Black Summoner - Chapter 85
Chapter 85: Elf Village
―――Gown Southeast, Crest Forest
“Huh, we ran a lot. Is there an Elf Village here?”
This is a lush green place with deep green forest near the border with Trisen, in the southeast of the beast country of Gown. We read a letter from Leonhard, the Beast King, that was passed by Rio after a few days of preparation. It doesn’t take much time than I expected. Our feet today are several times faster than horses.
By the way, the letter in question, the content was very simple. It was written by Leonhardt as “Notice of implementation of S-class promotion test”!
No, honestly, it was an unexpected content. To write such a thing with strangely powerful characters. Somehow, the king of Gown sent me a letter for the exam, so I put a tsukkomi on the spot.
Rio added this. First, there are some conditions for promoting an adventurer rank to S class. The following is a brief summary.
① Successful requests for Grade A or above 10 times in a row.
② Have experience of fulfilling requests equivalent to S class.
③ Obtain permission from two kings of the eastern continent. (Other conditions apply if you belong to the West Continent)
④ Pass the promotion test in the presence of an S-class adventurer.
In my case, ① and ② have already been achieved. The problems are ③ and ④. In fact, these two points were related to Leonhard’s letter.
First, as for ③, but Rio seemed to have been doing it in advance and got permission from Tsubaki-sama of Trage. Because she is also the only king I know, Tsubaki seems to have accepted it easily. After all, it is important to connect with people.
However, to achieve ③, you must obtain permission from another king. Trisen won´t do because Trisen and I are in a bad situation right now. The only remaining ones are the Beast Kingdom of Gown and the Delamis Kingdom. The one who responded immediately was Leonhard, king of Gown.
It seems that the Gown royal family has the custom of embarking on a journey of training for warriors in their teens. King Leonhard lived as an adventurer at that time and was promoted to S class. After the training journey, he has successfully won the Battle Royale, which selects the strongest person in the country, and is now in his current position. I can’t say anything about people, but it’s a mess. The letter from King Leonhardt, the true meaning is…
Well, at the end of the day, it seems that S-class adventurer King Leonhard will directly attend the promotion test (he will not show himself; he seems to be watching from somewhere). I was wondering why it was so important, but it seems that Rio’s and Tsubaki’s boastful story came into King Leonhard’s ears.
The beast country of Gowns is a country that honor strong people, and no candidates for S-class adventurers will soon appear. The point is he got interested. The king himself may be the examiner, trying to determine my strength.
“…It’s strange. It feels nostalgic.”
Efil vaguely looks up at the trees in the forest.
“Because Efil is a half-elf. It may be the blood of the elf. This forest is very magical.”
‘But it’s weird. The elves were not from the West? I’ve learned that adventurers and merchants rarely see elves, but the settlements that are home to them are not in the eastern continent.”
Pure Elves are a closed and rare race. As Sara remembers, in the eastern continent, it’s unlikely to see anything unless you’re a freak.
“It seems that there is an elf settlement that moved from the continent over a dozen years ago. I don’t know what happened, but it seems that Gown is protecting it now.”
“Hmm. And the test is to protect the new Elf Village…”
The exam in the letter of King Leonhard was the subjugation of an unidentified monster appearing in Elvish Village. Previously, Rio had said that there were various troubles near the borderline with Trisen. This elf village was no exception, and it was said that monsters have recently appeared in the forest.
Monsters that can be defeated in E-class to D-class have appeared before, but it seems that this new type of monster takes B-level monsters and defeats elves. The strength is probably equivalent to the S class… It is said that general soldiers in Gown are struggling to overcome this monster.
Originally, it seems that high-ranking people in the king’s army would deal with it, but it is said that the monsters have become ferocious these days, and it seems that they lack manpower. King Leonhard can measure my ability, and I think he is trying to solve the problem killing two birds with one stone. No, I don’t care. I haven’t had a chance to fight S class.
“Kel-ni, isn’t the country involved Trisen?”
“It’s likely to be 9 out of 10. Elves never grew old, and both men and women have a beautiful appearance. It’s no wonder that there’s someone who tries to make them slaves.”
“Huh, like my Liege.”
“Yes, like Kelvin!”
“Yes, like you.”
“Hey, why do you all see me? I tell you; I’m not doing anything Efil hates. I don’t even want to.”
“Kel-ni, you were an elf moe!”
“Rion, don’t get me wrong.”
I recently noticed that Rion’s knowledge is quite biased. Brother and sister take a bath together! That’s why she comes to the bathroom every day. I think that some manga and novel knowledge is like that. I am her elder brother (provisional), so I have to raise her right!
As I decided in my mind, Efil softly grabbed my sleeve.
“Okay, Master. I love you and I’m proud of my master as a slave.”
After all, Efil is an angel.
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――― Crest Forest / Elf Village
The forest in which the elf lives is called the “Crest forest” in this area, but crests are engraved everywhere, regardless of its name. It seems to play the role of a magical barrier as far as the eye can see. It may be a means to protect themselves from foreign enemies invading the forest, but the idea is that it is also effective for us. I tried to look down from the sky, but I was visually creating an illusion to prevent the location from being targeted.
“I will enhance the senses with magic.”
“Hmm, this way!”
“Yeah… Kel-ni, this little bird saw a village over there!”
“I feel something from that side.”
That said, there are more than enough ways to explore, such as applying Melfina’s auxiliary magic, using Sara’s sensing skills, Rion telling you the direction of the village from the animals she’s become friends within the forest, and relying on Efil’s sense as an elf. When I relied on everyone, I saw a tower and a wall made of wood. It seems we have been able to arrive at the village without a problem.
Now, our purpose is subjugation, but what if we were to get lost here…well, maybe this was part of the exam.
By the way, unfortunately, I haven’t encountered any target monsters of B-class or higher so far.
“Those there, stop!”
When we approached the front gate, we were yelled at from above the tower. I looked up and saw three elves holding up the bow and arrow and turning their arrows to us.
“This forest is protected by a barrier! Who are you guys? Are you lost?”
“I am Kelvin, an adventurer, who came by the order of King Leonhard.”
“Is, is that the King’s letter!?”
The elves were confused.
“This is the letter of introduction. Please check it.”
I hold Leonhard’s letter of introduction handed to me by Rio, generate a breeze with green magic, and deliver it to the elf.
“Wait, wait! Call the elders! Wait for a while!”
“I understand.”
Can we talk to the elders at once? As expected, the introduction letter of King Gown is outstanding. Well, I’m worried that the elf who still remained will not let go of the bow. He might be worried about the appearance of monsters.
“…I have kept you waiting. I will welcome you as a guest. Please forgive me for my many rudenesses. Open the gate!”
It rattled and wooden gates went up. As we passed through the gate, many elves gathered in what seemed to be the village square. No one was old, they’re youthful and beautiful. At the front was a male elf. Was this elf an elder? Of course, it looked like a young man.
“You come from a distant place. I’m Nerlas, the elder of this elf village.”
After all, it seems that he was an elder.
“I am Kelvin. This time–”
I gave a quick greeting and introduced myself. A thing happened when it was Efil’s turn.
Rattle!
“Ah, stupid…?”
“Elder? What’s wrong?”
Nerlas, who saw Efil, fell out and fell. There weren’t many elves around, but some seem to be very surprised.
“Ro, Roumil… Why are you alive…?”
……Who?
