Chapter 15: Encounter – 13
The next day, we passed through the Gate to the Inner Village, located to the north of the Elf Village of Marulo, and headed towards Aadorf Inner Village.
The path to the Inner Village wound through a deep forest. It felt less like a road and more like a mere trail formed within the woods, but it was well-trodden enough that we wouldn’t get lost. Of course, with the presence of Sfenia, a High Elf, there was little chance of that happening.
It seemed that it would take two days for adventurers to reach Aadorf. Since there was a mountain pass to cross, we decided to spend the first night at a spot where we had just begun our ascent.
On the second day, we climbed the mountain, and upon reaching the summit without any incidents, an unexpected view unfolded before us.
“So this is the Inner Elf Village… It’s different from what I imagined, but it still has a mysterious atmosphere, doesn’t it, Soushi-sama?”
“Yeah, it’s completely different from what I envisioned. But this scenery is impressive in its own right. To think a village… or rather, a city, exists deep within the forest is remarkable.”
Before us lay a vast basin surrounded by majestic mountain ranges. Even though it was a basin, the opposite side was obscured by mist, making it seem endless. Most of this expansive basin was filled with fields and orchards, but three gigantic trees rose majestically in the center, creating a lush canopy.
Surrounding these three colossal trees was a cobblestone path that formed a perfect hexagon. This hexagonal path was layered in three tiers—large, medium, and small—with roads connecting the three hexagons at their peaks.
The length of one side of the outermost hexagon was about a kilometer. The path itself was wide enough for carriages to pass each other. On either side of the road stood wooden buildings ranging from three to five stories tall, with the outermost structures being uniformly tall and sturdy, serving as a sort of city wall. The road was bustling with people, indicating a significant population.
Indeed, the Inner Elf Village of Aadorf was a large-scale “city,” far removed from the quaint image one might conjure from the term “Inner Village.”
“So the Inner Village is treated as a central city for the Elves. I had imagined it as a small hidden hamlet,” I confessed my misunderstanding, and Sfenia smiled, narrowing her eyes.
“Fufu, it seems many people think that way. Elves don’t often speak of their villages, so it’s understandable. The term ‘Inner Village’ was actually intended to evoke that kind of image.”
“Concealing the reality can be an effective means of self-defense, I suppose.”
“Indeed, it seems so. Now, let’s continue. We’re almost there. Let’s head to the village.”
Encouraged by Sfenia, we began our descent from the summit.
We made our way down the mountain slope, through the forest, and onto a path that wound between the fields.
As we walked, observing the Elves working in the fields, a grand city wall came into view.
From above, it appeared that the five-story buildings of the outermost perimeter served as the city wall. Though wooden, their construction was solid and seemed to possess considerable strength.
The gates of the city were not particularly large, measuring only about three meters tall and five meters wide. However, given that there was no way to arrive here other than on foot, and that visitors were not numerous, this size was likely sufficient.
As we approached within a hundred meters of the gate, I noticed an adventurer party arguing with the guards in front of the city gate.
From a distance, I could see Larni making a distinctly displeased face.
“That party over there, isn’t that the annoying bunch called ‘Supreme Radiance’ or something?”
“Indeed, that’s ‘Supreme Radiance.’ I believe they were reported to be heading towards the northern empire. What are they doing in the Inner Elf Village?” Mariane remarked, her brow furrowing.
“‘Supreme Radiance’… Aren’t they the party that’s been acting all high and mighty, claiming to have the church’s backing?” Karma asked.
“I can’t say for sure if they’re high and mighty, but they are the ‘Adventurers of Salvation’ supported by the Arshuram Church. We’ve had a bit of trouble with them in the past,” I explained.
“Trouble? What happened?” Karma inquired.
Larni answered her question. “They were fighting a Salamander right in the middle of the road, and when they were about to lose, they ran toward the civilians for safety. When Soushi took down the Salamander instead, they tried to steal the credit. They’re really infuriating!”
