Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

The negotiations with the dark elves went a lot smoother than anticipated. Of course, the brief time after they reached the village was absolute chaos. The atmosphere was already tense because of the casualties on their end, and yet now a dragon came flying towards their village. It also didn’t help that another dragon might come to attack them soon, so the chaos was only to be expected.

Amidst that, the way Paserane desperately tried to convince them, and the presence of another dragon, helped greatly in persuading the other dark elves. Thus, they succeeded in convincing them about the potential attack of another dragon and started preparing to search for them, as well as preparing for the attack.

That night, Kyle and his friends were a bit further away from the dark elf village, preparing to set up camp. Although they were working together, since the dark elves were a secluded race, they couldn’t let Kyle’s group stay inside the village, asking for them to sleep outside, to which they agreed.

“It’s been a while since you came home, right, Erina? There’s no need for you to stay with us.” Kyle tried to be considerate, but the girl just showed a saddened smile.

“I left the village a long time ago, so…I don’t have people I’m close with there, let alone friends.”

“O-Okay…” Kyle’s face tightened up after failing his attempt to be considerate.

Thinking about it, Erina may have left the village out of her own desire, but half of that was also due to force by the inhabitants. Erina received some dubious gazes by the dark elves here and there after all.

“Ah, but, I do have my memories with Mom and Dad, so I do feel nostalgic. And, a few people still cared for me after all that.”

Seeing Kyle’s dejected reaction, Erina tried to provide a quick follow-up.

“Is that…Paserane?”

“Yes, she’s always been kind to me. Even after my father passed away, she recommended I should just leave if it gets too hard for me to live there.”

Right as Erina spoke of her, Paserane arrived.

“We’re having those skilled at searching on the lookout for the dragon right now. The ones who can fight are preparing for a potential battle.”

“If they find him by the day after tomorrow, we’ll go meet him ourselves, and if not, we’ll wait here for a counterattack…right?”

“I think that would be a good starting point.”

“…Our goal is not to defeat Ghrud, but to bring him home…so I really wish we could approach him ourselves.”

That was Kyle’s goal, but that would mean the one controlling Ghrud would be nearby, and they would have to dispose of them.

“How’s it looking inside the village?”

“Relatively calm, for now. We have a dragon on our side as well, after all.” Paserane showed a wry smile, looking over at the sleeping Irumera.

The people in the village were probably expecting the dragon to intercept any incoming attack by another dragon.

“I see…”

In reality, they had not confirmed this with Irumera, but Kyle decided to just stay quiet about it for everyone’s sake.

“Not to mention that we have another reliable partner…though she wouldn’t want to hear that.” Paserane showed a somewhat complicated expression as she looked up at a demon woman resting on a tree branch.

After that, Erina struck up a conversation with Paserane, who responded with a smile. However, Paserane’s smile felt a bit stiff to Kyle.

Urza was walking around inside the village at that time. Of course, the dark elves weren’t exactly friendly towards her, but she told them that she wanted to confirm the layout of the village in case the dragon were to attack, so they didn’t send her away. Of course, part of that was also because of Urza’s curiosity, and she didn’t want to waste this chance to see the inside of a dark elf village. This one, in particular, seemed to have several hundreds of inhabitants, and the trees doubled as their houses.

Using magic on the saplings, after a few hundred years, it’ll grow into a proper house. The elves were doing this in a similar procedure, so it was Urza’s impression that their lifestyles weren’t that different.

“I guess elves and dark elves…are fairly similar.” She muttered this impression and planned on returning to Kyle’s camp, and Paserane returned.

“Urza, was it? …I’d like to talk with you about something.”

“With me?” Urza wondered what Paserane would want from Urza, and not Kyle.

“You and that human…Kyle, yeah? What kind of relationship do you two have?”

Urza was at a loss for words.

“Um, well…good question.”

It was a bit late, but Urza started thinking. The reason she was traveling with Kyle’s group even now is that he knew her true name despite them not being familiar. To a spirit user, having your true name is like your soul. Leaving him alone like that would be far too dangerous. But, it had been quite some time since she even thought about that.

Huh? Why am I traveling with Kyle despite it being so dangerous?

Thinking about it, she was actually part of something crazy. She had been in constant danger for her life not only one or two times. They even fought a demon, and now might end up fighting a dragon. It made sense for Seran and Lieze to travel with Kyle because they are Kyle’s childhood friends. However, Urza should be able to just call it quits whenever. Yet, she never once thought of doing so, and she had no plans of doing so either… As Urza was lost in her thoughts, Paserane showed an expression like she had understood everything.

“…I heard that elves are also very seclusive like us. Yet, why did you end up as lovers with a human?”

“L-Lovers?! Kyle and I aren’t in this kind of relationship!”

However, she also didn’t know how else to explain their relationship, so she just aggressively denied that statement.

“Also, why did you even think that we were like that?!”

“Well, Erina spoke of you two so fondly.”

“Erina…”

As Erina had been traveling with the group for quite some time, she most likely had seen this odd relationship Kyle and Urza shared. On top of that, Erina was an adolescent girl, she most likely was interested in this sort of topic.

