Volume 3, Chapter 30 – Shiltsa Village

“Ah, Onee-sama. From here on is the Elves’ domain. The power of the spirits makes it so that humans are driven back outside, so if Chris-san and Shizuku-san aren’t holding hands with me or Onee-sama, they’ll end up getting separated from us.”

“Ooh, so this is the rumored Forest of Lost Paths that protects the Elf village, is it? It doesn’t seem all that different from the surrounding woods, does it?”

“In the Silver Village, it was made invisible to humans, so that was easier to tell, but this village might be harder to distinguish.”

“I was so surprised back then. The forest appeared the very instant I gripped Fiene-sama’s hand.”

Chris-san was the only one who got to have that surprising experience; I’m actually a little jealous.

“Riche, please come out too. Just in case Chris-san or Shizuku-san get lost, I’m counting on you.”

When I summoned Riche, she struck a pose, flexing her biceps to show she could handle it.

Of course, it’s impossible for Riche to actually have biceps, but she’s so cute that it’s not a problem at all.

I held hands with Chris-san, and Lu-chan held hands with Shizuku-san, and together we entered the forest.

Even within the Forest of Lost Paths, Lu-chan’s abilities as an Elf remained intact; the grass and branches instinctively moved out of our way.

Thanks to that, we were able to proceed quite easily.

After walking for a while, two Elf men approached us.

“You must be the Maiden of Blossoming Grace, Fiene Argentata-sama, and your party. We have been expecting you.”

The Elves knelt and greeted us. As always, I felt embarrassed being called by that name, but the difference in treatment compared to the Silver Village was staggering just by having a title.

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Back then, they tried to shoot me with arrows. How nostalgic.

“Thank you for coming out to meet us. I am Fiene Argentata.”

“It is an unexpected joy to welcome the Maiden of Blossoming Grace to our Shiltsa Village. Please, come this way.”

Guided by the two men, we successfully arrived at Shiltsa Village.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Maiden of Blossoming Grace and Saint of this Generation, Fiene Argentata-sama, welcome to Shiltsa Village. I am Sigrisia, the one who governs this village.”

Upon arriving at the village, we were greeted by a woman who introduced herself as Sigrisia-san. She was a woman of sculptural beauty, characterized by long, milky-blue hair and green eyes.

Since the other Elves in this village had flaxen hair and green eyes, Sigrisia-san might be the only High Elf.

“Nice to meet you. I am Fiene Argentata. To my right is Christina, and starting from the one nearest to me on my left are Lumia and Mieshiro Shizuku. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine. All of us in Shiltsa Village are truly honored that our forest will be the first to receive the miracle of the first Maiden of Blossoming Grace in history.”

Ah, just as Lu-chan said, they really were looking forward to being the “first.”

Hmm, but I already did it at the Crescent Moon Spring.

Oh, I know.

“That’s true. This is also the first time this little one has used her power in an Elf forest, so I’m very much looking forward to it as well.”

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If I put it that way, I’m not lying, so it should be fine, right?

“My, so the little one perched upon your head is the Flower Spirit. How adorable. Might I ask what their name is?”

“My name is Riche,” Riche seemed to say from atop my head. Sigrisia-san placed a hand over her heart and smiled.

I’m glad Sigrisia-san could appreciate Riche’s cuteness too.

“Now, everyone. You must be exhausted. I shall guide you to the home where you will be staying.”

“Thank you very much.”

With that, Sigrisia-san led us through the village to a single-story wooden house.

“Here we are. I shall also introduce the one who will be attending to you.”

An Elf woman stepped forward before us.

“This is Sierra, who will serve as your attendant during your stay, Fiene-sama. She will be waiting in the house next door, so please do not hesitate to call upon her.”

“My name is Sierra. I am vewy happy to be able to se-se-serve the Maiden of Blossoming Grace-ung-ga! I am vewy happy to serve you-ung-ga! “

This woman, Sierra-san, was stumbling over her words terribly.

She’d be a beauty if she just didn’t say anything, but somehow she’s incredibly disappointing.

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“Sierra-san. I am Fiene Argentata. From here, this is Christina, Mieshiro Shizuku, and Lumia. And this little one on my head is the Flower Spirit, Riche. It’s only a short stay, but I hope we get along.”

“P-pleasure to meet you-hyu!”

Ah, she tripped again.

“Please don’t be so nervous. I’m just an ordinary person. Let’s get along.”

“Y-yes-hi! H-hi, even the Flower Spirit-sama is…!”

Riche fluttered over to Sierra-san and, as if telling her not to be so tense, began petting her head.

However, I think I wasn’t the only one who felt that this actually made her look more nervous.

“Um, for now, please let me see the inside of the house.”

“Yes, of course, Fiene-sama. You have traveled far from the Silver Village; you must be exhausted. We shall hold a welcoming feast tomorrow evening, so please relax and make yourselves at home tonight.”

Sigrisia-san answered in place of the stuttering Sierra, gave an elegant bow, and departed.

“Um, er, here is the key. And, um, the room and its facilities, um…”

Sierra-san explained the rooms and facilities in a hesitant, rambling manner.

Apparently, we were each given our own room.

The interior was simple, featuring a simple double bed, a desk and chair, and a lovely grass-green carpet on the floor.

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The room was quite spacious, giving it a spacious feeling.

“Um, the, uh, meals will be, uh, b-b-brought to you-ung-ga!”

Sierra-san tripped again. She probably doesn’t want to be teased, so I’ll just let it slide.

“Thank you. By the way, we hunted a few Big Boars on the way here. Would the Elves like to eat some?”

“Eh? What? Eeee?! Are you sure? Such a high-grade ingredient!”

“Of course. We can’t possibly eat them all ourselves. Also, as a thank-you for letting us stay, I’d like the people of the village to have some. Um, should I just put them out there?”

“Eh? Put them out?”

“They’re inside my Storage.”

“Eh? What? Eeee?! S-S-Storage?!”

“Yes. They’re in my Storage.”

“M-M-My Lady~!”

Sierra-san bolted away to go get Sigrisia-san.

What happened? Did I do something weird?