IRE Chapter 21

As I was accelerating my thoughts, trying to figure out how to appease them while sweating profusely, Irian cleared his throat.

“I will no longer interfere with the catgirl girls. Eldmir, I don’t know what kind of wind your presence will blow into this forest, but I will support you.”

Having said that, he bent his waist, placing his left fist behind his back and his right hand, with only his index and middle fingers extended, to the center of his chest.

“May the forest be glorious.”

The Sentinels’ motto.

I reflexively smiled and responded to him.

“Glory to the forest.”

Since I wasn’t a Sentinel yet, I couldn’t use the Sentinels’ motto in the same way. So I guess he’ll understand a little plagiarism like this.

Seeing me grinning, Irian also grinned.

Having confirmed each other’s smiles, we burst into laughter.

I sat him back down with a pleasant smile.

Since our conversation hadn’t finished yet, there was more to discuss.

And personally, I wanted to talk with him a bit more.

After all, I had gained a sympathizer for my ideology for the first time in this world. I couldn’t help but feel good.

It felt like I had made a friend from another village for the first time.

***

Dangerous.

That was Irian’s inner thought.

It was the thought that came to him as soon as he understood Eldmir’s ideology.

At first, he had contemplated.

His thoughts on how to persuade this strong and capable young warrior to roll in the dirt with him quickly vanished.

His mind was simply ringing with warnings that the being in front of him was more dangerous than he had thought.

‘Eldmir. Eldmir Arhitea.’

Initially, he had thought they were of the same kind.

When he heard that Eldmir was acting in ways other elves couldn’t understand and calling himself a heretic, he had considered him nothing more than a new comrade who would walk the same future as him.

But that was his misconception.

On the contrary, he was the most dangerous enemy for his purpose.

‘I didn’t know he had such great insight.’

He must be eliminated.

For the sake of his own future.

His eyes held a strange fervor as he thought so.

***

“Eldmir, I have a small favor to ask.”

Ever since I shared my ideology with Irian and he declared his sympathy for it, the atmosphere had remained very friendly.

Although Mother was slightly sulking, making me break into a cold sweat, the atmosphere with him was exceptionally good.

As we were chatting with each other, Irian suddenly spoke up, setting the mood.

“A favor?”

It was a bit abrupt, but there was one word that came to mind unconsciously.

Quest.

Thinking of the word, I almost smiled unwittingly.

This wasn’t really the game world, and what the hell was a quest?

I guess I still hadn’t come to my senses.

“Actually, it’s not even a small favor. Let me preface this by saying there’s no reason for you to grant this request. It’s just that after hearing your thoughts, I feel like my mind has been enlightened. I seem to have momentarily forgotten that the true mission of us Sentinels is to prevent crises before they occur.”

I kept feeling it, but this person really talked a lot.

Despite that, it was annoying how eloquent he was.

I smiled faintly, meaning there was no need to feel burdened, and said,

“No need to beat around the bush. What’s the favor?”

As I got straight to the point, Irian placed his elbows on the desk, clasped his hands together, and spoke.

“As you know, our Chi Taen frequently comes into contact with external forces.”

Not only Chi Taen but all the villages located on the outskirts of the World Tree forest were like that.

It could be seen as a concept similar to a frontline or border. That’s why villages like Chi Taen and El Rien had many Sentinels among their elven occupations.

In other words, this was a place far from peace.

“As a result, we’ve encountered groups with ill intentions towards the forest several times, including scout parties from evil forces targeting the World Tree.”

It’s a common story.

As I’ve said repeatedly, the forest elves have quite a lot of hostile forces.

The reason is the World Tree, as it possesses such abundant vitality that there are legends saying it’s the origin of all life and the source of this land. This is also why the World Tree is like a coveted prize for all races, without discrimination.

By the way, as a side note, it’s said that just being near the World Tree allows the forest’s energy to enter your body, curing all minor illnesses and purifying your internal energy.

Anyway, the important thing is that the World Tree exerts influence on the continent just by existing.

As such a being, in the game, once the Race War is fought and the elves are annihilated, the World Tree falls into the hands of other races and is used according to the tendencies of each race.

Sometimes, when conquered by orcs or dark elves, it’s completely burned or corrupted, weakening the overall vitality of the continent instead.

“As a result of tracking the tails of some of those forces recently, we’ve succeeded in discovering a location presumed to be their residence. But it was too dangerous a place for us to fully infiltrate.”

“…Is your goal to have us sweep them away?”

At that question, Irian chuckled and shook his head.

