say something like that given her personality, but it still doesn’t sound very good.’

Glenn couldn’t help but feel resentful once again, as befitting a man whose heart had been stolen.

Saint Militia Airgrants is a person who takes her duties very seriously. And the warrior is her closest comrade, and no one can deny that they have supported each other in countless battles.

Yeah, I can’t help but be convinced. Otherwise, I might run this physically impossible distance right now and punch that warrior in the face.

Kwaaak. Glenn unconsciously clenched his fists in anger at not being able to meet the saint before the warrior.

The situation was already bad, and the elf priest added fuel to the fire.

“Wow, another plausible interpretation… As expected of the warrior and the saintess, this isn’t an ordinary relationship, is it? Hmm… This is different from what I heard from Estil… My guess is, but isn’t it a relationship where they hide it from others and enjoy it among themselves? ”

What the hell are you talking about!

Glenn now felt that it was okay to voice his opinion in protest. No, he wanted to. Even though they couldn’t be in an open relationship because of their circumstances, he didn’t want to easily listen to and ignore the words that linked the warrior and the saint like that. Glenn, who was about to say something, tried to get closer to Sieta.

‘uh…’

Then, Glenn felt something on his left hand.

Warmth. And softness.

I remembered this touch well. It was clear that it was the hand of the person whose heart I had stolen.

“Sieta.”

And a voice that is soft but also strong. That elegant voice that steals your heart.

“I understand that you have guessed that the warrior and I are not ordinary people who have banded together to defeat darkness and overcome crises. However…as you have guessed, I can assure you that we are absolutely not in a relationship that has not been revealed to others.”

“Oh, oh. Are those words too firm?”

“Yes. Of course. Because…the person in my heart is by my side right now.”

Looking at the slightly flustered Sieta with confidence, Milishia turned her gaze towards Glen.

Ah, a smile appeared on Glen’s lips.

The resentment melted away. The complaints blew away as if they were being washed away.

No matter what others said, there was only one truth.

This touch, that look.

There is only one person on this continent who can enjoy such privileges.

Yes, it is you.

Glenn is the only man who can be called to have a special relationship with Milicia.

He is not a hooligan, he is called a warrior.

“Oh my god, what a mistake I made…Cancel, cancel!”

At the sight of Sieta suddenly raising her voice and shouting, Milicia and Glenn, who were holding hands and looking at each other vaguely, flinched and looked at Sieta.

“What, what is it…”

“Cancel? Is the length wrong?”

“Cancel? What was canceled?”

“Hoo…”

It wasn’t just the two of them.

The group of Benedictine monks, Sister Esther, Alina, and Briwen all forgot their guard and looked at Sieta’s sudden shout. Glenn felt embarrassed even though she wasn’t looking at him.

I’ve felt this many times, but this elf priest and I have a very bad compatibility.

“I’ll take back everything I just said! I’m sorry!”

It was such an unexpected apology. It was no wonder that Milicia, who received the apology, felt embarrassed, even bowing her head.

“Oh, yes? Oh, no. There’s no need to apologize…”

“No, please make me apologize! Just now, a great idea came to me. At this point, I thought it would be okay to lead you to ‘that pond’! If our relationship is this deep… If we were to make a promise in front of that pond… Ah, the warrior who is not here… Sorry! ”

After suddenly offering an apple, he took the lead again and started mumbling something. It seemed like it would be okay to recognize him as a madman, or rather a mad elf.

Glenn and Milcia looked at each other for a moment at Sieta’s antics.

‘I don’t know what it is, but… I guess it’s okay to consider that they’ve acknowledged our relationship?’

‘Yeah. If you don’t admit it… I’ll make you admit it.’

We had that kind of conversation just through our eyes.

If a warrior had really witnessed it, it would have been a scene that would have made him scream and charge forward. The two had already reached that kind of relationship.

