On the way to the dwelling in Harzang, Virum was observing the surroundings without being suspicious.

Like the village of elves, dwellings built around wood are scattered here and there, but compared to that place, it doesn't feel as lively.

However, the magic power contained in the atmosphere is quite considerable, and although it doesn't match that of the Forest of Demon Mist, it is of considerable density for the outside world.

(For now, there's no sign of anything strange, huh? At the very least, I can't see any sign of this guy (Hartshan) trying to hide anything in his attitude...)

Virum was wary of the raids and concealment of evidence by luring them deeper into his own camp, but there was no movement of that sort by the High Elves.

(What I'm concerned about is that he knew about the attack by the High Elves. There is no denying the possibility that there is some kind of far-sighted magic or some kind of means peculiar to high elves, but it's tricky.)

He looks at Hartsang, who leads the way with a questioning look while thinking, but he's deliberately oblivious.

(Anyway, we should listen to this guy now.)



Harzang's room was a perfect example of drabness.

However, it is not simple, and the quality of the few pieces of furniture that one would need in order to live as a human being is quite high.

It seems that we don't need excessive decorations and furnishings as we live on the bounty of nature.

''Spiritual beast-sama. Misselio-sama. I apologize on their behalf for what my people have done.

Once everyone was seated on the floor, Hartshan bowed his head.

Even though it was directed at the spirits he worshipped, it would be impossible to express in words that it was rare to see the chief of a high elf, a proud race, bowing in front of another race.

''If you want to apologize, it's not to me, it's to Mel! I can't believe you're trying to kidnap Mel just because she's cute!

Hmm. "And besides, you hurt the High Sierra. Apologize or I'll never forgive you.

However, it seems that for these two, the fact that their precious family (best friends) were hurt is more important than such things.

"...my wife Meldina and, did you say Heishela? I'm sorry about that.

Once again, Hartshan bows his head towards Heishela, who this time looks out of Meldina and Vilm's bosom.

''In a manner of speaking, I accept your apology. But I have no intention of becoming your wife.

"Don't forgive Mel, don't forgive High Sierra.

Although there was some hesitation, the air in the place relaxed slightly when he saw him apologize.

In the midst of all this, Virum had become even more wary of Harzang.

("Fu, don't react and listen to me.")

("Brother Vee? I get it.")

In order to get Huemil to prepare his mind so that he doesn't get upset, he takes a breath and then sends a telepathic message.

("Why does this guy know ha(y)e(y)e(y)?")

With the exception of Meldina and Miserio, this was the first time Virum and the others had met Harzang.

Either their travel time was short or they simply weren't interested, or at least they didn't remember giving their names to Harzang.

('Hmm. It's definitely strange. I used to call Huu, Spirit Beast-sama, but... Do you want to ask him?'')

("Is it possible to question him... No, then there might be less information available. Better to listen to this guy first, huh?")

("Okay. Then Hu will listen to what he has to say.)

("Oh, please.")

It would be easier for them to extract information if the object of their faith, the spirit beast (Hoomil), took control of the story.

I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do. I have a question for you.

If there's anything I need to know, anything at all.

Tell me everything you know about this.

The question from Huemil seemed to be predictable, and Harzun began to speak without seeming particularly flustered.

''I understand. The high elves who tried to kidnap my wife, they are no doubt our own people. They did not try to control their frustration at my wife's continued refusal to marry me, so I believe they intended to force her to join them.

How many times I have to tell you I don't want to be your wife...

Meldina is disgusted by Hartshan's stubborn refusal to change what he calls her, but she corrects him.

I'm not sure about the necklace that belonged to those men, but we don't know much about it. It's a good idea to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're looking for. And it's only that there was an outsider who had contact with those people.

So how the hell did this person you say you had contact with get in here?

From the edge of Harzang's words, Vilm, who decided that he wasn't going to spit out any more information from himself, shook him up.

