The next day, as I was busy preparing to depart for the Land of the Elves, Rion approached me with a brisk, purposeful stride.
"Is something the matter, Rion-niisan?" I asked.
"Lloyd, word has reached me that you are heading to the Land of the Elves."
"You certainly are well-informed."
"As a long-lived species, the elves are a vital research subject for Assembla. However, they are notoriously cautious and rarely cooperate with outsiders. To have secured a guide so easily is quite the feat. It seems your reputation as a child prodigy has only sharpened during my absence. That is my brother for you."
Rion continued to mutter something to himself as he drew closer, but his voice was drowned out by the clatter of my preparations. He eventually planted himself right in front of me and pointed a finger with dramatic flair.
"However, I am just as concerned for our people as you are! Therefore, I shall accompany you!"
"Eh? Ah, well... that might be a bit difficult..."
"And why is that?!"
Rion looked genuinely wounded by my rejection. The truth was, if he came along, I wouldn't be able to run around and experiment as I pleased. Since that would be a major problem, I caught Baron’s eye and signaled for him to handle the dismissal.
"The one I have chosen to acknowledge is Master Lloyd alone," Baron stated in a mysterious tone. "Regardless of your status as his brother, I cannot extend my guidance to you. I ask for your understanding."
"Lloyd is acceptable, but I am not...?"
Rion’s face tightened with irritation. Ah, Baron had hit a nerve. However, Babylon gave me a subtle wink and pressed on.
"It is not that your presence is unwanted. It is simply that you have your own vital role to play. Master Lloyd will bring back information that must be analyzed immediately so the knowledge can be refined and shared. Surely that is a task that only you, with your vast medical expertise, can perform?"
"A task... only I can do..."
I had been worried for a second, but Baron had talked him around perfectly. I felt a chill of relief. That was some impressive smooth-talking—tearing him down only to build him back up. Well done, Babylon. I certainly couldn't have managed that.
Rion fell silent, looking deep in thought.
"...I see. Given that the Land of the Elves has shunned humanity for so long, I suppose it is understandable that they would be reluctant to welcome a large group. A single child is likely the limit of their tolerance."
"As expected of Master Lloyd's older brother. You are most perceptive."
"Which is to say, you are telling me to find my own collaborator!"
"Huh?"
A dumbfounded sound escaped me. Wait, how did he arrive at that conclusion? Rion, however, merely snorted with triumph.
"Hmph, no matter! If Lloyd can do it, there is no reason I should be unable! It is a race, Lloyd! We shall see which of us reaches the Land of the Elves first!"
With a confident flick of his bangs, Rion turned on his heel and marched away.
...Well, whatever. It wasn't as if finding an elven guide was a simple task. He’d probably give up before long.
The day of our departure finally arrived.
My entourage consisted of Sylpha, acting as both my guard and caretaker, Ren of the Poison Moth, and Babylon in his guise as Baron.
Connie stayed behind at Saloom Castle. If the Demon King inside her decided to act up, it would likely result in an all-out war with the elves.
"Hmph. I have no interest in small fry like elves," Beal remarked. "In fact, I was thinking of leaving this place for a while myself."
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes. I intend to return to the Demon World for a time. I have been away far too long; it is only right that I check on things. There are matters I must attend to."
"That sounds interesting," I said, feeling a spark of curiosity. "Maybe I'll tag along..."
"Why are you trying to follow him, Master Lloyd?!" Grimo shouted, cutting in with a sharp retort.
I couldn't help it; the idea was genuinely appealing. However, since I’d already told Charles and everyone else that I was going to the forest, I couldn't exactly change plans now. A true pity.
"I'm definitely visiting you later, then! You better give me a proper welcome."
"Very well. You may look forward to a reception befitting your status."
"It’s a promise. ...Oh, but are you planning to take Connie to the Demon World too?"
"No. My magic body has finally stabilized enough. I can travel well enough on my own. However, the separation process will take some time, so I won't be able to accompany your group out of the city."
