"Well, the world tree is a symbol of prayer to the dark elves... is it like a kind of god?"

　As I sat on the sofa, I had a book brought to me by the Dark Elf man in front of my room... a word of satisfaction comes out of Ray's mouth as he was reading a book about the history of the Dark Elf.
　No matter how much the world tree is a necessity for the dark elves to live, I understand why they felt more than that.
　Even though it's close to God, it's a relief that there are not as many fanatics as there have been in certain religions that have attacked Ray.
　If the world tree had been revered and the world tree was built, Ray probably wouldn't have treated the world tree.
　That's how religious Ray is, and in that sense, the Dark Elves may well be said to have been lucky.
　Then I tried to turn the next page... and suddenly stopped moving and turned my gaze towards the door.
　It was because I sensed that someone was approaching there.
　You don't usually have to worry that much.
　But now that Ray is under house arrest, he has to worry about it.

"Who's here?"

　Still, I wouldn't pretend to be ready for war immediately, considering my circumstances.
　Putting the string near him between the books instead of the scissors, he turned his eyes fixedly toward the door.
　Then, in a few seconds, the watch in front of the door opens the door.

"Ray, may I have a visitor to you?"

　His language towards Ray is not very, if not very much, against the person he is under house arrest.
　Is this because of a man named Marina?
　When Ray decides so, he nods back without any hesitation.

"Oh, I was just having too much time on my hands. It would be a welcome call to me if someone came to ask me. But I'd be glad if you could bring me something to pick up."

　A plate of fried, salted nuts inserted with a book was in front of my eyes.
　The plate is already empty, and the watchman looks surprised.

"Have you eaten everything yet?" ... well, that's all right. All right. I need to serve Mr. Optis something to Mr. Optis. and I'll bring it back to you."
"... Optis? Is that the name of the person you asked?"
"Yes, I'm a great man in this village, so don't be rude."

　When I tell him so, the watchman walks away with a plate in his hand.
　It was an old dark elf who came in to replace the watchman.

"Is your master Ray?"
"What about you? I think you're a great Dark Elf."
"Well, the elder in this village ... in plain words, it's called Optis Ariansa, who is in the position of the village mayor."
"...Aliantha? That's..."

　Ray turns to Optis for a familiar surname.
　Although she looked much older, Optis still had some features similar to Marina's.
　Optis nods back to Ray's attitude.

"Marina, as your lord knows, is the grandson of 儂."
"Grandfather, but what is the great man who is Marina's grandfather and the elder of this village to me?"
"Why, I'll see what your master is like. I had been debating how to deal with your master until a little while ago, but if I didn't know him, how could I deal with him again?"

　Once she paused, Optis stared at Ray.

"What kind of man the granddaughter of Akebono has chosen... and we need to make sure with this arm."
"... arms?"

　Ray wonders if the expression is usually used to confirm with his own eyes, but Dark Elf, who calls himself Optis, opens his mouth with an amusing smile on his face.

"Yes, it's my arm. If you have that kind of relationship with your grandchild, you will naturally be asked to be strong enough."
"No, if you say so,"

　It is understandable that the person standing in front of you is strong, regardless of appearance.
　The dark elf in front of me was evident from what I heard from Marina in the lead up to this forest.
　for Ray had heard very well that he had followed a slave merchant alone to help his fellow-citizens, and returned home stained with blood.

(Isn't it strange that he wants to fight me directly, because he has such a personality?)

　It's great for Ray to still be able to get out of the room where he's under house arrest if he talks about Optis here.
　It was true that you would be comfortable in this room, but there was a watch in front of the door, far from the window, but always watched.
　In addition to watching Ray, I knew he intended to protect him from harm, but I still don't feel good that he's being watched.
　If that is the case, then the situation has taken a turn, and it was only natural that we should consider giving it a ride here.

"Well, where do you do it?"

　That kind of remark must have been surprising to Optis. open one's eyes, if only a little

"Well, it's a very quick decision," 儂I'm glad to hear that... is that all right?"
"Oh, I don't mind," I'm just free here. I felt like moving a little."
"...it's only been a few hours since you entered this room." He's a very impatient man, isn't he? Well, maybe that's why I first saw Marina."
"Ah..."

　In Optis's words, Ray tries to say that the affair with Marina is a misunderstanding.
　However, as long as I don't know where Marina's intent is, I hesitate to say it carelessly.
　Besides, it's true that Ray himself is not attracted to Marina.
　If this didn't feel good about Marina in the first place, she might have said something.
　But it was true that Ray was fond of Marina.
　At any rate, the muddled Ray ended up being taken out of the room without further comment to Optis.





