(What does that mean?)

　Elves are a dying race - I didn't understand what Mr. Colontude meant when he told me that.

　I don't think everyone else understands, either.

　Everyone looks at Ms. Colontude suspiciously.

　But she doesn't answer them.

　She just looked sad and forlorn, staring at the world of elves spread out in front of them.

　I ventured to ask her what she meant.

　But.

Oh.

　Before she could do so, she made a face, suddenly aware of something.

(Huh?)

I see my home.

　Mr. Colontude pointed to a single large tree about two hundred yards away.

　She gave a small smile.

...we're almost there. Come on, let's go.

　Sta. Sta. Sta.

　And then I start walking ahead by myself.

(Uh.....)

　I failed to speak to him.

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

　The rest of us look at each other somewhat.

'....shall we go?
Yes.

　Nodding at Kilt's words, we quickly followed the high elf's hunchback.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Mr. Columbudo's house was still a big tree, about a hundred meadows in size.

　There was a wooden door there.

I'm home.

　Mr. Colontude said, and opened the door to it, and went into the great tree.

　We followed as well.

(Wow....)

　Inside the big tree was a proper interior space.

　It was a luxurious version of Mr. Colontude's "Tree House" in the forest outside the royal capital in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　The living room and kitchen.

　A spiral staircase leading along the inside of the trunk.

　A door there, furthermore, indicates that there are several rooms.

　There seems to be a separate laboratory, and I didn't see any experimental tools or demonic materials here, like I saw in the "Tree House" in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

''Hmm.''
Oh.
So this is the home of Mr. Columcude!
..........

　Everyone was looking around curiously.

　It must have been away for a thousand years, but it was cleaner than I thought it would be.

(No dust or anything, right?)

　I wondered if it might be that kind of magic, but

Well all the innovators have cleaned up the mess on their own without asking me to.................

　He said.

(I see.)

It's like having a guild staffer clean Mr. Kilt's room.

　I laughed and nodded my head in agreement.

''N........''

　Perhaps she didn't like the fact that they were made together, but Kirt-san frowned at her expression.

　Haha.........

　Iltimina-san and Solstice are also smiling bitterly.

''.........Just make yourself at home.

　Mr. Columbudo said, and went into the back room.

　We looked at each other.

　Then, with his words, I took off the bags and equipment I was carrying and let him gather them together in the corner of the room, and sat down on the couch that was nearby.

(Phew.)

　A bit of a breather.

　Eventually, Mr. Columcude returned as well.

　He had apparently changed from his dress for an audience with the Queen to a loose-fitting dress that was more like everyday clothing. All the ornaments had been removed as well.

　Poly Poly.

　He scratches his long blonde hair with his hand.

　It was neatly combed, but it's already crumpled up.

'..........well........everyone is hungry, right?

　She asked me that question.

　...Yeah.

　Outside the window, the sun had already set and it was long past dinner time.

　And we hadn't even eaten lunch for our audience.

　Guh.

(Ugh?)

　Before I could answer, my honest belly beat me to it!

　Everyone looks at me.

　Ha, I'm embarrassed........

　Illtimina-san, Kilt-san, and Colontude-san laughed gently.

　.........Solstice is a look of contempt.

　Only Poe is the only one whose expression remains unchanged.

　And the landlord of The House of the Great Tree...

"...Okay. ....I'll be making dinner soon, so you'll have to wait a bit longer...

　He said.

　He's actually a very sweet and caring high elf.

　I'm very happy about that suggestion.

(Glad to hear it, but...)

　I paled.

　Everyone's face had gone pale.

　Even Solstice and Poe were pale.

　We remember.

　Once I was treated to a meal at the House of Trees in the Kingdom of Shumuria, cooked by Mr. Colontude.

　Caterpillars, insects, snakes.

　It was a dish made with the ingredients in their entirety.

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

　Oh, it didn't taste bad.

　But, you know what I mean?

　Only Mr. Colonteur would not notice, in the icy air.

Poe offers to help his mother-in-law.

　Zachariah.

　Brave little Poe stood up to save us.

(Oh.........!)

　And what's more.

I don't feel comfortable doing nothing, so let me help you with that.

　Even the kind Illtimina-san quickly left her seat.