“And…my little sister is so lucky…who would have thought there was still a glimmer of hope left for her…she’s not a saint, and with Rinka returning to her hometown…her rival is gone, so she has a chance too…”

After that, Sieta muttered something quietly as if she was crazy, but the group did not notice at all. Sieta was leading, and the grass moving in the wind made it difficult to hear her voice properly.

‘Let’s pretend we don’t know. Let’s pretend we don’t know…’

Except for one, Briwen, who has sharp ears.

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A considerable amount of time had passed. As the path that had been created in the forest grew increasingly tiresome, the group’s efforts were finally bearing fruit.

In the distance, something began to appear. Somewhere in the forest where darkness was slowly creeping in, light was slowly emerging.

“Alright, we’re almost there, folks. The forest of elves, in dire straits, is right before your eyes!”

Look at what he’s saying.

The group looked confused as to whether to laugh or look serious at Sieta, who was saying such things in a playful tone. Instead, Glenn took on a sarcastic attitude, and Briwen let out a worried sigh.

“My father, Leones Dreamside, I sincerely welcome you to the Elven Forest!”

With those words, the group stepped into the exit overflowing with light.

The first thing that came into view were enormous trees. Inside these trees, there were large and small holes, along with equally enormous roots.

Several human figures appeared and disappeared from the holes in the trees. Through the thick foliage, sunlight began to refract and illuminate this vast area.

And warmth. A warmth that seemed to envelop this area, a warmth that came from an unknown energy, began to surround the group.

After a long journey, the bodies of the saints and their party reacted. They felt drowsy and at the same time quite comfortable. Moving their gaze from top to bottom, they could find a small stream flowing through the middle, along with several people with unique ears. Only then could the party sense it.

Finally, they reached the Elven Forest, their first destination.

“Hmm, it’s been a while…but it’s still the same.”

Briwen muttered with a calm but slightly longing expression on her face. Glenn recalled the conversation he had with Briwen just before their trip.

‘Now that I think about it, if I go back this time… it’ll be the first time I’ve returned home since I ran off to become an adventurer.’

‘Huh? Really? Oh, no. That can’t be true. You and me and the other kids, back in the day…’

‘I’ve visited this forest before. For a commission. But I never returned to my birthplace. In reality, as someone with elven blood, I’ve never returned to my ‘home’. If I go back now, it’ll be exactly 20 years. I haven’t counted properly.’

Since he had said such things, it was not strange that he should be so moved. And Glenn, he was lost in some strange thoughts.

‘Come to think of it… I also passed by my hometown on my way here… Should I have at least stopped by once?’

Looking at Briwen’s complicated expression, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that I had passed by my hometown. If I had returned to my birthplace, it would be the same time that Glenn had been home for a long time. It had been exactly 20 years since I had become an orphan and had been forced to leave my hometown.

‘No, no. What kind of romance are you in, Glenn!’

However, he soon shook his head. He gave up. He reminded himself of reality. It was certain that his hometown was in the northern part of the kingdom. At the same time, it was also certain that it was quite far from the group’s travel route. In a journey with the purpose of observing and resolving the world’s crisis, such a delay would only be a hindrance.

Glenn tried to rationalize his failed visit to his hometown. Then he came out of his thoughts. Then, someone’s voice came into his ear.

“Thank you very much for using the Sieta’s Sweet and Sour Travel product this time. The Sticky Cursed Forest Exploration will begin tomorrow at this time, so please make time to attend. Wow, clap clap clap…”

The group was left dumbfounded by Sieta’s lively speech, even clapping with her own mouth. For a moment, the emotions that had been overwhelming while admiring the Elf Forest cooled down in an instant. Glenn wondered where on earth Sieta had picked up such absurd words, seeing her confident appearance.

‘Is it because I’m getting older? Yeah, definitely…’

“Sietta…I don’t think this is a good time to joke around…”

Just as Glenn was mulling over the rude remark in his mind, Briwen stepped forward to properly challenge him. Up until now, she had been silent, as if she had grown accustomed to Sieta’s behavior, but it seemed that she could no longer bear it any longer.

