Vol 4 Chapter 49: Interaction with the Elves

“Nina onee-chan, play with me too!”

“That’s not fair! Me too, me too!”

“Alright, alright! Let’s all play together! Hey, Alice, you come too!”

After the sparring session ended, I was surrounded by a group of elves, feeling overwhelmed until the three of them came to my rescue. Thanks to that, Nina and Alice ended up playing with the elven children.

At first, the children seemed hesitant and shy, but perhaps it was Nina’s friendly personality or her cheerful demeanor. Before long, they were swarming around her, affectionately calling her “onee-chan.”

“Little onee-chan, your hair is so pretty!”

“And your clothes are so cute!”

“Are you a princess? Are you a princess, onee-chan?”

“I-I’m not a princess; I’m a noble, but—hey, calling me ‘little’ is uncalled for!”

When Alice was pulled into the group by Nina, the elven children—especially the girls—were captivated by her beautiful light-blue hair and elegant clothing, looking at her with admiration.

“Wow, she’s angry!”

“Little onee-chan got mad!”

“Alright then, everyone! Let’s run away from little onee-chan! Hehehe!”

“Wait, Nina! …Fine, I get it! Alright, I’m going to catch you all now!”

The two of them joined the children in an energetic game of tag. Alice sighed as if resigned but seemed to genuinely enjoy herself.

“Ow! Ah… Uwaaah!”

While they were playing, one of the little boys tripped and scraped his knee, bursting into tears.

Rushing over to him was a kind-hearted mage with flowing black hair and a gentle presence wrapped in a robe.

“Are you okay? Onee-chan will heal it for you now. …Healing magic: Heal.”

With crimson eyes filled with concern but a gentle smile to reassure him, Lena cast her spell, and a soft light enveloped the boy’s scraped knee.

“Sniff… Hic… Huh? It doesn’t hurt anymore?”

The boy, who had been crying with red-rimmed eyes, realized the pain and wound were gone, looking at Lena with wonder.

“Hehe, see? It’s all better now. It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”

“Y-Yeah… O-Onee-chan, thank you!”

Lena softly reassured him, and the boy, blushing slightly, gave her a proper thank-you before standing up. Thinking about how I might have felt in his shoes—being treated by someone so kind and beautiful—made me feel oddly flustered.

“You’re welcome. Now, go on and play again, okay?”

“Yeah! Onee-chan, let’s play together later!”

The boy waved to Lena before running off to rejoin the game. Waving back, Lena watched him go, a warm smile on her face. Soon, a group of elven women approached her, curious.

“For someone so young, you’re incredibly skilled at magic, aren’t you?”

“I always thought humans were less adept with magic.”

“Th-Thank you! But, um, I’m still not that great…”

While Nina and Alice played with the children, Lena ended up chatting with the children’s mothers. Though she seemed a bit shy, she answered their questions politely while keeping an eye on the lively scene.

“And you’re all so beautiful, like elves. Do you have elven blood in you?”

“Your skin is so smooth and youthful… Ah, to be young again!”

“N-No, um, that’s not the case at all…”

Lena soon found herself surrounded by questions. Though flustered, she didn’t seem entirely unhappy, making her reactions all the more endearing.

“Hey, human onii-chan! Spar with me next!”

“Teach me sword techniques too!”

“Me too, me too!”

While the three interacted with the elves, I sparred with some of the elven warriors and energetic boys wielding wooden swords. Among them was a boy who had been playing tag earlier but now seemed to be avoiding the girls.

Curious, I glanced over at Nina and Alice and realized why.

“Onee-chan and little onee-chan both have such big chests!”

“Your hair is so pretty, too!”

“And your faces are so cute!”

With tag over, the elven girls’ attention had shifted to Nina and Alice, marveling at their beauty and, occasionally, touching their chests enviously.

“Well, if you eat properly, you’ll grow like this too someday!”

“Kyaa! H-Hey, that tickles!”

Nina’s playful response and the girls’ chatter seemed to bore—or embarrass—the boys, who escaped to join me instead.

“Alright, let’s take turns. I’ll spar with you one by one.”

I practiced with them, using the wooden swords they brought, alternating between sparring in mock matches and having playful, childlike sword fights.

“Wow, you’re really strong, onii-chan! Beating Grace wasn’t just luck, huh?”

“Haha, thanks!”

Watching the children swing their wooden swords reminded me of when I learned swordsmanship in the village. It was a nostalgic, heartwarming moment.

Though the interactions had lessened the tension a little, the divide between the races wasn’t fully bridged. Some elves still watched from a distance, scowling or observing with caution. It was clear that such divides couldn’t be resolved in just a day.

Still, we had made progress. Perhaps I owed Grace for being the first to approach us, even if it wasn’t his original intent.

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Meanwhile, as Shin and the others bonded with the children, Kaguya and Fana were busy elsewhere.

“Yes, that’s right. If you cut the vegetables this way, they’ll absorb more flavor and taste even better.”

“Oh, I see… What a clever method!”

“As expected of a maid, you’re so knowledgeable!”

Thanks to her training as a ninja, Kaguya had seamlessly integrated herself into a group of elven women, teaching them human cooking techniques. For the elves, whose culinary practices differed greatly from humans, this new knowledge seemed fascinating, and they listened eagerly, smiling brightly.

“And this plant, which grows near your village, when added to meals, not only boosts energy but also promotes harmony between couples.”

“Oh my…”

“My husband’s been feeling sluggish lately.”

“Maybe I’ll try this tonight.”

“In that case, ladies, would you like me to share the secrets of the maid’s special recipes for enticing men and guiding them toward… nightly activities?”

“Certainly!”

“Fufu, understood. Now, starting with the cooking, we’ll focus on stamina-enhancing…”

Thus, the peaceful, yet slightly secretive cooking class—one unsuitable for men to overhear—continued.

