Demon-Hunting Genius Mage-Chapter 147

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Chapter 147

"Teleport."

Whoosh!

As I recited the incantation, my body materialized in a different location.

This was the [Teleport] spell, learned from a private magic grimoire.

Thanks to this spell, I could move swiftly through the complex battlefield, bypassing countless soldiers.

Of course, the side effect was the immense consumption of mana…

'But my regeneration is fast anyway.'

One of my strengths is my rapid mana regeneration.

I could expend this much without much worry.

'I need to practice frequently to get the hang of it.'

Just as I was thinking this, I finally crossed the Alfheim battle lines and arrived at the place Vagran had told me, where the elven leader was said to be.

[TL/N: Ervehim is called the Elven Leader but she is also called An Elder Elf… So I am not sure if Elder Elves are Like a Race within the General Elf Race. Should get confirmed within a few chapter as we get more details about the elven race in general but until then please bear with me : )]

Before me stood an elf with long, gray hair, her face filled with bewilderment.

I immediately approached her and offered a greeting.

Whoosh!

"Pleased to meet you."

"…You, you fiend!"

Upon seeing me, she immediately furrowed her brow and drew back the string of her large longbow, as if to shoot me at any moment.

She seemed to think I had come to launch a surprise attack…

Before things could escalate, I quickly bent one knee and lowered my posture, indicating that I meant no harm.

Whether it worked or not…

Swoosh.

"…What trickery is this?"

The elf lowered her longbow vertically and questioned me, her eyes still full of vigilance despite halting her immediate attack.

I spoke as cautiously as possible, trying not to agitate her.

"I am the mage Yuhan. I came here in haste to deliver a message… but I apologize if my presence has caused you discomfort."

"Not a human mercenary from Kazandur?"

"While I am here at Kazandur's request, I am certainly not a mercenary. I will quietly withdraw once my business is concluded."

"…Is that so?"

She smiled, seemingly relieved.

But why, then?

Why were her hands rising again, contrary to her smile?

"Be gone. I have nothing to say to the likes of you."

Tread tread tread!

The longbow was drawn back with force.

I could tell instinctively.

This was no mere threat, but an intent to shoot.

Moreover, it wasn't just the gray-haired elf before me drawing her bow.

Tread tread tread!

Tread tread tread!

The other elves who had been wary of me from the start were now simultaneously drawing their bows.

I could sense about a dozen of them from their presence.

Along with a sharp, murderous intent.

The elves here don't feel like the typical elves I've seen on the battlefield.

Each one possesses a strong aura, clearly elite.

'This is dangerous.'

The moment I made that assessment, the bowstring was released.

Thwang!

In an instant, arrows were flying right toward me.

Amidst this, my mind was racing with thoughts.

'What should I do?'

Two options immediately came to mind.

One was to evade using teleportation.

It didn't feel like the best choice.

While it would ensure my safety, somehow I felt that using it would prevent any further dialogue.

Even if I dodged, they would undoubtedly attack again.

With that thought, I immediately proceeded with the second option.

A method of making them completely abandon any thought of attacking by overwhelming them with sheer power.

'Barrier.'

Whoosh!

A translucent barrier surrounded my body.

Thud! Thung! Thud!

A dozen or so arrows were deflected.

But this wasn't enough, as the elves launched another volley of arrows.

Swish!

In that case...

I would have to show them a bit more power.

'Gravity Amplification.'

Whooosh!

The surrounding air suddenly became heavy.

Along with that, the arrows flying towards me lost their momentum and fell to the ground.

Thump, thud thud!

And in that moment, Kayla, Thompson, and Barundel arrived, clearing a path.

Step, step! Step!

My companions took their places beside me.

"What's this? Looks like the conversation hasn't even started yet?"

Thompson said, looking around.

Following his gaze, I saw the elves, their mouths tightly shut.

"..."

An awkward silence filled the air.

Their gazes were still wary.

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But unlike before, they didn't seem inclined to attack.

Only then did I open my mouth.

"May I... deliver my message now?"

"..."

In the silence, I met the eyes of the gray-haired elf.

She smiled, amused by the situation.

"Is that truly a question asking for our consent?"

She meant to ask if it was truly a question and not a veiled threat.

I nodded with an obvious expression.

"Of course."

"You're an interesting human mage."

Her eyebrows twitched slightly.

It was clear she wasn't in a great mood.

Fortunately, she still gave her permission.

"Very well, speak your piece. But if it's useless nonsense..."

Swish swish swish!

Gray light streamed from her eyes.

As if to say she hadn't been using her full power until now.

"You'll have to pay the price."

It seemed I had to choose my words carefully.

***

The conversation took place in a camp built by the elves.

A large, hollowed-out tree served as their mess hall.

There, I faced Ervehim, the gray-haired elf, alone.

"So, you're saying there's a plague in Kazandur? And the antidote is only in our land?"

