Chapter 213
—You cannot go this way.
“……?”
Reno paused and turned to Killis.
“Duke Yelpen, could you tell me what they’re saying?”
“I don’t know why, but they say you cannot enter.”
“Reno can’t enter? Why?”
If they let Isaac in, why not him?
“I’ll try speaking with them.”
Killis approached the elf blocking Reno and initiated a conversation.
—I’d like to know the reason. Why can’t he enter?
—He’s a half-blood, isn’t he? Half-bloods haven’t been specifically permitted.
—Do elves discriminate against half-bloods too?
—We don’t discriminate against all half-bloods. But this one cannot enter.
The elf pointed at Reno with his fingertip. What had sounded like peaceful singing now sounded somewhat like shouting.
—Half-bloods who grew up outside alone cannot enter our village. That’s our policy.
“Such…….”
Killis trailed off with a shocked expression. Reno tilted his head at the sigh that definitely didn’t sound positive.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, Lord Reno cannot enter because…… he’s a half-blood from outside.”
“What?”
“I knew it, even elves dislike Medietas.”
Unlike me, who was surprised by this unexpected reason, Meliana laughed as if she had expected it.
“It can’t be helped. Half-breeds have trouble fitting in anywhere.”
“Watch your tongue. Don’t you remember your earlier promise?”
At my words, Meliana flinched. Ahem, she cleared her throat and shrugged.
“Anyway, we have no problems, so let’s go first.”
She now stepped forward boldly, unlike earlier—perhaps because Isaac had proven the inside was safe. Meliana’s guardians followed her.
The elves didn’t stop Meliana and her group. Soon, they disappeared into the hole.
—Other humans, hurry and enter too. Except this half-blood.
“They say we should hurry in too. Except for Lord Reno.”
“But…….”
To leave Reno behind?
This was an unexpected obstacle. Yet we couldn’t simply not go either. As I was torn about what to do—
“Your Highness.”
Reno called to me. When I looked up, he bent his knee slightly to meet my eyes.
“Please go ahead.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine. It can’t be helped, right?”
It can’t be helped…… True. If I wanted to return to Jiyu, to become Evgenia, I needed to go to the elven village.
Leaving Reno behind was unavoidable. I knew that, but my chest felt tight.
“Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry too much. You know, Your Highness.”
Reno smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“I do well enough on my own.”
It was a smile he deliberately put on to reassure me. I couldn’t help but recognize it, but there was nothing else I could say.
“Duke Yelpen, could you please ask that elf if there’s anything dangerous around here?”
“I will.”
Killis tried to speak with the elf, and after exchanging a few words, he shook his head.
“He says there’s nothing dangerous. Even the wild animals are quite docile. He says just be careful of humans who cross over randomly like us.”
—There are poisonous plants and fruits, so don’t eat carelessly. Well, that fellow can summon spirits, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
“He says there are poisonous plants, so be careful. He does mention that since you have spirits, it should be fine, but…”
“You heard that? He says there’s nothing dangerous.”
Reno stood up and shrugged lightly.
“It’s just a few more days of camping. Really, don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll…… try to find a way from inside.”
“As always, only Your Highness thinks of me. Isaac, look at him not saying anything.”
“As you said, a few days here shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
While Reno and Isaac exchanged light conversation, Killis pulled various items including blankets from his spatial storage.
“I’ll leave some blankets and a bit of food. When entry becomes free, I’ll come out to check on you again.”
“I appreciate your kindness.”
My heart felt heavy at leaving Reno behind, but we couldn’t keep hesitating. Eventually, we had no choice but to say goodbye to Reno and enter the hole.
‘Once we get to the village, I’ll ask why he can’t enter.’
And then I’ll find a solution. Or quickly fulfill whatever conditions the elves set.
As I stepped into the hole, the surroundings suddenly brightened. I raised my head at this abrupt change, and the landscape poured into my vision.
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