Well, in the end, the elf elders did prepare everything as I wanted.
Honestly, the elf elders had no reason to refuse me. They were trying to prevent Satsuki from inheriting the name Rechmir, right? But in human society, no matter the reason, a child cannot be denied the family name of their parents.
It was a matter related to human rights, but more than that, from the government’s perspective, having more people without surnames makes administration a massive headache. They needed a systematic way to manage the population to collect taxes. The best way was to classify people by household.
Anyway, for various reasons, Satsuki coming to this village wasn’t a legal problem for me, so it wouldn’t mean anything if they complained. And there wasn’t a way to disadvantage Satsuki, who came with me. So what if we’re always stuck together?
They couldn’t stop me from going to my room. In this one and only country, there was freedom of movement. No matter where I went, there was no way to stop me. The Elven village is known for completely rejecting outsiders, and the government tacitly acknowledges that, but I had already questioned the chain of command in front of the President.
If they tried to prevent me from going to the Elven village, I could call on the Constitution, causing headaches for the government.
Honestly, if I had informed the government in advance of what I intended to do here, they might have agreed, even if it wasn’t a good reason.
The Elven village didn’t have a public space large enough to accommodate all the village residents, but that didn’t mean there was no such space at all.
The place we gathered was right in front of the Arlil Priest. Due to my holy power, the area in front of Arlil was flat, much larger than its original size.
However, it wasn’t filled with people. Elves usually rarely come down from flat ground unless necessary. Most homes are situated high up in the trees, and patrols usually traverse trails created through dense foliage. The branches serve as camouflage, and there’s the advantage of observing from high up while moving.
I sometimes think they might have climbed up due to suffering from demons and monsters, but if I said that, the elves would get angry.
Anyway, for those reasons, the majority of elves were looking down at us from the treetops.
The elves who had come down, at least, were the “high-ranking” elves, including the elders.
If it were humans living on the ground, it would be common for higher-ups to stand on a podium to speak, but for elves looking down from trees, being on the lower side was more advantageous.
“Well then, Saintess.”
The one who addressed us wasn’t Krah. It was Rechmir, who had looked at me in disbelief earlier this morning. In fact, Krah now looked like he didn’t want to be involved anymore. It had the feeling of “You guys handle it yourselves.”
Ramihi, however, showed no change in expression, even after seeing his grandfather’s face.
“Now that you’ve prepared a place, say what you want. Why did you gather us here?”
They must have already heard what I said, but he made me say it again. To him, repeating it might feel like an incredibly funny story. Maybe he should be grateful it wasn’t him who had to say it.
I stepped a few paces forward, and the gaze of the elves fixed upon me.
I wasn’t wearing the saint’s robe I wore last time I was here; it was a splendid outfit used only for official visits. The white mixed with red was perfect for attracting attention. Above all, I thought it would be beneficial that my attire was different from last time.
The white veil I wore already emitted a glow on its own. So, I suppose it really was an extraordinarily unique outfit from the elves’ perspective.
“I’d like to introduce someone you used to live with long ago to all the elves present.”
I raised my palm toward Satsuki. Upon my signal, Satsuki stepped a few paces down from the shade of the trees into the golden light emitted by Arlil’s holy power, her white skin sparkling in the illumination.
“They deemed that there was nothing she could do with her abilities in the Elven village—”
I briefly glanced at elder Rechmir.
“—so she had to move to another region.”
I intentionally avoided using the word “expulsion” and said it like that; the young elder snorted, finding it ludicrous.
“However, a lot of time has passed since then. At that time, Satsuki had no opportunity to showcase her abilities, and now she has become a student at an academy where only the outstanding can enroll in human society. A place like that of Ramihi ‘Kihmuhir’.”
…….
There was no particular response. I expected that, though. They were probably thinking, “So what?”
No matter how elite the educational institution, arrogant individuals might think it too small for them. Or they might think it unsuitable for their children. The image of Ramihi dominating as the absolute top student was probably running through their heads.
Meanwhile, the real top student was off to the side, watching us with his arms crossed.
“I’ve always believed that no being should be ostracized simply because of their inherent physical capabilities. Be it elves, gnomes, beastfolk, or humans.”
Each person has different abilities. Sure, there are generalizations, but those are simply generalities, not signs of worthlessness compared to others. Moreover, it’s laughable to blindly worship those who blatantly break out of such general frameworks as if they were truths.
“But if I just speak, you won’t believe me. Because you’re ‘elves’.”
