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Since the day the black crow obscured the heavens, great chaos descended upon the Great Forest.

The initial stirrings were sparked by the spread of rumors. The High Elves had summoned heroes to the Great Forest. What could these humans possibly be worth? Those who had leisurely stayed within the confines of the third house, never revealing themselves, became the subject of mere speculation and exaggeration, transforming into juicy gossip.

“The sword that slays demons. Descendants of a human who once valiantly exterminated demons.” The tales floated amidst the sweet wine of the Great Forest, reaching everyone’s ears through drunks and bards. Opinions regarding the heroes who had arrived in the Great Forest varied according to individual beliefs.

“That they are humans imbued with power…”

A fleeting hope.

“Even if they rank below us simply by being human, aren’t they descendants of those who once fought alongside us?”

“The Grand Elder has also proclaimed that he gathered them according to the oracle given by the World Tree.”

Curiosity.

“…But they’re just humans. It’d be a blessing if they don’t stumble and fall on the rugged terrain of our Great Forest.”

And then came the natural dismissal born of arrogance and a sense of superiority.

They each exchanged opinions, inflating rumors, and this chatter shifted decisively once the extermination squad returned from the eastern purge.

“I have a close acquaintance with a member of the extermination squad, and I’ve heard that the woman from that kingdom is quite skilled at locating demons.”

“Besides that, I also heard there’s a man who can wield spirits. Any intel on that?”

“Well—”

The stories of Shione and Ray, two human heroes, began to spread among the curious crowd, still filled with doubt. Perhaps it was the work of a herald or just the usual exaggeration of a braggart, but the story grew to an uncontrollable extent. Ultimately, the heated debates regarding the truth and falsehood of the heroes in the bar was quelled by an official document stamped with the seals of Arielte and Chelness’s houses.

“Have you verified the successes of this extermination squad?”

“Goodness, the successes, you say?”

“Considering how extensive the operations were… I heard they hung the results on the bulletin board in the great plaza… If you haven’t seen it, we can go check together.”

The weight of the seals was light. The handwritten signatures infused with mana from the two elders and the family crest validated the ludicrous achievements of the two humans, and the elves found themselves unable to speak a word of denial against the recognition of the two houses.

Before the first stirrings faded, a second wave emerged.

“I hear that three houses are preparing to welcome the Grand Elder…”

“That rumor? Wasn’t it just a bundle of lies?”

“Come on, listen to this.”

The king of the Great Forest and spokesperson for all elves, a High Elf, would step into the city—a place not seen for dozens or even hundreds of years, away from the World Tree. To take his esteemed visage to the grand plaza, in front of everyone.

And Arielte, with fervor, followed closely by Chelness, while whispers about how Arielte was quietly preparing to greet him spread amongst the rowdy women at the taverns and the boisterous male elves in the market.

They became consumed by the anticipation of whether they would truly witness the Grand Elder in person.

In the midst of this, yet another third wave of murmurs arose.

“Have you heard the news regarding the grand trial?”

“Of course, how could I possibly miss that!”

“Well then… what do you think of it?”

“That’s a rather tricky question… Alright, since it’s you, I’ll say it. I think—”

Another official document circulated.

Posters were plastered not only on the bulletin board but also on every corner of the alleys enough to capture the attention of all elves in the Great Forest.

The announcement of the grand trial commencing. Held during the day, before all residents of the Great Forest, ensuring a just ruling would be rendered under the bright insight of the High Elf.

This was a matter intense enough to serve as a strong stimulus for the dull-witted inhabitants of the forest. Even more so that the accuser was a human from the kingdom, while the subject on trial was none other than the Ianette family, one of the three noble houses of the Great Forest. It was only natural for all eyes to converge.

The intense confrontation of an unknown human filled with specialness and elves born with great talents and heirlooms passed down through generations.

The Grand Elder and the World Tree leading the humans against a proud family that once represented them.

The dramatic dichotomy of these titles was sure to spark a monumental clash even within the population of the Great Forest, and all elves awaited the day of the grand trial with bated breath.

“Have you heard the news? Arielte—”

“Speaking of which, even Chelness, who has always maintained neutrality—”

Meanwhile, yet another heated topic ignited.

