After crossing a long bridge over a lake, there was a large gate in the trunk of a large tree in front of me.

　It is a 'plant gate' made up of intertwined tree branches and vines.

　It was about 10 meters high.

　On the surface of the branches and stems, there are beautiful flowers that I have never seen before, and they decorate the "Gate of Plants" beautifully.

　In front of the gate, there were two elves with spears, who seemed to be gatekeepers.

　They drew their spears when Mr. Colontude spoke to them, and Mr. Colontude touched the 'Gate of Plants' as it was.

''Shulkia.''

　A little word, like a spell.

　Then.

　giggling

　A few strands of ivy pull the gate open automatically.

(Awesome.)

　As expected of a race called 'forest elves'.

　It seemed that the elves were building their civilization with the help of plants.

　Soon, the 'Gate of Plants' was opened.

　While looking at it, we entered the 'Castle of the King's Tree'.

(Fluffy...)

　Beyond that, it was a strange space.

　From the outside, it looked like just a big tree, but once we got inside, the structure of a proper building was there.

　The floor is made of polished white stone.

　The wide walls are made up of many curved timbers, giving the impression of a strange sculpture. And the bark is thin and translucent, so you can see the view outside.

　The ceiling was high, and flower-shaped lights were evenly spaced along the long corridor.

(This is an elf's castle!)

　A bit impressive.

　And there were several beautiful elves walking around the castle.

　Yes, eye candy.

　Those elves look at us in amazement every time we pass them.

(................Hmm.

　It seems humans are rare, after all.

　Soon we were led by Mr. Colantude to a room that looked like a waiting room.

　It's a beautiful room.

　We sit on the sofa in the modern atmosphere.

　An elf, who looks like a maidservant, put our drinks in glasses on the wooden table.

　Cock.

　I'll take a sip.

(Wow, that's good!)

　I think it's just fruit water, but it was sweeter and more refreshing than the one from the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　It's just like the land of the plant civilization elves.

(Maybe the fruit grows better than in other lands.)

　Solstice was surprised by the taste.

''Heh~?''

　She liked it, too, and quickly gulped down the contents.

　Gulping it down.

　I was the same way.

　In the blink of an eye, the two glasses were empty.

　Mr. Colontude laughed and let the maidservant prepare another glass of the same drink.

(Wow.)

　Thank you, Mr. Columntude!

　The high elf sister gently narrowed her eyes at us and said

You'll have to wait until you're ready for your audience with the queen and then you'll be ready to go.

　I said.

　Mr. Kilt muttered, "Hmm.

　Coton and put the glass of fruit water on the table.　

It's okay to wait.
..........
But tell us more, Colon. What is the reason for the straws to meet the Elf Queen and what do you want the straws to help you with?

　I ask that question.

　We all had that question.

　Everyone's eyes were drawn to Ms. Colontude.

　She looks back at us with sleepy eyes.

I'm going to have to fight a battle to get the 'Spirit Stone'.

　I replied.

(A battle...?)

　Mr. Colonteau kept his eyes down.

I'm going to need your help. And to get your permission to do so, you'll need to see the queen and ask her for permission.

　He continued with the words.

　........I still don't understand.

'What is a certain battle?'

　I ask.

　Mr. Colonnade answers.

"...to defeat the Evil Spirit.

(...evil spirit?)

　I didn't know what it was, and I looked at Kilt and Illtimina.　

　But they both seem to be hearing the word for the first time, too.

　There's a question floating on their expressions.

　In the midst of all this, Solstice looked a little unsure.

Are you talking about a 'spirit' that has been tainted with evil?

　He interjected.

　In response to the girl's answer, Mr. Columcude said

Yeah.

　I nodded.

(Well...)

　Does that mean you're a bad genie?

　And you want us to help you take it down, Mr. Columcude?

　We stared at her.

　Ms. Colontude, in her dress, hunched over, sipped the fruit water in her glass.

　Then she removed the glass from her mouth.

I'll explain it all to you after your audience with the queen. And if you don't give me your permission I won't be able to discuss it with you.

　I let out a breath.

　Apparently, her consciousness was now more focused on 'audience with the Queen' than 'explaining to us'.

''..........''
..........
..........
..........

　The four of us couldn't help but look at each other.

　Only Poe is the only one who trusts his mother-in-law, and he doesn't ask her anything.

　thickly

　And he was drinking a little bit of fruit water from a glass by himself, like a little animal.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Speaking of which, what was that Mr. Arvita you were talking about earlier?