"Yes, that's why the dwarves are encroaching on elven territory."

Fortunately, the conversation was going better than I expected.

"Hmm, I see."

Ervehim nodded, seemingly convinced.

However.

"So what?"

Soon, I realized that I had been mistaken to think we were communicating well.

To clarify for Ervehim, who seemed to misunderstand, I spoke again.

"…The dwarves do not wish for war with the elves. They simply need the antidote."

"But didn't you say the antidote is in our land?"

"…Yes, that's correct."

"Then war is inevitable."

"…Why do you say that?"

"Because we have no intention of simply handing over the antidote."

Ervehim chuckled, as if amused, and said,

"We can't just pass up this opportunity to let those smelly brutes self-destruct!"

'…Is this really the leader of the elves?'

She was even more of a psychopath than I had thought.

Her tone made it clear that negotiation was not even a consideration.

"Have you finished speaking? Then why don't you be on your way?"

After laughing for a while, Ervehim waved her hand, indicating that she had no further business with me.

It seemed I had no choice but to leave for now.

'I need to have another talk with the dwarves.'

Just as I was thinking that,

Flap!

"Elder!"

Suddenly, an elf burst through the tent flap and entered the mess hall.

The elf, usually so energetic, was panting heavily, clearly in a hurry.

"…What is it?"

Ervehim asked, her tone serious.

The elf spoke urgently,

"So-Sophyran…!"

Sophyran.

It sounded like the name of another elf.

"Sh-she's coughing up blood!"

It didn't take long to understand the situation.

'…Coughing up blood?'

Hearing that, I immediately recalled what I had heard from Vagran earlier.

-Vagran, what are the symptoms of this plague?

-In the early stages, convulsions and high fever, and in the mid to late stages, hematemesis.

An elf coughing up blood.

It seemed that the elves were also suffering from the plague.

***

Returning to the Kazandur camp, I relayed the situation to Vagran as I had seen and heard it.

Naturally, Vagran's face turned serious.

"The elves too… are suffering from the plague?"

"Yes, I heard they were coughing up blood… it seems that way, considering the timing."

But that seriousness was short-lived.

"Heh, those pointy-eared bastards are getting sick too, huh?"

Vagran said, seemingly unconcerned.

"It's their punishment. The heavens are angry."

There was even a hint of schadenfreude on his face.

It wasn't surprising.

He had already heard about the elves' attitude in this war.

Curious, I asked Vagran.

"What do you plan to do now?"

If the elves wouldn't withdraw from the war, the dwarves would have to come up with a countermeasure.

But Vagran seemed to have already made up his mind.

"Things have come to this, there's no choice. I have to protect my people."

"…I see."

He meant that the dwarves would continue the war.

The scale of the damage would inevitably increase.

Or perhaps one of the two races would disappear altogether.

Knowing it was a serious matter, Vagran asked cautiously.

"So, about that… could I ask for one more favor?"

"A favor?"

"If it's not too much trouble, would you help our dwarves in this war?"

"…Ah."

In other words, he was asking us to join the war.

This was quite troublesome.

While I hoped the dwarves would win if one of them had to, directly intervening in the war was a completely different matter.

If we intervened, it could potentially escalate into a war between humans and other races.

It wasn't a matter I could answer hastily.

"…I'll have to think about it. It's not something I can decide on my own."

I needed to discuss it with my companions.

"Ah, right. I didn't think of that. Take your time and give me your answer."

"Yes."

I bowed and left the tent.

And as expected, my companions were waiting for me right outside.

"How did it go?"

They immediately asked about the situation, curious about the outcome.

I led them to a secluded spot before speaking.

"Vagran asked us to help with the war. To side with the dwarves."

"…Is that so?"

I slowly scanned my companions' expressions.

They all looked troubled, unsure what to do.

Of course, the most important thing here was Barundel's opinion, as he was a dwarf himself.

"Barundel, what would you like to do?"

"Well… hmm."

Barundel lowered his head, deep in thought.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he opened his eyes wide and said,

"Even though I've cut ties with them, I'd feel more comfortable helping the dwarves."

"As expected?"

Well, it was inevitable.

It wasn't just any incident, but a war between races, so it was only natural for him to feel that way.

"Then…"

Just as we were about to decide to participate in the war,

Barundel interrupted, offering his own opinion.

"But that doesn't necessarily mean we have to help with force."

"Excuse me? What do you mean?"

"There are many ways we can help the dwarves without joining the war. No, this would also benefit the elves."

With that, I realized what Barundel was trying to say.

There was only one thing that could benefit both the elves and the dwarves.

The mysterious plague.

"…You mean cure the disease?"

"That's right."

Barundel nodded, confirming my understanding.

It was definitely a good suggestion.

War was war, but the immediate situation was equally urgent.

After a moment's thought, I made my decision.

"Very well. We'll investigate what this plague is."

The mysterious plague caused by mana.

Let's start by solving that problem.

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