As expected, the village... It had been utterly erased from existence. What remained was a desolate townscape and the remnants of once-standing houses.
The countless burnt corpses of Hus and elves."
There might be so of us who escaped through sheer luck, though the chances of many escaping were probably low.
Originally, we elves had a low birthrate. Given the current situation, I don't believe we can expect to see a new generation of pure-blood elves again. If there was such a possibility, the chances of male and female elves eting to have children are very low.
I'm certain that the children born from today onward will be of mixed blood, intermingling with other races. This implies that pure elves will face extinction in the near future.
That's why I made a solemn vow to the World Tree.
To live a longer life and demonstrate the continued existence of the elf race in this world. While I cannot guarantee the survival of pure-blood elves, half-blood elves are still elves. As long as I can find a way to improve bloodlines with my alchemy, everything should be alright.
As a pureblood elf, however, the possibility of getting pregnant easily may be even lower compared to normal elves.
But for that reason, I need to leave and stay in the town where Hu lives and search for soone that I can trust, soone who has the qualifications to beco my partner.
However, I believe there may be no such person in the Hu race whom I can trust, which caused this tragic event.
I have a deep-seated hatred towards them deep inside my heart. Nevertheless, I still need to find soone that I can trust fully if I don't want to see the end of my race.
The only races that elves can mate with and leave their offspring other than themselves are the Hu, Devils, and Demons.
So elves have attempted to mate with the Beast race before for research purposes, but the results showed it was impossible to conceive a child.
However, for the Demon and the Devils, just being with them would tarnish the elves' pride, and both of their bloodlines are filled with dense negative energy that can surpass elven blood, resulting in a newly born baby more resembling a Demon or Devil rather than an elf."
Given this, the Hu race was the only option left. Their bloodline is nothing worth ntioning, so elven blood would dominate, making it easier for a new elf to be born, but only if an elf/human woman gets pregnant. As I ntioned before, it's not easy to have elven children, a fact that also applies to male elves, as they can't easily impregnate won of other races.
"How ironic that I now have to rely on those who destroyed my ho to make it prosperous again."
Thinking about such things, I decided to prepare and embark on a journey, deeply imrsed in sentint.
Whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, in our village, which was located upwind, although almost all houses were caught by the fire, but because our unique seal magic used to make them sturdier, so they were still in relatively good condition from the inside.
So, it was possible to find sothing in the ruined village that could help on my future trip.
First and foremost, a magic item that had beco absolutely necessary for from this point onward was located inside my own house.
If I can find this magic item, I might be able to conceal my true identity as an elf.
After wasting an entire hour searching in vain, I accidentally stumbled upon the item inside my father's storage pouch, which he had given before. It was a bracelet-type magic item along with a magic-filling tool.
There were many other things in the storage bag that I had forgotten to check in my tension before.
"With this item, I would at least be able to travel outside without being recognised.
Coming from my mouth unintentionally, a voice of relief leaked out.
However, I wasn't entirely safe. It was true that with this magic item, I could alter my appearance. But if the accumulated magic ran out, its effect would vanish, and I would revert to my original appearance. Thus, I would have to regularly replenish the magic in the magic tool. Missing the timing to resupply could lead to dire consequences.
Anyway, having this magic item would enable to live in lands belonging to other races.
Afterwards, I gathered so clothes from my own house and my neighbor's house, packed them into my storage bag, and also found a bow and a dagger for protection.
The preparations for my departure progressed steadily, and at long last, all the arrangents were complete. By that ti, it was already evening, so I decided to set out at sunrise the following day.
Tonight, I made the decision to sleep in my own house one last ti, the place where I had spent over a hundred years.
Even though it had burnt from the outside, and there was nothing left since I put everything important in storage bags, it was still a place full of important mories.
"Let's firmly burn these scenes into my eyes and rember them for life."
Together with the pleasant mories, emotions of anger boiled up from within my heart. I wiped my own tears over and over again while spending the last night in my village.
"I'll definitely return once again."
Leaving words of determination behind, I left my ho for good the next day.
...
I decided to aim for a distant town as far away as possible.
The further I move, the less people will know of the tragedy that happened at the elf village, and also, I thought that those who had never t elves before would naturally increase.
