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The majestic Seraph Mountain Range, which divides the northern nations—the Livitium Imperial Kingdom and the eastern part of the Graviol Empire—was covered in a pure white snow mantle near its base, while its peaks remained shrouded in the distant haze of the early morning, out of reach.

Seen through the gaps in the lush green forest, the sacred mountain, like a magnificent lady dressed in pure white, stood tall with a perpetual, solitary beauty. According to legend, a Seraphim once rested her wings on these mountains due to their sheer beauty, and to this day, the mountains remain silently in place.

A few hours after the hubbub with the elven youths—

After we somehow healed everyone, the elder of the elven village, Uranus Kiohn, invited us and led us to their village.

We were walking along a dense forest path where it was challenging for any one person to pass. The ground was covered with rich humus, sharp rocks, and the thick roots of trees, making it far from comfortable to walk, to say the least. However, where the elves ahead of us had walked, the path seemed strangely smoothed, so for the time being I followed their footsteps carefully.

Soon, I noticed that Uranus and Pryui were either choosing paths that suited my pace or using spirit magic to create a more walkable trail. After realizing this, I decided to follow them more naturally without overexerting myself. It became quite easy to walk that way.

By the way, Vier followed right behind me with Eren and Lana riding on her back.

Vier seemed to be following my scent rather than focusing on the path, and she followed along without any trouble. I thought it would be best to leave it to her judgment rather than to give unnecessary instructions, so I decided not to say anything.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the path became narrower, and it felt like we were pushing through leaves and branches more than walking. The towering beauty of the Seraph Mountain Range had already disappeared from sight, hidden behind the layers of dense forest trees.

“Is this really a path? I can’t even see where I’m stepping.” I expressed my worry to Pryui who was walking ahead.

“Don’t worry. Your human eyes can’t see it, but we elves can clearly see the fairy path. This is the only way to enter our village.” Pryui replied confidently. After a brief pause, she added, “On the other hand, if you stray from this path, no one can tell where you’ll end up. Make sure not to get lost.”

“Yikes,” Eren grimaced.

“—Hah. It’s said that humans with greed in their hearts and evil spirits will never reach it. Don’t blame me if any of you get lost.” Walking timidly behind Bartholomew, who himself was walking behind Vier, was Ashimi, the young (if 182 years old could be considered young) elf. He spoke as though hoping we would get lost.

“…”

In a situation where the dense forest made it impossible to discern directions, and with no sight of the person leading us just ahead, such a jinx filled me with unease.

“As for you, there’s nothing to worry about,” said Uranus, the elf village elder. Though I couldn’t see them, their voice had a soft and reassuring tone. According to what Pryui told me, Uranus held the title of “Fairy King,” the highest rank among the Light Elves.

“A pure maiden, both in body and spirit, is considered sacred, and the spirits welcome such individuals. As for Sir Bartholomew, he is undoubtedly a Divine Spirit of War. We Elves have a tradition dating back to ancient times of warmly welcoming brave warriors as guests. …Though, it’s easy to forget such customs when you’re living in seclusion with no diversity.”

“To cherish the old and embrace the new, one shall be a master. Just because a tradition is old doesn’t mean it should be abandoned. I, Bartholomew, have never turned my back on any battlefield! Therefore, I am unwise in many things but war, but I do possess gems of knowledge that you elves do not know. A warrior showcases his strength through war, as it is folly for a warrior to flippantly open his mouth. However, seeing that I have been invited as a guest, I shall do my best to adhere to your customs!”

“…you are NOT calling yourself taciturn. How come your image of yourself became so twisted? I’d suggest you look in a mirror.”
“GAHAHAHAHA!!!”

When I heard Bartholomew’s hearty laugh, I involuntarily held my head and sighed.

“““No no no.”””” But, for some reason, it was Pryui, Eren, and Lana who denied me.

Eh?! What’s happening?!

“That applies to you, milady.”
“Lady Jill, go and look in a mirror.”
“You know what, I must agree with them.”

Thus they verbally criticized me. Hey, why is my own team playing against me?!

“Lady Jill, I truly think that it is time for you to be more self-conscious,” Eren’s sigh, laden with exasperation, cut through the rustling of the leaves. “Elves, as told in fairy tales and bard songs, are supposedly a ‘beautiful race loved by the goddess of beauty,’ so I had high expectations. But now that I’ve seen them firsthand, aside from the elder, neither Lana nor I find the others particularly impressive. To be honest, as attractive as they are, they’re just so thin and frail-looking—like walking twigs. They’re quite the letdown, almost like false advertising.”

“What’s your problem, you damn bean?!!”

A furious shout erupted from the elven youths both in front and behind us, but Eren paid them no mind.

“And the reason for that is simple. It’s because I know someone much, much more beautiful, energetic, and charming than these elves. And that person is—”
“We’re almost there.”

As if to completely cut off Eren—my maid, whose breath grew ragged as she continued her impassioned speech—Uranus announced the end of our journey with a calm voice. And at that very moment, as if by some enchantment, the dense foliage in front of us gave way to an open clearing bathed in bright sunlight.

“Welcome to Millennium Ramus, home of the elves.”

Author’s Note:

A certain Seraphim: “I recall resting my wings on that mountain after traversing the continent in search of you, princess.”
A certain Rose Princess: “It’s hard to believe someone climbed all the way up there and spotted you at the summit.”
A certain Seraphim: “None of that would have happened if you hadn’t been performing miracles throughout the northern countries and then fled to the mountains, prompting those from the church to scale every mountain in pursuit of you.”
A certain Rose Princess: “……”