Chapter 138 – Negotiation (4)
Prune’s eyes narrowed.
A new hostility flickered in her pupils.
“Erina is one of our kin, no matter what anyone says. If you intend to harm her, this will be the end of our negotiations.”
Ancelot didn’t flinch at the deadly glare. There was no way to avoid criticism without killing her.
If so,
“I’ll say it again. Erina, the Swordsman of Slaughter, must die.”
Thud!
Prune shot up from her seat. At the sa ti, Ancelot added another statent.
“As such, after her death, she must be reborn entirely.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Like a pupa shedding its old shell, she will cast off her old self and begin a new life under an identity known only to us.”
“……!”
“She disappeared over 50 years ago, so concealing her telltale red eyes and silver hair should be enough.”
Prune’s eyes widened gradually.
“However, this plan must remain a secret known only to a select few, including you and . Even our knights and the other elves must not know about her new identity.”
“……”
Prune fell into thought.
She hadn’t voiced it aloud, but she was well aware of the unease and dissatisfaction other elves harbored toward Erina.
As ti passed, those feelings beca increasingly apparent.
‘Even if it was for the sake of our kin…… That child’s actions were far too human-like.’
Even so, Prune had wholeheartedly supported Erina up to now, all for the future of their people.
‘……I put her in the forefront, fully aware of the hatred she would face.’
At that mont, Ancelot continued speaking.
“In addition, a minimal safety asure will be necessary.”
“……A safety asure?”
“We would need her to swear a mana oath.”
An oath sworn with mana. It was a form of restrictnt. Breaking it would result in the complete loss of all mana in one’s body.
“That’s an absurd demand……!”
“It’s not absurd at all. Her life would have ended if not for us. She should be grateful we’re sparing her.”
Prune imdiately clamped her mouth shut. For a long mont, she pressed her lips together, until.
“Phew……”
Finally, she let out a deep sigh.
“……No matter how I think about it, this isn’t a decision I can make. Let’s hear her thoughts first. After that, we’ll decide whether to accept your proposal.”
A smile spread across Ancelot’s face.
“Very well. Shall we go right away?”
“……”
Having been inford about the whole conversation, Erina twisted her lips into a crooked smile.
“So basically, you want to live the rest of my life as a slave to humans.”
Her low, subdued voice echoed softly. This was monts after she had been brought alone into a secluded hut.
Including Elder Prune, the people inside the hut numbered four. In case of any ergencies, Marquis Foltaine was also there.
-Cunning scoundrel. What a ridiculous idea you’ve co up with.
Marquis Foltaine’s expression conveyed this sentint clearly.
“Try not to think too negatively about it. At least pretend to give it so thought.”
“You want to consider such ridiculous nonsense?”
“Besides, you’ll get to decide the terms of the oath yourself.”
“……Wait. I’ll decide the terms?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“As I said, we’re not demanding unconditional obedience. We just need a token of trust—sothing to assure us you’ll no longer slaughter humans. That’s all.”
“……”
After thinking briefly, Erina suddenly looked toward the entrance.
“Huh……?”
Noticing her gaze, I tilted my head in confusion.
“……Fine. Let’s do it this way.”
“What way?”
“I’ll remain by your side. For the entirety of your fleeting lifespan, I’ll stay with you. That should be more than enough as a token of trust.”
“……!”
This was an entirely unexpected counteroffer.
Keeping her close would serve as both a ans of surveillance and an assurance of her loyalty.
Above all else……
‘If push cos to shove, maybe she could be used as a powerful asset……?’
Of course, my sly thoughts didn’t get very far.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, child with the thoughts of a conniving old geezer. Things won’t go as you wish.”
I flinched. Half-elf or not, her elven nature was undeniable.
“My new identity will be that of a ‘bodyguard’. I have no intention of being used to harm or kill others under your sches.”
“Wow…… You’re even deciding the identity we’re supposed to fabricate for you. How considerate.”
Clicking my tongue lightly, I asked again.
“But a bodyguard, huh…… Are you planning on becoming crippled and using that to get back at ?”
Erina smirked.
“Don’t flatter yourself, you insolent human. I have no intention of becoming your bodyguard.”
“Huh?”
Erina, who had just spoken, turned her gaze once more toward the door.
“Winley, was it? I will live as the bodyguard of that human princess outside.”
“……!”
Twitch.
Marquis Foltaine’s eyebrows shot up imdiately.
I took a mont to envision returning to the heart of the royal palace with this lunatic in tow.
‘Is this really a good idea?’
While I was entertaining such thoughts, Marquis Foltaine spoke up as though he had been waiting.
“If Her Highness agrees, and the oath is properly done…… It might not be a bad idea.”
“Are you serious?”
“I have a vague idea why she’s acting this way.”
Apparently, sothing had happened during my absence.
“Well, if you say so, Marquis.”
“Heheheh. Don’t trust people too much, kid. This could all just be a ploy for your downfall.”
“If it is, I’d have only myself to bla for misjudging soone.”
“Enough flattery, you rascal. How do you plan to explain this to the people outside?”
“Outside?”
“You can’t just suddenly announce that Her Highness now has a bodyguard, can you?”
It seed he was convinced that Winley would take Erina as her bodyguard.
“There’s also the matter of the elves. If Erina suddenly disappears, they’ll find it suspicious.”
“Well, I happen to have a plan that solves both problems at once.”
“……!”
The gazes of all three present turned toward .
“That said…… Hey, red eyes. I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor?”
Erina tilted her head, puzzled.
“No, calling it a favor isn’t quite right. Since Winley will be with you, let’s call it a mission.”
The gears in my head started spinning.
