YDPTB Chapter 79

I gasped. In this world, there were sweet snacks like chocolate, but nothing similar to ice cream existed. Having already tasted it, I experienced withdrawal symptoms, and when I frantically ordered it from the kitchen recently, no one understood what I meant.

I whined to Karhan with a desperate look, explaining it, but even he couldn’t quite understand and only wrote down my description. I thought I’d never be able to eat it again while in this world, but to think he had been preparing it like this… I looked at Karhan with eyes full of emotion.

“I had it researched based on what you described, so you should be somewhat satisfied.”

Somewhat satisfied, he says. My small heart pounded with anticipation. I felt like transforming right now and flying around, setting off fireworks. As I was about to nod my head, wrinkling my nose with joy, I stopped abruptly.

‘I can’t give in so easily.’

If I yielded this simply, I would always be persuaded like this whenever similar situations arose. Barely managing to control my flaring nostrils, I pressed my lips tightly together. I clenched my fist and glared at Karhan with fierce eyes.

“Don’t mistake me for a child who falls for such things.”

As I came on strong, Karhan stood there blankly, looking down at me. His silvery-gray eyes blinked slowly, moving up and down. Crossing my arms at his rude gaze scanning my body, I said,

“I might as well tell you now, I’m actually twenty years old.”

I raised my chin high and maintained my fierce demeanor. Perhaps due to my apparent anger, silence filled the surroundings. Thinking I might have gone too far, I glanced around, only to see Karhan looking at me with raised eyebrows, as if feeling sorry for me.

Ahem. He seems quite troubled. I shook my head slowly. Just as I was about to open my mouth, thinking I should be generous just for today, the Elder’s low voice interrupted.

“Oh my…”

What’s this? I tilted my head and looked at the Elder, who was sitting in her chair with one hand propping up her chin. I couldn’t understand what her downturned eyebrows meant. She didn’t look scared, though.

I slightly turned my head to look at the others’ faces, and they all had similar expressions.

“What, what’s wrong?”

I had come on strong hoping everyone would treat me more carefully, but I didn’t want to create this strange atmosphere. I fidgeted with my hands and rolled my eyes around, assessing the situation. Sensing my unease, Karhan’s hand came to rest on my shoulder.

“I see, you’ve just turned twenty.”

“Huh?”

“When we return to the mansion, I’ll definitely make you that ice cream.”

This is strange. Is he saying he’ll definitely make it because he’s so scared? I felt somewhat odd, but thinking that it was good that he promised to make it, I nodded. Still maintaining my raised chin, I spoke gruffly.

“Alright. It should be somewhat ready by the time we get home.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I barely managed to suppress the corners of my mouth from curling up in satisfaction at Karhan’s obedient response. As I relaxed my stiffly straightened back, Silion, who had been standing by the door, cautiously spoke.

“…Hey. Come quickly. I’ll show you around.”

Even he seemed to have lost some of his edge due to my demeanor. Now he’ll listen to me a bit better. Pretending to move reluctantly, I slinked towards him, as I still needed to eat that ice cream. Although he still looked displeased with my proximity, he didn’t show as violent a reaction as before.

“Elder, we’ll be back soon then.”

“Alright. Don’t take them to any dangerous places, and be careful.”

“Yes!”

As we opened the door and came outside, numerous elves were surrounding the area in a circle. It looked as if they were waiting for a street performance.

What, what’s this? As I stood there blankly, looking around, the elves who met my gaze quickly turned their heads away, avoiding eye contact. It clearly wasn’t a good feeling. Although I had been warned, their rejection of humans was truly severe. I couldn’t just reveal my bird-folk nature by exposing my back right away. As I stood there, bitterly closing my mouth, Silion stepped forward, shielding me.

“Everyone, please move away a bit. This one, they say they’re twenty years old.”

Why is he suddenly revealing my age to strangers we’ve just met? I gaped at the back of Silion’s head, unable to understand his behavior. What was even funnier was that when he said that, everyone started talking loudly and cleared the way.

This is strange. Perhaps twenty is the age that represents the storm and stress period here?

No matter how I thought about it, it was suspicious, and I scratched my head. As the gathered crowd dispersed and Silion, who had been blocking my way, stepped aside, he said,

“Since I received the Elder’s orders, I’ll guide you. But don’t get too close.”

“Alright.”

I had no desire to get close when he disliked it so much. I followed behind Silion as he began the village tour. All the buildings were made of living trees. There was no sign of artificial materials like concrete or steel.