I'm sure no one would think I'm an elf, I have the magic item, so there's no way of knowing, but it would ensure my safety to proceed with my plan.
On the way to the town, I used "Unique Magic・Tree" and "Alchemy" secretly in the forest to create a lot of healing potions.
I'll sell these on the way and earn so money.
In addition, I made potions that can make a figure appear transparent for a certain period of ti and potions that emit intense light when used.
Considering that I was a woman travelling alone, it was essential to take precautions.
Even if people don't know that I am an elf, there will co a ti when people with evil intentions will appear.
Being a woman is not easy. Thus, I should move with extre caution.
"Hey, Miss, you do have so quality Healing Potions right there. You seem new here, so I won't take advantage of you. I'll buy it for 20 Silver coins, what do you think? And let tell you, you won't find soone as generous as in this entire town."
In a town I happened to pass through, I t a middle-aged man with dangerously low hair on his head, who was interested in purchasing one of the potions I had crafted and currently trying to sell at my temporary stall.
Recognizing this as a good opportunity, I decided to gather information by engaging in conversation while selling my potion. However, he seed unusually enthusiastic about buying my potion for so reason. Although It was a little creepy but anyway, but I dismissed my thoughts, thinking perhaps he had never encountered such a high-quality potion before.
"Thanks for your patronage, Uncle. By the way, I'm sure you've been to many places since you've seen a peddler. Do you happen to know of a town with good public security and a pleasant atmosphere to spend ti in?"
"Oh? I see. So you're thinking of migrating? You're not from this kingdom, are you?"
"Yeah, I co from another kingdom that's currently in the midst of a civil war, and it's very difficult for a woman like to live there on my own. If there's a town with a low population, friendly people, and a peaceful environnt, I would definitely want to settle down there."
The Uncle contemplated for a mont and provided with two options that t my criteria.
"Let's see, it's a bit far, but you can go to the capital city. The king resides there, and it's lively with guaranteed public safety. Many nobles and wealthy rchants live there, so if you manage to attract so powerful guy's attention, you won't have to worry about anything in your life. However, if you prefer a less crowded area, I'd recomnd Lucas Town.
It's about a six-hour journey from the capital city by carriage. While the town itself is small, it offers almost everything the capital city does, albeit on a smaller scale. The security is decent, and it's generally a relaxed place. I once lived there for a few months during my travels, and it left a positive impression on ."
Indeed, the capital certainly seed like a good choice. Not to find a noble or rich family guy, but to do business and learn more about the kingdom's situation.
After that, it's the Town of Lucas, right?
"Thank you so much! Then, I'll go to the capital." I bowed my head to the kind-hearted uncle and went off.
But, what was it? I felt sowhat uncomfortable about that uncle. As if he could see through my entire soul...
Looking back at the bad feeling, I turned around to check the figure of the uncle again...
However, I could not see the appearance of that mysterious uncle. He vanished out of thin air in the middle of the street without anyone realizing, as if he had never existed in the first place.
Eh? What was that? This is a good road with nice views. I don't think I could lose sight of soone only after walking a few ters.
The bad feeling that I felt earlier grew stronger.
That uncle, was he perhaps a bad person?
I shouldn't doubt too much, but the other party is from the Hu race. It's better to be careful from now on.
I told him that I was heading towards the capital. Maybe on the way, he would cut off from the road, confront , and do sothing bad to ...
No, wait. Normally, one would think I would stay in a hotel since I have no place to stay, right?
Either way, I think there was a high possibility that I'm still being watched. Otherwise, there's no way to explain this entire situation.
Let's change the destination to Lucas Town.
"Though money will be wasted, but no compromise with safety."
I went and stayed in an inn."As I entered the room, I took the transparent potion and left the town imdiately.
With this, they probably wouldn't be able to search for .
"Well, since I've decided on it, it's ti to start acting on it."
Leaving the inn, I began walking down the road where the sunset could be seen.
Of course, I continued to use the transparent potion.
I also confird the way to the capital and Lucas Town at the reception of the inn. They told to go to the capital.
As I pretended to be interested in the capital even if that mysterious uncle is listening in on our conversation, he would not think that I would head for Lucas Town.
Most likely, this should be fine, and I should be able to move.
"My destination is Lucas Town. I wonder, what kind of town is it? I hope I won't face too many problems there..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)