‘You might claim you won’t be exploited, but that doesn’t an I can’t.’
I smiled inwardly.
“I am the lord of Black Swan. Up until now, the reason humans haven’t dared to step onto this land isn’t just because of the dwarves and elves……”
I unfolded another finger as I spoke, together with the two I was already holding up.
“……But also the monsters in the north.”
“……!”
I decided to take this opportunity to eliminate all threats around the territory.
“Monsters are undoubtedly a significant threat to non-humans as well. Therefore, we’ll head to the north to investigate the activities of these common enemies, clearing out the outskirts, and establishing outposts and fortified walls.”
At this, sounds of contemplation ca from the others.
The monsters, the main culprits that turned Black Swan into a land of death.
Considering their numbers, it was impossible to completely exterminate them. But at the sa ti, sitting idly by wasn’t an option either.
“The skilled dwarves will quickly construct outposts and walls, the sharp-eyed elf rangers will monitor the area at all tis, and the humans will provide active support and eliminate any approaching monsters.”
“……!”
“In other words, the three races will unite as one against a common foe.”
This plan would create a happy ending for dwarves, elves, and humans alike.
“If that’s possible, it would be ideal. However, is it really feasible? The monsters in the north are on a different level entirely……”
I lightly shrugged at Elder Prune’s concerns.
“That’s why it’s fortunate. In the process, the Swordsman of Slaughter will et her end. No suspicions will arise, and she’ll be rembered as a hero who sacrificed herself for the revival of the clan.”
“Ah!”
Though she had her worries, Prune’s face lit up with hope. Erina, too, gazed at with eyes filled with mixed emotions.
At the very least, whatever thoughts this lunatic was harboring, they didn’t seem hostile.
-You’re a true scher, aren’t you? This was your plan all along!
No longer able to hold back, Marquis Foltaine conveyed his admirations through his thoughts.
-Thank you for the complint.
-Impressive, impressive. Especially how you intend to use that lunatic to your advantage…… Heheheh.
While Marquis Foltaine was still conveying his thoughts to .
“Then, the elves will assist you. This seems far too dangerous to do alone.”
“Great. We won’t need too many—just five skilled mages should suffice.”
We would need witnesses to observe the situation anyway.
“Only five? Will that be enough?”
“Too many eyes wouldn’t be good, either. After all, we have to stage a death.”
“Well, this seems like it’s benefiting us elves too much……”
Before Prune could finish his thought, Erina interjected.
“No need to feel indebted, Elder. This is sothing the humans are doing for their own benefit as well.”
Look at that attitude, spoiling a perfectly good atmosphere. Unlike this half-blood, elves were refreshingly straightforward.
Unlike humans, they didn’t play any gas.
“Then, can we release Erina now?”
“Only after the oath is made.”
Erina declared without hesitation.
“I, Erina, swear by mana that I will bring no harm to the humans here. Furthermore, if Winley, the human princess, accepts my proposal, I will serve as her bodyguard until the day her life cos to an end.”
Hummm!
A resonating hum filled the air as her oath concluded. She was quite bold, befitting of a lunatic.
With a swift motion, Marquis Foltaine cut her ropes with his blade.
“We should start with her treatnt.”
She had a fatal wound that had nearly resulted in the amputation of her wrist.
Though I had provided first aid to prevent infection, without proper treatnt, she might break before I could make full use of…… I an, beco crippled.
Drizzle!
Without delay, I poured my highest-grade potion onto her wounds.
‘What a waste.’
It was a treasure I had kept for ergencies. Who would’ve thought I’d use it on this lunatic?
‘I’ll make sure to milk this for all it’s worth.’
“……Ugh……”
As I mused, Erina let out a faint groan of pain.
“Thank you.”
Elder Prune lightly bowed with gratitude. Seizing the mont, I posed a question.
“Since we’re allies now, may I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve heard that a flower called Panella grows here. Is that true?”
“Panella……?”
“A companion of mine is currently sick. It’s a crucial ingredient needed to cure a curse that stunts growth……”
I gave a detailed description of the flower.
“Ah! You must an Ussia!”
“You know of it?”
“Of course. I even know exactly where it grows.”
“……!”
My face lit up instantly. I could already imagine the joy on Milon and May’s faces.
“But…… There’s a problem.”
“A problem?”
“Ussia grows in the deepest part of this forest, but……”
Thinking about it, Nella had ntioned sothing similar.
“The problem is, that area is currently hard to get to, even for us.”
“What? Wasn’t the entire forest elven territory?”
“Don’t judge us by human standards. How could we claim the entirety of this vast forest as our own?”
Elder Prune spoke firmly, her tone unyielding.
“The forest is larger than any major human city you could na.”
If Black Swan as a whole was the size of a ‘duchy’, then the forest was its city. Its largest tropolis, at that.
“If you divide the forest into north and south, we live mainly in the south, while other creatures inhabit the north.”
“Are you saying those other creatures in the north are……?”
Prune nodded grimly.
“As you know, the north of Black Swan is ho to monsters. The northern forest is teeming with them as well.”
“How troubleso.”
“Thankfully, a massive river runs through the center of the forest. It acts as a natural boundary, and the monsters rarely cross it.”
It seems I have one more reason to head north.
“Incidentally, the northern forest is also rich with Bell and Aransi, which are coveted by humans.”
“Bell and Aransi?”
Erina, grimacing in pain, clarified further.
“You humans call them Rune and Prisia—key ingredients for elixirs and mana pills.”
“……!”
At once, my face brightened. I had been pondering how to negotiate for these ingredients, but it seed there no longer was any need to.
‘Why bother negotiating when we can just take everything for ourselves?’
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