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Chapter 476. Partner and Beloved Dog

“Well then, this is Odigos, the [Guide Demon] contracted with Liliana. Both of you, please take care of him.”

Dressed in a tailcoat, the staff bowed politely, leaving Helena and Orderju completely frozen.

When one thinks of demons, they are often seen as arch-enemies, and confrontation typically leads to immediate combat. Both Helena and Orderju had strong preconceived notions, given their longevity.

Even if such a being suddenly approached them in a friendly manner, it was a bit hard to process.

“By the way, Liliana, is that really how you looked?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Over there, you looked like a strange creature that couldn’t quite be called human or beast… was it a dog? I couldn’t tell your species.”

“Oh, really…?”

Liliana blushed bashfully. (Could it be you looked the same too?) ‘Woof!’

“That’s not something to be embarrassed about…”

Helena managed to interject.

“…Could it be that you guys are the legendary elves I’ve heard about?”

Odigos asked anxiously, crossing his empty sleeves and glancing around.

“Nah, this is my first time in the human world. I only know about things through hearsay.”

“Indeed, we are Forest Elves…”

Orderju answered cautiously. He was squinting to see Odigos but was having trouble reading his expression, given that he was a staff.

“Oh! That’s wonderful, I’m so happy!”

Odigos was in a good mood now that he knew they were elves.

“What’s so wonderful about it?”

“For instance, humans usually die under a hundred years, right? If my contracted partner dies so soon, I’d be sad. But you guys live a decent while longer, so I get to spend more time with you!”

“A decent while longer”—which felt quite condescending from Odigos, made Orderju smile wryly while Helena frowned. Forest Elves are the longest-lived among humans, and they take pride in being long-lived their whole lives.

But then again, standing before them was a demon who was literally immortal—for them, debating lifespans was meaningless…

“Princess, you are a high elf, particularly long-lived among Forest Elves. If nothing happens, you will live for about another thousand years.”

When Orderju added that, Odigos suddenly froze.

“…Odigos? What’s wrong?”

“Right now… I’m savoring an unparalleled joy. A thousand years!! Oh, how happy could I be!! A mesmerizing guiding life await me!!”

“Haha. Well, that depends on whether I don’t die in battle first.”

Liliana chuckled dryly, causing Odigos to freeze again.

“…I can’t stand this! That would never happen! If things get dangerous, I’ll protect you with all my might. Though I’m a bit dubious if I will be of help in combat…”

Shaking with anxiety, Odigos said he couldn’t be considered a fighter.

—Setting that aside, the conversation shifted to how to handle this [Transfer Gate].

“So, with this [Gate], will we be able to go to the Demon World anytime we want?”

Helena asked excitedly while touching the patterns on the ground.

“Well, it’s absorbing magical power from the ley lines. At this rate, it might take about a thousand years to reboot it.”

A thousand years—quite a long time, everyone grimaced. Even for the long-lived Forest Elves, that wasn’t a short period.

“If it activated by draining my magical power, if we all work hard to imbue more magical energy, can’t we speed up the process?”

“In theory, it’s possible. However, it wouldn’t be very effective. It would be like trying to create a storm with just a fan.”

Odigos answered cheerfully as Liliana tilted her head in confusion.

“You’d understand, but the magical power generated by the ‘world’ carries a different weight than what mortals wield. If beings of high caliber like Liliana continuously poured their magic for an extended period, perhaps the time could be shortened by several hundred years, but it will always remain a secondary measure.”

“So, even under the fastest speed, it’s still expected to take about 500 years to activate… If that’s the case, we won’t make it for the ‘next’ thing.”

Orderju stroked his beard, speaking cryptically.

If the Demon Lord’s army continues to advance, this land will likely be under the Demon Lord’s dominion in 500 years. Naturally, the Forest Elves won’t be able to utilize this [Gate].

Conversely, if this land isn’t under the Demon Lord’s control after 500 years, it would mean the Demon Lord’s army has stopped, implying that the Demon Lord has likely perished. Should that happen, there would be no need to bother making contracts with demons.

