Chapter 22: Elven Beliefs
On the twenty-second day of their adventure, with Kraft now in their party, Rhodes and Serie's journey had become much easier.
Somme, in particular, was always the first to charge into battle. Sometimes, the fight was over before Rhodes even had a chance to act. If the dwarf couldn't handle it on his own, Kraft and Serie would step in. Basically, no magical beast could withstand an attack from the three of them.
During this time, Rhodes also persisted in his daily training to increase his mana. He also found time to have Serie teach him her light-pillar missile spell. Serie, of course, agreed, and patiently taught him, step-by-step, how to condense the light and then make it explode. The sight of it made Kraft chuckle wryly, and he would often wander off to a corner to avoid watching them.
"Delicious, delicious! Another bowl, Mr. Rhodes!"
By the fire, Somme held a bowl of wild vegetable and mushroom soup, his praise effusive. It was the first time he had ever tasted such a refined and delicious meal.
"Just call me Rhodes," he said, refilling Somme's bowl. Other than his fighting style and his appetite, there was nothing dwarven about this dwarf. The mere fact that he knew how to sew was something Rhodes still couldn't quite wrap his head around. He had no idea how those large hands could so skillfully wield a small needle and thread. It just went to show that stereotypes could be very misleading.
"It truly is delicious. I think I'm beginning to understand why you're traveling with Rhodes, Serie," Kraft said, taking a large bite of a roasted meat skewer.
"That's not the reason," Serie retorted, taking small sips of her own mushroom soup. Ever since she had burned her tongue, she had learned her lesson and now always blew on her soup before drinking it. "But I am surprised that you would accept such food." In the Great Elven Forest, Kraft had been a pure vegetarian, just like her. Though, in her case, it was because she had nothing else to eat, and she would occasionally try new things, like the roasted mushroom skewer Rhodes had offered her when they first met. To see Kraft now, so enthusiastically eating meat, was a little surprising.
"In a hundred years of adventuring, you won't find the fruits and plants of the Great Elven Forest," Kraft explained. "When you're hungry, you eat whatever you can find. Most of us who venture out end up like this."
Hearing Kraft's words, a bold theory formed in Rhodes's mind. Could it be that, a few thousand years from now, all these ancient elves will become meat-eaters like Frieren? Rhodes felt as if he had just stumbled upon a great historical truth.
"Speaking of which," he said, "I thought the Great Elven Forest was the only elven settlement. I didn't know there was an Elven Kingdom as well."
"That would have been about two thousand years ago," Kraft began. "The War of the Gods had just begun, and the elves of the Great Forest were divided on the matter of the war."
This goes all the way back to the beginning of the Age of Myth? Rhodes immediately scooted closer, straining his ears to catch every detail of this secret history. He didn't notice that he had pressed right up against Serie. When he finally realized, his thigh was firmly against hers, and he could smell her fresh, clean scent. Fortunately, our Miss Serie didn't seem to mind. As long as he wasn't pinning her down like he had in the tent, she didn't seem to care.
Seeing that Serie wasn't pushing him away, Rhodes brazenly stayed where he was.
Kraft continued his story. "The elves worship the Goddess of Life, but the Goddess's chosen people are not the elves, but the Sky-Winged Tribe. When the Goddess of Life was drawn into the War of the Gods, some elves believed they should fight for her. Others believed that the elves' path had nothing to do with their faith. The final result was that some elves left the forest, abandoning the title of 'Ancient Elf.'"
"Sounds a bit like a story of the strongest elf in history versus the strongest modern elf," Rhodes commented out of the blue, a remark that no one else understood.
"'The strongest elf in history'?" Kraft asked, his interest piqued. "Who are you referring to? Lucim? Laedolas? Or Caevintrel?"
Kraft reeled off a list of names Rhodes had never heard before. They must have been famous elven warriors of the past. Kraft had clearly misunderstood him. "Ah, just a legend I heard in my tribe," he said, laughing it off. "I can't quite remember the name."
Serie looked at him suspiciously. "A human tribe would have legends about elves?" She had asked him where he was from before, and he had only told her that he had come from across the eastern sea, from a very large human nation. Serie had no way of knowing if he was telling the truth. After all, she had no idea what lay on the other side of the sea.
"Well..." Rhodes continued his fabrication. "It was probably a story told by a traveler who had met an elf." Anyway, in a fantasy world like this, with a massive continent, no one knew what was on the other side of the sea, so he could say whatever he wanted.
Kraft laughed heartily. "I see! So we elves are quite famous among you humans!"
Famous, indeed, Rhodes thought wryly. Though our reputation has taken some strange turns over the years. He kept this thought to himself to avoid further questions.
"What happened then?" Somme interjected. "What happened to the elves who left the forest?"
Rhodes had already guessed the next part of the story.
Kraft's expression grew serious. "They founded the Elven Kingdom and joined the War of the Gods, a war that has been raging for two thousand years."
"Until this very day," Serie finished softly. As a member of the Great Elven Forest, she was actually quite envious of those elves, to be able to participate so openly and freely in the war.
After she spoke, a brief silence fell upon the group. The flames of the campfire danced in the gentle breeze, until Kraft spoke again.
"But, Serie, you still haven't changed your mind?"
Kraft's question was sudden, but both Serie and Rhodes knew what he was referring to.
Seeing her silence, Kraft sighed. "Very well. But do not go to those places rashly, not until you feel you are strong enough."
His journey with them would end at Glimmerwood. After that, he would be traveling alone. This was his last attempt to dissuade her.
Serie nodded. "I know my own limits."
"Good." Kraft turned to Rhodes. "Take care of her."
Rhodes didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I think it's more like she's taking care of me."
A smile played on Kraft's lips. "In terms of strength, that is true. But..." he gave Rhodes a meaningful look, "you are the first person that Serie has ever cared so much about."