Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)
Book 8: Chapter 3

“So this is the result after all.”

Minagi spoke with a tone like she had anticipated this result after Kyle finished retelling everything.

“Yeah, but it could have been worse. Now it depends on what the elves say and do. Maybe we’ll be able to get the discussions back on track.”

“I hate to spoil the mood, but having the elves agree to reinstall the meetings will end up extremely different.”

Even Urza, who carried complicated feelings regarding the dwarves, couldn’t even imagine how they would accomplish this.

“After all, the Elders Association has my father in it…and he would never listen to me,” Urza muttered with a defeated gaze.

It showed that there was still a rift between them. Lieze seemingly wanted to say something, but didn’t know if she could overstep this boundary, eventually falling silent again.

“As you said, I only told them you were coming to make negotiations to reopen the discussions, but was that good enough?”

“I need the elves and dwarves to work together. Coming all this way here only made me more certain of it.”

Kyle wasn’t completely sure that the support from Zilgus would be on time during the arrival of the [Great Invasion]. Contrary to that, Gilbohl and the forest of Evenro were only separated by a large plain field, so it would be a lot quicker to provide assistance. Especially with the support from the wind spirits. Even if Gilbohl were to be attacked, help could be on its way within a day. Since Kyle had connections with the demons, he might be able to delay their advances on some level, but not stop the whole war. To ensure that Gilbohl won’t fall immediately, he needed the help of the elves to guarantee the best scenario.

“Tomorrow will be a long day, so we should probably check in early.”

“Huh? Shouldn’t we set up a guard?” Lieze was surprised at Kyle just skipping that part.

“We’ll be fine this time. After all, we’ve got someone watching over us like nobody else,” Kyle grinned, knowing that he would keep a close eye on them to make sure they didn’t try anything.

***

The following day, the group continued to journey through the forest, with a sleep-deprived Solace tagging after them, until they eventually saw the living area of the elves in the distance. It was surrounded by a tall tree that must have been standing tall for thousands of years. Surprisingly, not many elves were walking around. Understandably so, because the majority of the elves lived on the tree. Looking up, Kyle saw countless bridges that formed something akin to a spider web, as elves walked across them at every corner.

“A city on a tree…”

“It’s pretty useful once you get the hang of it.” Urza smiled at Kyle’s comment and then started ascending the stairs.

If you looked up, the whole sky above you looked green. Apparently, they used magic to make it grow in this shape.

“From a city underground to a city on a tree…It’s the exact opposite.” Seran looked around, voicing his impressions.

As you would expect, you only saw other elves around. Contrary to the lively atmosphere in Gilbohl, everything seemed calm and reserved. Surely, more than tens of thousands of elves should be living here, but sometimes you only heard the rustling of leaves at best. Guided by Urza, they walked through the settlement as they were showered by the gazes of the elves. Some were curious about this, others were uncertain or even worried, wondering what a group of humans could be doing here. Of course, the group continued on, not letting themselves be bothered by this amount of attention.

“Seems like the elves never change, either,” Shildonia said with a cynical tone. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Solace might be an extreme case, but this reaction was to be expected when you were dealing with elves.

“That’s true. Why do they hate everyone but themselves so much…Ah, sorry.” Lieze realized she was complaining in the presence of elves, and looked over at Urza to apologize.

“Don’t worry about it. It sadly is the truth, so I have nothing to argue back.” Urza said in a somewhat self-deprecating tone. “I don’t like how things stand right now, but this philosophy is so deeply engraved in our roots…I don’t know how to get around it.”

“Really? Wouldn’t we just need more people like you here?”

Seemingly, Lieze believed that Urza should become the role model for the elves in the generations to come.

“That…would definitely help, but…” Urza’s mutters disappeared into the nothingness.

Once they reached the large tree in the center of the settlement, it was Solace who spoke up first.

“We call this the Tree of Life, the tree acting as the mother of all elves. The only other tree that could rival this would be the World Tree which is inhabited by the dragons,” he said with a pride tone, as if he was trying to brag to the humans.

It most definitely was a tree possessing a divine aura, but after having seen the World Tree, this wasn’t all too different, so they weren’t exactly acting like excited terrorists. In fact, Urza looked embarrassed at this speech.

“Only one person is allowed to enter here. You decide on who it will be, the others can wait outside,” Solace said and looked at the others, as Kyle silently stepped forward.

“You can do it, Kyle.”

Seen off by his allies, Kyle entered the Tree of Life, with Urza following him.

“Urza, you were also told to wait here.” Solace tried to stop her, but she shook her head.

“I’m going with Kyle. I’ll take responsibility for it.”

Sensing Urza’s strong conviction, even Solace was powerless and let her pass.

“Sorry to drag you with me, even after they already said no…” Kyle said in a quiet voice so that Solace could not hear him.

It was all thanks to her that he was even given the chance to meet with the Elder Association.

“It’s fine, I’m doing this because I want to.” Urza nonchalantly answered, but she must be extremely nervous on the inside.

As expected, you could say, as she’s going against orders. Kyle wanted to cheer her up and tightly grasped her hand.

“Ah…” Urza raised a surprised voice but quickly covered up her mouth so that Solace wouldn’t hear her. “Kyle…Do you really think you can convince them?”

Urza had absolute faith in Kyle, but she couldn’t shake her uncertainty.

“Excluding one of them, they’re all hot-headed and stubborn people, and it was thanks to that one person that I managed to even get this meeting arranged, but that’s as far as I can take it. Their prejudices towards the dwarves…run deep, you know.”

“I do have an idea of my own. And running away won’t help anybody,” Kyle said so, but as Urza knew the elves more than anybody else in their group, she was still anxious.

That said, Kyle had managed to accomplish his every goal up to this point. Urza put more strength in the grip of her hand, as Kyle returned the same. She felt like her worries subsided a bit. As a blessing in disguise, Solace had no idea about any of this, as he just grumbled without turning around.

“Human, I don’t know what reason you came here for, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up.”

Unlike before, Solace spoke with a glimmer of consideration.

“What I wish for is the safety of the elves…of this forest. And since the Elder Association has permitted me to be present, I will make sure you don’t do anything regrettable!”

Hearing that Solace would participate in the meeting was a surprise to Kyle. Because if so, then his attitude toward him might come back to bite him now. He regretted acting mostly based on his emotions. Learning that Solace was Urza’s childhood friend, and most likely held feelings for her, Kyle couldn’t help himself being a bit more provocative. He knew that he wasn’t very mature about this, but when he thought about that man knowing so much of Urza that he didn’t, he just started feeling jealous. Even now, he was holding her hand despite Solace possibly realizing.

“It’s fine. He may say that, but he’s still just an apprentice. He was simply permitted to witness the meeting, but he has no speaking right,” Urza whispered into Kyle’s ear, allowing him to sigh in relief as he held her hand even stronger.

It might seem like he was simply fighting for superiority, but to Kyle, there was nothing more important.

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