Chapter 174

“Ah... Beautiful,” Winley shouted in shock. She had spoken exactly what was on her mind, because she was too shocked to filter her thoughts.

“Oh my. Thank you, Lady Winley.”

“La... Lady?” Winley mumbled to herself and widened her eyes. She looked at the pure and elegant beauty and the little girl in her arms before glaring at Davey, who could read her thoughts immediately.

“Brother... Don’t tell me?!”

Davey frowned at Winley’s appalled voice. He asked, “What in the world is going on in that head of yours?”

A strikingly beautiful woman... To be precise, it was a girl wearing a hood over her head. She had bright blue hair and emerald eyes that shone brightly under the glare of the light. She was also carrying a little girl in her arms.

This entire sight would definitely arouse anyone’s suspicions. However, the identity of these two people were none other than Yuria Helishana and Myuu.

Creaaaaaaak... Thud.

“Oh my, there are other visitors. I was not aware of that.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Yuria smiled beautifully at Davey’s reply, then let down the child in her arms.

Myuu immediately ran towards Davey with her wide and sparkling eyes. “Uncle!”

“Goodness, Myuu! We haven’t seen each other in only a few short days but you’ve gained quite a bit of weight, huh? How have you been?”

“Nope! Myuu did not gain weight! Myuu always has fun with Gnoum. With Timmy and Ellie too! I ran around a lot! A loooo~t!”

The four other people present in the room frowned in confusion when they saw the child arguing with Davey. Only after Myuu’s hood fell down from her struggle to get comfortable in Davey’s hold did their frowning gazes stop. They murmured, “Huh?”

“I came to report on the results of the proceedings regarding Elder Condae and the other conservatives. Ah, before I talk about that, it seems like the streets are quite lively?”

“Everything’s bound to be noisy and lively for you, since you took a vacation and skipped work for almost two weeks.”

“Fufu,” Yuria chuckled as she lowered her head and looked at the four people who stared wide-eyed at her. She said, “It’s my first time meeting one of you, but as for the rest of you... Long time no see. Did you miss the tea that I brewed?”

Golgouda’s jaws dropped and his eyes grew wide at Yuria’s words. He could still recognize her despite the slight changes in her appearance. Actually, he was the one who was most familiar with Yuria, who worked as a maid in the estate.

“Y... You... don’t tell me...”

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am Yuria Helishana, the High Elf leading the Moon Forest’s elves located inside the Great Forest. Ah, Mr. Benefactor, from what I can understand, you will be having a joint festival with the dwarves’ Mining Festival?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, please let our Moon Forest participate alongside you. It’s just in time for our Spirit Ceremony too. It’s the perfect event to calm the chaotic and unsettling aura that’s still lingering in the village.”

Listening to Yuria’s words, Davey said with a smirk, “You’re going to drag the aggro properly, huh? You think everything’s so simple, huh?”

“Our Moon Forest has rejected the World Tree’s Covenant. Of course, this means that the World Tree’s pledge about staying cut-off from the rest of the world is meaningless to us. Anyway, we’re supposed to reveal ourselves sooner or later... If that’s the case, then I decided that it’s better to just reveal that we’re under your protection in a just and open manner,” Yuria explained with a smile, removing the hood that covered her head.

Everyone gasped when they saw Yuria’s ears, which were longer than Myuu’s ears and gave off a mysterious aura.

***

Elves loved nature dearly and they loathed the thought of it being destroyed. Meanwhile, dwarves loved fire and iron. In a way, one could describe the relationship between the elves and the dwarves as oil and water. It also had to be known that the two races hated losing to each other.

“Ha! No matter what you say, it is us, dwarves, that suggested this festival. Well, you pointy eared forest dwellers can also create some amazing things but you’re still no match to the dwarves when it comes to having fun! Do you really think that elves who live among the grass know how to have fun?”

“Oh my. I’m looking forward to that. But don’t you know? Intelligent creatures tend to flock where there is something new and novel. And don’t ever think that just because we’re called forestfolk that we only know how to caress the flowers with elegance and grace. Although we’re not as fiery and boisterous as the dwarves, we still have our own simple yet vibrant and lively entertainment.”

“Ho? Is that so?”

“Of course. Both elves and dwarves are beings who live in this world. Do you think you’re the only one living a decent life?”

“Then, I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m also looking forward to what dwarven festivals are like.”

“Hohohohoho!”

“Fufufufu!”

Although they were exchanging bright smiles, Yuria and Golgouda looked like they were about to grab each other by the collars.

“Come to think of it, your ages are quite strange. Right?”

