Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 157

157. Grasping the Situation

“I’m sowwy, I-I’m okii now.”

I was still sniffling, but I said this because I felt bad for the boys. The two of them are still concerned about me, telling me not to push myself. Ugh, such good kids…!

I thought about it for a bit, and came to the conclusion that it was probably best to tell them about myself. They had told me about themselves, and since we’re going to be traveling together, it would be best if they knew my abilities.

“My name’s Meg. I’m fwom the Demon Continent. …I’m an Elf.”

As I said this, I tucked my hair behind my ear, and then showed them my long ears. I could tell they gasped.

“I’m awwound… fifty. I-I don’t know my exact age…”

“Fifty and you’re a little girl?” I understand Licht’s comment. I get it, I get it. It took me a while to get used to it too. It’s almost grandma age for a human. I’m starting to feel sad just thinking about it. I’ll stop.

“B-But, if you’re an Elf, your hair and eyes…”

Ronaldo hesitated, and then I finally realized. That’s right, I have black hair and black eyes right now. I took off the fashionable magic tool. Their eyes widened as my coloring instantly reverted.

“This is my weal color. I was just trying out the magic tool today that I got…”

“Shining hair, blue eyes… It’s an unusual combination, but those are definitely the characteristics of an Elf.”

Ronaldo nodded repeatedly, seemingly convinced. So it’s common knowledge.

“Just trying it, huh. You’re incredibly lucky… You’d have stood out if you hadn’t. And it wouldn’t have been so easy to escape.”

Wouldn’t have been so easy? What does that mean? I tilted my head, and then they both blushed. Wh-What is it?

“Ahem. Well, um, Elves are… incredibly valuable. Especially children. Even I can’t believe it, even though I’m seeing one right in front of me.”

No, you’re just going to have to believe it. I’m right here! …But I’ll keep it a secret that I’m actually a High Elf, and the Demon King’s daughter.

Well, basically, what he’s saying is, I’m incredibly rare. I’d known, but I hadn’t really grasped it… How peaceful had my life been? Maybe it’s the former Japanese person in me…

“So. If you’d appeared like that back there. The royals would have immediately captured you. They’re gathering those with high magic power, demi-humans… They might have surrounded you, isolated you. And considering that this country’s rumored to be involved in human trafficking… they might have even trampled you in their excitement.”

“F-Fueh…!?”

“Ah, wait, don’t cry. It was just an example. Don’t cry, okay?”

My tear ducts, at the thought of that… scary situation! But I held back, because the conversation wouldn’t move forward here. I did my best.

“So basically, Meg. We have to keep it a secret that you’re an Elf. That’s why, coincidentally or not, you were incredibly lucky to have been wearing that magic tool.”

I-I see. I might have been captured and sold if I hadn’t been able to escape… I finally grasped the reality, and shuddered. I’m truly grateful to Maille-san!

Licht then told me to go back to my previous coloring and hide my ears. He said it wasn’t safe, even though no one was around. I understood how he felt, so I immediately turned back into my black-haired, black-eyed, self.

“B-But, would a country… really do something like that?”

Ronaldo hesitantly asked this. It’s true. I might have been captured, but it would be terrible if the country was involved in human trafficking, wouldn’t it?

“I don’t know the details either, but… there are well-known rumors that such things are happening behind the scenes.”

“No way… This is Tortiga, isn’t it? It’s famous for its good governance…”

Is Tortiga the name of this country, or this region? I’m just guessing from their conversation.

“That’s why, right? What if they’re using that human trafficking to support their finances? They’re probably even profiting from it. That’s why it looks like they’re practicing good governance.”

I guess there are bad people everywhere. Especially since this is the human continent. Leo-jii had said that I shouldn’t let my guard down around humans. That people who seem good could actually be bad. Ugh, humans are scary. Even though I was one before!

“Well, it’s pointless to talk about it here. Let’s think about what’s right in front of us.”

Th-That’s right. There’s nothing we can do about something on a national scale. I have my thoughts, but I have to put them aside.

“First, it’s not a problem for me, because I live nearby. And Ronaldo, you can probably walk home too, right?”

“Ah, yeah… I don’t know the way, and it’s probably a bit far, but…”

“The problem is… Meg.”

That’s right. Those two are on this continent, but I have to cross one. This is impossible! How am I, a little girl with no fighting ability, supposed to get home by myself!? As I was on the verge of despair, Ronaldo hesitantly spoke up.

“Ah, um… It might be… okay.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’m from a mine…”

A mine… I’ve heard that recently, right? Ah, could it be…

“The teleportation magic circle!”

“Yeah, if we explain the situation… maybe…”

That’s right! You can easily travel between the mines on this continent and the Demon Continent using the teleportation magic circle!

“But I’ve never seen it myself, and it’s closely guarded, so… it might not be easy…”

Ah, that’s right. You need to give them something in exchange. If I remember correctly, the Demon King allowed them to start a business in the castle town, and Dad got rid of those troublesome monsters. And then I worried about not having anything to give them…! Hmm… I should have thought about it more carefully!

“Well, whatever. We won’t know until we try, right? We can think about it then!”

Licht smiled, saying we need to leave here first. He’s just postponing the problem, but it makes sense. Nothing will start if we don’t act!

“Yeah, at least with me there, you’ll be able to enter the mine. I’ll go with you, all the way there.”

“R-Really!? Ronyaudo-shan…!”

I stumbled. Sounds like a cat.

“I-I-I’m sowwy…!”

“It’s fine. Just call me Ronny. No need for honorifics.”

“Kuku~, you’re funny, Meg. I’ll call you Ronny too. And just call me Licht. And you can relax and speak casually.”

The tense atmosphere relaxed a little. It’s all thanks to me! I need to think that way, or I won’t be able to handle this! I’m so embarrassed! Cat number two, after Gil-san!

Gil-san… you must be worried. Dad, Saura-san, Kei-san, and everyone else. Their faces appeared for a moment, and then I shook my head. No, I can’t think about that yet.

I gritted my teeth and tried to think about something else. I’m Meg, the poster girl of Ortus. It’s too early to despair. I’ll take it one step at a time, do everything I can, and definitely return to everyone!

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