“No. Of course not. I’m not so shameless as to make such an unreasonable request.”

Then he spread out a scroll that was hanging on the edge of the desk in the middle of the table.

The paper was a map, showing detailed information about the areas surrounding the World Tree forest.

Among them, Irian pointed to the location of Chi Taen.

“This is our village.”

Then he traced a diagonal line down and pointed to a rocky mountain labeled ‘Dragon’s Head Trail’.

“About two days’ walk from here, you’ll come across a rocky mountain. It’s a place called ‘Dragon’s Head Trail’ because it’s where wyverns have made their nests.”

Dragon’s Head Trail.

It was a name I had heard a few times in the game.

I had heard that it was a prime spot for wyverns, making it convenient to hunt or capture them if you went there.

But it wasn’t said to be that numerous, just that a few wyverns inhabited the area…

“According to our scouting, we were able to obtain information that dark elves reside there.”

…It seems the situation is a bit different here.

Dark elves are the descendants of El Rur, the first corrupted elf, and refer to the fallen elves who turned their backs on the World Tree along with him.

They are hiding in various parts of the world, plotting the continent’s destruction, and ultimately aim for the death of the World Tree.

But those bastards have established a residence there?

“Those traitors?”

Mother said in a sinking voice.

Perhaps as a Sentinel herself, she couldn’t ignore their existence.

Rarely, she had an angry expression.

“Yes, Esiria. Those cursed beings have shown themselves before us once again. The wicked followers of evil who have forgotten their roots and are immersed in darkness, and even seek to corrupt the World Tree.”

Irian looked at us with fiercely burning eyes.

Seeing that, I could roughly guess the content of the quest.

“Please, Eldmir, Esiria. Help us execute those wicked sons of evil.”

Dark elf extermination, huh.

Even in the game, quests have difficulty levels set according to their type. Of course, it’s not absolute, but most quests are set to have difficulty levels matching their type, and among them, extermination quests are known for having a relatively high difficulty.

And for such a quest, the targets are none other than dark elves.

Moreover, the extermination site is the Dragon’s Head Trail, the wyverns’ den.

This much is enough to be considered quite a high difficulty level.

It was definitely not a quest to be taken during the tutorial before even undergoing the coming-of-age ceremony.

‘Well, I’m already progressing the beastman extinction route during the tutorial, so what can’t I do…’

The act of hunting dark elves itself isn’t a big problem. Although they are indeed strong, the warriors of various races I’ve fought on the front lines so far weren’t weak beings either.

Simply in terms of combat power, I can already handle the warriors of fairly high-ranking bloodlines. So it means even a squad or two of dark elves is sufficiently manageable for me.

Even if they’ve mastered wyvern riding, wyverns can’t exert much power against Sentinels anyway.

The most frightening aspect of wyverns is their ability to fly, but the Sentinels’ archery has no reason to fear their flight.

‘In terms of combat power, if we bring all the elves of Chi Taen, there probably won’t be any major issues. And with me and Irian there, there’s even less to worry about.’

The real problem is that if we lead such a large force to attack, there’s no way those bastards won’t notice our presence.

‘Just as we are exceptional Sentinels, their skills as sentries are no less…’

Although they are traitors, I had no choice but to acknowledge their abilities. Moreover, as they have betrayed nature and become enemies of the spirits, they have no choice but to hone their skills as Sentinels even further. As a result, their average proficiency in archery and tracking is equal to or slightly superior to ours.

“Irian, I am grateful to you. And I have no less affection for you.”

But.

“That’s a separate matter from this. As you know, we have our own mission.”

It may be a disappointing statement for Irian, but that’s the truth.

Dark elves, especially those who control wyverns, are by no means easy opponents.

If I had undergone the coming-of-age ceremony and the system was unlocked, it might be different, but there’s no reason to take risks when I already have matters to deal with regarding Cerisne and her sisters.

Moreover, just two days ago, I had already engaged in a life-or-death struggle with the War Hammers and narrowly escaped death, so I didn’t want to willingly bring about such a crisis again so soon.

Perhaps understanding my feelings, Mother also heavily nodded.

Although she still seemed concerned about the dark elves, her expression didn’t appear to be taking it lightly.

“As an elf myself… I also want to exterminate those traitors of our people right away, but it doesn’t seem to be a mission I should take on in my current state, Irian. If the situation is that dangerous, wouldn’t it be better to seek assistance from El Rel?”

El Rel.

If it’s the forces located in the center of the forest, they could indeed easily sweep away the dark elves on the frontier.