Meanwhile, another individual, Fana, was busy elsewhere.

“I see, Shirley-san, your work involves magical research and crafting magical tools.”

Fana was walking through the village alongside Shirley, a candidate for the next chief.

“Yes. My lineage has a stronger aptitude for magic compared to other elves, so my daily routine includes ensuring there are no inconveniences or unfulfilled needs among our people.”

The golden-haired Shirley, with her mystic beauty, and the equally golden-haired, otherworldly Fana, exuded an aura that turned heads as they walked together. To onlookers, they might have even appeared as sisters.

Even elves who harbored resistance toward humans found it hard not to notice Fana’s striking beauty and figure. This was true regardless of gender.

“So, the magical tools used in this village were created by you, Shirley-san?”

Fana recalled the magical lighting device in the house where they stayed the previous night, the tool that produced water in the bath, and the one that heated it. Her tone reflected her admiration as she addressed Shirley.

“Yes, though strictly speaking, my family has been engaged in this work for generations. That is partly why I was chosen as a candidate for chief. However…”

Shirley’s words trailed off.

“However?” Fana prompted, her curiosity piqued. A slight hint of unease appeared on Shirley’s face.

“Our knowledge and technology are far inferior to that of humans. While we elves possess longevity and an abundance of ancient knowledge and traditions, many of us are reluctant to pursue new developments, which makes progress difficult.”

“I see… That is indeed a complex issue.”

Fana responded gently, offering a word of consolation.

Matters concerning a race’s future—how they should live and evolve—had no simple solutions. Whether to embrace progress or maintain tradition could not be easily dismissed as right or wrong. Still, Fana took a small step forward and posed a question.

“But Shirley-san, when you become the chief, you aim to increase interaction with humans, advancing technology and improving living standards, don’t you?”

“Yes, that is my intention. However, it directly opposes Edgar’s stance, which is why the elves have become divided.”

As they walked, they continued discussing the future of the village—an issue that concerned not only the elves but the humans as well.

“Hey there, Lady Shirley. Taking a stroll with a human, are we?”

Their conversation was interrupted by an elf who approached them. He was handsome but exuded the roughness of a soldier. Despite addressing Shirley with a title of respect, his tone carried a mocking undertone, and his disdain for humans was plain to see.

Though it was clear he approached with malice, Fana remained composed, wearing a fixed smile. Shirley leaned closer and whispered, “He’s one of Edgar’s warriors.”

“What’s your plan, bringing humans into the village? Don’t tell me the rumors about using monsters are true—”

The warrior continued his provocations, but Fana cut him off.

“Hello there, brave elven warrior. I am Fana, an envoy of Queen Ramielle. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Fana’s greeting carried a weight far beyond simple politeness.

Her sweet voice seemed to seep into the listener’s mind, and her gaze—deliberately upturned—made hearts skip a beat. As she bowed, her ample chest shifted and bounced softly (tapun), further emphasizing her charm.

Even a proud elven warrior with disdain for humans could do little more than stammer, “Ah… ahh,” overwhelmed by her presence.

And Fana wasn’t finished.

“Oh my, warrior-sama, you’ve got some dust in your hair. Allow me.”

With a natural tone, she stepped closer, stopping just shy of physical contact. She leaned toward his ear and softly blew (fuuuu~) as though to remove the dust. Though a simple act, the sensuality it exuded left the elf flustered, emitting a restrained gasp, “Nngh…!”

“All done. Well then, warrior-sama, if you’ll excuse us.”

With a radiant smile, Fana bid him farewell, adding a playful wink. Leaving the stunned elf behind, she took Shirley’s hand and confidently walked away.

“F-Fana-sama, that was… incredible.”

“Thank you. I’m quite accustomed to handling men like that.”

Without exposing herself or resorting to indecency, Fana had effortlessly neutralized the hostility of a man who had been openly antagonistic. Shirley, though bewildered, couldn’t hide her amazement.

“Shirley-san, if you’d like, I could… offer my assistance.”

As they resumed walking, Fana spoke, her words trailing off. Sensing what she meant, Shirley began to reply, but Fana continued.

“If we lend our aid, even the elves resistant to humans may grow more favorable. What do you think? It wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Fana—and by extension, Queen Ramielle—clearly found it advantageous for Shirley, who favored human relations, to become chief.

Shirley recognized the obvious benefits. With Fana’s beauty and charm, influencing even the staunchest opponents would be effortless. Accepting Fana’s help could bring Shirley closer to her vision of the future. However—

“I must decline your offer.”

Shirley firmly shook her head, her resolute response surprising Fana.

“The decision of who becomes chief rests with the elves, and so does determining our future. We do not require human assistance or intervention. This is a solemn matter for our people. The outcome may not align with your wishes, but I ask that you refrain from interfering and simply observe.”

Hearing these words, Fana reevaluated her perception of Shirley.

Though Shirley seemed gentle and inexperienced, she was clearly resolute and principled, determined to fight for her ideals honorably.

Fana smiled softly, realizing she had underestimated Shirley’s strength.

“My apologies for overstepping. Shirley-san, you are stronger than I imagined.”

Fana’s expression relaxed, her respect for Shirley evident.

“Very well. I will observe as you wish. By the way, our party members are currently interacting with the elves. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I encourage the elves to interact with humans and explore whether coexistence is possible.”

Fana silently admired Shirley’s resolve and smiled.

“Let us continue. Once we finish the tour, I’ll show you my workshop.”

Shirley returned the smile and nodded, guiding Fana further into the village.

(Lena mentioned there might be something hidden… but I haven’t noticed anything suspicious so far. Well, I’ll keep investigating.)

With such thoughts in mind, the two continued walking, carrying their respective hopes for the future.