NOVEL WEB Chapter 113 - The High Elf Village
The High Elf Village
“This is just an endless, ordinary forest.”
“You’re right, Zahariash-sama. Meg-sama? You said a little further ahead… Is there something there?”
As I was staring at the ridiculous sign, stunned, the Demon King and Kron-san’s conversation caught my ear. Ah, eh? Are they talking to me?
“What is it, Meg? Do you sense anything?”
Sense? It’s right there, the entrance! But it seems like no one else could see it, or sense any changes in magic power. The Meg inside me seems to be as unhappy as ever, but I was actually quite calm, thanks to that sign.
“Um… it’s here.”
“Here?”
I’d mustered up the courage to say it, but he didn’t understand. Well, that’s to be expected.
“Thish is… the entrance to the High Elf Village. There’s a shign… here…”
I trailed off, losing confidence. But that ridiculous sign was right before me, there’s no mistaking it. Unless it was a trap!
“It’s here? Meg, I don’t see anything.”
H-He really can’t see it. It’s so strange, because I could see it clearly. I desperately tried to explain, pointing and gesturing. But they still didn’t understand. Gil-san even tried using magic power detection, but still nothing!
As I was groaning, “Mmm,” I sensed something flitting past. A faint, light blue spirit. I wasn’t really paying attention, because spirits were always flitting around, but for some reason this light blue spirit caught my eye. I followed it with my gaze, and it seemed to be observing us. …Well, they usually observe us, but this one was different somehow!
“Shou-chan.”
『Yes!』
“Can you hear what that spirit’s saying? That light blue one?”
『Hmm, okay! That one? Wait a second! 』
It seemed like it would listen to this simple request without needing magic power. I’d gotten a lot better at gauging how much it needed! Shou-chan swiftly flew to the light blue spirit, danced around it, and then returned to me.
『It’s a Water Spirit! It wants to talk to you, Master! 』
“To me?”
It would be too convenient if it knew something about this entrance… I told Gil-san and the others to wait, as I was going to talk to a spirit, and then went over to the light blue spirit.
“Nice to meetchu. I’m Meg. Are you a Water Spirit-shan?”
When I said this, the spirit emitted a dazzling light, transforming. And then, a large, pale blue dog sat down before me. Whoa, so dignified! The fact that it transformed meant that it was someone’s contracted spirit. I wonder if it was a High Elf’s… My heart pounded.
『Indeed, I am a Water Spirit. Child of High Elves, I have been waiting for you.』
“Waiting… for me?”
I wonder why? Maybe it really was the contracted spirit of someone from the village. That was highly likely. Then… could this be a trap…?
“The people I came with, can they enter the village with me?”
I’d figured I’d be refused, but the Water Spirit’s response was unexpected.
『That one is not here right now… hmm. Fine, enter. You cannot stay long though.』
“Eh, really?”
『There is no need for caution. Now that that one is not here, we shall not harm you. Enter.』
The spirit said this, its large, light blue tail swaying, and then turned towards the entrance. I glanced at Gil-san and the others, but they still didn’t seem to have noticed anything. I was a bit uneasy, but it would be fine. I didn’t sense any malice from this spirit.
“It’s going to guide ush in. Follow me.”
I said this and then took Gil-san’s hand. Even if only I could enter, I wanted to believe that he’d be with me! I followed the Water Spirit, and the moment I passed under the arch…
“Whoa, wh-what?”
“The scenery… has changed.”
The scenery, which had been nothing but ordinary trees, vanished as if a fog had lifted, revealing the true landscape.
“This is a truly beautiful place.”
The Demon King muttered this in awe. No one else spoke. No, they couldn’t. The scenery was so beautiful that it left us speechless.
Colorful flowers were in full bloom, and the trees, with their lush, green leaves, were full of life. The branches were laden with fruit, and the stream flowing by was crystal clear, sparkling like jewels in the sunlight filtering through the trees.
And more than anything, the air itself felt pure, and just being there made me feel like my mind and body were being cleansed.
“…This is… the High Elf Village…”
Everyone seemed to be intently taking it all in. And so, we hadn’t even considered that there might be someone here.
“Yes. Welcome to the High Elf Village.”
We all gasped and turned around. And there she was, a woman so beautiful that she could have been mistaken for a goddess.
Her shimmering silver hair reached her knees, and her deep blue eyes were narrowed softly. She had a faint smile on her lips. The simple dress, made of soft, natural fabric, had no adornment, but it only seemed to enhance her beauty.
“It’s been millennia since we’ve had any guests. Is this what it means to be… excited?”
She emanated no hostility, and her reaction, while refined, was childlike. I glanced at Gil-san and the others, and they all seemed just as confused. It was like they’d encountered something rare.
“Now then, Dillon, guide our guests. I’m going to brew some tea.”
『As you wish. Guests, this way.』
The Water Spirit, called Dillon, bowed its head slightly and then turned towards us, guiding us with elegant movements. I wondered if this was her contracted spirit. I’d never seen a spirit so composed. It was a surprise, because all the spirits I’d met were, well… very energetic! I’d assumed that they were all like that!
“…I didn’t think they’d be open to discussion.”
“I agree, Zahariash-sama.”
“But we can’t let our guard down. Should we accept her invitation? Demon King-san.”
“Yes, why not? Let’s have some tea.”
We all agreed, and so we entered a small house. We’re imposing ourselves on you…!