Although I was concerned about the dark elves’ High Elf, if we properly explained the dangers of the Dragon’s Head Trail, even El Rel would be able to deploy a High Elf to exterminate the dark elves.

In response to my suggestion, Irian smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“We did consider requesting support. But it has already become too abrupt to receive assistance from El Rel.”

“Urgency…?”

“Yes.”

Requesting support from El Rel would be possible in an instant using the spirits.

Of course, given the distance, it would take some time for them to directly come from El Rel to Chi Taen, but considering their forced march speed, it wouldn’t take more than half a month at most…

‘No, is half a month long enough?’

“According to our scouting, the dark elves are currently devising a strategy to pollute the forest using the fragments of El Rur.”

“Fragments of El Rur?”

At the name of the item that seemed familiar yet elusive, I frowned.

Come to think of it, I vaguely remember hearing that dark elves could do something to elves using that item, but I couldn’t immediately recall what it was. It was a very old memory, and it was also a time when I didn’t have much interest in elves.

‘I can slowly recall the memory later.’

For now, I decided to focus on Irian’s story.

As I gave him a look to continue, Irian began to speak.

“It’s a strange object with an evil energy that disrupts the flow of nature’s energy. Whether it should be called an artifact or an evil magical tool… We don’t have a proper way to know what it is, but one thing is certain: if they ride wyverns and invade from above the World Tree forest…”

Irian trailed off and alternately looked at me and my mother.

I could sufficiently guess the following content even without him continuing, so I skeptically asked,

“They’ll just recklessly charge into the World Tree? Disregarding their lives?”

Was there such an event in the game?

I haven’t heard of it, but it wasn’t a possibility I could simply ignore.

In any case, one of the dark elves’ main goals is to corrupt or destroy the World Tree.

If there’s even a slight possibility, there’s nothing those bastards wouldn’t do.

“But… there are Sentinels throughout the forest. We’re not so weak or lacking in vigilance that we need to worry about their suicidal charge, are we? If we quickly inform the surrounding villages of this fact by asking the spirits, they can all sufficiently prepare for the wyverns’ charge…”

“You shouldn’t take it so lightly. Why would those bastards, who have been quiet until now, suddenly attempt a life-risking charge?”

At those words, Mother and I unconsciously exchanged glances.

It was because Irian’s words were laced with an excessively dark tone.

“Don’t tell me… those bastards don’t even need to directly reach the World Tree?”

“That’s what we expect.”

“…”

Mother looked at me with worry-filled eyes.

Mother would respect my decision, but she couldn’t remain still after hearing such disturbing news.

Perhaps her sense of duty as a Sentinel was continuously urging her heart.

I felt a headache coming on and pressed my temples.

“…But as you can see, I don’t have the capacity to help due to my injuries.”

“It’s fine for now. But we must take action on our side within three or four days. The time it takes to reach the Dragon’s Head Trail is really tight.”

The orcs’ sudden movements and the unsettling atmosphere felt from the dark elves.

All of those things overlapped, and Irian’s Sentinel senses must have been stimulated, as he was looking at me with an extremely serious expression.

“The treatment of your injuries can probably be almost fully healed with our assistance. I know this is an unreasonable request. But…”

“You don’t need to say any more.”

I interrupted his words, answering as if swallowing them.

Honestly, I thought the content of his words was a bit too much, but it was also true that the nature of the request was too ominous to simply ignore.

In the end, I had to ponder deeply once again.

“…Wouldn’t a week be possible?”

“A week?”

As Irian tilted his head quizzically, I had to rack my brain to figure out how to explain it to him.

Telling him to wait because I could gain immense power once I undergo the coming-of-age ceremony and the system is unlocked would be too stupid.

“Well… it seems like it would take about a week for me to heal my wounds and fully regain my strength.”

In the first place, I was reluctant to clash with forces as high-ranking as bloodkin warriors in a place outside the forest, but if the system was unlocked, that gap would be greatly narrowed.

‘Of course, even so, there’s no way to know how much stronger I’ll become…’

Still, once I acquire job skills, my overall power will increase in many ways, right? I’m not sure how big the difference will be before and after the unlock, but gaining even one or two skills is definitely a boost in power. And I need to fully heal my injuries too.

“That’s a very kind offer, but…”

Irian responded to my words with a bitter smile.

“Honestly, although I said three or four days, even that’s uncertain. As I mentioned, we don’t have much time.”