Excepting Liliana, who contracted Odigos with quick decision-making, Forest Elves generally hold a negative view on demon contracts.

Because Forest Elves are pure nature lovers. ‘Nature’ refers to the world in its natural state. Demons, as outsiders, disrupt the world’s principles and are thus unacceptable entities.

Furthermore, their kin are being slaughtered by those who heavily utilize demon power and the Night Elves, borrowing this power, leading to understandable outrage.

While it may be deemed necessary to contract with Liliana given the overwhelming disadvantage of their alliance and the imminent danger threatening the Holy Great Tree Village, the fundamental stance of the Forest Elves is “demons must be eradicated” unless circumstances are truly dire.

“…Even if restarting is difficult, it wouldn’t make sense to just leave this as it is. What shall we do?”

“At the very least, we should report this to Her Majesty the Queen…”

Helena, looking quite overwhelmed, and Orderju both wore troubled expressions.

“Odigos, do you know of any other [Transfer Gates]?”

“The [Dark Portal] exists. As for other [Gates], I’m not aware.”

“Couldn’t you use your abilities to find them?”

“I have no interest personally. But if you genuinely desire it from the bottom of your heart, I might be able to guide you.”

“Hmm… Could you try?”

“Of course.”

Odigos sighed, releasing the tension from his body.

However, contrary to collapsing in any direction, he stood perfectly still.

“Hm. This indicates that either there are no available [Gates], or you don’t truly desire it after all.”

“…I truly desire it, you know?”

“If that’s the case, it seems there are no available [Gates].”

“That’s a relief. It would be unbearable if this sort of thing existed in numbers.”

Orderju gazed down at the magical circle with unreadable eyes.

“Still, it’s disappointing that I couldn’t guide you effectively. It feels incomplete. I need to draw magic to maintain my own existence, which is why I do wish to guide you more…”

“!!”

Upon hearing Odigos’s mumbles, Liliana’s eyes sparkled.

“Odigos!! I—!!”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“I’m looking for someone!”

“Oh! That’s wonderful, the guiding energy is going strong!”

Helena and Orderju exchanged worried glances at the cheerful exchange between the two.

This trajectory—this can’t be good. A terrible premonition!!

“Well then, who exactly are you looking for?”

Suuuuu—Liliana took a breath.

“Alex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the hero, Alexander!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guide me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A cry from the soul.

“Of course, I’d love to.”

With a thud, Odigos, relaxing his body, fell towards the north.

“Follow this way.”

“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!”

Liliana, shaking with ecstatic joy, then—

“Uuuuu—WOOF WOOF!! WAAAAAAAHH!! OOOOOOHHH!!!!”

She grabbed Odigos and dashed off at full speed.

Her (typically) mystical blue eyes shone with alarming purity.

The color of reason was—

nonexistent.

What remained was a profound affection deeper than Aulitos Lake—!!

“Ah?! Wait for me!”

Helena hurriedly chased after her. They were discussing what to do with this [Transfer Gate] just moments ago!! She couldn’t hold back any longer…!!

“Ugh…I thought I might get back to the village, darn it~~!!”

After a brief glance at the [Gate], Orderju clenched his teeth and followed. It wasn’t something they could address today or tomorrow, and the locals were too spooked to approach these ruins. The Forest Elves could afford to leave it for a while, considering their sense of time—

“Lily! Wait! …Please, wait!!”

“No, she’s too fast!? I can’t catch up!!”

“Is this what they call the guiding power…!?”

“Princess! Just a second! Please wait!”

“Lily! Please! Don’t go alone!!”

“Princess!!!!!”

That day—near the outskirts of Bacchos, a breathtaking beauty of a Forest Elf was witnessed drooling and charging forward, chased by a frantic Forest Elf woman and an old man—

“Hahaha!”

Only the joyous laughter of Odigos echoed carefreely throughout the area.

――――――――――――

So that’s how it is; Season 2 of Run Lily is here. Next up, we’ll switch perspectives to the Demon Lord’s Kingdom.

 

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