Survival 152

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A rather old and stately wooden table trembled. It was struck by a fist full of bewilderment and anger.

“Calm down, please.”

“Do I look like I can calm down right now?! These damned beastly creatures…!”

He panted for a moment before wiping his forehead and regaining his sharp gaze.

“How dare…”

“Disgusting humans.”

Cold stares began to fly from all directions, as if sharp thorns were about to pierce my entire body, but I just smiled and shrugged.

“Phew, do you have any proof that what you’re saying is true?”

“Well, if you want me to prove it, I don’t really have anything to offer.”

“That’s troublesome. While what you said was certainly shocking, it might just be an unfounded slander.”

“Do you really think so?”

“…….”

He tried hard to feign calmness, but I could clearly see it. The emotions clouding that elf’s eyes. It wasn’t me who sowed the seeds. They had already sprouted, absorbing water and nutrients. My testimony merely served as weeding to help them grow.

Yes. He had already been…

“Are you trying to test me, Elder?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“You already suspected those hairy beasts, which is why the best forces are absent here, right?”

I leaned back in the chair with a relaxed expression. The glances that shot towards my slouched posture grew sharper, but I didn’t care.

Evidence? Such things only matter when our thoughts don’t align. Instead of wasting time pushing and pulling, it’s more beneficial to get to the point. But this overly rigid elf had no such intention.

‘I have no choice but to break him by force.’

“I wanted to greet the Divine Archer, but she seems quite busy.”

“…A human who knows the state of our village so well.”

‘Well…’

But this elf was more stubborn and narrow-minded than I anticipated. The fact that he even suspected his own kind, not just the beastmen, was telling.

‘Indeed, I even knew about the boundary stone. I’ve caused some unnecessary misunderstandings.’

However, for someone in a leading position among the elves, his thinking was very shortsighted. If you recognize a problem, you should discuss solutions rather than first seeking out the informant. Such foolish behavior.

Given this, it’s no wonder that even with a Divine Archer, they were defeated and miserably driven away in the original story. But this time will be different. Unlike the original, now I am involved.

“Let’s not tire ourselves with suspicion. There are ways to handle this. And aren’t there more urgent matters than finding the culprit right now?”

With an unwavering smile, I addressed the man who appeared to be the head elder.

“The humans are closely monitoring the cooperation between the beastmen and the elves.”

“…Hah. Even while receiving the blessing of the World Tree most closely, are they now afraid of losing it?”

“Your insight is impressive. That’s why they are running around, trying to find the cause, even hiring a problem-solver like me.”

In any deal, to get what you want, you must give what the other party desires.

“There is no concrete evidence that the beastmen will burn the World Tree, but we do have circumstantial evidence. A barter. Isn’t it sufficient information to buy into the reason for the cooperation between the elves and the beastmen?”

“……”

“Well, you should discuss this with the other elders, and most importantly, you need to contact the Divine Archer, the strongest warrior in this village. I will wait patiently. Can I expect a positive response?”

Additionally, I was genuinely curious. Could this male elf, who had taken the position of an elder in a matriarchal elf society, resist the temptation of visible achievements?

“…No. There is no need to wait any longer.”

“Elder Hallas! Without consulting the Divine Archer…! This is unilateral!”

“Shut up. Do we have time to follow procedures in such an urgent matter related to the World Tree?”

‘As expected.’

-Your silver tongue stirs these creatures up. What are you planning?

-Haha, thank you for the compliment.

I suppressed a satisfied smile. Though he grandiosely wrapped it in words like ‘for the World Tree’, his eyes were gleaming with the most honest human emotion: greed.

‘Indeed, it’s an offer too tempting to refuse. He took the bait immediately.’

But I didn’t mind. The more apparent the desire, the easier the negotiation.

“Alright. Since I proposed it first, I’ll be the one to provide information first.”

As I spoke, I discreetly sent a telepathic message to Tamer.

-Do it.

Our loyal follower quickly responded to my command.

-Gweee…

Even the slight movement of the massive brown caterpillar caused a faint tremor throughout the meeting hall.

