069. Tangled Thread
How long had I been out for? I don't know, but I was awakened by the pathetic sound of my own stomach, "......gugghh~".
I wasn't hungry, and I wasn't feeling that tired ― although I thought I was.
「Ah♪ Yuuto. You woke up♪」
When I raised my upper body, I found Philly right beside me.
In addition, there was a warm stew and bread on a tray of dishes that she had taken the trouble to prepare for me.
(Apparently, the smell woke me up.)
I thanked her and accepted the tray, my eyes watering at the sight of my first decent meal in a long time.
「...... This is so good. For real, it's so good」
The only thing I had eaten since I was brought to the forest was grilled meat, fish, and wild plants, so it tasted even better.
I ended up having two more helpings and, completely satisfied, I thanked Philly with both hands together, saying, "Thanks for the food♪" Philly smiled and lowered her tray, saying, "Glad you enjoyed it".
After that, I was given a pot of strongly scented tea, and, when I was comfortable with myself,
「...... Let me check this out just to make sure. You're definitely Yuuto Orihardt., the fixer who's been the talk of the town lately, right?」
She ask me, and I said, "Who the hell is this Yuuto Orihardt?" I asked, and then told her my name again with the correct pronunciation.
「Mmumu―I'm not very good at remembering people's names and place names. I often make mistakes」
「From the looks of it, it seems that this forest is somewhere in Hanaria―but where in the world is it?」
「Huh? What are you talking about? I mean, I don't understand what you mean, though?」
Philly gave me a dubious look, so I explained what had led me here. And then...
「U-Ummm. You say that you were taken into the forest by [Transfer] to be treated for a psychogenic illness and that you've survived on your own ever since」
「I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not lying.」
「But, it's all a bit too far-fetched―I mean, that Grieve? I wonder what this witch is thinking. I don't get her at all, though?」
「Don't worry. I don't get her either.」
In fact, the mere act of holding Philly's hand triggered the trauma ― I don't know what she was trying to do, but it proved to be ineffective in terms of "therapy". However.
(I haven't had a woman in a long time ― She's got a nice style and she's a beautiful girl, just the way a girl I like, but..)
I was not able to find any "desire" that was akin to hunger.
「Anyway, I understand the situation. But ...... I'm afraid, I can't just let you go. In some cases, I have no choice but you're going to have to die.」
「It can't be helped to some extent, and if my guess is correct, is it correct to think that the Philly are elves and spirits who disappeared about half a year ago?」
「Eight months ago, to be exact―Probably right.」
Philly immediately affirmed.
「The reason?」
「It's simple. Because I parted ways with the king――the upper echelons of Hanaria.」
The dark emotions seeped through the bright expression on her face.
「From what I've heard is that it 'stems from environmental issues,' but what's the truth?」
「It's not wrong. But that's not all.」
「In other words, there's more to it than that―that's what you mean」
I have no idea at this point, and sure enough, Philly is hiding something from me.
She may look friendly on the outside, but deep down she has not let go of her wariness and distrust of me. In fact
(I know she thinks she's hiding it, but she's carrying a large knife.)
If anything happens, she will kill me immediately.
「So? What am I supposed to do now? Honestly, I don't want you to kill me, though?」
「To be frank, it is true that it would be more convenient for us to kill you now and use you as bait for the demonic beasts. However, we also have our pride. Even if the other party is human, killing an innocent person is no better than being a demon.」
「......To be honest, I don't know much about elves and spirit people, you see. As I thought, you hate humans?」
「Isn't it obvious? What have humans ever done to us so far? Don't say you don't know.」
「Even if you say that――I'm sorry. In my case, I really don't know. Well, I can guess to some extent」
「Such as?」
「Unilateral cultivation, breach of promise or contract, unfair discrimination――does slavery fall under this category?」
「What the heck. I guess you knew, after all. You liar.」
Her attitude changed completely. She looked at me as if she was staring at a garbage bug.
「Besides, you humans have even started to "experiment on human beings". Even though we owe a "great debt" to the first king, there is a limit to how much we can put up with」
「That is why you parted ways―But human experiment?」
I have never heard of such a thing before. But...
