“They consume minerals. It’s a fascinating trait, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. If it were possible, I’d want to uncover the principles behind it. And if we could transfer such traits to our kind, we might gain an advantage in our struggles against those detestable Dwarves.”
It has been a week since traveling with the Elves. They continue to marvel at Alterra’s peculiarities while occasionally making unsettling remarks without hesitation.
For instance, they express a desire to spread her traits widely among their own people or seriously discuss ways to exploit her characteristics for practical use.
This led to some trouble in the middle, but after confirming that they held no ill intentions toward Alterra, things were barely resolved.
“I already told you not to look at me like that.”
“I apologize. However, the Dwarves have been a chronic affliction for us, and thus your presence, which seems akin to their end, fascinates us. Would you not consider connecting with the Central Mind? Loneliness and the fear of being forgotten would vanish.”
“Go away.”
Meanwhile, having nothing better to do, Alterra focused on learning their language. Now she seemed to understand enough to bare her teeth in hatred and disdain toward the Elves.
Like when teaching feminine and masculine nouns.
“Hmm. I thought it was worth considering, but alas. Let’s take a short break to eat then.”
The Elf responsible for communication suggested stopping for a meal as it was about lunchtime. The carriages in front and behind them all stopped promptly, creating an instant atmosphere for eating.
“Alright, this time we’ll provide the food ourselves. Please don’t offer any.”
“Is that so? You should give it a try sometime. After all, you are our benefactors; there will be no seedlings mixed into your food. Unless you wish it yourselves, of course. That sister over there with the broken wings—would you not reunite? The Central Mind might hold clues to the person you seek.”
“…I will find them on my own. I’d prefer you didn’t make such offers again.”
“If that is your intention, we will inform other entities through the Central Mind. We shall eat and wait here while you hunt leisurely.”
Akashi continued to lean against something, writing densely in a notebook with apparent disinterest. When asked what he was doing, he retorted by questioning whether anyone could understand even if told, so inquiries ceased.
“Min-ho, is it really wise to keep traveling with them?”
“We’ve come too far to turn back now, and trying to go alone from here would be tough without guides through the Elven forest.”
Alterra questioned the wisdom of continuing as doubts began to arise, though there wasn’t much that could be done but press on.
“…Is that so.”
“There’s no choice. According to Akashi, paths change almost every hour here. If we damage trees, all nearby Elves and trees will rush to retaliate, so you can’t just carve your way through either.”
The Elven forest is called such not only because many Elves live there but also because it essentially belongs to them.
Elves can ask trees to bend quickly into homes or have roots rise to create paths, exuding sap for their needs.
Conversely, if someone who isn’t an Elf enters, familiar paths may vanish or trees may intertwine in real-time to block routes.
In our terms, it’s called the World Tree. To them, it’s the Central Mind. Being connected means a utopia where thoughts manifest, but without connection, it becomes a cruel green hell.
Thus, entering the Elven forest without Elves or symbiotic plant-infected allies is tantamount to suicide, according to Akashi.
“…Damn. What nonsense is this? Let’s hurry up and go hunting. We need to distance ourselves from these people as soon as possible…”
Alterra clearly disliked the Elves. While understandable, her level of aversion stood out even accounting for that.
“Haa… This is undoubtedly the lifelong dream I’ve chased, yet as it draws near, anxiety grows. What if… No, I shouldn’t entertain dark thoughts.”
Yuna worried that the World Tree might not know about her parents’ whereabouts or worse—that they might be gone. Mari, though feeling emotions, maintained composure as an automaton.
“Let’s focus on eating first. You don’t want to eat what they offer, right? Alterra, Yuna, please help.”
Preparing to cook naturally, Akashi and Mari got ready while asking the party’s strongest fighters to hunt.
“…You should come along. Otherwise, I won’t go.”
But Alterra, seemingly dissatisfied with something, insisted I join the hunting group despite knowing I wouldn’t be much help.
Still, it wasn’t wise to send Yuna alone, so after agreeing with Alterra, I joined the hunting team.
– – –
Akashi and Mari were fine fighting weaker beasts, but Min-ho, capable of fighting, avoided it, which annoyed Alterra, prompting her invitation to join the hunt.
It wasn’t bothersome to ask a woman, but his natural tendency to avoid participation was intolerable.
“…Alterra? Min-ho won’t be of much help.”
“I know. I just don’t like it.”
She understood Yuna’s words, taught by Min-ho, and responded awkwardly. Yuna celebrated her comprehension but used complex vocabulary that Alterra couldn’t fully grasp.
“…I couldn’t understand that last part. Use simpler words, and I’ll get it. Don’t use hard words.”
Yuna agreed and replied using basic vocabulary suitable for children. Though unintended, Min-ho watched with a faint smile, amused by the scene. Why was he smiling when called to hunt and chose to stay back instead?
“…Min-ho. Stop smiling and at least pretend to search for something.”
Strangely, no animal sounds could be detected around here. The few present were small creatures like mice, rabbits, or sparrows—insufficient for a meal.
Even detecting vibrations was hindered by the unusually dense tree roots penetrating the ground.
Am I going insane? Should we really eat that green slime-like stuff the Elves consume? There’s a risk of infection from strange parasitic plants with that tasteless food…
Refusal. If we fail to catch prey, I’d rather starve. Of course, catching something is ideal. Lying flat on the ground, I strained to feel any vibrations.
“…Over there, beyond the eastern hill… There’s one! Yuna, Min-ho! Follow me!”
According to the original plan, Min-ho was supposed to be coerced into catching the prey, but there was no time for that now. Our priority was securing any food.
Rushing up the hill, we spotted a plump pig happily munching on fallen fruits, oblivious to our approach.
Yuna prepared to shoot an arrow, but I waved her off, knowing it would ruin the meat.
“Firing that will destroy the meat! I’ll erect a wall. Min-ho, go stab it in the neck.”
Though Yuna cleanly destroying the head would be efficient, I wanted to involve Min-ho in the action, so I devised this plan.
Yuna hesitated but put her bow down when she saw me preparing the wall by touching the ground.
“…You want me to catch it? Hmm. That seems… easy enough. Alright, leave it to me. Here I go!”
Min-ho assessed the situation and confidently ran toward the pig, which startled and tried to flee upon noticing him.
However, the pig’s path was swiftly blocked by walls of rock on both sides and ahead. With nowhere to go, it charged recklessly at Min-ho.
Min-ho narrowly dodged the charge and plunged his knife precisely into the pig’s neck in one fluid motion.
I offered a slight commendation for his clean work when I suddenly felt something inside me.
…It’s been about a month and a bit more than a week. It shouldn’t be surprising to feel it again, but why does it seem to have taken so long? It’s an odd sensation.
Back at Gol Samet’s rear mountain, it felt like eggs were laid continuously, one after another. Now, it feels like ages since the last one.
“…Ah, I’ve found another one. Alterra, let me handle this.”
While I was distracted by the strange feeling, Yuna suddenly shouted and fired her arrow. Before I could react, the targeted animal lay dead with its head shattered, blood and fragments scattered everywhere.
“That… was good work.”
“Thank you.”
Yuna smiled brightly before retrieving the kill.
On my side, I easily lifted the pig Min-ho struggled to carry, reducing our dinner worries but introducing new concerns.
Carefully avoiding staining my white clothes with blood, I returned to where Mari and Akashi waited.
…Perhaps, I wonder if Min-ho’s egg-laying process might benefit slightly from this.
