A few days ago.
“We cannot easily follow your opinion, Tyreal.”
Even though I saw the bow of Mother Forest turn into light and stay by my side.
The elders of the village, including the elder, shook their heads at my argument to venture out into the world.
“I acknowledge that you wielded the bow of Mother Forest. But you must also admit that you severed its string and contributed to its disappearance.”
“If other villages and our kin learn of this, the backlash will likely be even more severe. Especially from those who did not witness it firsthand.”
The worst-case scenario could lead to a split between villages.
Therefore, at the very least, the leadership here, as seen by other villages, will maintain a conservative stance.
That was the elder’s message to me.
It wasn’t a very satisfying answer. But it’s not entirely incomprehensible.
Regardless of anything else, I did indeed damage the bow of Mother Forest.
If it had remained intact and transformed into light to enter me, that would be one thing.
But the string was severed.
Once this gets distorted, absurd rumors like ‘he destroyed a sacred artifact and is holding the spirit within it hostage’ could spread.
‘This wasn’t the plan. Things have gotten quite tangled.’
Originally, the goal was to wield the bow of Mother Forest and gain the support of all elves.
But the result was only half-successful.
I wielded it, but the sacred artifact was damaged.
Moreover, it transformed into a luminous mist and now lingers faintly near me.
This can be interpreted in two ways.
One, that I proved my worth and gained recognition.
Or, that it’s waiting for a true hero to rescue the light of the elves from this fallen one.
And from the perspective of other villages, they might well choose the latter.
“Tyreal!”
But one thing is fortunate: at least the atmosphere in our village is different.
“When do you plan to leave?”
The one asking me this now is not my steadfast ally Seril.
It’s Kiyen. The son of Royen, my father’s friend who lives next door.
He’s skilled in magic and was often compared to me by my father.
I feel a bit sorry saying this, but I used to be a little annoyed with Kiyen when we were younger.
Just because he was the son of my father’s friend and so exceptionally good at magic, I was constantly compared to him.
If only he hadn’t lived next door.
If only his magical abilities had been average, it wouldn’t have been so bad.
But now it seems Kiyen also endured a lot of nagging from his parents.
According to him, he suffered greatly to achieve his current level of magical skill.
Outwardly, he pretended to be engrossed in magic while listening to their lectures, but he felt suffocated.
Then suddenly, I returned and wielded the bow of Mother Forest.
At the same time, he heard my argument that elves must change or wither away.
Whether he realized something from this or simply found his current life boring,
whatever the reason, he strongly supported my opinion and became one of the elves who stood by me.
“The sooner, the better. But Kiyen, are you really okay with this?”
“I’ve already spoken to my parents. I’ve devoted myself to magic as they wished and achieved results, so now I want to do what I want.”
“They must have strongly opposed it.”
“They did, but my father was nearby when you wielded the bow of Mother Forest.”
Ah.
“He said, ‘If you don’t listen to that Tyreal, I might just sever your arm like that.'”
“Hahaha… He must have been joking, right?”
“He seemed quite serious.”
Damn it.
Even though I hope to reform the elves, I wouldn’t go so far as to sever a perfectly good arm.
There’s no such thing as automail or prosthetic arms in this world, so why would I do that?
“I’m not the only one. Hadishi on the other side is also waiting to go to the human world.”
Hadishi is the daughter of Hamara, a friend of my mother.
Though born ten years after me, she excels in spirit magic and became another comparison point.
“Why her? Did her parents also…”
“No. Hadishi is just curious. The spirits she contracts with tell her various stories, and she can’t resist wondering what the world beyond the Great Forest is like.”
Ah, so that’s Hadishi’s reason. I never imagined spirits could stir up such curiosity.
Anyway, it’s good.
The more people willing to act together, the better.
After I wielded, damaged, and ultimately absorbed the bow of Mother Forest, the village split into two main opinions.
One side argued to reject me, while the other argued to follow me.
The former was supported by the elder and mostly older elves.
Conversely, the latter was supported by younger and child elves, like my neighbors.
It’s not that the older elves are stupid or closed-minded.
Many of them have indirectly experienced the human world.
Even if not, they have directly witnessed what happened to kin who left the Great Forest.
Thus, their rejection and concerns are understandable.
“Are you really not going to persuade the elders anymore?”
“Trying to force the issue here will only deepen their resistance.”
Persuasion isn’t about how much I argue. It’s about making the other side listen.
Right now, no matter what I say, it won’t reach the elders’ ears. It will only backfire.
Anyway, my peers and the generation just above us have made up our minds.
That’s enough.
Why?
Because we are all children of some household.
And parents will inevitably pay attention to what their children love and care about.
Even if they are elves.
Even if they are a race steeped in tradition, pride, and superiority.
Seeing my parents rush to me recently made me realize that loving a son or daughter is no different.
If we change, eventually many elves will also be drawn in without realizing it.
‘Moreover, if we send out all the reluctant elves, it could lead to real trouble.’
We need to be prepared. At the very least, their hearts must begin to change.
Until then, they are just stubborn. And such stubbornness is safer in the forest.
If they go out into the world in this state?
I guarantee it will only bring worse outcomes.
*
That’s why only me, Seril, and the newly adult elves left the forest.
A few elders did accompany us.
But there were some issues with this.
First, their numbers were too few.
Second, their purpose wasn’t to engage with the human world but to protect the younger kin.
“Don’t worry. I don’t dislike you as much as the elders do, Tyreal. I’m just here to ensure that humans don’t take our decision lightly and act recklessly.”
Yes, that’s the problem. Humans don’t treat us elves lightly.
They know well that we excel in magic, spirit arts, and physical abilities far surpassing theirs.
Moreover, despite our beautiful appearances, they know our personalities can be quite difficult.
If an elf wanders in a remote place, such things might happen.
But if dozens of elves move around in groups, picking a fight?
I guarantee that’s not a fight but a declaration of war.
Surely the Empire wouldn’t go that far…
‘Better hold my tongue. No need to stir up more trouble.’
Anyway, I trimmed and summarized these details to inform the Baron.
There was some resistance to revealing internal news of the Great Forest.
But let’s not forget: this is a border region where elves and the Empire meet.
It will be known eventually, and they need to know something to prepare.
Moreover, if we gain something from getting closer to the elves, our kin will look more favorably upon us.
To avoid mutual discomfort, we need to know more about each other.
‘Next, Elenia at the Academy will deliver the news.’
I’ve already asked her.
She will tell them that changes are coming for the elves.
So, it would be good if the Empire also adapts a bit.
It might be a bit sudden, but there’s much to gain.
I feel a bit impatient, but for now, waiting is the right move.
This time, I’m not alone.
My kin are following me from all sides.
A single misstep could lead to a major misunderstanding.
And most importantly……
“Tyreal! The humans are eating something strange!”
“Really, no one can use magic? Are you lying?”
“Wow, their spirit affinity is truly pitiful.”
To those who still carry a bit of their stubbornness from growing up among the stubborn,
I need to teach them the proper conduct expected of elves.
“Alright, everyone, focus.”
A light clap draws the elves’ attention to me.
Of course, almost none of them are younger than me.
Elves live long lives, which makes them even more age-conscious.
Yet, they didn’t try to assert themselves as the center just because of their age.
“First, let’s learn what to be cautious about when interacting with humans and living in their world.”
“Is that really necessary? Humans should be the ones to be cautious…”
Ah, right.
There’s always a stubborn one.
I laughed heartily and walked over, raising my fist.
“Does anyone else have a different opinion?”
The other elves nodded, saying, ‘Seems not!’
Indeed, whether elf or human, kind words paired with a bit of force are more effective.