kscans

Chapter 17 - The Elves' Troubles and a Deal

"Whoa!? We're caught!!"

Suddenly, the ground gave way, and Mamoru and his companions were ensnared in a giant net of vines.

"A trap...!? Ugh, what sturdy fibers..."

Even the calm Amy frowned.

"Koni-chan... don't move! The net's going to break...!"

"I wanna move... but I'll hold it in..."

Before long, elves with brown skin, golden hair, and crimson eyes emerged from deep within the forest. The female warrior at their center shouted sharply.

"Monsters, don't move! This is a sacred forest!"

"...We have no hostile intentions. Please, hear us out."

Mamoru replied calmly. In standard language, clearly.

At his words, the elven female warrior, Tiris, narrowed her eyes.

"...How unusual, a monster I can reason with."

Inside a giant tree that resembled a temple. Mamoru and his companions stood before the elf tribe's elder, Finaris, still bound.

"It is hard to believe... but it seems you do indeed possess reason."

"If you have a reason, I would like to hear it. Why did you visit our forest?"

Just as Mamoru was about to answer, Tiris spoke up instead.

"...Elder, I have a report. A band of human mercenaries has infiltrated the sacred spring to the south. It seems they intend to mine the source of the holy water and sell it."

A murmur went through the crowd.

"If we, who cannot fight, were to confront them, there would be many casualties."

The elder looked at Mamoru and his companions.

"If you would lend us your strength. I would like to believe that your actions are not without meaning."

Mamoru nodded immediately.

"Understood. We will stop them."

Amy quietly asked.

"Do you think... they'll trust us?"

Mamoru smiled faintly.

"It's not about whether they can trust us. We have to make them trust us."

Koni-chan smiled as she tore through the net.

"Well then! I'll do my best to help!"

Defray also straightened his chef's hat and gripped his frying pan.

"To protect the spring, we first need to eat. Let's get our strength up and head out."

Mamoru's party of monsters quietly began to prepare for their sortie.