After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
In the end, all of us set out for the city of Amberle, where we enjoyed the streets overflowing with the unique culture of the Dark Elves, guided by Silk.
There is a common misconception that elves live in tree-top tents made of leaves and branches, but a single glance at Amberle is enough to prove that wrong.
Unlike the stone-built cityscape of Welmeria, Amberle’s refined wooden and earthen architecture does not seem inferior to the cities of the continent at all.
According to Silk, the beautiful cityscape of Amberle was built using abundant amounts of tree-sap-based adhesives and a construction technique called "joinery," ensuring that the island's natural environment remained completely untouched.
Indeed, this harmonious city of Amberle is worthy of being called an "Elven city."
"Alright, I'm going to see Elder Elran now."
After exploring the morning market filled with exotic fruits and unusual dried meats, and thoroughly browsing the herbal shop lined with Vilmuren Island's specialty spices and medicinal herbs, I stopped and turned to my companions.
Before breakfast, I had asked Nene to send word ahead, but the response was, "Mornings are busy."
I understood this was a roundabout way of declining my visit, but I couldn't just back down, so I had them pass along the message that I would stop by "briefly before noon."
At the very least, even if I couldn't secure an audience, if I could just get them to accept my report, my duty would be fulfilled.
"Are you sure you don’t need me to come along?"
"This time, I’m just here to deliver a few reports. I’ll be fine on my own."
"…Understood. Take care, Yuke."
Silk bowed her head slightly, and the others waved lightly.
"I'll be back soon, so hold off on lunch a little. Let's all eat together."
"Got it! We'll find a good place in the meantime!"
Nene responded energetically, and I gave her a small nod before walking in the direction opposite the harbor—toward the Amber Forest.
Elder Elran's residence was built at the forest's outer edge, almost swallowed by the trees.
"Alright, let's do this."
To ease my slight nervousness, I muttered to myself and checked the sealed letter in my pocket.
Perhaps because of what happened yesterday, I couldn't shake off a sense of unease about Elder Elran.
It couldn't be helped, considering how clearly he had rejected any relationship between me and Silk.
I could understand—after all, if a granddaughter of marrying age suddenly brought home a human man from outside, any grandfather would react that way.
But as someone directly involved, I couldn’t help but wish for a bit more leniency, or at least some understanding.
I had been walking up a gentle slope, lost in thought, when I finally arrived in front of the Elder's residence.
"A human. What business do you have here?"
A young Dark Elf soldier stood before the gate, blocking my way with an imposing presence.
I had expected a cold reception, but this was quite blatant.
"I have urgent matters to report to Elder Elran."
"Unfortunately, no one is to be allowed through. That is the order."
"…I see."
It seemed I was quite disliked.
Even so, I had a duty to fulfill.
The Elder needed to be informed about the abnormal occurrences on this island.
"Then, please at least accept this letter containing the information I need to convey."
"I cannot. I am a soldier, not an errand boy."
The soldier outright refused, his face twisted in open disdain.
Really, was all this hostility necessary?
"Leave Silk behind and go. You are not welcome here."
"I understand your position. But this concerns Vilmuren Island. If I cannot see the Elder, then please at least take this letter to him. If not, call a superior who can speak with me."
My words seemed to irritate him, and his glare grew sharp with a murderous edge.
Still, as a special envoy of the Kingdom of Welmeria, simply turning back without trying would be unacceptable.
"Let him through."
Just as the Dark Elf soldier reached for his weapon, a cool voice called out from beyond the gate.
"Ilwen-dono…"
"I'll hear what he has to say. Then I'll decide if it's worth bringing to Elder Elran. That should be fair, no?"
The elf man, speaking in a somewhat coaxing, almost purring tone, reprimanded the soldier.
"Would that arrangement be acceptable to you as well, Sir Feldio?"
"Yes, that will be fine. I won’t take up much of your time."
"Then, this way, please."
I walked past the glaring soldier and followed Ilwen.
I wasn’t exactly sure of this man’s standing, but it seemed preferable to arguing at the gate.
As we crossed the well-maintained garden, Ilwen glanced back at me.
"Showing up the very next day… that’s quite bold of you."
"An urgent matter requiring immediate attention has come to light."
"Hmm, how diligent of you."
His tone was casual and relaxed—uncharacteristically so for an elf.
Just like yesterday, I felt a strange sense of unease.
I knew I shouldn’t let preconceptions cloud my judgment, but something about him unsettled me.
"This is the guest house I’ve been lent. Please, come in."
Ilwen personally opened the door and gestured for me to enter.
I gave him a small nod and stepped into the round building situated beside the garden.
"Now then, let’s hear what you have to say."
"Thank you. I have detailed everything in this document."
As I took a seat in the chair offered to me, I pulled out the letter from my pocket.
Ilwen placed it on a small wooden tray before turning back to face me.
"I’ll hand this over to Elder Elran later. If I open it myself, I’ll just get an earful again. So, what exactly is happening?"
At that moment, I hesitated slightly.
Was it really okay to discuss this matter with him?
"Are you wary of me, perhaps? Well, I suppose that’s natural. You don’t know who I really am."
"No, it’s not that…"
"To put it simply, I am the next chieftain of the Amberwood clan. By marriage, of course."
He smiled at me, but there was no warmth in it.
In other words, he was making it clear where he stood.
"No matter what you think, Silk will be mine. That is an unchangeable fact."
"You…!"
"Now, now, don’t get so worked up. After all, the fault lies with your people."
Still wearing that fox-like grin, Ilwen fixed his gaze on me.
"This must have been quite the controversy in your kingdom as well, wasn’t it?"
"This is…!"
He tossed a newspaper onto the table—one of the publications circulated in the Kingdom of Welmeria, The Royal Bulletin.
Splashed across the front page was a massive headline detailing a scandalous incident that had caused a great uproar.
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