Arielte and Chelness had publicly declared their support for the two humans.

The debate, which had been teetering on the edge of who was good and who was evil, finally began to shift.

“I still believe the words of the oracle hold more weight…”

As humans who came to this place, putting everything on the line to fight valiantly for the Great Forest, would they truly be cast as heroes?

Meanwhile, the Ianette family, who should have been innocent and wholly devoted to the Great Forest, were now beset with disgraceful rumors of having made contracts with demons.

Once the roles were assigned, it wasn’t long before the curtain of the play was raised.

A few days later, when the new sun rose high in the sky, the heads of the three houses, along with the heads of their subordinate families and many elderly elves, gathered in the grand plaza, creating a throng.

At that moment, an elf softly murmured, ensuring everyone could clearly hear.

“Everyone, silence.”

Suddenly, countless gazes landed upon her, yet she calmly accepted their weight, continuing her proclamation.

“From this moment forth, the magnanimous queen of the Great Forest shall arrive at this hallowed trial…”

She assertively scanned the crowd, leveling her gaze.

“Everyone, bow your heads to welcome the queen.”

No sooner had the elf finished speaking than many forest guardians rushed in, clearing the path blocked by the elves.

Once a sufficiently wide path was cleared, the elf, appearing as though she was entitled to such treatment, confidently strode down the line.

“Hmm…”

The soft voice that escaped belonged to Edelin.

Not dressed in the sacred priestly robes she donned beside the World Tree, but rather adorned as a queen—wearing a luxurious dress along with a crown and sword signifying her authority.

Her regal face gazed downwards, and the brilliant light emanating from her unique gray eyes rivaled the sun, causing even the most naïve young elf to bow their head in silence, showing respect.

She perched upon the highest seat prepared on the platform in the grand plaza, crossing her legs.

“…”

Once she surveyed the gathered elders and elves, she soon wore a murky, so-called rotten smile.

“I shall commence the trial.”

*

“Hmm…”

Tap, tap.

“Mmm…”

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

…In a state of disarray.

Shione, all dressed up, seemed to be on the verge of losing her mind with anxiety as she wandered restlessly before entering the trial.

Standing before thousands, if not tens of thousands, as the main figure made her nervousness understandable. However, if she couldn’t get a grip by now, what would happen if she embarrassed the Count’s family in front of all those elves?

I straightened my attire and turned to Shione.

“How about taking a deep breath?”

“Hoo… haa… hoo… haa—”

“Just relax a bit, or you’ll trip over your own feet with all that fidgeting.”

“…It’s not that bad!”

“For that amount, the way you’re turning your head around—”

“No, it’s not that!”

Shione’s cheeks flushed red as she defiantly shook her head.

However, after putting in effort to tidy her hair, seeing it now out of place left her with a blank expression.

“Oh.”

Goodness, what is happening here?

“Over here. Let me fix your hair one last time.”

“…”

“If you don’t come over, I can’t fix it.”

“…You’re being mean.”

Just as I had about finished organizing her slightly disheveled hair.

An elf came hurriedly toward us.

“Lady Shione, Baron Ray, it’s time for your entrance.”

Finally, our moment to enter had arrived.

The stage that Arielte’s Fletta and Friel had painstakingly prepared was set to commence, and it was time for the actors with the most crucial roles in the play to step onto the stage.

I shot a bright smile at Shione and nudged her gently.

“Let’s go.”

With a deep sigh, Shione began to shuffle forward slowly, lacking her usual vigor.

Nobility, dear lord… Back when we were at the Royal Castle, the nobles did everything they could to keep their spirits up. Why is my master acting like this?

With my eyes fixed straight ahead, I lightly tapped her arm, coaxing her along.

“Stand tall, and keep your eyes forward. Walk as if you’re the Emperor of the Empire.”

We can’t attend a trial of this significance looking gloomy.

“A trial we will win. It’s good to be cautious, but there’s absolutely no need to flounder in worry.”

Today is the day.

“From the Ianette family, the oracle’s champion, Lady Shione and Baron Ray are entering!”

We shall dispose of the cursed burden of the Ianette’s ominous darkness from our hands.

 

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