21st Century Archmage

Chapter 91: Elves in a Well

Translator: Lei

Proofreader: Imagine

“How is it?”

“I believe there’s not much time left.”

“That bad?”

“There is already barely any life mana left in his body. Without the treatment of the holy water and the priests, it would not be strange if he flew into the embrace of God right now.”

“Mm, I see. You did well.”

“Then, goodbye…”

In the mansion of Duke Ormere, the man who had the Bajran Empire under his thumb, a priest of the Goddess of Destiny, Pallan, spoke briefly with the Duke and then left. The priest had come directly after treating the Emperor in the Imperial Palace.

“Huhuhu, drench him with as much holy power as you want. It can’t heal 10 years of gradually accumulated Demetrian’s Tears.”

Duke Ormere chuckled mirthfully inside the empty room.

Demetrian’s Tears was made in the Araktch Empire in the Eastern Continent. It was absolutely not a poison. It was a miracle drug unrivaled in the world if used as a one-time medicine, but if it was taken for longer than a year, it would become a poison that would slowly eat away at one’s life mana.

The Emperor had consumed those Demetrian’s Tears every day for 10 years. It would be strange if there was any life mana left in his body.

“It’ll take five months at most. The Emperor will die a natural death. And then…the world will be truly mine. Kukukuku.”

Ormere had begun preparations dozens of years ago for such a day. Using the strength of his family as bait, he pushed his little sister to the position of queen, and she produced a crown prince. All his elaborate planning had come perfectly to fruition.

The powerful families of the empire had pledged their loyalty to Ormere’s ducal house, and every post in the military had been changed to Duke Ormere’s nominations. Even if the Emperor were to survive, he was helpless to the enormous strength Duke Ormere now possessed.

“After the Emperor dies…I will build a great empire. I’ll take down all the neighboring kingdoms, and in my hands will be a great land mass that even those Laviter bastards will envy!”

Duke Ormere reveled in his ambition.

The young duke, not even 50 years of age, was riding on dreams.

After making his great empire, he would become the true master of the empire.

An empire that did not bear the name ‘Bajran,’ but the name of the Duke’s own house, ‘Fasain.’

* * *

“Congratulations. From now on, you are one of us, a member of the Green Tree Clan,” said Parciano with a benevolent smile.

“W-What?”

‘Why?’

His sudden words made my firm resolve waver.

Parciano kindly gave me an explanation. “According to elven convention, any living being who has received an elf’s love is recognized as a member of the clan. This treatment applies even if it is a monster.”

‘Alright then, this is better anyway.’

The elves were xenophobic by nature. Becoming a member of their clan was actually better. In any case, I wasn’t such a scumbag that I would just run off feigning indifference after kissing Narmias.

“Thank you for accepting me as a member of the clan.”

“Narmias is a good sprout. Even among our clan, there aren’t many children who can use both magic and spirits.”

‘Narmias is also a summoner mage?’

I thought she was a harpy-riding warrior, but apparently she was a summoner mage.

“I have something to request of the Chief Elder, as a member of the clan.”

“Speak.”

‘Maybe this, too, was the intent of the heavens.’

Elves were naturally hostile to humans. Trying to integrate the elves who deeply valued habit and nature preservation with humans who emphasized development was laughable. In other words, it was as ridiculous as saying a dog and a chicken were in love.

But the elves had suddenly taken me as a member of their clan. I couldn’t ignore their goodwill, if you could call it that.

“As the Chief Elder knows, I am the Lord of Nerman. I possess a pitiful territory wedged in between the battle-crazy Temir and greedy human empires,” I said, packaging myself as a pitiful sop. Though in truth, we were poor enough to receive national handouts.

“It is our long-standing unwritten law that we do not involve ourselves in human affairs. So far, nothing good has happened from involving ourselves with humans.” Sensing my next words, the Chief Elder put up his defenses in advance.

“I acknowledge that. Humans are greedy and their feelings change on a dime according to their interests.”

“Hmm…”

Parciano shut his mouth and hummed at my honest assessment of my own kind.

“I have a dream. I dream of a world where greedy and callous humans, pure-hearted elves, hardworking dwarves who love to play by nature, and even the born-fighter beastmen can all live together. I will make Nerman into such a dream-like world. Please help me, Chief Elder. I request your help, as the human Kyre.”

Chief Elder Parciano visibly recoiled at my words, but I continued.

“I heard that in the past, when humans and elves lived together, the world was truly beautiful. They cooperated to repel monsters and demon beasts and formed the foundation of peace on this continent. I wish to create such an incredible world again.”

