Arc-7 Ch-15

“What should I do about this?”

Even I was taken aback by how listless my own voice sounded. Still, when problems a village has carried for years come rushing at me with unexpected speed, it is only natural to be flustered. My original plan had been to spend several days carefully gathering information, then use the sphere to investigate suspicious areas, compile a report, and submit it.

After that, the influential figures in the royal capital would weigh the laws and their interests and resolve the matter neatly. I had assumed this time would be no different. Yet of all things, a key witness skipped every step and came directly to consult me.

I am not sharp enough to produce a perfect response on the spot. My way of doing things is to prepare as many options as possible in advance, while prioritizing my own safety above all else. If I can avoid crossing dangerous bridges, I will. A peaceful life is best.

Above all, I wanted to avoid sticking my neck into the conflict between the conservative and reformist factions in this tourist region, only to end up making enemies of both sides.

This place is hostile territory. The entire floating island carries an atmosphere that does not welcome outsiders, and the fact that its development has stalled halfway only makes it more dangerous.

The forest is choked with trees that block out the sunlight, leaving it dim even during the day. Visibility is poor, and there is abundant cover that could be used for ambushes. In contrast, the grasslands are so meticulously maintained that even lying flat on the ground does not fully conceal one’s body, as the openness leaves nowhere to hide.

Using terrain effectively in combat requires experience. On this floating island, where elves who live not merely ten years but a hundred reside, engaging in a fight would be tantamount to suicide.

“Aren’t you going to solve the problem after making a beautiful elf assistant bow her head to you?”

“There is a limit to what I can do. No matter how much you flatter a monkey, it will not sprout wings and fly.”

Being asked for cooperation when I am completely unprepared is deeply troubling.

To begin with, the authority granted to me by my superiors extends only to on site investigation rights, along with a limited allowance for extralegal measures that they are willing to overlook.

Even if an elder of the elf village negotiates with me, the most I can promise is to conduct the investigation as peacefully as possible, without provoking the villagers unnecessarily.

If they truly wish to improve the village’s situation, they should appeal to the influential figures in the royal capital, or perhaps to the saintess of the temple.

Or perhaps the village chief, ignorant of Holfort Kingdom politics, has no one left to rely on except the hero revealed in the divination.

That alone is troublesome enough. I do not like being unilaterally branded a villain, but being treated as a hero is equally burdensome.

“Are all elf women like that? She is stunningly beautiful, but being older than my mother or even my grandmother makes it feel like fraud.”

All the elves I have known until now were men.

Ordinarily, it is men rather than women who leave their homeland to work elsewhere, so until visiting this village, I had never seen a female elf or spoken to one. Before it was outlawed, it was noblewomen who kept elves as attendants.

On the other hand, there were apparently cases where men, worn down by domineering noblewomen, employed female elves almost like concubines. Such arrangements were strictly concealed from public view. Yumeria san possesses large breasts and youthful features despite having an adult son, and yet she still carries an undeniable charm. If a nobleman employed a female elf, it would not be strange for several men to become obsessed.

It is no wonder that the higher authorities banned exclusive personal servants by law.

“…Elves tend to be blessed with beautiful appearances. That trait led to countless cases where, under the guise of exclusive service, they were bound by lover contracts. Moreover, since intercourse with humans cannot produce children, they were, for nobles, the most convenient of existences. Their current plight is the result of exploiting that physical trait to indulge in lust. It is difficult to imagine a more fitting example of retribution.”

“You are being rather harsh today, Angie.”

“…Leon, do you prefer women who look young?”

“That is not what this is about. Why does it always turn into that?”

I thought we had reconciled, but Angie began sulking again. Keeping beautiful female elves as attendants and marrying a good, wise wife are entirely different matters.

For nobles, the continuation of the family line takes precedence above all else. Even if they do not get along with their fiancée, they marry her regardless. Once a legitimate son is born, many couples cease interacting altogether, with the husband spending his time with mistresses instead. But we are different.

In nearly twenty years as a titled noble, I have never once laid a hand on a maid or female servant. Could Angie not trust me just a little more?

“You were the one teasing me on the airship about my breasts almost spilling out when I stumbled.”

“…I am sorry about that.”

