Chapter 44: Discussion

The host of today’s banquet is none other than the Marquis of Antioch, and the venue is his family’s estate in Flovan.

This banquet is held every year at the beginning of the year, so it isn’t particularly unusual.

However, today was not just unusual—it was downright astonishing.

“I had my suspicions, but to think it’s truly Sir Noah.”

“From what I’ve heard, even if we roughly estimate his age, he should have long passed forty, shouldn’t he?”

“Forty? More like over fifty. And yet, just look at that youthful appearance…”

“He’s not an elf, nor is he a half-blood. If I could get close, I’d ask him his secret.”

While the empire’s warriors admire Sir Noah’s swordsmanship, the nobility marvel at his ability to maintain his youthful looks.

There must be some special method, but how could one find out?

If not for the presence of another guest beside him, someone might have risked the impropriety and approached him directly.

“Once the Marquis of Antioch finishes his speech, I’d like to have a word with that elf.”

“Rumor has it that the elf was the one who led the recent changes in the Great Forest.”

“Could they be a renowned mage or a spirit master from the Great Forest?”

“Who knows? With elves, their age can’t be judged by appearance alone…”

In truth, this elf had yet to even reach adulthood. 

If they knew, they might all faint from shock.

Meanwhile, the elf who had just made their first appearance at the banquet was smoothly blending into the occasion, as if telling everyone to forget everything they previously knew about elves.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the Marquis for allowing me to attend this esteemed gathering, despite my last-minute request.”

*

The host of the banquet, the Marquis of Antioch, was struggling more and more to maintain his composure.

He must have been bewildered, even dumbfounded, questioning whether he had heard correctly.

An elf had just waltzed in and said, “Ah, I suddenly wanted to attend the banquet, and you graciously allowed it! Thank you!”

Even Elenia, who had accompanied them to the banquet hall, had adamantly refused to actually participate in the event.

No matter how much she interacted with humans, such gatherings were still beyond her comfort zone.

She had even advised me, “Just make an appearance, and if it gets unbearable, leave as soon as possible.”

Honestly, perhaps because I, too, was an elf, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat stifled.

Now I understood why my kin never attended such events.

It wasn’t just about preference—something in our very blood seemed to reject it.

Why would anyone willingly step into a place so noisy, where politeness served as a mere shield for endless schemes and manipulation?

But I had no choice. 

There was something I absolutely needed to accomplish here.

First, I had to ease the concerns of the nobles who had sent their children to the Academy.

Second, I had to ensure that the Marquis of Antioch developed a favorable impression of me.

Because that man held significant influence over the empire’s military affairs.

“To contribute to the monster subjugation efforts, we first need the Imperial military’s approval, Tyreal. No matter what, from their perspective, they’d have to give up some of their own credit.”

As the war against monsters dragged on, the empire had refined its military structure.

There were now two distinct divisions—one handling warfare against other nations, and the other specializing in battles against monsters.

Both required military force, so naturally, they were controlled by the military.

And the Marquis of Antioch was closely connected to the latter, the faction responsible for the war against monsters.

“…I hope you don’t take offense, but you’re quite different. The elves I’ve met before all disliked such gatherings.”

“Just as humans don’t fully understand elven culture, elves, too, have never felt the need to comprehend such human customs.”

“That sounds like you’re saying you do see a need for it.”

I smiled as I stepped closer to the Marquis of Antioch.

The young noblewoman beside him—likely his daughter—flushed red at my approach.

As expected of elves. With these looks, half the battle was already won. 

But then they ruined it with their arrogance, throwing away the advantage entirely.

“We elves are willing to offer assistance as compensation for the damage we’ve caused the Empire in the past.”

“If you’re referring to the Academy incident, I’ve already—”

“I happened to notice a dungeon forming and monsters appearing even near the roads leading to the Imperial capital.”

“…”

The Marquis’s face contorted instantly.

Well, that was understandable.

The Imperial capital was the very heart of the empire, and now there was a dungeon manifesting near the road leading to it?

Even if there had been no significant loss of life, the property damage had been considerable.

Especially since it wasn’t just any monster—trolls had appeared and destroyed everything in their path.

“I was there when it happened.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Some Imperial nobles owe you their lives. For that, I, too, offer my gratitude.”

“Hahaha. I’ve already received plenty of thanks. There’s no need for you to repeat them, Marquis. And besides, that wasn’t the point of bringing this up.”

Of course, it wasn’t as if I had brought this up just to brag, “Look at me, didn’t I do a great job?”

“As you know, there are no monsters in the Great Forest.”

“So I’ve heard. Truly, a land blessed by the gods.”

