Chapter 523 - Twelfth Story: Dragonewt Village ⑤
"Who are you! We have already fairly and squarely declared our names. Therefore, it is only right that you also show yourself and name yourself!"
Henry-sama shouted toward the pond. It was largely farcical, but he's following protocol.
"You are the ones who challenged us to a match. Hiding one's form is a legitimate tactic."
A voice was heard from above the pond.
What he's saying is also right in its own way.
"Then, the match is not over yet. Come, fight."
"Enough already. There's a Dwarf, an Elf, and even an Arachne. If we continue any further, there will be deaths. More importantly, what on earth is Gnome's request? Depending on the answer, I shall show myself."
Oh! He's biting. Is the negotiation finally starting?
"The one we wish to speak with is the Chieftain alone. Are you the Chieftain of the Dragonewt Village?"
"Would the Chieftain come all the way here? If I were the Chieftain, you would have been dead a long time ago. But don't worry. I will convey your words to the Chieftain."
"Then, we cannot speak. It is meaningless unless it is a direct interaction with the Chieftain."
"Why? Is that also according to Gnome's instructions?"
Actually, it's not. We've pushed through saying that until now, but it's actually our own interpretation. I wonder how we'll explain it.
"It is not so, but we must convey the relationship between the Chieftain's relative and Gnome. The Chieftain's relative received a certain request from Gnome in a certain place, and we must convey the details to the Chieftain. Since it concerns a relative, I believe it should be conveyed directly to the person themselves."
"There has already been a sharing of information from the Vice-Chieftain. The Chieftain's relative you speak of has received a request from Gnome and will live toward the future. I am the Chieftain's younger brother, the uncle of the girl you met. The Chieftain instructed me to listen to your story and report back. Therefore, you only need to speak to me."
To my surprise, he was a relative. This might be difficult to refuse.
In the end, in response to our request to show himself because we were going to talk, the opponent deactivated his camouflage. It's because Henry-sama said he had to show that he was a Purple. At first, it was Eleanor-sama's judgment that it would be better if it wasn't the Chieftain. The reason is that she wanted to give the opponent time to consider.
The Dragonewt who showed himself is a middle-aged man with purple hair and wings. The fact that he doesn't have a loach beard might be because he doesn't hold a particular position.
"When I heard the story from the Vice-Chieftain, I couldn't believe it. That exclusive humans would come to our village together with an Elf, a Dwarf, and an Arachne."
The Priestess from a thousand years ago came with a Dwarf, right? The Elves should have been a wandering people. The Arachne... must have been somewhere in the Demon Realm.
Since it's the final negotiation place for whether we can enter the Dragonewt Village, I had Wilson-san's squad join us as well. They were hiding on the opposite shore, but they deactivated their Camouflage and Magic Reflection and flew over on the bowl.
"You all... since when were you there?"
Fufufu. He couldn't see through it at all. The Dragonewt, who realized that he was being secretly aimed at from behind by the ultra-high-level magic-user Wilson-san, the scout Bonnie with silver arrowheads, and Will with a silver spear made by Elves, is breaking out in a cold sweat.
"We were on the opposite shore from the beginning. We came together with Henry-sama and the others."
"Were you there from the beginning? Did you know my location?"
He answers while staring intently at Wilson-san.
"I knew roughly where you were the moment you activated your water magic."
"I see. You are a Revenant. And you can use several ultra-high-level spells."
"Well, yeah, I can use all attribute magic."
"I see."
He let out a sigh.
"It seems that if we had fought in earnest, the one who would have died was me. I understand. It's my loss. I have to admit it."
Eleanor-sama, Alex, and the Elf Prince are all giving fist pumps. Seeing that, Violet is laughing, "Kera kera."
So, stop doing that kind of thing.
"First, let's talk about your niece."
"I see. I'll leave it to you."
This kind of thing must be Eleanor-sama's kindness. As a representative of a group, one must first care about the whole group. In this case, since Gnome's words to the Dragonewts are the priority, we must hear about that. The matter of the eloping couple, which is a private matter, is for later. However, everyone is most concerned about their relatives. Knowing that, she brought it up from our side.
"The person who is your niece received a certain request from Gnome along with her companion. It is the maintenance of neutrality in a certain place. That land had a Dryad's Forest, but as a result of being caught in the conflict between humans and the Demon Lord's army before, they were forced to move. This time we have concluded a peace agreement and are now able to secure the original location."
