Chapter 22: A Lingering Decision and a Town’s Embrace

“So, does that mean dark elves and light elves can convert between one another?”

It struck me as incredibly magical.

I couldn’t help but glance at the dark elf girl again, imagining her transformed into a light elf.

“Theoretically, yes.

However, in practice, it’s not that simple.

The sheer amount of light or dark elemental energy required is immense.

Consequently, very few individuals can bear such an expenditure.”

Sally didn’t entirely disagree with my deduction.

“But it’s different for Lady Angelina.

As a living embodiment of light elemental energy, only an Archangel like her could effortlessly convert a dark elf into a light elf.”

As she spoke, her gaze, filled with reverence, turned towards Angelina.

She then offered a suggestion in a tone brimming with concern.

“However, my Lady, please refrain from using such methods casually in the future.

Even though an Archangel’s light elemental energy is virtually immeasurable, depleting such vast quantities of it can still be detrimental to your health.”

‘Alright, I’ve noticed it now.

Sally’s flattery was becoming increasingly excessive.’

‘Come to think of it, aren’t I an Archangel too?’

‘How come I’ve never seen her worship me like that?’

“Are you suggesting she should accompany us, then?”

Brook interjected at that moment.

His keen perception had already grasped Sally’s underlying meaning: if she wasn’t to be killed or released, then taking her along was the only option.

“I disagree!

Traveling with a dark elf like this would not only slow us down, but it could also attract a great deal of trouble along the way.”

“It might not be as serious as all that.

Elves are generally quite well-accepted by the public, unlike demons or other dark creatures.”

Amos mused for a moment, seemingly holding a different opinion, believing it wasn’t entirely unfeasible.

“Even a dark elf, as long as they don’t draw too much attention, wouldn’t pose a significant problem in a city.”

“Ultimately, though, I believe it depends on what she herself wants.”

With that, Amos turned his gaze to the dark elf girl, who had grown much quieter, and asked.

“What is your name? Surely, your dark elf kin all have names, don’t they?”

“Ling.”

She replied softly.

Her animosity, it seemed, had significantly diminished.

“Ling, do you understand now?

You can’t go back.

Even if you somehow managed to kill Angelina and return, your former companions would still ostracize you.

In that case, would you be willing to come with us?

We should be able to entrust you to the light elves.”

“I don’t believe you! You’re lying to me! You’re all in this together!”

Ling was momentarily unable to accept this truth.

In her eyes, living with her former companions was virtually her entire world, for it was the only life she had ever known.

“We are not lying to you.

Your strength has diminished so much; you must be aware of your physical condition.

Furthermore, your power will continue to wane until it’s comparable to that of an ordinary human.

Once you transform into a light elf, none of your former companions will spare you if they ever see you.”

Sally’s words, however, utterly extinguished her last glimmer of hope.

“I… I don’t know.”

Startled by this revelation, Ling became flustered.

She began to grasp the reality of being homeless.

Yet, being so young, she was at a loss for what to do.

Still, expecting her to immediately accept the kindness of her enemies was unrealistic; it would take time.

“Take some time to think it over yourself.”

Seeing her state, Amos didn’t press the issue further.

He turned and asked Sally.

“Does your church know of any places where light elves gather?”

“Indeed, we do.”

Sally immediately replied.

“There’s actually a hidden light elf settlement in Navarley, operating under the church’s administration.”

“That makes things easier, then.

If that’s the case, how about we entrust her to your church when the time comes?”

It seemed, in his estimation, that the church held a rather respectable reputation.

“Of course, that’s perfectly acceptable.

The church is actually quite eager to assist creatures like elves, for they are skilled in various forms of magic and occasionally lend their aid to our endeavors.”

Sally was quite pleased at the prospect of helping the church bolster its active forces.

Once everything was settled, the group rested for a while longer before resuming their journey.

****

“So, she came to terms with it that quickly?”

While I knew this was almost an inevitable outcome, as we walked, I watched Ling, who was now sticking close by my side, and asked Tiffany with a hint of exasperation.

“But why has she decided to cling to me?”

Given Ling’s current diminished power, she no longer posed any threat to us.

Her weapons had been confiscated, thus, there was no longer a need to bind her with ropes.

“Even if I agree to go with you all, I refuse to be too close to that stinky Archangel.”