"...here?"

　Ray, who had been taken out of the room, had come with Optis to what looked like a square on the outskirts of the village.
　Ray said, "What's this place?" But seeing the dark elves around him working out and playing mock battles, it's clear what kind of place this is.
　On the edge of the square, there are also dark elves holding bows to targets.

"You can tell by looking at it." This is a place to train yourself in this village."

　The dark elves must have noticed Optis telling them so. Several people were looking.
　Some of them knew about Ray, some of whom twitched their cheeks knowing what was going to happen here, but naturally Optis doesn't deal with him and takes him near the center of the square.

"Oh! Hey! Hey! ... What? Elderly?"
"Well, elder? What's the matter with you, here... No, it's not unusual for elder to come here." What about that man?"Two dark elf men, playing a mock battle using rapiers near the center, look at Optis and Ray and ask.
　At these two, Optis smiled... and spoke with the greatest delight.

"Yes. Marina's son-in-law."
"...what?"

　Words uttered by Optis echo not only the two, but also those around them.
　At the same time, the various eyes of curiosity, jealousy, and compassion were directed at Ray.
　Of course, the information that Ray kissed Marina spread throughout the village at a tremendous rate, but since the other party was mixed with rumors along the way and eventually turned out to be a man of muscular build, it is natural to be surprised at Ray's appearance, which is the exact opposite of the rumor.

"By the way, may I borrow a little here? As Marina's grandfather... and above all, as the elder of this village, I should like to see how powerful he is."
"Well, oh... that's fine with me, but... the Elder himself?"

　Maybe it's because we know what the power of Optis is. To the man who timidly asks, he nods back that the optis he was asked was natural.

"And let us all see how much power this man can exert... and see that."

　The words distance everyone who was training in the square from the two.
　Those who were practicing archery from afar had stopped practicing it.

(How much attention are you getting?)

　That's what Ray thought, but he's had a lot of eye‐catching battles.
　That's because at last year's Bestian Games, they fought in front of people from all over the imperial capital... and neighboring countries.
　Compared to that, it was no problem to fight in front of this number of people.

(No, most of the time I watch competitions, but I don't think it's a dark elf with a certain level of ability here.)

　Thinking around him, Ray finds it useless to say anything in the current situation and takes the death size out of the mystery ring.
　Almost exclusively, the dark elves who watched the scene suddenly emerge from nowhere, a figure bigger than Ray's height.
　Optis is the only exception, however, to the extent that it has seen something surprising but unusual.
　This time Ray looks surprised.

"I thought you'd be a little more surprised."
"He's living long enough to look like this." This isn't the first time I've seen an item box."
"...huh,"

　Ray admired Optis' words.
　Attitude because you know how valuable item boxes are.
　Despite his admiration, Ray is alert to death.
　Optis also held a cane to respond.
　Optis's cane is not only a magic wand but also a striking weapon.
　The head in his hand was fitted with something that looked like a crystal.
　Crystal-like objects are 20 cm in diameter, and it is obvious that they are quite powerful when beaten there.
　The tip of the cane is also sharp and pointed, suggesting weapons such as estoks and rapiers aimed at stabbings.

(That cane is not, by any means, a magic wand.) I mean, it wouldn't be so powerful to have a pointed tip of a tree... I don't think a Dark Elf elder would use such a weapon. a move first!)

　With Death Size in hand, Ray kicks the ground towards Optis.
　I don't intend to kill him, so I don't use magic in death size, but death size is overwhelmingly destructive as a hitting weapon weighing about 100 kg even in its original state.
　The power of it must have been understood by Optis. He leaps wide backward, not to let go, of the blows that hit him.
　Death-size roars past Optis' gaze.
　The blow, struck, was not a huge blade, but a handle that passed where Optis had been.
　Optis, who sees that he doesn't want to kill, puts up with a deep smile.

(I didn't think I would be able to take it easy at this age. ...but that's good, too!)

　Turning fun into fighting spirit, he kicks the ground and closes his relationship with Ray.
　Ray was momentarily surprised at the speed of the step that was not up to his age, but he still quickly returned his death size to him.
　Seeing Ray like that, Optis is also surprised inside.
　This is because the death size is about two meters long, and the weight doesn't seem to be something you can manage easily.
　It's one of the capabilities of death size, and it's surprising that the user doesn't feel much weight.
　Still Optis waved his cane, and tried to strike against Ray's torso the round crystal-like part at the end...
　A high‐pitched metallic sound echoes around.
　The sound is really Ray's death-size handle.
　They smiled at each other without any further action, listening to the shrill sound of Optis's blow.