Hi there. It's me, Arc.
I'm finally here!
The elf settlement of Lalatoya!
Open the gate!
I am Ariane Glenys Maple,
and I have returned from my mission of saving our kind from human captivity.
I seek an audience with the elder!
This is a heaping helping of fantasy! A fantasy buffet!
A sacred temple erected in the name of the fantasy genre!
An elf village! And now... now...!
The elves live over there!
I'm going to get permission from the elder.
Wait here, Arc.
I gotta say, this place is as huge as it is old.
Well, elves are supposed to have centuries-long lifespans...
This settlement has probably been here since ages long past.
I'm gonna get ya!
One, two, three, four...
Sorry about the delay. I got permission.
Come on.
All right, let's get going.
What's that massive tree?
The elder lives there.
We bid you welcome.
I am Dillan Tahg Lalatoya, the elder of this village.
I hear you've been a great help to my daughter.
I am Glenys, his wife, and Aria's mother.
It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Elder, milady.
My name is Arc and I am a traveling mercenary who...
You two are Lady Ariane's mother and father?!
I turned 170 this year.
And that number isn't changing.
It isn't?!
She's actually 245.
Mother, I swear, you're always like this...
Then elves really are long-lived!
Wait, you were the elder's daughter all along, Lady Ariane?!
Did I not mention that?
My daughter has informed me of the general picture.
It seems you've helped some of our kin.
I would like to thank you on behalf of all elves.
You have our gratitude.
That being said,
it was unexpected to hear that she would attack a feudal lord's palace...
They were the ones who broke the treaty!
This was meant to be a message to strike at the kidnapper's operations.
Why attack a lord's home?
Well...
Sir Elder...
Allow me to elaborate.
I see.
You were rescuing girls who had been captured by Diento's lord...
I understand how it came to pass.
But I'll need to explain what has happened at the general meeting of the elders.
I'll accompany you.
Good.
I plan on traveling to Maple in the morning.
This trafficking contract needs to be brought to their attention, as well.
Right.
Is that all for the political talk?
Then why don't we have dinner?
We give thanks for this meal.
Arc, you can relax.
I've heard about your condition.
You needn't worry about Glenys and me.
Thank you for the food.
There's lots more, so don't hesitate to ask.
That would be wonderful!
Oh, good morning, Arcky.
Arc...ky?
Did you get a good night's rest?
You're certainly up early, Lady Glenys.
Are Sir Dillan and Lady Ariane already gone?
Yes, they just left.
Wait one moment. Breakfast is ready to be served.
I'm most grateful.
We've just been waiting for you, Lord Dillan.
The transport circle to Maple is ready.
Off we go, Ariane.
Right.
Step right up.
Forest Capital of Maple
Looking for medicinal herbs?
We've got medicinal herbs, the best you could ask for!
You want to see which tastes better?
Elder Dillan of Lalatoya...
I believe you are here to report on the investigation into the kidnappings, yes?
Chief Elder Briahn Boyd Evangelin Maple
Yes, sir.
I'm honored that you would show me around.
Well, after how you helped look after Ariane, it's the least I can do.
Is this settlement a comparatively larger one?
There seems to be many elves, as well...
Well, for security,
we absorbed a few of the smaller settlements that used to be in this area,
and now we number around 4,000.
I guess these kidnappings are a common thing...
What's a human doing here?
Are we going to be safe?
I've never seen armor like that before...
What's a human doing here?
Oh! Mr. Armor!
Oh, it's you girls!
You came to visit, Mister!
Indeed.
Lady Ariane was nice enough to host me.
Look at this!
Since you healed me, I'm perfectly fine again!
See?!
Oh, I see! That's good to know.
You two take care, all right?
Thanks!
Bye-bye, Mister!
See you around!
My apologies for the delay, Lady Glenys.
It's quite all right, Arcky.
They were happy to see you.
Changing the subject, how would you like to spar for a bit with me?
Spar...?
Episode 6
Learning About the Darkness of This World at the Elf Village
The matter of the lord's palace...
it can only be described as careless.
Going out of their way to break a 400 year old treaty...
That's as much justification for war as there has ever been.
Have the humans already forgotten how
our lands were split in two during the war, 600 years ago?
What happened only a generation ago for us is a matter of history for humans.
There are none alive who still remember.
Perhaps we could send a notice explaining the situation to the Rhoden Kingdom?
Great Elder Fangas Flan Maple
We're under no obligation to justify ourselves to them!
And if we reveal the details of this operation,
those who are executing it would be
at risk of being summoned by the nation in question.
We should not show weakness here.
True enough, it was the humans who broke the treaty first.
But still, attacking a lord's home was excessive.
If it becomes public knowledge, it could spark another war.
The operation to liberate our kindred will continue,
while carefully watching for the kingdom of Rhoden's reaction.
I see no other way.
Just to make sure,
this will be a match between you and me, Lady Glenys?
Yes. It's all right.
You saw Ariane fight, haven't you?
I was the one who taught her how to use a sword.
I should be up to the task.
Besides, dark elves are blessed with physical gifts.
So when we get the measure of someone,
we have a tendency to test their strength, too.
Not to mention, if you're going to be traveling with my precious little girl...
As her mother, I want to know she can rely on you.
I see. Understood.
Okay, then!
Here I... come!