Before Tiffany could respond, the little girl, hearing herself addressed, answered me directly.

Yet, as she spoke, her gaze, filled with hatred, remained fixed on Angelina, who was standing a short distance away.

Witnessing this, Angelina felt too awkward to approach my side any further, and could only retreat, maintaining an uncomfortable distance.

‘But I’m an Archangel too.’

I leaned closer to Tiffany, whispering into her ear.

‘She won’t be utterly devastated upon learning that, and then try to attack me, will she?’

“Heh heh, it’s quite possible…”

Tiffany’s expression, clearly enjoying the impending drama, left me feeling quite dejected.

Despite the delay incurred along the way, the group ultimately emerged from the forest before sunset on the second day after encountering Ling.

Stepping into the world beyond the forest for the first time, I found the experience quite novel.

For soon, a small town, nestled at the forest’s edge, appeared before us.

Bustling crowds, with a multitude of travelers converging from the outside world, presented a remarkably prosperous scene.

Both Angelina and I were seeing so many people in this world for the very first time, and our spirits were exceedingly high.

Utterly unlike the cities of Earth, this town retained the distinctive style of a Western medieval settlement, with muddy roads and narrow streets lined with an array of shops.

The sounds of haggling drifted out from them intermittently.

“Finally, no more sleeping outdoors!”

Tiffany, too, seemed overjoyed.

It was clear she was quite reluctant to camp in the wilderness.

In truth, none of us enjoyed it.

While I initially found a certain novelty in it, the repeated experiences had quickly worn away my enthusiasm.

“Alright then, let’s go find a place to stay first.”

Brook was also in high spirits.

He expertly navigated the winding streets, leading the group with practiced ease, and soon, they arrived before an inn.

“Innkeeper, four rooms!”

Following their usual arrangement for rooms, Amos greeted the innkeeper with familiarity.

“No need for four, three will suffice.”

To my surprise, Angelina suddenly interjected, requesting to share a room with me.

“Flora and I can share a room.”

‘You!’

I couldn’t help but glare at her.

‘But then, a thought occurred to me.’

‘After all, they were footing the bill.’

‘Angelina and I were undoubtedly penniless.’

‘It was only proper to help them save costs where possible.’

‘Besides, she knew my true identity now, so she surely wouldn’t attempt anything like that night again.’

“Alright, fine…”

‘So I must be overthinking things, right?’

‘After all, in her mind, I was still a man.’

‘Unless this fellow possessed some hidden attribute I wasn’t aware of.’

“What about Ling, then?”

I looked at the dark elf girl, still sound asleep in my arms, feeling a bit troubled.

‘Where was the highly skilled assassin we were promised?’

‘She had been fine on the first day, but by the afternoon of the second day, she had started to run out of stamina after only a short walk.’

According to Sally, this was the weakness and drowsiness associated with her transitional period.

However, she had rejected Tiffany and Sally’s kind offers.

Insisting that I carry her was simply too much.

Even though my increased strength allowed me to do so with ease, I was still very reluctant to continuously carry a little girl in my arms.

“Let us take her.”

Both Tiffany and Sally seemed quite willing to take this ‘hot potato’ off my hands; one, possessing no immunity to cuteness, and the other, unwilling to trouble her respected Archangel.

I promptly handed Ling over to them.

“Oh, right, this place has bathrooms where you can soak in a bath.

You two haven’t had a proper bath in a while, have you?”

Tiffany, it seemed, was quite familiar with this place, and she reminded us.

“They say the water is drawn from the Spring of Life in the Amara Forest.

It’s highly beneficial for the body, so you absolutely must try it.”

“Huh?”

Angelina and I both gasped in surprise, exchanging a glance.

“Understood.”

No sooner had Angelina spoken than she hastily dragged me along to the room assigned to us.

The inn was actually quite decent.

Though smaller than the room in the forest village that night, and only equipped with a single bed, it still appeared fully furnished and well-equipped.

“Now… there’s a problem.”

Angelina, who had plumped down onto the bed, wore a grave expression as she spoke first, watching me pace restlessly around the room.

“Yes, I know.

What are we going to do about bathing?”

I nodded, articulating my concern directly.

“Exactly.

This bathing issue is simply too troublesome.”

Angelina echoed, sighing.

She, too, appeared to be quite vexed.