novelzi Chapter 138
Chapter 138
Chapter 138 – Negotiation (4)
Prune’s eyes narrowed.
A new hostility flickered in her pupils.
“Erina is one of our kin, no matter what anyone says. If you intend to harm her, this will be the end of our negotiations.”
Ancelot didn’t flinch at the deadly glare. There was no way to avoid criticism without killing her.
If so,
“I’ll say it again. Erina, the Swordsman of Slaughter, must die.”
Thud!
Prune shot up from her seat. At the same time, Ancelot added another statement.
“As such, after her death, she must be reborn entirely.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Like a pupa shedding its old shell, she will cast off her old self and begin a new life under an identity known only to us.”
“......!”
“She disappeared over 50 years ago, so concealing her telltale red eyes and silver hair should be enough.”
Prune’s eyes widened gradually.
“However, this plan must remain a secret known only to a select few, including you and me. Even our knights and the other elves must not know about her new identity.”
“......”
Prune fell into thought.
She hadn’t voiced it aloud, but she was well aware of the unease and dissatisfaction other elves harbored toward Erina.
As time passed, those feelings became increasingly apparent.
‘Even if it was for the sake of our kin...... That child’s actions were far too human-like.’
Even so, Prune had wholeheartedly supported Erina up to now, all for the future of their people.
‘......I put her in the forefront, fully aware of the hatred she would face.’
At that moment, Ancelot continued speaking.
“In addition, a minimal safety measure will be necessary.”
“......A safety measure?”
“We would need her to swear a mana oath.”
An oath sworn with mana. It was a form of restrictment. Breaking it would result in the complete loss of all mana in one’s body.
“That’s an absurd demand......!”
“It’s not absurd at all. Her life would have ended if not for us. She should be grateful we’re sparing her.”
Prune immediately clamped her mouth shut. For a long moment, she pressed her lips together, until.
“Phew......”
Finally, she let out a deep sigh.
“......No matter how I think about it, this isn’t a decision I can make. Let’s hear her thoughts first. After that, we’ll decide whether to accept your proposal.”
A smile spread across Ancelot’s face.
“Very well. Shall we go right away?”
“......”
Having been informed about the whole conversation, Erina twisted her lips into a crooked smile.
“So basically, you want me to live the rest of my life as a slave to humans.”
Her low, subdued voice echoed softly. This was moments after she had been brought alone into a secluded hut.
Including Elder Prune, the people inside the hut numbered four. In case of any emergencies, Marquis Foltaine was also there.
-Cunning scoundrel. What a ridiculous idea you’ve come up with.
Marquis Foltaine’s expression conveyed this sentiment clearly.
“Try not to think too negatively about it. At least pretend to give it some thought.”
“You want me to consider such ridiculous nonsense?”
“Besides, you’ll get to decide the terms of the oath yourself.”
“......Wait. I’ll decide the terms?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“As I said, we’re not demanding unconditional obedience. We just need a token of trust—something to assure us you’ll no longer slaughter humans. That’s all.”
“......”
After thinking briefly, Erina suddenly looked toward the entrance.
“Huh......?”
Noticing her gaze, I tilted my head in confusion.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
“......Fine. Let’s do it this way.”
“What way?”
“I’ll remain by your side. For the entirety of your fleeting lifespan, I’ll stay with you. That should be more than enough as a token of trust.”
“......!”
This was an entirely unexpected counteroffer.
Keeping her close would serve as both a means of surveillance and an assurance of her loyalty.
Above all else......
‘If push comes to shove, maybe she could be used as a powerful asset......?’
Of course, my sly thoughts didn’t get very far.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, child with the thoughts of a conniving old geezer. Things won’t go as you wish.”
We would need witnesses to observe the situation anyway.
“Only five? Will that be enough?”
“Too many eyes wouldn’t be good, either. After all, we have to stage a death.”
“Well, this seems like it’s benefiting us elves too much......”
Before Prune could finish his thought, Erina interjected.
“No need to feel indebted, Elder. This is something the humans are doing for their own benefit as well.”
Look at that attitude, spoiling a perfectly good atmosphere. Unlike this half-blood, elves were refreshingly straightforward.
Unlike humans, they didn’t play any games.
“Then, can we release Erina now?”
“Only after the oath is made.”
Erina declared without hesitation.
“I, Erina, swear by mana that I will bring no harm to the humans here. Furthermore, if Winley, the human princess, accepts my proposal, I will serve as her bodyguard until the day her life comes to an end.”
Hummm!
A resonating hum filled the air as her oath concluded. She was quite bold, befitting of a lunatic.
With a swift motion, Marquis Foltaine cut her ropes with his blade.
“We should start with her treatment.”
She had a fatal wound that had nearly resulted in the amputation of her wrist.
Though I had provided first aid to prevent infection, without proper treatment, she might break before I could make full use of...... I mean, become crippled.
Drizzle!
Without delay, I poured my highest-grade potion onto her wounds.
‘What a waste.’
It was a treasure I had kept for emergencies. Who would’ve thought I’d use it on this lunatic?
‘I’ll make sure to milk this for all it’s worth.’
“......Ugh......”
As I mused, Erina let out a faint groan of pain.
“Thank you.”
Elder Prune lightly bowed with gratitude. Seizing the moment, I posed a question.
“Since we’re allies now, may I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve heard that a flower called Panella grows here. Is that true?”
“Panella......?”
“A companion of mine is currently sick. It’s a crucial ingredient needed to cure a curse that stunts growth......”
I gave a detailed description of the flower.
“Ah! You must mean Ussia!”
“You know of it?”
“Of course. I even know exactly where it grows.”
“......!”
My face lit up instantly. I could already imagine the joy on Milon and May’s faces.
“But...... There’s a problem.”
“A problem?”
“Ussia grows in the deepest part of this forest, but......”
Thinking about it, Nella had mentioned something similar.
“The problem is, that area is currently hard to get to, even for us.”
“What? Wasn’t the entire forest elven territory?”
“Don’t judge us by human standards. How could we claim the entirety of this vast forest as our own?”
Elder Prune spoke firmly, her tone unyielding.
“The forest is larger than any major human city you could name.”
If Black Swan as a whole was the size of a ‘duchy’, then the forest was its city. Its largest metropolis, at that.
“If you divide the forest into north and south, we live mainly in the south, while other creatures inhabit the north.”
“Are you saying those other creatures in the north are......?”
Prune nodded grimly.
“As you know, the north of Black Swan is home to monsters. The northern forest is teeming with them as well.”
“How troublesome.”
“Thankfully, a massive river runs through the center of the forest. It acts as a natural boundary, and the monsters rarely cross it.”
It seems I have one more reason to head north.
“Incidentally, the northern forest is also rich with Bell and Aransi, which are coveted by humans.”
“Bell and Aransi?”
Erina, grimacing in pain, clarified further.
“You humans call them Rune and Prisia—key ingredients for elixirs and mana pills.”
“......!”
At once, my face brightened. I had been pondering how to negotiate for these ingredients, but it seemed there no longer was any need to.
‘Why bother negotiating when we can just take everything for ourselves?’
* * *