Chapter 15: Hunters

The basket once again contained warm bread and milk today.

“Eat slowly. If you get an upset stomach, it’ll be troublesome.”

The female demon, whose name I still didn’t know, looked pleased as she watched me eat.

Thanks to her, I could spend my nights without the sound of my stomach growling these days.

Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder.

‘Why does this demon woman keep bringing me bread and milk?’

It was odd enough that she was traveling with a mysterious human, but the fact that she kept bringing me food piqued my curiosity more and more.

People who didn’t know my true nature had occasionally offered me a coin out of pity, but this was the first time someone had consistently provided me with food.

“Why… why do you keep giving me this?”

I finally asked for an explanation.

“I once received help from a Dark Elf in the past. And I just happened to notice you.”

She offered a cryptic response, then left after collecting the empty basket for the day.

What a strange person.

***

“Mana is a special energy formed from the fusion of body and soul.”

On my fifth day in the Fairy Realm, I listened to Arsep’s explanations about magic and mana.

Honestly, I wanted to learn magic too – soar through the sky in style.

But, with no idea if I even possessed mana, and knowing she was unable to use any magic herself, it seemed unlikely.

Still, watching the people here use magic as if it were part of everyday life, I thought it best to at least have a basic understanding.

After all, many who visited the castle were magicians.

“Magic is the science of using that special energy to produce arbitrary miracles through various processes. All existing races consider magic as their main field of study.”

“I see… then, are there differences in mana by race here too?”

“Of course. Just as there are physical differences among the races, there are differences in mana as well.”

In short, magic is incredible, and mana is the amazing power that enables that incredible magic.

“Once, I was such an outstanding magician that they called me the Sage of Wisdom, which is why I was able to summon you to this land.”

“Then, why are you… now…?”

“A craftsman is at a disadvantage without their tools. Without even a sliver of mana, there’s nothing I can do. No matter how skilled a blacksmith is, they can’t forge iron barehanded.”

Arsep looked slightly pouty.

Seeing her like that, I laughed, feeling that staying here truly brought me peace and a refreshing change of pace.

This city was peaceful, and unlike at the castle where weapons or arrows always flew when meeting people, here I could actually exchange greetings.

The familiarity brought back memories, and I found myself responding in kind to the greetings I received.

“Aren’t we leaving tomorrow?”

“That’s right. We can’t stay here forever, and since this is the first time I’ve left the castle unattended, we’ll need to check for any issues when we return.”

Perhaps that’s why the thought of returning to the castle tomorrow made me feel even more reluctant.

Not that I wanted to live here forever, but knowing that tomorrow’s morning under this blue sky would be the last made it hard not to feel a pang of regret.

“Don’t feel too disappointed. We can come back again, just like this, next time.”

“I suppose so.”

But it’s the feeling of reluctance that makes the next time meaningful.

Since I’d lived in the Demon Realm’s castle, this break felt especially precious.

Just like how weekends are cherished thanks to the weekdays, let’s come back next time, as Arsep suggested.

***

A shadow fell over the city as a group of people passed through the main gate.

They were lightly armed, a far cry from the peace of this city, and the first thing they did was survey their surroundings as if searching for someone.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes. The Dark Elf is still young. He’s probably hiding somewhere in this city.”

“That one is persistent. To flee here after seeing his parents meet such a fate right in front of him.”

“He is certainly unique compared to other Dark Elves.”

With familiarity, they dispersed throughout the city, beginning their search for the young Dark Elf hiding somewhere within.

‘I wish I could have some wine too…’

Arsep, having once again sneaked out of the inn at night, carried a basket of bread and milk, heading down an alleyway.

Watching him enjoy his evening wine, she felt envious.

Sadly, she was so weak to alcohol that even a sip would cause her to lose consciousness, leaving her with no choice but to simply watch.

She could only nibble on the food brought out as snacks and watch his wine glass slowly empty.

‘It can’t be helped. Not being able to drink properly is one thing, but if I passed out, sneaking out like this would be impossible.’

Still, thanks to his early sleep from drinking, she managed to slip out sooner than usual this time.