“Elves, being long lived, probably do not experience drastic changes in body shape over a few decades.”

“Perhaps.”

“…No, wait. If they gain weight once, they might not lose it for a hundred years. But since only beautiful elves are born, maybe they never gain weight at all.”

“Do not think about such stupid things. There are certainly many beautiful ones, but only if you are not accustomed to them, they all start to look similar, and it becomes difficult to tell them apart.”

“Fixating on beauty is a woman’s nature. Even I cannot escape that karma.”

Women’s feelings are complicated. Around me are many female relatives: my mother, my older sister, Finley, along with Angie and our daughters. Even so, I still have not figured out how to handle them properly. I like Angie’s plump figure, but she seems to believe it falls into the category of being fat. Trying to comfort her would likely only pour oil on the fire, so I chose not to pursue the topic any further.

“Hey, Sphere. You are watching secretly, aren’t you?”

I glare at empty space and call out. There is no response.

“I have something I want to ask. Answer properly.”

【......Leon Fou Bartfort. You are an existence that is difficult to classify as either cautious or bold.】

Without a sound, a metallic sphere materializes in midair. No matter how many times I see it, the way it appears is unsettling. Angie seems to have grown accustomed to the sphere as well. When I first introduced it to her, she had been deeply shaken.

“You have already confirmed that no one else is around, right?”

【Yes. Within my current search range, excluding the two of you, there are no life forms equivalent to humans.】

“What did you think when you saw that village?”

【Please phrase your question more precisely.】

“…Was anyone watching us in the village?”

【While you were conversing indoors with the elf, no other humans or elves approached. Additionally, there are virtually no signs of recording devices installed within the house.】

“Virtually no signs. That does not sound like you.”

【This is my first contact with elves since arriving on this floating island. I cannot entirely rule out the possibility that they possess technology unknown to me, so I chose that phrasing.】

“I see. So the likelihood of a trap has decreased considerably.”

【I have confirmed that a life form tracked you from the airship docking area to this location. Based on biometric identification, it is almost certainly the female type elf you were just speaking with.】

It seems the assistant has taken quite a liking to me. At the same time, her impulsive actions, taken without considering the consequences, are giving me a headache. The village chief’s faction must be in dire straits. The fact that they are relying on an outsider like me, based solely on a divination, makes that abundantly clear.

I cannot fully believe her testimony. The way people perceive matters changes depending on their position as a party involved.

The village chief wishes to coexist with humans but opposes turning the village into a tourist destination. The new village chief promotes tourism as a means of managing the village. And the radical former village chief, an ex convict, harbors deep hatred toward humans.

The three hold entirely different agendas, and given the circumstances, I cannot dismiss the possibility that they are secretly connected behind the scenes. Even so, I managed to obtain a considerable amount of information regarding the village’s internal affairs. One could call it an unexpected harvest.

As expected, this is thanks to my usual good conduct. It seems God has not abandoned me.

If this were a mission that ended with merely submitting documents, I could return home as things stand. However, for the task assigned to me, a certain amount of physical evidence is also required.

“Was there not even a trace of her companions?”

【No.】

“That is unusually definitive.”

【I analyzed the placement and structure of the buildings. They were constructed using processed natural materials such as stone and wood, and no traces of old humans were discovered.】

“What about the elves’ side?”

【That would require a more detailed investigation. I propose capturing as fresh a sample as possible.】

“Do not say something so dangerous!”

【Live dissection is the most efficient method of analysis. If you are my collaborator, you should accept the proposal.】

“No. Absolutely not. I will not cooperate.”

The sphere and I are merely in a cooperative relationship. We act together only because we are mutually useful to one another.

I require the sphere’s information and investigative capabilities to protect my family and territory, while the sphere uses me as a window into society to gather data about the present world.

It is a relationship whose duration I cannot predict, but there is no chance I would commit something as villainous as kidnapping an elf and assisting in dissection for the sphere’s sake.

Even if I am reviled as a villainous knight, I would rather refuse.

“Still, the investigation targets have likely been narrowed considerably. Given the limited time, the top priority should be the former village chief.”

“I suppose that is how it turns out.”

