Chapter 8: Elves

Ion Adellain, she was born after the war began and died before it ended.

A life spent entirely alongside war.

And Ion never doubted Albheim’s victory and the defeat of the other inferior races.

In the newspapers, on the radio, throughout society. They always talked about news of victories, the superiority of elves, and the inferiority of other races.

And Ion, who died before the war ended…

“How am I here, you ask…”

Ion listens to Fride’s explanation.

“I suppose it’s because we lost the war.”

She wears a shocked expression.

“And I was executed as a war criminal.”

“The World Tree… Is the World Tree alright?”

“The World Tree burned down.”

“What…!”

I gave Ion a detailed explanation.

That we, Albheim, were defeated by the coalition forces of humans, beastkin, and dwarves, whom we considered inferior races.

That the World Tree was burned by bombs dropped by those dwarf b*stards.

That most of the Albheim leadership were executed after military trials.

“Ah… Aah…”

-Clatter.

She foamed at the mouth and fainted.

“Sergeant Ion! Ion!!”

“Medic! No, wait. To the hospital, first!”

Jeonghun and I loaded Ion into the car and rushed to the nearest hospital.

“It’s neurogenic syncope. There are no major problems with her body. She should wake up soon.”

The doctor says.

It’s a relief that there are no physical problems and she’ll wake up soon.

“That’s fortunate, at least. That it’s nothing serious.”

“Indeed.”

Just then, with a clattering sound, several people enter.

“Ion! Are you alright?”

The newcomers were two elves.

One looked like an old man with a long beard, wearing a hanbok. The other was a gray-haired female elf in ordinary clothes.

“Elves…?”

The meeting of three elves.

“Who might you be? I haven’t seen your face before.”

The elderly elf speaks.

“I’m… hmm, right. A recently arrived Returnee. As you can see, an elf like yourselves.”

The gray-haired elf speaks.

“Even if you’ve been to another world, shouldn’t you observe basic etiquette? Your tone towards an elder is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Ho ho, it’s quite alright. Young ladies can be like that sometimes.”

Just then, the doctor entered with an order to leave.

“Please allow the patient to rest.”

Thus, the three elves were kicked out to the park outside the hospital.

As soon as they were out, the gray-haired elf started arguing.

“Still, if you’re a Returnee, you were Korean. I think speaking to an elder like that is inappropriate.”

“This elder is 220 years old this year.”

The gray-haired elf snaps.

She is a Returnee.

Her name is Rorsan DeLore.

And the elf wearing a Gat and Hanbok with a long beard was a pure otherworlder.

His name is Kim Chunshik.

“220? Still young.”

Rorsan is flustered.

“I am 354 years old this year. Since being born into this body.”

Fride responds to the Confucian-style attack with a Confucian-style defense. She was the eldest here.

Hearing this, Chunshik laughs heartily and speaks.

“Hahaha! Well, look here, the Big Elder has arrived!”

“…”

‘What…? Big Elder…?’

‘Being called Big Elder by an elf who looks like an old man.’

‘This feels somewhat…’

‘Doesn’t it make me seem too old?’

“May I call you Big Elder? Or shall I call you Big Sister!”

The damn old man laughs loudly as he speaks.

‘He’s teasing me, right?’

My face flushes.

‘Don’t call me that…’

“No, Fride, El Fride is sufficient…”

“Since we’ve met like this, isn’t it fate? Shall we introduce ourselves?”

Kim Chunshik suggests introductions.

Right, not bad. This is the first time I’ve met elves from another world, not the Albheim elves I knew.

“I am Kim Chunshik from Korea. And this here is Ms. Rorsan DeLore, a Returnee as they call them here.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Rorsan DeLore. A Returnee, came from Albheim. Feel free to call me Rorsan or Ror.”

“Yakovlena El Fride. I also came from Albheim. Though it’s likely just a place with the same name.”

“Ah, and I serve as the chairman of the Korean Elf Association.”

Kim Chunshik says, pulling a business card from his Hanbok pocket.

The headquarters of the Korean Elf Association was located in Pyongyang. Considering the World Tree is here, it seems natural.

“Once Ms. Ion wakes up, how about visiting the Association?”

No matter how I look at it, it feels like some kind of Elf cartel or hometown association. Still, there’s probably no harm in going.

“Let’s do that.”

-Pa babam~

The loud ringtone of a smartphone rings out.

And Kim Chunshik nonchalantly takes out his phone and answers.

“Hello?”

An elf wearing a Gat and Hanbok answering a smartphone. It was quite a strange and awkward combination.

