#493 High Elf Confrontation

Let’s have a little recap: Elelelelcy is a High Elf whom we met in the Human Kingdom.

The forests there were on the verge of extinction, but the elves initiated an afforestation project to improve the situation.

That’s when we met Elelelelcy. 

We had some conflict initially, but she eventually understood our intentions and is now helping us plant trees.

Since her name is long, we just call her L4C.

The Elf Monarchy is within the Demon Kingdom’s territory, while L4C’s forest is in the Human Kingdom.  

Although they’re from different settlements, I thought that as they’re both High Elves, they should be open to communication with one another, so we went to ask L4C for help.

Aileron visited her on our behalf, and after an hour or so...

“Here I am. I must say, pretty bold and audacious of you to summon a High Elf.”

She’s here!

Moreover, there was some kind of sudden fog, but lo and behold, there appeared Aileron with her!

“I see you can use that spell too.”

“Hi-sen Haze is a basic technique any High Elf can use. The demons’ teleportation magic only allows them to fly to pre-established waypoints. Meanwhile, our magic can take us to almost any place with a lot of natural mana activity.”

I see.

“I’ve recently noticed a spike of natural mana around this area. It turned out to be this saint’s doing, as always.”

We’ve only met once, but I wonder how she perceives me.

Probably someone who just does whatever he fancies.

“And where do you sense this spike coming from?”

“That.”

I follow L4C’s gaze and see the Sakura Yggdrasil in question.

That, huh.

“If it’s emitting power on par with Yggdrasil, it’s bound to attract the attention of us High Elves, whether we like it or not. That idiot over there probably did the same that’s why she ended up here.”

“Correct!” roars the Elf Monarch, still held captive. “Even fools would suspect something is wrong if there’s a presence this significant! I tried following the source and was right on the mark! You’ve really dug your own grave, you scoundrel! Hohoho!”

“The High Elf-exclusive Hi-sen Haze spell can only transport the user to a place with natural mana as special as Yggdrasil. I know it sounds convenient, but it’s completely useless outside that.”

That sounds about as convenient as the spell Zoom back in Dr***n Q**st 1.

But isn’t it ironic that the creation of the second Yggdrasil has created a new transfer destination...?

“Anyway, long time no see, Elfelf Elfriede El-Dupont Eltoerus Elcator Elza Elze Elvira Elmantos Elcador Elise Elfelf Mikael Uriel Gabriel Ariel Raphael Elle Elfant. I never thought I would see you again in this life.”

“Back at you, Elelelelcy! I thought your forest had perished with the rest, but I see you’re still alive and kicking!”

Why do the superior elves have such annoying names?

“But more importantly, you two know each other?”

“There are not many High Elves on earth. In addition, all High Elves are made the head of their respective settlements, so we’ll have to face each other in mediation either way. Not to mention, her community is especially famous because they have Yggdrasil.”

“I have heard the story from Aileron... Hmph, you severely lack reverence toward me to make me persuade this dunce. I would not have agreed to this unless I got something in return.”

She sounds like she’ll get along with the Elf Monarch well.

“Elelelelcy, you despicable elf! How dare you ally yourself with the enemy?! Have you let your pride rot away by retreating into a dying forest?”

“Why does the enemy of your settlement automatically become the enemy of the entire elven race?  You know what? You’ve always been like this. Other heads dislike you and your haughtiness just because your settlement happens to have Yggdrasil. You even dared to call yourself a monarch of sorts.”

“Ngh...!” 

L4C starts to strike some sense into her with good arguments.  

It seems the two of them have that kind of relationship.

“B-But I’m certain these people have a phony Yggdrasil! If the World Tree is sacred to our entire race, then you too must participate in giving them due punishment!”

“Is that so? ...I see. It is true that I, as one of the elves, respect Yggdrasil. I will surely kill anyone who dares insult this sacred tree.”

Yikes...

“Right? Right?! Then let us together kill the scoundrel who created the fake Yggdrasil...!”

“But is it really a phony?”

“Huh?”

The Elf Monarch chokes on her words at L4C’s blunt question.

“Think about it. How did you and I get here? Hi-sen Haze can only take us to places with Yggdrasil-level natural mana. That too, absolutely pure mana.” 

“T-That’s...!”