“Oh my. A young elf like me still has a bright and long future ahead. I can’t compare to someone like you, who has plenty of experience and knowledge.”

“Hahahahahaha!!! Aren’t elves the race that’s well-known for not aging? But it seems like you have a lot of wrinkles and folds, huh?”

“If you’re asking for a private meeting, then...it’s probably because of the World Tree, huh?”

“Yes. I’m sure you’ve already heard of the news.”

According to rumors, beings believed to be elves were sighted in the western part of the kingdom. Davey already knew that those rumors were most definitely not spread by the humans but by the elves themselves.

“It seems like they’re preparing to reveal their existence to the world...”

“I’m actually quite a bit flustered, since the response has come much faster than I expected. My master, Madis, heard about our village’s situation and decided to keep an eye on the situation over there for the time being and keep me informed of the changes.”

“Is he trustworthy?”

Yuria smiled brightly at Davey’s question. “Yes. I don’t know about the others but the only one that I can trust in the Divine Tree is Madis. Anyway, the World Tree has decided, so the elves’ existence will be revealed to the world. I believe it will be revealed in a few months at the latest.”

“So, you’re taking the initiative?”

“Yes. From what I heard, the title of being the first is quite important for humans.”

Davey wondered if he had to help Yuria before he nodded silently at Yuria’s smile.

Clack!

Just then, someone slammed the windows open and entered with familiar ease, breaking the comfortable silence in the room. Since Rinne took care of Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon, the three of them would most probably be exhausted from playing around. This meant that they were not the intruders. If that was the case, then there was only one possible person left.

“Davey! I have shocking news for you!”

There was only one person, a girl, who would come in and out of Davey’s window and act as if it was her own house. This girl had dazzling and bright golden blonde hair, and a cute style. She was the precious child of Pallan Empire, the strongest force located in the center of the Tionis Continent. That was right; she was none other than Illyna de Pallan.

“Request a formal visit. You’re not a thief, so stop coming in through the window.”

“Eyy. What are you talking about? There shouldn’t be any need for that between us.”

“Is your physical health alright?”

“Ah... About that, there's still some side effects but everything’s alright.”

Davey smiled, noticing that the girl was talking to him without noticing Yuria’s presence.

On the other hand, Yuria was sipping her tea silently on one side of the room.

“Davey, I heard about the trouble that happened in the Rowane Kingdom. You won’t believe how shocked I was when I heard about the ridiculous things that you did after coming back.”

“It is what it is.”

“Ahem... Well, that’s your own business. Anyway! I brought more interesting news! Do you want to know about it?”

Davey felt like Illyna would ignore his refusal, so he simply said, “Interesting news?”

“I heard this from my father, but I believe you’ll also be interested in it.” Illyna stepped down from the window sill and patted down her skirt. This gesture was simple and absurd, one you would not see from a member of the Imperial Family. Then, she continued, “You must have heard the rumors about beings believed to be elves sighted on the western part of the continent, right?”

“Yes.”

The busybodies were all making a fuss these days, so there was no way that Davey had not heard about it.

“I’ve heard it from my father himself so the rumors about the beings believed to be elves being seen on the western part of the continent must be true!”

“Is that so?”

“Is that so? What do you mean ‘Is that so?’ Isn’t that very surprising?! That’s an elf! An elf! They’re the faes that appear in children’s fairy tales! They’re a noble and elegant race whose beauty is unmatched!”

Davey nodded at Illyna’s words.

“Caldeiras told me that elves truly existed but it’s very hard for me to believe since I haven’t seen any of them at all.”

“Is it really that amazing?”

Illyna shouted incredulously, “Of course!”

Hearing Illyna’s answer, Davey silently jerked his thumb to one side of the room and nodded. He was pointing at Yuria, who was still enjoying her tea and laughing as if she found the situation to be very, very interesting.

“You wanted to see various races living in harmony in Heins Territory right? Shouldn’t you be thanking me for bringing you this information in advance? How about teaching me a new swordsmanship from the [Longsword]...?”

Illyna, who had been talking nonstop, finally took notice of Davey’s actions. She glanced toward where Davey was pointing to and finally saw Yuria, who was enjoying her tea. She immediately stiffened and stopped her long tirade.

“It seems like I don’t need any of your advanced information though?” Davey murmured in a teasing tone. However, from what it looked like, his words did not even register in Illyna’s ears. He added, “After all, I’ve already caught them.”

“Da... Davey?!”

Davey thought about making Illyna a sacrifice to the board that he had created with his allies and making things bigger. After all, he would sell anything and everything if the situation called for it.