“Is there really a talented person you have your eye on among the elves?”
Acella tuned in to Lars’ unexpected comment.
“First, let’s discuss the formation of the hero party. For mobility, it’s typical to have an adventurer party consist of five to six members.”
“That’s different from how the Knights are organized into ten to twelve.”
“The Knights operate under a command structure designed for large-scale combat over vast areas. Parties usually engage in battles in smaller areas like dungeons. Successful hero parties often need to operate independently to ambush high-ranking demon officials or the Demon King.”
Lars spoke about the standard strategy for adventurer parties. Acella listened intently, intrigued by his insights.
“Usually, there are front-line members to draw the enemy’s attention, close combat warriors or rogues to flank the backline, two ranged attackers to provide fire support, and one to two healers to cover the group.”
“The hero must wield the Holy Sword, so they’ll handle close combat.”
“Yes. While the hero often takes the front line role, they may also form a rogue unit, but Lishe fits better with the offensive team. Right, Commander?”
Tanya nodded in response to Lars’ question.
“Based on our training, I’ve determined that a shield isn’t suitable for the hero. Quick Blade Style suits them better than heavy swords.”
“It’s better to have someone support the front line. If Commander Tanya stands there, I have no doubt it will enhance our combat power.”
“What do you think, Tanya?”
Acella turned to Tanya after hearing Lars’ remarks. Without hesitation, Tanya responded with a fierce determination in her eyes.
“If there’s an opportunity, I’ll give it my all.”
“Alright. Have Tanya represent our Imperial Moonlight Palace at the Martial Arts Conference. As for the remaining spots?”
“There are many talented healers. The Inner Palace is well-known in the Empire, so at least one spot will definitely go to a Saint.”
“A Saint, huh? Speaking of which, it seems one will be chosen soon.”
Lars nodded his head.
“I believe the Revelation will come down soon. That’s something beyond our control, so we’ll set that aside for now. The remaining spots are for archers and mages.”
“mages will be advantaged from the Mage Kingdom. There are a few at the 5th tier.”
Lars was well aware of this.
The Mage Kingdom, located in the southeastern region of the Empire, was a secretive place hidden deep within the eastern mountain range. It existed solely for magic. A so-called land of oddballs.
“The mages are in charge of four towers. Do you think the tower masters will show themselves?”
“A couple might make an appearance. I know the Imperial court mages reach up to the 4th tier.”
“They’re not combat mages. I have some countermeasures in mind. Leave that to me.”
“Yes. Lastly, we have the archer position.”
Lars got to the main point.
“The kingdom holds a significant advantage. The Imperial Knights regard archery as a supplementary combat technique, so they don’t train them as a primary focus.”
“On the other hand, adventurers often spend their lives honing their skills with a bow.”
“The people of the Kingdom come from a melting pot of various backgrounds. It’s like a crucible of races. The long-lived elves are particularly renowned for their mastery of bows and daggers.”
“You’re suggesting we recruit an elf to counter them. I get your intention.”
Acella looked at Lars, raising her chin slightly.
Seeing her reaction, Lars could tell that Acella wasn’t particularly fond of the suggestion. Finding a reliable elf who can shoot well and considering the variables involved would be quite challenging. They had already been away from the palace for a long time, making it likely to waste time.
‘The Elf Forest was plundered by Ritch’s undead army just before the final battle.’
Yet, Lars had a vivid memory of one impressive elven archer. He had watched that elf take down three thousand skeletons and zombies right before Lishe’s party arrived.
‘He’d definitely be a valuable asset later.’
[No. 071: Last Defense Line 26%]
If that elf couldn’t hold out in the forest, Ritch’s advance would be accelerated, making it impossible to carry out the final battle at Seymour’s grave.
Regardless, the moment Lars arrived, that individual was doomed, so they hadn’t interacted much.
‘If I recruit him now, I might be able to rewrite this ending entirely.’
He was an archer with that level of skill. He’d undoubtedly demonstrate impressive abilities at the Martial Arts Conference, even as an adventurer joining the hero party.
But Acella was unaware of this, leaving Lars with limited persuasive power.
“Since we’ve come this far, how about we take him with us? I can assure you of his skill.”
He hoped desperately for her agreement, even for just a moment.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Uh, really?”
Lars was stunned by Acella’s surprisingly straightforward agreement to change plans. With so many important matters, like the Imperial Palace and magic, he had expected her to postpone trivial tasks.
“You made such a resolute assurance, so I started to feel curious.”
Acella casually ruffled Lars’ hair, making it form a ridiculous round shape.
“If we put an apple on your head and someone pulls back the bowstring, where’s it going to land?”
“It’ll cut through the air. I’ll have long since run away before it’s even aimed at me.”
Lars’ playful retort amused Acella, making her chuckle.
‘Since I’ve come outside with Lars…’
She decided to temporarily set aside the palace duties and indulge in a bit of free time.
There’s a saying that you should go back whenever you’re busy. Sometimes, a little break like this is perfectly fine.
It was rare for her to venture outside the palace, and this was her first experience roaming freely with Lars like this.
When she visited the Marquis’ residence, she had been constrained by etiquette, and there was no need to mention the time spent hunting down the barbarian tribes.
Though accompanied by attendants and knights, Acella often felt like mere scenery in the background.