In the end, as I couldn’t hold back and sighed, Irian pondered for a moment and said,

“Then how about this? Eldmir, you stay here and focus on recovering your condition as much as possible, and Esiria can help us…”

“That won’t do.”

I interrupted Irian’s words and spoke firmly.

Certainly, my mother is an exceptional Sentinel, so it’s natural for him to make such a request, but from my perspective, it was not at all suitable.

‘Sending my mother alone to a place with unknown dangers?’

Unless I’m with her, sending Mother alone is absolutely out of the question.

“Er, don’t worry too much. It’s not like I’m going alone, but with the Sentinels of Chi Taen.”

“Still…”

In response to my persistently negative attitude, Irian interjected again.

“We probably won’t be going with a large number.”

Now what’s this about?

In a situation where it might not be enough even if we pour in all our strength, they’re deliberately reducing their numbers?

However, unlike me who frowned with suspicion, Mother seemed to immediately understand the situation as she sighed and nodded.

“You’re going with a small elite force.”

“Yes. Since there’s a risk of being discovered…”

Ah, so that’s the reason.

Finally able to comprehend the reason, I nodded slightly.

“Now that those bastards have made the Dragon’s Head Trail their residence, secretly infiltrating without their knowledge is virtually impossible.”

But we can’t charge in from the start, prepared for an all-out war either.

The Dragon’s Head Trail is a huge rocky mountain situated in the middle of a vast plain. They’ll be able to detect our approach well in advance.

‘That’s why they’re going with a small elite force.’

It was an understandable story.

Therefore, I had no choice but to oppose even more strongly the idea of my mother participating. How could I send Mother alone to such a dangerous place?

“Er, just as you have a mission to lead those children, this mother also has a duty to fulfill as a Sentinel. I can’t ignore and overlook the forest’s enemies blatantly showing suspicious movements right before my eyes.”

Mother’s eyes held a rare firmness, as if she had already made up her mind.

Again with that damn forest’s teachings.

Although I had to clench my lips, I couldn’t help but understand Mother’s determination.

Even though my core was human, I was also an elf who had grown up and been educated as a guardian and protector of the forest.

I couldn’t be unaware of the sense of mission Mother must have.

That’s what the forest’s teachings were like.

“…Then.”

I slowly opened my mouth.

Fine. It’s dangerous, but this is better.

Rather than sending Mother alone, it was a hundred, no, a thousand times better for me to also take the risk. Moreover, the threat of the dark elves was something even I couldn’t overlook.

‘What were the fragments of El Rur…? I feel like I’ve heard of it somewhere.’

The name was so familiar yet elusive that it was driving me crazy.

I couldn’t remember what it was, but anyway, if I ignored it, a crisis would certainly befall this forest.

If their plan succeeded, the dark elves would undoubtedly launch a massive invasion of the forest, or use other races like orcs, and the elves would face a crisis one way or another. And the end would be…

‘Destruction.’

Just as it had happened countless times in the game, as it always had, the elves would perish again.

Damn it.

“I’ll help you.”

I said with a deep sigh.

In the end, even I couldn’t ignore the forest’s crisis. Because that’s not what I wanted.

“Er?”

Mother’s eyes widened as if asking why I was suddenly doing this, but I couldn’t blurt out the story of the future that was in my mind.

In the end, I had no choice but to cry out for justice as an elf, albeit awkwardly.

“No matter how much we have priorities, we can’t turn a blind eye to injustice in the forest. Mother, don’t you agree?”

“Son.”

Mother had a moved expression.

“But you clearly said it would take a week for your injuries to heal…”

“Ah, come to think of it, three days should be enough. I think I misjudged.”

As I made a poor excuse, Mother once again escaped from worry and began floundering in a wave of emotion.

“Alright. Thank you, our son. If you’re with me, this mother will be ever so reassured.”

“Both of you… I’m truly grateful. I’m at a loss for words that you’re readily agreeing despite the difficult request.”

Honestly, it wasn’t readily. I really didn’t want to do it.

Nevertheless, I had no choice but to say I would do my best to carry out that undesirable task.

“…Anyway, I’ll be in your care.”

Irian smiled brightly.

“The pleasure is mine.”

Saying that, he got up from his seat.

“Let’s prepare right away. I’ll get the elite Sentinels ready.”

“…Alright. Then in three days… right?”

“Yes. We also need to finish various preparations, and above all, we have to wait until you’ve fully recovered from your injuries.”

“Come to think of it, you said three or four days earlier…”

“I’ll correct it to three days.”

“Ah… okay.”

…Let’s pray that my injuries heal completely by then.