Elves are basically beings who live in forests.
It is rare for Elves to leave the forest and live elsewhere, but perhaps because they have longer lifespans than humans, we unexpectedly see them quite often.
In Einzheil, there are a fair number of Elves, such as those working at Elfe Rof, adventurers, and travelers.
…And it seems that these Elves, even after leaving the forest, hold some kind of attachment to the Spirit Tree.
Although their reasons for leaving the forest vary, when a Spirit Tree appears in the middle of a town, this is what happens… The scene before our eyes.
「Gyaaa! It’s a Spirit Tree! It’s small, but it’s a magnificent Spirit Tree!」
「Magnificent! Truly magnificent! Ah, I insisted on staying out of the forest and couldn’t return for decades… To think I would have the day to behold a Spirit Tree again!」
「Haa… haa… S-Spirit Tree… Real… haa… Fuhehehe…」
…Chaos!
Well, Elves are often beautiful men and women, and I had the impression that many were cool and composed.
But seeing them kneeling toward the small Spirit Tree, reaching out or clasping their hands without touching it, with dilated pupils and mouths hanging open, panting… It was truly chaos.
「My… Even handsome men become disappointing when they are like that.」
「Beautiful women are no different.」
Well, I had glimpsed that tendency in Ielo-san from the Elf Forest…
Another one of my fantasy isekai delusions has crumbled…
Sipping tea leisurely while watching the Elves who came to worship? the Spirit Tree from afar were Shion and I.
The balance of sunlight and wind was pleasant today, making us feel lazy.
If others saw us in such an undignified state, they would surely think, “Ugh…” and if Wendy saw us, she would definitely scold us. But right now, it felt too good to correct ourselves.
And Shion was the perfect companion for such moments.
「Ah. By the way.」
「Yes, yes, what is it～?」
Shion was also leaning lazily on the table while holding her teacup, but I would not scold her today.
However, the fact that she kept her teacup perfectly level in that state was impressive.
「Elves have long lifespans, don’t they?」
「Yes. As a long-lived species, they live several times longer than us～」
「But the total population of humans is larger, isn’t it?」
「Indeed～. The total population of Elves is not very large～」
That is true.
The Yggdra Great Forest was quite vast, but I heard it only had about 3,000 inhabitants.
「Does that matter～?」
「Ah, no. I was just thinking that if they live so long, wouldn’t they have many brothers and sisters?」
Simply put, if their lifespan is long, couples spend more time together, so I thought they would have many children and become large families. Is that not the case?
「…m’lord. Not everyone is in heat all year round like you are～」
「You know, Shion. Humans do not have mating seasons～」
「Yes, I know～. That is why I am surprised～」
「…」
「…That is why I am surprised～」
「Do not say it twice…」
「I thought you did not hear me.」
I heard you.
I heard you and ignored it.
「Well, jokes aside, Elves actually do have a mating season. However, the period is very short, and their libido is originally weak, so they do not leave many descendants. Furthermore, even during the mating season, it is not just anyone; if there is no partner they are interested in, they handle it themselves.」
「Handle it…」
「If I were to phrase it in a way that would please m’lord, I would say s――」
「You need not!」
Dangerous! What was this child about to say?
I was startled! Being relaxed made me let my guard down completely!
Because I shouted loudly, the Elves turned around in surprise.
Please do not mind us… Please continue.
「…Sniffle, sniffle. I am only constantly thinking about what would please m’lord.」
「Is pleasing me only associated with such things in your mind?」
「………….Ah, it seems the Elves are leaving.」
「Do not change the subject. Also, the next group of Elves is coming soon.」
Since we have a Spirit Tree at home, it has somehow become a rumor among the Elves. They begged to be allowed to pay their respects.
Moreover, the news seems to have reached Elves in surrounding cities, resulting in a large number of visitors, so we have separated them by days and times.
「It is like a tourist spot. Ah, how about charging an admission fee? Given that scene, you could charge quite a bit, couldn’t you?」
「Please stop…」
「You have no greed, m’lord. It is a rare small Spirit Tree, after all? I think you could charge not only Elves but also visitors to Einzheil. That would amount to considerable assets.」
「In that case, I would have to keep my new partner, the Spirit Tree, buried in the ground at all times, so I would use the Yin-Yang Blade as my――」
「Let us stop! Taking money from Elves who miss the Spirit Tree of their homeland, or treating the Spirit Tree as a spectacle… I do not think such things are good!」
…You are so materialistic.
Well, I do not dislike that side of you.
「Haa… This tea is delicious. Is it from the Republic?」
「Ah. It is called Iron Cannon, an interesting name.」
Considering the naming conventions of this world, I think the closest equivalent is Tieguanyin tea. Although I had rarely drunk it in my previous world and did not know the taste, it was a delicious tea with a fragrant aroma and sweetness.
「The Republic… I do not know much about it.」
「The Republic is an interesting country. It consists of the three nations of Gi, Go, and Sho.」
「…Are they fighting for hegemony?」
「Hegemony? No, no, it is not so bleak. They certainly compete, but they are not on bad terms. In fact, they largely elevate each other through this competition.」
「Is that so…」
Judging by the names, I felt it was like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and hearing about the three nations of Gi, Go, and Sho strengthened that conviction. But they are not unified, yet they are not fighting?
On the contrary, having a good relationship was unexpected.
「It seems they joined forces to counter large nations like the Kingdom and the Empire. Diplomatic matters are decided through conferences held by the leaders of the three nations. The alliance with Einzheil was also decided this way. For the Republic, having Einzheil, where road maintenance is proceeding smoothly, as a transit point for exports to other countries was likely an advantage.」
「Roads, huh. They have extended quite a bit.」
When I went to the Empire, they were only halfway done, but I heard they have extended further since then.
「Indeed, it helps merchants and travelers. Well-maintained roads are easier for horses to travel on, and since the surroundings are cleared, it is easier to spot approaching monsters.」
「I see.」
They probably prioritized road maintenance to make forming alliances easier.
Even if an alliance was not formed, if easy-to-travel roads led to Einzheil, merchants would gather. They might have anticipated that merchants would petition the government if tax differences were applied there.
「Well, thanks to that, we can drink such delicious tea in Einzheil, so the Lord is capable. Ah, she is the Representative now, isn’t she?」
「Yes. Well, she has her disappointing aspects, but she is a capable woman. She is a bit like Shion.」
「In terms of capability?」
「In terms of disappointment as well.」
「Eh? Do I have such aspects?」
「That is exactly it. Shall we eat the sweets from the Republic I bought earlier? I think they will pair well with this tea.」
「Yay! My mouth was feeling lonely. ‘Ahn’ please.」
Her quick change of pace depends on the time and situation, but it is a good trait.
Mmm, both the tea and sweets were delicious. Today was another peaceful and good day.
By the way… Does the Spirit Tree have an effect on Elves who left the forest similar to catnip on cats?
Except for the Elves at Elfe Rof and a few others, the Elves who came one after another were mostly like that…
As my illusions about Elves disappear, my questions keep increasing…
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