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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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Elves had a different concept of time. So, for them to work according to human schedules was unusual. Uthmund, who was in charge of administrative affairs for the Binheim Tribe, was an exception.
“Busy.”
Humans, with their short lifespans, were always in a hurry. And as an advisor to the chieftain at the Continental Alliance meeting, Uthmund had a mountain of work to do. And then, something unexpected happened.
The hero had appeared. And he was Elliot, the Holy Knight who had defeated the dark mage in Nua Dhil. Uthmund, who had assisted him a few months ago, felt a strange sense of… nostalgia.
“We’ll see.”
Uthmund finished his paperwork and realized how quiet the office was. By now, Erwin, the chieftain, should have been demanding a late-night snack.
To Uthmund, Erwin was a childish elf, but her skills were undeniable. She was a Mark bearer, blessed by the god of archery.
“Are you there?”
Uthmund knocked on the door, but there was no response. He opened the door and found the office empty.
The first thing he noticed was the open window. And then, a note on the desk. He picked it up. It was written in messy elven script.
[Gone out to play.]
“….”
Uthmund put the note down. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
“This is bad.”
He quickly grabbed his coat and left the annex. Erwin, wandering around the capital? It would end in disaster. Uthmund didn’t have the courage to explain the situation to the Elven King. He had to stop her before anything happened.
He went out into the night streets, closed his eyes, and sensed the spirits. North. He rushed there and saw a sight that made him doubt his eyes.
“….”
A high-end restaurant, one of the most famous in the capital. Its sign was crooked. The inside was even worse. Tables were overturned, and expensive food was scattered everywhere. Nobles in stained clothes were whispering outside.
Uthmund sensed the spirits here. Erwin had done this.
“What in the…”
Shaking his head, Uthmund entered the restaurant.
“Lord Erwin! What is the meaning of this…?”
And then, Uthmund saw the people in the restaurant and his eyes widened. The Sword Saint, the Archmage, the Golden Lion…
“Are you having an… informal meeting?”
Uthmund asked, and the Sword Saint shook his head.
“Just… a simple disagreement.”
“Where is Lord Erwin?”
“Over there.”
Alberich pointed to a side door. Erwin was trembling, her lower eyelid twitching. Uthmund knew what that meant. She was furious. There was only one thing that could make her this angry.
“Did someone… mention her age?”
“Yes.”
“Who…? Is he… still in one piece? We have to retrieve the body…”
“Nothing like that happened. Fortunately, Lord Erwin isn’t so reckless as to tear apart the Saintess of the continent.”
“…The Saintess?”
She had fought with the Saintess?
“Where is the Saintess?”
“Outside. Being disciplined.”
“Disciplined?”
“By the hero.”
“….”
The more he heard, the more confused Uthmund became. The Archmage smiled wryly.
“Ophelia, apologize.”
“No! That bitch started it! Why should I apologize?”
“You were the one who spoke informally.”
“Why should I speak formally to that old hag?”
Ophelia glared at me, her eyes filled with resentment. I had managed to drag her outside, but she was still fuming.
“Ophelia, even if you’re right, you shouldn’t say things that hurt others.”
“But… she called me a child…”
“I think you’re a child too.”
“….”
Ophelia tried to leave, but I blocked her path. She had caused this mess. She was relatively well-behaved around me, but she was a monster to everyone else.
She needed to be disciplined. Of course, I couldn’t slap her in front of everyone. I had to reason with her.
I knelt down, meeting her gaze. She pouted and looked away.
“Erwin is a valuable ally. We shouldn’t make enemies of her.”
“….”
“And she stood up against the Holy City to save you. In a way, she’s your lifesaver. You shouldn’t speak to her like that.”
“Are you taking her side…?”
It was as if she was asking who was more important.
“Of course, I’m always on your side.”
“Then why?!”
“Because I’m on your side, I’m scolding you. You were wrong this time.”
“You… you speak informally to others too!”
“I can defend myself. Unlike you. And I’m not as aggressive as you are.”
“….”
She looked like she was about to cry, so I softened my tone.
“Ophelia, you can’t expect everyone to treat you like a princess. You’re not part of the Holy City anymore.”
I placed my hand on hers.
“This isn’t good for you either.”
“It’s not… a big deal…”
“What if Erwin was worse than you thought? What if the spirits had torn you apart before we could intervene? What if she hadn’t held back? Who would you complain to in the afterlife?”
“….”
“And it’s not just Erwin. What if the innkeeper you stabbed sends assassins after you? Can you defend yourself?”
Ophelia’s face crumpled. It might have been a bit of a stretch, but I couldn’t keep coddling her. She needed a reality check.
“I’m already busy dealing with the Demon King’s army and the transmigrators. If you keep making enemies, I can’t be with you anymore.”
Just like that.
“What?”
Ophelia’s eyes wavered.
“W-what? I must have misheard…”
“You heard me. I can’t travel with you anymore.”
“What… what do you mean?”
She looked so devastated that I felt a pang of guilt. But I had to be firm. Ophelia had a terrible personality. Someone like Lyla might be able to tolerate her, but not everyone was that patient.
Erwin’s anger had been terrifying. If Alberich and I hadn’t intervened, she might have drawn her bow. I couldn’t have that. For the sake of the hero’s party, she needed to be educated.
No, she needed to be tamed.
“You said… you wouldn’t abandon me…”
Tears welled up in Ophelia’s eyes.
“Crying won’t solve anything. Stop it.”
“…B-but…”
“Apologize to Erwin. Sincerely. She’ll forgive you. That’s what adults do. Understood?”
“….”
“Nod if you understand.”
Ophelia nodded repeatedly.
“Are you going to apologize?”
“…Y-yes.”
“Sincerely.”
“…Okay…”
“Let’s go.”
I took her hand.
“….”
Was I like a parent to her right now? No, more like a much older uncle, comforting his niece.
“…I don’t know, damn it.”
I muttered, and Ophelia flinched. We returned to the restaurant.
“Uthmund.”
“Sir Elliot, it’s good to see you again. I didn’t have a chance to thank you properly.”
Uthmund, the elven ranger, had come to clean up the mess. He must have been having a rough night.
“Anyway, where’s Erwin?”
“She’s inside. She seems to have calmed down a bit.”
“I see.”
I opened the door to the private room. Erwin was stroking a spirit, like a pet. She looked up at Ophelia and narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“We came to apologize. Go on.”
I nudged Ophelia forward. She hesitated, then glanced at me and took a few steps forward.
Erwin smiled wryly. She seemed to realize she had overreacted. And…
“I’m…”
Ophelia began.
“I-I’m… so…”
But…
“I’m sorry… that you were wrong, you crazy bitch!”
“….”
It seemed taming this Saintess would take a little more time.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
Wait how old was Erwin again?
