Chapter 1-34 : The Girl Follows The Dark Elf To Her Workshop (part 1)
「Hmm… Looks like you’re uninjured.」(dark elf)
Looking at Elle worriedly, the dark elf woman crouched down and checked if she got hurt. She even brushed the dust and dirt on her clothes with her hand.
It was dark so it was hard to tell, but she was wearing a magician’s cloak which reminded Elle of her master, Moritz.
「Thank you very much. I think I’m fine.」(Elle)
「Still, you look very tired. You need to rest a bit. Let’s have a seat on that bench.」(dark elf)
The dark elf took Elle to the wooden long bench by the entrance to the park and then they sat side by side.
「Suuu… Haaaa…. *taking a deep breath*」(Elle)
「Have you calmed down?」(dark elf)
「Yeah.」(Elle)
「Good. Did you try to sell your magic stone to a merchant in that market?」(dark elf)
「I did, but… I never thought it would end up like that.」(Elle)
「Well, some magic stone sellers there are not honest people. You’re unlucky to bump into one of them. Recently, a lot of counterfeit magic stones have been found in this city, and according to the investigation by the knights, they came from a huge criminal organization. People, especially magic stone merchants have been on edge because of that.」(dark elf)
「I see.」(Elle)
「But… I never thought there was a scumbag who used this situation as an opportunity to gain money even though it would harm an innocent girl like you.」(dark elf)
「Umm… Why did you know I was innocent? And why did you help me? I heard that children committing crimes is common in this city.」(Elle)
「Simple. It’s because you have a fairy with you. The thing fairies hate the most is malice, so logically, people who have fairies with them are mostly good people.」(dark elf)
「Eh?」(Elle)
「That cat of yours. He’s not a living stuffed animal. He’s a cat fairy, right?」(dark elf)
Saying that, the woman glanced at Yoyo and smiled.
「Geh… You’re the second person who can tell I’m a fairy.」(Yoyo)
「Haha. Seems like you’re trying to hide your identity, but there are many people who know a lot about fairies in this city, you know?」(dark elf)
「Ugh… I have to be careful…」(Yoyo)
「Wow… How could you tell Yoyo was a fairy?」(Elle)
「Because my ancestors were fairies, so I’m also considered a fairy race or half-fairy.」(dark elf)
「If that’s the case, can you also feel people’s negative emotions?」(Elle)
「Not really. Sometimes I can sense people’s malice, but I’m not as good as a real fairy at that. I only can feel it vaguely.」(dark elf)
「I see.」(Elle)
「By the way… Are you not afraid of me…?」(dark elf)
「Hm? Why should I?」(Elle)
「Well, as you can see. I’m a dark elf.」(dark elf)
「Ahh…」(Elle)
All the things that happened made Elle forget about the fact that dark elves have a bad reputation in society.
Elle once read about dark elves in a book, and they were said to be evil. People also believed that they were the Demon Lord’s minions. In story books, they were always portrayed as villains and bad people.
They were unpopular among people, especially human children. Parents often told their children to run away if they encountered a dark elf. Because of that, children were afraid of them, but Elle was different.
「Whenever I walk around this city, children always run away or hide behind their parents when they see me. It’s rare for me to meet a child like you.」(dark elf)
「I’m aware of dark elves’ bad reputation, but how could I be afraid of the person who saved me? You might be a dark elf, but you’re a good person. I can tell that, and of course, Yoyo can tell that too. Right, Yoyo?」(Elle)
Being asked by Elle, Yoyo looked the woman in the eye and shrugged his tiny shoulders.
「Yeah, she’s alright.」(Yoyo)
「Haha. Thanks. It makes me happy.」(dark elf)
The woman smiled. She looked genuinely happy.
It seemed that dark elves’ bad reputation really made her life harder in this city.
「Oh, right. I almost forgot. Here’s your magic stone.」(dark elf)
The woman just realized that she had been holding Elle’s fire magic stone all the time.
She tried to return it, but Elle shook her head.
「No, you can have it. It’s for saving me.」(Elle)
「Whaー Are you sure?」(dark elf)
「Yes.」(Elle)
「…..」(dark elf)
The woman was flabbergasted. She looked at Elle with eyes wide open, and her hands started trembling as if she didn’t believe what she just heard.
「What’s the matter?」(Elle)
「Do you know how much this magic stone is worth?」(dark elf)
「Uhh…」(Elle)
「You can’t just give a magic stone as amazing as this to a stranger for free, you know?」(dark elf)
「It’s indeed one of the finest magic stones I have, but… Is it really that amazing?」(Elle)
「It is! …You have no idea at all, huh?」(dark elf)
「Well…」(Elle)
The woman brought the magic stone close to her face and started observing it with sparkling eyes.
「You know, I’ve never seen a magic stone like this before… This is so beautiful…」(dark elf)
「Why is it so amazing? And why is it different from other magic stones? Mind to explain?」(Elle)
「Of course, I want to talk about it, but… Not here. Not in a public place like this. Would you come to my place?」(dark elf)
「Your place…?」(Elle)
「Yeah. My workshop is not far from here.」(dark elf)
「Uhh… But…」(Elle)
The woman invited Elle to her place, but Elle was hesitant because her master told her not to follow adult strangers.
Moritz’s teachings were the reason why Elle was so cautious toward people she just met even though they were good people.
She wanted to refuse the woman’s offer, but Yoyo thought differently.
「That’s a nice idea! Elle, we should go with her.」(Yoyo)
「Butー」(Elle)
「No more buts! You should stop being stubborn once in a while! You would have been sleeping in a warm bed in Charlotte’s or Mr. Forster’s by now if you were not so stubborn and chose to walk around the city looking for a place to sleep!」(Yoyo)
「Yoyo senpai’s right! Master, I don’t want to see you sleeping on the street like a homeless beggar! Please do what he says!」(Neige)
「Ugh…」(Elle)
Elle couldn’t talk back when she was scolded by her two companions.
「Hold on… So, you don’t have a place to sleep?」(dark elf)
「Yeah… The thing is, I just got to this city and… I don’t have an ID card…」(Elle)
「You don’t? You… didn’t enter through the gate…?」(dark elf)
「No, no! I did! But… Well, it’s a long story.」(Elle)
「Alright. We can talk about it later. If you don’t have a place to sleep, then you should listen to your cat. Come with me. I will lend you a warm bed and blankets.」(dark elf)
「Umm… Alright.」(Elle)
「Good. Can you walk?」(dark elf)
「Don’t worry. I think I can manage.」(Elle)
The woman stood up and helped Elle stand.
「Alright, follow me. Ah, before I forget, I should introduce myself. I’m Ingrid of Fermete Forest. Nice to meet you.」(Ingrid)
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