There was no need to rush back. Theo had recovered somewhat, but he was still a little unsteady on his feet. He didn’t have the strength to run or climb over trees. On the other hand, everyone else was filled with energy. They had fought a legendary battle with an ancient elvish foe and survived.
They ignored their fatigue and kept chatting. Naturally, Theo became the topic of conversation, since he had landed the final blow on Laevateinn.
“By the way, I was really surprised! Superior Theo!” Someone said while patting him on the shoulder.
Theo was focused on breathing. “Huh? Amazed?”
“I didn’t know there was a way to survive that terrible heat! I don’t know about Veronica, but we couldn’t even take a few steps.”
Despite being middle-aged, the Blue Tower magician had a white beard, yet he didn’t hesitate to treat Theo in a friendly manner. Perhaps he felt a bond after fighting together.
The magician called Philip, who had aimed the iceberg at Laevateinn, praised Theo’s courage and whispered while glancing at his right arm, “The thing on your arm, that’s the ability of the national treasure, right?”
Phillip’s voice indicated he was already half convinced, so Theo sighed inwardly in relief. It seemed only the elemental ruler had noticed Gluttony.
He nodded gravely as he gave Philip the answer he wanted, “Yes, that’s right. I’m glad it helped.”
“Indeed! The moment I saw that emerald light, I remembered His Majesty’s gift. It truly saved all of our lives. Isn’t this Meltor’s blessing?”
“It is as Philip says. I wouldn’t even be able to approach it without Umbra.”
Theo hadn’t lied, but he hadn’t disclosed everything either. After all, not even the White Tower Master understood the full extent of the national treasure Umbra’s abilities. Theo had insisted that he could defeat Laevateinn with the power of the national treasure and asserted that only he could destroy its body.
The power of the high elves had verified that Theo was telling the truth.
Truly, Theo hadn’t said that he could destroy it with Umbra. He just said, ‘Umbra can be used to destroy Laevateinn’s body.’
If they sat down and examined his choice of words calmly, some people might be able to detect something suspicious. However, they were facing a crisis, and it was a confusing situation for everyone.
Well, it isn’t a lie either.
If Theo didn’t have Umbra’s Fluidization ability, he would’ve died before he could even approach Laevateinn. In his words, Umbra had been essential in destroying Laevateinn’s body. As a result, he didn’t utter a single lie despite not mentioning Gluttony.
While laughing inwardly, Theo gave the same answer to Heinz, the fourth magician who whispered to him. Before long, everybody was caught in the perfect misunderstanding.
“Oh! Who came to meet us?” Alisa asked as she pointed into the distance.
The humans weren’t the only ones who hadn’t noticed. The guardian, Edwin, and the weary Alucard only noticed when a white robe flashed before the party. It was the surprise appearance of the masked White Tower Master, Orta.
“T-Tower Master?!” 𝘦𝘯.𝘰𝘳𝘨
“Heok!”
However, Orta’s sudden appearance wasn’t the reason why Theo’s group was shocked.
Duk.Dududuk.Duduk.
Blood dropped onto the lush forest floor. A few drops of blood occasionally fell on Orta’s white robes, but he didn’t let go of the left arm he was holding. Clearly, the arm had been attached to someone’s shoulder just a few moments ago. It was so out of the blue that the party couldn’t help feeling shocked.
.
However, Orta spoke as calmly as always, “Philip.”
“Eh? Ah, yes!”
“Take this.”
Philip stopped forward as Orta tossed the arm at him. The arm was still bleeding heavily, and Philip seemed frustrated when some of the blood spattered over his robes.
“It is the arm of an assassin, presumably from the Seven Swords. I remember that the Blue Tower developed a tracking spell that uses the blood of the target, is that right?”
Philip’s expression changed. “… Yes, it is.”
“Make a device that can track the owner of that arm. Priority on accuracy and mass production. He has a stealth type aura ability so be thorough when working on it.”
“Yes, sir!”
Everyone’s eyes sharpened when they heard the name of the Seven Swords. Although they seemed on the verge of collapse, they were all suddenly ablaze with a fierce fighting spirit.
The magicians weren’t the only ones who reacted to Orta’s talk of the assassin.
Alisa’s playful look disappeared as she asked, “Assassin? Is that true?”
“In my opinion, yes.”
“… The targets?”
Orta’s eyes flicked to meet hers. “It seems like you have already guessed.”
Crunch.
Everyone heard her teeth grinding together. Unless they were idiots of the century, nobody would send assassins into the Great Forest just to pursue the Meltor delegation. However, killing ordinary elves would just buy them Elvenheim’s enmity. The only targets that a master level swordsman assassin would target were… the high elves in the Great Forest.
