It was the next morning.

　Together with Sille and a few elves, we came to the land of the dark elves.

I had imagined a place far away from the 'divine tree's blessing cannot reach', but it was much closer than I expected. There is no grassland between the forest and the forest, it is different from the elven forest where there is only light, and the atmosphere is dark and gloomy, "Ah, we have entered the dark elf's territory.

　As you walk a little further, you meet a group of dark elves. They are not hostile.

　I've already deployed my detection magic, so I was aware of their presence. I'm sure there are no other people hiding around.

"Mr. Opti, hi.

'Welcome, Master Sille. I will now take charge of the situation.

　The middle-aged or so man called Opti welcomed him with a light bow of his head.

　A dark elf.

　His long ears were the same as the elves', but his skin tone was the opposite of brown.

　Speaking of the Opti, he would be the one Sille had mentioned as a moderate. He must have been the one who set up this discussion.

　Then, under his guidance, we walked through the territory of the dark elves.

　...... There are quite a few signs of demons.

　The elves also had more demons than the human race because the forest was full of nature. However, they coexist without violating each other's territory.

　However, this place is always surrounded by hustle and bustle. It's like a forest you can't be too careful about.

''Here it is.''

　The place we arrived at is a large house.

　It doesn't look like it's inside the dark elf village.

　There are no shadows of people in the area, only a few people inside.

　Sille enters first, followed by others.

　The inside was simple, with chairs surrounding a round table.

　There were two dark elves seated at the earlier guests, two dark elves.

　One is normal, but the other is an older man with a larger-than-life attitude.

　The normal one stands up.

'Hi, my name is Aethos.

　Aethos. Probably the man who was a neutralist.

　I thanked him without showing too much hostility.

''It's nice to meet you. I'm Sille, Princess Elf.''

Hey!

　A shout of anger rang out around Sille's name.

　It was the irreverent man. That guy is looking at me like he's glaring at me.

'Why is there a human race here!　This is the sacred dark elf land!

　Sacred dark elf land, right? It looks like the majority of the demonic presence is in the air for that, though.

"I'm sorry. Master Dapto.

d*mn, you licked it.

　Apparently Sille was a familiar face.

　Dapto, as the man called it, spat out a complaint as Sille apologized meekly. It must have been a threatening falsehood.

　Even if I wasn't a human race, he might have found some kind of sarcasm in me.

　Then the discussion began when Opti and Sille took their seats. I'm following behind Sille as an escort.

--The discussion was not a very good one.

　Half of the territory currently held by the elves must be transferred to the dark elves. Also, the resources must be provided unconditionally.

　Conditions that were too unreasonable were being laid down.

　Sille seems to be looking for a compromise somehow, but he can't seem to come to terms with it. Opti is also following through, but the neutralist Aethos and the militant Dapto are refusing to budge.

　It's so bad that the only choice they have anymore is war.

(Still ......)

　The dark elf side is willing to talk.

　Why?

　Is it because the Opti has convinced them to meet? For that, they are quite persistent.

　Maybe they don't really want to fight.

　Why? It's now or never if you want to beat a weak elf. In fact, talking about it will lead to us buying time--.

　I'm not sure how I feel about it.

--I'm not going to be the only one. And several of them.

　I've been slow to notice it because it wasn't deployed very widely. They are already quite close.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

''Excuse me!

　The dark elf entered.

　His face was dripping with sweat all over, and the urgency of the situation could be felt.

''-- A large number of black dragons are in our territory--!

What?

　Dapto is jumping around.

　It's a black dragon.

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

　It's just a traces of familiar magic.

"Mr. Jade.

　Are you okay?　He looks at me as if to say.

　I smile and nod to reassure him.

'It's fine. I'll go.

　I go outside.

　Sille and the dark elves arrive behind me to see what's going on.

　Even through the gaps in the large trees that are so closely tangled that the sun's light doesn't reach them much, you can see the huge shadows writhing high in the sky.

　Even with the naked eye alone, you can probably see ten of them.

　I glanced at the black dragon at the head of the group and our eyes met.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. --I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　Hatena Mark seems to be floating around, but the black dragons, who threw their own weight to the ground with a thud and descended before I could explain, were first.

''It's been a while, Jied!

Oh, I didn't expect you to come see me.

"Hmmm, I couldn't wait until I heard from the Mole King!　It's good to see you looking good!

　Loloa says, showing a vivaciously woozy appearance.

　The flicking tail makes an excruciating sound every time it hits the ground.