“B-Being with Kyle…is fun, and never boring…”

“That’s all? Is that why you risk your life on this dangerous journey?”

“T-That’s it.”

“I see…so you’ve fallen for him to such an extent?”

“No! That’s not what this is…! This is…Ahh, jeez!” Urza scratched her head with a beet-red face, as Paserane let out a snicker.

“Love with someone from a different race…and marriage, huh. I wonder if that person was happy?”

“M-Marriage…Are you talking about Erina’s father?”

Paserane nodded. Despite being of the dark elf race, he fell in love with a human woman and even made Erina, so he was quite the rarity.

“I really respected that person…Or rather, admired him. He was my first love, someone who would most likely have risen to become the chief of this village…and yet he threw that aside to marry a human woman…I couldn’t understand it at all…even now…” Paserane seemed to be thinking about something, as she showed a weakened expression.

Maybe her near-death experience during the afternoon was still taking a toll on her.

“I’ve never met Erina’s parents, but I’m certain that they were definitely happy,” Urza spoke up.

“H-How can you say that?”

“It’s simple. Just look at Erina, that should tell you enough, right?”

“That’s…”

Paserane didn’t deny it—because she couldn’t.

“…Then, that is reality. No matter what I say, nothing will change. You should treasure what you see with your own eyes.” Urza declared.

Paserane thought about it for a moment and then showed a refreshed expression.

“Yeah…Sorry for bringing up something weird like that, I just started remembering all sorts of things after meeting Erina…I can’t tell my fellow dark elves or humans about this…so now I’m feeling a bit better.”

She could tell Urza, an elf, about this because she is exceptionally close with a human.

“What about Roas?” Urza asked.

“Like hell I could tell a Unicorn about this.”

Indeed, as the Unicorn hated all men, this kind of story was not meant for its ears.

“I’m really bad with this kind of advice, but…” Urza showed a wry smile.

“I’m feeling better, so thank you…However.”

“However?”

“I believe you should become more honest with yourself.”

Paserane’s teasing comment made Urza’s face turn as red as a tomato.

“So you’re back…Uh, what’s wrong?”

After Urza returned to the camping ground, Kyle found it dubious for Urza to stare at his face and threw her a question.

“No, it’s nothing…I was just thinking that I’m fine with the way things are right now.”

“I don’t really get it, but…you walked around right? Anything worth mentioning?”

“It was quite interesting. It’s not too different from my hometown, but it also has a different feeling…” Urza explained and sat down.

Since Lieze wasn’t around then, Urza nonchalantly sat down a lot closer next to Kyle.

At the same time, Yuriga was resting up on a high tree, away from Kyle’s group. Although they were dark elves, they still belonged to the humanfolk. If a demon like Yuriga was around, it would only cause chaos, so she erased her presence to stay up here, not appearing in front of anybody except Paserane and Roas, who knew the circumstances. Suddenly, Lieze approached Yuriga with a plate in hand.

“What do you want?” Yuriga didn’t bother hiding her annoyance, looking down at Lieze.

“I brought you some food. Even demons get hungry, no?”

On the plate were bread and soup, as well as a desert. A full-fledged menu as always.

“Are you bad with sweet stuff? I have some great honey to put on the bread, and…”

“…I told you not to bother with me. I’m simply traveling with you, not as one of your allies.”

“But, you saved me, right? I wanted to thank you…So thanks for today.” Lieze finally got to thank Yuriga.

“That…I was just repaying the debt.”

“Um…what debt?” Lieze tilted her head, having trouble remembering.

“Did you forget? At the city you call Callan, after we fought underground, you let me go.” Yuriga shook her head, but it helped Lieze remember.

“Ahhhhhh…yeah, that did happen.”

“You really are a weird one. I’m a demon, you’re a human, how can you talk with me so easily? Have you not seen that Kyle human’s attitude towards me?”

Yuriga was fully aware that Kyle emitted clear hostility towards her, and she didn’t blame him for that.

“Ah, you’re right…Sorry about him. I just hope he doesn’t start a needless fight with you.” Lieze glanced over in Kyle’s direction, shaking his head.

Yuriga observed this with another sigh.

“Normally I would have to challenge you again after my previous loss, but…are you not scared of us demons?”

“Hmmm…Maybe it’s because we fought once before, I feel like I understood you quite a lot, Yuriga.”

“After a single battle? I really don’t get humans at all.” Yuriga shook her head, showing a puzzled expression.

“But, you don’t necessarily resent humans, right, Yuriga?”

“………”

Yuriga tried to throw an argument back at Lieze, but she couldn’t. After all, Lieze was completely right. Yuriga didn’t really feel much towards the human race. She was born after the great war between humanfolk and demons three hundred years ago, and she served the current Demon Lord, who advocated peace, so she would be lying if she said she resented humanfolk.

“If we had to fight, then it wasn’t because of your own resentment, but rather because of your position. That much I understood.” Lieze spoke with a confident tone, as Yuriga stayed quiet.

