Ch. 151
At first glance, it looked like an old and simple accessory, but any Spirit Mage would be able to sense the familiar power imbued in it.
It gave off a strange feeling, like it made breathing easier.
“Thank you. Daria, it’s been a really long time since I received a gift I liked this much.”
“I’m the one who should be thankful. Thanks to you, I was able to return home safely.”
“I hope we meet again someday… I shouldn’t ask where your homeland is, right? I’m curious about that altar—”
“Human! You want to die? Don’t try anything funny!”
Tch, if it were just the innocent Daria, I might’ve been able to find out where the Dark Elves lived. Zekar’s wariness was no joke. What a shame.
“When I think about how our race’s honor has plummeted because of you, I want to kill you right now! But I’m holding back because you saved my sister!”
“What are you on about? Got any proof? Do you have evidence that I spread those rumors? Don’t go accusing people like that without manners!”
“You damn habitual offender!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
Want to see whose voice is louder, huh?!
“Stop it. You two, please stop! Brother, don’t be like that. Miss Geenie is my savior. Be a little kinder to her.”
“Daria! You just don’t know yet. Humans are wicked creatures!”
“I know because I was kidnapped.”
“Then…”
“But it was a human who saved me, wasn’t it? Brother, humans are the same as us. They can be good or evil—it’s just how they are.”
Zekar clearly had a soft spot for his younger sister.
I sneered inwardly at Zekar, who couldn’t come up with a retort, then fluttered up to Daria.
“You speak so well! Daria? I really like you. Why don’t we become friends? We’re from different races, but wouldn’t it be wonderful for Spirit Mages like us to share a bond? Right? Don’t you think so? So, can I visit your home next time? Or maybe send you a letter? Could you give me your address…”
“It’s time to go, Daria! We can’t associate with this human! Who knows what else she’ll try to take from you!”
“Oh my, I’d love to stay friends.”
“Over my dead body!”
Did he figure out my pure-hearted desire to bring back a chunk of that altar? Zekar ground his teeth and strongly opposed our budding friendship. Tch, sharp guy.
“How about being friends with my brother? He’s the one who comes out to the surface more often.”
“Don’t say creepy things! Daria! Even if you get along with every human out there, not this one!”
“Look who’s talking! Like I’d want to meet you!”
“My brother’s an Eradicator, you see. So he often operates in human territory. You might cross paths with him again, Miss Geenie.”
At that moment, Zekar and I were perfectly in sync.
Absolutely not!
“By the way, what’s this Eradicator thing?”
“It’s a role that handles external matters. Like rescuing kin who were kidnapped like me… or running errands for the Elders. They do a lot of things.”
“I see.”
“It’s a position held by the young and strong. My brother is a highly respected figure in our clan.”
I don’t know about that, but I do know he’s got a severe hatred for humans. Just look at how he treats someone as kind-hearted as me.
“Now that I think about it, there’s a lot I want to know about elves.”
“Not telling you.”
“…Brother? Please maintain your dignity.”
Elves had always been known for their secrets. They were the originators of Spirit Magic, so of course I wanted to dig up whatever I could—but it didn’t look like they’d say anything.
Just learning about the altar was already a miracle.
As I smacked my lips in disappointment, I came up with something I might actually get an answer to. I really was a genius when it came to clever tricks.
“Oh! This might be a weird question, but…”
“What is it? If it’s something I can tell you, I will.”
“Are there any other kidnapped elves? I want to save them too. You know, while I’m at it…”
“Hey! That ‘while I’m at it’—am I imagining things or do I know exactly what that means?”
“You’re right. It’s a paid service. Got a problem?”
I bet all Dark Elves had at least one of these bracelets. They seemed like a great supply source, so I’d be sure to rescue any I came across. I’m too kind for my own good.
“Daria, let’s go already! This human’s not pure-hearted at all!”
“Brother!”
“Human! It was disgusting meeting you—let’s never cross paths again!”
Zekar suddenly trembled and turned away in disgust like I’d done something awful.
Fine, leave if you want!
Don’t ignore my pure goodwill!
“Hey! At least tell me where the other kidnapped elves are!”
“Eat this!”
Who the hell taught an elf human curse words?! Did he just flip me off?!
“Damn elf bastard! Hope you go bald on the way home! I try to help and this is what I get!”
“Your black heart could block out the sun!”
“No, it’s actually shining!”
Who said elves only lived on dew and were beautiful beings?
Right in the middle of the market, Zekar and I boldly exchanged middle fingers at each other.
Never in a million years did I think I’d meet that guy again.
“Miss Geenie! May the light of truth be with you!”
Daria, the only one who seemed sad about our farewell, left a wistful goodbye and disappeared, dragged away by Zekar.
They say people leave behind names, and tigers leave behind their hides—elves, apparently, leave behind bracelets.
—
On the way to see Annie off, somehow Ash’s entire group had shown up even though I didn’t invite them. Chad was there, and even Lox.
“I’m going to miss you, mister!”
“Take care, kid! Study hard.”
