More than three years have passed since the official meeting with the Empire.
Some of the kin who came out with me initially headed to the academy, while others collaborated with the Imperial military.
There, they devoted all their efforts to reforming the distorted image of elves that had been built up over time.
Difficulties were always present.
Both we elves and the humans harbored deep mistrust towards each other.
At first, many of my kin questioned whether we really needed to do this.
The fact that their complaints stopped there was only because each of us had our pride on the line.
All I could say to them, as irresponsible as it might sound, was, “Let’s hold on a bit longer.”
If this had been said to ordinary humans, I would have deserved to be stoned on the spot.
After such a rallying cry, there should have been some solid, clear plan for the next steps.
But instead, what I said was, “Ah, if we just buy some more time, we can manage, right?”
However, those with me now, and even myself, are not human.
No matter how long they live, it’s almost impossible for them to surpass a hundred years.
In contrast, even the shortest-lived among us elves typically live over a hundred years.
What this means is simple: I banked on the fact that the time elves can wait and endure is different from how humans perceive the passage of time.
“Tyreal, the humans have been acting strange lately.”
“What? Why? Did something happen?”
“No, it’s just that recently, they’ve been gradually closing the distance. Is there something going on?”
By the end of the first year and into the second, similar comments were heard both at the academy and among those hunting monsters.
In short, it could be summarized as ‘the humans have suddenly changed.’
But from a human perspective, using the word ‘suddenly’ is quite ambiguous.
It’s true that elves have been involved in numerous incidents and accidents.
However, most of these were not directly experienced but passed down through generations.
This naturally led to unfounded resentment and, inevitably, questions.
During this process, the elves who joined us have been doing well for over a year, now into the second year.
On one side, there are the very open-minded young students.
On the other, the Imperial military, with whom we’ve formed a special bond as comrades.
Naturally, they were quicker to accept and adapt to changes than anywhere else in the Empire.
This led to a rather amusing development.
The changes on the human side, when you think about it, actually started with us elves.
But because we perceive time differently, our kin think humans changed first.
It seems they couldn’t bring themselves to disrupt this, considering their identity as forest kin.
Initially, it started because of the shackles, because others were doing it, swept up in the momentum.
But now, it’s turned into a funny situation where both sides maintain their efforts to protect each other’s endeavors.
Of course, this has led to many positive changes popping up everywhere.
Anyway, as more time passed, even better news came.
The kin who went to the academy have now become students, not just elves, and those hunting monsters have become partners who help and support each other with the humans, not arrogant or boastful.
Other kin, who didn’t belong to either group, were also doing well in their own places.
‘Perfect. If we keep this up for a few more years, there will be no problems.’
So, I might have unknowingly let my guard down at some point.
I shouldn’t have been complacent.
I shouldn’t have casually mentioned ‘ganpu’ to the humans.
“What did you just say, Seril?!”
“It’s a disaster! There’s been an accident in Heiner’s territory! Tyreal!”
The news I never wanted to hear came just as we had been in the Empire for three years and were entering the fourth month.
*
Heiner’s territory.
This place was once just a small barony.
It had nothing particularly special or any remarkable produce or figures.
The only reason the Empire’s people remember its name is because of the elves.
It borders the Great Forest.
A place that must never be turned into an enemy.
But at the same time, making it an ally could also lead to problems.
To maintain the Empire’s superiority, only an appropriate, moderate relationship is suitable.
That’s why Heiner maintained its baronial status despite its importance.
That changed recently, precisely because of the progress in relations with the elves.
The forest kin bowed their heads, and the Empire had to show a corresponding gesture.
But sending a diplomatic envoy for heavy discussions was premature.
Even the elves who came to the Empire said their intentions differed from the Great Forest’s.
So, the chosen solution was to elevate the barony of Heiner, adjacent to the Great Forest, to a county in one swift move.
This might seem like an overreach, but a closer look reveals the Empire’s intentions.
Simply because it borders the elves, a baron was elevated to a count.
This is one of the rarest events in the Empire’s history, perhaps never to be repeated.
It shows how highly the Empire values the elves, how much they want to get closer.
The Great Forest couldn’t ignore this news, so the Empire’s move was very appropriate.
Additionally, the sudden elevation of Heiner’s territory greatly improved the local populace’s morale.
The elves who came out of the Great Forest are different from before, very friendly towards humans.
This is a fact acknowledged by the Empire, leading to the current outcome.
Thus, the people of Heiner’s territory, and Heiner himself, now a count, have somewhat let their guard down.
They couldn’t help it.
“Aaaah!!”
However, there was one thing they failed to consider.
“W-why are you suddenly acting like this…….”
“We said it’s enough, but why do you keep clinging? How long must we endure this stench! Lately, the young ones have been treating humans well, and now they’re getting too bold!”
The elves who gave them hope were almost all influenced by Tyreal.
Unknowingly, they were young souls dissatisfied with the current state of the Great Forest, dreaming of freedom.
Conversely, those now emerging are puzzled about why things have turned out this way.
They came out because the young ones said it was good, but unlike them, if humans act unruly, they won’t hesitate to correct them. Very rigid souls.
The problem is, there’s no way to distinguish the time gap between them.
Unlike humans, whose physical changes are very noticeable as they age.
For elves, unless the age difference is significant, it’s almost impossible to tell by appearance.
The only way is for the elves to introduce themselves, but would they really do that?
“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry!”
“Get lost. I’d like to tear that flapping mouth of yours, but I’m holding back.”
What’s even scarier is that these elves think they’re being merciful.
They used to do worse, but now they’re holding back, so they think they’re making an effort.
‘That Tyreal or whatever, I don’t like her…….’
‘But she did draw the bow of Mother Forest, so we should at least match that.’
‘We can’t stay in the village forever. It’s good for us to come out and live in the human world for a bit.’
If Tyreal had seen this situation right in front of her, she would have been horrified and cursed.
Unfortunately, Tyreal is in the capital and has no way of knowing about the situation here.
Those who would normally bring news from Heiner are scattered, each busy with their own affairs.
“What on earth is this!”
Although he received a new title, Count Heiner was still a baron at heart.
Upon hearing that his people were harmed, he rushed to assess the situation.
Was there a problem?
Did his people make a big mistake? He was worried.
There had been an incident where children played with an elf’s ears, causing a big fuss.
“I told them to stop talking, but they kept flapping their mouths. Just a warning. Don’t worry, they weren’t seriously hurt.”
“What did you say?”
“Just a warning. A human noble should know when to stop.”
In my time, when we came to the Empire, everyone avoided eye contact and trembled.
Now they talk casually, and we’re ending it at this, isn’t that a mercy?
—This was the elves’ argument, leaving Count Heiner speechless.
“…How can you say that?! If they had committed some great rudeness, maybe. But for just talking, you hurt them like this?!”
“How dare you raise your voice! We treated you nobles with respect, and you dare!”
That day, Count Heiner’s arm was broken, and the situation spiraled out of control.
*
And the protagonist of this change, upon hearing the news.
“…Hahahaha.”
He laughed. Very brightly.
Or perhaps, chillingly.
Thanks to this, he realized.
That he too had the ‘ganpu’ trait.
When he sees something he doesn’t like, he just wants to do things his way.
“Right. Historically, this has been the remedy.”
Fiddling with his sheathed sword, Tyreal smiled a hahaha smile