　Me, Kilt-san and Solstice gave a grateful glance to the two reliable people.

''.......So?''

　Mr. Colonnade nodded his head curiously.

''........well, never mind. ...Well then, follow me.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.

　With that, Mr. High Elf and the two warriors disappeared into the kitchen at the back.

　Throbbing.

　The rest of us had a tense time.

　Then, an hour later.

"...here you go...

　In front of us, there were neatly prepared and delicious-looking "ordinary food" lined up.

　Illtimina and Poe with a look of accomplishment.

　Oh, thank God.

(Thanks, both of you!)

　I thanked him from the bottom of my heart, and Mr. Kilt and Solstice looked very relieved, too.

''?''

　Only Mr. Colantude was nodding his head at us.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


(Oh, it was delicious.)

　The dishes served consisted mainly of mushrooms, vegetables and fruits, with other meats from deer and rabbit.

　It was all delicious.

　Kilt-san and Solstice, the foodie girl, also had a look of great satisfaction on their faces.

'Yes, Marle. Here's your tea.
Oh. Thanks, Miss Illtimina.

　The kind sister even prepared tea after dinner.

　She was really thoughtful.

　You can't help but relax and soak in the comfort of it.

　Mr. Colontude himself looked satisfied that he was able to eat the food he thought he had made without leaving a trace.

(Haha.)

　It was a relaxing time.

　Perhaps because of that, I suddenly remembered what Mr. Colontude had said earlier.

　...........

　Let's see, what should I do?

　I'm not sure if it's okay to ask.

　But then Illtimina-san noticed my situation.

"What's wrong, Marle?

　A worried look.

(.........ugh)

　I wasn't sure what to do, but it helped me make a decision.

　I ventured to look at the high elf's sister.

"Um, Mr. Columcude.
...hmm?
'What did you mean earlier, Mr. Colontude, when you said 'elves are a dying race'?

　Everyone looked surprised.

　Even Mr. Colonnade blinked his eyes.

　Then his always sleepy eyes stared straight at me now.

''Well it's exactly as you said.''

　Mr. Columbudo said.

　Then.

'....Does Marle know how many people are in this 'Elf Nation'?

　He asked me.

　I shook my head, not knowing.

　She smiled.

'....150,000 people.

　150,000 people...?

　I was amazed at how little it was.

　This was a very dangerous world compared to the previous world, and the population itself was not large. But the figure of 150,000 people still seemed too small.

(Because it's half the population of the royal capital, Mulia?)

　That's the total population of a country, they say.

　I'm very surprised that Illtimina-san, Kilt-san and that erudite girl Solstice didn't know that too.

　The only person whose expression doesn't change is Poe.

　Solstice confirms it.

''I knew that most of the elven country is forest and the living area is small, but.......it's that small?''
Yes.

　Mr. Colontude nodded.

''...Until four hundred years ago, there were more than two million of them. ........Nowadays, there are only about 10,000 elves in this 'Sacred Forest' as well.

　The word made sense.

　The Divine Demon War.

　That's how many elves were killed in the Divine Demon War four hundred years ago.

　We were astonished that it was such a tragedy.

　At the same time, we felt that we understood one of the reasons why Arbitania and her friends were so afraid of the Devil.

　Mr. Colontude wrapped his hands around his cup of tea.

　Gazing at its red surface.

"...in 'Elfland' now, you know, the death rate is higher than the birth rate.

　I said.

''.........We elves are very long-lived.......that's why we weren't as greedy as humans in leaving offspring. ........In addition to that, since the Divine Demon War, the 'Demon Blood Babies' have been killed as soon as they were born.
..........
"....the heartache of killing my child. ...and the fear of giving birth to a 'demon blood child'.

　She laughed sarcastically.

''From ... four hundred years ago until now ... only nine elves have been born and raised in the Land of the Elves.''

　Nine...!

(In the last 400 years!)

　We're stunned by this fact.

　I heard that all of the 'demon blood babies' born besides the nine were killed.

　..............

　Of course, these figures are only for the 'Elf Country'.

　The elves outside the country have many innovative ideas, so the birth rate there is much higher.

　But it doesn't necessarily mean that the elves will bond with each other.