Elves believe what they see. If they don’t see it, they won’t believe it. That’s partly why there are almost no elf followers in the church. Elves cannot generate holy power on their own, and thus they have very few opportunities to meet the gods directly.
Of course, while they may trust the judgments of other elves more than their own, they only consider those deemed acceptable. Their gaze always turns inward.
What do they need most to venture outside these areas freely?
Naturally, it’s about forcibly redirecting their inward gaze outward.
“That’s why I wanted to show you directly. I want to see how far a being you thought to be weaker than you could go.”
The reason Rina asked Satsuki, not Jian, to handle this was due to this.
Jian, after all, was entirely an outsider. No matter how strong he was, it felt less real. They had never evaluated Jian in the first place, so even if they rated him as strong, that was where it ended. After showcasing Jian’s abilities in the human region, if I asked whether that was the typical ability of a human, everyone would shake their heads. Most would think, “There’s just one like that.”
But Satsuki was different.
She’d already been clearly evaluated as weak, and her ENTIRE family had been expelled from the Elven village.
Of course, unease remained. Even if Jian could defeat all the elves in the area, including Ramihi, Satsuki was still in a 50-50 situation against Ramihi.
However—
“Satsuki.”
I called her name. Satsuki nodded. A few paces forward, she looked up towards those who had once rejected her.
However, hadn’t Satsuki been doing her best?
She had faced Ramihi diligently at every chance she got, trying to find some way to win. She had done her utmost.
So shouldn’t we believe?
Just as Satsuki willingly followed my suggestion. To have faith in her abilities and efforts.
Looking up at the elves, Satsuki suddenly turned to face Ramihi. Their eyes met. After staring at her for a while, Satsuki finally spoke.
“Ramihi Kihmuhir. I’d like to challenge you to a duel.”
“I gladly accept.”
With that, Ramihi added a slight smile.
“Satsuki Rechmir.”
And then, finally, I could hear the elves murmuring.
*
The open area we were in was different from the auditorium’s stage.
The stage might not be narrow, but it wasn’t particularly wide, either. Regardless, it was a constrained space that could lead to a fall.
But this open area was just flat ground. Unless someone tripped, there was no place to fall. If the fighters were motivated, they could run and fight as much as they wanted.
And fortunately, that fact applied favorably for Satsuki.
Of course, Ramihi was faster in terms of momentary speed. But that didn’t mean Satsuki couldn’t evade.
If Satsuki was simultaneously thinking of evading and attacking, Ramihi would have been able to subdue her in an instant. But Satsuki only focused all her nerves on dodging and escaping.
It was fine as long as she kept retreating. She could jump sideways, or roll on the ground, it was all fine.
After all, there was no way she would get caught by falling.
“Was this what you wanted to show us?”
After watching Satsuki running for a while, Rechmir scoffed.
“Is she just going to run away?”
“Well, if that’s a person’s ability, then it is an ability, I suppose.”
I responded nonchalantly.
“How ridiculous. Do you think we’ll understand anything from this—”
Just as Rechmir spoke, clang!
The sound of metal hitting metal rang out.
Turning to look, I saw Satsuki deflecting Ramihi’s dagger aimed at her neck. It was just once, though. After that, Satsuki returned to focusing on escaping.
“Hm.”
Rechmir made a sound of contemplation upon seeing that.
Surprisingly, the elves’ stubbornness has its positive side. As for the things they see, they do recognize and move on if they perceive something as fact, provided they have the assumption they wish to commit to.
That’s also why they control elves from leaving the region. Elves who venture outside often fail to return. The same reason applies to excluding humans from entering.
Even the elders themselves wouldn’t go outside unless they were Kihmuhir. Most elves outside the Elven lands who aren’t Kihmuhir are those who can no longer live in those lands, typically expelled people.
In a sense, Satsuki’s mother, who managed to enter the Elven village and even marry an elf, can be considered quite remarkable.
I’m not sure if it was because I wrote that as a setting.
“This isn’t over yet, is it? We have a long way to go, so please bear with us a bit longer.”
Rechmir fell silent.
Satsuki was bleeding, but Ramihi hadn’t sustained any wounds. Satsuki had a few minor cuts on her skin, but nothing that warranted stopping the duel.
For a while, Satsuki kept evading and running, while Ramihi chased and attacked. To anyone watching, the difference was glaring. The prey and the hunter. The fugitive and the pursuer. It looked as if one wrong move would lead to the prey being captured.
But that mistake never came.
Over time, even before I requested, Satsuki had continuously researched fighting techniques in her desire to overcome Ramihi. She developed her thoughts into actual tactics by repeatedly facing Ramihi.
