Chapter 74

"......Understood, I will allow you to enter."

The civil servant said this shortly after. The other one, who had been looking annoyed until just now, was staring intently at my ID.

...Is the name value of the Revmagic Empire really that high? Or is it because they gave us a magic airship, making them a country of admiration?

Hmm.

"Are you going to enter immediately?"

"Ah... Yes, please."

There's no point in thinking about things I don't understand, so I nodded.

Right now, I need to meet Aisha first.

A carriage was waiting at the entrance of the forest to take me to the Kingdom of Sylvius. Apparently, if I walked on my own, I might be mistaken for a poacher.

I got on the carriage—there were no horns, and the elves called it a carriage, so I guess it's a horse, but it had six legs and moss grew on its back. After a two-hour ride through the deep, monotonous forest, I heard a song.

"Almost there."

The carriage driver was an elf, and there were only two other passengers besides me. They were human and seemed to be merchants, but they were told in advance not to talk too much or the elves would get annoyed, so they were silent.

It felt like a prisoner transport. In fact, a few elves were watching from the forest.

"Wow... Is that it?"

I stretched to look forward from behind the driver's seat, and there it was—a village in the treetops.

Houses made of wood were placed on the branches of large trees, and the trees were connected by suspension bridges.

The bridges were draped with colorful cloths, creating a very vibrant yet harmonious scene with the forest.

(It looks like a Dark Elf village...)

It was more rustic, more rugged, and more dangerous, but it had a similar atmosphere to a Dark Elf village.

Well, in the back, there were buildings that looked like "three-story buildings on trees!?" which were completely different from Dark Elf constructions.

The carriage stopped, and I got off into the forest.

Then, a voice like "Ah!" sounded, and the singing stopped abruptly. A group of children who had gathered on the suspension bridge scattered like spiders.

The sound of wood being processed could be heard somewhere. A few songs were still audible, and the lyrics suggested they were making wine in a group.

The village was in the treetops, but the workshops and warehouses were on the ground, and many elves were walking around. They all wore clothes woven from hemp, dyed in natural colors.

"Well then,"

"Yes, see you later."

The two passengers, who seemed to have a destination, walked off quickly. The elves' gazes were cold, making me feel like I was doing something wrong.

"Alright, how do I meet the royal family?"

A road extended from what seemed to be a carriage stop. The road was compacted earth, and you could see carts being pulled by horses (?), but there weren't many pedestrians.

I felt a slow, relaxed atmosphere.

However, it was very unfriendly to travelers. While I didn't need a "Welcome to the Kingdom of Sylvius" sign, at least some road signs would be helpful. There were no guides or directions at all.

"Hmm."

Just as I was at a loss, I noticed a group coming down the main street.

Two types of elf soldiers were approaching: one in leather armor with stone-tipped spears, and the other with bows and arrows.

The leader was the only one with a sword at his waist and a leather band with a blue gem on his forehead.

"—Are you Raze?"

As they got closer, the lead elf asked me.

The spear-wielding elf soldiers surrounded me, and the archers kept a distance, on guard. There were 15 spearmen and 7 archers.

"Yes."

"Is that so—You're the kidnapper who abducted Princess Anastasia!!"

"...What?"

Before I could ask, the spears were raised, and arrows were nocked.

"Bringing yourself here to our kingdom, how dare you. I thought you would have disappeared, being a despicable human... No, even if you tried to run, we would chase you to the ends of the earth. The man who harmed our revered High Elves—"

"Wait a minute. Is that how I'm perceived here? What does Aisha say?"

"Don't call the princess by her first name!!"

The elf with the blue gem opened his eyes wide and glared at me. He was scary. His eyes were crazy. Did he inhale some dangerous smoke or something?

"Um... I have no idea how I'm perceived, but can I at least meet Princess Anastasia?"

Whether I'm seen as an innocent criminal or not, my priority now is to meet Aisha. Well, I'm already a runaway slave and a criminal at the "Six Heavens Mine."

"There's no way you can meet her!! You're a bold thief!!"

"Then, can I meet the High Elves if I go with you?"

"There's no way... No, you can. The High Elves said they would personally interrogate you. But! It's the High Elves 'sama'!!"

"Understood. Then, please take me to the High Elves 'sama'."

"Ugh... Surrendering without resistance is pitiful."

What's wrong with this elf? His boiling point is really low. Should I have resisted?

"Show your weapons!"

"I don't have any."

"There's no way!"

"Look for yourself."

I had left my short sword, which was in bad condition from repeated battles, with Dante for repairs.

I showed the contents of my tool bag, and after confirming there were no weapons, the elf with the blue gem looked dubious again.

What's wrong with him?

Thank you for the paperback and manga versions!

I still go to bookstores and laugh to myself when I see them on the shelves. If the books are out of place, I put them back.

The first volume will be in the new releases section for about two more weeks, so please check it out and laugh to yourself!