Arc-7 Ch-03

“Well then, Earl Bartfort. There is a matter in which I would like to request your assistance.”

“I refuse.”

Without leaving even the slightest opening for rebuttal, I immediately conveyed my intent to decline. Negotiation is, in principle, a matter of adjusting one’s approach according to timing and circumstances. However, when dealing with this man, my standard procedure is to begin by refusing outright and allow the conversation to unfold from there.

Our association has already spanned nearly half my life, and even now I find him just as unpleasant as ever. He likely feels the same way about me. With that in mind, I did not restrain myself and rejected him bluntly.

“Why is it that you always come to me, anyway? Is the Intelligence Administration really that short on manpower?”

“Please refrain from saying something so absurd. Whether in domestic governance or foreign diplomacy, information outweighs all else. Every nation is pouring vast resources into strengthening its intelligence agencies. There is no possibility that our kingdom would neglect such efforts.”

“Then that should be sufficient, shouldn’t it?”

“Unfortunately, this particular case is exceptionally troublesome. After careful consideration, I have concluded that the only individual capable of resolving it successfully is none other than Earl Leon Fou Bartfort, whose name echoes throughout the kingdom.”

“Are you mocking me? I am an earl, you know. A noble of the Holfort Kingdom. A feudal lord governing my own domain.”

“I am fully aware. I have an accurate understanding of your career over the past twenty years.”

“Then leave me out of this. I am a feudal lord. Do not involve an outsider in critical matters of state. What if confidential information were to leak?”

“That concern is precisely why we are consulting you. Please be assured of that.”

“I sense neither sincerity nor apology in your words.”

Aside from the two of us engaged in this exchange, everyone else in the room is casually sipping their drinks, nibbling on snacks, or flipping through books. To them, our argument seems to be a familiar spectacle. They keep their distance, clearly waiting for the moment when I finally adopt the posture of someone willing to listen. What an infuriating group.

“Leon-san, have you calmed down?”

“…If I calm down, that just means I end up accepting the request, doesn’t it?”

“You do, of course, have the right to refuse.”

“I cannot recall a single instance in which I was actually permitted to exercise that right.”

“……”

The Saintess quietly averts her gaze.

When we first met, I believed her to be a quiet and earnest person. Contrary to that impression, she possesses a surprisingly forceful side. Then again, someone who is purely upright and straightforward could never involve themselves with the darker undercurrents of the nation. The people of the temple would do well to gain a more accurate understanding of the Saintess’s true nature and convey it to the faithful.

In one corner of the royal capital stands a gambling den. Though it operates directly under the nose of the Holfort royal family, it is a place controlled by underworld figures where the kingdom’s laws do not reach. It is not used solely by nobles and the wealthy seeking to gamble. It also serves as a venue for meetings that must not be overheard. Because it doubles as a marketplace for rare and sensitive information, the kingdom’s upper echelons hesitate to shut it down. Instead, they actively make use of it. We are currently gathered in a VIP room within that establishment, one infamous as a site for clandestine dealings.

I have very few pleasant memories of this place.

The reason is simple. The first time I ever came here, over ten years ago, I was forcibly dragged in by the scheming of the black-hearted bastard with green hair who now sits before me, sipping his drink with elegant composure. Ever since then, whenever he has an unreasonable demand, I am brought here. There is no way I could ever hold a favorable impression of this place.

“May I proceed with the discussion now?”

The name of that black-hearted bastard is Jilk Fia Marmoria, a man who carries the bloodline of the oldest noble family in this country. He is not the head of the main house, having been born to a branch family, and was even disinherited at one point. For a time, he was celebrated nationwide as a hero who saved the country. Now, he occupies one of the highest-ranking positions within the Holfort Kingdom’s intelligence agency, easily counted among the top few. Very few people are aware of this fact. The head of an intelligence organization is the first target for rebellious feudal lords or foreign military forces harboring hostility toward the Holfort royal family. Despite his youth, he has been entrusted with command over field units for one reason alone: his extraordinary competence.

“Honestly, even if it is only temporary, why did I end up becoming some kind of collaborator for the Intelligence Administration?”

“It is because of the achievements you made in the Alzer Republic. The other side was grateful, which was fortunate. Had matters been mishandled, however, your actions could have been interpreted as interference in internal affairs or unauthorized conduct, making you subject to punishment. Do you have any idea how much trouble that caused us?”

“I was the one dragged into it.”