Beal and Connie were still technically integrated, but the connection had weakened significantly since I had forcibly separated them once before. Given a few days, a complete separation was now possible. His "homecoming" was only feasible because of that stability.
"I'll be fine staying home, so don't worry about me," Connie said with a smile. "Be careful, you two."
"Umu. Stay well, girl."
"Yeah, you be careful too, Connie."
Just as we were about to pass through the gates of Saloom Castle after our farewells...
"Wait, wait, wait! Wait right there!"
A shout echoed from behind us. I turned to see a breathless Rion approaching, followed by a carriage and a small detachment of soldiers.
"Huff... puff... Hmph. What a coincidence. It seems we are departing at the exact same time."
"Rion-niisan? By 'departing,' do you mean—"
"Naturally, I have found an elf to guide us through the forest."
Rion flashed a bold, confident smile and gave a signal. A girl wearing a white hood stepped forward from among his ranks.
She was slightly shorter than Sylpha. A wealth of beautiful blonde hair was tucked carefully inside her hood, and her long, pointed ears twitched slightly. Most tellingly, the wavelength of the mana circulating through her body was fundamentally different from that of a human. She was a genuine elf, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
"We shall be traveling under her guidance. Go on, introduce yourself."
"...I am Fiona," she said with a small bow.
As she moved, her long green hair, which reached all the way to her waist, swayed softly in the breeze.
"Ho ho, did you say her name is Fiona-tan?" Jiriel remarked, a creepy smile spreading across his face. "She is a brand of beauty we haven't seen before! Those mysterious eyes, that taciturn modesty... and above all, that overwhelming abundance which the word 'voluptuous' is far too tepid to describe—those magnificent breasts! Simply divine! One rarely encounters such treasures...!"
"Is that all you have in your head, you heap of feathers?!"
Grimo punched Jiriel in the back of the head with all his might, sending the angel sprawling.
Still, she was the real deal—a genuine elf, not a shapeshifter like Baron. I wondered where on earth Rion had found her. As I stood there puzzled, Sylpha and Ren leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"Lord Rion issued an official proclamation in the castle town a few days ago," Sylpha explained. "He offered any reward the heart desires to anyone capable of guiding him through the Forest of Bewilderment."
"He even put out a notice at the Adventurers' Guild," Ren added. "Apparently, the town was in a total uproar over it."
"Heh. Even so, it’s impressive that someone actually answered the call."
As I’d noted before, elves did occasionally venture into human lands, but they were extremely secretive and never revealed their true nature. To guide humans to their hidden country was practically unheard of. I began to wonder if she had some ulterior motive.
As my suspicions grew, Fiona slowly walked toward me.
"Are you... Master Lloyd?" she asked.
"Hm? Ah, yes, I am..."
Her face remained expressionless, but her eyes were wide, fixed on me with an unblinking intensity. Just as I thought she had simply stopped to talk, Fiona suddenly lunged forward and hugged me.
The next moment, as I realized I was being pressed into something incredibly soft, a wave of sheer, unadulterated killing intent washed over the courtyard. Before I knew what was happening, I was suddenly released. Fiona was no longer hugging me; she was dangling in the air, her feet kicking fruitlessly.
Holding her by the collar was Sylpha, her eyes cold enough to freeze the sun.
"...I will kill her."
"Wait, Sylpha-san?! Calm down! You’re actually strangling her!"
"That is the intention," Sylpha replied with a terrifyingly sweet smile. "I am Master Lloyd’s personal maid. It is my duty to eliminate any dangerous threats that approach him so recklessly. Particularly a woman who dares to throw herself at him like this—she is a Special First Grade Elimination Target. Hehehehe."
A thin, dark smile played across Sylpha's lips. I had to stop her before she actually committed murder. She was usually the most professional maid I knew, but she tended to lose all reason the moment I was involved.