Chapter 35 – Too Late to Regret (2)
Like the last time, her words had bones. After she repeated it twice, she now even suspected that it was a one-sided prejudice or inferiority against other races.
But there was no disgust in her tone. Rather, she felt as if she was telling the obvious.
“…What does that mean?”
“Literally. Don’t even think about teaching an elf how to self-defense.”
“Is it because you don’t need to teach me?”
“No. Because it’s dangerous.”
Rebecca dismissed my question in one word. She then looked at my expression and then she added an explanation.
“The essence of self-defense is to enable the weak to defend themselves. The goal is to efficiently strike the weakest part of the body and subdue the opponent. But if the strong learn it, then it becomes a killing technique.”
“But even Saya needs to learn to protect herself.”
“An elf doesn’t need to know that. Should a bear go into an anthill learn how to hunt? It’s a crude metaphor, but that’s the difference between us and them. You saw the other day how he overpowered two men in an instant.”
“But that doesn’t mean Saya is dangerous.”
“So far. But if he gets interested in it, that’s a different story.”
“What does that mean?”
“Have you ever been overly curious about something he’s seeing for the first time? Have you ever been terribly obsessed with it?”
“Not like that…”
The moment I tried to deny it, I remembered Saya’s expression when she ate bread for the first time. At the time, I thought it was just a lot of curiosity, but now that I think about it, it wasn’t that level. Savoring just one loaf of bread for more than a few days. If that’s not an obsession, what is it?
“Over the course of the continent’s history, there have been about a hundred elves who have come to this land. They have shown a lot of interest in human civilization in common. Then, when they get stuck in one field, they become almost maniacally obsessed. Maybe that’s a characteristic of their race. I don’t know.”
“Does that mean that Saya might have such an obsession with hurting people?”
“It’s possible. Bullying creatures weaker than oneself always triggers an instinctive interest. That’s why humans have never once shared military knowledge with elves.”
“But the elves must already have superior knowledge about it.”
“Sure. But if they learn our military science and become intrigued by the very concept of killing humans… That’s too dangerous.”
Ms. Rebecca shook her head, even frowning at her. But I wanted to refute to the end.
“But there’s no case. Doesn’t that mean the elf isn’t interested in the act itself?”
“There is a case. Just one.”
“Is there?”
“It’s so long ago and so classified that it’s just been forgotten.”
Suddenly, her eyes turned to the door. Then she lowered her voice, as if Saya might overhear.
“Only one in the past. An elf was once interested in swordsmanship. The problem is that he fell in love with the feeling of cutting down humans. From then on, he killed humans indiscriminately, regardless of gender. Thanks to that, he fell in love with the sensation itself. Over a thousand people died in one year of activity.”
“But if that happened…”
“I wonder if people didn’t know? I hid it somehow. Because I couldn’t cope with it. Even the elves couldn’t respond. No, I guess they didn’t. In the end, until he was torn to pieces by the dragon’s claws, the Emperor killed tens of thousands of people. I had to keep my mouth shut.”
“Suddenly a dragon. Have you lost interest in cutting humans?”
“No. Humanity, tired of the mad elf’s menace, took advantage of its young son.”
“…The son?”
“I just read it, so I don’t know anymore. I don’t want to tell you.”
As much as the secrets of the elves, human history hid a dark hole. We were also living in a time that was tragic enough to dig into that.
Still, I shook my head. Even today, Saya was trembling at the sensation. I never thought she would enjoy such a thing.
Of course, emotion and reason always go in opposite directions. I knew that well enough.
“I see what you mean.”
“I think I said something useless. Actually, I don’t think that kid would be like that. But elves are a very curious race. And in this day and age, there aren’t that many fields they can dig into.”
Rebecca gave me one last look before heading home. And added a word.
“I just want that pure elf to be obsessed with something else.”
“Seniors!”
As soon as I opened the door, Haru jumped in with a warm voice. It was a little dangerous because she literally threw her whole body, but fortunately, Saya properly restrained her before that.
“Haru. Don’t do that. It’s dangerous.”
“But now, senpai might be more dangerous! What could have happened to her while my sister and I were gone…!”
