Paradigm Parasite

Chapter 144: "Excuse me"

The territory of the Goliveringay is a little different from that of the elves, as they are the only inhabitants of the territory.

There is an abundance of edible berries and wildflowers, which give a strong impression of being untouched.

These gorillas basically don't eat plants, so this kind of wild vegetation seems to have been left untouched.

What they are eating, then, is another monster that comes in from outside their territory and eats them as food.

Wild plants that they don't eat are valuable food for other monsters, so it is said that they come in to feed on them.

Incidentally, it is the same wildflowers that Savage is tucking into while taking a break.

...Well, it's hard to say, since he eats most things with relish.

After a few more days, we passed through Goliberingei territory.

From there, the landscape changes again.

Open spaces and road-like things have been created.

There are also traces of cuttings.

Did they cut down the trees to make the road?

...We're getting close.

These are not elf territory.

Nevertheless, the fact that they are being manhandled is evidence that the Dark Elves are close by.

The terrain was not flatter than I would have liked, but it was fine for walking.

Further on, the sound of running water can be heard.

A river seems to be close by.

When Savage was directed towards the sound, the river came into view.

It is a moderately large river and is quite deep.

After giving Savage a good drink of water, we continue up the river.

After a while, we saw a figure.

...I found them.

With brown skin, dressed in ethnic clothes?

It looks a bit different from the loose-fitting ...... kimono, but it's also a bit different from the clothes used by elves.

Definitely a dark elf.

That's a few people, all women. In addition, there are a few children in the mix.

I see what looks like laundry baskets around them, so it looks like they are in the middle of doing their laundry.

I approach without paying any attention.

On the way, some of them seem to have noticed me and are picking up bows and arrows and gently letting the children go.

Some of them are holding up sticks.

I'm not here to fight, so I just let them through.

I'm sure the language should have been elven, but I'm not sure if I can communicate with .......

If not, I have to kill them at random and pull out their memories, so it's a hassle. ......

"Stop!"

They point their bows and arrows and staffs at me.

I stopped Savage as instructed.

Yup. The language doesn't seem to be a problem. I can understand.

"Who are you? What are you doing here!"

The woman at the front, who looks like the leader, asks in a strong tone of voice, but I wish she would calm down a bit more.

I can see you're upset, you know?

"I'm sorry. We got lost on our journey. If you know of any places to stay and eat, I'd like to know?"

This makes the woman even more upset.

"You understand the language?"

Ah, she's surprised I can speak it.

"Yeah, I'm a bit dubious at times, but I can manage to understand what you're saying."

I get off Savage and put my hands up to show I'm not going to fight.

"I'm not going to do anything on my end, so if you could put that thing down, that would be great."

The lead dark elf whispered something to her cronies, and only those with bows and arrows lowered their weapons.

The ones with staffs didn't lower theirs, but kept them pointed at us.

I'll take that as a positive sign that they've compromised.

"Thank you. I am a human and an adventurer. As I said, I'm lost and looking for a place to stay and eat."

"...... What is that beast?"

Beast? Oh, you mean Savage.

"He's a monster I've been using. I use it as a travelling companion."

"Servant? Is he dangerous?"

"Oh, it's safe, with the proviso that nothing happens to me. He won't bite anyone. By the way, how much longer am I going to have to do this?"

The woman whispered something to her fellow dark elves and several of them left the scene.

You can't make a decision on your own, so you went to ask for instructions?

This is going to be a bit of a wait.

I don't know if Savage sensed this, but he gave a small sigh of relief and began to crouch down and sleep on the spot.

I sit on his back.

The same waiting time, but now that I have someone to talk to, I should make good use of it.

"You seem to have a little time, so why don't you talk to me?"

The woman looked a little puzzled and relaxed her shoulders slightly.

Her name is Inez, and she lives in a settlement close to here and seems to be in a position to organise the women.

To be honest, I'm not really interested in the inner workings of the Dark Elves, so I ask her some random questions.

Lifestyle, diet, peacetime entertainment, etc.

As I repeat the questions, they in turn ask a lot of questions, so I answer them too.

Where do you come from?

From the southern mountains.

How did you come here?

I am travelling towards the north and don't have such a deep reason (lie).

How was the beast tamed?

Feeding it (big lie).

How are dark elves treated over the mountains?

Extremely minority... but not rare elves.

Are the rumours true that elves are sold as slaves?

Yes, it is true.

Maybe dark elves too?

I don't know, I've never seen them.

There must have been a trap set for the elves, but how did they get to this river?

I went through the area where there were no traps, just the normal way.

What happened to Goribelingei?

