Chapter 406: Let’s Use It for Countermeasures
Before me, five Dark Elves are performing a beautiful dogeza, their foreheads pressed against the ground in a show of deep respect. The one at the front is likely their leader, Rizelade.
“I sincerely apologize for the disrespectful behavior I exhibited the other day.”
Rizelade’s attitude is more humble than I expected. Whether it’s genuine or not remains unclear, but it seems we can at least hold a conversation now.
“Following our investigation, we have confirmed that there is an Ogre settlement not far from our own village. We feared that Lord Shu might have annihilated it, and we wanted to verify that as well.”
A woman standing a step behind Rizelade continues her explanation. I thought I had turned everything to ash, but it seems there were traces left that indicated the presence of Ogres. Perhaps there were some who had been outside and returned to find their home in ruins.
“Ah, indeed, I did destroy the Ogre settlement.”
“Is that so…!”
At my words, the tension among the Dark Elves eases slightly. It doesn’t seem that my threat level has increased, but what could it mean?
“I never imagined such an Ogre settlement could exist… It was just beyond the range we usually patrol.”
I believe it was about fifty kilometers away from their village. Considering the surrounding area is entirely Forest, the Dark Elves’ scouting range is broader than I thought. But did the Ogres really build their settlement there knowing that? They must have been more cunning than I gave them credit for, but it’s too late now since I’ve already wiped them out.
Not wanting to keep them in a dogeza for too long, I invite the Dark Elves to take a seat on the sofa. Three of them sit down, while two remain standing behind. Rio and I take our seats on the opposite sofa, with El standing behind us.
“However, what surprised me even more is that you have established a residence here.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“About a hundred years ago, there were supposed to be ferocious Lizards swarming in this area, just beyond the mountains from our village.”
“Really? Is that so?”
I turn to look at Rizelade, but the two behind her merely shake their heads. It’s unclear whether they haven’t encountered them since arriving or if they’ve simply vanished.
That said…
“I do occasionally see Lizard-like monsters in the distance, but not in swarms.”
“Indeed.”
I nod repeatedly at Rio’s words. While we’ve seen monsters from time to time, I do recall some that resembled Lizards.
“But there wasn’t much of a challenge, was there?”
“Right.”
Though our battles have been few, they certainly weren’t nonexistent. I’ve heard that those Lizards were aggressive, but the ones we’ve encountered here—well, the monsters in this area rarely approach us.
“Well, ecosystems can change in a hundred years.”
“Indeed… There were monsters we had never seen before by the time we arrived here, so they may have been eradicated.”
“I see?”
“There was a spider-type monster with a metallic sheen and sharp angles. Its presence was incredibly faint… When I discovered it, I felt a chill run down my spine.”
Upon hearing this, I realize I know exactly what she’s talking about. The Spider TYPE, indeed. If the Dark Elves were serious, they might have been detected. Well, it can’t be helped.
“Ah, the spider monsters. They’re around here too, but as long as we don’t provoke them, they won’t attack, so I haven’t been too concerned.”
“R-Really? That’s a relief to hear.”
I choose not to mention that I have them under my control. It’s true they won’t attack unless provoked, and I’m not lying.
“Hmm… I’ll accept your apology for now, but is that all you came for? I’d prefer not to have you linger too long.”
“W-Wait! Would you not accept our gratitude for saving our village?”
When I urge them to leave, it seems they still have matters to discuss. However, after mentioning gratitude, the two standing behind Rizelade step forward, which gives me a bad feeling.
“I don’t need it. Leave.”
Before they can say anything, I cut them off, and from beside me, I hear Rio stifling a laugh.
I had thought they might present something, but instead, people stepped forward, prompting my reaction.
“Huh? No, wait! These individuals are quite capable!”
Just as I suspected. I don’t know what kind of arrangement Rizelade had in mind for sending Dark Elves to us, but I’m not sure how useful their capabilities will be.
Upon appraisal, their skills are specialized for scouting, and their status seems decent enough. However, they lack knowledge of the language, culture, and common sense outside their settlement, making it hard to believe they could gather information in the city, at least against monsters.
“We’re good on that front.”
The Guild Staff are already composed of capable individuals. While I wouldn’t mind adding more, I also don’t want to deal with unnecessary complications.
“Ugh… It can’t be helped. I have my pride as the leader of the village!”
“That’s right! Are you going to disregard Lady Rizelade’s goodwill?”
Unable to contain herself, the woman beside Rizelade raises her voice in protest. Seriously, what are you all even here for?
“Then let’s think of something we’d be happy to receive—wait, hold on?”
“Did you come up with something?”
“Yeah.”
I just remembered that my classmates are heading this way. I don’t want to think about it, but they will most likely try to make contact with us.
“Since we’re at it, how about having them help defend the Reception Hall?”
It might be interesting to throw these Dark Elves at my classmates.