“Do you think that is truly possible? I understand the gist of the world you dream of. However, that is impossible from the start. We may look like you humans, but from the moment of our births, humans and elves have a different culture, custom, and nature. That cannot be changed by anything.”

I thought he would be different from the other inflexible elves, but the elder was incredibly stubborn.

“There is a mistake in your words.”

“A mistake?”

“Yes. You say elves and humans are fundamentally different, but I heard that in the past, humans and elves fell in love and had children together. I see that as one form of politeness. But what do you think, sir? Do you think that those people really regretted their choices because of differing cultures and customs? I am sure that was not the case. Just like how Narmias and I could accept each other, the humans and elves do not have insurmountable differences between them. Only…The fundamental problem is that the stereotypes we have propagated from the beginning have tragically split the destinies of the humans and elves.”

“…..”

The elder fell into deep thought with his eyes closed.

“Just like how you trust me, please help me. How long do you want the elves standing outside over there to live and die inside this stuffy protective magic circle? Do you not pity the futures of those who live day after day looking at the same sky and ground? Why do you consider this continent as property of the humans alone?! Please give the elves freedom. Show the elves the endless land under the limitless sky outside. That is the duty of the chief leading the elves!”

My passionate words came tumbling out. The sky I loved would also give the elves the unrestrained freedom I found so exhilarating, but the elves merely lived and died while looking at that open sky.

I felt sorry for them.

Even if my life were to end today, my light would flicker out after letting my heart and soul burn free, but these elves would breathe their last looking at an empty sky.

“It is dangerous. Rather than such freedom, it is my duty as the Chief Elder to protect my people. If I let my emotions be shaken so easily and let the elves into the world, I would have no right to be an elder.”

“Hahahahaha!”

I burst out in laughter right on the heels of Parciano’s words.

“Every word of yours is like a frog in a well.”

“W-What did you say!!! How dare a mere human—!!”

“Why, am I wrong? What difference is there between the elves and frogs that will live and die in a well, staring fearfully at the world outside?! And not even from their own will, but because their elder said so?!”

“Shut up! What do you know about us elves to say such nonsense! Rather than living in the dirty and evil world, it’s better to lead peaceful lives here! What we elves truly want is to live in peace, even if we live just one day longer!”

“Is that really the case? Narmias, tell me honestly. Do you want to live out the rest of your life and die just like that in this tiny place like the elder says, or would you rather go into the outside world and die after experiencing the freedom of the sky, even if it’s just a single day?”

Narmias had gone completely white at the aggressive conversation between me and the elder.

“Speak, Narmias.” As expected of an elf who had experienced a long life, Parciano’s agitation faded quickly and he looked towards Narmias calmly.

“Please speak only your honest thoughts,” I said. “I will accede to your opinion.”

If Narmias agreed with the Chief Elder, then I would have nothing more to argue. It was the law of the world that if the President didn’t want to do it, no one would.

Narmias spoke after brief contemplation.

“…I believe that the Chief Elder’s words are correct.”

‘Ah…’

I squeezed my eyes shut.I felt like a fool for bothering to engage in this heated dispute.

“However…I will follow Kyre-nim into the human world.”

“….!!”

Coming from the ever-quiet and obedient Narmias, the sudden announcement ringing with her firm will was more than enough to shock both the Elder Chief and I.

“And this feeling of mine will never, ever change.”

Before the Elder could speak, Narmias flatly expressed her unchanging will.

“Haah…” sighed Parciano. “Are you the only one who thinks that, or are there others among the elves who think that way?” he asked, his voice subdued.

“I believe that most of the young elves think the same way as I do.”

‘The elves? Really?’

Narmias’ words came as a shock for me, too. The elves always moved quietly with absolute obedience to the Chief Elder’s words. It was hard to believe that there was something hot and passionate dwelling within their hearts, though it was understandable for Narmias, since she loved me.

“I see, so that was the case…” muttered Elder Parciano, nodding. After a moment, he turned to me. “Go back for now.”

“I understand.”

I might be recognized as a member of the clan now, but there was still a limit. Moreover, it was much better for me to step out of the way right now, when the elves needed to make an important decision as a clan.

“Be well, Narmias.”

“Yes…Kyre-nim.”

The elven woman’s eyes grew damp at my warm words.

The warmth of Narmias’ body I had felt in the morning confirmed that she was no demon or monster, but a person no different from a human. Only, a human with slightly different ears, that is.

“Please allow me to say just one more thing. If the elves suffer any type discrimination or harassment in Nerman…I will offer my own life.”

For a man, this kind of obstacle was nothing.

And I was confident—I had more than enough courage and wisdom to make my dream a reality.

I turned and left the Chief Elder’s room.

The die was cast, and the rest was up to the heavens.