“Isn’t the fact that you found this place and came here in itself proof that there is a legitimate Yggdrasil here?”

Exactly.

The Elf Monarch called it fake but used magic that only corresponds to the real Yggdrasil. Isn’t the cat basically out of the bag now?

“And one more thing. You know as well as I do that we High Elves can only live in the forest and inhale the clean mana filtered by the trees within it.”

“What are you trying to get at? Why are you telling me all this now?!”

“So, you haven’t forgotten? Then how can you not see how dangerous a place we’re in?”

“Huh? ...Ah!”

Currently, two High Elves (and a few other characters) are in one of our farm’s open flat areas.

The land was originally planned to be cultivated, so trees, grass, and all other debris have been mowed clean.

If what L4C is saying is true, they’re in an anaerobic state just by being outside their forests.

“Now that you mention it! Ahh! I’m going to die! How did we teleport here anyway?!”

“Because it was determined there was no such danger, duh. The reason why Hi-sen Haze detects the high-density pure mana before teleporting us to our destination is to protect us. And this place has enough pure mana to keep us safe.”

“How?! Not a tree has grown here!”

“There is one. Over there.”

L4C points to the sakura tree standing alone on a bare patch of land.

It’s the Sakura Yggdrasil.

“Yggdrasil is a special tree. It releases as much clean mana as an entire forest. That is why you and I stay safe as High Elves.”

“What... What...?!”

“Indeed, Yggdrasil is the only one of its kind. Everything except for this tree could be called a phony. But if it emits such pure mana and is as good as the original, can you still consider it a fake?”

“If you put it that way...!”

The Elf Monarch, who could not come up with any counterargument, had to admit that our farm’s Yggdrasil is also genuine.

Ultimately, she agreed to continue supplying society with Yggdrasil Leaves together.

* * *

“To think another World Tree really existed outside...! What of my monarch’s unique status now...?”

The Elf Monarch is in some kind of shock.

I entertained her and her other elven companions with dango.

“May this help you make some good memories since you came all the way here.”

“That also applies to me, mind you. There’s nothing rewarding about simply going back home after persuading an idiot,” says L4C.

I agree. I’m sorry for making you go out of your way just for us.

“Don’t mind me taking my reward before leaving. Now, Aileron, give me what you promised.”

Huh?

Did the two of them make some kind of promise?

While I did send Aileron to summon her, I wasn’t aware of what they talked about at the time.

On the other hand, Aileron looked like she knew what L4C was saying, and... 

“As honorarium for successfully persuading the Elf Monarch, please accept my latest creation.”

“Woohoo!” exclaims L4C.

She’s that happy about this?

Aileron, one of our farm’s potters, has become so devoted to her craft to pursue anything but artistry.

The shapes of the bowls she makes have become so distorted and avant-garde that it’s beyond my level of comprehension now.

“I have named this latest work of mine ‘Elf Potbelly.’ I am rather honored that Lady L4C, who understands its value, would accept it.”

“Of course. If I can get such a lovely prize, any request from you is more than welcome!”

L4C has been hooked on Aileron’s work since she received it as a gift some time ago.

So now, she’s willing to listen to any favor as long as she gets this in return?

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” screams the Elf Monarch. “I-Isn’t that... Noujou’s sophisticated pottery?! Why do you have that?!”

“Because...Aileron makes it?”

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!”

The Elf Monarch draws closer to Aileron.

“The artisan who produces those wonderful bowls lives here?! Oh, what a fateful meeting this is! I am a fan of your work! I was one of the first to buy your newest piece the other day!”

“Is that so? That makes me so happy!”  

Unexpectedly, there’s another fan of Aileron’s work.

Her work seems to be particularly favored by High Elves.

“Is that why you’ve been trying to make money by selling Yggdrasil Leaves? Jokes on you, but I just got her latest work, AND for free!”

“That’s not fair, you wench! ...Sensei, please make me another new one! I’ll pay you handsomely for it!”

“Ordering directly from the artisan herself is a breach of honor! Besides, Aileron-sensei is from the Human Kingdom’s forest! She will not heed any favors from outside settlements!!!”

The High Elves are fighting with each other while calling Aileron ‘Sensei’...!

The problems surrounding Yggdrasil were resolved thusly...

And the number of customers for Aileron’s pottery increased.