Chapter 75

I don't know what the elves call this place, but if I were to translate it into human language, it would be called a palace, I suppose.

Perhaps the water overflowing from the mountains is being channeled here, as a small river flows continuously, and the air is filled with the scent of water. Amidst the aerial gardens, the building stands majestically, yet beautifully.

Surely, their king, Finn, must be here. He said something about welcoming us, didn't he?

"...Ah, no. This is quite a welcome, isn't it?"

The words I muttered involuntarily were carried away by the wind.

The silver gleam thrust at me and the others, the dozens of arrow tips and spear points aimed at us. Perhaps because the sky is so close, the iron gleam seemed unusually pale.

Strange. Why didn't I notice? I bit my cheek, surrounded by such a large number. I quickly glanced at Karia and Fiala, trying not to alarm the surrounding elves with any significant movement.

The silver and black eyes of both showed denial, indicating they hadn't noticed either. So, it wasn't just me who was caught off guard. If even they, with their talents, didn't notice, there must be some kind of mechanism in place.

I bit my lip, as if blaming myself for not noticing. I quickly scanned my surroundings, but there was no place to escape. Even a rat trying to escape would be skewered to death.

I tried to calm my heart, which was about to burst from the shock, and opened my mouth as if I had expected this. The silver tips shimmered at the corner of my eye.

"---So, this is how elves welcome guests. What's next? Will the monsters we encountered on the way perform for us? I'd love to see that."

I tried to show as much composure as possible, cracking jokes while staring into the eyes of the elf in front of me. For a moment, I saw his eyes tremble, looking at me as if I were some kind of alien.

This is quite a find. Indeed, even elves feel fear. Wonderful. They are not just mindless creatures.

From the side of the palace, a voice, as if scolding me, reached my ears.

"Cease your futile resistance. You are already prisoners. The Kingdom of Galarist has been notified."

They will send reinforcements, the voice added, sounding somewhat smug.

Galarist. The word made my eyelids twitch involuntarily.

Indeed, we chose the worst option. I never thought Galarist would have someone who could ally with the elves, and even take the initiative.

This is bad. Very bad. I didn't know, let alone expect, such a development. I have no idea what to do next.

A voice called out, and an elf clad in slightly superior armor appeared from inside the palace.

She is probably the captain, the one giving orders to the elves surrounding us. Her face, full of confidence, was proof of that. Ah, I don't particularly dislike her face.

However, I can't make a move in this situation. If I take even a step, they will surely cut into my flesh with their silver weapons.

Even if I resist, I can't inflict any significant damage on them. At best, they will lose some limbs, but they will surely kill us. They are prepared for that.

What a predicament. Another tightrope to walk. Why can't things go smoothly, like a musical instrument playing in harmony? I slowly clenched my back teeth and subtly signaled behind my back, out of their sight.

"So, the elven king, Finn Lagias, was supposed to welcome us, right? Surely, the elven king wouldn't break his word?"

I felt a cold sweat trickling down my spine.

I tried to suppress my heavy breathing and tighten the grip on my heart, which was about to burst from tension.

No. I can't just be captured here. Honestly, their words are not a guarantee. The mention of Galarist could just be something I've heard somewhere because it's a major kingdom.

However, if they are truly allied with Galarist, then being captured here means the end of everything.

If that's the case, I need to stall. I need to find an opportunity to delay them. Is there anything, anything at all, that can destabilize them?

"Silence. Our Finn is a great one. He would not make a pact with humans like you."

The deep green sword, reflecting the color of the trees, was drawn from her side, and the elf captain shouted, as if in a fit of rage. The hostility and the gleam of the spear tips around us seemed to intensify.

I let out a sigh of relief in my heart.

So, they are willing to listen. Then, I can buy some time. Now, search. Where is their weak point? I need to drag them into a quagmire. I opened my mouth.

"Alright... I see. Then, I have a message for the great Finn. Would you deliver it for me?"

I spoke in a somewhat solemn tone, unlike my previous jesting.

I've heard that elves, in general, have a sense of pride deep in their hearts. They wouldn't approve of simply overwhelming everything with force without listening to words.

Of course, the elven princess I know is a significant exception. But I can't represent all elves with her. She was a woman who seemed to have her entire mind broken.

I spoke slowly, trying to buy even a second, a few moments. Please, I beg you, make it in time.

The elf captain snorted and said,

"Yes, it's fine. That is the benevolence of Finn, which rains down like rain. However, I don't approve of sneaky, hidden actions."

At the same time as her words—*whoosh*—two sounds of arrows being fired cut through the air, striking my ears. Both were the sounds of bows being drawn and arrows being released.

I knew where they were headed. Fiala, who had been hiding behind me, was casting a spell. Indeed, they saw through this. Of course. When did I become so arrogant as to underestimate my enemies?

It was almost a reflex. The moment I saw the silver flash at the corner of my vision, I thrust my arm and body forward. I didn't think about whether I could make it in time. I just moved what I could, naturally.

Next, a shock ran through my left hand, as if it were being pinned to the ground. I thought my arm was being torn off from deep within my heart.

My right shoulder greedily swallowed the iron. My body was blown away, blood and flesh flying. My vision shook violently, and I saw blood mixing with the deep green of the forest and the blue of the sky.

When the shaking subsided and my vision cleared, I realized I was lying on the ground.

I had no feeling in my left hand. No, the hand itself was barely attached, with countless fibers and tendons torn, and I couldn't feel the pain due to the shock and numbness.

So, I clearly understood the foreign object. The arrow that pierced my left hand, as if trying to eat away at my arm. My right shoulder still held the iron, the arrowhead buried inside.

Blood was gushing out of my body at an alarming rate.

"Rugis—!?"

I heard Fiala's voice. In the next moment, a white mist enveloped the surroundings. No, it was fog.

I thought if Fiala could manipulate the world with her magic, she could provide a means for them to escape. Indeed, she used the water that was overflowing around us.

This should provide some cover. If things go well, Karia and Mathia might be able to escape.

---But, with these injuries, I can't make it.

My left arm won't move. I can't drag it and move. My sense of balance hasn't returned, and blood is still gushing from my wounds.

Why did it come to this? I didn't plan for this. The elf captain is quite observant. My plans didn't go as smoothly as I hoped.

I won't die. I will die. Even if I survive, being captured by the elves means the end.

---It's quite strange. I used to think I could die at any time, without any concern.

In the white mist, I saw something pass by the corner of my vision, just before everything went dark.