A lot has happened recently, and there was much to accomplish.
First, I worked hard to win over the hearts of the nobles to some extent.
Of course, it wasn’t because they genuinely liked elves or were moved by the changes.
Each had their own reasons.
Some held back because they feared losses if they clashed with the elves.
Others saw this as an opportunity to create new connections with the elves for their own gain.
And some aimed to reach higher places by forging ties with the Great Forest.
Next, I made sure that the academy students kept each other in check to prevent any mishaps.
They are still young, like me, and at a sensitive age where they are highly aware of each other.
Unlike adults, they are not yet entirely self-centered.
It’s before their competitive nature fully emerges, so they can still be guided.
Now, the task at hand was to facilitate contact between some of my kin and the imperial military.
“Are you ready, Hadishi?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to face those monsters or whatever they are. I want to see how far I can go and measure how much I’ve grown!”
Some of my kin are more eager to test their current abilities than to learn new things at the academy.
To be precise, they are tired of the endless lectures on magic and spirit arts they’ve had to endure since birth.
They are young friends who want to vent the frustration from all that effort in some way.
We elves start learning magic and spirit arts as soon as we can toddle.
So, before we can even speak properly, we’re already tackling things twice as difficult.
And this period lasts for decades.
We must practice and practice until we come of age.
Even for elves, decades are not a fleeting moment.
Our entire childhood and adolescence, the most crucial parts of life, are consumed by this ‘compulsion.’
I, for one, never focused much on these skills and just got by.
But others like Hadishi beside me had no choice but to endure and endure.
If they fell behind their peers, they faced intense pressure from their parents.
Some might have genuinely enjoyed it and pursued it willingly.
They might have aspired to become renowned mages or spirit artists, not just in the village but in the Great Forest.
But at least for those who followed me, it didn’t seem to be the case.
“Learning spirit arts was really tough. It was hard to start with, and honing it afterward was a nightmare.”
“I see.”
“I wanted to confirm something, but my parents always said I wasn’t good enough. And when I tried to think otherwise, all the adult elves around me were far superior.”
They wanted to try something different or validate their achievements.
But their only benchmarks were those far more accomplished than themselves.
It was like climbing a cliff barehanded without a clear goal.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“On the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, my mother said, ‘Won’t you draw the bow of the Mother Forest? All the other elves are good at spirit arts; it wouldn’t do for you to be the only one lacking.’ Ugh. Even now, it’s too much to bear.”
Hadishi initially followed me out of simple curiosity.
But now, she has become quite critical of the entire elf lifestyle.
Understandably so, since leaving the Great Forest meant no more daily drills of magic! spirit arts!
Unlike the Great Forest, where friends were competitors and looking back meant facing failure, here, there was ample time to reflect, especially on oneself.
“So, Tyreal, I finally understand why you did what you did.”
“Huh?”
“If I had come of age without making any choices, it would have been the same afterward. Humans wouldn’t understand us, and conflicts would arise.”
Living long lives, each of us excels in something, but there’s little cooperation.
Looking around, everyone is similar, so the only way to prove oneself is to compete and climb higher.
Perhaps the arrogance of elves isn’t a choice but an inevitable fate.
The problem is that until now, no one has questioned it or tried to change it.
“Welcome, Tyreal.”
Today, Marquis Antioch, who would introduce us to the military personnel, appeared.
To be precise, those in charge of the ‘anti-monster’ division within the military.
“Good to see you again, Marquis.”
“And the lady beside you is…”
“My friend. She’s curious about the monsters troubling the empire, so I brought her along. Hadishi?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Hadishi.”
To me, she’s just another female elf you’d see anywhere.
But to Marquis Antioch—well, by human standards, she’s an overwhelmingly beautiful woman.
Though the Marquis is getting on in years, he’s still a man at heart.
And as a man, it’s natural to be weak in the presence of beauty.
“Ahem. Marquis Antioch. Miss Hadishi. I want to express my gratitude for your efforts in improving relations between the empire and the Great Forest.”
“It’s nothing.”
For Hadishi, improving relations between the Great Forest and the empire is a secondary goal.
More importantly, she wants to prove how far she’s come and whether her efforts have been in vain.
But there’s no need to say that outright, so she just nods.
“Follow me.”
As we walk beside Marquis Antioch, he quietly speaks up.
“As I mentioned before, the military’s anti-monster operations are something many prefer to avoid.”
“Doing well is just expected, but if something goes wrong, it’s a disaster.”
“So, they’re pleased that you’re showing interest. But others might think differently.”
“As I’ve said before, elves are only hostile to ‘monsters,’ not to humans or the empire. If it’s about other nations…”
Marquis Antioch shakes his head.
That’s not it.
“If you elves assist the empire, won’t there be some leftover hands?”
“That’s likely.”
“Those left will naturally return to their original duties. Meaning, more people will be crowded into their usual roles.”
“…..”
In other words, there will inevitably be infighting over positions within the military.
And in the process, those who lose out might direct their anger at the elves.
“We’ll have to be careful.”
“Moderation is always best, isn’t it?”
It’s common knowledge that elves are full of themselves.
If they start declaring, ‘Ah, we’ve handled all the monsters, so rest easy!’ it could cause even greater chaos within the empire.
So, he’s asking us to tread carefully.
But that’s also a bit of an overreaction, as we’re not here to volunteer.
Our stated goal is to help humans and the empire, but in reality, it’s about self-validation and proof.
Many elves want to validate themselves, but the process won’t take long.
Thus, we won’t be taking too much from the military’s pie.
“Our empire has fought many battles, big and small, against monsters.”
“The fact that you call them battles rather than fights shows how intense they must have been.”
“In the days before the empire, it was for survival. When we first called ourselves an empire, it was to prove our worth.”
As we converse, we arrive at the Third Army Command of the empire.
The First and Second Armies handle battles with other nations and protect the empire, while the Third Army specializes in anti-monster operations.
Today, they were to kindly inform us about ‘efficient ways to fight monsters and their weaknesses.’
But…
“Huh?”
“What?”
Both Hadishi and I instinctively stop in our tracks.
Though we can’t see it, there’s an unmistakably chilly and tense atmosphere.
The Third Army Command, which we’re about to enter, feels strangely like an iceberg.
“Why the sudden pause?”
“Marquis. How did the command react when they heard you were coming?”
“They were told an important guest was arriving. I have influence in the military, but not to that extent in the command. But why do you ask?”
“The atmosphere in the command feels unusually tense.”
At that moment, someone opened the door on the first floor and appeared.
“You’ve finally arrived. Elf.”
“…?”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Uh… so, you’ve been waiting for me? But, who are you?
Glancing to the side, I see Marquis Antioch’s face filled with confusion.
It seems this isn’t an ordinary guest.