The reason I became a limited-term collaborator with the intelligence agency traces back to my accompanying the Saintess on her inspection visit to the Alzer Republic last year. It was the moment that accursed little sphere forcibly dragged me along, driven by its obsession with lost artifacts, ancient humanity’s data, and above all, matters concerning the sacred tree, that my misfortune truly began. I had the Saintess bow her head and managed, somehow, to be selected as one of the nobles accompanying the delegation to the Alzer Republic. Up to that point, everything was tolerable.

During my free time, I toured the remnants of the sacred tree, the battlefields of the republic’s civil war, and various ruins. That was when the little sphere detected suspicious activity. I wanted no involvement and attempted to ignore it, but they struck first. Left with no choice, I used force to protect myself. Had a noble from the delegation been attacked, it would have escalated into a diplomatic incident. When the two nations launched a joint investigation, an unexpected truth came to light. The attackers were remnants of the old nobility dissatisfied with the republic’s current regime, led by the daughter of Duke Rault.

They had been conspiring with other nations unhappy over magic stone production, intending to assassinate both the sacred tree priestess, who had brought about their downfall, and the Saintess, who had cooperated during the civil war. As a result, I was compelled to cooperate in a joint operation between the two countries to hunt down these remnants. I wanted to protest, but it was revealed that I, a noble of a foreign nation, had been wandering through the collapsed sacred tree and ruins without an escort. Had things gone badly, I could have been detained in the republic for years. I had no option but to comply.

The operation concluded successfully. While the mastermind escaped capture, most of the conspirators were apprehended. I received heartfelt thanks from the sacred tree priestess and her companions. Nevertheless, being forced to continue cooperating with Jilk, who was directing the intelligence agency until the situation stabilized, left me deeply dissatisfied.

Even now, that man continues to approach me for advice and cooperation on cases entirely unrelated to that incident. I am not some convenient pawn for his use.

“At the very least, diplomatic issues have been resolved. An outsider interfering further will only provoke resentment from the royal family and court nobles. My resignation should have been accepted.”

“It has been accepted. However, there is a slight delay before the confidentiality oath is issued and the official orders are finalized. At present, you are still classified as an external collaborator of the intelligence agency.”

“Damn it.”

“Now that you understand, I will proceed. Today’s matter concerns the elf village.”

Ignoring my openly expressed displeasure, Jilk continues. His obsequious and sarcastic demeanor has only become more irritating since his promotion. Those who had remained silent until now also turn their attention to him. Tonight’s participants include Jilk; Greg, who oversees domestic dungeons and adventurers; Chris, the royal family’s swordsmanship instructor; Saintess Olivia-sama from the temple, accompanied by her guards Kyle and Marie; Julius, former royalty and the Duke of Fanoss. Brad from the frontier is absent.

I always think this, but I genuinely do not understand why I am summoned alongside the Saintess and the heroes who defended the kingdom. I never attended the royal academy, and during the war, I fought in a completely different theater than they did. Why am I treated as though I were a late-joining companion or an ally who shares their aspirations? It makes no sense.

“The elf village? Has something happened there?”

“In physical terms, it would be more accurate to say that something is being done, rather than something merely existing.”

“I will explain.”

The one who interjected was Kyle, one of Saintess Olivia’s guards, an elf. When we first met, he appeared to be in his early teens. Now, his appearance has matured into that of a man in his twenties. An elf’s age cannot be judged by appearance alone. Even elves who look middle-aged may be older than one’s grandfather or great-grandfather. According to Olivia-sama, Kyle’s age does correspond to his appearance. With his distinct elven beauty, he likely enjoys considerable popularity among the women working at the temple.

“Earl Bartfort, are you familiar with the elf village?”

“I have heard of it, but I have never visited it.”

“Then you are aware of the demi-human assimilation policy?”

“Yes. It was enacted after taking into account not only the opinions of court nobles, but also those of feudal lords.”

The origins of this matter lie roughly twenty years in the past, during the invasion by the former Principality of Fanoss. At that time, within the Holfort Kingdom, it became fashionable among noblewomen to employ as many demi-human servants as possible and flaunt them as symbols of status. Most demi-humans possess exceptional physical strength or magical aptitude, and in addition, they are uniformly beautiful, both men and women. To employ many such individuals was to demonstrate one’s wealth and military power, a means of proclaiming one’s superiority to others.

