Chapter 88

When I returned to the elven village, as expected, the elven queen came running up and buried her face in my chest.

She didn’t seem to be wearing perfume, but I could smell a scent like flowers.

"Excellent, Sir Ike."

"Marvelous, Sir Ike."

"Unmatched, Sir Ike."

She praised me with all sorts of beautiful words, but when she tried to kiss my cheek, Anemone intervened.

"Big sister, please calm down."

"But Sir Ike is the savior of this elven nation. I want to show my gratitude with all my heart and soul."

"But there’s no 'but' about it. The elven royal family is bound to marry the first person they kiss. Do you intend to marry Sir Ike?"

"That law applies only if there’s a kiss, right?"

"Big sister, you were clearly aiming for his lips just now."

"No, it was his cheek."

Ferret insisted.

"No, it was his lips."

Anemone insisted.

It seemed the argument would go on indefinitely, so I distanced myself from them and headed to Sati.

She greeted me with her usual smile.

"I’ve been waiting for your return."

Unlike Ferret and Lilith, her welcome was reserved.

I didn’t want her to become one of "those" people, so I responded modestly, "Thank you."

Without being asked, she brought me tea.

It was a routine after returning from the battlefield.

Unfortunately, the elven village didn’t have regular tea leaves, so it was herbal tea, but even so, the warm drink in the cold air warmed my body from the inside.

As I enjoyed the aroma of the herbal tea, Ferret, who had stopped arguing with her sister, came over.

This time, instead of hugging me or trying to kiss me, she came to have a serious conversation.

Her expression was serious; she had made up her mind to discuss the future.

I also put on a serious face and went with her to the elven palace.

When we arrived at the palace, she bowed respectfully and said, "I am truly grateful for your assistance this time."

I responded with a formal bow, "Please convey those words to the elven warriors and my subordinates who marched without rest."

Indeed, I believed that was true.

This victory was not due to my efforts alone.

The decision of Queen Ferret, who trusted me, a demon, completely.

The acceptance of Anemone, the elven war leader, and her subordinates, who followed me.

The personal bravery of Gunther and Lilith.

And, as mentioned earlier, the efforts of Sigan, who managed to bring reinforcements in time.

Without any one of these, this victory would not have been possible.

Not just me, but everyone deserved praise.

When I said this, Ferret smiled and said, "Sir Ike, you are as humble as ever," and declared, "Of course, I intend to thank everyone involved in this battle later."

I thanked her for her consideration and moved on to the main topic.

From here on, I had to act not as a magician or a soldier, but as a politician.

"We have fulfilled our alliance with the elves and protected the elven forest. Now, I would like you, Your Majesty, to fulfill your promise."

Hearing these words, Ferret also took on a political face.

"I understand. The elves are a race that values honor. We would never break a promise we have made."

"Is it correct that you will provide us with an elven warrior detachment?"

"Yes."

Ferret nodded.

"However, we cannot allocate all our warriors. A team of 50 elite warriors, led by Anemone, is the maximum force we can provide. I apologize for the small number..."

"Not at all. It is more than sufficient."

I had seen Anemone’s skills as a commander the other day.

Her archery, spirit magic, and other abilities would be very useful in the future.

Moreover, while the elves are not as dexterous as the dwarves in crafting artifacts or weapons, nor do they have abundant food or spices like the trading federation, the fruits and mushrooms found only in this forest, and the potions and secret medicines made from them, can be sold at high prices and will be useful to the Demon Army.

This alone makes the elves valuable allies.

Having made this judgment, I decided to sign the alliance agreement with the elves.

The document presented to me already had Ferret’s signature, written in red ink, which was actually her blood.

I followed the ritual, cut my finger with a dagger, and let the blood drip into a dish.

I dipped a quill pen in the blood and signed, "Commander of the 8th Legion of the Demon Army, Ike."

For a moment, I almost signed "Commander of the 7th Legion," but I hadn’t yet gotten used to my new title.

In any case, with this, the alliance was officially formed. When I finished signing, Ferret’s face returned to its usual innocent expression, and she was suppressing a giggle.

I wondered what was so funny and asked her.

"What’s so funny?"

Ferret, after apologizing, said,

"I’m sorry, but it’s just that seeing blood from an undead’s finger is funny."

"---Indeed, it is quite funny."

I wanted to say that it’s natural because I am human inside, but there was no need to say that.

"Still, you have red blood flowing in your body, Sir Ike."

"Yes, I do."

I had no choice but to respond this way, but Ferret didn’t find it strange and replied,

"I feel relieved to see that. Knowing that demons have the same red blood as us, I believe we can understand each other."

"---Yes, I believe we can understand each other."

I immediately responded, shook hands with Queen Ferret, and exchanged a blood oath.

It was a bittersweet moment, but it was also a farewell.

We couldn’t stay in the forest indefinitely.

Our group had to return to our base, Ivalice.

Ivalice was on the front lines, and we couldn’t leave it without a lord for too long.

I bid farewell to Ferret and left the palace.