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Margaret returned safely to the Kingdom of Eramenia, crossing the mountain range without any particular incidents. Normally, one would expect to encounter goblins or kobolds while traversing the mountains, but perhaps due to the rumors surrounding the massacre Margaret had orchestrated in the wilderness, it seemed as if the creatures of the mountains had received an edict to avoid the elven lord passing through.

Moreover, many of the scout forces deployed in the mountains in preparation for the Hero’s Northern Campaign had returned to the occupied territories of the Demon King’s Army, allowing Margaret to boldly return to the woods of Eramenia without a single minor conflict.

Upon seeing Margaret, who returned with a bandaged arm, the elves did not display particularly intense reactions. No matter how quickly news traveled among the fairies, it hadn’t yet reached this place that Margaret had slain a dragon; even if it had, unlike humans, they would not have held grand welcoming festivals for such a reason.

They were a genteel race. To express respect, they believed that eternal monuments or buildings and silence in homage were far better than momentary grand ceremonies.

The elves’ incredible architectural and metalworking skills were surely influenced by their obsessive desire to leave a legacy that would outlive them.

In the heart of the forest, among the hidden precincts of the Grassland Kingdom, Margaret rode toward the distinctly alien dome-shaped Royal Palace of Eramenia.

The court of the Kingdom of Eramenia is one of the most symbolic structures that openly showcases “this is what our country is.” Nobles like Koesernis, who are almost bordering Eramenia, certainly know of the grandeur of the Elven Kingdom; however, for humans unfamiliar with this land, even high-ranking nobles often misunderstand the elven realm.

Scattered huts in the forest, the everyday life of the fairies living by hunting and gathering… Of course, with a population of two hundred thousand in the Eramenia forest, there are elves living that way, but when one sees the massive white dome coated with an enormous amount of gold, it truly reveals what kind of nation this is.

It is wealthy. Eramenia is extremely rich, and the vanity and pride run deep. Margaret did not dislike this aspect of her homeland at all.

“I’ve come to see my father.”

Margaret said to the elven soldier guarding the palace. The soldier looked at her, nodded, and gestured for her to enter.

“We’ve been waiting since we heard the news of your return. You may proceed to the audience room.”

After handing the reins of her white horse to the guard, Margaret slowly entered the dome-shaped palace. As the soldier said, her parents, Great King Richard and Queen Angelica, were seated on their thrones, waiting for her.

Margaret greeted the two in an informal manner.

“Your Majesty, the Great King, and my dear mother. I am your daughter, returned to my homeland. It hasn’t been too long since I left, but each time I come back to Eramenia, it feels as if a long time has passed.”

“My daughter.”

It was Angelica, not Richard, who first spoke up. The queen looked at Margaret’s bandages with a worried tone and asked.

“Is your return due to the wound on your arm?”

“That’s about right, mother. It is indeed.”

Margaret brushed her arm gently. Though there was no pain left, the wizard who treated her had wrapped the bandage regularly, telling her to be careful not to let the wound reopen, which meant she had changed the bandages several times on her way back to Eramenia.

“I sense dark energy from your wound.”

Richard, the elven king with a bobbed haircut and dressed in green silk, could not hide his concern either. In a race where both men and women grow their hair long, a bob is a symbol of kingship. Though Richard looks as if he hasn’t aged a day, he is indeed an elderly fairy approaching a thousand years.

“Surely, Your Majesty’s eyes cannot be deceived.”

“Is it the work of a dragon?”

“It was the dragon I pierced and killed, father. Etrias met its end at my hands. I am the only elven dragon slayer living in this era.”

Margaret was not one to often display her desire for recognition, but she made an exception before her father. Every child wants acknowledgment from their parents, and this applies to elves as much as it does for high elves.

As Margaret hoped, King Richard seemed notably impressed.

“I’ve heard of that name. It’s a young dragon, but a powerful one. They say it’s so tough the blades barely scratch its skin.”

“In that regard, I had help from many comrades. You need not worry about my wounds. I was told that although I returned because of this wound, a little rest and it will heal.”

“Very well, rest in your territory. Even without such incidents, it would be good for you to show your face often in the lands you govern.”

Angelica spoke softly. After nodding toward her mother, Margaret replied.

“Incidentally… I did have some matters to attend to there. Hmm…”

“Is there something you want to say, Margaret?”

As Richard looked down at the hesitating Margaret, the elven princess knelt and gazed up at the king.

“The situation of the war is dire, Your Majesty. The last time I saw, twelve of our soldiers had perished in this Northern Campaign. It’s only natural, but the number of imperial soldiers who lost their lives is countless compared to that. Many are those who wish to trample us, and their strength is considerable. The Empire has the strength to fight, but the enemy undoubtedly possesses the means to match it.”

