Elven Village ②
Seems it will take longer than expected, so I’ve changed the title from the previous chapter.
The next day, I and Catia were led by the teacher toward a certain location within the Elven Village.
It would be unwise to separate from Ana in our current state, but since Hyalins said, “Leave it to me,” I decided to accept his goodwill.
Ideally, I would have preferred to go to the place we were heading to alone with Catia.
The destination was a location that protected reincarnated individuals.
The scenery remained monotonous, as identical trees grew densely throughout.
“We’re walking quite a bit.”
“Yes. The Elven Village is large. This area, known as the Garum Great Forest, is located near the center, and in size it is roughly equivalent to the Tokyo 23 wards.”
“Really!? That much!?”
“Yes. Though there are agricultural zones as well, so the population density is not particularly high.”
“It’s less a village and more a nation.”
Yes. This place has long boasted impenetrability through a natural fortress of the great forest and a barrier spell—two layers of defense. Aside from the elves' somewhat exclusive tendencies, I believe it to be the safest and most comfortable place in the world. Or at least, I did.
The teacher sighs.
If the barrier is truly broken, that safety can no longer be guaranteed. The distance from the barrier's outer edge to the village means the barrier's collapse does not immediately signal crisis. But the battle that follows will be severe.
Do you believe the barrier will break?
A matter of possibility. Just because it has never been breached before does not mean it cannot be in the future. Overconfidence is forbidden.
The barrier has never been broken. How long has it existed, then?
I do not know. Even the eldest elf besides Potimas said they were born to find the barrier already in place.
“Incidentally, how old is that person?”
“Around four hundred and eighty, I’d say.”
“The scale is different.”
As they spoke, they reached their destination.
A small field, livestock pens, and people tending the soil and animals.
One of them noticed the group.
“Master, you’re back.”
“Yes, just returned.”
A curt greeting.
The master’s expression seemed stiff, as if strained.
A girl approached.
Her age was likely the same as his.
That was clear from the language she spoke—Japanese.
She was a reincarnated soul.
“So? Are those two new sacrifices?”
“They’re not sacrifices.”
“Just a difference in perception. At least, I regard you as the perpetrator. Doesn’t matter. What are your names? No, not your current names—your former ones.”
The girl maintains a hostile expression as she turns her gaze toward him.
"Mine is Tanaka Shunsuke."
"I'm Oshima Hatoko."
"Wait. Oshima-kun?"
"That's right."
"Wow."
"What's with that reaction? Who's this guy?"
"I'm Kudou Sachie. We're both abducted, so let's get along."
Kudou Sachie.
A girl who served as class representative.
Not particularly close, but known for speaking her mind—had many enemies, yet also many allies.
Her personality led to multiple clashes with Yuugo.
But what concerns me is her demeanor toward the teacher just now, and the number of ominous words she used.
As class representative, she would have had frequent interactions with the teacher. They should have had a decent relationship.
Yet she now stares at the teacher as if viewing an enemy of her parents.
The reason was likely the word "abduction" that came from her mouth.
"Teacher, what does 'abduction' mean?"
"Didn't the Yamada group get abducted by you?"
"We came here to stop Natsume."
"Natsume? He's here too?"
Kudo frowns.
His expression prompts me to frown as well.
If this is the case, Kudo doesn't know that Yugo has launched an attack on the elven settlement?
I look at the teacher.
The teacher shakes their head silently.
Don't say anything unnecessary. That's what it means?
"Kudo, Natsume is leading an army to attack here right now."
"What?"
Katie speaks the truth.
Ignoring the teacher's gaze.
"Teacher, sorry. But after seeing this situation, I can't trust you anymore."
Arms crossed, Katie mutters with a sigh.
"From what I've heard about Mr. Kudo, those here were brought in by force, weren't they? And once they arrived, they were left to fend for themselves."
"That's not true!"
"It is. I was separated from my parents in this world when I was still young, and the others—most of them—were brought here the same way."
"Think about it. And the information? It's deliberately kept from us. Isolated."
"Yes. Life here is nearly self-sufficient. Anything missing, the elves bring when asked—but only the bare minimum. Rise in the morning, till the fields, harvest, care for livestock, cook, eat. That’s one day. Surveillance by the elves prevents escape. The elves say nothing beyond necessities. We know nothing of the outside."
"Wait—self-sufficiency is meant to develop independence!"
"How can independence develop when we can't leave? What use is independence in a state like this—like being kept alive in captivity?"
"That is..."
The teacher hesitated, words caught in throat.
All paused their work to watch.
"Yamada and Oshima—come here. I have questions."
Ignoring the teacher's silence, Kudo began to walk.
Katia followed without hesitation.
I glanced at the teacher once, then immediately followed the back.
The teacher's face was downcast, eyes on the verge of tears.