“They say Ms. Ion has woken up. Let’s hurry inside.”

What we saw as soon as we entered the hospital room was…

Ion, already red-eyed, tears and snot streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Grandpa Chunshik… General… Huwaaang…”

Park Chunshik looked quite flustered by Ion’s state.

“My, why is the always-spirited lass crying so sorrowfully?”

Well, it’s obvious.

At the news that her homeland lost the war. Especially for Ion, who was born during the war and lived through it, the shock must have been even greater.

Knowing that pain, I quietly hugged Ion and patted her back.

“What should I do… hic, General…”

Slightly calmer, Ion clung to me, continuing to weep and mutter.

‘If I speak in my usual tone here, she’ll surely burst into loud wails.’

I tried my best to imitate the World Tree’s tone and speak gently.

“Do not be too disheartened.”

“Still, you are alive, are you not? Think of your comrades. I believe being alive is what’s important.”

-“Uwaaaang!!”

Oops.

‘Was that not it?’

Ion wailed loudly.

“You start anew here. Together with me.”

“Together with you, General? Really?”

“Of course.”

-“Huwaaang!!”

Ah, I made her cry again.

Ion, held in my arms, cried for a long while longer before finally calming down.

“I’m sorry. hic General…”

“It’s alright. Yes, it would be better to speak comfortably too.”

“R-really… Is that truly alright?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you… sniffle“

“Ahem.”

“…Thank you.”

Her eyelids were blotchy with tears, and her face was flushed. Quite cute. No, it was very cute.

Several years have passed since I fell into this other world.

I miss my parents, my friends, the scenery of my hometown.

As soon as I became an adult, the draft notice arrived.

A scrap of paper telling me to report to the recruit training center by a certain date.

Damn it… Well, what could I do?

The homeland is at war, and even one more person is better.

So, I enlisted.

Fortunately, I wasn’t deployed to the front lines immediately after completing recruit training.

The tide of war was still in our favor, and they weren’t cruel enough to throw fresh recruits onto the front lines just yet.

I spent my military life undergoing half-hearted training.

Then, I was deployed to the front lines.

War is horrific. Bullets fly, limbs fly.

But it suited my disposition more than I thought. The adrenaline rush during combat is stronger than any drug.

A life-or-death game where you kill or be killed. I was always the winner. Though there were draws sometimes.

So, I became a career non-commissioned officer. My abilities were recognized, and I transferred to the Special Forces. I reached the rank of Sergeant.

Many lives were extinguished.

My comrades.

Villagers.

Enemies.

Lives I ended, lives ended by others, a place overflowing with ended lives. That was the battlefield.

I thought my own life would be extinguished by enemy gunfire or shells someday.

Bullsh*t. I died by getting hit by a truck.

I still want to kill that driver.

My parents must be dumbfounded too.

Their daughter, who even signed up for long-term service to go to war, died by being hit by a truck. Hah…

Well, it’s fine.

Death was a new beginning.

It’s heartbreaking that I can never step on my homeland’s soil again, but what can I do?

I’m just grateful to be alive again.

Albheim couldn’t possibly lose, after all.

Honestly, adjusting here was a bit difficult.

I learned everything from scratch, one to ten. Like a newborn baby.

The only saving grace was that we could communicate? That’s about it.

And another fortunate thing, there were quite a few of my kin. From Grandpa Kim Chunshik to Sister Rorsan and countless others.

Thanks to their help, my adaptation was faster.

Without them… just thinking about it is dreadful.

While settling in the city of Pyongyang and making a living catching bad guys and monsters, I met her.

The great war hero of Albheim. The one who changes battlefields. The expert cleaner of inferior races.

And the one I adore, Strategic Commander Yakovlena El Fride.

Ah, my General♡

The Grade 2 Iron Flower Medal she pinned on me herself.

My number one treasure. I wear it always, except when sleeping.

That day too, I was killing time at the Elf Association building as usual and went to see the World Tree.

And then, a familiar face, familiar uniform, and unforgettable eyes shining like green emeralds.

No doubt! It’s the General!

I gave the General a vigorous salute.

It felt like she didn’t remember me, but that’s okay.

How many soldiers could there be to whom the General personally awarded medals?

And then I heard the shocking news.

Albheim lost, the World Tree burned, and the General was executed!

I don’t remember much after that. I woke up in the hospital, and all I remember is crying for a long time while held in the General’s arms.

I clearly remember the General comforting me with a warm voice.

The General hugged me. She comforted me.

I love you… my General…