25 – Episode 3. Unintended Interest is Declined. (3)
* @ *
“Sister, you’re not going to kill them?”
One of the assassination squad members asked while juggling a dagger. They were ready to throw the dagger at the knights at any moment.
“…Not going to kill them.”
Upon Yan’s words, the members of the assassination squad expressed disappointment. They continued to engage in a strange standoff with the knights who were still on guard.
“Why? They were talking so rudely to you, sister.”
“I can’t kill them right away.”
“Right away?”
At least until my mother gives the order to assassinate… No, even if such an order is given, it would cause great harm to the elves to turn the empire into an enemy. In that case, the World Tree would naturally suffer as well…
Yan looked around at the perplexed executioners.
“For now, follow my lead. If any issues arise, I will take responsibility.”
“What do you mean? Why should the captain take all the blame? If there’s fault, we should all bear it together.”
“Yeah! It’s unfair for the captain to take all the responsibility.”
“…I see. Thank you.”
After concluding the conversation with the executioners, Yan turned his head and saw Abel talking to the servants.
He was having a conversation with someone who could potentially take his life, yet he was engaging in dialogue without any guard. It seemed like he could be killed on the spot if a sword were thrown at him.
However, Yan thought that Abel’s behavior was all an act. He speculated that Abel intentionally behaved like that to see how he would react.
“That confidence must be because he can respond to my actions.”
Yan clenched his fist.
“From the attitude of waiting for my appearance, to leaving us unattended despite knowing we are watching, and even wielding a sword and spewing out a killing intent during the conversation without flinching…”
She bit her lower lip. A bitter sense of defeat, as if she had lost to someone she hadn’t even fought, weighed heavily on her shoulders.
In the end, it was all in his grasp. But how could Abel Sirius have obtained such information? Could it be related to the demon worshippers…?
As Yan was lost in thought, rehashing the information Abel had mentioned, one of the executioners voiced his doubt.
“So, when are we going to kill him?”
“…We’ll see.”
“?”
Yan, who always provided definite answers in either affirmation or negation, couldn’t grasp what choice to make.
And Yan’s ambiguous attitude was enough to raise questions among the executioners.
“First of all, don’t do anything unnecessary until I finish speaking. Got it?”
“Got it.”
Yan sighed as he looked at the subordinates nodding their heads, despite their dubious response.
‘If I try to kill Abel, I might have to risk my life.’
Yan was fiddling with the dagger in his pocket when he turned his head and locked eyes with Abel.
Yan reflexively hesitated and gripped the dagger. Meeting the indifferent red eyes, it felt like his innermost thoughts were laid bare.
‘Abel Sirius is truly dangerous…!’
However, contrary to her tension, Abel had no thoughts at all.
“Yan! Want some cookies?”
Seeing Abel speak so casually, Yan couldn’t help but furrow her brows, unaware that most of what she had been thinking was just a misunderstanding.
* * *
The carriage resumed its journey after dealing with the situation.
The two knights who had been escorting them returned to the duke’s estate to report the attack by the demon worshippers and to tend to the wounded. The two subordinates, who had been keeping watch, left to deliver a letter to Maritza.
And the rest…
“Why do I have to ride in the carriage with you?”
There was clear annoyance in the voice. Yan, with her arms crossed, glared at me.
“Because you’re tired from following us. Everyone else must be tired too.”
The carriage was now occupied by all the subordinates, including Yan. She had justified it to the knights as a precaution in case such a situation arose.
“Is that something you need to worry about?”
“Did you plan to run all the way to the academy from here without a break?”
That’s not a problem. Unlike you humans, many of our elves have awakened their mana.”
Indeed, the elves have many who have awakened their mana compared to humans. If it comes down to individual combat, humans would stand no chance.
However, with overwhelming military power and various techniques utilizing mana, it can be asserted that the elves would never be overwhelmed by humans in a war.
Moreover, as the protagonist is a princess, even the noble elves would have no choice but to kneel before her.
“Then just think of it as a favor. I’m letting you take the seat because I’m lying down.”
“…Even if you show favor, nothing will change. I will wait just a week, and I will obtain the fragment of the World Tree from you.”
“I’m not expecting anything either. Since it has come to this, please escort me to the academy until I arrive.”
“Escort? Are you entrusting your safety to those who might kill you?”
Yan asks as if astonished. Then, as if amazed or amused, he bursts into laughter.
“Either way, you can’t kill me. Besides…”
I handed her the pouch containing the cookies that the servant had given me. It was to lighten the tense atmosphere.
“Do you want a cookie? They’re delicious.”
“I won’t eat it.”
“Are you worried it’s poisoned?”
“…”
Is that a real laugh?
Seeing other members of the assassination unit giving the pouch of cookies sidelong glances, they seemed interested.
I squeezed one and stuffed it into my mouth.
The sound of lively chatter echoes in the carriage, and the sweet taste fills my mouth. How much sugar did they put in? I might get diabetes.
Having devoured the cookie like a delicacy, I looked around at them.
“Will you finally dispel your doubts now?”