“Well, I actually think the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

The Marquis looked at me as if I had just uttered sheer nonsense.

With the empire struggling to fend off monsters, how could I possibly say such a thing?

“The Imperial army fights with remarkable skill. Not merely due to their will to protect the empire, but because they’ve faced countless monsters and gained invaluable experience from it.”

“You mean your people lack battle experience against monsters, and that worries you?”

“Given the nature of dungeons and monster behavior, they could easily begin appearing in the Great Forest as well.”

“But you are elves. Masters of magic. Geniuses of spirit arts. Compared to us humans, you can fight far more advantageously.”

That’s not wrong. 

If an elf had been there, the battle would have ended much faster.

The problem, however, is that our esteemed forest kin are a race that has little to do with group projects.

Humans, having fought for long periods with their comrades and staked their lives on the battlefield, have naturally developed a specialization in cooperative warfare.

In contrast, elves have grown far too accustomed to battles that are merely about determining you or me, one or the other.

This isn’t just about concerns over fighting monsters.

To break free from this indiscriminate individualism, we need a reason to unite.

In that sense, the existence of a massive, ferocious, and utterly abominable monster is quite fitting.

And since we have the justification of aiding humans, there couldn’t be a more appropriate opportunity than this.

“Being advantaged doesn’t necessarily mean achieving a complete victory. It would be truly tragic if the forest kin were to suffer defeat at the hands of monsters, wouldn’t it? My desire is simply to prevent such a fate for my people.”

“…”

The marquis’s expression is quite peculiar as he looks at me.

He’s clearly trying to figure out why I would say something so nonsensical.

Surely, he must be thinking—there’s no way this elf genuinely cares about the well-being of his kin.

“So, what you’re saying is that you elves intend to help our empire?”

As expected, he arrived at the correct conclusion in roughly the predicted time frame.

As expected of an imperial noble.

As expected of a marquis.

While my kin associate banquets with mere revelry and drinking, within those halls, these creatures hone their skills, deciphering every word to grasp the true intentions behind them.

And among them, this marquis—who has reached a very high position—is now letting out a small chuckle as he gazes at me.

“Elves have indeed dealt with monsters before. But only when they were caught in the creation of a dungeon or when they themselves were directly threatened.

Other than that, they have always dismissed it as a human problem and turned away.”

“That is correct.”

“If I were to ask why you’re doing this now, would you answer?”

I shook my head. Instead, I added this response:

“The world may be a harsh place, but sometimes, kindness is simply given.”

This is not about seeking a reward. 

Nor is it about aiming for something else.

It’s just that fighting monsters seems quite difficult. 

And we, too, want to gain something from it.

As these implications settle in, the marquis swirls his wine and falls into thought.

“…Tyreal.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“Are you aware that the imperial military is divided into two factions?”

“I know that one oversees affairs beyond the borders, while the other handles internal matters.”

“Since elves dislike roundabout speech, I’ll put it plainly. As you said, the military is indeed divided into two. More precisely, it is split between those who pushed the burden of dealing with monsters onto others and those who were forced to take it on.”

Intent. 

I need to decipher his intent.

In high society, no words are exchanged without a purpose.

Why is he revealing this, a potentially sensitive issue, to me?

Does he intend to express gratitude for us elves taking on the task that neither faction wants?

But thanking me again seems unnecessary when I’ve already received his appreciation.

“It is truly regrettable that such a divide has formed, when all should be working together to protect the empire.”

“…I wholeheartedly agree.”

After several minutes of intense thought, I finally realized what the marquis was implying.

‘He’s worried we might be integrating too deeply into the imperial military.’

As I’ve reiterated, elves’ magic and spirit arts are unmatched.

If such a resource becomes too friendly with the empire, it is only natural that some would want to utilize it.

And in doing so, it is inevitable that certain factions within the military would be pushed aside.

So, in other words, the Marquis of Antioch wants a definitive answer from me right now.

He wants assurance that the elves’ goodwill won’t gradually grow to the point of infiltrating the military.

That they will truly limit themselves to merely assisting with the menial task of handling monsters.

“Marquis, as you know, we elves are not particularly fond of shedding blood.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“It is the consensus of my people.”

While harming humans, who are beings of reason like us, is an unfortunate necessity, we prefer to avoid using force in all other matters—especially against monsters.

That is my answer: there is no need for concern about any of the matters you fear.

As I give him the words he wants to hear, the Marquis’ expression brightens slightly.

“I’m suddenly curious, Tyreal. Have the elves changed? Or is it you who has changed? I used to believe I knew quite a lot about elves, but this is a first for me.”

“If I had to say, it would be both.”