Heavenly Castle

Translator: Pink Tea          Editor: Ryunakama

Sticking her face out of the carriage window, Mea looked onwards .

「There it is! Over there!」

When Mea shouted, the two elves poked out their heads from the opposite window and looked ahead . Before their eyes was a part of the arm of the robot, that was carrying the carriage, a fleeting landscape, and a light brown field with a number of simplistic tents lined-up on it .

「So many already…!」

The male elf said in an almost ecstatic tone .

Everywhere, near the tents, and near carriages, that stood in line in their surroundings, people could be seen, and all of them appeared to be elves .

Seeing the two delighted elves, Torraine, who quietly sat inside the carriage, now also had a smile on her face .

Soon after, the carriage with Mea and the others stopped in line with other carriages, to which the other elves immediately flocked .

「Litt! Shall!」

「You were alright as well?!」

With such voices being heard, the two elves jumped out of the carriage .

「Turk! How many years have pa.s.sed already……!」

「Haha! Hahaha! It’s like a dream!」

As a tall male elf said that with a laugh, the elf called Litt nodded with tears welling up in his eyes .

Then, seeing a female elf, who half running came from inside of tent, Shall made a loud shout and started running .

「Mother!」

Yelling that, Shall hugged that elf . Crying, the hugged elf put her hands on Shall’s shoulders .

「Shall… I’m so glad that you are fine . To think we were able to meet again…」

Mea and Torraine, who just got off the carriage, also couldn’t hold back the tears after seeing that touching reunion .

And the robot, which carried the wagon here, silently watched over that scene .

【Taiki】

「This is so touching, Taiki-sama…」

Nodding to Ayla, who said that while sniffling, I spoke .

「Yeah . But anyway, are these two sisters? It didn’t look like there is much of a difference in their age……」

Ayla awkwardly laughed when I said that .

「I can’t determine the age of elves . Despite that youthful appearance, they can appear to be the same age as their grandfather . 」

Hearing those words I once again became aware of the elven longevity .

「Is that how it is? Even so, no matter how you look at them, they appear to be around their twenties, I would be really surprised to find out that they are sixty or older . M? If that is the case, maybe that child that seems to be in the late teens, might be older than me?」

Elves are scary . As I, filled with a sense of wonder, was looking at the screens, the elves projected on the screen all turned in the same direction .

The robot also changed its orientation, and the image on the screen has shifted .

What was now shown there, was a new carriage and a robot flying while carrying it . In addition to elves, figures of Rant and Schnee could be seen from the windows .

「Rant-san and others came as well . It took a while because the town was far away from the capital, but everyone looks fine . 」

While I felt relieved about that, Violette, who had been silent until now, spoke up in a low voice with a sharp look in her eyes .

「…From the town of Abrau to the capital city in half a day… I don’t even feel like getting surprised anymore…」

For some reason, Ayla responded to those words with a nod .

「In the last few days you should have realized that even having the Empire’s power, one cannot compete with Taiki-sama . Now, for the sake of the Empire as well, tell us the location of the last remaining elves . 」

When Ayla said that, Violette shrugged and shook her head .

「…I wonder, how should I tell you something I don’t know . And if the Emperor doesn’t give up, then the conflict cannot be avoided . In the end, whether I help you or not, nothing will change anyway, right?」

「Uh… T-That’s not true . For example, if you, the general, were to propose the peace, the Emperor might waver on…」

「That’s just impossible isn’t it . 」

「Auh……」

That slightly irritating tone caused Ayla, who was the one to bring this up, to back down .

Unable to just watch that scene, I said .

「For example, what if I personally brought up the peace to the Emperor? I cannot yield this castle to the Emperor, but it’s possible to bring profits to the Empire with a trade . I think it will be more for our mutual benefit than strife . 」

When asked so, Violette contemplated for a while .

I observed her casually, but it does seem like Violette puts a distance between us .

I don’t know if it is due to her status as the Empire’s General, but she doesn’t seem to be willing to cooperate with us .

And while I was thinking that, Violette calmly opened her mouth .

「…I understand . If so, let’s arrange a doc.u.ment specifying your requests . I will take it directly to his Majesty . I cannot make any guarantees for the results though…」

After answering so, Violette looked intently at me, observing my reaction .

While feeling a little uncomfortable under that gaze, I responded with an agreement .

「In that case, let’s prepare right away . However, that will be after your side releases all of the elves . 」

Hearing my answer, the corners of Violette’s lips curved up in a smile and she answered with 「Understood」 .