Chapter 363: Don't Say Anything

Chapter 363 - Don't Say Anything

"My name is Amicus. And yours?"

"Earth. That's my name. Nice to meet you."

"Yes, well met, Earth!"

The mishap I had caused and the hostility directed at me all disappeared, and the elf named Amicus looked at me with a pure, smiling face.

She didn't seem to be very wary and just stared at me carefully, observing me.

"Are you a rather youthful one?"

"Hmm? Ah, I'm 15, but ......."

"Truly?! The same as I? We are of the same age!"

"Eh? Oh, is that so?"

"Yes!"

Saying that, Amicus happily grabbed my hand and shook it up and down. Swaying vertically...... it's nothing, just forget about it.

...... Huh? So we're the same age!?

"I have never met a human of my own age before this. Brother and sister, even when I secretly wander to the village at the foot of the hill, I have had no dealings with one of my own years......."

"I see...... Hmm? Brother? Sister?"

"Yes! Though they're human, I have an older brother and sister who have always played with me since times long past. So, if you try anything unbecoming to me, brother and sister, who are exceedingly strong, shall not remain silent! I, too, am strong, though ♪."

This elf girl. She must be an elf from the settlement we were heading for. If she's the same age as me, that means she was born after the war.

And then, "human brother and sister who are really strong"...

"Do you mean Slayer and Espie?"

"Huh?! Eh?! Why?! How do you know of that, Earth?"

When he mentioned their names, Amicus looked surprised. I thought so......

"I'm like family to those two."

"Huh!?"

"And today, I was heading to the elven settlement with them. On the way we were playing tag and I tried a new technique and we got separated...... I see......"

"Then the special guest brother and sister said they were bringing soon... that was you, Earth! Well, well! But... what do you mean by 'family'?"

"Haha, well, it's a bit of a complicated situation... I'll tell you when we meet up with those two."

"Wow, incredible! I see, that's right~!"

After learning that I was their family, Amicus seemed relieved, smiled, and took my hand.

"Then there's no problem, is there? I'll guide you to our settlement, 'Tapil Bael'!"

"Bubo!?"

"Hey Earth? What ails you? Are you well?"

"No, I'm just a little surprised...... I mean, why such a name?"

I couldn't help but gush at the unexpected and surprising name.

"Eh, ah, yes...... it seems, before I was born, Father and the others lived elsewhere. But then, terrifying folk attacked the place and they couldn't live there anymore, so at that time, there was a person who saved the elves, and not only that, but also provided gold and a new land. In gratitude, they named our settlement after that benefactor, or so I've been told."

"He, heh~......"

Is that about me? No, it was to show gratitude, but why that name?

Then, Tre'ainar was laughing beside me.

『Hehehe... I suppose they could not just name the settlement Earth Lagann after all...』

"Ah...... Well......

『Besides, the funding was provided under that pseudonym......』

I see. But, I didn't know something like this would happen.

I never thought the name on the fake ID that Paripi had prepared for me would be used as the name of the elven settlement......

"That's why, you see, Brother, Sister, and even the great benefactor Tapil Bael himself, are all humans...... So, though I know there are evil and frightening humans, I also understand that not all of them are like that. When I looked into your eyes, I thought, 'He should be fine'."

"I, I see......

"So, Earth, if you're the guest they spoke of, I'll do my very best to welcome you properly ♪."

I'm Tapil Bael...... I was about to blurt that out, but to explain it, I would have to explain that I went to a past era or something like that, and that would be such a pain, so I decided to keep quiet for now.

"Ufufufu, but we must keep it a secret, right? About you touching my body—Father, Mother, Brother, and Sister must never know. They'd be quite furious if they did ♪."

"Yes, I'd really appreciate that! Please don't tell Slayer or Espie!"

"Hmm~, what-should-I-do ~♡"

"A, Amicus?"

"Fufufu, alright, I'll stay silent. But in return, you must become my friend."

"Eh? Ah, well, if that's okay with you."

"Yay♡, I've made a new friend ~!"

Saying that, Amicus squeezed my hand happily.

Is it really that exciting to just be friends...... In any case, it was worth it if she could just keep quiet about what had happened earlier.

"If we're just friends, it should be fine. All four of them are quite overprotective, you see."

"Overprotective?"

"That's right. Whenever I talk to a boy, they immediately start asking, 'What's your relationship with him?' or 'Do you like him?' It's so frustrating?'"

