Chapter 22 : Picnic (1)

The past, the glorious and radiant kingdom of the elves.

Sylvadir.

The elves, a long-lived race, still remember the moment Sylvadir fell.

One day, humans appeared in the peaceful elven kingdom.

A self-proclaimed hero, who was no longer needed in the human lands due to the emergence of the

Unified Dragon Kingdom, fled and sought refuge there.

Shaking violently and begging pitifully for his life, he was hidden by the elves.

But because they had sheltered him, a spy of the empire, the World Tree was felled.

With the World Tree destroyed, the elven kingdom fell into ruin, and during this period, the emperor of the empire launched a conquest.

Ultimately, the elves, powerless to fight, surrendered and fell under the empire’s control.

Now, Sylvadir merely functions as one of the empire’s cities.

The brilliant and glorious forest has vanished, replaced by detestable imperial humans shamelessly roaming the streets.

Ramir, the leader of the elves, gazed at the hated humans with her emerald-green eyes.

With a disgusted expression, she furrowed her brows and turned her head.

Where she looked, her kin, cloaked in robes, had gathered.

“…I don’t think this is something I can decide at my young age.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s too much for me to take over Mother’s position.”

“It isn’t. You’re more than enough.”

As Ramir spoke hesitantly, the elves tried to reassure her.

“…I cannot live alone…”

With a trembling voice, Ramir sought comfort from the elves.

At only 30 years old, still young by elven standards, this responsibility seemed far too burdensome for her.

Moreover, she still looked like a child.

But the elves shouted at her with firm resolve.

“You can do it.”

“We are not called the long-lived race for nothing.”

“Please, avenge our people.”

Then, they handed her a travel bag.

“…Go. Study abroad.”

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, they decided to send their leader to the Dragon Kingdom.

By doing so, they hoped to prevent the complete collapse of the elves before the rebellion and establish connections in the Dragon Kingdom.

This plan, disguised as studying abroad, was their chosen method.

“Only Ramir, disguised as a pro-empire supporter, can achieve this.”

“…….”

“Please, survive to the very end for us.”

Ramir knew.

She understood that all of this was not for the rebellion but for her own protection.

Her people intended to die in her place.

“The empire is beginning to suspect your family, Ramir.”

“Your mother, Hamir, has already been taken by imperial soldiers.”

“If we delay any longer, we’ll all be discovered.”

“We’ll buy you time, so please escape.”

Their cover was blown.

An elf who had recently joined them was a spy for the pro-empire faction.

Though they dealt with him before he could reveal critical information, his death only confirmed the empire’s suspicions.

Now, the empire was closing in on Ramir’s family.

Her mother, Hamir, had already been taken.

If they delayed any further, all the elves would perish.

Even if other races like the dwarves or ains (beastfolk) were preparing for rebellion, the elves would be finished.

Ramir, sitting in the leader’s seat at such a young age, knew this better than anyone.

“…I will go study abroad.”

As Ramir spoke, the elves’ faces lit up with relief.

“…Please, don’t push yourselves too hard.”

“We will remember that, Ramir.”

But this promise would never be kept.

They would push themselves to the limit, drawing the empire’s attention at all costs.

The documents for Ramir’s study abroad were riddled with flaws.

Ramir held back her tears until the very end.

She refused to let them fall, determined to show a strong face to the elves who were sending her off.

And those tears…

“…Mother, Father…”

“…I’m so sorry. I’m the only one who’s surviving like a coward…”

The tears burst forth in the carriage on her journey.

Quiet, uncontrollable sobs echoed within the stillness of the carriage, where no one could hear her—or respond to her cries.

And as Ramir’s tears fell, outside the carriage…

“The elves are here!!!”

“Fire!!!”

Boom!!!

The elves’ magic and the empire’s cannon fire erupted simultaneously.

A small but monumental rebellion blazed fiercely, both brilliantly and tragically, in an instant.

“…Ahh!!”

“I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry!”

Ramir’s emerald eyes, filled with tears, shone even brighter.

Today is my sister’s coronation day.

“Do… do I really have to do this?”

“Ahaha, of course!”

My dad responded with a hearty laugh to my panicked sister, who stammered her words.

Then he looked at me.

‘Hey, Minho, you went through this too, right?’

‘Of course, Sis.’

‘This is insane.’

“Alright, Yuri, it’s time to go.”

“…Okay.”

My sister’s shoulders slumped as she trudged forward hesitantly.

There wouldn’t be any interference from Void this time, and I’d heard security was stronger than before.
Totally safe.

This time, I was just an observer, so I stood with Mom and Dad, holding their hands tightly as we watched my sister.

Next to us were the elders, along with Grandpa Hader and Grandma Anuket.

Beside them were the magicians who had saved both Void and my sister.