“O……!”

“Is that it?”

‘They’re pretty scared.’

Maybe it was because of the recent incident with the boundary stone. Naturally, the elves did not look kindly upon the sight of the sandworm.

However.

“To dare bring a monster into this sacred hall…! Ugh!”

An elf, oblivious to the situation, tried to rebuke but was soon silenced.

“Casting Silence without incantation, indeed an elf. The reputation as masters of magic is well-deserved.”

“I apologize.”

Elder Hallas had realized it. This was a display of power. It implied that not only the current cooperation but even future actions would face severe repercussions if there were any betrayal or discord.

“You don’t have to worry about the response. We will provide the evidence.”

“…Oh. Can you hint at what that evidence might be?”

“It’s a letter from another elf village that is close to the beastmen. It contains what you are curious about.”

Okay, deal established. I nodded and gave the elder an answer he would want.

“Elder, are you familiar with the entity known as a ‘Calamity’?”

“I’ve only seen it in records. Aren’t they beings from beyond that can bring about the end of the world?”

“Since you know, this conversation will be quicker.”

Let’s drive the nail in for this highly suspicious elder so that he never sides with the beastmen in the future.

“There is a Calamity among the beastmen. They intend to burn the World Tree to bring about the destruction of the South.”

Silence settled heavily under the ancient wooden table. The news was shocking enough to disturb not only the already suspicious elder but also the elves who considered the beastmen allies.

“Never mind the truth of it… How do you even know such a thing?”

Outlandish stories are not easily accepted, even if there is evidence. Whatever I presented, they would doubt and counter.

‘What’s needed isn’t plausible and reasonable evidence.’

In such an outlandish situation, it required radical and irrefutable evidence. Therefore—

“Ah, my apologies for the late introduction to the noble beings of the southern jungle, the true descendants of the World Tree. How rude of me.”

Contrary to my words, I tilted my head arrogantly.

-Presenting myself as evidence.

“As the leader of the Disaster Cult and the servant of the ‘Calamity of Many Faces,’ who is in enmity with the ‘Calamity of the Herd,’ I formally introduce myself as Frostmane.”

“Enmity…?”

“It’s not complicated. Just as humans have factions among nobles and elves aren’t much different, intelligent beings naturally have conflicts.”

Just like you.

Even among elves, there are radicals who want to reclaim the World Tree by joining hands with the beastmen and moderates who are content with the current peace. I was informing them that even the Calamities, who bring about world destruction, weren’t always on good terms.

The moment clear confusion appeared on the elves’ faces.

“Do you still need evidence? Even after seeing this insatiable jealousy, envy, and the profound faith in the Calamity of Many Faces!”

Bang!

The ancient wooden table shook once more. Although my strength was lacking, the impact on them was likely double what the elf elder had shown earlier.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend! You must heed my words not only for the sake of you elves but for the survival of the South!”

“…This is insane.”

Hallas’s gaze revealed he was looking at a madman. And it wasn’t just Hallas; nearly every elf in the hall shared that look.

But it didn’t matter.

“My answer is final. Now, present your evidence.”

Hallas’s brows furrowed slightly as he handed me a rolled-up document.

“…There’s no turning back. We can’t afford to sacrifice any more boundary stones.”

“A wise choice.”

Hallas handed me a scroll.

“This contains the schemes of the Calamity of the Herd. Uncovering it should be interesting.”

“If you’re done here, leave our village.”

Gone was the subtly cooperative atmosphere from the beginning of the meeting, replaced by a palpable exhaustion.

It wasn’t just Hallas; nearly everyone in the hall felt the same.

“Of course. I’ve completed my business here. But before I go, there’s one more thing to do.”

I snapped my fingers, the sound echoing through the hall.

-Rumble!

-Gweee…

-Screeech!

The enormous sandworm burst through the elf structure, destroying it and swallowing me whole.

– Haha, farewell!

“You, you bastard!”

The elder, who had instantly abandoned all semblance of dignity, cursed at me.

Why? The reason was obvious.

