Chapter 112

“So, what’s happening?”

Like Grudo, the elf king was about the same age as Aeris . And so when not in public, they acted casually around each other .

“There are more monsters than we expected . According to the birdfolk, monsters are starting to overflow from a dungeon that is about two weeks away from here . ”

It was Toul, and not the king who replied . While he would not take the throne until the king’s death, it was clear that preparations were being made for the change .

“While the elf lands are close to the Shadow World, the dungeons here are smaller than the ones in the dwarf lands . If anything, the problem is the thickness of the miasma . I thought that things would improve just a little if the Saintesses came here directly . So this is a surprise . ”

He seemed a lot older when he talked . Even when they traded places, the ‘I’m sure it will be fine’ mentality would likely remain the same . Perhaps it was this carefreeness that caused those who surrounded him to become anxious, and they grew to be more capable as a result . Both me and Van, for instance . Aeris thought with a sigh .

“So, what’s the problem? I won’t be much use outside of research regarding magic stones . And Aaron and Edwy won’t be able to do much either . ”

Aeris sounded a little annoyed . He was worried about Maki and Chiharu .

“Aeris, it’s fine . They are tougher than you think . They acted quite proper when they left the castle . ”

Edwy remonstrated .

“I see that you’re still impatient as ever . ”

Toul said with amusement . However, his face then stiffened and he began to talk .

“It takes two weeks to reach the dungeon . But the ship from Lowland only just arrived . I’m afraid that the soldiers will not reach it in time . ”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with us… Ah, the airship!”

Aeris said, and Toul nodded .

“We’ve temporarily stopped all scheduled flights for the airship . It can carry about thirty passengers, but we should be able to squeeze about forty inside and take them to the dungeon within two days . But we would also like to borrow your private airship . ”

“I don’t mind . ”

Maki and Chiharu’s sightseeing could wait . Besides, it would not be bad for them to tour the royal capital in a carriage .

“Of course, you will have to pilot it, Aeris . ”

“There are others who can do it . ”

“I heard that it’s difficult to learn . ”

Toul said, and Aaron came to a realization . So that was why only Edwy and Aeris seemed to be able to handle it correctly .

“But…”

“With two airships, we should be able to send about fifty men to the dungeons . Three trips should be enough . Thankfully, we’ll have enough magic stones, due to the Saintesses . This is an emergency . ”

Aeris looked quite troubled as Toul spoke .

“I am sure that Maki and Chiharu would tell you to go . ”

“And they will tell you to do the right thing . ”

“Edwy . Aaron…”

They knew this because they were with Maki and Chiharu for the merfolk rescue mission . They would want Aeris to do his job . Aeris sighed .

“Fine . When do we leave?”

“Early tomorrow morning . So rest well tonight . ”

“Edwy . ”

“I know . I will accompany you as a pilot . Aaron . ”

Edwy and Aeris looked towards Aaron .

“Yes . I will stay with them as much as possible . ”

So only Aaron would be staying behind . While he was a little worried, he nodded steadily .

As for what Maki and Chiharu were doing during that time…

“So, this is the mark of the Saintess . ”

“It’s so beautiful . ”

“It’s so small . ”

They were surrounded by nosy elves . And the first and fifth princesses were doing nothing to stop it . They just watched . Maki became a little annoyed .

“Hey, Princess One and Two . Aren’t you going to show us around?”

It was rare for Maki to talk like this to strangers . But then again, she had met them earlier .

“Well, it’s not like I want to do that . ”

“Eh? But didn’t the king ask you? And you volunteered, didn’t you?”

The first princess let out an exaggerated sigh .

“Haaaa… This is ever so tiresome . ”

“Are you a child now! No, you’re just old . ”

“Old! How dare you . Elders should be respected…you little brat!”

“And now you’re calling people brats . You’re contradicting yourself . ”

Maki said as she held her hands behind her back . She was clearly very annoyed . Chiharu sighed .

“Maki-chan . It’s not a big deal . We can just ask these people . ”

She said as she lowered her face a little .

“Would any of you be able to show us the castle?”

She asked apologetically . This was how Chiharu usually acted .

“Of course . ”

“I would love to . ”

Both the men and women around them were quite happy .

“As you can see, we don’t need you anymore . ”

Chiharu said as she raised her chin . But she didn’t even look at the princesses .

“What! After we said that we would show you around!”

“You didn’t say that . ”

Maki interrupted .

“Sister…”

The fifth princess muttered with exasperation .

“You didn’t want to show us around either . ”

Maki retorted . They had hardly ever gotten into arguments with other girls in Japan . Chiharu found the whole situation to be quite unbearable . And so she ignored the two princesses and just started to walk . The elves began to follow her while they talked noisily . Then the two princesses followed . Maki kept her arms behind her head and leisurely followed them from the back . In spite of everything they said, the princesses were going too . This was rather amusing .

“So, where should we go first?”

Chiharu hadn’t really been thinking when she stormed out of the audience hall . And so she suddenly stopped and asked the elves . However, the elves were just talking loudly to each other, and none of them offered her an answer . The princesses were fidgeting in the back . This did not escape Maki’s notice . Was it just her, or did they actually want to show them around?

Chiharu then looked at Maki and saw that she was looking at the princesses . Then she sighed as if she had no other choice . She turned back to Maki . Maki-chan . Which one? Chiharu mouthed . The first princess . Maki replied silently . Chiharu nodded . Then she smiled at the guard .

“Mister guardsman . Please open the door . ”

And then the large door was opened . Chiharu turned around . Good .

Maki stepped forward and grabbed the wrist of the first princess . In the meantime, Chiharu grabbed the wrist of the fifth princess .

“Now, let’s go!”

“Now, let’s go!”

The princesses hardly understood what was happening as they were rushed through the doors . Maki was practically jogging .

“The princesses are going to guide us!”

She shouted to the people behind them .

“Huh? What?”

“Why?”

The princesses said as they were pulled along . But since the king had originally said that the two princesses would lead them, the others just watched, even though they were surprised . Once they were out into the hallway, Chiharu smiled .

“If we were bad people, this would look like we were kidnapping the elf princesses . ”

“Well, she’s a bit old to be called princess . ”

“What?”

“I didn’t say it was you . ”

“Grrr . ”

The two princesses now realized that their hands were being pulled, and they frantically pulled away .

“Really . This is why I don’t like humans . ”

The fifth princess started, but Chiharu interrupted her .

“You know, I’ve been with Aeris for a while . ”

Oh, that would hurt . Maki almost felt sorry for the fifth princess .

“And I’ve never heard him say such things about humans . And he’s never been unable to understand something just because he’s an elf . ”

“Th-that’s…”

She looked down, quite frustrated .

“Even if we’re not royals, we humans are taught not to judge people by preconceptions . What is the matter with you two?”

Chiharu folded her arms and glared at them .

“Is it because you like Aeris? That’s not a good reason . ”

“B-but, with fewer rivals…”

“Does Aeris like women who would kick down their rivals?”

“I-I don’t…”

They both hung their heads . Both of them were over a hundred years old . Maki felt a little disappointed .

“I won’t tell you to stop trying, if you like him . However, I don’t want to be involved in that . I heard about how wonderful the elf lands were, and I wanted to enjoy it . ”

Chiharu let the truth spill out then .

“Of course, we also came to purify the miasma . ”

Maki quickly added .

“Ye-yes . There are many great places to see in the elf lands!”

Upon hearing Chiharu’s words, the fifth princess suddenly raised her head and her face lit up . Oh? Could it be…?