After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
"A-Rank Party 'Thunder Pike' Calls Dark Elf a 'Apostle of the Evil God'!"
"Statement Made About 'Savage Black Elves' as Well!"
"Elf Liaison Council and National Human Rights Committees Raise Concerns!"
These words were prominently displayed across the newspaper page.
"This is the humiliation she suffered in your human nation. There’s no way we can leave her in such a filthy human country… That is the unanimous decision of the Elves."
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Ilwen let out an exaggerated sigh.
His mannerisms were somewhat theatrical, making it seem as though he was mocking me.
"I appreciate that you’ve protected Silk until now. But the one who should become her twin leaf is me. Your role ends here."
"That’s for Silk to decide, not me."
"Silk has no choice but to choose me. Her mission does not lie by your side."
Ilwen spoke with a cryptic tone, looking straight at me.
Despite his stunning elven features, his eyes carried a victorious glint.
I had sensed a lighthearted demeanor from him, but now I understood.
So this is the kind of man he is.
"If Silk has a mission, then my role is to support her."
"Impossible. You’re not an elf."
"Even so, there must be something I can do by her side."
At my words, Ilwen sighed once more, his face contorting with a mix of irritation and disdain.
"I’ve changed my mind. You’ll be staying here for a while."
"What do you—? Ngh!?"
The chair I had been sitting on suddenly extended branches and roots, wrapping around my arms and legs in an instant.
It resembled the spirit magic Silk often used, but I never imagined one could even manipulate spirits dwelling in wooden furniture.
I considered using magic to escape, but before I could act, Ilwen wagged his finger and sneered.
"Oh, don’t struggle too much, alright? It could turn into an international incident."
"That applies to you as well!"
"Humans have a habit of disrespecting elves. Given the precedent, how many people do you think would believe your side of the story?"
Picking up the newspaper from the table, Ilwen stood and looked down at me.
Luring me out under the guise of goodwill, then trapping me in an isolated place.
This man is more cunning than I thought.
No—perhaps I was simply too careless.
"I thought that if we could have a man-to-man conversation, we might get along a little better. But it seems we’re just not compatible."
"You’re restraining me… What exactly do you plan to do?"
"Oh, just something to talk about over tea with Silk. I’m sure it’ll make for an interesting discussion."
So he intends to use me as a bargaining chip.
Silk is too smart to fall for something like that, but if I worry her too much… there’s always a chance.
I need to get out of here.
"I see your intentions now."
Feeling a tingling sensation spread across my left cheek, I forcibly tore apart the magic binding me.
One of the dark spells bestowed upon me as an apostle of the 'Pale Undead King'—Dispel Magic—can destroy any magical phenomenon.
Even powerful artifacts infused with magic are not immune, so breaking free from a spirit’s restraints should be simple.
"What…!? What did you do to the Dryad!?"
Ilwen took a step back, looking slightly afraid.
Unfortunately, as neither an elf nor a spirit-user, I had no way of knowing what happened to the spirit bound to the chair after being affected by Dispel Magic.
Judging by his reaction, though, the spirit didn’t fare well.
"Why would my other half choose to stay with a human tainted by such impure power?!"
"I told you—she doesn’t belong to you!"
I glared at him and stood up.
The wooden chair that had restrained me darkened, turning brittle like a withered tree before collapsing onto the floor.
…It’s possible that my dark magic killed the Dryad that resided in the chair.
I don’t even know if spirits can 'die' in the first place.
"I’ll be taking my leave now."
"I won’t let you, cursed Warlock."
The door I tried to open, the floor beneath me, the table—everything made of wood began stretching out branches and roots, trying to block my path.
For all his personality flaws, Ilwen’s skill as a spirit-user was formidable.
"Step aside, Ilwen. I have no more business here."
"But I do."
"Don’t make me use that spell again."
I had no desire to kill spirits.
I had spoken several times with Biblion, the book and memory spirit residing in Silk’s hair, and had been saved countless times by the spirits she commanded.
If possible, I wanted to leave here without conflict.
"Silk must become my twin leaf. You cannot possibly understand how important that is to the elves."
"No matter how important it is, I’m saying that Silk’s will should not be ignored."
"We are long past the stage where her personal wishes can change anything."
Blocking my escape with the wood spirit Dryad, Ilwen continued speaking.
Whether it was fear of the dark magic I had used or simple caution, he kept his distance—but he had no intention of letting me go.
"My marriage to Silk is of great significance to all elves. Because an A-rank adventurer from the Welmeria Kingdom spread that outdated nonsense about dark elves betraying light elves."
Ilwen’s words made me involuntarily catch my breath.
I could argue here that those were just the reckless words of a single man—Simon.
But the fact remains that at the time, he was indeed an A-rank adventurer of the Welmeria Kingdom.
"And how does that lead to Silk’s marriage being arranged?"
"Because if the Amber Princess, a dark elf, and I, a light elf of the West, become ‘twin leaves,’ it will send a strong message—both to elves and outsiders—of our unity."
"I understand your reasoning. But that doesn’t mean a marriage that disregards Silk’s wishes can be justified."
"I don’t need your approval."
The branches, leaves, and roots surrounding me suddenly expanded, encasing the entire room.
As if I had been swallowed by a great tree, the windows and doors vanished.
"What the—!?"
"Just as I said earlier. You’ll be staying here for a while. You’re free to use that magic again and escape if you wish. After all, committing a massacre of spirits in the heart of the elves’ domain is exactly the kind of act an invader would commit. But—perhaps you should consider how that would be perceived by Silk and my people."
"Ilwen…! You—!"
I glared at him, but he simply gave a victorious bow.
"Well then, farewell, emissary of Welmeria. I trust in your better judgment."
With that, Ilwen slipped away through a gap in the tangled roots of the wall and disappeared from sight.
Comments
Post a Comment