“Make lots of friends… and stay healthy. We’ll be cheering you on.”
“Don’t cry, Annie.”
The four of them looked so close that it felt like I was the only one not part of the group.
Annie was sniffing and clinging to Chad, while Ash and Lox busied themselves trying to comfort her.
I stood off to the side, arms crossed, disapprovingly watching when Hansen sidled up next to me and whispered,
“By the way… which one of them is the lady interested in? Is it the big swordsman?”
“Chad? I’m not into dumb guys.”
“Then the intelligent one with glasses! Makes sense, since you’re so smart…”
“Not that petty guy either.”
“…Hmm. Then only that plain guy is left.”
He clearly didn’t think I meant *that* guy. Ash did look like just some average guy on the outside. But the truth was, he was a prince of the Empire.
“Ash is a good guy.”
“I really don’t get your taste, my lady.”
I ended up tapping my elbow with my arms still crossed.
“It’s not like that, so don’t get the wrong idea. Just make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Yes, I’ll see you again in Dmitri.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be praying for your safe return. Truly. May it reach the gods…”
“Enough of that, just focus on Annie.”
“Leave her to me! I swear on my sword, I’ll care for her like my own daughter.”
Thankfully, there were plenty of people willing to look after Annie. Until her enrollment, Hansen would be handling everything. Once she enrolled, there’d be the Headmaster, Mia, and Iruze.
Soon, she’d meet Master Yael as well. Just like when I was a child, she’d probably live a somewhat frustrating, but safe, life.
Just like Big Sis Anel wanted.
“Annie! Time to go.”
“Huh? Just a little longer…”
“You know that’s the third time you said that, right? Come here.”
Warping had to be done at a set time. If not, there was a risk of colliding with another traveler and having your body merge with theirs.
Lowering my voice, I crooked my finger and beckoned Annie to the Magic Tower.
Watching her shuffle over, looking dejected like a scolded puppy, made me feel like I was doing something bad.
In the end, it felt like I was the one playing the villain again—but really, the ones you remember longest are always the villains.
“Big Sis.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ll be coming soon too, right?”
“Within a year.”
Hansen held Annie in his arms so she could meet me at eye level. Annie reached out her little hand toward me. Looked like she understood we were saying goodbye.
“Take care.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I didn’t expect to hear that. After all, there were quite a few complications in my relationship with Annie.
“…You’re welcome.”
“I’ll try not to cry there! Instead, I’ll try to be like you.”
“Like how?”
“When something makes you angry or upset, you go like… Ah, shi—”
Just as Annie was about to drop a heavy word, the guys all rushed over to cut her off.
“Stop! That’s not it!”
“She doesn’t need to learn that!”
“Miss Geenie! Did you just swear in front of a child?”
“What exactly did you teach her?! Annie! You mustn’t say things like that!”
Ignoring the noisy guys, Annie and I happily said our goodbyes. There were no tears between us.
“Bye! Take care! I’ll miss you, misters!”
Cradled in Hansen’s arms, Annie waved at us for quite a while as they entered the Magic Tower.
Soon, the two of them would arrive at the Royal Palace of Dmitri. Annie would be completely safe, and I’d finally be able to write a letter to Big Sis Anel with good news.
Until Annie was out of sight, the last ones still waving were Chad and Ash.
“She’s gone.”
“Yeah.”
“Miss Geenie, you might be sad, but stay stron—”
“Ahh! I feel so refreshed!”
Freedom! Liberty! Hallelujah!
The men looked at me oddly as I cheered with joy.
“…You really have no emotional attachment, do you?”
“Wow, what a devil.”
No matter how much Lox and Chad reproached me, I stretched my arms like I was cheering and basked in the lightness.
Ahhh! I can finally roam freely again!
Well, not that I wasn’t roaming freely before, but there were quite a few invisible restraints.
“But why is she going separately?”
“Something about motion sickness… right?”
“Warp sickness.”
As expected, only our Ash remembered it correctly.
While fully soaking in my newfound freedom, I spun around and stopped in front of Ash with my hands behind my back.
“So, what should we do next?”
Though I was looking at Ash, the one who answered was Lox, standing beside him. That guy always intercepted whenever I tried to talk to Ash. Sometimes he’d even block me physically.
“We’re planning to leave at dawn tomorrow. We got the reply we were waiting for from our companions.”
“That’s great! So where to next?”
“We’ll stop by Daniz, then head to Heidrike.”
“Heidrike? I’ve heard of it. That’s the island nation famous for tourism, right? I heard it’s really beautiful.”
“That’s right.”
“I always wanted to go! Perfect.”
Why do they all look so shocked? Did I say something weird?
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
“You speak like you’re coming with us. But Dmitri is the opposite direction…”
“Yeah. I’m going with you.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“You didn’t know? I’m tagging along with you.”
Judging by their rapidly changing expressions, they really didn’t know.
Come to think of it, I guess I hadn’t told them yet.
From now on, my schedule is called: ‘Following You Guys Around!’
You were the only ones who didn’t know!