　I asked, suddenly remembering.

　It seemed to be quite a bit more acrimonious with Mr. Colontude, and I was a bit concerned about it.

　At my words, Illtimina-san, Kilt-san, and Solstice's expressions showed a definite dislike for me, unlike earlier.

　Demon Blood Exclusionists.

　I got the impression that he was the leader of that.

　At my words, Mr. Colontude said, "Hmm? I look up.

　Then.

.... ........that's one of the three great elders like me, Arbitania Fabrogas........

　He told me that.

(He's one of the three great elders too!)

　I was surprised.

　At the same time, I'm astonished that such a person who seems to be an important figure in the elven country is an anti-magic blood exclusionist.

　What are these three elders?

''What are these three great elders?

　Ah.........

　Come to think of it, Mr. Kilt and Solstice didn't know that Mr. Colontude was one of the three great elders of the Elven Nation, did they?

　Mr. Colontude said.

''In this country........three of the greatest after the Queen.
..........
..........
Are you one of the three great elders?
Yeah?

　As soon as he heard Mr. High Elf's answer, Mr. Kilt was silent, as if he didn't want to admit that fact.

　Eventually, he pressed his temples together.

"...really ...Cologne, you never say anything important ...always, always ...

　muttering

　A small soliloquy of resentment is leaking out of that mouth.

(Nah, I'm a little scared, Mr. Kilt...)

　By the way, Solstice, for example, is a 'Master of the Colontude! I looked at the adoring High Elf with a twinkle in my eye, though.

　Quiet.

'Well does this Mr. Arbitania hate us?

　I asked.

"....yes.

　Mr. Colontude nodded easily.

(............)

　I see.

　That fact made me feel a little like a heavy weight had fallen on my stomach.

　Mr. High Elf says.

''........Arvita is a conservative. ........I don't like humans and the 'demon blood people'. .........Also, they're a nag.

　That's right.

　There are people with all sorts of ideas in the world, and I'm sure that's the same for you, Elf.

　But I just couldn't accept a value system that allows such discrimination to be done without hiding it.

　Mr. Colantude stared at me with such an expression on his face.

　And then he said, "....

Sixty percent of the elves in the land of the elves are conservatives.
..........
...but 30% of them are neutralists...

　Neutrals...?

'We don't stop people from discriminating. But I don't discriminate either. That kind of person. ........By the way, the other three great elders are also neutralists.......

　That's right.

　In front of me, who was silently listening to the conversation, Mr. Colontude pointed to his face.

"...and I,
?
"....innovators.
..........
"....The innovators are those who try to coexist with humans and also try to gain an understanding of demon blood. ........The innovators in the land of the elves are about 10% of the elves. ........But this is only a small percentage because the innovators' elves are leaving the country so quickly.......?

　I can't help but stare at the beauty of the High Elf in front of me.

　She squints her jade-green eyes at me.

''So there are plenty of elves in this world who would like to be with Marle, Kirkir and the others.

　I smiled so gently.

(Oh....)

　The smile on his face and the fact that it was true made my heart burn.

'Yes.'

　I nodded widely.

　Ms. Colontude also smiled and nodded back.

　Kilt-san looks at the same 'Golden Mark Adventurer' with some complexity, and Iltimina-san lowers her eyes to show her appreciation.

　Solstice's voice trembles, "Lady Colontude........

　Po-chan just continued to tilt the glass of fruit water in silence.

''....................Good.

　pom pom

　Mr. Colontude pats me lightly on the head, as if he were doing it to a young child.

　His hand is comfortable.

　It seems that because elves are long-lived, they are more stubborn and less active in things, and as a result, they tend not to want to make big changes.

　But even so, some elves, especially younger elves, seem to be innovative in their thinking.

　That seemed like a small hope to me.

　Conservatives.

　Neutrals.

　Innovation faction.

　Those three factions are what's going on in the Elven Nation today, and that ratio may change in the future.

(I'd love to see more of you, innovative elves.)

　I sincerely hope so.

　While we were talking like that, time was passing.

　And.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your audience with the Queen is now ready.

　One of the handmaid elves visited the anteroom and told us so.

　Ms. Colontude nodded and looked at us.

''Well then, let's go.''

　He sounded a little nervous.

　This was unusual for the always sleepy Ms. Colontude.

　I nodded at the voice and we got up from the couch and headed with her to the audience room where the 'Elf Queen' was.