It felt almost as if they were on a trip just the two of them.
Having achieved her objectives, Acella welcomed Lars’ suggestion to head toward the Elf Forest as if he were also enjoying the journey.
“Change the pace.”
At Acella’s command, the knights adjusted the reins.
The horses, galloping powerfully, charged toward the flood-ridden gorge.
*
Entering the gorge, we slowed our pace.
The sheer cliffs around us created a terrain where ambushes could come from any direction. The knights raised their guard and proceeded calmly.
As we approached the gently sloping entrance of the forest, a sudden thunk! echoed as an arrow struck the roof of our carriage. Fortunately, the royal guard vehicle had high defensive capabilities, so it didn’t penetrate, but it was enough to put us on high alert.
“Enemy attack! Assume combat position!”
The head of the escort shouted, and the pace of the horses quickened. The carriage found cover as the wheels kicked up dirt to evade the enemy’s line of fire.
“Ouch!”
Acella, caught off balance, tumbled into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around my waist.
Even amidst that, her gaze was sharp, deeply focused on assessing the situation.
“Tanya, if they come for us, don’t hold back and slice them down.”
“Yes.”
Tanya drew her sword, concentrating on the view outside the window.
I, too, could see it. Arrows were raining down from the mouth of the woods, flying through the leafy canopy.
Shadows flitted around in the air, busy scurrying from tree to tree. They were elves.
“Their state of alert is surprisingly high. I didn’t expect them to attack out of nowhere.”
“You didn’t? I thought you had some kind of plan.”
“I had a plan, but it relied on communication.”
“Is it okay to deliver the Teacher’s message to them?”
“Probably?”
Upon hearing my response, Tanya swung open one side of the carriage door.
Peering out the window of a carriage racing at about fifty miles per hour, she quickly climbed to the roof and neatly batted away an incoming arrow.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, a gust of wind erupted from her sword.
Fwoosh!
The air pressure, sharpened and refined beyond our previous encounter, swept through the forest, striking with the force to uproot trees.
Trees near the entrance bent as if swept away by the unyielding wind. The leaves were scattered like winter trembling as they turned into aspens in a heartbeat.
The arrows shooting towards us broke, revealing the archers hiding in the trees above.
“Elves.”
Acella’s eyes sparkled with curiosity upon seeing them.
“It’s dangerous, Your Highness.”
I gently pressed down on her shoulder as we clambered up onto the roof of the carriage, seizing a prime opportunity.
Clears throat, clears throat, and I shouted.
“World Tree! Your son has returned!”
The elven response to my greeting was far from welcoming. The look on their faces was more of confusion than anything else.
I had spoken in proper ancient elvish, yet it seemed odd to them. I had expected them to regard me with familiarity.
Ah, come to think of it, this phrase was a declaration of war. I had written it without fully considering the meaning; as it turns out, shortly after this phrase might have implied that I would throw chains to choke them and split them in two.
“Aaan? Whose son are you?!”
Fortunately, one among them did respond. A high-pitched voice rang out, belonging to one of the elves perched in the trees.
He was none other than the person I intended to recruit.
Whose name should I drop?
Elves are long-lived, so surely they remembered Seymour’s heroic act of vanquishing that wicked alchemist two hundred years ago.
“I am Seymour’s son!”
“Seymour? So you’re Gothberg?”
“Oh, have they talked about me?”
Now that I think about it, wasn’t Seymour’s final resting place near this elf’s location?
“Indeed! I am the doctor, Gothberg!”
Upon hearing my name, another male elf called out.
“Doctor! Why didn’t you say so sooner? The sage has told us of you! They say you work miracles, curing any illness!”
“Yes, yes, that’s me! But could we move on over there? I’m a bit sore from shouting!”
The elves began to murmur among themselves.
“…Should we let him in for now?”
“If the sage vouched for him…”
“…Is that even a reasonable statement to make!”
Only the female elf who had first spoken out seemed resistant.
After a brief discussion, a male elf stepped forward as their representative.
‘His ears are really big.’
I took another step towards him alongside Tanya, facing him.
“I’m Pamhelm from the guards.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Gothberg. I just came from attending the sage’s funeral.”
“We saw it from a distance as well. It was a meaningful moment to be with the great spirits. However, what business do you have with us?”
Now, how should I word this?
They seemed to have quite a trust in Seymour.
Given that we had already opened the door a bit thanks to his reputation, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to borrow his name a little further.
“The sage said, should you need aid on your return journey, we shall gladly help. He expressed his desire to repay a debt of gratitude.”
“A debt that we owe from two hundred years ago. Hmm.”
Pamhelm contemplated for a moment, his hand resting thoughtfully upon his chin.
“If you truly possess the art of healing, then I have something I would like to request.”
“Oh, that’s my specialty. What sort of patient do you have?”
Elves also differ only slightly in magical pathways or cell division cycles; fundamentally, their body structures and genetics are nearly identical to humans. Hence, hybrids do exist.
If an elf needed healing, I was confident I could provide it.
In exchange for that, borrowing the archer would be absolutely perfect.
Pamhelm conveyed his request with a grave demeanor.
“The World Tree has fallen ill.”
“Oh, the World Tree.”
Hmm.
Now I need to treat a tree.
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