While the appearance was very different from human villages, the contents were similar. There were shops selling daily necessities and snacks. I approached out of curiosity, but each time, the shop owners would slink away, retreating from their positions.

“…Do I smell or something?”

The whole village was treating me like a germ. It hurt my feelings more severely than Silion’s outright comments.

I blinked slowly and lowered my head to look at the grass on the ground. As I stood still like a totem pole, feeling depressed, Silion clicked his tongue softly. Shuffling his feet, he approached a shop and said,

“Hey. Give me some of those snacks.”

“But it’s a human.”

“They say they’re twenty. Just give me some.”

No, why does he keep introducing my age on his own since earlier? Feeling displeased, I alternated glances between Silion and the shop owner. The shop owner flinched and trembled upon meeting my eyes, then quickly handed a bag of snacks to Silion.

I pursed my lips bitterly at the sight. Although I didn’t have extensive knowledge about fantasy worlds, I had thought elves would be kind to everyone, given that they were generally depicted as nature-loving. But to think they were actually this prickly and openly discriminatory. As I dejectedly scuffed my feet, Silion held out a bag of snacks.

“Eat.”

“I don’t want to.”

My feelings were already hurt.

“I want to go back to Karhan.”

“No. The Elder told me to show you around the village.”

“How can I tour the village when I’m being discriminated against like this?”

Although it wasn’t Silion’s fault, my words flew out sharply. I pushed out my lower lip and turned my back, walking away with heavy, angry steps. As I walked quickly without looking back, hurried footsteps followed.

“Hey, wait. Let’s at least sit somewhere then.”

“No. You think I’m dirty too.”

As I continued walking without slowing down, I heard a groan from behind. When only the sound of hurried footsteps filled the space between us, something suddenly grabbed my sleeve. I stopped walking and pulled my arm slightly, but long fingers held onto my wrist precariously, not letting go.

“…You’re not that dirty, so let’s at least sit somewhere.”

Silion spoke, covering his face with his hand. The trembling fingertips revealed how much effort he was making. I glared at him intently before letting out a sigh.

“Fine. But guide me to a quiet place where there are no people.”

Unable to ignore the other party’s effort, I accepted. Silion quickly moved his feet, guiding me to a place without elves. As we pushed through dense trees, a beautiful clearing appeared.

Bright sunlight shone through the tall trees, and beneath them lay a lake and a waterfall. The water falling with a loud noise reflected the beautiful scenery as it transparently transmitted light. The clear sound of birds singing could be heard, and the walls I had built around my heart crumbled without me realizing.

“It’s beautiful…”

Never having traveled to such a wonderful place when I lived as a human, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The cool waterfall captured both my heart and my gaze. Afraid of damaging nature’s beauty, I walked carefully.

As I peeked over the clear water, my face was reflected as clearly as in a mirror. I gently stretched out my hand and dipped it into the water, feeling the cold sensation creep up my fingertips. My body shivered. I turned around with a bright smile, my mouth wide open.

“This place is really nice.”

“Only my close friends know about this place besides me.”

I burst out laughing as I watched Silion continue speaking, exuding pride. Though he avoids me, he doesn’t seem to be such a bad guy after all. I said cheerfully, scrunching my eyebrows,

“Is it okay to bring me to a place only your close friends know about?”

When I suddenly asked, he froze in place. He must have brought me here in a hurry without thinking. I giggled and sat down.

“I’ll keep it a secret.”

“Well, you won’t be coming back after today anyway. It doesn’t matter.”

Despite his cool words, his lips were protruding in a pout. Would he get angry if I laughed? Trying not to show it, I just slightly raised the corners of my mouth and looked at the waterfall. Watching the water pouring down refreshingly cleared my unsettled mind.

As I sat quietly, lost in thought, I suddenly heard noisy sounds from above. When I raised my head to look at the top of the waterfall where the water was falling, I saw young children precariously watching us from the trees.

This is strange. Didn’t Silion say only his close friends knew about this place? I tilted my head in confusion and poked Silion’s side.

“Who are those kids?”

“Ah, they’re my close friends.”

“Friends…?”

No matter how I looked at it, the age difference seemed enormous. Do elves not care much about such things? Feeling puzzled, I asked with raised eyebrows,

“Your close friends are those children?”

“Yes.”

His normal answer suggested it wasn’t anything strange, so I nodded lightly. I don’t quite understand, but I see. I moved my feet, feeling the water lapping at my toes. Although I had received many emotional wounds since coming here, I felt like I had come to a pretty good travel destination.