Chapter 111

The five of them left the room and then Aeris and Aaron led them to the castle audience chamber .

“An ‘audience chamber . ’ How excessive . ”

Maki said with a tilt of her head .

“After all, in Midland and Lowland, we just went to the king’s study, didn’t we? Though, they were pretty big . ”

Chiharu nodded .

“Think back . About how it was like in the dwarf castle . ”

“Ah, yeah . ”

They had been made to wear formal clothing and were escorted . Maki thought as Aeris spoke to her .

“It is the first time a Saintess has come to the elf lands . I think they will want to do something special . ”

“So, the Saintesses are not on a secret mission after all . ”

Aaron replied . Maki and Chiharu felt a little bad .

“But it’s fine . When you two were unveiled, Arthur told the other countries that you don’t like to stick out . And so we should treat you more modestly . ”

“Arthur? I see . That’s nice . ”

Maki was relieved when Aaron told her this . Yes, while Aeris was a prince, elves were not very curious about others . In fact, the princesses earlier had no interest in Maki and Chiharu as Saintesses . They didn’t even see them as rivals . So it must be fine . That’s what Maki thought as she looked at Chiharu, whose expression was a little stiff .

“Woah . There are guards at the entrance . ”

Maki said excitedly .

“Damn it . ”

“Yes . ”

Aeris and Aaron wore hard expressions . When the heavy doors opened silently, they saw that there was a long carpet that stretched out towards the throne . And on both sides…

“Woah . ”

Maki muttered . That’s how many elves had come inside . The crowds began to buzz as soon as Maki and Chiharu entered . Maki didn’t know anything about formeral elven attire, but they all wore pretty clothes with glimmering patterns . While Maki couldn’t help looking around, Chiharu stood without moving and raised her head .

Then they were ordered to come before the king . Maki was escorted by Aaron and Chiharu by Edwy . And Aeris walked slowly behind them . Maki and Chiharu could tell that everyone was staring at their foreheads .

The throne was on an elevated platform that was three steps high . And sitting on the throne was the first old elf they had ever seen . He had platinum hair and a long beard .

“Santa Claus . ”

“Hey, Chiharu . ”

Well, he didn’t have a big belly, but he did look like he might give children some presents . Regardless, Maki and Chiharu were suddenly less nervous . And next to the king was someone who appeared to be about the same age as Aaron, and looked a little bit like the king .

The king stood up slowly and with the support of the young man, came down the steps to stand before Maki and Chiharu .

“So, you two are the current Saintesses . ”

“My name is Maki . ”

“My name is Chiharu . ”

“And I am called Bartfon . I am the current king . And here is Toul, who will be the next king . ”

Then he held both Maki and Chiharu’s hands . While they had been quite surprised to see so many people, Bartfon was a little like Arthur in that he didn’t come off like a noble . And so Maki and Chiharu were relieved .

“Ever since we heard news of your arrival, the miasma has started to thin . However, it has been especially fast since yesterday . It’s practically gone completely now . I am in awe of this power . It’s like suddenly being able to see . ”

He laughed kindly .

“We didn’t mean to overwhelm you like this, but everyone so desperately wanted to get a glimpse of the Saintesses, and so they all gathered to the castle . I’m sure you’re very surprised .

But now that they have seen the mark on your foreheads, things should settle down a little . I thank you for visiting the elf lands . ”

He said, and then looked to the side .

“Aaron . And Edwy, huh? Human children do grow so fast . I am very impressed . ”

He talked as if he were their grandfather . Edwy’s expression was hard to read . Was he happy or not happy? But he greeted him properly all the same .

“Forgive us for the delay . There was some pressing business we had to attend to . ”

“Aye, it is fine . I heard about what you did in the dwarf lands . We know that Midland has a responsibility to protect the Saintesses . Do not worry . ”

The king shook his head and then looked over to Toul . Toul nodded .

“Aeris . I hear that my mother bothered you again . I am sorry . ”

He said with a grimace .

“It’s fine . While she is your mother, she can do as she pleases when it comes to love . I am just sorry that I cannot give her the answer she wants . ”

Aeris replied calmly . Mother! Maki and Chiharu looked at each other . This person was the child of the woman in the bed? It was very confusing to be in a country where people lived for so long!

“So you were there too . It must have been shocking for ones so young . ”

Toul said with a laugh before reaching out a hand to their cheeks, much like Aeris did . However, Aeris stopped him .

“They are not children . They are grown women . Do not touch them so casually . ”

Aeris said as his hand went around Chiharu’s waist, completely ruining his own argument .

“Really, Aeris! So the rumors were true! They are adults!”

Chiharu thought that Toul’s eyes went to her chest for a second, but she wasn’t sure . Regardless, it was very rude .

“By the way, I must speak to you about work . Aeris, Edwy, and Aaron . Come with me to another room . ”

“Work? I planned to show Maki and Chiharu the elf lands . ”

“There is no time for that . ”

“But Maki and Chiharu…”

“I thought it was decided that they are not to go near the monsters . ”

“…So it’s about the dungeons . ”

“Yes . ”

Apparently, something had happened in the dungeons .

“Maki, Chiharu . I’m sorry . I have to talk with him . ”

Aeris said apologetically, but Maki and Chiharu just shook their heads . The king saw this and said,

“Hmm . Then I will have one of the princesses guide you . Given your age, maybe the fifth princess would be best . Rhea!”

He called . For a second nothing happened, then the beautiful young elf they had seen earlier stepped out of the crowd with a somber expression .

“Rhea is my youngest daughter . She is calm and gentle, so she will be perfect for the task . ”

Were all parents so blind?

“Rhea will need some help . I will go too . ”

“Ah, you too, Aila? That would be a comfort . ”

“Mother…”

The first princess stepped out gracefully and smiled as she looked at Toul .

“What, Toul? You’re frowning . ”

“I wonder who is the reason for that . ”

“Hahaha . As I am older, it is clear that I am better fitted to showing them around . ”

“No, sister . I will go too!”

Sparks flew between the two sisters .

“What should we do?”

“Doesn’t this have nothing to do with us?”

Maki and Chiharu whispered to each other .

“My daughters are so cute no matter how old they become . I am sure you will have a great time, Saintesses . ”

The king said, before leaving with the others, who looked a little worried . Maki and Chiharu were immediately surrounded by elves . It was a little intimidating to have so many tall elves look down at them . On one hand, Makie was very curious as well, and looked back at them with interest . Chiharu stood straight and had a cool expression . And as the purification was something tangible, the elves could not help but be drawn towards them .

“What was all that about elves not being interested in people?”

“They’re way too interested . ”

They muttered to each other . But it was drowned out by the whispering of the elves .