I couldn't help but let out a yelp. The view that unfolded before my eyes was beyond my imagination.
There was a magnificent cityscape. The city was so well laid out that it was hard to believe that it was in the mountains at a high altitude. ....... The houses were made of piled up stones, and their roofs were so colorful that it seemed as if they were colored without any care, but in fact, the color scheme was carefully calculated.
I turn around and look at Miek. This is her hometown. I expect it to be nostalgic for her, but to my surprise, her reaction is not so strong.
"What? What's wrong? Don't you miss it?"
"I don't remember her."
"What do you mean?"
"Master Linos, perhaps Meek is the princess of the Elven King. Didn't she hardly ever leave the castle?"
"Seriously?"
I turn around. Ahead of me was a huge castle built on a small mountain.
"First of all, let's go to the castle. ......, that's ......."
Sadie tugs on my arm. I looked at her to see what was going on, and there were a few people standing by us, including the elf woman I saw earlier.
"We are here to welcome you."
The elf woman mutters in a small voice. I activated my appraisal skill while listening to her voice. But I could not appraise them. Considering the fact that they are so close to me without being caught by my presence detection, it might be almost impossible for me to use magic here. Thinking of this, a cold sweat runs down my back.
"......It's all right, Mr. Linos."
Sadie smiles at me and talks to me. Somehow, the look on her face convinced me that she was going to be okay. I turn to the elves, put my hands on my chest, and bend down.
"I'm sorry I'm late. My name is Bertham Darke Rinos, King of Agartha. As I said in my letter, I am pleased to present the princess of the Elven King, Meek, to you at ......."
"Do not call me that name."
An elven woman says something like that to me, pointing her right palm at me. I nod in confusion.
"The name Meek is a name only kings are permitted to call. Call me Princess Janice."
"Ha...... haha."
"Meek will do."
Meek, who was listening to the conversation between me and the elf, makes such a sound. The elf stares at her without changing his expression.
He has been calling me Meek for a long time. Janice is a bit complicated now. From now on, call me Meek."
"...... that is."
"These are the men who have taken care of me. I don't mind if they do.
The elves fell silent, perhaps agitated by the sound of his voice.
"You know, ......"
"I'll show you."
I was about to speak to him, when he replied in a rather biting manner. There's no need to get angry .......
"Huh?"
I found myself at the entrance to the castle. It seems that we have moved from the place we were at earlier. The elves lead the way toward the entrance. We hurried to follow them.
Looking back, we could see the whole village of elves. Apparently, the town was built on the gentle slope near the top of the mountain. The sky is blue, but the area around the town is white and hazy. The air must be very thin, but I don't feel suffocated at the moment. I wonder what kind of wards they have put up. ....... My curiosity as a warding master is rising.
When the elves entered the castle, they found themselves in a huge hall. At the back of the hall, there was a large and long staircase, in front of which several people who looked like elves were waiting. They walk straight toward them.
"Welcome!"
As we approach, one of the elves steps forward and bows politely. He speaks to us, his pale complexion and gentle smile still on his face.
"You are Bartham Darke Rinos, aren't you? We have been waiting for you. We were a little afraid that you would not come here, but we are glad that you did. My name is Ortoh, and I serve near the Elven King.
With that he bowed to us again, then stepped forward and knelt down in front of Meek.
"We have been expecting you, Princess Janice. It is my pleasure to welcome you, Princess Ortó.
"Then I say, Meek is fine."
Meek opens his mouth with a disgusted look on his face. He looks a little surprised, but then turns his attention back to the elves who brought us here. There is silence for a while. It seems that there are many conversations going on among them.
"I see. ...... if you say so, Princess. ....... But we are her subjects. Please allow us to continue to call you Princess Janice, if you would be so kind."
"...... do as you please."
Meek, who makes no attempt to hide the look of boredom on his face, scurries around the castle. He turns his head with an expression that says he doesn't quite get it.
"What? You don't remember this castle either?"
"I don't remember this castle."
"What's that?"
I shift my gaze to Ortó. He nods broadly and slowly opens his mouth.
"You're absolutely right. Princess Janice grew up on royal grounds. I do not believe she ever came this way.
He explains to us with a satisfied smile.
"Come on, this way, please. Let me show you around."
Without breaking into a smile, he began to walk toward the staircase in front of us, guiding us.
"Have you ever spoken with our elves before?"
"No. It's my first time.
"I see. You must have had a hard time making conversation."
"Yes, ......."
We elves can communicate without speaking. And we have been out of contact with the outside world for hundreds of years. ....... The number of people who can even control their language is increasing. This time, those who came to meet the princess were chosen to be of a certain age, but they seemed to be quite nervous when they had not been in contact with the outside world for a long time. Because of this, it seems that there were many points that they were not able to convey to the audience. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Ortó is talking as he walks. Compared to the woman I saw earlier, that's a big difference. He doesn't seem to be bothered by my surprise and continues to speak.
"I couldn't believe it when the fox temple told me about it. I thought that Princess Janice was already gone. ....... However, the fox goddess did not return the princess. Just when we thought we were being lied to again, we received a letter from you: ....... Moreover, he even returned the staff of Latgis. It was such a sudden turn of events that we could hardly believe it. ....... No, the elves are very paranoid. Forgive us. Nevertheless, we could feel the magic of Princess Janice in your letter. This is why I believe that she is alive."
"That ....... When we first went to the foot of the Filcon Mountains, did you not notice us?"
Sidi questions Ortó with a curious look on his face. He opens his mouth slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't aware of it. In fact, we recognized them as the enemy at the beginning. They have come to the foot of the Filcon Mountains. We knew that we had to defeat them at all costs, because they were capable of such great deeds. But ....... We refrained from attacking because there was a person who looked just like the princess. We suspected that even the princess was a trap.
He smiles at us. I couldn't find the words to reply, so I could only smile.
After that, we walked for quite a long time through the maze of corridors. I was amazed at what a big castle this was, while Sidhi kept looking at me with a curious expression on her face. Then she put her index finger under her chin and started to think about something. I and no one else noticed this. .......