Chapter 18: The High Elf [2]

The Forgotten Forest, where the high elves reside, was a sanctuary that even the elven elders dared not set foot in.

Elven law could not possibly apply to such a special and noble being. It was the same in the world of high elves.

All high elves are equal beings.

There was neither authority nor reason to exert force on each other. That's exactly why carnivorous high elves like her can exist.

Even if she was like that, she couldn't eat meat openly in the human world because it was obvious that the dignity she cherished above all else would be damaged.

'Ugh... I need vegetarian food too. I need it!'

Convincing herself, Hiresia put the chickpea mushroom stir-fry and roasted vegetable salad on her plate.

She walked over to an empty table, sat down, picked up a knife and fork, and began eating a moderate meal—a figure perfectly adapted to human eating culture.

"When I see a noble person respecting and learning human culture in such a way, I feel something new in my heart."

"Yes, it is true learning."

"You could say she is a role model for other students."

Conversations with faculty and staff filled her hungry interest. But she wasn't in the right frame of mind to care about that right now.

'Fuck, it tastes bad. It tastes bad!' Hiresia shed tears of pain inside.

She barely managed to eat her meal, pretending to be calm, and headed to the place where she returned her tray.

"Did you enjoy your meal today, Hiresia?" the restaurant staff greeted with a smile.

'Even this is cooking!'

She felt like throwing her plate away, but, "Yes, I ate well," she replied, not letting a hint of her true feelings show on her smiling face.

"Then come again tomorrow."

'... It was dirty being together, but there's nothing I can do about it, so let's meet again tomorrow.'

She gave a very efficient greeting and hurried out of the restaurant.

---

Saint Leferia is a city bordering a fairly rugged mountain range to the north.

The southern starting point of the mountain range called the Central Mountains was Mount Hakin, north of Seongdo.

As the starting point of a mountain range, it has dense forests, steep roads, and a mountain with a fairly high elevation.

However, there were hardly any monsters.

This was because the mountain was adjacent to a large city, and the police periodically managed it by subduing monsters that came down from the mountain range.

There was a person climbing that mountain.

No, it would be more correct to say that they soared rather than climbed.

They floated up the cliffside, which was not even a path, and ascended. Then they stopped a little past the middle of the mountain.

"This will do."

Swoosh.

The figure landed lightly on the ground.

Silver hair, silver eyes, and long ears that resembled the color of the World Tree's leaves. Elves with silver hair are rare, but not uncommon.

But there was no elf with silver eyes. Except for the high elves.

That person was none other than the high elf Hiresia.

She had flown all the way from the foot of the mountain to here, borrowing the power of the wind spirit.

Why had she come here? There was no need to ask.

"Meat."

She knew how to whet her appetite.

That's right.

This was one of her frequent hunting grounds to satisfy her appetite. It was a great place for secret hunting as there were few human traces.

Whoosh.

After confirming that there were no humans around, Hiresia took out her bow.

Although it was a wooden bow, it felt like it was full of vibrant energy. It was natural because it was a bow made from the branches of the World Tree.

"...."

I showed mercy to the high elf who had frozen like a stone and could not even breathe.

"Senior, take a breath, take a breath."

Only then did her eyes blink.

"Where, where am I...? Who am I...?"

She had completely lost her mind and lost her sense of humor. I kindly gave her the answer.

"This is Mount Hakin, and you are a high elf."

"Ha, Hakin Mountain? Ha, High Elf?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Oh, I see."

She woke up with a dumbfounded face.

But I didn't miss the moment when she secretly let go of the skewer she was holding in her hand.

'Haha, this girl.' I laughed.

"Go, I have to go."

"Where?"

"To the dorm."

Hiresia muttered and walked unsteadily.

"Oh, where are you going?"

I grabbed her quickly. Her long ears twitched, a reaction that came out when she was truly embarrassed.

"Why, why?"

"Senior, were you planning to eat meat here?"

"Wh, what are you talking about?"

"Why is there meat here?"

"Why, why is it there?"

"You were holding it, senior?"

"Oh, no?"

Hiresia desperately denied it. I gave her one last blow.

"Hehehe, this is really well taken."

A magical crystal ball that can record video.

It was something I bought at the top of the mountain for a lot of money just before coming here.

To use at this very moment. I kindly played the video in front of her eyes.

-Hoo hoo hoo, it's meat, meat.

-Whoosh.

-Chiiik.

-Haha, okay.

-Yes.

The video stopped just before she opened her mouth wide and started chewing on the meat.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh... ugh, ugh..."

Gulp.

Hiresia's eyes rolled back.

Dump.

And then she just passed out.

"Oh my, was that too much?" I felt a little guilty. But what can I do? Life is a real battle.

"I'm sorry, but go to sleep. I won't wake you up forcibly."