"............"
He's listening to Eleanor-sama's explanation without even nodding.
"However, for the Dryad, there still seems to be a fear of humans. Therefore, at the request of the Dryad and Gnome, the two Dragonewts with powerful strength decided to live in the Dryad's Forest to protect that land."
"Then are the two of them in that Dryad's Forest now?"
He finally opened his mouth.
"Yes. They wouldn't be able to refuse a request from Gnome. Moreover, the content is to protect the Dryad's Forest from the conflict between humans and the Demon Lord's army. Doesn't that also match the thinking of the Dragonewts, who have maintained neutrality since ancient times?"
"Hmm. Well, that's true. So, is it okay for humans? If two Dragonewts protect that land, you won't even be able to do hunting, let alone logging, in that forest."
"Don't worry. We had no intention of entering from the beginning. In fact, the one who proposed that matter was none other than a human, this Jeanne."
Eleanor-sama mentioned my name and pointed at me, so he looked at me with golden eyes. I unintentionally look away.
"Originally, the individuals themselves should report directly to the Chieftain. However, according to what I've heard, there is a rule that Dragonewts must not live away from the village. No matter how much they received Gnome's request and obtained his protection, they thought that those who broke the rules would not be allowed to return home shamelessly."
"Well, that's true. Normally, we would have to release pursuers to bring them back or kill them. Even more so if it's the Chieftain's daughter. It wouldn't set an example for others."
"Yes. Therefore, it became a report in conjunction with our visit to the village... specifically, this Jeanne, who received another request from Gnome."
She finished the talk for now, saying this was the first request. We have to see the opponent's reaction.
"Are you under the protection of Gnome?"
For some reason, he's talking to me.
"No, I am not under the protection of Gnome. It's Water, Wind, and Fire."
"You are under the protection of the Three Great Spirits. That is quite a thing in itself. But then, why did you take on a request from Gnome?"
I told him in detail how I met Gnome. Originally, it was triggered by the Ogre countermeasures. From there, we visited the Earth Dragon's cave, and Eleanor-sama asked about Beastmen to see if she could find a lead, and from there we reached Gnome. And we received Gnome's request.
"Hmm. Did both the Earth Dragon and Gnome tell you to go to our village?"
"Yes. You all, how should I say, are apparently living quietly in your later years. Since you haven't had any involvement with Gnome or the Earth Dragon and haven't shown yourselves for the past few thousand years, everyone seems to be worried."
"I see."
The Chieftain's younger brother, who heard the whole explanation, crossed his arms and started thinking.
"Give me a little time. I well understand the reason why you want to meet the Chieftain. I will try talking to the Chieftain once."
Oh! Is this request achieved?
"However, I cannot guarantee at all whether I will guide you to the village and let you meet the Chieftain."
What, don't give me hope like that. But there's no doubt it's a step forward.
"Um, about your niece..."
I also want to confirm what they think about that couple. If the Dragonewts take a hardline stance, the hard-won peace might be ruined.
"What about those two?"
"If possible, I'd like you to leave them alone. She's pregnant, and they've stepped into a new life..."
"If they received Gnome's request, we cannot interfere. However, they will probably never be allowed to return to the village. Permanent exile."
Well, I was prepared for at least that much. The eloping couple was also prepared.
"When your grandchild is born, even if it's just once, I'd like you to visit the two of them and hold them not as the Chieftain, but as a grandfather..."
I thought he might get angry, but contrary to my expectations, he started laughing.
"Did my niece say that?"
"No, that's not it. The two of them didn't say anything about that. But it's a natural emotion, isn't it?"
It'll be the first grandchild. Normally, his face should crumble like a landslide upon seeing the grandchild's smile.
"I appreciate your concern for my brother. I don't know if it can be realized, but I will talk about that as well."
Seeing as he said it with a smile, it might be realized.
I was told to wait, so I went back to the secret base and waited, and two days later, I was told to come to the Wind-attribute Dragonewt Village. It seems the answer is ready. For some reason, I'm the only one designated. To be honest, I don't want to go alone, but everyone pushed me out, telling me to go quickly.
The journey was as simple as can be; I grabbed onto the guide and jumped with Teleport.