“I know, Wena. I just wanted to make you relax. Now, I will guide you to my father. You have heard his name, right? The ruler of this forest and the rightful heir to the Elven Kingdom!”

“Sieta…”

As he watched Sieta, who was doing the exact opposite of what he had said, with her arms spread out in an exaggerated manner, Glenn absentmindedly looked around. No, he wondered if the elven villagers were not ashamed of what their ‘priest’ was doing.

As expected, some of the elves passing by stopped and blushed, covering their faces with their hands, while others were giggling and whispering to each other. Their reactions were different, but it was clear that they were familiar with Sieta’s antics.

Because those who were not familiar with it were approaching it with a distinctly different reaction.

“Sieta Niim! What are you doing there! ”

A loud noise struck the group’s ears. Everyone was startled by the sudden voice, and especially Glenn’s younger brother, who seemed to have a weak immune system, responded vocally.

“Wow! It’s not… right?”

Of course not, you idiot.

Glenn was momentarily surprised, and tried to deny that he had clenched his fists so tightly. The group looked around. In the distance, near the stream, someone was approaching them. It was definitely the male elf who had shouted earlier.

No, upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just the male elf approaching. Glenn could see at a glance that two elves, dressed in considerably more luxurious clothing than the other elves around them, were approaching with the man in the lead.

Looking back, it wasn’t just something luxurious. As I got closer, I could see more clearly, and there was something resting on top of the two people’s heads. It was leaves and vines, and it was shining silver…

“Ugh! Oh, Dad. Mom…”

Sieta, who couldn’t control her playfulness, flinched and stopped in place. Her exaggeratedly moving arms returned to their original positions. Her expression also lost some of its smile and became quite tense. In addition, her cheeks turned slightly red, which was surprisingly embarrassing.

“Ex… If it’s Sieta’s father and mother… Um, two of the elves approaching over there…”

Behind Glenn, Alina muttered cautiously, her voice trembling slightly. Briwen nodded heavily as if she had heard what he said. Soon, Alina’s face turned pale.

Glenn recalled the conversation between the saint and Sieta that he had heard on the way here.

‘Lady Sieta. You called your surname Dreamside… Then, do you happen to have a biological sister named Vidia Dreamside?’

‘Oh my, thank you for your kind words, Saintess. Yes, my poor sister. She’s been suffering from lovesickness lately and has been shutting herself in her room… She’s such a poor princess. Her father and mother are very worried.’

‘Vidia… Are you feeling unwell?’

‘It’s lovesickness. It’s a disease of the mind rather than the body. Even if my father sent people to get medicine, it didn’t work. Of course, it’s natural since there’s nothing wrong with his body.’

‘I’m worried… But, if it’s you, Father… As expected, Sieta-sama…’

‘Oh, so I’ve revealed another secret identity of mine. My goodness! Such outstanding deductive powers. Then I have no choice but to tell you, Saintess. My name is Sieta Dreamside! My father is Leonis Dreamside, the heir to the lost kingdom of the elven kingdom! Of course, my mother can be called Queen! It’s an old story, but there are still many who pursue tradition, so the royal family’s identity is not hidden and is revealed. Ahem!’

He introduced his family in such a way that it was hard to tell whether he was bragging or being sarcastic. Well, I had heard rumors that Vidia was the princess of the elven kingdom, so I had guessed, but at this moment, seeing Sieta’s stiff reaction, I could completely understand.

The male elf who shouted from the front was clearly an attendant for the two people who were with him. The two people who had just arrived at the party following him were… clearly…

“Welcome. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Leonis Dreamside. I am a descendant of the foolish bloodline that once sat on the throne of what was once called a kingdom. This is my wife. Fulvia Dreamside.”

“This is Fulvia. If you call me queen, I will double your blessings! Ahaha… Sorry. Did I joke too much? Welcome to this forest. I will be counting on you in the future. The saints and their companions?”

The group, who had met the leaders of two races in the same day in an instant, once again had expressions of tension and shock on their faces.