[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 118 - Isra’s Great Forest (17)
The Elf Elder's face was a picture of confusion.
"The oath has already been fulfilled? What on earth…?"
"Mother, ask again."
Nierta suggested.
"Maybe soone else made an oath without your knowledge. We need to know exactly what oath has been fulfilled."
"Very well."
The Elf Elder raised her hands and called out again.
"World Tree! We have co to fulfill the oath! Ten years ago, during the Demon King's attack, these two humans standing here saved our tribe! Afterward, the daughter of our tribe, Isra made an oath to the World Tree that if she ever found one of these two humans, Dian, again, she would give everything she has to repay the debt of her life! And in response, did you not reestablish your roots?"
The Elf Elder paused for a mont, perhaps due to a sore throat from the lengthy explanation, then continued.
"The oath you ntioned that has already been fulfilled—what exactly was it? Is it the oath that Isra made, as I just described?"
The World Tree responded with light.
"That oath... is correct...?"
The World Tree continued to glow, several tis in succession.
With each flash of light, the Elf Elder's expression shifted dramatically.
"They sneaked in here last night?"
Flash.
"And they fulfilled the oath in this pond of essence?"
Flash.
"They engaged in various... activities until dawn?"
Flash.
"Isra even begged to continue?"
Flash.
"Thirty-year-old mushroom? Knot? Maple sap?! What are you talking about?!"
The Elf Elder's final exclamation was practically a scream.
I, too, felt like screaming. Has the World Tree gone mad?!
"Oh dear."
Linus cleared his throat and turned away politely, while Nierta's face turned as red as it could get.
But the funniest thing was Isra. Why is she hanging her head and giggling to herself?!
"What is the aning of this, Isra?"
However, when the Elf Elder turned around, Isra's smile quickly vanished.
"Um... well..."
Isra couldn't continue and instead looked straight at .
‘What? You want to explain?’
I asked with my eyes, and Isra bit her lip and averted her gaze.
She's really passing the buck to .
With the Elf Elder, Linus, and Nierta all looking at , I had no choice but to speak in a serious tone.
"Yes, the oath has been fulfilled."
"Is that true…?"
The Elf Elder clasped her hands together, her face filled with emotion.
"Is it true that the oath Isra made to the World Tree has been fulfilled? And that Lord Dian has accepted it?"
"Of course. There was no reason to refuse. After all, Isra is the girl I saved, and she has grown into such a fine woman."
"So, it’s certain that Lord Dian has taken Isra’s body? That you were her first?"
"Uh... It’s a bit embarrassing to put it so bluntly, but yes, that’s correct."
"That is indeed wonderful news!"
The Elf Elder bead with a bright smile.
Elves practice polyandry. Or more accurately, they practice both polygamy and polyandry.
It is their culture and tradition for wandering male elves to visit the Great Forest, impregnate several won, and then leave. This is how they propagate and continue their species.
So, while elves may act refined and dignified in the outside world, among themselves, they are very open when it cos to sexuality.
That much was clear from how casually the elves flirted with yesterday, sothing that would be considered extrely rude in human society.
Thus, it made sense that the Elf Elder would be persistently questioning about whether I had taken her daughter’s first ti and then expressing joy about it.
This is one of those monts where it really hits ho that elves and humans are fundantally different species.
"Isra."
Isra, who had been making an obscene hand gesture by forming a circle with her thumb and index finger and poking it with the other hand's finger, quickly dropped her hands and lowered her head when Nierta called out to her.
"Yes, Mother."
"Now that the oath has been fulfilled, you can return to the academy without any worries."
"Yes, Mother…"
"Thank you, Lord Dian."
The Elf Elder bowed her head to .
"Thanks to your help in fulfilling the oath, the World Tree will further accelerate the growth of the Great Forest. As a result, our tribe will once again flourish as it did before."
"That’s certainly sothing to celebrate."
"Lord Dian saved our tribe ten years ago, and now again."
The Elf Elder knelt, followed by Nierta and Isra.
"Lord Dian, you are truly a hero and warrior of our Tyraellen."
"Uh... Thank you."
I awkwardly knelt as well, and Linus nodded with a deeply satisfied expression.
"By the way, I heard from the World Tree that you’ve been teaching Isra quite thoroughly..."
"Please convey to the World Tree that if it wants another lesson, it might need to get burned down again."
Nierta couldn’t hold back her laughter.
# # # # #
After leaving the World Tree, we returned to the tent village.
"Oh, it’s Lord Dian!"
"Lord Dian! Where were you last night? We were looking everywhere for you!"
"Are you staying here today too? Co to our tent!"
As elves heading out for work started making crazy comnts from all directions, Nierta glared at them.
"You lot!"
Under her intense gaze, the elves grumbled and scattered in all directions.
At the outskirts of the Great Forest, we prepared to part ways.
"Now, Isra, return to the academy with Lord Dian. You’ve beco the Vice-Headmaster, so you must set a good example."