“What is it you wish to convey?”

“I need more kingdom troops. I believe there are a fair number of soldiers eager to follow me. If you could grant me just one more legion…”

“Absolutely not.”

Richard abruptly rejected Margaret’s proposal. Seeing her gloomy expression, Margaret rose from her seat as if she had anticipated it. The usual sad expression of a father was evident as he looked upon his daughter.

“Am I, your father, averse to giving troops?”

Richard spoke with a voice that strained to suppress his emotions.

“The fact that my daughter has become a dragon slayer will be an unparalleled glory in the kingdom’s history. But knowing that you were cursed by a dragon while fighting for them, how do you think my heart feels?”

“I’m sorry to have worried you.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. This is all my fault. I understand that deploying more troops guarantees a stronger army. The more formidable the army that follows you, the safer you will be. If I could be sure that sending all troops north would secure your safety, would I not want to do so?”

“Father…”

“I’ve already sent four legions, far exceeding the number that could normally be deemed a volunteer force. According to the customs of the kingdom, there is a limit to the number of troops an heir can independently command once they receive their domain. If we were to deploy more legions, it would no longer remain your command, but I’d have to give the orders myself. You know this well.”

“My brothers are dying on the battlefield. Are you saying that you hold customs in higher regard than that?”

“No one values a mere formality over the lives of fairies. We are not a foolish race. However, aside from that, those who bear ill will against my precious daughter, Margaret, will only seek good reasons to criticize our kingdom’s role in this war. I believe you understand my concerns.”

Having heard this much, Margaret could no longer oppose her father’s words. The elven princess bowed her head to her parents and turned to leave the royal palace.

“Is it because you regard humans as brothers?”

Richard called out to stop Margaret for a moment. As she was about to walk out of the palace, she turned back to look at King Richard.

“Yes, father.”

“Is there someone among them for whom you hold feelings?”

At the sudden probing question, Margaret wanted to ask, “How do you know this, father?” However, disregarding anything else, it was not wise to underestimate the information-gathering prowess of King Richard. He likely had countless opportunities to notice or uncover this.

“It is the opposite, father. I was able to care for them precisely because I regarded them as brothers.”

“It is not a problem for a human to enter this kingdom as a consort, but perhaps the human may not survive long here. If the one you love cannot adapt to our kingdom, you will have to leave the forest with him. You know that is the law.”

“It’s an unreciprocated affection, one that may not bear fruit. He is not a man easily toppled.”

“Even if it does not bear fruit, you would not seek out a new husband, would you? Our clan has always done so.”

Richard spoke sincerely and with concern. Margaret nodded while forcing a smile.

“That is true. Given that, it explains a few things.”

“What exactly does that explain, Margaret?”

Angelica sensed an ominous feeling from Margaret’s smile and questioned her. Margaret covered her mouth slightly as she stifled a chuckle.

“I heard some amusing news from the elves I met on the way back. To summarize, it seems I might soon be seeing a younger sibling…”

“Who on earth is spreading such rumors! To say it so brazenly in front of you!”

Richard’s face flushed bright red as he abruptly stood up. As Angelica tried to calm the hugely agitated king and have him sit down, the face of the eight-hundred-year-old queen was equally as red. Margaret burst into laughter, clapping her hands.

“Why does this make you think such thoughts! Ah, our great king and queen will live at least another hundred years! There’s no need to worry about my inheritance anytime soon, right?”

“Of course. I am still in good health. Living for another hundred years is of no concern.”

“Well then, isn’t that a problem? Even if something were to happen to me and I couldn’t produce a successor, I could pass on the throne to my younger sibling once they turn a hundred. Now, I’ll take my leave. Farewell.”

After bowing to her parents, Margaret left the palace with a cheerful expression, mounted her horse, and headed toward her territory.

In truth, she suspected that receiving a military reinforcement won’t be easy, but being cut off so categorically left her feeling quite disheartened.

“When I get back to the territory, I should look for that book first. I hope it piques his interest.”

Margaret muttered to herself. Surely, there should be a book somewhere in the territory written in the language of Earth. It was something she had captured during a battle between the small guerrilla forces she led and the remnants of the Demon King’s Army about a hundred years ago.

At that time, Margaret and the elves couldn’t understand the book’s language, so they were wary of it as a strange tome and had left it lying around without destroying or attempting to read it.

She thought there would be no occasion to take it out again, but in her mind, the image of Jeongjae, who occasionally sparkled with interest at books written in ‘Earth’s language,’ floated up warmly.

“I’ve truly become a fool.”

It was an accurate diagnosis of herself, who found herself thinking of a human male as she returned to her homeland after several months.

 

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