[Afler fltyg gutol]
[Are you sure?]
[Ritu, mugrt gutyas]
[That's good…]
Milia's group and the elves seem to be discussing something while analyzing the condition of the previously marked elf.
[Can you leave already? You reek...]
Louise shoves them off again with a wave of her hand, as if shooing away flies. But the group ignores her completely. A part of me wants to applaud their determination to stay where they aren't wanted; the other part really wishes they'd just beat it… They seriously stink.
[Rytu, yutv putb tibert]
Suddenly, the only female elf in the group takes a step forward. She extends her hand toward Louise, offering a stone carved with glowing symbols. She keeps speaking in that sing-song language we don't understand, but for some reason, Milia does.
[I don't need a thank-you gift, just go.] — Louise doesn't even look at the stone.
[IT'S NOT…!] — Milia is on the verge of exploding again.
But she's stopped by Franco, who steps forward for the first time, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.
First of all, if you know these two girls are going to clash for sport, couldn't you have picked a different spokesperson from the start?
[This is a sort of Translation Rune.] — Franco explains, pulling an identical necklace from his shirt. — [It's… magic? The point is, it allows us to communicate despite the language barrier. It's a tool, not a gift.]
Wow… I knew magic would eventually show up in this apocalypse, but seeing it like this, so casual… wow.
[So…] — Franco takes the necklace from the elf's hand and calmly moves it toward Louise.
[Ahhh…] — Louise lets out a sigh so long it feels like her soul is escaping, and she rubs her eyes wearily. — [Sometimes I really can't help but understand Astrad.]
Her tone isn't one of anger, but of exhausted patience. She's not going to ask the dog to eat them, is she?
Despite my worry, instead of the emotional explosion you'd expect from someone who gets along with that brat…
Louise stops rubbing her eyes. Her posture shifts. She straightens up, crosses her ankles, and looks at Franco with a calculating, cold seriousness that is utterly improper for a teenager.
[In the first place, there is nothing to talk about. In the second place, there is no way in a million years that I would—voluntarily and without a compelling reason—accept a magical artifact with uncertain capabilities from an unknown tribe with uncertain intentions. Especially when everything from its technology to its range is an absolute unknown. Is that really so hard to understand?]
Who the hell are you and what did you do with our whimsical little girl?
I could barely resist the urge to snap back a retort when the girl who usually speaks so simply suddenly started talking like a high-level cabinet politician.
[[[[….]]]]
The silence in the room is stupefied. Which makes me realize I'm not just seeing things.
[… Is it necessary to draw such a hard line?] — Franco asks, recovering himself.
[You get angry if I speak to you simply; you take offense if I speak to you formally. What's the point of talking then? If you aren't looking for dialogue anyway, but for obedience.]
[… I know you notice it… you know they aren't hostile. Even if you hide behind that mask of indifference and sarcasm, you're exceptionally skilled at reading people, aren't you?]
[Oh...] — For the first time, Louise makes a face of genuine interest. — [So what?]
[Even if the mark was cured, the monsters are still around and they definitely know where we are. Doesn't that qualify as a "compelling situation"?]
[If the situation were truly that "compelling," you wouldn't have even come here to chat in the first place, even if it once was. The fact that you took your time to discuss things when that elf back there was cured means the threat has dissipated.
Therefore, I must assume the theory from the diary was correct and those insects possess a certain intelligence. As long as there is no mark to trigger their berserker instinct, they won't attack recklessly while "that" is here. Or am I wrong?] — Louise points to the window.
In the garden, Zeus "sleeps" in the sun.
[Hey, don't call Zeus "that."] — Alice complains. Not now, little sister.
[What if they attack in the end?] — Franco insists.
[Then you're still here to translate for me. Only when the situation becomes tactically unsustainable will I take the necklace. Any other questions?]
[… How are they supposed to earn your trust if you don't give them a chance?]
[As I said, I honestly don't think they are hostile. So they have nothing to prove. Therefore, when Astrad returns, we will discuss viewpoints and proceed accordingly. I can only promise I will speak well of you.]
[Hmph! What? Are you his subordinate or something? Can't you make decisions for yourself?]
Milia can't take it anymore. She attacks with a direct jab at the ego, looking for a crack.
But Louise doesn't even blink.
[I can.]
[Then?]
[When you have a healthy, stable, and functional relationship, individual decisions are a logistical necessity, not a preference. Oh, but of course, you'd have no way of knowing something so basic, right?]
