After devising an exile plan and deciding to tour the entire continent (excluding the Empire) to survey it,
With a clattering sound, the carriage leisurely left the Grates Kingdom and headed for the Elf Kingdom.
“Robert.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Can Count Wilhelm’s group move separately? Why would the Royal Knight Order insist on following us?”
“Isn’t it to monitor you under the pretext of assisting you?”
Behind the procession heading for the Elf Kingdom, the pride of the Grates Kingdom—the Silver Cross Knights—were following.
Riding horses clad in silver armor, they meticulously kept their distance, matching the carriage’s speed as they pursued us.
“They won’t listen if I tell them to go back, will they?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say that the reason for going abroad was ‘to check for any threats from the Empire spreading outside the country’?”
The process of leaving the capital city, Evergarden, was not smooth.
– Could it be that this is a display of displeasure because the King abruptly ordered him to marry and he’s going on an overseas tour as a pretext?
– If it’s just a tour, it might be okay… but there’s a possibility he might not return.
– Sir Wilhelm! Please!! Don’t abandon the Kingdom!!
From the very start, there were some sharp-eyed people who suspected my intent to go abroad was ‘perhaps seeking asylum,’ and I managed to make those who blocked my path retreat by presenting the justification I had discussed with Robert.
Whether it’s being sharp-eyed or simply deeply worried, they reached the truth.
“From the perspective of a noble in the Grates Kingdom, would my absence be critical?”
“It is a country that has received your protection for 12 years. If your role as the continent’s shield goes elsewhere, the entire Kingdom will be shaken.”
“Hmm…”
“The people will not worry much about the confrontation with the Empire. However, the Grates Kingdom will be significantly shaken by just the fact that you ‘abandoned the Grates Kingdom.'”
“That is likely.”
Even in a mere company, if a top ace quits, the company’s morale will be shattered.
And how am I, a person, compared to a mere company employee?
Not at all.
The biggest reason the Empire signed the armistice agreement in the first place was the existence of a man named Hans Wilhelm.
Although I’m merely a tool of force, I have protected the continent with that force alone.
The war hawks within the Empire ultimately concluded that mutual destruction with me was inevitable, so they were satisfied securing the territories they had occupied.
Ultimately, the most important thing in war is overwhelming power.
Such power is desperately desired not only by humans but also by other races—especially those like the Elves, who experienced significant internal conflict during the war with the Empire.
The war with the Empire has been temporarily halted.
However, internal conflicts within races have not yet completely ended—notably the conflict within the Elf Kingdom, which we are about to visit.
The conflict between the High Elves and Dark Elves.
“Robert, have you ever met a Dark Elf in person?”
“Unfortunately, no. But I believe you have met them often, Master.”
“Yes. That’s right. I often dealt with the Dark Elves who sided with the Empire. On the front lines… and in my bed.”
To briefly define Dark Elves—they are simply Elves whose skin is closer to dark brown.
“Dark Elves are corrupted Elves. Their bodies change color when they become engrossed in magic.”
If an Elf delves into magic not confined to the essence of nature and learns magic widely spread in the human world, they become Dark Elves.
“They are the ones who walk the path of magic instead of pursuing enlightenment with spirits.”
Elves do not use magic.
Elves who use magic are consumed by demonic energy, and their skin turns a chocolate-like color.
“Should I call it the difference between naturalism and progressivism? If Dark Elves are those who pursue development based on curiosity about magic, then High Elves are those who protect nature and pursue coexistence with spirits.”
Once an Elf becomes a Dark Elf, they cannot return to being Elves or High Elves with spirit arts and white skin.
“It’s just that difference. Even if they are corrupted by magic, their bodies don’t twist, their cheekbones don’t become gaunt, or their figures don’t get ruined.”
Learning magic provides various conveniences to the mage, but for the Elf race, it results in corruption into Dark Elves.
“In fact, the Empire even deployed the Dark Elves on the front lines as scouts or assassins…”
In other words,
“Elves and Dark Elves—there’s only a difference in taste.”
The only difference is whether or not they can use magic, but both Dark Elves and Elves are undeniably beautiful!
“It’s just the difference between white milk and chocolate milk.”
As someone who has had relationships with both Elves and Dark Elves, I can declare this.
While there may be ideological differences based on their views on magic, why don’t the white Elves and black Elves stop discriminating against each other and lie together in bed?
“Robert.”
“Yes, Master.”
“If I can simultaneously handle High Elves and Dark Elves without them fighting, wouldn’t that be a symbol of racial harmony?”
“…….”
Robert looks at me intently.
It seems he has something he wants to say but cannot because I am his master.
“What’s wrong? There’s nothing we can’t say between us.”
“Haven’t you tried it with three before?”
“…….”
“You want to try it with three, don’t you?”
“Mm.”
