Chapter 31: Was It Okay?

The personnel from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived at the meeting place after some time had passed since Seril and I got there.

They weren’t late. 

But they didn’t arrive exactly on time either.

They were 10 minutes early. 

Despite having set a specific time and having traveled a long distance.

Perhaps they thought it was better to be early since they were dealing with an elf.

If they were late or arrived exactly on time, who knows what they might have heard.

“Huh?”

So, the sight of the elf waiting at the meeting place much earlier than the scheduled time.

They probably didn’t expect that. 

They must not have even imagined it.

“Are you from the Great Forest?”

“Yes. Are you from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

“That’s correct.”

As I expected, they were clearly surprised that the elves had arrived much earlier than them.

Some even had reasonable doubts like, ‘What time is it now? Is our watch broken?’

Some even urgently double-checked, ‘Did we get the meeting time wrong? Let’s check quickly!’

It made me realize once again how our elven race was perceived by humans.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel realized that their watches weren’t broken and they hadn’t mistaken the meeting time.

They looked at me for a moment, then coughed awkwardly and cautiously greeted me.

“I am Robert, the director from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Originally, the minister was supposed to come, but due to other commitments, I had to come instead. However, I have the authority to act on behalf of the minister, so there’s no need to worry.”

I could sense their inner thoughts:

‘Let’s be careful before they start whining about being upset!’

Given the significant incidents caused by our kin, it’s better to let this slide.

At least they weren’t giving us suspicious looks like,

‘What are these elves up to, coming so early?’

“My name is Tyreal. This is Seril, who is with me.”

A brief introduction.

And some small talk before getting into the main conversation.

How was the journey? 

How is the Empire? 

The weather is really nice today. 

And so on.

As the conversation dragged on, I could feel Seril fidgeting beside me.

To her, this conversation probably seemed utterly pointless.

They made it seem like we were going to have a very important discussion, even calling it a meeting.

But in reality, both sides were just talking about trivial matters.

However, having been a human in my past life, I know this isn’t meaningless.

This is a preparatory step to gauge the other party. 

It’s like a probing phase.

Like warriors who are ready to fight at any moment but are still sizing each other up.

“…Actually, I was quite surprised when I came to Baron Heiner’s territory.”

Finally, it was the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs who brought up the main topic.

This made one thing clear. 

They were feeling a lot of pressure and tension.

If they had been more at ease, they would have continued with the casual conversation. 

But they didn’t. Or rather, they couldn’t.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I heard that suddenly, over dozens of elves visited the Baron’s territory.”

“I understand. Considering that when our kin visited the Empire, only two or three would move at a time, hmm. I’m worried if we’ve burdened the Empire.”

“That’s not the case. It’s just that it’s something that’s never happened before, so it was surprising.”

You elves, why did you suddenly come in such large numbers? 

Do you have some ulterior motive?

If you did, would you have waited here for days? 

Don’t you see we’re doing this for the Empire’s sake?

I see. I’m sorry. 

We were a bit rude, so I apologize. 

Let’s move on.

These inner thoughts were roughly outlined through a few exchanges.

“Many elves from the Great Forest have helped the Empire in various fields, and everyone remembers that. Especially in magic and spirit arts, which have made significant progress thanks to the forest’s people.”

You elves are impressive, aren’t you? 

With your proud magic and spirit arts.

And also, why is a race that looks down on humans as ‘inferior’ suddenly talking about exchange now?

If you have other intentions, just say it now.

“The humans of the Empire have also made great progress in various fields. Just as our kin excel in magic and spirit arts. If we can exchange these aspects and move forward together, it will be mutually beneficial.”

We have no ulterior motives. 

We truly came for exchange.

If you want, we can teach you about magic and spirit arts. In return, we want to learn what we can.

Then, Robert and other personnel from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged notes.

They don’t do the foolish act of whispering in front of an elf.

They know that no matter how quietly they talk, we can hear everything.

“As you know, the Empire respects the Great Forest and the elves and would never act against them. The forest’s people have helped the Empire greatly, and above all, you yourselves are far from being chaotic, so there’s no reason to do so.”

“Our kin are always grateful for the Empire’s consideration.”

The exchange of opinions through notes. 

And then the mention of ‘chaos.’

I quickly figured out what they were implying and what they were trying to say.

…Ah, I see.

The personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in front of me. 

And further, the Empire’s leaders behind them.

They are asking us now. 

Are you, by any chance, an exiled faction?

Outwardly, you want to exchange with the Empire, but in reality, are you here for survival?

Otherwise, why would something that has never happened before suddenly occur?

And why are you showing such respect to humans and the Empire?

“Before coming here, I succeeded in wielding the Mother Forest’s bow.”

“The Mother Forest’s bow…”

“Simply put, it’s one of the treasures our elves hold dear. It’s like the legendary sword of a hero stuck in a rock that exists in the Empire.”

I gave an example just in case, and it seems to have hit the mark.

The Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel looked at Seril beside me.

Probably asking if that’s true.

“Tyreal is right. Even before the coming-of-age ceremony. Some other kin couldn’t do it. Our Tyreal did it splendidly.”

Uh, Seril. It’s all good, but can you leave out the word ‘splendidly’?

I’m not completely without conscience, so I do remember breaking the bow.

“Ahem… You’re more significant than I thought.”

“Significant? I’m just a foolish person who wanted to do something for my kin. That’s all I am now, too.”

If our elders heard this, they would be quite uncomfortable, but what can I do?

There are no elders or aged elves here, so it’s fine to let it slide.

“There, I explained to my kin. Some of our kin’s wrongdoings in the Empire have tarnished our elves’ nobility. To clear up the misunderstandings and show humans what true elves are like.”

“Only now, you say.”

After all the trouble you’ve caused the Empire, now you’re reflecting on your actions?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed that out, probably finding it quite absurd.

Honestly, I have nothing to say about that part. What can I do? There’s never been someone like me before.

Everyone is focused on magic and spirit arts, never dreaming of changing like humans.

“Until now, we elves have considered ourselves like lakes.”

“Lakes.”

“Yes. Calm, beautiful, and even if a storm comes, eventually, the serene lake remains unchanged.”

“…”

“But now I see that’s not the case. We elves should be like water.”

A calm, serene lake may be beautiful at times, but isn’t it just stagnant?

Even if a new stream enters from somewhere, the lake remains just a lake.

So, I think we should be water itself, not a lake.

Sometimes like a calm, beautiful lake. 

Sometimes like a powerful river.

And sometimes, like a vast ocean that no one dares to challenge.

It was right for elves to change so that they could become anything.

“The intention of my kin who came here is one. To be the start of that new stream. So that we can move forward with the Empire, our neighbor, and both envision a desirable future. That’s the future we want.”

To make our sincerity felt.

So that the Empire can recognize our changes.

So that both sides can benefit and find a suitable agreement.

“…I’ve heard Tyreal’s words. For now, can you give the Empire some time? It seems we need to have a more in-depth discussion.”

The Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reaction was fortunately not bad. 

It was a decent start.