“First, the former village chief has a criminal record. There is no doubt he harbored rebellious sentiments toward the Holfort Kingdom. Additionally, the assistant stated that it is unlikely for a long lived elf to reform within ten or twenty years.”

“What about the possibility that she is lying to frame the former village chief?”

“Then we would have no choice but to investigate the assistant. However, the current village chief appears not to harbor hostility toward humans.”

“And where did that information come from?”

“From Dorothea and my brother in law. They said that when they visited this village, the village chief personally performed a divination for them and boasted about it.”

“That is hardly reliable information.”

“Even so, it gives us insight into her character. The village chief was described as an elderly woman always accompanied by an assistant, and that assistant’s outward characteristics matched Dorothea’s account perfectly.”

“So the claim about wanting to coexist with humans is likely true.”

“Dorothea did not inform the village chief that Leon and my brother in law are brothers, yet the divination still accurately predicted Leon’s visit. We should regard its accuracy as quite high.”

“I really do not want to believe it. Divination feels suspicious.”

My older sister and Finley frequently tried love divinations themselves or consulted fortune tellers about the traits of their destined partners, yet those traits bore no resemblance whatsoever to the people they eventually married.

There have also been cases where territorial residents caused disturbances due to superstitions or rumors. I understand that people are weak and need something to cling to, such as the saintess of the temple. However, when belief turns into fanaticism, it becomes a breeding ground for chaos.

Living steadily in the present suits my nature far better than trembling before an unavoidable despair glimpsed in some uncertain future.

【I do not deny the validity of elven divination.】

“That is unexpected. I thought you would reject it outright.”

【Elves are unknown life forms to me. There is also the possibility that they possess advanced predictive capabilities through some form of sensory organ.】

“So you are saying I should believe it.”

【It should be referenced as one element within situational judgment.】

“Too much information dulls judgment.”

【Please cooperate with the live investigation of elves.】

“I will not.”

【That is unfortunate.】

The sphere must be extremely curious about elves, as it continues to press the issue.

As if I would agree, you idiot. Even on the battlefield, tampering with enemy corpses is an act despised even by one’s allies. I rejected the proposal firmly. For some reason, the sphere seemed almost dejected.

【Then I propose investigating the existing ruins.】

“You change gears quickly.”

【When persuasion is impossible, persistence only wastes time. Investigating the ruins is, after all, the primary reason I accompanied you.】

“There is no one who can rival you when it comes to ancient ruins. A lost item with its own will would attract enthusiasts worldwide, regardless of cost.”

【That would also be acceptable, provided the opponent is not new humans.】

“…For now, just compromise with me.”

【Understood.】

One reason I have maintained a cooperative relationship with the sphere for over ten years is to monitor it. After all, its true form is a lost item battleship capable of annihilating a nation with ease. If it were to ally itself with someone brimming with ambition, the world could quite literally end. At best, I can delay the day the world is engulfed in flames by even a single day.

Ideally, I want it to remain dormant until all our children are grown. The problem is that I cannot find a master capable of truly controlling it.

“Still, the elf village chief has quite a flair for naming.”

【What do you mean?】

“The ‘ancient demon king’ mentioned in the divination. I am absolutely certain that refers to you.”

【I am merely an existence manufactured to serve the old humans. While I possess the will to exterminate hostile new humans, I have no intention of ruling over them.】

“That conscious choice makes you several times more terrifying to us.”

【Since my creation, I have spent all this time idle, never once launching from the hangar. To define me as a demon king to be feared is a mistake. Elves are excessively irrational life forms.】

Suddenly, I felt a faint sense of pity toward the sphere. What would it be like to wait, unacknowledged, in a hangar for thousands or perhaps tens of thousands of years, hoping for a master who might never come?

As a machine, it cannot even go mad. The only visitors it ever receives are adventurers who might as well be grave robbers. Had I never reached those ruins, it might have remained there until it eventually decayed beyond repair, never once stepping outside the hangar. Perhaps it, too, has endured something pitiful. Even so, I will never approve of exterminating humanity.

I am the one who connected the sphere to the present world. That means I must see things through to the end. With such thoughts drifting through my mind, we continued walking back to the lodging facility.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

“Fatherrr, Motherrr.”

“Father, Mother. Welcome back.”

“You are quite late.”

“That was rather tactless.”

