5.5 Interlude: Gold and Silver (13)
Even after the war passed, the north was in turmoil.
First of all, the big thing was that the land covered by the flesh lump monster was destroyed in half. More than half of that wide coniferous forest was blown away, so the people who made their living there had no choice but to suffer.
Coniferous forests were a treasure trove of northern life.
It was a place where not only firewood, but also rare moss and herbs grew naturally. There was no choice but to have many villagers who depended on it to live.
It was the same even if there were dangers such as monsters and elves.
On the contrary, the existence of the monster also attracted the attention of monster hunters. One village even served as an outpost for monster hunters.
As such, coniferous forests were one of the backbones of northern industry.
Such a place has been horribly destroyed.
Even the elves living there were in a state of extreme confusion. With the trees to hide them gone, they too had no choice but to act.
These potential threats inevitably lead to people’s tension and rigidity.
Although they are somehow united under the strong leadership of the Yurdina family, the public sentiment in the north was fierce.
Of course, it wasn’t something I cared about.
Rather, the more brutal the northern public sentiment, the better. That way, there would be more room for the imperial family to intervene.
I believed in Delphine’s leadership.
It was believed that she would be able to rebuild the collapsed industry in the north while establishing the authority of the imperial family in the proper line.
Actually, my concerns were different.
“Avian, are you going to stay here?”
“Yes, I will.”
It was the answer as expected.
The reason why Avian was living around the academy was because of his mission. The role of a ganja to spy on the trends of human society.
Its use was over, so it was only natural to return.
To be precise, the expression that it has become meaningless is more appropriate.
The war between humans and elves is over.
There was no one to say who was the winner.
As a result of driving the elves to the cold north, the people who lived in the north lost their livelihood.
And when it came to the elves, they didn’t even have to estimate the damage.
In this yard, there was no reason to be active as a ganja.
Avian would have to take on another role.
“The elves don’t know much about human society yet. It will take a long time to adapt. But since I’ve been living in human society for a long time… … .”
“Also, you are the least hostile of the elves.”
At my words, Avian seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
Like Avian, I also smiled.
It was because it reminded me of our first meeting.
To think that a little boy who called mankind inferior would become a bridge between humans and elves like this.
It was a change that took place in just a few months.
It sounds hard to believe, but the evidence was right in front of me.
“… … Yes, it is.”
That one word that contains the will to stop hating humanity, or to try not to hate it in the future.
That was enough.
I felt that the past days of running around to save Avian were not wasted.
Suddenly, I heard a disgruntled muttering somewhere, but I tried to ignore it.
It was a warm atmosphere.
The topic of conversation naturally led to each other’s regards.
“Come to think of it, is your sister okay?”
“Fortunately, I am getting help from the Celestial Church. The saintess was especially helpful… That, Ian-nim introduced me to it.”
“You should thank the saintess rather than me. He said he would make time to take care of Betty despite his busy schedule.”
I said in a playful tone to Avian, who hesitated and looked at me.
“And it’s none other than us, right? If it’s your sister, it’s no different than my sister… … .”
“Who is your sister!”
It was then that a loud rupture broke out that could no longer be ignored.
I sighed and turned my head.
There was a growling girl clinging to my arm.
My sister, Leah Percus.
It was the person who came to me just a few minutes ago.
I wanted to issue a congratulatory order because it was the first time in a while that the two of us were meeting Avian, but Lia was already in a state of excitement.
In other words, it meant that language could not control it.
It could be done with force, but well.
Lia’s physical ability, which had been awakened since the last attack by the corpse giant, was not at an acceptable level.
It was to the point where even I would get caught up in the middle of saying, oops, if I was completely engrossed.
It was said that in order to subdue Lia in earnest, he had to use magic.
But how could he use his power so much against his cute little sister?
In the end, I had no choice but to accept my sister’s foolishness.
“I am the only sister of my brother! How could that elf be your little sister?!”
“Yes, yes.”
I patted Leah on the head to mean that I knew.
Even so, Lia’s excitement did not subside in the slightest. It was only after pressing down on her head that she was able to hold back Lia, who was trying to scream even more vigorously.
In this comical situation, Avian had to put on an awkward smile.
“I, that… Are you the younger sister?”
“yes!”
Leah jumped up again and replied.
If she had a tail, it would already be pointed straight up toward the sky.
It was a face full of vigilance.
Anyway, she was a younger sister who had a strong desire for monopoly.
