Chapter 57 - A turning point (2/2)

「Is what I’d like to say, but it can hardly go that way. …So, your duties?」

The words Aifa spoke about the original duty. When saying that, Aifa certainly had a very pained face.

I don’t know what it is but I guess for Aifa and others that duty was their pride and the reason to live.

In that case, there is one hope for Aifa.

When I made a bitter smile with those thoughts, Aifa silently nodded.

「…We elves are also called the forest folk. Divided into dozens or hundreds of villages we live while protecting and growing special trees in various forests.」

「Special trees.」

As I voiced those words while musing over them, Aifa showed his assent.

「You surely know. It’s all about Sacred Trees.」

Nope, never heard of them.

I almost gave an honest answer without thinking, but before I could do that, Ditzen raised his voice.

「Sacred Trees! I heard about them only in rumors, it’s those trees that only elves can see?! Uwaa, I really want to see them!」

Next, Yuri opened her mouth, laughing at Ditzen’s out of place excitement.

「It’s a very famous story. It became a fairy-tale even in my country. The Founding Emperor went to the elven village and gained great power by touching the Sacred Tree… That’s the adventure tale that Yanual-niisama is very fond of.」

Hearing that explanation from the cheerfully laughing Yuri, I nod in understanding.

Then, Aifa shook his head horizontally and turned to Ditzen and Yuri.

「No, this is not a fairy-tale. This is what actually took place in history.」

Yuri and Ditzen blinked hearing Aifa’s plain announcement.

「…Then, by touching a Sacred Tree you really get a great power?」

Asked Ayla with a surprised expression, but Aifa shook his head once again.

「No, most likely the stories told in various countries are largely exaggerated. The power of Sacred Trees is nothing that simple. We spend many years with Sacred Trees, little by little receiving magic power from them, but I’ve seen no such drastic changes.」

「Eh? And that’s all?」

Seeing Ditzen’s all too honest reaction Aifa furrowed his brows a bit.

「…Sacred Trees are very special trees for us, in fact, only elves are capable of communicating with them. Sacred Trees always respond to our voices and when new elves are born they receive blessings. Among elders of our clan, most believe that elves are capable of having offspring thanks to Sacred Trees.」

「I-I’m very sorry!」

Opposite to Ditzen, who went to apologize at the speed of light, Violette opened her mouth with a sharp look in her eyes.

「This is way too stupid. To think that you would rebel over some old fairy-tale, after elves, who were hermits in forests, were settled in the empire’s capital and were even given dwellings…」

To Violette’s voice oozing with anger, Aifa sighed and shook his head.

「…One who was born and raised in the Empire wouldn’t understand this. It’s a pride for the elves to be together with Sacred Trees.」

Agreeing with those words, I also smile wryly.

「So you want me to free those that became hostages and bring them back to the forest?」

I ask in confirmation and Aifa nods without saying a word.

Seeing that I fold my arms and hum.

「Hmmm… But in that case, you will end up living while fearing the empire.」

「In order to prevent us from revolting, we are set to live in different parts of the capital. There is surveillance from guards, and on top of that, every child is isolated. But the story would be different were all of us to return to the woods.」

「Even if the empire were to attack, you will be able to repel them?」

「Of course.」

Though Aifa gave a clear answer, all I could do is nod with a bitter smile.

Present empire should be more powerful than it was when it attacked the elves. There should also be a larger number of soldiers, magicians, and golems they can mobilize.

Perhaps, putting elven pride at stake, Aifa and the others will be able to repel the empire, but without a doubt, the cost of doing that will be considerable.

However, saying that I will save them also feels strange. It may damage the self-esteem of the elves and it may also bring a lot of resentment from the soldiers, who risk their lives, fighting under the command of the Empire.

Probably, most of the people of the empire care the most about their own living and don’t care much about invading other countries or catching the elves.

Thinking that far, I have only one question.

「…If the Emperor believed in the legends about Sacred Trees and attacked your lands because of that, then what happened to the Sacred Trees?」

If he was seeking the power of Sacred Trees, maybe the Emperor cut them down in fury…

I asked with those thoughts, but words that came from Aifa sounded somewhat prideful.

「No, the Emperor didn’t hear of the location of the Sacred Tree. We will protect the Sacred Tree even if it means our annihilation.」

Hearing Aifa’s declaration, I understood why the elves were captured alive.

The Emperor has not given up on the Sacred Trees.

Since they are living apart from each other, it is possible that other elves are going through the gruesome tortures, without Aifa even knowing about it.

In the worst case, there is no telling what happened to the Sacred Tree. In that case, there might be no time to consider the sentiments of soldiers and citizens of the Empire.

「…… For now, it seems it would be better to collect information.」

Softly muttering that I looked at Aifa.