Demi-humans were not guaranteed human rights within the kingdom. No matter how capable they were, they could not obtain legitimate employment, nor were they permitted to marry humans. For demi-humans who were not treated as people, becoming exclusive servants to nobles, effectively as slaves, was the most lucrative option available. There were additional reasons noblewomen hoarded demi-humans. The likelihood of pregnancy resulting from relations between humans and demi-humans was almost nonexistent.

The word “almost” exists because of an exceedingly rare exception standing right before me. I have heard from Olivia-sama that Kyle is a half-elf, born of an elven mother and a human noble father. With the exception of such anomalies, demi-humans were considered ideal partners for nobles seeking to satisfy their desires. Noblewomen who failed to grasp just how reckless, indulgent, and financially irresponsible they were, making complete fools of themselves, eagerly surrounded themselves with demi-humans. There was no reason for such demi-humans to feel loyalty toward their masters. On the contrary, those who excelled in strength or magic often harbored a quiet sense of contempt toward humans.

What did those individuals do, the ones who received comparatively generous pay, indulged themselves with their masters as male prostitutes or lovers, and yet felt absolutely no loyalty toward those they served, when the invaders arrived?

They betrayed their masters, sold information to the Principality of Fanoss, and fled in droves together with other exclusive demi-human servants. It was not only corrupt nobles who invited foreign aggression. The truth is that many nobles, including those who had been decent masters, were ruined simply because they employed demi-human exclusive servants. After the war with the Principality of Fanoss, taking this situation into account, the employment of demi-human exclusive servants was prohibited by law. However, this left a large number of demi-humans who had served nobles until then in serious trouble.

After all, they had lost their most lucrative source of income, and within the kingdom, demi-humans possessed no human rights. The choice presented to them was simple. Either be purchased cheaply as expendable labor, or use their strength to plunder others. It was obvious which option arrogant demi-humans, who harbored contempt for humans in their hearts, would choose. This led to a major problem when they joined forces with the sky pirates, groups formed from the large numbers of former soldiers and fallen nobles that appeared after the war.

This was also one of the reasons the heroes were constantly rushing about to maintain public order throughout the kingdom. Incidentally, at that time the Bartfort territory was short on manpower. As a result, we deliberately turned a blind eye to demi-humans who mixed in among settlers and pioneers. If they followed the law properly and immigrated through legal means, Angie instructed the people of the territory to employ them without wage discrimination compared to humans and to accommodate them as much as possible.

Some respectable demi-humans eventually became no different from the people of our territory. However, most were unable to forget their former luxurious lifestyles, and before we realized it, they had disappeared. That said, we could not pursue them. Humans with household registries are subjects whom a lord must protect and indispensable assets to a territory. At the time, we could not openly employ demi-humans, and enslaving them was prohibited by law. Detaining strong demi-humans without registries and preventing them from leaving was simply not worth the effort.

Besides, those individuals were arrogant. I have no desire to deal with demi-humans who openly look down even on their lord. There is a limit to how much shelter one can provide to those who show such blatant contempt. This was not unique to the Bartfort territory. Every territory faced similar circumstances. Taking the situation seriously, the kingdom’s higher authorities declared roughly ten years ago that they would establish household registries for demi-humans and guarantee them a certain level of human rights. After repeated deliberations, the law was formally enacted a few years ago.

Since demi-humans turned to crime because they lacked occupational freedom, the conclusion was likely that it would be better to accept them as citizens of the kingdom and recognize their right to choose professions and reside domestically. Taxes could be collected, and there was probably also the unspoken intention of using them as reserve soldiers in times of emergency. In the current Holfort Kingdom, prejudice against demi-humans has diminished compared to the past, and one of the individuals who worked hardest toward the enactment of these laws is none other than Saintess Olivia-sama, who sits before me now.

“After the laws concerning demi-humans were enacted, the elf village split into two factions. One argued, ‘Should we submit to the kingdom as we are?’ while the other insisted, ‘Should we continue our independent autonomy as before?’”

“That is a familiar story. There was considerable friction in our territory as well.”

“The moderate faction’s village chief, who believed they should submit to the kingdom, remained at the original location. The radical faction, which strongly opposed this, established a separate settlement on the same floating island and now resides there.”

“I see. So that is the end of the story.”

“It becomes a problem because it does not end. Please listen until the end.”

There is no way out now. If I listen any further, escape will be impossible. No matter how good-natured I may be, being exploited repeatedly is enough to anger anyone. I am still a feudal lord. Do not treat me like a disposable foot soldier.

