Chapter 14 – Elves, Humans and Spirits

Most of the elves have bad feelings towards humans.

The elves are a race that does not like to fight, because of that they hold humans, who wage wars since the old days in contempt.
Still, the village was friendly towards humans who brought profit to the village.

However, that has changed completely approximately 100 years ago.
The cause was that humans started lumbering the trees of the Great Forest the elves live in without permission.

The Great Forest itself the elves live in is the target of their faith.
Naturally, they were enraged.
After that incident, the elves completely cut interaction with humans.

Nonetheless, it happened already one hundred years ago.

「There are people in the village who wish to interchange with humans. Otousama is one of those people」

「So that’s why he received me in his house with hospitality?」

「Yes」

The elf village is small.
Even after counting all families together, there’s only around 1,000 people.
Elves have superior magic talent, physical ability and have long lives. Although they are the superior race, their reproduction rate is low.

If they get invaded by a mighty hostile force, they will most likely die out.

「That’s why Otousama thinks that interchange with humans is indispensable, but……」

One of the human kingdoms――Alsara Kingdom has sent messengers to the elf village several times to conclude a diplomatic relationship.
The contents were based on elven emotions, perfect for elves.
The Alsara Kingdom has a deep interchange with dwarves and demi-humans, they are reliable.
But,

「After all, there are many voices opposing the interchange with humans so the situation can’t progress」

「…… I see」

「tte, I’m sorry, I have suddenly started talking about this. I’ve thought that since it’s Karuna-san who can do anything could do something about this…… I was thinking it might be best to let you know」

「No, it’s alright. I wanted to know about it」

Maa, I already confirmed the situation with〈Pinnacle of Information〉to a certain degree.

We have arrived at the highest place in the village where sacred rites take place while having such conversation.

All elves gather here when rites are held so it’s ridiculously wide.
It’s hardly believable that this place is on a top of a branch.

It’s higher than all the surrounding trees in the great forest so the view is spectacular.

I like this elf village every much.
The air is fresh, the girls are pretty, the food is delicious, to be frank, this place is a paradise. It’s my bride’s home after all!

However, there’s a friction with humans.
This is a very unfortunate problem to an elf loving person like me.

I confirm the skills at my hand again.
There are not just the battle skills, there are lots of production and cultural skills.
I may be able to find a solution to this problem.

Oh, if I use this skill around here, perhaps……?

「Naa, Tira. there’s a rite tomorrow, right?」

「Ah, yes. We hold a rite once a month in order to give our thanks to the Great Forest」

「May I also participate in that?」

「Eh?」

「I have an idea」

◇ ◇ ◇

The elves hold a sacred rite when the sky starts turning dark.

All elves of the village gather in the wide rite grounds.
A little less than thousand people.
Everyone prays silently regardless of age and gender.

Honestly speaking, I’m really bad with such atmospheres, but I endure for now.
I’m able to endure only because Tira’s nice scent drifts from next to me.
By the way, Filia is taking care of a grebe in Tira’s house. It’s unreasonable to take such a little girl to a place like this.

The boring atmosphere lasted for a while, but the surroundings got lively after the prayer ended.
After the sacred rite finished, a banquet-like event is held.
I bring Filia here with transfer magic.

Although it’s a banquet, the elves are considerably quiet.
To a degree that neighbors are having a quiet chat while paying gratitude to the Great Forest’s food.
They seem to be drinking a bit, but there’s no annoying drunk old man who acts violently.

「Ladies and gentlemen, I have something to report」

Tira’s papa, the patriarch steps forward while grabbing the attention of other elves.
It was a report about his wife having completely recovered.
Although they seemed to be already aware, they still broadly smiled.

But, after his following words, the smiles disappear.

「The one who saved my wife is none other than――a human youth」

After that introduction, he moves towards me.
I cancel my disguise at the same time.

「Wha…… a human, in this village……?」
「Moreover, he stepped onto the sacred grounds……」

Many elves hold their breath.
There were even people of the anti-human group who immediately begun to move in order to arrest me.

It was at that time.
A beautiful melody played by flute was heard.

The one who plays it is Tira.
It’s said that for elves, a flute is the most intimate musical instrument.

And among elves, Tira’s ability to play the flute is said to be on a genius level.
She immediately grabbed the hearts of the elves.
As expected of my bride.

After that, a commotion occurred.

Because I have suddenly started singing along that flute.
Of course, it’s no J-POP.

I sang my own lyrics which portrayed gratitude to the Great Forest.

〈Pinnacle of Acting〉
〈Pinnacle of Production〉
〈Pinnacle of Singing〉

Due to the〈Pinnacle of Acting〉I have become an elf while retaining the appearances of a human.
My present heart is that of an elf who spent a long time in this village.

And then, I sing with the help of〈Pinnacle of Singing〉the lyrics I created with〈Pinnacle of Production〉.
By the way, I’m tone-deaf in reality.

The patriarchs of other families stopped in place after hearing my song.
On the contrary, they listen to my song with earnest expressions.

The noise settled instantly.
There is not a single person who is trying to stop me.

Eventually, when the song finished, the elves were overflowing with tears.
Patriarchs, young elves, everyone.
Even I who turned into an elf cried without knowing.
Only Filia in her elf disguise was tilting her head in puzzlement.

「…… That was a wonderful song……」
「How do you, so much about our culture……」

Right now, there wasn’t a single elf who looked at me with a scorn.

「I’m called Karuna. As you can see, I’m a human. I’m aware that humans like me have angered you in the past. I know that because of that, you hold grudge against humans even now」

I speak to the elves while acting with〈Pinnacle of Acting〉as a sincere human youth.
Because talking seriously is naturally impossible for me!

「However, among humans, there are people like me who understand and revere your culture and values. There are many people who want to cooperate with you hand in hand」

After my song, the elves obediently listen to my speech.

「I have participated in today’s rite because I wanted to convey that to you…… I apologize for entering this village and this sacred grounds without permission」

「…… To think there would be a young man like that among humans……」
「He offered his gratitude towards the Great Forest just like us, a race is not irrevelant」

The elves unanimously compliment me.
Even the other patriarchs who looked at me with hate at first, look at me with completely tranquil expressions.

Then, at that time.

In the area already wrapped in darkness, countless green lights suddenly emerged.

「Wha…… this, spirits……?」
「The spirits of the Great Forest have appeared?」
「Furhermore, so many……? Unbelievable……」

The elves raise their voices in surprise.

Spirits.
Spiritual beings that dwell in nature.
They were targets of faith in the old days, but because their sightings decreased over time, they become mostly existences from legends.

But, that didn’t change the fact that the spirits dwelled in the Great Forest all this time.
The spirits dwelling in the trees of the forest are called the Tree Spirits.

The green glittering lights slowly gather around me.
A palm size figure of a boy appears in front of me.

「That was a wonderful song! Even though I said that, you can’t hear my voice, huh!」

Which means that elves weren’t able to converse with spirits until now.

But, to his words of praise I,

「Well, thank you」

「Areareare!? Can you hear my voice by any chance? tte, that can’t be possibly true!」

The boy rolls his eyes in amazement.

「No, I hear ye, I hear ye」

「Dohyaa」

The spirit is the type of person who has an old-fashioned way of surprise.