‘Besides, I also found a bakery that operates in the evening.’

Arsep looked at the bread in the basket with satisfaction.

Since tonight was the last night she’d be spending in this city, Arsep decided to put extra effort into buying some delicious bread to bring to the child.

Part of her wanted to take him under her wing, but she could barely take care of herself, and taking him in would only complicate things for both of them.

Of course, considering his kind and gentle nature, he likely wouldn’t refuse if she brought it up, but that would be more a testament to his good heart than practicality.

‘It seems like there are still slave traders in human society, and somehow, this child managed to enter this city.’

Moreover, given the long history of hostility between humans and Dark Elves, it was unlikely that their relationship had improved in modern times.

Perhaps the young Dark Elf himself would have some reservations.

Seeing a young Dark Elf without parents in a place like this suggested that he didn’t come here because of a good reason.

‘…Even so,’

Arsep disliked the thought of leaving him alone in this city.

Not only was he unable to eat properly, but while the people here weren’t bad, they still tended to avoid him due to the rumors surrounding Dark Elves.

And, naturally, the elves were even more sensitive about Dark Elves, reacting similarly to the baker she’d seen before.

It was clear that leaving him alone in this city would not lead to a good outcome.

‘Yes, it’s best to ask him about it this time.’

Arsep finally made up her mind.

She would find the young Dark Elf, reveal her identity, explain her companion, and, if he was willing, invite him to come live at the castle.

She could only hope he held no ill will towards humans.

Though it was a distant memory, she couldn’t help but recall that Dark Elves once viewed humans with disdain after they joined forces with elves to massacre their kind.

Remembering the events before falling asleep, she still felt a pang of regret over what had happened.

***

She arrived at the alley where she knew he would be waiting.

‘I hope he likes the bread I brought today…’

But tonight was different from usual.

This alleyway was rarely frequented, even during the day, and it was practically deserted after sundown.

That was why he chose to stay here at night, and why Arsep arranged to meet him here every evening.

Tonight, she’d managed to slip out a little earlier, thanks to him falling asleep quickly, but this was still not a time when anyone else would be around.

Yet, there were sounds of movement nearby.

‘Could it be…?’

Moreover, the sound was coming from the direction where the young Dark Elf was staying.

Arsep cautiously peered down the alley.

“There you are, hiding in a place like this, kid. If you were going to run away, you should’ve gone farther, don’t you think?”

At the end of the alley, the young Dark Elf was crouched down, and a man, who didn’t look the least bit friendly, stood before him, holding a drawn sword.

Seeing this, Arsep hurriedly covered her mouth, holding her breath to avoid detection.

‘Who is that man? I don’t recognize him, and why is he targeting that child?’

From the looks of it, the boy was likely being pursued, and this man had followed him all the way to this city in the Fairy Realm.

In the past, there had been humans who captured Dark Elves with their uniquely beautiful features and used them as slaves, even to the extent of employing hunters for the task.

Considering the lack of significant change over time, it was possible that such a culture still persisted.

‘I need to go back and get help…’

The man had a sword, but if she could bring him back quickly, they could subdue him without much trouble.

“If it weren’t for your unusual appearance, I’d have killed you by now. You’re lucky to have been born this way, don’t you think?”

But looking at the situation, there was no time to go for help.

The man continued advancing toward the boy, who was shivering with his back against the wall.

‘No, if I leave now, it’ll be too late…’

Arsep took a deep breath to steady herself.

If only she had her mana, this man would pose no threat to her at all.

But with no mana left and her body in its weakest state, comparable to that of a slime, she had to gather her resolve.

Silently, she moved to the man’s blind side, approaching him from behind.

Her lack of mana actually worked in her favor, keeping her footsteps undetected.

“You…!”

“Who’s there?”

Clang!

Arsep swung the milk bottle from her basket, striking the man’s head.

With a thud, milk spilled all over the ground as the man fell unconscious.

“Come with me! His companions might be nearby! We have to escape before they arrive!”

Taking the boy’s hand, she ran.

She would bring him to the safest place she knew in this world.