Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

Book 8: Chapter 2

Leaving Gilbohl took them five days of traversing the plains until they reached the outer layer of the Forest of Evenro. They made their way to the designated meeting point they decided on, where they were greeted by one of their allies, Minagi.

“Right on time, Kyle.” She spotted them approaching and showed a faint smile.

Until a few months ago, she probably would not have shown such a reaction. But after her battle with her master and parent Souga, it seemed like her doubts had cleared up faintly. Meanwhile, her allies much appreciated this change itself, so Kyle greeted her with a smile of his own.

“Things worked out pretty well. How’s it going on your end?”

Through magic items, they had been in contact for the most part, but they still confirmed the current situation.

“No change here. Urza is currently trying to get you guys permission to enter.”

Normally, humanfolk that weren’t of eleven origins were not allowed to enter the forest, so Urza had to head off by herself to get permission.

“Originally, she should have been back here already, though…” Minagi said with a somewhat worried expression.

The residential quarters of the elves were a good day away from here, so she should have been back just in time to meet Kyle now. However, today is the seventh day since she has left, so there may be reason to believe something could have happened.

“But isn’t this Urza’s hometown?”

“She did mention she pretty much ran away from home, so if she were to suddenly return…they may have put her on lockdown.” Shildonia delivered a comment, as everyone else was silent.

It was but a possibility, but the more they thought about it, the more their fantasies would spiral. Kyle looked over at Minagi, but she slowly shook her head. In fact, Kyle had asked Minagi to follow after Urza if at all possible, using her superhuman level of sneaking skills, but she couldn’t deceive the eyes of the elves.

“Not only Urza, but even the eyes of the other elves…”

It seemed like they were having watchful eyes even out here.

“…So we just have to put faith in Urza and wait.”

Kyle didn’t like it, but there was no other option but to—

“Nah, I think that worry is unwarranted,” said Seran as he felt a presence approach them from deep within the forest.

And it wasn’t a beast or monster, it was someone with a will and soul. Eventually, two elves showed themselves. One was Urza, and the other was a young elf in his middle twenties, carrying a longbow in his hand, with a bow holder on his back. His facial features and aura was most definitely that of an elf, but the resentful gaze he showed Kyle and his friends was especially impressionable, showing them that they were definitely not welcome.

“So you’ve come.” Urza spotted Kyle and showed a delighted expression as she walked toward him.

In that exact moment, Kyle picked up on something, but pretended not to notice.

“I managed to make them listen for now, but it took a lot…” Urza said with an exhausted face that spoke enough of the hardships she’d gone through.

“I see…Thanks a lot, Urza. You really helped me out.” Kyle gently placed one hand on Urza’s shoulder as he smiled gently.

“I-I didn’t just do it for your sake. I wanted to protect all the elves living in this forest,” Urza fumbled over her words, her face slightly red. “A-Anyway, Solace and I will be guiding you.”

“That’s reassuring. Nice to meet you, my name is Kyle,” he said and gave a respectful greeting, but Solace’s expression only grew more discontent.

“I’m still not a fan of letting humans enter the forest.”

“Are you still going on about that? The Elders Association agreed to let Kyle and the others enter!”

The elf called Solace didn’t even try to hide his contempt for Kyle and his group, just glaring at them even now. Whenever a grave decision must be made, the various elders of the forest would come together to make this decision as the Elders Association.

“It should never be allowed for humans to enter our holy forest. And you must know that, Urza. This is not just any forest! It is a special place only a few elves of us can enter!”

The forest of Evenro was said to have been the location where the Spirit Goddess Moona last descended, so all elves held great respect for this forest. On top of that, the elves in this forest even held a feeling of superiority over other elves, or so Urza had explained.

“I don’t like thinking like those ruffians. We’re no more special than any other elves.”

“So the outside world has poisoned your thoughts, Urza!” Solace roared at Urza, but she just sighed in disbelief.

“Fine. I will take them to their destination, so you can wait here.” Urza started walking toward the forest after she glanced at Kyle’s group, who proceeded to follow after her.

“W-Wait! I have no intention of guiding them! I’m just going to watch over them so that they don’t do anything.” Solace grumbled after being ignored, and silently went after the group.

Their first destination was the living area of the elves, so Urza walked through the forest without hesitation. Meanwhile, Solace simply followed the group in silence, staying true to his word that he would simply act as the surveillant guardian. Any wrong move, and he might truly attempt to strike them down. Kyle and his group were cautious of him at first, too, but they realized he wasn’t anything they would have to worry about. Eventually, they started talking like usual, with Urza joining in here and there.

Eventually, the sun began to set and they started setting up camp. Other than the presence of Solace, it felt like their regular journey. As they were inside a holy forest, they were not permitted to use fire, but since Lieze knew of this beforehand, she easily prepared a heat-generating magic item that allowed them to still eat warm food.

“Did you often play around here in the forest, Urza?” Lieze munched on some cookies as she asked the elf.

“Yes…It was like my own playground.” She must have remembered the past, as she showed a nostalgic smile. “But after learning about every nook and cranny of the forest, I started getting more interested in the world outside. I was told to never leave the forest, but here I am.”

Knowing that some things didn’t change with Urza, Kyle showed a wry smile.

“When you’re told that you shouldn’t go…it just makes you want to disobey more, right?” Seran said, having always been the mischievous kid.

“I can see that. I bet you must have been seen and scolded at times too, right?”

Urza didn’t like the way Kyle phrased this, but she didn’t deny it, either. Everyone was enjoying some tea, having a joyful time…except one person.josei

“I really should not have let you leave. Being brainwashed by these humans…!”

Solace didn’t even try the food that Lieze prepared for him, he just grumbled to himself. He seemed almost resentful towards this situation, gritting his teeth.

“I’m glad I went to see the outside world. I’ve learned more about what the world is like,” Urza bluntly but confidently exclaimed.

“Why?! We would have been perfectly fine living here by ourselves. Why would you try to get involved with outsiders?!”

“Because nothing would change that way. Cut off your connections, and you’ll be left behind. In that sense…the dwarves are doing much better.”

Although Urza mumbled that last part under her breath, Solace picked up on it just fine, leaving him baffled.

“Not only that, I even met people I truly treasure on my journey.”

Urza’s final statement was met with Solace clicking his tongue, as he angrily stormed off into the darkness of the forest, saying “I’m going to check the surroundings!”

“Sorry about that, everyone.”

“It’s not something you have to apologize for, Urza.”

“I think he’s just worried about me. We’re childhood friends, and he’s a good man…”

Urza felt guilty for having ruined the cheery atmosphere from earlier and sighed. Seeing that, Lieze shook her head.

“Yeah, he’s not realized. I know I’m not one to talk…And it seems like he himself doesn’t understand.”

Urza tilted her head, unsure of what Lieze was speaking of.

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe ask Kyle instead.” Lieze glared at Kyle with the gaze of a cold-blooded killer.

“When you talked about people you treasure, he showed a confident smirk. He even provoked the elf during the day. What a petty man,” Shildonia answered Lieze’s words as she shook her head.

Seran was grinning to himself, and Minagi tried to remain neutral but periodically glanced at Kyle.

“Ahem…Anyway, we should probably explain to you two what happened in Gilbohl.” Kyle awkwardly cleared his throat and forcefully tried to change the topic. Lieze still seemed a bit grumpy but didn’t try to break between that again. However, Kyle knew all too well that this problem wasn’t resolved, it was only put on hold for later.

I have to do something…but what even?

This once, even Kyle was hard-pressed for an answer. Compared to this, saving the world was a much simpler problem.