“Are you the elf that my brother and I used to go out with? I’ve heard all about how much my oppa suffered because of you… Do you know how gloomy I was when I heard that?!”
“Lea, please… … .”
In desperation, I covered my face with both hands.
Of course, that wasn’t Ria’s way to stop.
“I’ll put up with it because I see my brother’s face, but next time, will you just hear that you’re a nuisance to my brother? Destruction by all means at my disposal… … !”
“I have lived over a hundred years.”
It was an unexpected confession.
Lia couldn’t help but hesitate at Avian’s words.
It must be hard to understand that a girl who looked only in her late teens was over 100 years old.
I should have known with knowledge.
Elves are a race that can live for over 500 years. There was no way that humans and age senses matched.
But hearing it in person is another matter.
The time of ‘100 years’, which was known conceptually, appeared as a reality.
While Lia was quiet, Avian asked with a smile.
“But how can I be your little sister? And again, humans seem to have a very friendly relationship with their elders. From the very beginning, you speak plain language.”
“No, that… What… … .”
Anguish began to float in Lia’s golden eyes.
The opponent was a being who had lived for over 100 years. Of course, he’s an elder, but isn’t that the standard for elves?
By human standards, Avian was still a child.
It was like I hadn’t lived half of half of my life.
But again, 100 years is too long to make such a pointless argument.
Even Lia’s grandparents wouldn’t be that old.
A confused mind breeds hesitation.
Lia’s eyes, which had been in a state of excitement, began to twitch. It was a rare reaction for a shrewd Riah.
I wanted to intervene at this point, but soon gave up.
The flustered Lia was cute, and the childlike growth of Avian was also a pleasure.
The past few weeks have made Avian grow into a true adult.
In the past, I would have grabbed the hair first.
It couldn’t have been a very moving scene.
“I am not left alone. I’m not stupid enough to not know the grace Ian gave me. Perhaps the elves in the coniferous forest are hiding a lot of information.”
“Information?”
“Information obtained while Leoric and his followers cooperated with the Dark Church.”
As soon as I heard that, I thought, hmmm.
Certainly Leoric left me a warning as he died.
Archbishop Eindel.
As far as I remember, he was a figure of the Seongguk.
He had to ask the saintess for details, but it was unlikely that an organization that reached out to the five noble families of the empire would leave the kingdom untouched.
There must be a string of something.
Somehow I had the feeling that I would hear that name for a long time.
“I never thought I would benefit from an elven spy.”
“I’ve already eaten a lot… … .”
Avian grumbled like that, probably remembering the hardships of the past.
Of course, I wasn’t really complaining.
It must be seen as a struggle to recall memories with me.
I was willing to hang out with him.
“Instead, you also pampered me a lot. Hunting snow leopards, carrying lumber… … .”
“It was voluntary labor.”
It was a horse with bones.
The man who had once brushed off a couple of Avian’s molars had no words to say.
“… … Alright, let’s put it that way.”
That’s how a friendly atmosphere was created between me and Avian.
Leah wasn’t going to be watching this quietly.
She trembled, holding her hands tightly.
It was a very angry expression.
However, I felt something was wrong at this point.
No matter how excited Lia was, she wasn’t a character who couldn’t control her emotions as much as she did.
If he was only that level of a person, he wouldn’t have been able to lead the upper ranks in the first place.
But why are you doing this today?
At the moment, I also had a somewhat curious feeling.
“Anyway, the story is over. Oppa, let’s go back to the academy now.”
When Lia came out recklessly, Avian also slowly put on a confused expression.
She’s also been interrupted from my conversations with my brother, so I don’t feel good.
Even so, Avian cleared his throat and calmed down, as if he had exercised maximum patience.
A voice that continued after that.
“Me, little sister? I’m sorry, but I have to share an important story with Ian… … .”
“The elderly are missing.”
Now it was Avian’s turn to be sunk.
Avian froze at the three syllables of ‘elder’.
It was self-employed.
However, the words were harsh, so I tried to calm Leah.
If Leah hadn’t gotten to the point before then.
“Celine’s sister is missing.”
I huffed and made a strange sound as I leaned against the back of the chair.
what are you talking about now
For a few seconds, my brain chewed over Lia’s message word by word and listened to it.
Realizing the implications, my body immediately jumped up like a spring.
“Why are you saying that now?!”
The reason why Lia suddenly came to the North.
That was the moment it was revealed.
A new event was approaching.
So finally celine’s arc.