Chapter 21

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It is said that the origin of life is in Sephirot.

It was said that life was born in this treetop world, and that eventually it gained wisdom by eating a certain fruit.

“Is this-…”

In the unexplored region located at the depth of the Human World, Martk, bears this certain fruit. It’s a forbidden fruit even in Sephirot and only exists in Markt, the Forbidden Fruit.

“Is this an …Apple?”

Mina rolled her eyes and looked up at the red fruited tree.

“It’s my first time seeing it….”

She mumbles in disbelief, as she looks up even further. Even the Elven World had heard of the legendary fruit.

“Want a taste?”

“Is it okay?”

“No problem, it’s not like we’re gonna eat everything.”

Mina’s hand couldn’t reach it so I picked one for her. Then, handed her one red, ripe and delicious looking apple.

“Thanks!”

She seems to forget her troubles in the meantime. With an innocent smile, Mina took a bite of the apple.

“…For some reason, feels like my head’s getting smarter.”

“Well, it’s called the Fruit of Wisdom. I guess it’s supposed to get a little better?”

I don’t know the details, but it seems that living creatures got wisdom from eating these fruits, so it must not be wrong.

Mina giggled as she chewed happily at the fruit. After finishing one, she let out a satisfied breath.

“That was delicious!”

She looked troubled before, but now I think it’s gotten a little bit better.

She looked up at the apple tree, curiously, and suddenly asked.

“Hey Hero, why is the apple tree in the Human World?”

“Well, maybe that’s because all races originated from the Human Race.”

“Ee!? Everyone was originally human?!?”

Oopss! Mina didn’t know….or maybe, it was kept as a secret in the Elven Race?

Well, it’s a legend so maybe it’s not the pure truth, but, there’s nothing wrong in explaining it to her, right?

“That’s right. The birthplace of life itself is said to be here in Martk. The first to be born was a pair of men and women. From there, children were born, multiplied, and eventually, came to Earth… and apparently, over time, some of them developed a body structure more suited to the environment in which they live.”

“Earth…. Long time ago, everyone lived on Earth, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. The humans who lived in the forest grew longer and taller in their ears, so that they could hear their peers even when they couldn’t see them. That’s what an elf is, isn’t it? The humans who lived in the caves became smaller and smaller so that they could move in tight places. These are dwarves.”

Each race was born in this way. But, they were all the same person to begin with.

“Then, an enemy called a demon appeared on the ground, and we went back to the tree world again. But, when they couldn’t come to terms with the other races, they divided the world–that’s the popular legend.”

“I see…. We were all the same in the first place.”

Mina blinked her eyes as she nodded understandingly, as she seemed interested.

As I stroked her head, I told her what I really came here for.

“So, well don’t be too wary of others just because they’re different. Me and the Demon Lord, we’re both the same as Mina in the beginning. I’m not going to do anything bad to you.”

Yeah, I wanted to tell her that. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to bring her here.

“You’ve always been wary this whole time, right? It’s okay to relax a little if you want.”

I said crouching down to meet Mina’s eyes. Mina looked away, seemingly feeling a little shy.

“…..I’m sorry. Mina is still scared.”

This is her true feeling.

She was kidnapped by humans, almost beaten up, turned into a slave for the Demon Lord – it’s natural she’d be scared all along.

“….Sorry.”

Then, I lowered my head. I wanted to apologize to her all this time. That’s another reason why I brought her here.

“As a fellow human, I am sorry for all the horrible things my race have done to you…. I apologize.”

As someone from the same race, I feel apologetic towards her.

Even if it’s the people that I’ve already forgotten and thrown out of my memories, we are still from the same race.

I’ve been bothered all this time, and feels like it’s my responsibility. I brought her here not just for the apple, but to apologize as well.

“I really am sorry, Mina. That’s why, I don’t want to let you do things that you hate more than this.”

“….Things I hate?”

“Yeah. If you want to go back to the Elven World, I’ll ask the Demon Lord to let you go back home.”

If she wants to go home, I’ll send her off.

Ever since I’ve become a lolicon, there’s nothing more agonizing than seeing a young girl suffering. No, whether I’m a lolicon or not. I don’t want to see her crying.

“How is it? I want to hear how you feel about it Mina?”

I said gently, careful not to scare or intimidate her. I waited for her answer.

“……………….”

Mina remained silent, her eyes remained downward as she pondered about something.

I’m sure she’s thinking about it slowly, but surely. To speak her own opinion and feelings, without being influenced by others.

After waiting for a while, Mina finally opened her mouth.

“Mina is still very scared. Humans, of course, but not only that, the Demon King and the other demon tribes are still a bit scary as well.”

She said, scared. However, Mina squeezed my hand that is firmly in her grip.

“But, you’re different, Hero. You’re not scary…. that’s why, I become a little less scared when you’re here.”

“Is that so?”

“Ah no. When you get naked, I’m scared.”

Aah! That scares me, too. I’ve got a body that gets excited by young girls…well, that’s beside the point.

“So, what do you want to do?”

If you’re scared, you can go home. I was about to tell her that, but she stopped me.

“If I’m with you, I don’t care about going home.”

Right now, she’s not scared or jumpy. Mina looked straight at me as she told me her true feelings.

”You see, Mina’s life as an elf was so cramped…I couldn’t eat what I wanted, I couldn’t sleep freely, and I was always being scolded by someone.”

But, here, no one restricts others’ freedom in that way.

“Right now Mina is still a bit scared of the Demon Lord, and even the other demon tribes as well….but, I know that I’ll come to like it here. Even the Dark Elves said that it’s really fun here. Mina, wants to have fun as well!”

After hearing Mina’s words, I understood that what the Demon Lord had said was true.

“…..That’s right.”

As expected, Mina is different from a normal elf. If that is so, it would be best to let her do what she wants to do.

“I got it! Well, from now on, let’s have a good time. I’m here to help you have some fun, too!”

I stroked her head again with a smile.

Mina smiled, innocently, and nodded her head.