The moment we entered the inn room, we were greeted with loud voices. As expected, my family does not feel complete unless it is like this.

At the same time, guilt stirred within me for using my family as a cover while investigating the elf village.

When we return home, I will properly make it up to each of them. Lately, with my frequent trips to the royal capital, I feel that the distance between us as parent and children has grown.

“Hey, are you all having fun?”

“Yes!”

“I bought books. They are very detailed about this floating island.”

“Melanie is expanding her collection again. I will not complain even if your room ends up buried in books someday.”

“As long as it remains within the allowance we gave, your father and I have no intention of interfering. Naturally, that is assuming it does not violate moral standards.”

“I understand, Mother. I bought this ornament.”

“…They sold similarly shaped ones in the hot spring town of Bartfort territory as well.”

“It is different. Completely different. The color and the shine. It is nothing like the ones sold at home.”

Well, as long as each of them can buy what they like, that is enough.

Yes.

When I was a child, Father and Mother were always busy. We never once went on a family trip.

Perhaps as a reaction to those hardships, they now frequently visit local hot springs or sneak off on trips as a couple. In exchange, my own burden as head of the household has only grown heavier.

I wonder how many more years it will take before Angie and I can finally enjoy a quiet, leisurely retirement.

“Where are Lionel and Ariel?”

“Big brother is tired and resting, and big sister is over there eating sweets.”

It seems that taking care of the younger siblings while we were away was quite exhausting.

When I peer toward the back of the room, I see my eldest son sprawled on the sofa, clearly resting, while my eldest daughter lounges nearby, cheeks puffed out as she stuffs herself with what appear to be extremely sweet snacks.

I approach them, intending at least to offer some words of comfort, but Ariel immediately pulls the snacks laid out on the low table closer to herself.

I am not such a pathetic father that I would steal my daughter’s snacks. Please stop. It honestly makes me want to cry.

“…Welcome back, Father.”

“What’s wrong? You look exhausted.”

“I’m really tired. Leah, Roxanne, Melanie, and Dylan are all excited because it’s a trip.”

“I told you, didn’t I? You didn’t have to accompany your sisters when they went out.”

“That’s because the eldest, Ariel, is the most unreliable. She's the type who, if you go to a festival, abandons your younger siblings and enjoys herself the most.”

“That’s not true.”

“The autumn harvest festival, when they were eight, eleven, and twelve years old.”

“That was because everyone invited me, so I couldn’t refuse. I left the babysitting to you, didn’t I?”

“Forcibly. Thanks to that, I couldn’t enjoy it at all.”

The twins immediately start arguing again. They are not truly on bad terms, but they exchange sharp words without restraint. To an outsider, it would look like a full blown verbal fight.

They spent ten months together in Angie’s womb. Perhaps they share a bond others cannot fully understand.

Putting that aside, I need to inform them of what comes next. Circumstances have changed in several ways.

“Tomorrow afternoon, Angie, I, and all of you will be going out. Rest well tonight and make sure you are in good condition.”

“Eh, then…”

“Be happy. It’s the dungeon exploration you’ve been waiting for.”

“Yay!”

“How troublesome…”

Ariel is bursting with excitement, while Lionel responds with visible lethargy.

Somehow, the scene feels familiar. It mirrors Angie, who gets excited over adventures or outings just the two of us, and me, who finds them troublesome. Feeling oddly embarrassed, I put some distance between myself and the twins. Preparation is important in everything.

“What’s all this about?”

“Tomorrow’s plans. We’re finally allowed to explore the dungeon too.”

“I’m jealous. I want to go too!”

“Leah, you’re staying home quietly.”

“Ehh!?”

“A twelve year old is still a child. It’s dangerous, so you’ll stay behind and take care of your younger siblings.”

“No way!”

“Someone who would just become a burden for your big brother is still far too early to join an operation.”

Leah, having picked up on the conversation, joins in. My second son participates in feudal army training even before enrolling in the royal academy. Compared to children his age, his body is sturdy. Since he has shown interest in armor and firearms, I have considered recommending the path of a knight or soldier as a possible career.

Even so, he is still only twelve. I have no intention of dragging him into a dungeon that could be dangerous. Lionel and Ariel, on the other hand, are receiving proper training at the academy.