“Nothing happened.”
“Oh my God, senior, you’re safe! I think I’m going to cry right now.”
Can you shed I had a fundamental question, but I didn’t bring it up. It was clear that he would listen to a long speech full of emotion and force. Instead, I sat down and called everyone together.
“Let’s talk about it first. I need to make some plans for what to do next.”
“Is that woman included in the plan by any chance?”
“Haru. Stop it. Lope is also uncomfortable.”
“No, I was just asking.”
After even pointing out Saya, Haru poutingly shut up. Only then could I start talking.
“Actually, it’s a plan, but it only has one purpose. To secure Roselia before the ship arrives. Of course, we’ll know until then if the ship arrives or not, but if you think about it aside from that, that’s the top priority.”
“But they said they decided to give senior a ride. Isn’t that the end then?”
“It’s a promise that will end if Roselia says something else by then. And without her, the ship won’t even depart.”
“What if that person named Rogeria is being treated badly at the academy? By any chance…What if she died?”
“…I have to find the corpse. That way, there will be at least a justification for getting on the boat.”
It must have been a rather horrific story, and Saya’s face turned white. Uncharacteristically for a day, she couldn’t speak, and then let out a heavy sigh.
“It’s difficult. Can’t we just occupy the ship? I wonder if that would be more convenient.”
“I’m sure there will be an escort from the Duke of Anbert on board, so that’s going to be difficult. And we’re only four. They said a big ship was coming, so there must be a lot of sailors.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible to do something by hitting only the top of the head? We have soldiers too. They say you’re a veteran.”
“But even to me, that seems too reckless, Haru.
“Uh…That’s really difficult. Can’t we just make a boat and go out? Something like a raft?”
When all the circumvention methods were rejected, Haru brought up a new proposal. I thought it was nonsense, but unexpectedly, Rebecca-san opened her mouth.
“I’ve done it before, though. I gave up halfway through making it.”
“Why? Realizing that you’re not capable?”
“That’s true, but I just couldn’t have the confidence to navigate that distance by myself. I’m not that good at it.”
“But now there are three more. Saya unnie, who is good at anything, our perfect senior, and her faithful subordinate, me.”
“So, does everyone have sailing experience?”
“…I can’t do anything.”
One day, he timidly muttered to himself, and we couldn’t bear to answer. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t think of any other good way.
“Of course, the best way would be for Rogeria to cooperate with us on its own.
“Is that possible? From what I hear, you sound like a pretty unlucky person.”
“Still, the profit and loss calculation is clear. I managed to create a situation where it would be beneficial to join this side… But I don’t know what Rogeria thinks.”
“Really? It would be fortunate if he was such a rational person. I don’t know that person very well. Didn’t Saya say she was in the same class?”
“For no reason…Don’t ask me that. Haru.”
I carefully looked at Saya. I would rather have had some kind of reaction, but I couldn’t even see her expression because she had her head down. The silence only made me feel suffocated.
“Well, you’ll have to meet him to know. Thinking is the next thing.”
Fortunately, Haru broke the silence. It was at this point that she felt her sincere gratitude to her.
“By the way, even if that person has the will to join us, he’s currently being held by that side. Is there any guarantee that he’ll be safe?”
“Because it’s Roselia. I think she’ll at least take care of my body. The problem is taking it out. If we go to rescue her, give her a means to escape.”
“The latter is the most ideal. But choosing the former would be more realistic.
“No matter how many people say they will die in 200 days, there are many other students inside, so that’s…”
“Because you’re a soldier, all you can think about is hitting and crushing. There’s no humanity.”
“By the way, I have enough equipment.”
There was sincerity in Rebecca’s nonchalant tone. She put on a tired expression for a day, then leaned her back against the wall and complained.
“In the end, no matter how much I think about it, it’s really sad that the number of people is not enough. Is there any way to increase this side?”
“Well.”
At the end of the day, I looked up at the ceiling. This time, it seemed like an outrageous suggestion, but strangely, a person’s face came to mind. I was alone in my thoughts, but I slowly opened my mouth.
“There’s a very low chance, but…”