“It was around the time Olivia-sama was officially recognized by the temple and I began serving as her guard. In the elf village, adventurers who visited began dying under suspicious circumstances or going missing one after another.”

“Adventurers? Does that mean there is a dungeon in the village?”

“Yes, on the same floating island. Many adventurers were found dead there in abnormal conditions.”

“If it is the work of living monsters within a dungeon, that responsibility lies with the adventurers themselves.”

In emergencies, adventurers pay fees to the guild or the kingdom for protection, but dungeon exploration is undertaken with full awareness of the risk of serious injury or death. It is a profession many children in the kingdom admire, but the reality is that while one might earn quickly if lucky enough to find treasure, such fortune is rare. Most adventurers retire before the age of forty and pursue other livelihoods. Those who fail to earn enough by then often have no choice but to become vagrants or criminals. Properly advertising the instability of the profession would likely reduce unnecessary loss of life.

I chose to become a soldier rather than an adventurer because I favor stability. Now that I am an earl, I can say without hesitation that my choice was correct.

“For the dungeon investigation, I, Kyle-kun, Jilk-san, and Greg-san accompanied the mission.”

“I do not believe that is work suitable for a saintess, even in name only.”

“A saintess of commoner origin is treated that way. When ordered by those above, there is no option but to comply.”

Ahaha. Olivia-sama lets out a dry laugh.

It seems she endured her share of hardship in her youth. Even now, she appears to be in her twenties, making it hard to believe she is the same age as me.

“During the investigation, we discovered that elves were involved behind the scenes. The village chief at the time and a researcher knowledgeable about ruins had joined forces and were planning something unsavory. The adventurers who were attacked appear to have been silenced by them.”

“After apprehending the ringleaders, we handed them over to the kingdom, and the matter was settled for the time being.”

“And they lived happily ever after. In that case, I shall take my leave for tonight.”

“I will say it again. Please listen to the end. I said it was settled for the time being.”

“I do not want to hear it.”

No, seriously.

No matter how one looks at it, this is a case that should be handled through careful investigation by the kingdom’s military or intelligence agency. It is not a matter I should be involved in.

“Nearly twenty years have passed since then. The demi-human assimilation policy began in earnest, and as part of it, many demi-humans were granted amnesty.”

“Among them were some of the captured elves. We believe those who returned to the village became the central figures behind the creation of the separate settlement.”

“Some time after that, inexplicable phenomena once again began occurring in the elf village.”

“No matter how you look at it, that is the work of those released individuals. They served more than ten years and still learned nothing?”

“Elves do not reflect.”

Kyle answered in a voice so cold it sent a chill down the spine. His well-formed face made no attempt to hide his disgust and contempt. Because he looks like a refined young man, the intensity is only heightened. Attractive people truly do have an advantage even in moments like this.

“Elves have lifespans several times longer than humans. Do you think a heinous criminal would reflect after being imprisoned for a year or two, or at worst a few months?”

“I do not think so. There is even the possibility they harbor resentment.”

“Elves are stubborn, arrogant, and incapable of reflection. They are discriminatory by nature. They likely believe their capture by the kingdom was ‘noble elves suffering unjust treatment at the hands of inferior humans.’”

“…Are you aware that you are insulting your own people and homeland?”

“The elves despised my mother. Because I am a half, I endured treatment I cannot speak of to others. If Olivia-sama had not taken me in, I would have grown up like other exclusive servants.”

“Kyle-kun has had a difficult life as well.”

“I do not mind. Living together with Olivia-sama and everyone else is more than enough for me.”

“You are such a good boy. Would you like a piece of candy?”

“I will not. Also, Marie-san, you may be older than me, but do not forget that you are my junior.”

“Olivia-sama, please help me. The once adorable Kyle-kun has grown into such a cheeky and handsome man.”

“A, ahaha.”

Setting aside the temple group’s comedy routine, we return to the matter at hand. There is a strong possibility that the radical elves are plotting something dangerous. Why, of all people, am I being sent into this situation?

“Have the intelligence agency investigate and then deploy the kingdom’s military. That would be the fastest solution.”

“If we could do so, we would have acted already without relying on you. There are reasons why we cannot.”

“At present, the moderate elf village is technically part of the kingdom. However, it can hardly be called territory in the proper sense.”

“There is a village chief and a newly appointed mayor, but no governing noble. They live in complete self-sufficiency, with no economic activity from which taxes can be collected.”

“Earl Bartfort, what do you think elves do to obtain foreign currency?”