'We knew we had entered the elven village. You must have some way of detecting intruders in the forest. It's not like you didn't notice it at all, is it?

''You're astute. As you surmised, we High Elves have the ability to keep track of the forest through the Holy Tree Master.

There was no change in his expression, though he was surprised by the words.

'But I really don't know about this outsider. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Fumir's ears, who was sitting next to Wyrm, twitched.

(Space, magic?)

What passed through her mind was the image of a spirit beast (a child named Yomi) who was younger than her.

The fact that she had escaped an attack that should have been absolutely unavoidable during the battle with her, and the rift in space that appeared when she left.

I can definitely determine that they were caused by spatial magic, but Fumir shakes his head and denies the possibility.

(But that kid seemed to know where Fu and the others lived. If she was an enemy, she could have attacked the village directly, or poked the Vee brothers in the back. Besides...)

A young man with a special appearance, just like her beloved brother (Virum) who sheltered her.

At least it was inconceivable to Fumil that he, who was pining for that young spirit beast, would be in league with those who were trying to hunt the spirits.

As she was pondering, Virum, who seemed to have decided on a general policy, spoke up with a suggestion.

I see your point," he said. But since we don't have any proof that we can believe it, we need to examine this sanctuary.

'I'd say no, but I'm just trying to gain your trust, Spiritual Beast and Master Miserio. We'll allow it. But we can't trust you, either. We'll assign two of you to watch over you.

It's a reasonable drop in the bucket now that we can't trust each other.

'Also, I'm bored just waiting around. I'd prefer a tea party with my wife while you guys do your research.

However, when Vilm heard Harzang's words that followed, he blatantly twisted his face.

''Kotowa...''

Okay. I'll keep you company for a little while.

When he was about to open his mouth to refuse, with his emotions, Meldina, who was no other than Meldina, would agree to it.

While Virum reflexively looked at Meldina's face, a joyful expression was clearly visible on Hartshan's face.

It's just a fortuitous thing. Have you finally made up your mind to become my wife?

No, sir. Just to be sure, I'll just be the one to watch over Master Harzun while Vir and the others check this place out. If Mio is with you, Master Harzun can't be so careless, can he?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. A tea party with Master Miserio as well? A tea party with Master Miserio? This is a tea party with you, Mr. Miserio. I'll be calling on your men to join me, so please wait a little while.

Standing up as soon as the earliest decision was made, Hartshan left the room, showing that he had plenty of time to spare.





After a short pause after the footsteps were no longer heard, Virum and the others crowded into Meldina.

'Mel, what in the world do you think you're doing!

Yeah! They could be after my sister Mel!

Mel...

Surrounded by an exasperated Vilm and Oma, and a worried-looking Cunaria, Meldina began to talk about her intentions, although she was impatient.

''As I said before, our purpose is to monitor and limit Haltsan-sama's behavior. It's so that she won't do anything strange while Ville and the others are investigating. However, with the way things are going, it's really just going to be a tea party.

As of now, I can't sense any harmful intent to hurt or deceive Virum and the others from the way Harzang looks at him.

Although there is a sense of condescension towards other races that comes from pride, to say that's all there is to it would be the end of the story.

That Haruthan guy is really into Mel. That's dangerous, isn't it? A man and a woman alone together...

"Hey, Oma! You're forgetting that I'm here, aren't you? If you want to do anything to Mel, I'll make it up to you!

'Oh, no! Hey! Stop!

Well, if anything goes wrong, we have Mio to take care of it.

The concern Oma had was countered by Miserio in a form of anger, who pounced on him as a virtual harlot.

Meldina continues to chuckle as she watches the two of them joke around.

''At least, it's unlikely that they would have killed me even if it was really Hartsan-sama who was behind it. If his goal was to kill me, he wouldn't have to go to the trouble of kidnapping me. Besides...



If the worst comes to worst, Ville will be there to help, right?

He put his index finger to his mouth to contain the words.