I Was Transported to Another World with a Male-to-Female Ratio of 1:3000 and Made into a Breeding Pet for the Demon Lord’s Army - 70

Chapter 70: I Will Never Forget You Part 1

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Rustle rustle…

“U-Um… Would anyone like to form a party with me…? I’m really strong…”

With a voice as faint as an insect’s wings, I timidly called out to those around me. But in the lively noise and chatter, my voice vanished without a trace. Sadly… Despite leaving the forest with such high hopes, I stood there all alone, unable to find a single party member.

Why…? Why is this happening…?!

I tried mumbling, “I’m so bored…” just loud enough for passersby to hear, and even set out my party game materials to draw attention…

I know I’ve done everything right to get noticed!

“Why won’t anyone talk to meee?!”

Crushed by the harsh reality, I flopped face-down onto the table.

Sniffle…

I had been so full of hope and excitement, but this outcome was just too harsh. I felt so alone.

“Hey… She looks kind of pitiful. Should we invite her?”

“She’s an Elf, huh… But I heard you can’t really talk dirty when they’re around. Let’s skip her.”

“Besides, Elves are supposed to be weak and bad at physical stuff. We’re going on a monster hunt. I’d feel awful if she died on us.”

This was a bustling tavern full of adventurer jobs like monster slaying and herb gathering. Since last month, I had been taking on quests here. But I kept getting lost because I didn’t know the terrain, or I just failed completely. I had been met with one disastrous failure after another.

Thinking this couldn’t go on, I started looking for a party—even offering to just act as a guide for me. But before I knew it, two weeks had passed.

Even though I came here every single day, no one ever spoke to me.

“Hehe… Hehehe…”

Still, I hadn’t given up yet! At the very least, I could smile to seem more approachable and wait for the party members who would surely come to me.

“Hey you, the Elf over there?”

“Hehe… Y-Yes! W-Wha-, were you talking to me!?”

“Well, I don’t see any other Elves around. Elves really are strange, huh?”

Turning toward the voice, I saw a petite woman staring at me. She had short-cropped hair and a small knife strapped to her waist. Wearing short pants that boldly showed off her thighs and a light jacket for easy movement, her outfit was all about mobility.

“I’m Lilith from the Human race. What’s your name?”

“Ah, um… I’m Fiilia, an Elf. D-Do you need something?”

“Fiilia, huh. I’m about to head out on a request to deliver some herbs, but I’m not really knowledgeable about them. I heard Elves grew up in forests, so I figured you’d know a thing or two. Want to come with me?”

“W-Well… I do know a fair amount about herbs, but… Are you sure you want me? I’ve been ignored for so long lately that I’ve kind of lost confidence in myself…”

“No worries! I was born and raised in this city, so I know my way around. All I need from you is to identify herbs. Come on! Let’s go while the sun’s still up!”

“U-Umm… I haven’t even said yes yet~~~…”

Even though we just met, she grabbed my arm and started dragging me off. She was so forceful… People outside the forest were really scary after all.

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“Huh, so you left your village to mate with a male, Fiilia? …Is this herb one?”

“Yes, that’s correct. There are so many spineless Elves, it’s frustrating. That’s why someone brave like me needs to venture out and show them the importance of seeing the world firsthand… Oh, that? That’s just a bitter weed.”

Right now, I was walking through the forest collecting herbs under Lilith’s guidance.  As expected from someone who grew up here, she navigated every path with confidence—it was very reassuring to have her with me.

“There we go… Hey, Fiilia. Just wondering, why don’t Elves ever leave the forest? These days, you can use ‘magic tools’ to perform decent magic even without magic power. I don’t see why you’d stay cooped up in the forest.”

“That’s true… Or, wait? Why do Elves isolate themselves in the forest?”

Trying to remember caused a strange static-like buzz in the back of my head that jumbled my thoughts.

“I feel like there was some big important plan or something, but I can’t quite recall it. Still, for some reason, no one ever wants to leave.”

“What a waste… Oh, speaking of magic tools, a new one was just invented called a ‘photograph.’ It captures a moment and preserves it—and it’s become super popular among Humans.”

