Volume 3, Chapter 31 – Elves and Humans

“I am terribly sorry for the trouble Sierra has caused you.”

Sigrisia-san, who had returned with Sierra-san, offered her apologies.

“No, please, it’s not a bother at all. I feel like I might have done something strange, so I’m the one who should apologize.”

“Not at all. We are deeply grateful that you are willing to give us the Big Boar meat. To be honest, Sierra is the youngest woman in this village, and I thought it would be best to have someone close in age accompany Fiene-sama and her companions, but perhaps the task was too heavy for her. If you wish, I can provide someone else—”

“Ah, it’s fine. Since we’re already at it, I’m sure Sierra-san will be okay once she gets used to things, so please let’s keep it as is.”

If she were removed from the assignment now, I’d be worried about this clumsy girl’s future.

“Your kindness is most appreciated.”

“Ah, thank you very mush—ungh!”

She tripped over her words again. Is she really going to be okay?

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A bit of anxiety remained, but I figured I could just handle whatever was lacking myself.

It’s not like we’re some high-and-mighty nobles with absolutely no life skills.

“Right, so. I was wondering where I should put the meat.”

“Oh, you possess Storage Magic? You truly are worthy of being both the Maiden of Blossoming Grace and the Saint of this Generation. Keeping the storage active can be quite taxing, so I shall have someone prepare a place for it immediately.”

“Eh? Taxing to maintain? What do you mean?”

“Eh? Fiene-sama, you do use Storage Magic, do you not?”

“Uh, I mean, I do…”

“I have been told that Storage Magic is a Skill that places a considerable burden on the user. Is that not the case?”

I wondered what she meant. I had never once felt any kind of burden.

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“Since I cannot use Storage Magic myself, I do not know exactly how it feels. However, about 800 years ago, I spoke with a practitioner. They told me that Storage Magic requires a constant infusion of Mana to keep items stored; thus, maintaining storage is like continuously casting a spell, which is incredibly exhausting.”

I see. If that’s how it feels, it certainly sounds tiring.

“Hmm? I don’t feel anything like that. For me, it’s like having a pocket that holds a lot of things, and I only feel like I’m using mana when I’m putting things in or taking them out.”

“In that case, it may be something different from the Storage Magic known to the world. Originally, Storage Magic is a Skill used by those who have obtained the profession of Peddler.”

“Eh? So Storage Magic was the name of a Skill?”

“Yes. That is correct. Which means Fiene-sama’s ability is a different Skill entirely?”

“That’s right. It’s a Unique Skill called Dimensional Storage.”

“Dimensional Storage, is it? Even I have never heard of such a Unique Skill. However, if you can use storage magic without burden, there will surely be humans who seek to abuse that power. I believe it would be wise to keep this a secret. Sierra, do you understand?”

“Y-yes!”

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Sierra-san looked stiff with tension. She seemed to be reacting to Sigrisia-san’s words with a near-automatic reflex.

However, I was more preoccupied with Sigrisia-san’s choice of words.

“Um, this might be a bit out of left field, but… Sigrisia-san, do you not have a very good impression of humans?”

Sigrisia-san knit her brows slightly, hesitated, and then spoke.

“I suppose not. To be honest, the negative impressions are stronger. As you know, there is no end to those who kidnap the Elf race to be used as slaves, and there are fools who offer human sacrifices to monsters just to gain a fleeting moment of peace. Furthermore, as soon as the threat of monsters vanishes, they immediately begin fighting amongst themselves and destroying the forests. It is impossible to hold a favorable opinion of such a collective. Of course, I acknowledge that there are individuals I can respect, but as a whole, that is my impression.”

“I see…”

I stole a glance at Chris-san and Shizuku-san.

Chris-san was listening with a solemn expression, while Shizuku-san looked down sadly.

“In the first place, the reason we protect the village so strictly is to shield the Elves living here from the ‘Elf hunting’ carried out by humans. The direct cause for surrounding Shiltsa Village with the Forest of Lost Paths and closing off interaction with the outside world approximately 700 years ago was an invasion by humans.”

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“That actually happened…”

“Therefore, I am very happy that the Saint of this Generation is not a human, but Fiene-sama, who is kin to the Elves. For no matter how foolish humans are, the number of idiots who would dare think of enslaving someone of the Saint’s kin should surely decrease.”

Hmm, what should I do? I don’t have a single drop of Elf blood in me, but after she said that, it’s hard to bring it up.

“Mieshiro Shizuku-sama, Christina-sama, I apologize if I have offended you. As for the two of you who serve as Fiene-sama’s guardians, we welcome you as exceptions. There are no fools in this village who cannot distinguish between humans as a collective and the two of you as individuals, so please stay with peace of mind. Upon the name of Sigrisia, I guarantee your safety and a comfortable stay.”

The two of them nodded solemnly.

“Now, let us end the gloomy talk. Tomorrow, please do visit the Shiltsa Lake Group, which is the namesake of Shiltsa Village. Also, please deliver the Big Boar meat to the location designated by your guide upon your departure tomorrow. I believe the cooking will be finished by the time you return.”

“Understood. Thank you for everything.”

Sigrisia-san gave an elegant bow and departed.