Chapter 58
“What are you doing?”
It couldn’t be directed at me. Evelyn was startled but tried to continue on her way without responding. But this time it wasn’t a mistake. She was shocked when a leg suddenly approached, almost tripping her as she tried to move forward.
“Ah!”
“Yes, you. Are you planning to wander around like a foal on a busy day like today?”
An elf who had come straight toward her rebuked.
Who is this? I don’t know the name. When she glanced at his face, she recognized him as the elf who had shown the worst reaction when she was with Ruba. He had even turned his head and spat when their eyes met, and got elbowed by the elf next to him…
Not wanting a small confrontation to escalate into a fight, Evelyn bowed her head slightly.
“No. I… I heard that the sentinels are returning after finishing their training today, so I wanted to greet them.”
“Who are you to do that? Well, you’re right about that. But you know what.”
“Yes?”
His voice suddenly dropped, making Evelyn think he might let her go, but as soon as she raised her slightly bowed head, the elf snapped at her.
“After coming back from difficult training, do you think they’d be happy to see some random nymph approaching and lurking around?”
“B-but…”
On one hand they say greeting is the right etiquette, but then they claim it would upset them if she got close—the logic didn’t add up. So what exactly was she supposed to do? Even with Evelyn’s passive judgment throughout her time in Jupiter, this seemed strange, so she couldn’t readily agree.
The elf suddenly spat toward the grass, having trouble even gathering saliva.
“Kyaak, ptui! Ahem, ahem. Listen. You see that low stone wall over there? Go there.”
“Over there…?”
Evelyn knew what that low wall, shorter than the inner rampart, was.
Ruba had told her the exact purpose. What was it again? The spirits’ resting place, she thought. A space where spirits belonging to each elf could sprawl out and rest when they were tired.
Evelyn hesitated about going there since she couldn’t see spirits with her eyes. She didn’t know whether spirits were there now or not, and it was obvious they would be upset if they got stepped on by her feet, so why would she go?
The elf glared at her as she showed reluctance to move, then pointed somewhere with his hand.
“Look over there. You’re lucky! Those elves walking in a line are the sentinels who returned today. The farewell ceremony is over, and they’re singing the final song as they return to their quarters that have been empty for a long time to rest.”
“Ah, I see.”
She thought it was fortunate that she still had a chance, but then she heard something outrageous.
“Come on! Quickly climb up on that stone wall, wave your hands, and shout loudly. Say that the lower-species nymph Evelyn worships the noble elves.”
It was an extremely embarrassing suggestion. From a human perspective, elves with their long lifespans and free use of magic might seem amazing and impressive, but worship? She could somehow manage to shout “noble” if she had to… But how could she tell such a lie about something she didn’t even believe? And “lower-species” was a term she’d never heard before.
‘Maybe if it were Lord Cassis.’
Evelyn, uncomfortable with both climbing the wall and shouting exaggerated praises to strangers, decided to refuse.
“Um… that seems… If they hear my voice, they’ll feel obligated to respond somehow, which would be troublesome for them. I’ll just approach and greet them normally.”
“What? You dare to ignore what I say…”
“Oh, it’s Evelyn!”
“Nike?!”
It was then. Nike, whom she hadn’t known was nearby, suddenly flew down from a tree with wings spread wide and joined the conversation. To Evelyn, who had found herself in a difficult situation, Nike was like an army of thousands, but Nike immediately pointed at that problematic stone wall.
“Don’t go over there.”
“Pardon…?”
“Evelyn, you can’t see spirits. You don’t know because you can’t see them, but one of the most ill-tempered pixies in our castle is sleeping there, snoring. If it wakes up because of your presence, I have a feeling it will follow you around like a horsefly and annoy you.”
“I… I see.”
Evelyn hung her head low. She had been uncertain, but now she felt somewhat miserable realizing she had earned more hatred. While elves giving her sidelong glances as she passed by was a common occurrence… Until now, they hadn’t openly pushed troublesome situations on her, but she had just nearly fallen into one. She was also terribly embarrassed that she almost fell for it despite knowing the purpose of that stone wall.
As the situation turned unfavorable for him, the elf raised his voice.
“H-hmph! She could just avoid the pixie, couldn’t she?”
“Why are you setting traps when you know Evelyn can’t see spirits? Hm? Come on, you shouldn’t do that.”
“Shut up! Tch….”
The elf glared at Evelyn one last time before leaping away to another location.
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