“A photograph… You say?”

“Yup! Apparently, a photo of a male is worth enough to buy a mansion!”

“An image that captures a male’s form… W-Wait, does that mean you can spend 24 hours a day with a male!?”

“Uhh, I haven’t actually seen one myself, but that’s what they say. And rumor has it that a photo traps the person’s soul. Just staring at it lets you feel their presence and breathing. Isn’t that wild?!”

“A-Amazing… So such a thing exists in this world…”

Yes—leaving that boring, empty village had definitely been the right choice! There was a whole world I never knew waiting out here! Alright! As a first step toward getting closer to a ‘male,’ I must obtain one of these soul-containing photographs!

“So, Lilith-san, why did you take this request?”

“Me? Just for the money. I used to run a little bookstore, but my mom died in the war…”

“I-I’m sorry, that must have been painful.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I always knew she’d die around forty, so I made peace with it ages ago.”

“You predicted it?”

She had foreseen her mother dying in war—what did that mean? Maybe Lilith’s mom had been a famous soldier who was eventually sent on a dangerous mission?

“Ah… Maybe the Elves wouldn’t know. You see, among Human females, there’s a system where if you mate with a male, you’re forced to join the war a few years later.”

“I-I see… What a system…”

“So even before the war, I was mentally preparing for goodbye. Hardly anyone comes back from fighting the Demons, you know? Of course I felt sad, but I didn’t cry.”

I knew there was a war between Humans and Demons, but I didn’t realize things were this grim. Since the Elves remained neutral, I’d never really given it much thought… I wonder if peace was finally near?

“She could’ve at least taught me how to run a business. She just handed me a tiny notebook and said, ‘That’s it’… Come on, seriously?”

“Heh… Y-yeah. I don’t read much, so I wouldn’t know either.”

“Ahhh… I guess eventually I’ll have to mate with a state-assigned male and head off to war too. I’ve never even held a proper weapon… This knife? I just got it lightly sharpened for picking wild vegetables.”

Slice… Slice…

“See? The edge is dull—I’d never survive with this.”

Lilith scowled as she hacked at the herbs and tossed them into her basket.

“Maybe I should follow your example and go on a journey to find a male. Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet my soulmate tomorrow and become a couple right away! That’d be amazing.”

“Yes! Even if I’m lonely and miserable now, the thought that I could meet a male and mate next week gives me strength and courage!”

“Sounds like a fairy tale. Like some male would just appear out of nowhere in this deep forest… Not realistic at a—”

Rustle rustle…

As we daydreamed about our ideal future, we heard a rustling noise nearby.

“Eh… What was that? Could it be… A male?!”

Startled, Lilith dropped her knife and crept toward the bushes.

“Come on out~ Onee-san will teach you everything nice and gentle~ Don’t be scared~”

CHOMP!

“Owowowow!! It’s a damn monster! A real monster! It hurts! Fiilia, help!”

“A-Awaaah! 【Telepathy】!”

(Mr. Monster! Please stop chewing on her arm! There’s nothing good in biting such a flabby, fatty limb! Just earlier, she called herself a lazy slob with no muscle tone, so she can’t possibly taste good!)

CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP!

“It’s biting harder, Fiilia!”

“There’s no choice! I’ll use my attack magic! Lightning… No, animals hate fire more—yes, fire is the only option!”

“Fire magic!? Wait! We’re in a forest—if you use fire, the herbs we’re collecting will—”

“Go flying~ 【FIREBALL】!!!”

BOOOOOM!!!!

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【Request Report】

【Request: Deliver 5 Herbs for War Preparation】

【Details:】

Gather at least 5 herbs from the forest near the village Additional reward per herb above 5 (up to 30 max)

【Participants:】

Elf: Fiilia

Human: Lilith

【Result: REQUEST FAILED】

All gathered herbs were incinerated; the entire herb cluster was destroyed Fiilia and Lilith, deemed responsible, were summoned but failed to appear Both individuals are henceforth banned from entering the village or participating in any activities within.【Approved】

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