“That’s pretty awful. Among adventurers, they’re known to have decent skills but a terrible attitude. I could sense that vibe just from watching them,” Larni added.
“What should we do, Soushi-sama?” Freinir asked, looking up at me with concern, but honestly, there was little we could do.
“After all, we have no direct ties to ‘Supreme Radiance.’ We can only pass by without getting involved.”
“Right, they’re not related to us. Let’s just ignore them and move on,” Freinir said, perhaps feeling a bit conflicted due to her ties to the church.
We continued toward the gate, trying our best to keep our distance from ‘Supreme Radiance’ and avoid looking at them.
Of course, at that moment, I couldn’t help but overhear Garsonia, the leader of ‘Supreme Radiance,’ raising his voice in frustration at the guards.
“Stop making me repeat myself. We are ‘Supreme Radiance.’ If you know that, then you should understand the consequences of not letting us into the city!”
“No unauthorized person may enter the Inner Village. Please leave,” the guard replied firmly.
“I told you we have permission! We should have shown you our permit!” Garsonia insisted.
“That permit is for passing through the Gate to the Inner Village, not for entering the Inner Village itself. The village chief must have explained this to you clearly,” the guard stated.
“Are you telling us to camp out here after coming all this way? Do you not see there are three women with us?” Garsonia shouted.
“That is not our concern. If you obtained permission under the pretense of investigating the Dungeon, then you should adhere to that,” the guard replied.
“What?! Are the Elves really that barbaric?” Garsonia exclaimed.
It seemed that ‘Supreme Radiance’ had come to investigate the “newly discovered Dungeon” that Chief Goslit had mentioned. The issue at hand appeared to be whether they had received permission to enter the Inner Village… but it was clear that this had nothing to do with us.
As we approached the gate, two other guards arrived and immediately stood at attention upon seeing Sfenia.
“Lady Sfenia, welcome back! Who are these individuals with you?” one of the guards inquired.
“They are members of my party, ‘Soul’s Guidance.’ We have permission from Chief Goslit,” Sfenia replied.
“Let me check… Ah, indeed, ‘Soul’s Guidance’ has seven members, and I confirm your entry permit to the village. Please proceed,” the guard said, saluting us.
Seeing this, Garsonia began to protest again.
“Wait! Why is that party allowed in while we are not? Clearly, we are of a higher rank!” he argued.
“Rank doesn’t matter. They have permission, and you do not. That is all there is to it,” the guard replied.
“Why are you so stubborn? Don’t you think it’s worth assessing which party would be more beneficial to the village?” Garsonia pressed.
“Beneficial…?”
Sfenia reacted to that. She turned her icy gaze, as cold as eternal ice, toward Garsonia.
“Someone who cannot abide by the laws of this land cannot possibly be beneficial to it. There will never be a time when someone like you is allowed into the Inner Village. If you wish to investigate the Dungeon, feel free to do so. However, you will not be permitted to enter this village.”
“Who do you think you are? How dare an adventurer speak to me like that!” Garsonia shouted, his eyes wide in disbelief.
It seemed he had finally realized that we were the ones he had encountered before.
He cut off his words mid-sentence and began glaring at me for some reason.
“I thought I recognized that face. So it’s you again. Then let’s make this quick. Can’t you ask them to let us into the city? You adventurers must know what kind of party we are, right?”
“I’m sorry, but we will only abide by the laws of the Elf Village. If you are adventurers, you should also adhere to the law,” I replied.
“I know that already! But don’t you think there are exceptions to every rule?” he insisted.
“Deciding exceptions is not our place; it is for the people of this village. I’m afraid we cannot assist you in this matter,” I said, urging everyone to move toward the gate, leaving the boy behind as he tried to say something more.
No matter how much I spoke with him, it seemed we would only reach a stalemate.
As an elder, I might have a duty to reason with someone like him, but there is a time and place for everything.
To be honest, I had no desire to get involved with them any further… yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wouldn’t end here.