The way Satsuki moved now was her own personal fighting style, mastered through familiarity.
Though that scenario continued for a while, it didn’t take long for those watching to realize something had changed.
The speed with which Ramihi swung his sword began to slow.
“…….”
Rechmir, seated, shifted his body slightly. The adjustment in his seat revealed an oddly uncomfortable emotion.
The noise of feet brushing against the ground ceased. Both Ramihi and Satsuki stood at a stance facing each other. For the first time since the duel began, Satsuki took on an attacking posture.
The same posture held by the elves.
Both Ramihi and Satsuki held similar stances.
They were both panting, but Satsuki was the first to calm herself.
And at that moment, the roles of hunter and prey had reversed.
Of course, the opponent wouldn’t be easy prey. He was a beast capable of counterattacking and sinking his claws into the hunter’s throat at any moment.
However, if there was a moment when an attack could successfully land, that would be sufficient.
Satsuki lunged at Ramihi. In response, Ramihi swung his sword—
“Ah!”
Someone in the audience screamed. I think it was Selena. Suddenly, I found myself standing up.
Satsuki firmly caught Ramihi’s blade with her left hand, which wasn’t holding a weapon.
The blade of Ramihi’s dagger pierced through the palm of Satsuki’s left hand, yet Satsuki had gripped Ramihi’s right hand tightly.
Blood splattered on the white skin of both Satsuki and Ramihi.
Ramihi’s eyes widened—
And Satsuki’s dagger met Ramihi’s neck.
Then, it came to a standstill.
A drop of blood trickled from where the tip of the blade touched Ramihi’s neck.
“……”
In this duel without a judge, there was no one to declare victory or defeat, but everyone present at this moment recognized the truth.
If this had been a real fight, Ramihi would have been dead.
That’s how the outcome was determined.
Realizing this, I hurriedly ran towards where they stood.
*
“……Ha, indeed. If it wasn’t for a real fight, she couldn’t have done that.”
After some contemplation, Ramihi smiled and said that. It was the first time I saw Ramihi smile so brightly.
“There wouldn’t be a chance for someone to get hit in the auditorium. Even if she were to grasp the blade, the magic applied would cause it to glide smoothly.”
Ramihi, looking at Satsuki, who was receiving healing from my holy power, seemed genuinely pleased.
“I hadn’t thought that far. I just reached out reflexively.”
Satsuki, who had actually won, said that with a sulky expression.
“If it weren’t a one-on-one, that would have been a fatal mistake.”
“But this was a one-on-one duel. Well done. Thanks to you, we won.”
Satsuki had a look of disbelief at his words, but it seemed she had no rebuttal since it came from Ramihi.
“Now, move your hand.”
Seeing Satsuki’s hand was fine, I suggested this. Satsuki repeatedly clenched and opened her fist and nodded.
“It’s okay. I think I’m fine now. Thank you.”
Satsuki’s face still had blood on it, but it didn’t seem she planned on wiping it away.
“So… is this settled?”
Looking at me, Satsuki asked that, and I nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. From here on… I hope everything goes smoothly.”
As I said this, Ramihi approached us.
“Wait a moment.”
Ramihi grabbed Satsuki’s right wrist and lifted it up, as if celebrating the winner.
Without saying anything, that action communicated that Ramihi acknowledged his defeat and recognized Satsuki as the victor.
No applause or cheers rang out.
But everyone surrounding us, every elf, was looking in our direction. Watching the duel’s victor, Satsuki. The one they cast away long ago, deeming her useless.
I glanced down to see Rechmir’s face hardened like stone.
I shifted my feet and moved closer to where he sat. The gazes of the other elders near him followed mine. And the eyes of the other high-ranking elves sitting behind them looked as well.
Yet, disregarding all those gazes, I walked straight to elder Rechmir.
Standing right in front of him, I opened my mouth.
“Did you see that? You can always be wrong.”
Though I wasn’t the one to prove it.
“Your judgment of people is not accurate. Your perspective towards society and skills is merely a thoroughly self-centered view. Your evaluations are hardly objective. You can’t judge anything objectively by only looking at what you wish to see.”
I paused for a moment before I spoke my final words.
“Then, your perspective on religion—or on Arlil—is probably the same, isn’t it?”
The elders’ faces flushed red. I couldn’t tell what the emotion was. Rage? Shame? For elves, it seemed likelier to be the former.
However, even though they were glaring at me with that expression, I didn’t feel bothered at all.
None of them could refute what I said.
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