As I traveled with the Acting Chief, I activated my detection magic.
Gradually expanding its range, I discovered a massive presence at the outer edge of the forest. Tens of thousands of humans had gathered there. It was almost certainly the Empire’s Army.
(A considerable force.)
They were currently on standby rather than invading the forest, having temporarily halted their advance. The exhausted soldiers were undoubtedly taking the opportunity to rest. The Elves were not powerless; they excelled at traps and surprise attacks that utilized the terrain. After several skirmishes, the Empire’s Army must have suffered significant losses. They were likely waiting for reinforcements and supplies.
However, the stalemate between the two sides would eventually break. The Empire’s Army possessed immense military power and could funnel in reinforcements indefinitely. There were also reports of them burning the forest. The Elves simply had too much to protect. They were at a disadvantage in both circumstances and raw strength.
Without my intervention, the Elves would have eventually met their ruin. Logan understood this, which was why he had so readily accepted subservience. He had chosen survival over the pride of his tribe.
Based on the current state of things, I wouldn’t need to worry about an invasion for at least half a day. Their Reconnaissance Units might remain active, but they weren't a significant threat. If they became a nuisance, I could eliminate them with minimal effort.
Having grasped the situation, I deactivated my detection magic. The Acting Chief walked a few paces ahead of me, her stride hurried. She kept glancing at her surroundings. Elves were hiding among the trees on either side of the path. I didn't need to think twice to understand why—they were lookouts. They were watching to ensure I didn't do anything suspicious. I had no intention of causing trouble, so I simply ignored them.
Despite the many people nearby, the area was shrouded in a heavy silence. We continued our trek without speaking.
"...Is your brother..."
A voice broke the quiet. For a moment, I thought the Acting Chief had spoken, but then I realized the voice was unmistakably my own. It had been an almost unconscious impulse, and I immediately felt a twinge of regret. I hadn't intended to start a conversation, yet I had let a needless question slip.
The Acting Chief’s shoulders jumped as she stopped and looked back at me. "W-What is it...?"
She looked uneasy. Since I was the one who had spoken first, I couldn't very well ignore her, so I asked the first thing that came to mind.
"Is your brother a good Chief?"
"...Yes. As the leader of our tribe, my brother always puts our welfare first. He is someone I respect from the bottom of my heart."
The Acting Chief answered with a direct gaze. There was no deception in her eyes; she was speaking the truth.
"I see," was all I said in response.
She looked puzzled, but she didn't press the matter. Keeping a wary eye on me, she resumed her walk.
(Did she notice my hesitation?)
I couldn't tell from her reaction, but I had certainly aroused her suspicion. I felt pathetic. To be so shaken just by seeing an old friend’s face—I thought I had moved past such sentimentality long ago. It seemed that the bonds of my previous life were not so easily severed.
While I mocked myself internally, we arrived at a clearing. The Acting Chief stopped and gestured with her hand.
"This is the Elven Village."
Wooden houses stood in orderly rows, with more huts built high among the interconnected branches of the trees. It was my first time entering an Elven Residential District, but the place largely matched my expectations. I sensed several presences inside each house. The Elves living there were holding their breath, hiding themselves after sensing my arrival.
Next, I shifted my gaze toward the far distance. Beyond the trees, the blue sky stretched out. At first glance, there was nothing there, yet I felt a distinct sense of incongruity. A distortion in the space itself—a trick performed by magic.
I stroked my chin as I considered the phenomenon. "Perception Obstruction Magic. The World Tree is over there, isn't it?"
"U-Um, well, that's..."
The Acting Chief stammered at my observation. It seemed my guess was correct. For the Elves, the World Tree was more precious than life itself. It was only natural for them to hide it with sophisticated magic. Of course, knowing its location didn't mean I intended to interfere with it. If I meddled with it carelessly, I would only earn the Elves' resentment. Even if I intended to keep them in subservience, there was no reason to go out of my way to make them hate me.
Afterward, the Acting Chief guided me on a tour of the village. Their living area wasn't particularly large, so we were able to walk the perimeter in a short amount of time. Once we had made a full circuit, I spoke to her.
"I have a general understanding of the layout. I will now deploy Defense Magic and a Barrier."
"P-Please, if you would."
The Acting Chief bowed and stepped back. I expanded a layer of Defense Magic to cover the entire village and constructed a multi-layered Barrier. As the Demon King, such a task was trivial.
"The Empire's Army will not be able to breach this easily. As long as your people stay within the village, they should be safe."
"Th-Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Looking immensely relieved, the Acting Chief bowed deeply.
At that moment, I felt a familiar presence behind me. I turned to find Logan standing there. He was alone, without the guards who had accompanied him earlier.
"Follow me."
Logan said nothing else and began walking away without waiting for a reply. It was a blunt, forceful way of doing things, but it was very much like him. He was a man of few words, often misunderstood because he never bothered to explain himself.
Still, I wondered what he wanted. We had already discussed everything necessary. The only remaining topic would be the specifics of the coming battle with the Empire, which would be a characteristically rational reason for him to seek me out.
"Brother..." the Acting Chief murmured.
She looked worried sick. The fate of her entire tribe rested on my whims, after all. However, I felt no obligation to soothe her anxieties. Leaving her behind, I followed after Logan.
Logan led me to an old mansion. It was larger than the other houses and situated in the center of the village—the residence of the Chief.
"Enter," Logan said curtly as he went inside.
I followed. The interior was spacious but sparsely furnished. It didn't feel poor, however; rather, the decor emphasized functionality. The few ornaments used were of high quality, giving the space an air of understated elegance.
"Sit."
I took a seat in the chair he indicated. Logan sat opposite me across the table. There was no one else in the room. In the silence of the private space, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere settled over us. To be honest, it would be a lie to say I didn't feel awkward.
"What do you think of our village?" Logan asked suddenly while I was casually inspecting the room.
I couldn't discern his intention from his expression. He looked annoyed, but then again, he always did.
"............"
I paused to think. I wanted to avoid any careless slips. Logan was not a man who wasted his time on trifles; there had to be a reason for this question. I needed to be cautious.
"...It is very beautiful. The landscape is in perfect harmony."
After careful consideration, I offered that safe, neutral response. I didn't know what he was looking for, but it was an assessment that was neither praise nor criticism.
Upon hearing my answer, Logan let out a long, deep sigh. The atmosphere shifted instantly. It was a look of disappointment and exasperation. I wasn't imagining it. His sharp gaze pierced right through me.
"Do you really think you can keep up this deception?"
"............"
I fell silent. It felt as though my non-existent heart had suddenly tightened. For a moment, I thought I could hear my own pulse. I couldn't find my voice.
Seeing my silence, Logan sighed once more. Then, he asked the question that struck at the very core of my being.
"—Dwight Harvelt. What on earth happened to you?"