[You…!]
Clap!
[Alright, let's calm down.] — I intervene with a clap before we go back to the mindless bickering. — [Just for the record, this thing looks safe, right?]
I ask, pointing to the necklace, and Louise shrugs.
[Fine, I'll take it. Since I'm a spinster anyway, I don't have anyone to consult.] — I declare, and I take the necklace from Franco's hand.
I feel… nothing. Well, I'm still hungry. But…
[Does it have a magic word or something? Finverto? Abredakadebra?]
[How do you know Ancient Elvish?]
[Elf-what? I just said some words from a Harry Pot… eh?]
The words catch in my throat as I realize. The question was asked by the elf girl… I understood the elf.
Seeing my idiotic expression, she smiles softly.
[Do not be startled. It is the effect of the rune. You need not do anything; it is already imbued with mana. Its effect will last for one lunar cycle.]
That's magic for you.
[Can you understand them?] — Louise asks.
[Yes.]
[Do you feel anything else, sister?]
[Hunger.]
[Have a cookie.] — Carmelia.
[Yeyyy!]
[Anything else?] — Louise insists.
[Chomp, chomp. Not particularly.]
This "sacrificing myself" thing was worth it; let's do it more often.
[It seems our presence has generated friction. I apologize for the inconvenience.]
While I chew, the elf who had been marked approaches. Despite having his chest smeared with that stinking cream, he moves with an innate elegance.
[Allow me to introduce myself. I am Kaelen. And these are my companions: Sylah, Mercury, and Leion.]
What cool names... These guys are destined to give off an aura with every step… Or die miserably like those elite groups in shonen cartoons…
But more importantly, he's extending his hand for a greeting… A hand covered in stinking slime…
[Well…]
[Oh, my apologies…] — Kaelen notices my hesitation and withdraws his hand quickly, embarrassed.
[Hahaha… No, it's fine… Also, please don't take it to heart. It's just that your choice of intermediary wasn't the best. How to put it… Asking water to dialogue with fire isn't very prudent.]
I point discreetly at Milia and Louise, who are still glaring at each other.
[Lady Milia had already warned us, but the situation was urgent. It still is… Could you lend us a hand with your group's leader?]
Kaelen gets straight to the point. I like him.
[I'm afraid that won't be possible.]
[… May I know the reason?]
[While it's true the friction between both groups was there before, even without that, I see no reason to trust a group of adults who cling to children and put them in danger to save themselves.]
When I say it, the elf girl next to Milia lets her long ears droop, possibly out of shame. Do they work just like a dog's?
[Wait, they didn't cling to us, we were the ones who—] — Franco tried to argue, but was stopped by Kaelen.
[If it's of any worth: I truly believe the logic of cooperation is correct. Both groups, elves and humans, possess vital information to face the situation.]
[Information only serves the living.]
[We can survive. It is a manageable problem, as long as…] — Kaelen stopped mid-speech, as if realizing he was about to step on a landmine.
It was brief, but I noticed the elf's gaze wander in the right direction.
[As long as you have access to that weapon.] — I say, pointing at Zeus.
[Hey, why are you calling my Zeus a weapon?] — Alice bristles immediately.
Since when is he your dog?
[As long as we can combine our forces…. Furthermore, miss…] — Kaelen quickly adjusts his tone; it's obvious this guy is used to business meetings.
[My name is Carolain. They are Louise, Carmelia, and Alice. The girl who cured you is named Kiti, the strong one is Mika, and the smallest is Amelia.]
I have no intention of playing at unnecessary hostility either. After all, they're still a group with valuable information.
[Understood. I must extend my thanks to Lady Kiti later. But for now, Miss Carolain, I would like to clarify that even without us here, eventually, the leaf-eaters will come.]
[What do you mean?]
Kaelen lowers his voice. His tone turns somber.
[They are a plague. They never stop consuming until nothing remains but dust. If the Hive Queen also came to this world… it is only a matter of time before they devour the entire forest and then...]
[Tsk.] — I click my teeth.
[Did something happen?] — Carmelia asks.
[The damn bugs work just like the diary says.]
[Tsk.] — Louise, clever as she is, clicks her teeth at my minimal info.
But before we can process anything...
WOOF!
The sudden bark from Zeus makes us all look at the supposed dog in the yard.
WOOF, WOOF!
He barks again, but instead of sounding threatening, it sounds like a greeting.
[BROTHER!]
Alice is the first to leap off the sofa, her eyes sparkling.