Ch34. Dark Elves

Rei and Solution observed the elven village, hidden in the shadows. It wasn't like the Carne Village. The houses were situated among the trees as if trying to merge into them. Unlike the human dwellings, the elven ones seemed quite shabby even for medieval standards. Rei chalked it up to the fact these elves most likely didn't have anyone experienced in building houses but he couldn't help being disappointed at the display.

"The shadow demons told me the villagers didn't look well but this is just pitiful." Rei wryly said as he watched the malnourished dark elves tiredly drag their weary bodies around their village, trying to do some work.

"I agree." Solution started with a bit of disdain coloring her tone, "When I heard about Dark Elves I expected... more. These filthy scums are an affront to Lady Aura and Lord Mare's race."

Hearing that, Rei's eye twitched. 'And you wonder why I would never try to recruit anybody for Nazarick.' He inwardly sighed and shook his head. 'To think Solution is one of the more moderate NPCs...'

"Maybe... but their troubled state will make it easier for me." Rei said, surprising Solution.

"You mean you will try to subordinate them, Master? What for? They are worthless and weak." She stated her opinion, not knowing what her master saw in these walking dark-skinned almost-corpses.

"They may be weak but they are not worthless." Rei corrected, turning towards Solution, "What did I tell you in the Carne Village? Did you already forget?"

Solution pursed her lips before averting her eyes, "To be more tolerant. I just don't want you to waste your time, Master. You don't need them. You can use pop monsters, mercenary NPCs, summons... all of which are stronger and with assured loyalty. Trying to recruit these dark elves under your banner seems... stupid." She explained her reasoning.

"Yes, but all of the aforementioned lack something the dark elves have." Rei started, causing Solution to look at him in bewilderment as she couldn't come up with anything. Chuckling, Rei continued, "They lack the potential for growth. Pop monsters can not gain exp. Summons are usually not sentient enough to be of use and neither I nor you focus on summoning magic of any kind. As for the mercenary NPCs... you pay them for service. They are loyal, sure, but I don't know enough about the mechanics behind their summoning to say with utmost certainty they can't betray me." Rei explained, "No... these elves are the best option. Helping them when they are lowest will get me enough loyalty and from there, I only have to make sure they grow stronger. Plus, it will be a good experiment to see how far can the residents of this world go."

"Understood." Solution relented. She still didn't think the elves were worth the effort but since her Master was already decided, it wasn't her place to try persuading him otherwise.

Having seen enough, Rei and Solution started slowly walking towards the village.

It didn't take long for the Dark Elves to notice them. They didn't even reach the first house when a gathering of dark elves appeared in front of them, trying to appear menacing with their makeshift shabby weapons.

To be honest, Rei was amused. The elves were not very threatening. Especially since he could clearly see the fear in their tired eyes as their exhausted bodies slightly trembled. They looked quite miserable.

"W-what do you want here, human!?" One brave person shouted from the crowd in a shaky voice.

Rei lifted an eyebrow at that. From how fearful the elves looked, he realized they must have had a bad history with humans. He understood words would not be very helpful and decided to go with a hands-on approach. Leaking a bit of his magic into the surrounding, Rei imbued it with nature attribute since he was dealing with elves. It was a neat trick and took him a few hours of... intimacy with Solution to get it just right.

Elves, no matter if dark, wood, high, or whatever, were at some level connected to nature. This connection was what enabled them to live for so long. Feeling Rei's potent nature magic was like having their spirits soothed by warm cleansing water for the weary dark elves, causing them to relax and drop their guard against Rei.

"I would like to speak with the person in charge." Rei calmly said, smiling that his little magical experiment worked.

Naturally, not all wariness towards him disappeared but they were at least willing to listen and one man rushed back into the village. Not long after that, a woman came from inside the village, the elves parting like a sea as she advanced.

Rei could see that once upon a time, this woman could have been incredible beauty but now... she was starved, thin like a twig with a weary expression marring her face and quite noticeable dark circles under her eyes despite her dark skin tone. Her cheeks were sunken and if it didn't sound so ridiculous, Rei would even say she was sickly pale for a dark elf. But... Rei saw something that piqued his interest in her. Unlike the other elves who looked half-resigned in their suffering, her half-lidden amber eyes showed great determination and reluctance to give up. It was clear to Rei that if he and Solution attacked, this woman would fight until the very end, no matter how hopeless it would be.

"I am Ylven'tsar Dreth Illvasse," She tried to sound self-assured in a defensive manner, "the chief of this village. I am sorry but we don't have the time for visitors right now. Could you please go away?"

Rei slightly tilted his head at that. The woman was somewhat polite but the tension in her eyes was clear as day. 'This one is really different,' Rei mused, 'Even with the calming effect of my leaking nature-attuned mana, she is still completely wary.'

Hearing how Solution was gritting her teeth after hearing what the elven woman said, Rei inwardly sighed. Polite or not, she still basically told him to 'fuck off' and Solution apparently didn't like that. Knowing that he would have to intervene if he wanted to prevent Solution from acting on her impulses, he donned a pleasant smile and spoke,

"Are you sure you want to send me away? I might be the only person capable of helping you." Rei stated, causing Ylven to stiffen for a moment.

Looking at Rei with clear suspicion, she guardedly replied, "I have no idea what..."

"The Evil Cursed Tree is quite hard on you, isn't it?" Rei interrupted, somewhat smugly.

'Ops... my smugness leaked out.' He sheepishly thought. To be fair, how could he not be smug when he held all the cards? The dark elves were on the verge of collapse and he was the only one who could help them. The outcome of this encounter was already decided. Ylven just didn't know it yet.

Ylven pursed her lips as a conflicted expression flashed through her face. She didn't trust the human in front of her but she didn't have much of a choice. She was grasping at straws and she knew it. For all she knew, this could very well be a trap and the man could be a slaver. But if the man really had a way out of their suffering and she didn't take it, she would regret it till the end of her days.

Ylven balled her hands into fists and very reluctantly spoke, "I am listening..."