　Other than Loloa, the other black dragons have landed nearby or are flying on top of large trees or in the air because there is no space to get down.

'Jeez, Jide, that black dragon is ......'

　Sille calls out to me fearfully.

'Yeah, it happened a bit back in the day. I'm not trying to do you any harm, so don't worry about it.

　Everyone is alarmed when they see it. This is a bit of a bad idea.

　It's a good thing we were in a land where visibility wasn't great, but if this was in the vicinity of the King's Landing or the Elf Village, there would have been a big mess.

I'm sorry. I'm in the middle of a request. I'll find time to meet with you again, so please stay at the Earth Dragon King's place for today.

''Gunnu. Such an attitude towards me, the bloodline of the king dragon: ......!　It's not supposed to happen, but it's Jide!　I'll wait for you!

Yeah, I'm sorry.

　When I say it, Loloa takes off.

'I'll be waiting for you!

　Loloa stormed off and the meeting resumed.

　It was noisy for a while, but he acted as if he could see no harm was being done, so he regained his composure.

'I'm sorry for the disturbance,'

　Sille apologizes for me.

　Then Dapto crosses his arms and fluffs up.

''Hmph, it's like a poor elf to make a fuss because a demon of that level came. We dark elves are used to this kind of thing every day. So let's get back to the agenda, shall we?

　Dapto, who told him to look strong, unexpectedly looked at Aethos, the neutralist seated next to him. --Aithos was buzzing and shaking.

　Aethos takes one look at me and turns back to Sille.

　Unlike the first time, it's quite distant.

''Who is the ...... Jide of the human race there ......?

　That's a great new question.

　It doesn't seem to have been in his eyes before. Despite the fact that only one of them is foreign to the elves.

'He's an adventurer from a guild that the elves have enlisted the help of.

This is S-ranked adventurer Jade. It's a pleasure to meet you.

　These are the ones who might be guests, too.

　I'll say hello to them, just in case.

　But none of them try to reply out of caution.

　Instead, Aethos turns his face down.

''...... So, I see.''

　He is quite frightened.

　The arrival of the black dragons earlier must have been an echo. That's more than enough strength to intimidate them.

''---ha!　f*ck you!

　Dapto stands up, hitting the round table.

　Then he points to me.

'The elves must be controlled by the human race and dragons there!　There's no fun in putting on a performance like this!

Pa, performance ......?

　Sille is confused by the sudden outburst.

　Or rather, the dark elf side seems to be surprised by the suddenness of the situation. Everyone's gaze is focused on Dapto.

''It's a performance, isn't it!　Don't send that many dragon tribe members to try to hurt our end!

　Aren't demons of that level an everyday occurrence?

''No, that was unexpected. We had no intention of fighting it in the first place ......

Yeah, shut up!　I guess there's no bargaining with you people!

　Dapto leaves his seat.

　Then he walks over to Aethos and grabs one of his hands and makes him stand.

'Come on, we're leaving!'

　It seems that this action was taken at the instinct of Aitos who became uncooperative.

　However, Aithos doesn't seem to be so keen on Dapto.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. Maybe he's .......

...... You!

　Aethos is about to say something.

　But before he can say it, Dapto raises his arm.

　I'm not going to hit him. It's a threat. It's to keep you from speaking any more.

''You are a dark elf, remember?　His people are helping you?　Don't make me laugh!　They're just trying to take over!

　When I said that, Dapto and the others walked out, dragging Aethos along with them.

　The atmosphere of magic power is rapidly leaving.

　It's a very simple end to the story.

　I ask Sille.

Was it good that you didn't have to stop?

That wasn't something I could interfere with.

Yeah. I'm sorry for the distraction.

　As a result, it was my fault that it ended up like this.

　I invited the black dragon, even though it was unintentional. I went to the bargaining table between the dark elves and the elves without a care in the world.

　That's a lot of carelessness.

　But Sille smiles at me, contrary to my thoughts.

'I'm rather grateful for that. If we had continued like that, it would have been a parallel line. It's a stubborn argument until one of us gives in. Both elves and dark elves are unfamiliar with negotiations, so we want something that can break through something stubborn like that.

　The Opti, who remained on the scene, nodded together.

''At least Aethos should have changed his mind. I hope this will improve the situation. We'll definitely set up another meeting, so I'd appreciate your help in that case.

　Opti bowed her head and left the room.

'Then shall we go too?'

Yeah.

　Finally, the elves stood.