Chapter 61 – Great Union (1)
Eluria, the daughter of Elnar. As the daughter of the elder and part of a noble class, she was undoubtedly a perfect elf without a single flaw.
Having always thought that as the elder’s daughter she should set an example, she lived by that principle. Thus, to the other elves, she was a beautiful and intelligent potential leader worthy of admiration.
“Father…”
However, even Eluria was not spared from change and trials. While rushing to help her father Elnar, she was attacked by dark elves who had raided the city and became cursed.
[Throw off the restraint]
The corruption curse she had only heard about immediately shook her mind and began to taint her body and soul. Its intense and coercive power was unlike simple hypnosis or brainwashing.
This force, which could not be rejected, shook her psyche to the point where she began to taint herself, embodying a kind of disaster that was the exact opposite of the miracles they worshipped.
‘No!’
Even as she fell victim to the curse, she understood. If things continued as they were, she would lose herself and become a corrupted monster that harmed those around her.
All she could do was endure, but even her mental fortitude couldn’t last for more than a few minutes.
“Open your eyes.”
But at a certain moment, the curse that was consuming her began to gradually purify. A refreshing and clear power that she had never felt before took root within her, driving away the curse while simultaneously holding onto her mind.
‘Ah…’
Eluria admired a silhouette that blurred into view without realizing it. She saw the face of a girl so beautiful she seemed unreal.
Brilliant silver hair sparkled, and a mysterious light enveloped them.
Having just barely escaped the curse, Eluria found herself captivated by something else. The image of High Elf Irilia, which had seemed so unfamiliar and awkward at first, now possessed her heart entirely.
‘This is it. This is the path I must take, the path we all must follow.’
Eluria’s long-held thoughts were shaken to their core, and she spent several days anguishing over it. She was certain that simply continuing as she always had was not the answer.
“Is this the result? To be completely naked and wearing such revealing clothes?”
Upon hearing this story, Irilia sat down heavily. She couldn’t believe that her intended message had been interpreted this way.
*
“What on earth did you hear me say? The clothes I wore were solely for communion with the spirits.”
“Spirits. That’s what I thought was the answer. The elves of this era have lost their qualifications. It’s a grave sin. I believed that to repent and regain our former glory, we needed to meet with the spirits again.”
I let out a sardonic laugh at Eluria’s words. Meanwhile, Eluria boldly expressed her beliefs, her attire leaving much to be desired.
“—…”
I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that the earth spirit beside her was spinning its hand around its head. While her desire to reconnect with the spirits was commendable, it was not something that could be achieved in this manner.
If a lover wore revealing lingerie for you, it might be charming, but if a complete stranger appeared before you in such attire, you would naturally consider reporting it.
“Why is that? While it’s true I lack qualifications, if I don’t create an environment where they can approach us first…”
“Spirits don’t care if they haven’t opened their hearts to someone. Even if you try to win their favor, it’s meaningless. So your hypothesis is flawed. You should first connect with the spirits, and only then consider getting naked.”
I gestured for Rina, who was observing questioningly, to bring another dress for Eluria.
While I recognized that her body could become a top model from ten thousand years ago, I was someone who could differentiate between work and personal matters.
“When I asked the spirits, they said present-day elves are inherently blocked from connecting with them. Unless we break through this barrier, meeting the spirits will be difficult.”
“T-Then does that mean we will never be able to meet the spirits again?”
When I revealed this bitter truth, Eluria despaired, collapsing and placing her hands on the ground. This information must have struck a chord with the other elves as well, as their faces grew stiff, including Elnar.
Regaining communication with the lost spirits was not simply an opportunity to grow stronger.
“That’s something no one knows. One thing is certain: if you just sit still, you won’t obtain anything. While the direction might be wrong, your desire to try something is valid.”
I bitterly smiled and turned to Lila. Even the human Lila was someone who had the natural aura that ‘spirits like.’
The spirits were always open. If the elves could somehow reconnect with them, they would surely return.
“Is the situation over? Then let’s prepare to depart.”
I waved my hand, disregarding the awkward atmosphere around us. Eluria, who had been in a fit of anger, seemed to have given up and was now putting her clothes back on.
“How is Eluria?”
“I finished getting ready quickly. We can depart immediately.”
When I returned to my room, Arisa sighed and nodded.
“It seems that she hasn’t given up on her dream of becoming a spirit mage.”
“Well, that’s fine. If you do something, you’ll gain something.”
“W-Well, if she really becomes a spirit mage…?”
When I shrugged it off nonchalantly, Arisa stuttered, fear evident in her eyes.
“Do we really have to get naked? It seems Eluria genuinely intends for that to happen if she becomes a spirit mage.”
“If she really dislikes it, there’s nothing to be done, but it’s indeed helpful…”
If the spirits that left long ago truly returned to the elves, I might just be unleashing poison back into elven society.
But at least all elves were incredibly handsome and well-formed, so perhaps that was fortunate. It was a relief that there couldn’t be any male spirit mages.
“We’ll think about that later. For now, we need to focus on our mission. It’s a matter that concerns the fate of the entire elf race.”
“Y-Yes!”
I shook my head to change the subject, and Arisa, startled, nodded quickly with a serious expression.
Eluria was the representative, and Arisa was the vice-representative. Together they were about to embark on the first diplomatic mission of the newly formed elven union.
“What if they refuse to provide the sacred water?”
Seemingly greatly anxious, Arisa appeared unusually dependent on me. I couldn’t blame her; I would likely be nauseous from the pressure myself.
‘The order of light that prioritizes unity likely wouldn’t refuse upon meeting the elves first, but if they do… well, there’s nothing we can do about it.’
The authority of high elves wouldn’t hold much sway in the outside world, yet there was a common language. I planned to use that.
“Are you suggesting using force?”
“…I’ll use money. Perfect. You should write a letter too. To your father.”
Since Lila was getting ahead of herself, I lightly slapped her on the head and planned to have Patrick relay the news to Ethan’s informant.
‘This is the organization I trained for such a purpose.’
The organization under Ethan, which continued to expand with my support, was an informant and a source of funds that I could draw from whenever necessary.
It seemed prudent to prepare just in case.
“I see the city.”
“It’s the first checkpoint.”
Though the plans were grandly laid out, the first mountain to overcome was, in fact, the city closest to us.
The place I had entered as an adventurer with my comrades now welcomed Eluria and Arisa, along with a dozen elves, who appeared riding a sled pulled by reindeer.
“W-What’s going on here!”
Disguised as a fellow adventurer among them, I heard the wind spirit speak in my ear and chuckled beneath my hood.
The city guards seemed to panic as the elves openly appeared, not to mention in such splendid attire and numbers.
“Calm down! I am the adventurer Patrick! I have brought these individuals. Quickly, guide us to the administrative officer!”
As previously agreed, Patrick stepped forward to explain the situation to them. We had now become the guides for the elven envoy.
Eluria and Arisa held their ground confidently, as previously discussed. They were now representatives of a force.
We could not be overwhelmed by the aura. However, this was something I didn’t need to mention since they would handle it well.
“This will certainly surprise the world.”
Patrick muttered quietly as he observed the bustling guards.
What was happening here was undoubtedly the starting point of an unprecedented change.