While I’ve dressed it up with plausible reasoning, to put it bluntly…
“As expected, you understand.”
Flowers in both hands.
Holding a High Elf in one and a Dark Elf in the other, spending a night this way could be considered romantic.
“If people who conflict and oppose each other just by looking at each other could harmoniously grasp the same thing, what better symbol of peace could there be?”
“Why does it sound very sinister and perverted to me?”
“Of course, because I spoke with that intention.”
I’ve fallen into a fantasy world, and I’ve become a Grand Master, so I can have such a dream, can’t I?
So, when we arrive at the Elf Kingdom—
“Huh?”
The carriage slowly halts.
Malcolm, a servant from the Wilhelm Mansion sitting in the driver’s seat, knocks on the carriage door.
“Master. You need to come out for a moment.”
“What is it?”
“The High Elves are aiming their bows at us.”
“…….”
Hearing Malcolm’s words, I immediately got out of the carriage.
And I channeled mana to first confirm whether Malcolm’s words were true or not.
Whoosh.
“Halt! If you move… huh?”
“What’s happening?”
“G-Grand Master?! Why are you here…?”
The captain of the Elf guard, who was aiming a bow at us at the entrance to the forest, looked at me and was surprised.
“It’s been a while, Sir Raphaella.”
“Calling me ‘sir’ is kinda… No, why are you suddenly bringing such a large force…?”
“There’s a slight misunderstanding, but it seems the troops weren’t deployed here from the beginning to stop us.”
I surveyed the barrier spread across the forest and the guards led by the Elf protector Raphaella.
“Is something wrong within the Elf Kingdom?”
“…No, but for now, we cannot allow ‘outsiders’ in carelessly.”
“Me too?”
I took out an item I had prepared earlier from my pocket.
“Am I an outsider too, even though I thwarted the World Tree’s arson plan by the Empire’s Orc legions and received a symbol of friendship directly from the World Tree?”
“A branch of the World Tree…!”
Though it appears to be an ordinary twig, it is a magic item that can change its form immediately if mana is infused into it.
I prefer using it as a symbol rather than a weapon, and thanks to that World Tree branch, the Elves began to lower their bows one by one.
“But….”
[Let them in.]
A deep female voice echoed through the forest.
[No matter how chaotic the interior is, it is impolite to make a distinguished guest wait outside.]
I know that voice.
[Sir Wilhelm.]
“Queen Asteria.”
The Elf Queen, High Elf Asteria.
“What is happening that you are on such alert? The Elves already know about the armistice agreement, don’t they?”
[The details… could you come inside and listen? However, please have those humans behind you wait for a moment.]
“…….”
[It is a very important issue, my friend.]
“For now… I will do so.”
I beckoned to Robert and entered the forest.
—
Neighhh.
“Oh no, I’m late.”
The Chancellor, Winchester, who had ridden his horse and rushed over, clicked his tongue as he saw the group waiting—or rather, confronting each other—at the entrance of the Elf forest.
“I’m already overwhelmed with sorting out the Aristocratic Faction’s complaints, and then the Royal Knights decided to follow without question.”
“I apologize, Chancellor.”
Hubert, the captain of the Royal Knights and a Sword Master, bowed his head toward Chancellor Winchester.
“Knights must obey royal commands. His Majesty the King ordered us to escort you unconditionally, so please understand that we had no choice but to follow.”
“I understand. And you made the right choice. If you carelessly step into Elf territory with your military boots on, it’ll be war with the Elves immediately.”
Count Winchester placed his hand on his chest, relieved by the standoff.
“I thought some internal strife might occur within the Alliance immediately after the armistice agreement, but thankfully.”
“…Couldn’t it happen?”
“What?”
“What if Sir Wilhelm cannot extricate himself from between the Elf breasts…”
“Hmph. What an expression.”
Chancellor Winchester coughed as a warning about the expression, but he glanced up at the Elves perched on the densely spread trees and shook his head vigorously.
“If Sir Wilhelm were someone who would become an Elf Kingdom resident just because of their size, he wouldn’t have been a Grates Kingdom resident already.”
“But….”
“But, what?”
“That.”
Knight Commander Hubert very cautiously tapped his head with his hand.
“The Elf Queen… isn’t she, you know, that. A symbol of abundance.”
“She is abundance indeed. …Sip.”
Chancellor Winchester slowly began to bite his fingernails.
“But why have the Elves set up these defenses in the forest….”
“Do you have any suspicions?”
“I do, but that would make the problem rather serious.”
—
“Assassination?”
“Yes, my friend.”
As soon as I reunited with Queen Asteria, I received shocking information.
“The Dark Elves are trying to assassinate us.”
“……The ink on the armistice agreement hasn’t even dried yet.”
“It is not the Empire. They said this—”
The war.
“Is an individual’s deviation,” they said.
It seems to be progressing in a different form.