“I was thinking of killing him, but it was difficult to pin him down. Above all, it is difficult to pursue an opponent in this forest which has many barriers.”
In the end, Alisa sighed and bowed her head. “No, I’m grateful. An assassin who can deceive the parent’s eyes… The children may have been in danger if it wasn’t for you.”
“I was just acting as any friendly neighbor would.”
“Kuk, is that so? Then we should also act as neighbors.” Alisa seemed to like Orta’s ridiculous words as she grinned again.
She normally thought of humans as boring, but she didn’t hate humans who talked like this man. The debt wasn’t that burdensome either. In any case, Elvenheim was now forced to share the same boat as Meltor.
Though they hadn’t confirmed that the Andras Empire was behind this, it was obvious. The sin of trying to burn down the Great Forest and assassinate the high elves was heavy indeed.
Basurak.
It was at that moment, that a posse of people came through the thick bushes and arrived before them.
Theo’s eyes widened when he saw the person in the lead. The magicians of the Red Tower and elves who used fire elementals had been missing from the subjugation mission since fire magic didn’t work on Laevateinn.
But his mentor Vince was casually dragging some people who were tied up behind him.
Without missing a beat, Orta asked, “The result?”
“Exactly as assumed… Come out!” Vince stepped away, and one of the captives stood slowly.
He continued, “We have already secured their testimony. They are mercenaries hired by the black masked man and didn’t know what they were carrying. There is nothing else, even if they are tortured.”
Orta sighed, “Hrmm, it is futile.”
“Do you want me to handle this?” Vince asked cruelly as a red flame appeared above his palms.
The bound captives started struggling.
“P-Please spare us Mister!”
“We didn’t know anything!”
“H-He, no, that son of the bitch was the one!”
“Please, I will do anything as long as I can live!”
They were evil and confident people in their own backyards, but they looked terrified at the thought of being killed. Orta paused for a moment. They might be lowlifes from Meltor, but this was Elvenheim, so the elves had the right to decide the punishment.
Therefore, he naturally turned to Alisa. “Alisa, how does Elvenheim punish sinners?”
“Huh? Well, there’s a lifetime of servitude in the mines… or turning them into a worker responsible for harvesting or hunting?”
“Then do so.”
“Eh.” Her eyes widened for a moment then she giggled as she understood. “Are you sure you aren’t a hundred year old snake? Well, okay. I won’t refuse. Guys, take them!”
The group didn’t struggle as elves appeared and took them away. It was better than being burned to death by a man with an expressionless face.
The group, including Vince, soon arrived at the ordinary cabin that held the space door that Orta had found so fascinating.
“I can finally relax…” As someone muttered to themselves, someone ran through the door.
“Theo!” It was Ellenoa, with hair which resembled grass as well as a clear, refreshing fragrance. She and the high elves had watched the fight through Ratatoskr.
“Ah, Ellenoa…” Theo wasn’t given a chance to respond as Ellenoa leaped forward and stretched out with both hands.
Grab.
Theo’s face was suddenly held between her soft hands. Theo didn’t know this, but Ellenoa had watched him jump into the fire. So, she was now looking at his face and body, searching for the wounds which weren’t yet fully healed.
“E-Ellenoa?”
“You aren’t hurt anywhere? The heat was all from the front, so can you see properly? Can you move okay?”
“I-I’m fine. Alisa treated me once and—”
“Alisa can’t finish such a big task!”
Alisa’s face dropped comically at Ellenoa’s sudden outburst, but Alucard just sneered at her. The rest of the party didn’t intervene at the high elf’s sudden appearance and just watched.
“Phew, you don’t seem to be greatly injured.” Fortunately, Ellenoa’s anxiety was soothed after checking over Theo a few times. She suddenly realized how daring she had been and stated, “That, I didn’t mean to do this… I…”
Ellenoa then inadvertently took a few steps back as all eyes curiously stared at her. As her white skin flushed red, Ellenoa covered her face and ran out of the cabin.
A few moments later, Lumia walked through the space door and took in everyone’s bemused expressions. “… What happened?”
She didn’t know what was going on with Ellenoa, but she sighed at the awkward atmosphere before continuing, “First of all, on behalf of Elvenheim, I would like to thank you for your victory in this tough battle. I’m glad that all of you returned in one piece. We of Elvenheim will never forget your grace. And…”
Lumia slowly smiled. “There are new sprouts in the burned fields. Please join us in our festival.”
She invited them to an event at which no human had ever been present for since the founding of Elvenheim.