"Yes, Mother."
Isra bowed her head.
"Lord Dian, please take care of Isra. She may be a bit rough around the edges, but she's a bright and capable child."
"Don’t worry. She’s done well so far, and I’m sure she’ll continue to do so."
The Elf Elder nodded in satisfaction at my response.
"Please visit the Great Forest again. You are always welco."
"I will. Thank you."
"Isra!"
Nierta rushed over and hugged Isra.
The two embraced tightly, whispering words we couldn’t hear.
Judging by Nierta’s face, which was already flushed, and her occasional glances at , I had a good idea of what they were talking about.
"That’s enough now."
As Isra and Nierta separated, Linus looked around at all of us.
"Well then, let’s head back. Goodbye, everyone."
"Take care."
"Goodbye, Isra! I’ll write to you!"
And so, we all safely returned to the Academy.
# # # # #
"Head Professor!"
As soon as Isra and I arrived at the Academy, a group of professors rushed over.
"You’ve finally returned, Professor Isra!"
"Ah, yes."
Lina, shaking both of Isra's hands, made her look quite flustered.
"You should call her Vice-Headmaster now."
"Ah, right. Vice-Headmaster."
Lina smiled awkwardly as she corrected herself, following Morton’s reminder.
"Congratulations on your return and promotion, but you should first report to the Headmaster."
Felimia adjusted her glasses as she spoke.
"She hasn’t been eating or drinking. You should go report your return imdiately."
Isra and I hurriedly rushed to the headmaster’s office.
"Headmaster!"
When we opened the door, a dark figure was slumped over the desk.
It was Kirlin, looking quite haggard.
Her normally dark skin was even darker, and her hair was a ss. It seed she hadn’t washed or grood herself since I left the academy yesterday.
"Headmaster. I’ve brought Professor Isra—no, the Vice-Headmaster. Please, get a hold of yourself."
"Isra...?"
Kirlin’s ruby-red eyes widened as she saw Isra.
"Isra!"
Leaping over the desk like a leopard, Kirlin tackled Isra into a hug.
"Waah! I thought you weren’t coming back!"
Then, out of nowhere, she began to cry.
Both Isra and I exchanged bewildered glances.
"It’s because I’m so useless! How could soone as talented and intelligent as Isra endure having an idiot like in charge...?"
"Headmaster..."
Isra hesitantly raised her hand and gently patted Kirlin’s back.
"It wasn’t because of you..."
"No, it’s all my fault!"
Kirlin was yelling so loudly that Isra winced and had to pull her face away slightly.
"I should’ve resigned as headmaster... That would’ve made everyone happier, but I couldn’t, and I’m sorry... I’m so sorry for being a coward..."
Isra let out a soft sigh and held the weeping Kirlin.
It seed like Kirlin would keep crying endlessly, so I decided to step in.
"Co on now, stop crying and calm down. It looks like you haven’t eaten anything either, so why don’t we go get sothing to eat?"
Honestly, I was starving at that mont.
Although they provided food in the Great Forest, it was all just greens, and no matter how much I ate, I never felt full.
The three of us went to a cafe and ordered a whole strawberry shortcake, while Isra ordered a salad.
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I’ve caused so much trouble for both of you, Dian and Isra..."
Kirlin kept sniffling and apologizing as she stuffed her face with the cake.
She looked so pitiful that Isra had to keep patting Kirlin’s shoulder, trying to comfort her, which was a rather odd role reversal.
# # # # #
That evening.
After work, I got a bit of a scolding from Olysia.
It was just the usual stuff, like how I should’ve inford her in advance if I planned to stay out overnight.
But she seed very pleased when she heard that I had brought Isra back and that she had been promoted to Vice-Headmaster.
After all, Olysia always wants to do well at the academy, and now that Isra, who owes a lot, had beco the Vice-Headmaster, it was a win-win.
"So, you’ve beco quite close with Professor Isra, who’s now a very important person?"
"Well, you could say that."
"Oh my, that’s wonderful!"
I was smiling as I watched Olysia dance with excitent when suddenly, soone rang the doorbell outside.
"I’ll get it!"
Olysia dashed across the yard and went to the gate. Monts later, she called out to loudly.
"Sir Dian! Co out quickly!"
Wondering what the matter was, I went outside to find Isra standing at the door.
"Vice-Headmaster? What brings you here at this hour?"
Since we had agreed to act as we did before in front of others, I addressed her formally. Isra, looking sowhat excited, showed the small bag she was holding.
"It’s my luggage from the dormitory. As you can see, I didn’t bring much."
"What? Oh, yes, well, that’s typical for elves. But that’s not the point—why did you bring all your stuff here?"
"What do you an?"
Isra smiled as she responded.
"We’re going to live together from now on, aren’t we?"
"Guh."
As Olysia caught sight of Isra’s bright smile, a look of horror crossed her face.
"Why is she smiling like that... Has she gone mad...?"
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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