They exchange glances, gesturing as if discussing what to do. Yann sighs, reaches into his pocket, and grabs a piece of the cookie.
As he turns his head and lowers the mask, Yann’s distinctive golden face is revealed.
Even if he’s a dark elf, he possesses an appearance that elicits admiration as an elf.
Due to the harsh passage of time, he exudes a lithe and mature vibe. Although there is a prominent scar on his cheek, I can confidently say it.
Damn beautiful.
With large yellow irises, a well-defined nose, and slightly withered plum-colored lips.
His perfectly harmonized features seemed capable of effortlessly captivating many men even in his current state.
“What the hell is this… Is it reasonable to sit face to face with the surveillance target…”
Yann hums while putting the cookie in his mouth. After eating a piece, he promptly puts the mask back on.
“What are you looking at?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Huh, is that a trait of the human race? Those human beings casually say such flattering words.”
Flattering words, but they’re true.
He’s more handsome than most celebrities.
“I just stated the truth.”
“Do you think I don’t know your sinister intentions?”
“Feel free to think that way.”
“What did you say?”
I leaned against the carriage with a playful smile directed at Yan. It should be just enough to show a decent amount of courtesy.
“Aren’t the others going to eat?”
The members of the Chaksaldae looked at Yan in response to my question. They were seeking her permission.
“You can eat. There’s nothing harmful in it.”
Only then did the members of Chaksaldae reach for the cookies. I raised the corners of my mouth as I watched their hands moving simultaneously towards the bag.
They, too, lowered their masks slightly to eat the cookies. The members of Chaksaldae were as handsome and beautiful as Yan.
“It’s delicious…!”
“Really! It’s really delicious…!”
“Please, have a lot.”
They must have been quite hungry, as they kept stuffing the cookies into their mouths without a break. Isn’t it too much to make them work without even feeding them?
Before I knew it, they had taken the bag from my hand and were sharing it among themselves. Their actions were no different from those of young children.
In reality, they are all quite young. After all, elves are inherently long-lived beings.
“…… Abel Sirius.”
As I watched over the elves with a satisfied expression, Yan called out to me.
“Yes?”
“What is your purpose?”
“My purpose?”
“What do you want from us?”
I don’t particularly want anything from the elves.
If I were to put it bluntly, it could be said that doing nothing to me is what I desire. It’s because my peaceful diamond-sojourner life is in chaos.
However, as long as the purification water of Magi is in my hands, the interference of the elves will continue. They are the ones who go crazy about anything related to the World Tree.
“If I may say… I just want to live comfortably, so could you please leave me alone?”
This time, I had to use her because of the devil worshippers, but I didn’t want to be involved next time.
“I just want to live peacefully for a long time. But it seems I can’t be left alone.”
Thanks to the cursed quest giver.
“…An incomprehensible fellow.”
Smirking at her words, I looked out the window.
As the sun completely crossed over the horizon, spider webs began to spread across the world. It seemed like it would be quite late by the time I reached the academy.
Once I arrived at the academy, I planned to have dinner with Rena…
It seemed like I would receive a barrage of curses as soon as I arrived at the academy.
***
The capital of the Empire, Ferrator.
It was famous for being a city where lights never faded even at night.
The scene, lit up by light magic instead of street lamps, felt modern, resembling streetlights.
Even though it was late at night, the streets were still bright, and there were still quite a few people walking around.
The high quality of public safety was naturally due to the bright lights, and knights were patrolling everywhere.
The fact that people could still walk around at night meant that the emperor was thoroughly managing public safety.
“There are so many people…”
“Yeah, indeed…”
Yan and the members of the Chexal unit peered out the window with faces full of curiosity. They cleared their throats to gather attention, signaling that there was something to say.
“Hmm.”
Just a throat-clearing, but naturally, they raised their hands to the weapon on their belts.
It’s still a long way to go before they let their guard down. Should I give them more cookies to loosen up?
“First of all, let me tell you that we cannot take you to the academy. Naturally, you cannot enter either.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll find a way to infiltrate on our own.”
Well, they are experts in infiltration, so I’m not worried.
It’s just in case something goes wrong. If the existence of Dark Elves is revealed to others, it will surely lead to misunderstandings.
It was not easy to accept the fact that the Elves had infiltrated the capital of the empire, where famous figures gathered.
“Don’t fret. Our infiltration will go unnoticed by anyone.”
“There are some people within the academy who can notice it. That’s why—”
“I won’t take your orders. We’ll handle it.”
As if to say no more chattering, Yan cut off the conversation sharply. They did eat the cookies made by the servants. It wouldn’t hurt to indulge them a little, right?
“Even so, there’s no need to monitor me as a group. Having just one person tailing me should be enough.”
“And you’re not planning to kill us off one by one, are you?”
Yan glared at me. Didn’t I clearly state that I am just a regular civilian? Why can’t she trust me?
If I hadn’t been a regular civilian to begin with, she wouldn’t have helped me.
“Ugh. Do as you please.”
In the end, I gave up trying to persuade them.
If they come looking for help after getting caught, I’ll give them a piece of my mind. Seriously.