...Ha, I'm nervous.

　As soon as he returned to the anteroom, Mr. Colontude let out that and sat down on the sofa.

　Haha.........

　It seems that an audience with the Elf Queen is a difficult thing for her to do.

　The shangled figure had disappeared, and now she was back to her usual disheveled and disappointing beauty.

　I couldn't help but chuckle.

　And then, behind me.

'Han, what's 'people right'? Isn't that bacca?

　Solstice swore like that.

　She seems to be quite, quite pissed off at the queen's words earlier.

　She turned to the door and said, "Nbeh! And he stuck out his tongue as hard as he could.

　Beside her, Poe was also imitating her, sticking out his little tongue.

(.........well, yeah.)

　The Elf Queen said that it's human nature to resent the 'Demon Blood People' and that it's inevitable.

　But it's unbearable to be resented for that.

　''Geez.

　Suddenly, Illtimina-san hugged me from the back side.

'It wasn't 'human rightness' that the Elf Queen spoke of. It's 'human ugliness'. If you're not ashamed of it, and you have no intention of correcting it, then I will definitely support Marle's 'divine rightness'.

　As she says this, she strokes my hair with her white hand.

　Illtimina-san has a habit of stroking my hair from time to time to calm herself down.

(That's how angry she is, too.)

　I didn't show much of an expression, but I could feel the emotions inside of it.

　Mr. Kilts chuckles.

He smiles and says, "Killing the small in order to keep the big alive. That's the role a ruler must play. Maybe not the Queen's personal emotions, huh?

　I quieted the sisters.

　But neither of them looked convinced.　

　In truth, Miss Kilt herself might not be convinced either.

　Then she exhaled heavily.

　Her expression changed, and her golden eyes looked at Mr. Colontude.

'So, Colon?'
Hmm?
You should start talking. You're gonna tell me why you called them and what you want them to do.

　Ah.....

(It was.)

　As for the Elf Queen's words, I have to put them aside for now and listen to them first.

　The sisters and Poe's gaze also turned to Mr. Colontude.

　Mr. Colontude looks back at us.

Yeah, okay.

　I nodded.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


The Spirit of the Spiritual King rests in this land.

　Mr. Colontude began to speak.

　It all started four hundred years ago with the God and Demon War.

　The war started on the Albac continent, but it spread to the distant continent of Dorr, and this 'Elfland' became a battlefield as well.

　The Elves were also opposed to the overwhelming forces of the Demon Army.

　And the way they fought back...

It was a summons for the 'Spirit King'.

　It is said that the elven warriors are called 'Spirit Masters'.

　It is said that the elven warriors are called 'spirit user'.

　And the strongest card the elves have is to summon the 'Spirit King,' the king of the spirit world, to fight with them.　

　This "Spirit King" also fought against "demons".

(That's amazing.)

　That meant that the existence of the 'Spirit King' was as strong as the 'God'.

　I was surprised by this fact.

　Soon, the God and Demon War was over.

　However, the Spirit King was wounded and worn out by the long battle, and his spirit was turned into the Spirit Stone and fell into a deep sleep.

　Four hundred years have passed since then.

　It is said that until today, the elves are still guarding the Spirit Stone until the Spirit King awakens from his sleep.

''........By the way, I calculate that it will take 20,000 (.......) years to recover?''

　And Mr. High Elf.

　We were a bit taken aback.

(Sigh, long-lived elves indeed.)

　It is a very long story indeed.

　Then Mr. Colontude slowly looked up into the air.

"This is the 'sacred forest' for elves.

　He said as he sang.

　I heard that this land has a strong connection with the spirit world since ancient times, and although we can't see it, it's a place filled with many spirits.

(.........Is that still here?)

　I look around, but I don't see anything.

　However, Mr. Columntude, who has a spirit organ, may be able to see the spirits flying through the air.

　Just as there are good people and bad people, there are good spirits and bad spirits among the spirits that come from the spirit world.

　The 'bad spirits'

It's called 'Evil Spirit'.

　It is said that the 'evil spirits' are trying to destroy the 'Spirit Stone' that is sleeping.

　And it is said that these 'evil spirits' try to destroy the 'Spirit Stones' of the 'Spirit King' that are sleeping.

