NOVEL WEB Chapter 32
The single sentence that flowed from the Elder’s mouth was enough to turn all the doubts rising within me into an uncontrollable conviction.
At that moment, my brows instinctively furrowed deeply, and my heart began to race wildly.
In my mind, the conclusion that he was plotting something using me naturally flashed.
Even though they look similar to humans, just of a different race, how can they spew such beastly nonsense without a care?
This is not the image of an elf I had imagined.
“D-did you dislike it that much…?”
As soon as he saw my distorted expression, the Elder began to stutter even more, looking increasingly flustered.
“……”
But I didn’t respond to the Elder at all.
No, from the start, even exchanging words with him felt unpleasant and disgusting.
“No, Elder. Lady Levina likes me.”
In the midst of this, Rune’s innocent voice softly reached my ears from right beside me.
“She even hugged me dearly earlier─.”
“O-oh, is that so! I should have acted more calmly, but I couldn’t help but panic…!”
The Elder’s voice suddenly rose.
He seemed to be struggling to cover up his mistake, but the awkwardness clearly visible on his face only made him look more like a fool.
“T-this is quite… I have been terribly rude. Please forgive me… .”
“……”
“Anyway, I’m truly glad you liked our gift. It’s a joyous day.”
No matter how I appear in their eyes, I don’t particularly care.
Even if I have a human heart, the fact that my race is that of a vampire will never change.
But using a child who knows nothing of the world as a means to an end is utterly against reason.
“But, Elder… I tried to handle it on my own, but things didn’t go well. I’m sorry… .”
“Huh? What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Lady Levina still doesn’t trust us.”
“She doesn’t trust us? Then why is she here…?”
“That’s why I invited Lady Levina to the village. I thought she might trust us a little if I did─.”
The Elder’s face stiffened and his brows furrowed as Rune spoke cheerfully.
It seemed he thought I had agreed to their proposal, as he couldn’t regain his composure.
“…Elder?”
However, even from this brief interaction, I could roughly guess not only the Elder’s but also the treatment Rune receives in the village.
I couldn’t help but let out an incredulous laugh.
“So you mean… you brought her here without anything being decided… .”
“Are you in a lot of trouble? Did I come too suddenly?”
As I slowly opened my tightly closed mouth and spoke softly, the Elder immediately flinched and showed signs of panic all over his body.
“N-no…!!”
“Then I’d like to start heading into the village now.”
“Of course. I’ll take you there right away… .”
“No. I’ll continue to receive guidance from Rune. And right now, I need a place to rest.”
“Huh?”
At my firm words, the Elder momentarily lost his words and blinked stupidly.
Even in the midst of this, his attempts to maintain an awkward smile were quite disgusting.
But since dawn was approaching and the children seemed to be reaching their limits, it seemed best to enter the village and rest first.
“Tonight, I will kindly respond to the demands you proposed. Until then, please do not come looking for me unless necessary.”
.
.
.
Thus, we entered the elf village of Loen.
But without any time to look around the village, we immediately entered the lodging prepared by the Elder and laid down our tired bodies.
“Snore…”
“Phew… .”
“……”
The children, completely knocked out.
Even though they were bouncing with excitement and anticipation when we set out, upon arrival, the night was late and exhaustion hit hard, so they went straight to dreamland as soon as they hit the bed.
They probably had a lot of expectations… .
I think the kids will barely open their eyes after lunch.
“……”
“Rune?”
Unlike the children wandering in dreamland, Rune was sitting on a wooden chair in the corner of the room, not lying down, just blinking blankly.
Her slumped shoulders looked very gloomy.
“…I think I made a mistake.”
“Huh?”
“The Elder looked at me with such a disappointed expression… .”
It seemed she was still bothered by the Elder’s earlier actions.
“Does it bother you a lot?”
“Yes… I didn’t think he’d get so angry… .”
Rune’s slumped voice echoed quietly in the spacious room.
Seeing Rune, unable to rest comfortably on the bed, constantly worrying about what happened earlier, was just pitiful.
“Rune, do you really like this village?”
At my question, Rune silently nodded slightly.
“Why?”
“Because it’s where I live.”
“Anything else?”
“……”
Rune suddenly closed her mouth.
An awkward silence momentarily hung between us, making the already heavy atmosphere even more uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, I calmly waited for Rune’s answer, silently blinking my eyes.
Then─.
“Even if it doesn’t seem like it, everyone is kind.”
In the heavy atmosphere filled with silence, Rune’s soft words quietly reached my ears.
However, Rune’s words were something I couldn’t understand at all.
Because the Elder’s actions I saw were far from kindness.
“Huh?”
Seeing my bewildered expression tilting my head, Rune hesitated for a moment before carefully continuing.
“I don’t have any talents. The other kids have already learned archery and go hunting, but I can’t even properly pull a bowstring.”
As the story progressed, Rune lowered her head even more.
A sullen appearance with no confidence at all.
Her shoulders shrank as if she were about to be scolded by someone.
“No one pays attention to me now, but I think if I work hard, someday they’ll recognize me.”
Those words were undoubtedly sincere.
But within that sincerity, there was also a sadness trying to hide her own shortcomings.
“……”
I swallowed a sigh.
I couldn’t tell how much of Rune’s words came from deep loneliness and self-blame.
Any unnecessary comfort would only make things worse.
“…Rune, do you want to be recognized in this village?”
“Yes.”
There were many other things I wanted to ask, but seeing Rune curling up more and more, I couldn’t continue the questions.
“That’s why I always gather herbs in the forest.”
“……”
“I’m not much now, but surely later, I’ll become an elf this village truly needs.”
“……”
“Maybe so.”
A solemn and quiet time that felt like a confession.
Rune seemed to be trying to prove her worth by gathering herbs rather than hunting.
But sadly, the elves of this village didn’t recognize Rune at all.
Instead, they tried to offer her as a sacrifice to me, trying to use her in such a way.
Why?
Rune only wanted recognition and praise.
Why did the high and mighty in this village try to use Rune as a sacrificial offering?
“Can this village really be a good place for Rune?”
“…?”
“I’m not asking for any particular reason. Just curious.”
Honestly, if it weren’t for what happened in the land I live in, I wouldn’t want to bother with matters across the river.
After all, my actions might seem hypocritical, and taking care of the children by my side is already overwhelming enough.
I don’t have the luxury to care about other places.
But the reason I came here in person is none other than─.
“What good is there in being recognized by those who judge and define things on their own?”
It was because it was so absurd that not only Rune but also the children I care for were seen in such a way.
“To my eyes, this place seems like nothing more than a wasteland for Rune.”
Given that I clearly look like a demon, misunderstandings are understandable.
But not stopping there, the Elder’s first words, openly sending a sacrificial offering and asking if I liked it, indirectly showed how rotten this village is.
“W-what do you mean by that…?”
“That’s all I can say to Rune for now. I hope you think carefully about the rest on your own.”
“…Huh?”
A hypocritical comfort, the first and last I’ll give to Rune, who still knows nothing.
But from now on, the situation will change greatly depending on Rune’s choices.
“Rune, you’re doing well enough. You don’t need to feel down. Even if the elves don’t recognize you, at least I will.”
Of course, that choice applies not only to Rune but also to the Elder.
After all, it was the Elder of this village who provoked me while I was living quietly.
He, in particular, must make the right choice.
“You are a true elf.”