Chapter 405
Chapter 405. Run, Liliana
Sancta Shiro――the home of the Mother Great Tree, where the Forest Elves reside.
“You’re really going, aren’t you… Liliana?”
The High Elf Queen, Ester El Del Milfluer, looked at her daughter with a tired and troubled expression.
Dressed for travel, with the sun-kissed appearance typical of a Forest Elf――this was Liliana, the High Elf Saint. She now called herself “Lily,” using a half-baked human transformation spell to pass as an ordinary Forest Elf.
“Wow.”
Liliana nodded with a serious expression.
“………”
Ester slapped her forehead as if to say, “This kid is hopeless.” The gathered high-ranking elves around her mirrored her actions, either slapping their own foreheads or massaging their temples in agony.
――Liliana’s behavior was strange.
About two weeks had passed since Liliana miraculously returned, and reports had come in from her attendants stating that she had started exhibiting “abnormal behaviors,” such as zoning out, groaning, and attempting to wander off from the village.
――Those dark scumbags must have set a slow-acting, no-good curse on her!
Everyone, including Ester, interpreted the situation this way. Right after Liliana’s return, they had performed thorough dispelling and blessings, but maybe it still wasn’t enough. They had even given her spirit medicine made from the sap of the Great Tree and infused her with Ester’s utmost healing power, trying to “treat” her, but…
Liliana did not recover.
She didn’t act abnormal all the time; usually, she remained the intelligent saintly figure. However, at unexpected moments――how should I put this, she would turn into a dog. It seemed to be impulsive, and while she could suppress it with effort, it became difficult during emotional surges.
For Ester, who had eradicated all sorts of injuries, illnesses, and curses as the High Elf Queen, this was a shocking case.
“To think… there would be a disease I can’t cure…”
She thought it was something trivial like a love sickness.
“………”
As the thought occurred to her, Ester’s face grew even more sour. A love sickness――in Liliana’s case, it might not be far from the truth.
Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias. No, was it Hero Alexander? It seemed Liliana was completely dependent on him. While she couldn’t thank him enough for rescuing Liliana from the clutches of the dark fiends…!
She couldn’t thank him enough…!
But couldn’t it have been handled a bit better…?! She couldn’t help but think so. Of course, she was well aware that Hero Alexander had done his best.
However, as a mother, there were many feelings regarding the matter.
Liliana had become so accustomed to acting like a dog and psychologically dependent on Zilbagias that whenever she saw or heard anything related to him, the “dog” within her would inevitably show its face.
And this had become “natural.”
In short, Liliana herself had come to accept the “abnormal” as “normal.” Therefore, no matter how much they tried to treat her, they wouldn’t be able to cure her as it was now part of her nature.
The “dog” within Liliana desperately wanted to meet her beloved master――Alexander. Just when she thought it was a farewell of this lifetime, news arrived that the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias had been exiled to the allied territories, and she seemed to lose all restraint.
“I will go to retrieve him.”
With determination shining in her eyes, Liliana declared.
“There is no one more suited than me to be the envoy of the Holy Great Tree Alliance!”
――That was her claim. The Forest Elf who knew Zilbagias best and who could gain his trust most was none other than herself.
…Well, she had a point. And indeed, Ester had also thought that, if possible, she would like to talk to Zilbagias directly.
But she never dreamed it would truly become “possible”…
After all, even the most favored child had no reason to visit the allied territories except for war…
“Haa…”
Ester pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.
“…I understand. If you’re prepared for futility, then go on.”
“Thank you, Mother!!”
Liliana, her cheeks flushed, expressed her gratitude, surprised that permission had been granted so smoothly.
――To be honest, letting Liliana, who held various secrets, loose like this was a foolish act.
But realistically, it was difficult to keep Liliana confined. Among Ester’s children, Liliana inherited the power of Ester and the blood of the High Elves most strongly, making her a top-tier skilled individual among the Forest Elves currently in the village.
To imprison such a person, and at some point have her reach her limit of patience and explode… it would surely be a sight too horrible to behold.
Therefore, it was better to allow her to act freely in a somewhat manageable state.
“Both of you, I entrust Liliana to you.”
“Y-Yes!”