　For the past four hundred years, the elven spirit masters have been protecting the precious 'Spirit Stones' while fighting against these evil spirits.

　The one thing that was especially important in protecting them was

''Divine Spirit Stone''........................
!

　We were surprised by the name.

The divine spirit stone contains the clean divine air of the gods. It is said that it weakens the power of the evil spirits.

''Eh........wait a minute!

''That means that if we take the 'Divine Spirit Stone', the 'Spirit Stone' of the 'Spirit King' will be destroyed!'''
I'm not sure.

　As I panicked, Ms. Columcude shook her long blonde hair and shook her head at me.

　She said.

　It's true that the power of the 'divine Spirit Stone' will be lost, but it's just a matter of the elven 'spirit user' doing their best to make up for it.

　That is the original role of the elves.

　It's a good thing that they have that much power.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

　He laughed.

(Oh, I see.)

　Good.

　That's a relief to hear.

　You don't think I'm going to...

''But you know, there's one 'evil spirit' that's a bit tougher right now.

　Mr. Columbudo continued.

(A formidable 'evil spirit'?)

　It's said to be a powerful 'evil spirit' that appeared about 100 years ago.

　Even an elf 'spirit user' couldn't match its power.

　However, because of the power of the Spirit Stone, they were able to fend it off and protect the Spirit Stone.

　But the trouble is.

That 'evil spirit' is getting stronger every year.　

　It is said that they are the first to be able to do so.

　So in the not-so-distant future, they're worrying about the elves, wondering if they won't be able to protect them even if they have the 'Divine Spirit Stone'.

(Is there someone like that...?)

　I shuddered a little bit, bruised and shaken.

　Then, Colontude-san's jade-colored eyes looked at us.

''........I want Kirkiru and the others to defeat that 'evil spirit'.

　...........

　Oh, I see.

So that's what it's all about?

　I was surprised, but I finally understood.

　Here's what it means.

The elves were being plagued by an evil spirit.

We're going to defeat that evil genie.

In exchange for defeating them, they will give us the "Spirit Stone".

　And.

　That's why Colonchudo-san asked for our help.

　Kilt-san ponders, "Hmm.

''Are you strong?''

　I asked.

　Mr. Coloncude replied.



　Well......

(Does that mean that there are three of those red fangled dragon gads?)

　Isn't that 'evil spirit' extremely strong...?

　Me, a little worried.

　Mr. Kilt looked at Mr. Colontude's face, and then at Illtimina's.

　And.

Hmm, so there are three 'Golden Mark adventurers' over here.
Yes.
Okay, all right.

　Ms. Kilt nodded.

　She had apparently made a decision.

''Either way, if I don't do it, I won't be able to get the 'Divine Spirit Stone'. I'll take care of that 'Evil Spirit Defeat'.

　She said, with a light of determination in her golden eyes.

(See?)

　I let out a long breath.

　Well, like she said, it's something I should definitely do.

(Yeah, good luck with that.)

　Besides, the elves are in trouble, too.

　The elves may not like being saved by us, but that's the way it is.

　I'll change my mind about that.

　Ms. Colontude smiled happily, 'Thank you, Kirkill.

　The sisters exhaled, 'I can't help it.

　'Pom pom pom.

　Poe's little hand tapped his sister's shoulder lightly, encouragingly - Miss Colontude's eyes narrowed gently at the sight.

　Then she looked around at us.

Well then, tomorrow I'll take you to the 'Spirit Stone'..........
Hmm.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

　Tomorrow.　

　That being said, I noticed that it was already dusk outside the window of the waiting room.

(Come to think of it...)

　What should we do about our accommodations tonight?

　Is there an inn or something in this elven city?

...it seems unlikely.

　It's an isolated country.

　That's what I thought.　

"...it's late today. ...Do you guys want to spend the night at my place tonight?

　That's what the hunchbacked high elf told us.

　What?　

The House of Master Columcude in Elvenland!

　Me and Solstice's eyes lit up.

　We'd love to stay there!　

　Me and Solstice appealing to our gaze.

　Poe, right beside me, is also imitating our expressions and gestures.

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san look somewhat dumbfounded at such three people.

　But Mr. Colon-Tudo-san gently narrows his eyes.

Yeah, you're right.

　He laughed at me.