What's that? Food? (shrugs)

Did you encounter anything before you came here?

I came across a humanoid monster, but I got past it. (Big lie)

As we talked, I got a response that Inez's guard was slowly but surely being lowered.

I think it's time to ask her about the elves.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Oh, no problem. I'll answer if I can."

"About the elves."

Her expression changes.

The question is about the elves.

But now that I've asked the question, I have no choice. Let's just say it.

"I've heard rumours that there is a higher race of elves, the High Elves or something like that, is that true?"

"...... I don't have an answer to that question."

That's a strange turn of phrase.

"If you really want to know, ask someone in a higher position than me."

"Why not you?"

"Certainly I know a little about his people. But the subject is not welcome among us Dark Elves."

I knew it.

I knew they didn't have a good relationship, at least not a good relationship, but from the way they've been so forthcoming and tight-lipped, it's unlikely I'll be able to get them out of her without going through the procedure.

From the look on Inez's face, it seems the High Elves have a less than flattering reputation.

I'd like to pursue, but time seems to be running out.

My ears pick up the sound of multiple footsteps.

There are - quite a few of them, maybe 20.

They are all men, fully armed with light armour, bows and arrows, swords and staffs.

Ines takes one look at the men and quietly moves away from me.

"You're the one who wandered in!"

One of them says in a high-handed manner.

Hey, hey, hey. No preamble?

I nod, uncomfortable, but do my best not to show it.

"Yes."

"You have invaded our land for what purpose?"

"...... I've been telling everyone I meet that I'm looking for a place to stay and eat."

"It's not good to hide things from me!"

"No, it's true, but ......"

"I don't trust you! I'll have to inspect your luggage first! If you've got nothing to hide, there shouldn't be a problem!"

Listen.

"I don't mind if I show it to you, but you'll give it back to me, won't you?"

"Of course, we'll just inspect the package and if there's no problem, we'll return it."

I let out a small sigh and take down the bag on Savage and open it.

The contents include food, simple cooking utensils, clothing and money.

I had brought gold coins, which would not be usable as currency, but could be traded as simple gold.

The dark elf men violently turn the bag over and smash the contents.

Hey, hey. Don't be rough.

"Lontnan! You can't do that, no matter how much you want to..."

Inez, perhaps frustrated by the quandary, raises her voice.

Good, tell them.

"Shut up, Inez! This suspicious man needs no courtesy! ...Well, you don't seem to have anything suspicious on you. Next is your hand luggage! Let's see it."

Check the luggage scattered on the ground.

"Before we do that, can I have a couple of things?"

"What? Are you going to resist?"

The man called Lontnan is disgustingly provocative.

I ignore him and continue.

"If you've made a mess, could you clean it up? And that bag of gold coins the man there put in his pocket. Can I have that back, please?"

"...... what?"

Lontnan looks back at the man I pointed to.

The man, who looked young, smirked and came over and said, 'Don't make accusations.'

There are guys like this everywhere.

Is this that? Am I being underestimated?

"Savage."

As I say this, Savage wakes up and rises, snarling low and threatening.

Seeing this, the dark elves are slightly shaken.

Some of them unintentionally point their weapons at him.

I instruct via [communication] that if they try to set me up, he can eat all of them.

...Just to give them a warning.

"We were quiet because we entered your territory without permission, but if you even steal our money, we have no choice but to change our response."

Lontnan looks at me and the man alternately.

"Tort. Open the front of your clothes and show me your pocket."

"Ca, captain? You trust this guy over me?"

"Show me."

The tone is one of insubordination.

The man reluctantly unfastens his clothes and opens his front, and a bag of gold coins falls out.

"I thought you were going to return it if there was nothing wrong with it?"

As I say this, Lontnan's expression contorts and he punches the man, whom he calls Tort.

He follows up by mercilessly kicking the fallen Tort.

"Tort! You! You dare to humiliate me! What the hell do you think you're doing!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Lontnan, who continued kicking until he stopped moving, turned to me, lightly out of breath, and told the others to clean up, and the remaining cronies restored my luggage and returned my bag, and a few carried the motionless Tort away.

That's a surprising reaction.

I thought you'd just cover for your men and shrug it off, but I guess you're a reasonable guy.

Well, if he had protected them, I would have killed them all and then sucked out their memories and that would have been the end.

Lontnan gives me a small bow.

"The one below me was rude."

You're rude to me, too, you know?

"I don't care about that. I just want you to be convinced. I'll show you my baggage, and I'd appreciate it if you could make a decision as soon as possible?"

"...... understand. If everything is OK, I'll take you to our settlement."

"That would be great."

I think we'll get to the village without any problems.