The actions were swift. Since Lindy had already completed her交接, there was no reason to linger in Dephel any longer, and with no immediate pressing matters, we packed our bags and headed straight for the Elf’s Forest.
“Elf’s Forest… I’m looking forward to it. Selian, you’ve never been to the Elf’s Forest, right?”
“That’s right. There was never a reason to go.”
Despite asking hopefully, it was as expected that Selian had also never visited the Elf’s Forest.
“Does the Elf’s Forest really have loads of animals like squirrels and rabbits?”
Ann and Luna, each hugging a bear and a tokki affectionately, looked at Lindy with sparkling eyes as they asked. Ann, who was naturally childlike, and Luna, who was still quite young, seemed to get along well with just a little conversation.
“Sorry to crush everyone’s expectations, but I suggest you lower your hopes. It’s really a boring place.”
Unlike our excitement, Lindy shook her head as if repulsed and said.
“Aw, that’s only because you’re an elf, Lindy. We’ve only ever seen stories of the Elf’s Forest in fairy tales and legends, so it’s hard not to have expectations.”
The elven race is inherently a closed-off group, making it difficult to catch a glimpse of them in the human world. However, they haven’t been entirely shrouded in secrecy; occasionally, they send delegations to neighboring allied countries to foster exchanges. Of course, human delegations rarely visit the Elf’s Forest.
Moreover, sometimes, elves like Lindy venture out from the forest and blend into human society.
While Lindy had concealed her identity in the underworld dealing in information, elves tend to be exceptionally talented. Unless they choose to hide like Lindy, elves living in the human world are well-known. In fact, there are even instances where an elf, despite being of a different race, has risen to positions of high authority, deciding the affairs of a nation. This gives a glimpse into just how extraordinary their abilities are.
“Still, I’m not sure if we can all go in. Elysia, the Hero, and Mariel, the Saint, should be fine, but even though we are a group, with so many of us… Plus, one of us is a demon.”
On hearing Lindy’s words, we turned around to realize our party, which only numbered five a few days ago, had now grown to nine. If we included Linne, who had fully materialized and was indistinguishable from a human, and the golems — the bear and tokki moving under their own wills, the number grew even larger.
This meant the carriage we were currently in was already packed. Linne had dissolved her physical form and floated above Yuli, the bear and the tokki had taken their smaller forms and snuggled in Ann and Luna’s arms, and Presia had settled on my lap as a cat. Thanks to these adjustments, we barely managed to fit within the carriage’s capacity.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. Still, if Lindy tells them you’re an acquaintance, perhaps they’ll give us some leeway?”
“That… Actually, I didn’t exactly leave the Elf’s Forest on the best terms, so I can’t guarantee anything.”
For some reason, Lindy chuckled awkwardly while looking sheepish. However, she hadn’t committed any grave sins that would result in exile; her departure was more akin to a teenager quarreling with her parents and running away.
“Pfft, why are you taking it so seriously? If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just camp outside. No big deal.”
Still, we couldn’t guarantee it. If, as Lindy worried, we were denied entry, we’d have no choice but to camp outside. Although Elysia the Hero and Mariel the Saint would likely be allowed, it would be better to stay together outside waiting for Lindy. After all, most of us were already accustomed to camping.
“…I’ll do my best not to let Elysia sleep outside.”
Come on, I was joking, so don’t take it so seriously — it’s making me uncomfortable.
*
As secretive as the Elf’s Forest may be, its location is no mystery. It’s widely known that the Elf’s Forest lies within the Great Forest region, a fact acknowledged by both humans and demons alike. What keeps intruders out is the barrier that has protected the forest since ancient times. Without permission, no outsider can approach. Even we would have been circling around the outskirts if Lindy hadn’t led the way.
“We’re almost there, but just a heads up: if they seem rude, don’t take it personally. Understandably, since they’re isolated from human influence, they might not take kindly to such a large group showing up.”
As we approached the Elf’s Forest, Lindy warned us.
“Stop!”
Sure enough, after walking a short while, a voice halted us. Looking up, we saw an elf woman perched on a high branch, aiming her bow at us.
Under normal circumstances, I should have sensed her presence much earlier, but the barrier blocking outsiders must have blurred our senses, for I hadn’t noticed her until she called out. Glancing around, Selian, who could detect even hidden figures, also seemed momentarily taken aback.
“Are you crazy?! Who are you aiming your bow at?! Put that down now!”
“Is that voice… Lindy?”
“Yeah! It’s me, girl! Lower the bow!”
Apparently, she knew Lindy, as they began conversing. Judging from the curses Lindy immediately hurled, they seemed fairly close.
“No matter that you brought them, I can’t let outsiders in so freely. Lindy, don’t force me to shoot. I’ll let you know.”
“Hah! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you but you’re treating me like water. Go ahead and try! But before that, I believe my arrow would hit your head first.”
…Are they really close friends?
Strangely, we outsiders stood quietly, yet Lindy was the one fuming. Just as it seemed things were escalating, a voice interjected.
“Ms. Rone. It’s alright, you may stand down.”
A woman approached. On her command, the elfess with the bow lowered it without further argument.
“It’s been a while, Lindy. You’ve grown so much since we last saw each other. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Elder…”
The elderly are usually depicted as being older in appearance, yet the woman before us could not have looked older than forty. Indeed, elves, aren’t they?
Even more strangely, though her eyes were clearly closed, she spoke as if she could see perfectly, an undoubtedly mysterious sight.
“There isn’t much difference since you went away…”
“Not much difference? When I think back to that incident where you had to sort out the mess I caused in the Spirit Realm, isn’t that enough of a change? When you think about what happened with the spirit then…”
“Whaaaaat!”
Mid-sentence, Lindy’s face turned entirely red as she shouted to cut off what the elder had been about to reveal.
Now my curiosity has only been piqued, but the elder elfess simply chuckled lightly as if she had no intention of revealing it. Instead, she turned her head toward me and spoke.
“The person standing over there must be the Hero of this age.”
“Yes, I apologize for the late introduction. I am Elysia Frentz. As you said, I am currently the Hero.”
Without even introducing herself first, how did she know I was the Hero? Nevertheless, her voice was full of certainty. Since I had no intention of denying it, I quickly replied to the elder’s inquiry.
“Hehe, this Hero is unlike the previous one, rather cute.”
The previous Hero… The last time a Hero appeared that I remember was about three hundred years ago. Seeing this elder referring to that Hero as if they were acquainted made me realize again just how different the concepts of time were between elves and humans.
“Oh, I’ve kept you waiting. Lindy?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“There’s no need to assign anyone else; I believe Lindy can personally guide the guests, right?”
“That is…”
“Yes. I’ll allow your party to stay in the Elf Forest. That includes your demon young lady.”
Lilith, who had been hiding behind the much smaller Presia until then, flinched upon hearing the elder’s words and took a small step to the side. Hiding while still swaying her tail so conspicuously was rather amusing.
“Welcome to the Elf Forest, party of the Hero.”
And just like that, we who had initially worried about having to camp outside at the start of the journey were laughably granted entry into the Elf Forest with such ease.