“…Minho!”

“Sis!”

Void whispered my name with a bright smile.

“Ow!”

“Focus ahead, and no talking right now.”

“…Damn it.”

Ah, Grandpa Hader had flicked Void’s forehead.

I chuckled quietly at the scene when suddenly the sound of the military band reached my ears.

-Her Highness, the Princess, is entering!

-Wooooaaaaahhh!!

The cheers of the people echoed as my sister, her face flushed red, walked forward stiffly, her body frozen with nerves.

And then—

“I, Yuri Laskaris, formally declare myself as princess.”

Wow, that’s so cool.

“Huh?”

“Isn’t she amazing, Minho?”

“…Yeah.”

Why does it feel like this wasn’t how it went during my coronation?

“Don’t feel down, Minho. You were super cute.”

“…Okay.”

How did she know I felt deflated? She even cheered me up by saying I was cute.

But all I remember is feeling embarrassed back then.

-Wooooaaaaahh!!

-Welcome!

-You’re beautiful!

The dragon royal family’s characteristic friendliness shone through as they cheered enthusiastically.

My sister seemed a little surprised but quickly regained her smile, elegantly waving at the dragons.

-Kyaaa!!

-Wooooaaaahhh!!

The cheers erupted again.

Wow, my sister’s really good at pretending to be elegant.

She’d lived frugally her whole life because of me, pinching pennies.

As I reminisced, I suddenly felt sorry for her.

-Thump.

“Ow!”

“I didn’t hit you hard~”

“You two seem close~”

“It’s nice to see.”

My sister had just hit her little brother, yet everyone was laughing.

“Why’d you hit me?”

“I didn’t like the look in your eyes. It’s a happy day, you know.”

Then, my sister whispered into my ear.

“Forget it. Let’s live happily now.”

“…Okay.”

She’s right.

“Alright, elders, time to get to work!”

Grandma Anuket, the youngest elder, said, and Void, along with the magicians, was dragged off by the elders.

“Dad’s off too. Take care, my daughters.”

“Yes.”

“Take care!”

My sister and I bowed deeply, and Dad left with a satisfied smile.

“Mom needs some rest too. Yuri, Minho, play together, okay?”

“Yes.”

“Okay~”

With the help of a servant, Mom returned to her room.

Now it was just me and my sister left alone.

“Sis, what should we do?”

“Hmm… how about a picnic?”

“A picnic?”

“Yeah, there’s a nice hill behind the castle, and the forest is dense.”

“Sounds great.”

We decided on a hill overlooking the forest that once connected to the elven city of Sylvadir as our picnic spot.

“Think we’ll see elves?”

“Who knows.”

“Have you ever seen one, Minho?”

“Nope. So far, I’ve only seen the Demon King and dragons since I haven’t been alive that long.”

“That’s such a weird way to put it.”

My sister suddenly burst into laughter.

Even I thought it was a bit strange, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Right?”

“Anyway, I’ve packed the bread and everything, so let’s go eat.”

“Okay! But what about fire?”

When I said that, my sister smirked and raised her index finger.

“Sis, what are you doing?”

“Tada!”

-Whoosh!

Flames flickered to life at the tip of her finger.

Seeing that, I clapped my hands and expressed my admiration.

“Ooohhhh!”

“Cool, huh?”

“Yeah, so badass.”

-Thwack!

“Ow!”

“Don’t use words like that.”

“…Okay.”

With the fire ready, all that was left was to head out.

“Let’s tell the head maid first!”

“Good idea.”

We hurried around the castle, searching for the head maid.

“Yes, that’s over in that direction… Oh, Princess!”

“Hehe.”

We found the head maid supervising the organization of supplies in the castle’s storage.

Why isn’t she letting her subordinates handle this?

“Why are you doing this yourself?”

“I just feel uneasy if I’m resting.”

“…?”

What a strange person.

“So, what brings you here?”

“We’re going on a picnic!”

“Oh, with Yuri?”

“Yes.”

We just came to let her know, but the head maid’s face turned serious, as if she were pondering something.

“I’ll come with you.”

“Huh?”

“I’m worried about letting just two kids leave the castle.”

I tried to argue but realized that a thousand-year-old being probably saw two thirty-somethings as nothing more than toddlers.

I kept my mouth shut.

“…Okay.”

“Let’s go together.”

“…Sure.”

Well, that’s fine. The more, the merrier.

“Wow~!!!”

“Minho! Don’t run; you’ll get hurt!”

“Princess, please don’t run!”

“It’s fine!”

I dashed up and down the hill, running around excitedly.

The head maid and my sister chuckled at the sight.

After running around for quite a while, I noticed something unusual.

“…?”

“Her ears are long. Is she dead?”

It was a girl with long ears and striking green hair.