　As a result.

...Little by little, the blood of the elves is fading.

　And.

　The Land of the Elves, where pure-blooded elves gather.

　But no children are born there, and the innovative elves who want to have children leave the country.

　And the blood thins.

　The death rate of the expatriate elves is also higher because they are more active.

　They are less likely to return safely to their homeland.

　And those born outside the country never visit the "Land of Elves", which is not their home.

　Thus, the population of the "Land of Elves" was gradually decreasing.



　I was at a loss for words.

　And Mr. Columcude wasn't going to just sit back and accept that reality.

"....I'm appealing to you, in case you don't mind. I'm just saying that when the Demonblood Babies are born, I don't want them to be killed, I want them to be sent to Shumuria Kingdom. That way, they won't have to fight the birth of the child, and we can save a lot of lives. ........But right now, the conservatives are very powerful.

　It's not going to be easy to get that suggestion through, he says.

(...Oh no.)

　Mr. Colontude looks up at the hollow.

''Well it used to be that there were more elves with innovative ideas.

　Huh?

'....That's why I had so much contact with the human world. ........But because of that, many of the elves who thought like that were killed in the Divine Demon War. ........So the conservatives who survived are stronger now, and the 'Land of Elves' has become isolated and cut off from the outside world.

　His voice was very painful and sad.　

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

　Four hundred years ago, Ms. Colontude had been alive.

　Perhaps she, too, had lost some of her dearest elven friends.

　Ms. Colontude exhaled.

　She smiled sadly.

So...........

　Yes, I made a sad prediction.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


We were speechless at the harsh reality facing the Land of Elves.

"..........

　Poe looked at his mother-in-law with concern.

　When she noticed, Mr. Columcude laughed gently and hugged his daughter-in-law (Musume).

　Geez.

　The air loosened a little at the sight of it.

　I said.

'Um ... is there anything we can do to help?'

　I said.

　Iltimina, Kilt and Solstice have the same expression.

　Mr. Colontude has a surprised look on his face.

　Then he smiled.

'....Yes.

　Huh?

"....to defeat the evil genie.
..........
"...everyone in the Land of Elves knows deep down in their hearts that it can't go on like this. ....I want to be the catalyst for that change.

　That's what ... defeating an evil spirit?

Yes.

　She nodded heavily.

　''I want the fact that the human (...) of the 'Demon Blood People (...)' will defeat the 'tough evil spirits' that the elves can't handle and help the 'Elf Nation' - that's the fact that I want that fact,'' said Ms. Colonchude.

''Well that may not change anytime soon.''
..........
''But if we build on those things, I think that someday 'Elfland' will change.'''

　His jade-colored eyes were very serious as he said this.

　............

　I was almost sucked in by the brilliance of them.

(I'm a bit surprised.)

　I had no idea that Mr. Colontude, who only pursued his own research, was thinking so passionately about the country he was born in.

　I was not the only one who thought so.

　Three people besides Poe were also surprised.

　And Mr. Quilt chuckled.

"Cologne, I didn't expect you to have such a sense of responsibility. ........What on earth is the matter?

　I ask that question.

　Mr. Colonteau said.

Well I'm a stepmother now too, you know?

　He looked lovingly at his daughter-in-law, who he held in his arms.

(I see.)

　So meeting Poe and his girlfriend had changed her as well.

　The blonde little girl looks up at her beautiful high elf mother-in-law.

　And.



(Hmm?)

　For some reason, Mr. Colontude's gaze was on my face as well.

　Everyone else looked at me, too.

'I see,'
I understand.

　Kilt and Illtimina nodded sincerely.

　Next to them.

''Well, I won't argue with you, if you say so, Mr. Colonteude.

　Solstice muttered a little disapprovingly.

　Finally, Poe, the

..........

　Cough, cough, cough.

　She shook her soft blonde hair and nodded repeatedly.

　Um...?

(What do you mean?)

　I'm the only one who doesn't seem to know what that means.

　Mr. Colonnade laughed funny.

　Then he reached up with his right hand.

I don't know if I can reach this hand but I'll still reach out to it as best I can...

　squeak

　I gripped those slender fingers tightly, as if they were grasping something I couldn't see.