As Tyreal was making a significant impression on the imperial nobles in various ways, Seril, who had returned to the border between Great Forest and the Baron Heiner’s territory, furrowed her brow.
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said, Seril. The atmosphere in the village has been off since I left.”
“…”
Seril had originally planned to follow Tyreal into the human world.
However, midway through, she decided to stay a little longer and observe the situation.
Tyreal might change the way the Empire and humans view elves, but that also meant she had become more distant from the happenings in Great Forest, resulting in her receiving the news later than expected.
For this reason, Seril stayed behind to keep an eye on the situation in Great Forest for Tyreal.
Until recently, things seemed to be progressing positively.
Good reports were coming in, and many young elves in the villages had started advocating for “change,” pushing for a broader and deeper view of the world, not confined to magic or spirit arts as they had lived for centuries.
Some might have been swept up in the trend, while others would eventually return to their closed-minded ways.
However, many of those who remained believed that if even a few could share Tyreal’s vision and actions, the elves could change.
Seril firmly believed this and had been welcoming fellow elves who left the village.
“Once those who agreed with Tyreal left, some elders suddenly appeared, going around and trying to persuade others. After that, the mood shifted a bit, and those of our generation who decided to stay began gathering.”
“So, what’s next?”
“I think they’re exaggerating the part about Tyreal breaking the Mother Forest’s bow, leaving out the fact that she actually drew it. The ones opposing her seem to have left, and they probably think this is their chance.”
“…”
Seril had assumed that her village, at least, was in order.
Even when others left, the elders had remained quiet, so she had been reassured.
Neither Tyreal nor Seril had expected things to turn out like this.
“Wasn’t it already over? Tyreal handled the Mother Forest’s bow. The elders, you, and other elves saw her do it! Are they seriously arguing that the problem is the damage? She handled something none of them could even touch!”
“I know. That’s why they were silent when Tyreal was here. But now that the ones supporting her, including us, have all left, it seems like they’ve started to think differently.”
Seril sighed heavily and collapsed into a seat, her face full of frustration.
What was going on?
How could this be happening?
Tyreal, still not even of age, was working hard to make the elves great again.
Seril and the others were also striving for a new beginning.
How could the elders, who had always imposed a set future on them, not only refuse to help but actively sabotage their efforts?
‘This can’t go on. If this continues while Tyreal is fighting in the front, it’ll distract her from her focus!’
Moreover, if the Empire catches wind of this, it would be disastrous.
Tyreal had already shown a change in herself, offering the possibility of a new future.
But if Great Forest now turns around and says, “We’ve never thought like that,” it would cause everyone to lose trust and turn against them.
Seril could already see the bleak future where everyone becomes distrustful.
She felt the urge to rush to Great Forest, confront the elders, and demand to know what they were doing.
How could they call themselves elves when they were actively hindering their own kind’s progress?
But, of course, that wasn’t easy.
Tyreal had at least been able to break the resistance of the elders with the Mother Forest’s bow, which is why things had seemed calm when Tyreal was around.
If the bow had not been damaged, none of this would have even been imaginable.
On the other hand, Seril was just an ordinary elf, still underage.
If she went back to the village and protested, she would only be told, “Be quiet, child!”
As Tyreal had said, there was no reason to treat someone who hadn’t even reached maturity with respect.
Seril’s thoughts briefly turned to informing Tyreal about the situation, but she quickly dismissed the idea.
‘I can’t rely on Tyreal again! I have to do something myself!’
She hadn’t followed along to be a burden, nor out of mere curiosity like other elves.
She had come because she wanted to help.
She wanted to be able to say that she had achieved something alongside Tyreal.
Until now, everything had been easier because Tyreal was by her side.
But this was her chance to prove why she was following Tyreal, why she had come along.
This was the moment to show what she could do.
“…I need to go back to the village.”
“Once you go back, your mother will…” Is it okay?
“That’s a concern, but what’s scarier to me is if the news about what our great forest tribe is doing reaches Tyrael’s ears.”
I need to do something.
I didn’t go through the trouble of mastering magic and spirit summoning for nothing.
While thinking that, Seril hurriedly crossed the boundaries of Great Forst and was on her way to the village.
“…?”
Something, something strange, began as a sensation in her chest and spread throughout her body.
This sensation was very familiar.
It was the same feeling she got whenever she summoned a spirit.
However, there was one difference from before: this sensation was one that usually occurred when calling a spirit.
But right now, she hasn’t summoned a spirit.
She hadn’t even planned to.
‘So why is this feeling…?’
[Ah, hey.]
A voice echoed all around, and Seril fell backward.
The scream that almost seemed to tear her apart was an added bonus.
“Ahhhh!?”
What is this?
Why am I hearing this strange voice all of a sudden?
She looked around in confusion and struggled to get up.
[Ah, hey.]
Once again, the voice came, with no fluctuation in pitch, making Seril flinch.
[It’s nothing to be surprised about. Ah, hey.]
‘Who are you?’
[This body has come merely at the request of a friend.]
Suppressing her trembling chest, Seril focused more on the voice in her head.
Gradually, the eerie sensation faded and was replaced by a deep, profound feeling.
‘You were asked by a friend?’
[You fell for the words of a so-called “uncle” without question. Then, you dragged me into it as well. Well, I would have found it interesting too if I were to witness such a scene before my eyes, but still…]
Uncle?
Fell for it?
I can’t make sense of what they’re saying.
Despite that, Seril didn’t get scared or fearful. Instead, she continued to ask questions.
‘By “request,” what do you mean?’
[Where are you going?]
Should I answer or not?
A brief moment of hesitation.
Then, like Tyrael’s childhood friend, Seril made her decision quickly.
‘I’m on my way back to where I came from.’
[Why are you going there?]
‘I have something to do. No, I have someone I need to help.’
[To help someone, huh. It seems like an important task. No, it must be an important person.]
Suddenly, the ground seemed to tremble as if it were shaking.
Though it clearly felt like an earthquake, to Seril, it almost seemed like the ground was smiling.
[The wind may call me lazy, but that is far from the truth. There is nothing more changeable than the earth.]
‘…’
[Before it rots, it is best to overturn it. No one understands that better than I do. Ah, hey.]
‘What do you mean by that…?’
[How about it, Ah, hey. Would you join me?]
She still didn’t know who the voice belonged to.
She didn’t even know if it was an ally.
If it were the usual Seril, she would have doubted and hesitated.
That would be the natural thing to do.
“…Should I offer my life?”
But with her thoughts rushing, Seril didn’t have time to think deeply.
[What use would you have for something like that? Ah, hey.]
“Then…”
[This body merely…]
The ground shook once again.
[I’m just happy to see that you’ve grown stronger.]