The sandworms each carried someone they were supposed to transport inside their mouths.

Me.

Tamer.

And lastly, Freesia.

– I forgot to mention, I’m also a thief. I’ll be taking Evergreen Village’s finest jewel! I’ll show her the world and then return her!

“Capture all the sandworms!”

“No, we can’t! Freesia might get hurt….”

“Damn it! These crazy fanatics!!”

The frustration of failing to achieve his goal and now facing reprimand was enough to sweep away his earlier weariness.

It was truly a long-awaited delight.

***

-Gweeeek!

In the middle of the jungle, three sandworms suddenly emerged, spitting out their contents along with saliva.

“Ah….”

Freesia staggered but managed to stand on solid ground.

The familiar, cozy wooden meeting hall was nowhere to be seen.

The dense forest around her felt unfamiliar.

“Ugh. You’d think I’d get used to this by the third time, but this disgusting feeling never goes away.”

Apparently, even her squinting eyes were not spared from the spit.

Using a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, the ‘human’ spoke to her as if nothing had happened.

“Freesia, I’m sorry, but could you use the Clean spell once more? Oh, and this time for my subordinate as well. He’s proven to be more useful than I expected.”

“…You’re crazier than I thought.”

Freesia was dumbfounded by his unabashed and brazen tone.

“What do you intend to do with me?”

He was a human, a member of the notoriously evil race, and even more, a self-professed servant of the ‘Calamity.’

It was only natural for her to feel anxious about her safety.

But his response was unexpected.

“What? What do you mean?”

Instead, he replied as if her question was absurd.

“Sandworms have delicate insides. If you could resist, you would have escaped long ago.”

“That, that’s…”

Of course, she had thought about it.

Drawing an arrow imbued with aura inside the creature’s mouth.

Causing an explosion with magic despite potential injuries.

But there was an emotion that came before resistance.

Freesia had decisively discarded that option.

‘In the end, I just have to defeat this villain, right?’

As the Divine Archer’s daughter, she could deal with the villain who caused great harm to the village.

…And she could also satisfy her curiosity about the outside world.

Her longing and curiosity about the outside world lightly crushed her immediate sense of crisis and duty.

Of course.

‘How did he know?!’

It never crossed her mind that the human in front of her could see her true thoughts.

“Freesia, didn’t you secretly wish for this?”

“What nonsense…!”

“You don’t need to hide it. Your mother isn’t here, nor are the elves.”

Frostmane exaggeratedly spread his arms wide.

His appearance was somewhat unsightly, with monster saliva dripping from the ends of his sleeves.

“You’ve stepped out from that village you found so stifling. It’s freedom!”

“Freedom…?”

Freesia’s lips parted in a daze. The word he spoke carried a different weight.

Being the Divine Archer’s daughter.

Her position as a High Elf.

The restrictions of not being an adult.

She was free from all those constraints, faced with ‘freedom.’

“…Really, does that mean I can go to the West or the North too?”

An indescribable exhilaration made her blood flow faster.

The hot sands under the sun.

And not the fake snow from ice magic, but real snow falling from the sky.

Her chest swelled with excitement at the thought of experiencing new things she had never seen before.

The human responded cheerfully.

“Of course. I’m an excellent guide for such things. I’ve toured many places.”

Freesia perked her ears and pondered for a moment. 

The thought of eliminating him had long vanished. If he could be her first guide, she was ready to forgive his crimes.

If any problems arose, she could always kill him and return to the elf village!

“In that case!”

“All you need to do is sign here.”

How he had managed to produce such an intact piece of paper amidst the waves of monster saliva was a mystery. 

And where he had gotten the quill pen was another.

In her curiosity, she scribbled hastily on the paper he handed her.

‘So this is what a human contract looks like?’

Indeed, its contents were…

[The Disaster Cult is always recruiting followers]

[Welcoming even those who already serve a deity]

[Tourism available anywhere]

[Tour itinerary: Starting from nearby beastmen colonies…]

“What are you waiting for? Hurry and sign.”

Freesia’s cold gaze darted between the contract and the madman.

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