「Ha! It's so obvious. We elves are classified as a "higher race" from the human race, with more force and a longer life span. Plus, we're beautiful in appearance, so we're being sold and bought as 'sex slaves' at high prices. ...... I'm not so generous as to laugh and forgive humans, knowing that.」
「No wonder. That's why you are fighting against humans here in the "Great Sea of Trees", isn't it? It seems there are dark elves here, too.」
It seems that the roots of the case are deeper than I thought――but...
「Huh? What the hell are you talking about?」
What am I talking about? ...... I looked at Philly, who said with such a look on her face, "Am I wrong?" I asked.
「No matter how much we hate humans, we would never do such a thing, you know? I do know that there have been recent human attempts to invade and settle the area near the northwest entrance, though.」
「Hmmm? That means it's my misunderstanding――Nay」
I assure myself in my heart that this cannot be true.
Because I have concluded that the series of disturbances caused by demonic beasts is highly likely that someone is working in the dark behind the scenes.
(In fact, a dark elf named "Leige," who had been watching me, showed up.)
I have seen with my own eyes that the dark elves were involved behind the scenes during the evil group disturbance.
The thread was completely tangled―After I gulped and swallowed my saliva,
「Philly, I have a question, you see. Did you happen to know a dark elf named "Leige"?」
Immediately, the blade of a hidden knife was thrust against my neck.
「.....From your reaction, it looks like you know her」
「That's my line. How do you know about that traitor? Depending on how you answer――」
「I know you don't condone this―but I don't think we're getting anywhere」
Apparently, there is a "difference in perception" between us that cannot be bridged.
「It's troublesome, but it seems it would be better for both of us if I told you the whole story from the ground up. It's a pretty long story, but are you willing to listen?」
When I said it, Philly nod her head slightly as she held the knife out.
Having confirmed that, how should I tell her? While trying to establish an order in my head.
「First of all, ...... this may sound like a joke, but I'm not from this world. I'm from another world, forcibly summoned by King Hanaria a few months ago.」
When I told her, Philly let out a loud "Haaaaah!?".
「N-No. No, no, no! No matter how much you want to say it, you're lying, aren't you!?」
「Even if you say that I'm saying the truth, though...」
「Eh? Th-then, could it be ...... Do you have a "cheat"?」
「Honestly, I don't know.」
I told Philly all about it and more, down to the smallest possible detail.
「Evil Group, rituals, goblins and [Soul Eater].」
「Well, it's understandable that you don't believe me, but I have no choice but to ask you to believe me.」
「Well, I don't see the benefit of you lying, and if you're going to lie, you'd better have something better to say. But ―of all people, you're the one who ......」
「?」
As if muttering something, Philly put away the knife and breathed heavily .......
「This is unexpected, to say the least. To tell you the truth, it was up to me to decide what to do with you, but after hearing all this, I'm in over my head. I'm afraid I have no choice but to let the Elders decide.」
「Elders?」
「They're the Elders of our clan. In ancient times, they worked with the first King Hanaria to "Build the Utopia".」
「Oh?」
I'm a little curious.
「It would be impolite to ask you to come, so I'm sorry, but would you mind following me? And I think it goes without saying...」
「I won't run away or do anything weird. If you want, we could hold hands and that would be perfect, wouldn't it? Apparently, I haven't gotten over my "gynophobia".」
「......You are right. I'm in trouble if you don't pay me back the debt that you fainted with your white eyes after you held my hand.」
I've heard from some of her friends.
「Did you use folia!?」
「You can knock a human man unconscious just by holding his hand!」
「As one would expect from Phi! That's Phi for you!」
It seems that I got a lot of trivial attention.
「I have my own reasons. you see. I'm shocked, you know」
「I'm sorry.」
I didn't want to get this disease either.
「In any case, I think you should be prepared for it. After all, unlike me, the Elders are very strict with other people.」
「'Kay, 'kay. I'll be careful.」
I replied, dressed myself up easily, and went outside with Philly.
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