Volume 4 Chapter 48-2 The Elf Man’s True Identity
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Vines slithered up from the ground, wrapping around us like a fancy fence.
Not like the wooden prison from before──this was a bright, living barrier.
It shielded us from prying eyes.
Then, right at our feet, trees started to grow.
They didn’t get tall, just thick and short.
They even looked like round tables and chairs you could use.
Twisted branches formed seats and backs, like elegant furniture.
We sat down.
In front of us, Rozmiaque dropped to his knees silently.
He bowed his head deep, almost touching the ground, and held his breath.
Alright, let’s get to the point.
We need to know what this elf is really up to.
What’s behind his offer to follow us?
And what we’re gonna do next.
”Let’s hear it, Rozmiaque. What’s your goal?”
”Hah, our wish is to serve the High Elf, the one beloved by the spirits.”
Rozmiaque stayed bowed, starting his quiet explanation.
”The High Elf… to our elf clan, they’re already a legendary figure. They appear once in a thousand years, the most loved by nature and spirits. If they exist in reality, they should guide us, show us the path to take…”
His words were like a prayer, and I pulled back a bit.
But I could tell he really believed what he was saying.
”So, now that you’re sure Lifia’s a High Elf-level being, you want to follow her?”
”Yes. Joining the kingdom’s officials was just a side job. I never planned to swear loyalty to them.”
He seemed to be telling the truth.
I turned to Lifia.
”Lifia, you up for it? Being the elf leader?”
Lifia tilted her head, looking troubled.
”Well, that’s a bit…”
Yeah, I guess.
It was hard to picture Lifia boldly leading the elves.
”If it’s Senior, she can definitely do it!”
Kéa raised her hand energetically.
”Kéa, be quiet.”
”Yes, I will…”
Kéa’s shoulders slumped, easy to understand.
Watching this, Lifia straightened up suddenly.
”But… if Master wishes, I’ll give it a try.”
Clear blue eyes locked straight onto mine.
I start thinking.
If Lifia became the elf leader, could I use the elves as my allies?
That’s tempting.
And if it’s me… I could tell every elf the true name of the Guardian Spirit.
Which means, I could make as many elves as I want as strong as high elves.
But… can I really do that?
Just Lifia having high-elf level magic makes Rozmiaque act like this.
If every elf gets that power from me, how will they treat me?
Honestly… I have no idea.
And will power-hungry elves still listen to me?
Even Rozmiaque, who basically worships me right now──if he gets his own power, will he just toss me aside?
If the powered-up elves turn on me, I’m done for.
I still don’t know what elves are really like.
Mess this up, and the monsters I raise could stab me in the back.
I need to decide this carefully.
How am I gonna use this power?
Or maybe… not use it at all.
For now, I’m holding back on handing out any power.
And I don’t need to control the elves either.
If we end up fighting the kingdom, then I’ll need their help.
Right now, it hasn’t come to that yet.
This mess made it a lot more likely, though.
”For now, Lifia doesn’t need to take charge.”
”Understood. Then, what do we do with this man? Should we erase him?”
”──I won’t trouble you. If you command it, I’ll slit my own throat right now.”
Chilling words.
”No, that’s not needed. I’ve got a few questions first.”
”Your mercy humbles me. Please, ask me anything.”
Rozmiaque dropped to one knee, bowing his head.
This man could still be useful.
Better to use him than spill pointless blood.
”Rozmiaque, what did you think of Lifia’s magic?”
”Well… it seems there’s still some room to grow…”
He hesitated, choosing his words with care.
”So… it’s still pretty rough, huh?”
”I-I’m so sorry!”
The elf man bowed his head desperately.
”It’s fine. It’s as I expected.”
This guy is a real powerhouse; he’s managed to hear the spirit’s name up to 6 characters on his own.
Normally, an elf would need long training and repeated conversations with spirits to reach that point.
Compared to that, Lifia, who gained power through promotion, is inevitably at a disadvantage in natural talent.
But that’s precisely why there’s room for growth.
And if Rozmiaque’s loyalty is certain, having him become Lifia’s mentor wouldn’t be a bad idea.
”Rozmiaque, in your eyes, is it possible to train Lifia?”
Rozmiaque quietly lowered his deep blue eyes, seemingly pondering my question with a small nod.
After a moment of silence, he carefully chose his words.
”…To some extent, it is possible. Lady Lifia’s spirit seems to possess the ability to read the wind and minds. Particularly regarding the mind-reading ability, it is similar to my spirit, so I may be able to provide some guidance.”
It seems that not all elves are born with the ability to read minds.
”I understand that the attributes of the spirit were inherited from either Lady Lifia’s father or mother… but have you been taught anything about it?”
Lifia answered for me.
”My father is an elf, but he separated from my mother before I was born.”
”I see… then…”
Rozmiaque nodded as if satisfied, but then he cut himself off.
Something felt subtly off.
After a pause, he asked with a slightly trembling voice.
”Um, by the way… Lady Lifia’s birthplace is…”
”The capital, right?”
Lifia answered without any particular concern.
”Yes, the capital of this country.”
”Obviously.”
Without specifying a country, it’s a given that it’s this one.
Rozmiaque wiped sweat from his forehead and continued questioning.
”Um, just to be sure… may I ask for your mother’s name…?”
His eyes darted around anxiously, as if fearing something.
”I don’t think it is, but just in case… Lady Lifia’s mother’s name isn’t… Anele, right…?”
”…”
Upon hearing that name, Lifia fell silent.
She’s staring at Rozmiaque.
Rozmiaque turned pale at her silence.
Sweat dripped down his face.
Lifia whispered softly after a while.
”Father…?”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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