The destination was the Elder's house, and the Elder, the Vice-Chieftain, and the Chieftain's younger brother were there.
Actually, our mission is already over. Gnome's direct request is just to convey that Gnome is worried about the future of the Dragonewts. The matter of the eloping couple is indirect, and in reality, it's the two's consideration to eliminate unnecessary conflict... the village pursuers attacking the eloping couple... by conveying the current situation to the Chieftain. As for the Earth Dragon, no deadline or anything was specified, and the location of the Black Stone and the whereabouts of the Priestess have been identified. All that's left is to convey that she was living quietly.
Thinking that, in a sense, only the matter of the eloping couple was a concern, but the Dragonewts' answer was more in-depth.
"I have understood that Gnome and the Earth Dragon are worried about our future. Regarding that matter, I wish to meet with both of them together with you. Please confirm their respective intentions."
"We approve of trade with Elves and Dwarves. We will set up contact points for each village that desires it, so negotiate individually."
"Regarding the Chieftain's daughter and her fiancé, they are serious criminals and must be strictly punished, but since Gnome's request must be fulfilled, we will reduce the death penalty and sentence them to exile. Please convey that. However, there is a condition. Even if someone else behaves similarly in the future, Gnome must guarantee that he will not make any requests."
Those are the three points.
In other words, I have to meet the Earth Dragon and Gnome together with the Chieftain's younger brother. However, Gnome can be easily called out. Though, it would be bad to have him present with the Earth Dragon.
"Then, shall my companion call out Gnome? I think it would be good if there is alcohol for welcoming him."
"Is it okay?"
"I think it'll be fine, but is it okay for the Chieftain to be absent when Gnome comes? Since he has a reputation for being logical and difficult, if he gets cranky, there's no telling what he'll say."
"That's also true. Wait a moment."
And so, the Chieftain's turn has finally arrived.
The Chieftain of the Dragonewts also had purple hair and wings. His loach beard, which had a little bit of white mixed in, was a long one that reached his chest, and I even thought it was a fake beard. In human terms, he'd be in his fifties. Since we were calling out Gnome, he had a somewhat tense expression.
"The results of the discussion with you should have already been answered by my younger brother. Therefore, I will not talk about that matter."
"I don't mind. Since my requirements are finished."
"Umu. A good attitude. Then, shall we have you call out Gnome?"
The banquet preparations are already done. I gave a wink to Will, who was a special participant, and had her call him out. Incidentally, Violet also came along. It was in the confusion, but the Dragonewts didn't say anything. They must have been focused on calling out Gnome.
When Will chanted the password, something brown gushed out and took a human shape. It's Gnome's appearance. The Dragonewts raise their voices.
"What, you've already arrived. Not even five days have passed."
It's sudden.
Without even appreciating people's efforts, what a greeting.
"Did you all go easy on them?"
He's saying something outrageous to the Dragonewts. It seems it would have been better if we had struggled more. We could have burned to death if we made one mistake. Though, in the guide's case, it was a match with Alex, and in the Vice-Chieftain's case, another squad was lurking behind.
"Not at all. An Elf and a Dwarf were with them. Thanks to that, the disguise was completely seen through, and we even lost in a magic battle."
The guide is desperately defending himself. In the end, he became a bagworm, but thanks to his character that understands reason, we were able to reach this point.
The Chieftain looks at his younger brother beside him.
The Chieftain's younger brother uses ultra-high-level fire and water magic, and can also use high-level magic of other attributes. Of course, his status-change and movement magic must also be top-notch. Moreover, his magic control is completely over-ultra-high-level. If it were only one of the Elf or Dwarf, they might have lost.
"Moreover, my Prominence was repelled. I cannot believe it was accomplished with a human's magic control."
He's mistaking it for Magic Reflection. That is basically a mid-level spell, and it shouldn't have held with my magic control, which is on par with ultra-high-level. In that regard, a wall of Light can produce power corresponding to ultra-high-level. I layered three of them.
"Did you use Light? And you endured by lining up three of them?"
"Yes. Two were broken through, but I managed with the third."
"Such ingenuity is unique to humans. Well done."
"Thank you very much."
I was praised by Gnome. The Dragonewts who saw that are surprised. If you use ingenuity, you can manage somehow.