The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 6

Unlike him, Iel, who had steadfastly maintained the position of Knight Commander for a thousand years, swallowed a breath heated by tension. Though Cassis wasn’t particularly glaring at him, the king’s deep blue gaze was utterly overwhelming.

A sense of defeat washed over Iel even before the king spoke, causing his initially raised head to bow instinctively.

Though he wondered if he had spoken too hastily, Iel believed he had sufficient grounds for objection.

‘Ugh…’

“Nymphs must be protected.”

The monotonous statement consisted entirely of words that sounded like commands from beginning to end. As if no policy other than this would be permitted.

Feeling as though his already kneeling knees might sink further through the white-finished floor, Iel haltingly opened his mouth:

“That, I understand, but…”

“The guard confirmed that the woman is indeed a nymph, and reported that the tree’s condition is extremely critical. Time is of the essence. Do you intend to let a new nymph—one that has appeared after decades—die?”

I understand. However, our peaceful world where we coexisted with nymphs ended long ago. A nymph who has unfortunately chosen a withering tree as its life force would likely perish soon even if saved with great effort. Your Majesty is well aware of this, are you not?

Iel wished to offer excuses, even cowardly ones, but found himself at a loss for words.

Elves are children of nature, and nymphs are a fragile subspecies that elves are obligated to care for. Not only was this established in law, but it had also been a long-standing tradition. His desire to reject this human-born nymph stemmed from his arrogant selfishness and contradicted proper conduct.

That nymph likely wished to live even a few days longer. Being of human origin, she would be especially attached to life.

‘Yet for some inexplicable reason, I simply dislike it. My intuition tells me so.’

When Iel failed to provide a satisfactory response, the king finally took action.

Splash!

The sound of water surging like waves was heard, and then Cassis emerged, walking forth without a thread of clothing. The scene resembled an ancient painting come to life.

As if to prove he was the epitome of elven perfection, his golden hair of flawless hue clung to his nape, dripping with transparent water. This lasted only momentarily; as the sylphs circling around Cassis generated a gentle breeze, his wet body dried almost instantly.

Iel had merely disrupted the king’s bath—a time that was essentially his only respite besides meditation. Though he did not regret opposing the king’s decision, Iel, feeling apologetic, opened his mouth:

“Your Majesty, I shall soon organize a search party to bring that nymph…”

“The sylph has already informed me that she has reached our border. I will go retrieve her personally.”

“What?!”

This was inconceivable. With nymphs practically extinct now—ah, certainly, one elderly nymph remained in Jupiter—but was this not rather inappropriate? For the king himself to depart in order to retrieve a mere nymph, a subspecies of little significance?

It was excessively unorthodox.

Before Iel could even rise from his kneeling position, Cassis hastily donned the fluted shirt he had removed and declared firmly:

“This is precisely why nymphs rapidly became extinct—such tepid responses even when they desperately pleaded for salvation. Iel, you shall guard the castle in my stead. Until my return, I forbid any passage beyond the castle gates.”

Having issued his command, the king departed swiftly, as if wings had sprouted from his feet.

Whoosh.

A powerful gust of wind belatedly swept past, as if to strike Iel across the face. Likely the work of a sylph who had sensed its master’s displeasure.

“Nymphs must be protected.”

The words he had left behind resonated faintly in Iel’s heart.

***

The relentless, bone-chilling wind swept through this vicinity surrounded by low hills and dense forest. Evelyn, who had never ventured beyond Devran since being left there as an infant, trembled uncontrollably from the cold. Despite it being spring, as evidenced by the blossoms on nearby trees, her body could not withstand the frigid temperature.

The elven guard who had been silently observing her clicked his tongue briefly.

“Tsk.”

That was all. Although he neither reprimanded her for her struggle nor regarded her with pity, Evelyn’s heart sank. Undoubtedly, he seemed to view her condition unfavorably.

Fear and apprehension engulfed her. She knew nothing about what to do or how to proceed. Would she be able to survive among unfamiliar elves in an entirely different country?

In her state of overwhelming uncertainty, all she could do was gaze endlessly beyond the dense forest from which the cold wind emanated. She desperately hoped someone would arrive soon from that direction to save her.

According to the village chief, the elves were engaged in serious deliberations regarding what assistance they might provide to Evelyn. Nothing had been definitively decided yet.

Nevertheless, she felt grateful that she was at least permitted to wait near Jupiter’s border. She had heard that unauthorized humans approaching this area would be mercilessly killed by arrows, but this young elven guard had shown leniency because he had met the village chief during the latter’s youth.