The visitor did come from the direction of the Antler Forest, along the main road...... But it's not an elf.

It was a small group of humans, looking like businessmen with bodyguards and nobles with escorts. The man in the middle was in his forties, gorgeously dressed, but already bald. The slightly chubby round face was sweating in the hot weather, and his face was tired and impatient, but he still barely squeezed out a polite smile to the elf.

The merchants of Damaran never offended elves.

His protectors were sturdy young warriors, but they were not uniformly dressed, all of them were lazy, and there was a marked lack of respect for their employers or masters.

But the elves don't underestimate them—they seem careless, but every pair of eyes is alert.

“...... Well, finally saw a pointy ear. ”

One of the warriors rode a few steps toward them, scratching at his thick, stiff black beard: "Maybe you can tell us what happened?"

“...... Komen?" Norway recognized the impressive square chin.

The warrior looked at him twice in surprise.

"You know me?" he asked, "I thought you elves couldn't remember human names, just as I couldn't remember your faces." ”

"We met in front of the Temple of Dico. The elf smiled disapprerovingly, "When that plague struck Damaran. ”

"Hmm......" Komen frowned, "I'm sorry, I still can't remember." ”

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please forgive him for being rude. The middle-aged man he had preempted squeezed over and apologized in a smooth elven voice, though the overly courteous tone was more uncomfortable to Norway than Komen's bluntness.

"I'm Shelburne Kirk, Damaran's affairs officer. He saluted Norway in an elven manner. "I'm in charge of doing business with you and a regular visitor to the Antler Forest...... I think you've seen me too?"

“...... I'm sorry. Norway could only smile apologetically, "I'm not the elves of the Antlers Forest—I'm Norwe, the Sunstrider, from Grivar. ”

"Ah, I see. Shelburne nodded abruptly, not as disappointed...... On the contrary, there was a little surprise that could not be concealed: "So, are the elves of the Antler Forest returning to their hometown? Really, it's a good thing, people of a clan should live together. Take care of each other...... Seriously, I've always wondered why they would want to stay so far away from their own kingdom. ”

Norway was stunned. Grivar is not a home for the elves of the Antlers Forest...... But he was more concerned about another issue.

"He didn't know. "He didn't know where the elves had gone—not Grivar, anyway. ”

“...... I really don't know. Norway remained calm, "So...... Are the elves of the Antlers Forest gone?

"I don't know. Komen replied simply and crisply. "If only I knew. We're not going to be on this trip either. ”.

It was only after discovering that the elves had not appeared in Damaran for nearly a month, and had not sent an emissary to inform them of the time of the next transaction, that the rulers of Damaran realized that something was wrong.

The elves did not like humans entering the forest, and this did not change even after the plague, when the people of Damaran became more fond of their elven neighbors. A small number of elves will appear directly in the market of Damaran to buy some items, and large transactions will be made at a time determined by Orin in a meadow between the forest and the city of Damaran.

Levid sent messengers. And the news that the messenger brought back surprised everyone.

He said there wasn't even a ghost in the Antler Forest. ”

Komen told Norvi, "No elf jumped out and pointed an arrow at his head...... Even the leopard is gone. Their cries were not heard, and the whole forest seemed to be dead - but there were no corpses, none of them. ”

Norway was silent, uneasiness spreading over his heart like the cold, dark waters.

He proposed to come to the Antler Forest just to get some news from Pananasses. He was confident that Parnasas would not be indifferent to Grivar's situation...... And among his fellow clans, there is probably only the elf of the Antler Forest, who is still willing to deal with him.

"He didn't dare to go deep into the forest to see what was going on in the elven settlement, so he had to run back and let us run again. Komen tugged at the corners of his mouth with disdain, "Although this trip is still a waste of energy." ”

"Sandwater was completely empty. Shelburne waved his hand to Norvi, "I think the elves should be able to forgive us for trespassing...... We're just worried about what trouble they're in. ”

"It seems to me that they have moved. "The house was empty, there was no blood, no sign of a fight...... They also took with them what they could, weapons, clothing—and that pretty little flag. I just don't know why they're sneaking around, like we're going to stop them. ”

Shelburne glared at him nervously, but Komenli ignored him.

"I don't know if they'll ever come back, but we'll take care of the forest. Shelburne could only turn to Norway and say, "If you know where they are, maybe you can give us a message so that we can rest assured?"

His smile was earnest, and his tone was sincere, but the elf unconsciously felt disgusted, and quickly lost patience.

"Of course. He replied, "Now...... If you don't mind, please let me leave. ”

Perhaps sensing his impatience, Shelburn retreated into his group without saying anything more, but Komen turned back after pulling the horse a few steps away.

"If you're going to look in that wood," he said, "I think that big rock is a little weird...... Maybe your elven eyes can see something I can't. ”

That's a needless reminder. If there was something so striking about it, it was impossible for Norway not to see it...... But he was willing to be grateful for the true kindness that was hidden beneath the rude words.

“...... Why does that balding guy look like he wants the elves of the Antlers Forest to never come back?"

After they had walked some distance, Naria frowned and voiced her doubts. "I thought the people of Damaran had a good relationship with the elves here. ”

"Probably better than elsewhere. Ed replied, "After all, they have been through disasters together. But if the elves left this place behind and never returned...... Damaran had access to the Antler Forest, a fairly rich forest, and the merchants of Damaran could make a fortune just by selling wood. ”

Naria fell silent. Such a practical answer seems more unacceptable than any other purpose, conspiracy and strife...... But most of the time, it's just profit that drives human action.

(To be continued.) )