“…I simply don’t care about humanfolk to be perfectly honest.” Yuriga felt like she had lost, as she jumped down from the tree, where Lieze pushed the plate at her with a ‘Here you go’ smile.

***

The following morning, Paserane and Roas rushed towards Kyle’s group.

“Did you find them?” Kyle asked, to which Paserane responded with a bitter tone.

“That’s…we found something, but something doesn’t add up.” Paserane opened the map, pointing at an area near Rinecol. “We spotted a dragon and a large number of people in that area…but according to the information, they changed their plans and were heading over to Rinecol.”

“…Huh? Why Rinecol?” Kyle asked, confused.

“How would I know?” Paserane looked at Kyle in disbelief.

If it was a dragon, he should have no trouble destroying a small village of a few hundred people. However, the capital of Eddos, Rinecol, had a drastically larger amount of inhabitants, with several strong adventurers. Of course, if a dragon was to go all out, there wouldn’t be much these adventurers could do…

Why? Why has the dragon headed for Rinecol?

Kyle couldn’t figure out this sudden change of events. Destroying a village of dark elves would make sense from the viewpoint of the Mera cult, even if they didn’t directly benefit it. However, Rinecol was a location with lots of human residents. There should be no reason for them to attack it.

“Anyway, the best we can do is head over there.”

Everyone was already prepared for departure. However, Kyle called out to Erina, who stood up.

“You stay here, Erina.”

“Eh? B-But, Rinecol will!”

She was the one most shaken hearing about Ghrud heading towards Rinecol. It was the town she currently lived in, and her mother Luctera lived there as well. As she was sick and bedridden, Erina must be even more worried about her mother.

“…The chance of Ghrud coming here has lowered, but it’s not completely zero yet. I want to keep some forces here to protect the village if push comes to shove.”

Or so he said, but he truly believed that there was practically no reason for the dragon to come back here again. In reality, she would just slow them down in a fight, so he wanted her to stay behind. After all, they might end up having to fight a dragon and members of the Mera cult.

“I understand…But, please be careful.”

Erina must have understood Kyle’s true intention. She showed a perturbed and hurt expression, but didn’t reproach Kyle. He attempted to give her some relief, as he gently placed his hand on her head.

“We’ll be back soon…Irumera, I’m counting on you.” Kyle turned towards Irumera.

‘If it’s close by, I’ll drop you off…’

As always, Irumera sounded more than hesitant to do as Kyle asked her to, but she still let them hop on her back, opening her large wings to soar into the sky.

“…Worried?” Paserane called out to Erina, who looked after Kyle’s group.

“Come on, these maidens and those useless males are strong enough that I can see them having a chance at winning…” Roas tried to cheer up Erina as well, but when he saw her face, he suddenly lost his words. “What’s wrong? You seem oddly happy.”

“It’s been a while since somebody rubbed my head like that…it reminded me of my father.” Erina showed a bashful smile, which led to a sharp pain running through the heart of Paserane.

“That sure was rude, don’t you think?” Lieze spoke up on Irumera’s back, clearly sounding displeased.

“Huh? W-What are you talking about?” Kyle had no idea what she was talking about, but her voice made it very clear she was in a bad mood, sending a shiver down his spine.

“You rubbed Erina’s head, right? You were clearly treating her like some child.”

“Ahh…No, I actually didn’t pack such a hidden meaning behind it.”

His hand simply moved subconsciously.

“Erina can take care of herself just fine. Treating her like a child in such a way hits close to shaming her.”

Shockingly enough, now Urza joined in, agreeing with Lieze as she showed an equally difficult expression.

“Hm, but the person in question didn’t seem like she disliked it. On the contrary, she looked quite delighted.” Shildonia took Kyle’s side.

“Ehhhhh? Yeah, no way. You agree, right, Yuriga?”

“Don’t ask me.”

Lieze sought out support with Yuriga, but to no avail.

“Hmm, I still think it’s barely passable. What do you think, Irumera?”

‘Like I care! You take this a bit more seriously, will you?! You might end up fighting a dragon, remember?!’

“…Well, it’s better than being excessively nervous.” Kyle simply convinced himself and looked up ahead.

“Almost there.” Kyle muttered, as he looked at the map mid-air.

Paserane had marked a small area in the deep forest close to the town of Rinecol. They would arrive there any second.

‘Weird…I don’t feel Ghrud’s presence at all.’

When they got closer, Irumera raised a dubious voice.

“Really?”

‘If Ghrud really was at that location you were heading towards, I would have felt him nearby.’

“Maybe he left for Rinecol already? If so, we should head there right—”

Away—Kyle wanted to say, but he spotted something weird which made him lose his words.

“…The heck is that?”

Seran also tilted his head, letting out a confused voice. Everybody present shared the same sentiment. It was a red dot amidst the endless green below them.

“…Please get us down nearby.”

“Huh? But, isn’t Ghrud heading over to Rinecol…” Lieze asked a question, only to swallow her words right away.

She saw Kyle’s goosebumps running down his neck.

“Yeah, if we leave that alone…something bad will happen,” Seran spoke with a heavy tone.

‘Got it…’ Irumera must have felt something in the air and descended towards the red area.