Fast—
You saw me coming, but you reacted to the surprise like an amateur.
If you notice an attack, you need to dodge it with the bare minimum of movement.
Come on, take your stance!
We're nowhere near done!
This is better than I hoped!
If I want to live in this world, I'm going to need to know how to use a sword!
And now I'm getting a lesson from an expert!
Come on, get ready!
I am ready!
Okay!
Father...
I'm so sorry.
You did it to save our kin. There was no other way.
You'll be continuing your search.
And we'll hire Arc to help you, in an official capacity.
That took longer than I expected.
It would've been nice to see Eevin, since we're in Maple...
Did you have business with Sister?
That's right, you hadn't been told yet.
Eevin's going to be married, next year.
My sister?
The combat addict who said she would never get married...
is getting married?!
Oh, Arin!
I can't believe you were going to go home without saying hello!
Sister Eevin!
I'm so glad I managed to catch you!
I-I'm sorry.
It's good to see you again, Sister Eevin...
I skipped out on my duty because I heard you were coming, you know!
You never change, Eevin.
Oh, you're here too, Father?
But more importantly, it's not "sister"!
It's "big sis"!
Oh, you've gotten so big since I last saw you!
Come on...
I'm going on ahead.
Father, wait!
Honestly, Big Sis...
I mean it, though. I am proud of you.
I heard about how many of our kind you've saved.
You've become strong!
Hardly.
I still have a long way to go, compared to you.
B-By the way, I heard you were getting married.
Is that true?
It is!
Are you jealous at the idea of someone stealing your loving big sis away, Arin?
What's he like?
Well, he's serious, and sincere, and honestly quite an oddball.
You're curious, right?
Not really...
And is there no one you're interested in yourself, Arin?
Th-There isn't...
Oh, that reaction!
Well, that's no good!
If someone wants to marry you, they need to be stronger than me!
You don't ever plan on letting me get married, then?
Exactly!
Big Sis, cut it out!
Dimension Move!
Dimension Move
I have you now!
I'm vanquished...
Oh, the sun is already setting.
I should get dinner ready before the others are back.
Why don't we run on home, Arcky?
R-Right you are, Lady Glenys.
I guess there's a kind of strength where high stats will only get you so far...
This is a wide world, Ponta.
That was quite a sweat!
I can't wait to jump in the bath.
Bath?!
You really want to get in the bath? You?
I am fully prepared to pay, as well.
There's no need for that.
But why don't you wash Ponta while you're in there?
I think I'll do just that!
Come on, Ponta, quit squirming.
We've gotta get you nice and clean.
Hey, bubble hurricane!
This is my first time in the bath since coming to the world...
There's nothing like soaking through to the bones after working up a good sweat, Ponta.
Although I guess I didn't actually sweat. Oh, well!
I bet I look like a washed up corpse, don't I, Ponta?
Skeleton!
Lady Ariane, hold! It's me! It is I, Arc!
You could have told me you were in the bath.
F-Forgive me.
Oh, what's wrong, Ariane? You're bright red.
It's nothing! Don't worry about it!
I see you're both here.
Now, before dinner, let's discuss your agenda going forward.
At the general meeting of the elders,
it was decided you would investigate the names involved
in the contract and continue freeing our kin.
To that end, I would like to hire you to continue to assist Ariane, Arc.
However, to be frank, we can't offer much in the way of payment...
You seem to have more money than we do, after all.
Which is why I can offer a bit of information instead.
Information?
It could lead to breaking the curse upon your body.
There is said to be a spring near the Lord Crown that can break any curse.
This could be just what I have searched for!
Tell me, what is this Lord Crown?
Out of the several kinds of dragonkin in the world,
the greatest of them all are the Dragon Lords.
And the Lord Crown is a rare type of great tree that grows where a Dragon Lord makes its home.
There are spirits who dwell in the Lord Crown,
which has a variety of effects on its wood and leaves.
But because a Dragon Lord lives in its vicinity,
any who disturb the spirits will suffer for it dearly.
I see.
Is it possible to enter the domain of this Dragon Lord and survive?
It'd be dangerous for a human,
but if an elf were to arrange for it, we should get permission to enter.
So, what do you say?
Is knowledge of this spring a suitable reward?
Of course!
This curse-breaking stuff was something I made up
as part of my character's background, for RP purposes...
but I guess it's a whole thing now.
You don't need to worry.
When you head to the spring, I'll be joining you, Arc.
Really?
What do you say, Arc?
Would you be willing to lend the elves your strength once again?
Of course!
And you have my thanks for the information.
I would be glad to lend you my sword!
I truly appreciate it. You'll be a great help.
Does that settle all the business talk?
Why don't we have dinner, then?
Looks like I'm going to be looking for elves with Lady Ariane again tomorrow.
I have to wonder, do I really look like this because of a curse?
It was just an avatar before,
but if it really is because of a curse now...
The mid-tier Bishop class has Uncurse...
U n c u r s e
I may be able to use it on myself to lift it.
There's also the high-tier Priest class's Holy Purify, but...
That one causes major damage to undead, on top of breaking curses.
Let's try just the tip.
U n c u r s e
Uncurse
Uncurse!
Next Time
A Miracle for the High-Minded Princess
This is heaven! My moment of bliss! #HotSprings #HangingWithPonta