Chapter 96

When I rushed over after being called, there was indeed an unfamiliar group sitting in a row on the floor.

There were about twenty of them in total.

All of them were women, and they exuded an exotic atmosphere that was neither human nor demon.

"Are these the elves?"

I asked the people around me.

"Yes. Historically, they are defined as a subspecies that branched off from the demon race," explained Berena, who had rushed here with me. As expected of a former aide to one of the Four Heavenly Kings, she was quick with information.

"There are many such subspecies, and elves are just one of them. They are a race that lives in the forest, having no interaction with either humans or demons..."

"Why are they here, then?"

This place is a super remote area that requires crossing mountains and valleys to reach from the surface. Most of the rare visitors we've had so far came by sea. What could have made them cross such a difficult path?

"We've already taken their statements on that point," Plat said. As expected of my wife, she was well-prepared.

There were also many residents of our farm gathered to see the rare visitors, but I'll skip that for now.

"They are part of an elf thief group," she said.

"Is that what they said?"

"They've become wanted by both humans and demons for wreaking havoc without discrimination, and they can no longer stay in human towns or villages. So they kept fleeing deeper and deeper into the remote, uninhabited areas... and they found this place," she explained.

"So, their arrival here was purely by chance?"

"These girls probably never imagined that there would be a farm deep in such a remote area. They got carried away and tried to do their usual thieving work!" Oakbo said.

"We apprehended them."

"They were already eating the tomatoes from the field. We judged that this crime deserves the death penalty, and we are now seeking your approval, my lord," Oakbo added.

"No, no, no...!"

That's not necessary.

It's not worth the death penalty.

Certainly, it's infuriating to have vegetables that we've carefully cultivated stolen, but it doesn't warrant death.

Still, I should properly acknowledge the efforts of Oakbo and the others for defending the field.

And Pochi?

The Hylican I named, who was looking up at me with a particularly eager expression.

"Pochi was the first to discover the thieves. He alerted us with the agreed-upon howl."

Oh, I see.

I should give him a proper reward.

Was he waiting for this? He's wagging his tail excitedly.

...No.

Would he prefer a treat instead?

"Anyway, about the punishment for the elves..."

Oh.

Oakbo's reminder brought me back to reality.

Right.

Even though they are vegetable thieves, we can't just let them go after they've committed theft. Given that they call themselves a 'thief group,' they probably have many other crimes as well.

As I was pondering this...

"Let's take a vote."

Viel, who had been among the onlookers, suddenly spoke up.

"Those who think it's best to execute all of them as punishment for theft and hang their bodies outside as a warning, raise your hands."

Are you serious!?

Is there anyone else who would adopt such a cruel plan besides you!?

"「「「「「「「Yes」」」」」」"

Surprisingly, there were quite a few!

"Sir, this is a serious issue. The crops from this field are our lifeline. The amount of harvest directly affects our survival."

"If we don't punish thieves, we can't guarantee that we can protect our precious fields in the future. We should show a firm resolve by imposing the death penalty to send a clear message: 'This is what happens if you invade our fields.'"

Is that how it is...!

Hmm.

Certainly, the field and its crops that we've carefully cultivated.

I also want those who steal them to understand the earnestness of those who grow them.

"...Bati, Berena"

"「Yes?」"

I asked the demon girls who were present.

"What would happen if we handed them over to the demon race?"

"The outcome would depend on the trial, but I think the death penalty is a real possibility."

Really?

"The thief elf group 'Stone Carver in the Thunderstorm' is known to have stolen from influential nobles in the demon kingdom. If they are targeted by such powerful figures, they are likely to receive harsher sentences."

"However, the current demon king, Zedan, dislikes killing. He rarely approves of death sentences. Moreover, the forces that would hold a grudge against these elves have largely declined due to the recent reforms."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I saw some documents before. This elf thief group never stole from the poor, only targeting wealthy nobles and merchants."

"So they're like Robin Hoods?"

"Moreover, most of the nobles who were victims of their theft were the type who enriched themselves through unreasonable heavy taxes and bribes. Most of them lost their power during the great reform when Zedan married Astares."

"So they're even more like Robin Hoods."

...

Hmm.

Certainly, as the one managing the farm, I need to deal firmly with vegetable thieves. But I don't want to shed blood.

"Alright."

I understand.

Alright, let's do this.

"Then, let's impose a severe punishment on these elves for stealing our vegetables. The punishment will be...!"