“I will protect her with my life!”
Faced with Ester’s serious gaze, one nodded nervously while the other nodded with a sense of determined resolution.
Considering her true importance, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assign an entire battalion of archers as guards. However, she was currently disguised as an ordinary Forest Elf “Lily” through a transformation spell, so she couldn’t have a large retinue.
Thus, her childhood friends, the Forest Elf priestess Helena and the elder Elf Orderju, former member of the Holy Great Tree Alliance, were chosen.
Helena also carried High Elf blood and had risen to the rank of priestess while still young. Both her magic and archery skills were top-notch. She had also been monitoring Liliana since her return, but she hadn’t been told about the crucial secret regarding Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias.
However, having witnessed several of Liliana’s “abnormal behaviors” and given the duty as her protector, she was informed of vital confidential information based on a life-or-death pledge. She had come to understand most of the circumstances.
“I didn’t want to know…”
With a pledge that could cause her heart to stop if the information were revealed, and even the possibility of being interrogated by the Demon Lord’s army’s necromancers in the afterlife looming over her, Helena was left with her head in her hands.
Even so, her determination to accompany Liliana as her protector showed her serious and loyal nature.
The other, Orderju, was a veteran alongside Ester, and a caretaker whom Liliana affectionately called “Grandpa.”
Due to his extensive connections and wealth of experience, he had long served as a member of the Holy Great Tree Alliance, but now he had opted to retire from politics to take on the role of Liliana’s protector. He was prepared to bury his bones in a foreign land while accompanying her.
At first glance, he appeared to be a wizened, shriveled old Elf, hardly reminiscent of a Forest Elf, leaving one to wonder if he could fulfill the duty of protection. Human beings might be concerned about appearances.
However, as Forest Elves age, their mana refines and enhances, thus counteracting any decline in physical abilities caused by aging. They could move even more powerfully than younger Elves. Naturally, Orderju bore the title of “Priest,” wielding powerful magic that controlled the three attributes: light, water, and wind.
Aside from the uncertainty of how long his lifespan would last, there was no more reliable ally to entrust to Liliana.
“About that Demon Lord’s Prince… or rather, Hero, I owe an immense debt of gratitude to him for taking care of Liliana… I thought I ought to meet him once to express my gratitude…”
Orderju chuckled menacingly.
Regardless of everything, it was a good thing that his motivation was high.
“Liliana. Promise me just one thing.”
While readjusting herself on her petal throne, Ester began earnestly.
“Yes, Mother.”
Liliana straightened her back.
“If Helena and Orderju propose returning, you are to obey… Swear to uphold that.”
“[Understood. If Helena and Orderju propose returning, I will obey.]”
“Good. This is to protect you too. It’s unnecessary to elaborate at this point.”
“…Yes. I’m sorry for being selfish.”
Liliana sulked. She recalled how she had recklessly joined the raid on the Demon Lord’s castle, causing her mother and others such worry for a long time.
But still…
Thinking that she might get to see Alex again――she couldn’t sit still.
“I swear I won’t do anything reckless. I just want to see him one more time. And I want to thank him. He rescued me while walking a tightrope surrounded by enemies… and I never got to repay him.”
At least…
“…I hope he can take it easy while being exiled to the allied territories…”
With her hands clasped before her chest and eyes glistening, Liliana begged.
…It seemed that this “sickness” couldn’t be cured. Ester sighed and leaned against the soft flower petal throne.
“I understand. Go on. I’ll be looking forward to the day you can meet Hero Alexander again.”
“Yes! I’m off!”
After bobbing her head in a bow, Liliana left the throne room alongside Helena and Orderju.
“Liliana!”
Seeing her retreating figure, Ester couldn’t help but call out.
“—Be careful.”
To her surprise, a surprisingly delicate voice escaped her. Liliana, smiling reassuringly at her, suddenly exclaimed,
“Woof!”
Before darting off with a burst of speed, using her running magic. Helena hurried to catch up with her, followed by Orderju――
That’s no good; all she can think about is her beloved master.
Ester slapped her forehead and sighed yet again.
――――――――――――――――
There’s a bit more to go.
Click the heart to send your support easily. (Login required)