“…I have no idea.”

“Fees collected from tourists or adventurers visiting the nearby ruins or dungeon, or alternatively…”

“The slave trade formerly known as exclusive servants.”

“However, the ruins were off-limits until the assimilation policy was approved, and the slave trade is regulated by law. Elves have no industries to trade with other territories, so their current situation is extremely severe, and it troubles us as well.”

“If cornered elves abandon moderation and turn radical, causing large-scale unrest, the assimilation policy will fail. The higher authorities wish to avoid that at all costs.”

“They are moving to designate the elf village as a direct royal domain under the pretext of protecting elven culture and race. That said, if the kingdom’s military suppresses them by force, it will provoke backlash from the nobility.”

“Furthermore, we do not wish to provoke demi-humans working peacefully in other territories. Interfering with those who are succeeding would be putting the cart before the horse.”

“In the past, elves cooperated with merchants and corrupt nobles, enabling human trafficking. Many suffered losses when slavery was prohibited. If connections between radicals and criminals still exist, there is a strong possibility that if we move the military first, they will detect it and the ringleaders will escape.”

There are no borders, rivers, or seas in the sky. If they decide to flee, then as long as they can secure food, water, and a power source for an airship, smuggling themselves into another country is remarkably easy. It is obvious that if the radical elves possess some significant information or artifact, they would use it to harm the Holfort Kingdom. That is precisely why we must act covertly. I understand the situation. I understand it very well. However,

“Why am I the one being nominated? I would like to question you for about an hour. Is the intelligence agency or the military truly so short on personnel?”

“Of course not. We have secured a reasonable number of personnel. However, spies possessing abilities as exceptional as yours are exceedingly rare.”

“I am not idle either, you know. Lately, I have left the management of the territory entirely to Angie, and I have barely been able to help with raising the children. To begin with, aside from the Saintess, all of you here are stronger than I am.”

“There is a high probability that Jilk and I have already had our faces remembered from the previous incident. To elves, even slight aging is enough to make us immediately recognizable. Julius and Brad were not involved back then, but they currently have circumstances that prevent them from freeing their hands.”

“Then make Chris do it.”

“I am skilled at direct confrontation, but espionage is not my specialty. I doubt I would be of any use in this case.”

“Furthermore, it is precisely because there are important behind-the-scenes circumstances involved that we are requesting you.”

“What circumstances?”

“In the previous incident, elves used some form of technology to manufacture monsters, which then attacked adventurers and tourists. This time as well, since the assimilation policy increased the number of visitors to the village, similar reports have been flooding into my department.”

“After that incident, the kingdom investigated the ruins. However, just as the elves testified, we were unable to activate anything even once. As a result, we had no choice but to leave the ruins intact, unable to destroy them.”

I already know the answer to this.

I see. That is why they chose me.

“In this matter, a lost item is involved. There is something we cannot activate, but the elves can. Earl Bartfort, do you not know why that is?”

“…Why do you think so?”

“One reason is your skill as a spy. I acknowledge that you possess excellent physical abilities, but even so, for a noble to steal strictly secured confidential documents should be nearly impossible. Without question, you are concealing some form of technology.”

After completing my roles as a military advisor and an executive in a state-run financial institution, there was a period when I was involved in a department overseeing the Holfort Kingdom’s agricultural production. During that time, I uncovered corruption and collusion between companies and reported the evidence directly to the royal family. As an outsider, my options for exposing such misconduct were limited, leaving me no choice but to borrow the power of the little ball.

As a result, the corruption was rectified, the masterminds were arrested, those responsible resigned, and I too left my post. It seems Jilk harbored doubts regarding that investigation. A perceptive, black-hearted man truly is troublesome.

“What convinced me was the disturbance in the Alzer Republic. An earl-ranked noble touring ruins without even bringing attendants, yet you showed no sign of possessing historical knowledge. Looking at your career, if you had outstanding intellectual talent, it would have been easier for you to earn a living that way, yet you did not. I suspected your wife, the former duke’s daughter, but while she excels in politics and diplomacy due to her queenly education, lost items fall outside her expertise. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that someone else stands behind you.”

“Impressive, Jilk. We have known each other for a long time, but you investigated me, someone you dislike, and reasoned that far.”

“Then please grade my answer.”

“It is mostly correct.”