Their training follows official kingdom regulations, unlike the feudal army exercises where, simply because he is my son, his participation is informal and a certain level of leniency or arrogance is tolerated.

“If you grow properly, I’ll take you someday. So study hard and train diligently.”

“…Okay.”

“Good. Angie, I have a meeting regarding future plans. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Understood.”

Leaving the children in Angie’s care, I head to the adjacent room. After knocking, I enter. The three guards who accompanied us are already standing at attention, waiting. I give a light wave in greeting and move straight to the meeting.

“My lord, welcome back.”

“Yeah. How were the children?”

“They were very lively. They seemed genuinely happy to be traveling with you and the madam.”

“That’s good. …How was the town?”

“For now, we found nothing suspicious. Of course, entry into the dormitory where administrative staff reside is prohibited.”

“Was anyone watching us in town?”

“We couldn’t confirm that. If the elves or officials are using equipment or magic, that would be another matter.”

“On the other hand, the strange presence we felt since docking has disappeared. It’s unclear whether they were simply monitoring all visitors or whether we’ve been removed from their list of surveillance targets.”

These men, who report concisely and accurately, are feudal soldiers who achieved outstanding results within the Bartfort territory army. Some are older than me. Others are more than ten years younger. Even as a frontier noble, once one reaches the rank of count, handling unsavory work becomes unavoidable in order to protect one’s territory and people.

Information gathering, maintaining public order, scouting, and covert investigations are all routine aspects of politics and warfare.

No matter how much the sphere assists me, there are limits to what I can accomplish alone.

I need subordinates who can gather information, support me, and eliminate obstacles when necessary.

After becoming a earl, Angie and I established what could be called the shadow side of the Bartfort territory. At long last, it has taken the shape of a proper organization.

This organization is also set to be inherited automatically by whichever child succeeds me.

I never imagined that I, who despised dirty behind the scenes work, would be the one to build such an organization. When I die, I will probably go to hell. Even so, I do not want my children to see me stained by sin.

“There has been progress on that front. I’ll explain the details.”

I inform my subordinates about what occurred at Yumeria’s house. Naturally, I omit anything related to elven divination or lost items. I focus solely on what could be described as internal conflict among the elves. All three listen while deep in thought. Competent subordinates are reassuring, but they can also be intimidating.

“As expected of you, my lord. To obtain this much information on the first day.”

“Flattery won’t increase your pay. I need you to work properly.”

“Yes. So what are the next steps?”

“For now, confirm the settlement established by the former village chief, then investigate the ruins. As for the ruins, I plan to handle that personally starting tomorrow afternoon.”

“Will we continue guarding the young masters tomorrow as well?”

“Yes. But regarding the settlement, I want you to gather basic location details and information tonight.”

“Understood. I’ll contact those waiting on the airship.”

“I’m counting on you. Conduct the settlement investigation under cover of night. I want to visit it myself by tomorrow afternoon, so have the report ready by morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the three veterans respond, the youngest soldier exits the room. He is headed for the airship, where the territory soldiers are stationed.

Despite my outward appearance, my body trembles faintly with excitement. No matter how much I play the role of a doting father and loving husband turned upstart noble, my true nature is that of a soldier. Let’s finish this mission quickly. Then I can enjoy some time with my family back at the mansion.

Even on a rare family trip, I already find myself wanting to go home. I hate that about myself.

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Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

The Bartfort territory shadow unit has made its appearance. For the record, it consists of fewer than ten members. the original work, Luxion is overwhelmingly omnipotent. In this story, however, Luxion does not fully trust Leon, which limits the power he can wield.

This unit is planned to appear again in the future to support Leon’s actions.

The next chapter will be posted in two weeks. Before that, I plan to upload an adult oriented story based on an illustration received from a requester. When heavy plotlines or dialogue heavy sections continue, I develop a strong urge to write affectionate, lovey dovey scenes.

Addendum: Thanks to the requester, Hyakujitsumu sama kindly drew the requested illustration. I offer my sincere thanks.

I plan to post an adult oriented story based on this illustration.

Hyakujitsumu sama- Pixiv

(Caution: adult content)

I would greatly appreciate your opinions and impressions as encouragement for future work.