Sighs of admiration rose from everyone except Jilk and me. Indeed, the broad strokes of his reasoning are correct. It is not a perfect score only because of the little ball. But that is unavoidable. When lost items are mentioned, anyone would assume researchers, inheritors, or wealthy collectors. My acquaintance, however, is an existence beyond common sense: an airship with its own will. No one could possibly imagine that.

“Could you tell us what kind of relationship you have with it?”

“Well, we are something like comrades who once fought, or rather, tried to kill each other. The reason our association continues is because the other party acknowledged me.”

“The objective is the collection of information related to lost items. The reason I accompanied you to the Alzer Republic was because it wanted information from there. Becoming involved in trouble because of that was completely unexpected.”

“The Holfort Kingdom seeks knowledge related to lost items. We are prepared to meet directly and welcome it with favorable treatment.”

“That is impossible. That thing maintains the relationship because it acknowledges me personally, not my status. No amount of money or authority will sway it.”

“So it has a researcher’s temperament.”

“Something like that. To it, the fate of this kingdom or any other country is irrelevant.”

I am not lying. I am simply not telling everything. To the little ball, I am a convenient collaborator. From my perspective, when I am in trouble, I borrow lost items or receive knowledge from it.

More than ten years have passed since this relationship began. It seems my life is destined to be spent running errands for lost items or the kingdom alike.

“We wished to request a detailed investigation of the ruins in the elf village from that individual.”

“It is fickle and will not listen even if I ask. Rather, I am the one being used. If it acts according to its own interests, it will unilaterally exploit you, and if you try to handle it improperly, even all of you would be utterly outmatched. This is not a threat. It is sincere advice from the heart. Do not attempt to manipulate it. If you do, the one that will be destroyed is the Holfort Kingdom.”

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Perhaps because I spoke with an unusually solemn expression, everyone in the room fell silent. So this was the true core of the discussion. Well, Jilk’s desire to eliminate uncertain elements is simply patriotism in the context of intelligence warfare. I will overlook it.

“My only request is the investigation of the elf village. Information regarding the ruins would have been ideal, but.”

“I will ask it for now, but do not expect much. The probability of refusal is high. Also, stop attempting to track me. It will detect that without fail. If that happens, it will be interpreted as hostility, and in the worst case, the country will perish.”

“Thank you for the advice. Then you will accept the mission.”

“I truly do not want to.”

“Until the official order is issued, you remain a collaborator of the intelligence agency.”

Frankly, it is faster to act with just me and the little ball than to clumsily involve others. 

Let us finish this troublesome matter quickly. For the past month, due to cooperation with the intelligence agency and continuous meetings among nobles, I have not returned to the territory and have been staying at the Bartfort family mansion in the royal capital.

Tomorrow is the royal academy’s closing ceremony. I can pick up Lionel and Ariel for their long vacation and return to the Bartfort territory.

After embracing Angie and playing with the children, I will need to assess the territory’s current state, train the territorial army, and hold discussions with the commercial guild.

I must also comfort Angie for my prolonged absence, and on top of that, deal with this request. A lord’s workload never ends. I want a long vacation too.

“I will send you the materials later. Please review them.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you, Leon-san, for responding to such an unreasonable request.”

“Please do not worry about it. If it is the Saintess’s request, there is no reason to refuse.”

So please stop bowing so deeply. The Saintess’s rather generous chest, pulled downward by gravity, is poison to my eyes.

“If possible, please make the ruins fall silent. If that is not feasible, destroying them is acceptable.”

“That sounds dangerous again. Is that really acceptable?”

“Yes. The kingdom would likely want to make use of them if possible, but personally, I believe destruction is preferable.”

“I feel the same. Anyone decent who witnessed that scene would think so.”

It is rare for her to desire the little ball’s cooperation so strongly while saying this.

“Leon-san, we believe that creating life and playing with it is a profoundly sinful act.”

┳━━━━━━━━━┳

Author’s Note

┻━━━━━━━━━┻

This episode presents the objective.

Up through part six, there were few elf-related characters or place names, and Angie and Leon’s children were not depicted sufficiently. As a result, part seven turned out like this.

From the next installment onward, the focus will shift to stories centered on the Bartfort territory and the earl’s household.

Addendum: At the request of the commissioner, illustrations were drawn by NiShiChi-sama and Planterak-sama. My sincere thanks to both.

NiShiChi-sama - Pixiv

(slightly erotic content warning)

Planterak-sama - Pixiv

(adult-oriented content warning)

I would be grateful for your opinions and impressions, as they serve as motivation for future work.