"Hmm, overprotective huh...... "

Amicus' parents? I don't know who they are, but do they remember me?

Well, the only ones I've had any contact with in that village were Mr. Chieftain and his wife.

"Really, so overprotective. The boys in the village are all just like friends or brothers to me. I have my own 'type' that I like, so I wouldn't fall for someone who doesn't match that. But when I tell them that, all four of them just make this troubled face, you know?"

"He, heh~, I see... even Espie and Slayer......."

"Yes, that's right, Oh, Earth, is there a maiden you like~?"

"Eh? Uh, uh... that's sudden......."

As soon as we became friends, we suddenly started having a love talk.

Come to think of it, Espie and Slayer have also been talking about love, so is it a trend?

Amicus' eyes were sparkling with joy as well...... a girl I like, huh...... when the topic comes up, the ones that come to mind are Kron, Shinobu, and Sadiz, and then... one way or another, she said she liked me... Phi————

"My type hasn't changed since my early days."

"Is that so? But...... all the boys in the village are friends...... Hmm?"

"Yes...... that is so."

When I asked a simple question, Amicus gave a bitter smile and a slightly sad look on her face.

"You see, I have always thought, 'This is the sort of boy I desire', and if he is not of that sort... though such a person does not exist, yet still, I......."

"Does not exist? Huh?"

I didn't know what she was talking about. But it seemed like something important, and Amicus looked like she wasn't joking......

『Hmm? Child!』

It was then.

"Amicus!"

"Huh? What? Hey, Earth, wh, huh? Hey, where are you touching, huh, huh! What are you doing... huh?"

Suddenly I sensed a presence. I reacted instantly to Tre'ainar's words.

I took Amicus in my arms, and jumped from the spot.

Then, several arrows struck the ground where we were standing.

"Hohoho. You dodged that one now...... he's a pretty smart kid, ain't you?"

When I turned around, I saw a middle-aged man with a mischievous smile holding a bow and arrow from the top of a tree in the forest.

"Eh? What? Who is it? Earth......"

"...... These guys ......."

While holding Amicus, who had an anxious look on her face, I met the man who appeared......

"There are three more."

"...... Huh?"

I checked the surroundings with the radar. Other people were hiding in the woods and behind the trees, aiming at us.

"Oh, you noticed?"

When I said that, the guy with the bow and arrow at the ready laughed like he was impressed, and then......

"He's not just some brat."

"You're good, boy."

"But when you met us, you ran out of luck."

Armed with swords, spears, and hammers, was a group of four middle-aged men who didn't look like they were any good at all.

Their purpose is ......

"Kiddo, if you want to live, hand that elven girl to us!"

That's right.

And in my arms, Amicus shuddered......

"Oh, you are the ones! The humans who have been wandering about this mountain of late! Begone! If you do not depart, I shall turn you into sweets!"

Amicus glared at them in disgust.

But, the men laughed rather happily at her glare.

"Guhehehe, that's good, you're so feisty, it's irresistible!"

"Such an exquisite body, and yet such a loud roar! I'd love to have a taste!"

"I can't wait to have my way with you! Hey, we don't have to sell it, we can keep it for ourselves, right? Don't you think?"

"You idiot. First, we'll make it tell us where the settlement is, then we eat."

Amicus shuddered with horror.

At the drooling scumbags who were sniggering with sickening smiles on their faces.

Huh......

"Geez, between the ogres and you guys, people just keep bothering the peaceful elves. It's because of people like you that both humans and ogres get a bad reputation."

It's the same as in the past.

"What?"

"Earth......?"

The Ogre Squad of the Demon King Army...... and today, these guys......

"Hey, kid. I'll say it again. If you hand over the girl, I'll spare you your life―――――."

"Don't be ridiculous. This is someone my family seems to care about. And above all...... she's my new friend. What's wrong with risking my life?"

"Wh, what?"

Well, I guess there's no other way. It seems these guys are hunters, so I could take the Amicus and run away, but if they're wandering around looking for the settlement, I'll have to make sure they endure a bit of pain before sending them home.

"U, um Earth...... um ......."

"Don't say anything, Amicus."

"...... Huh?"

"Don't worry. I'll get this done in no time."

"............ eh... ah... ahh..."

I smiled, trying to reassure the trembling Amicus.

Then, in response to my words, Amicus stared blankly, looking a bit blushed.

And......

"Hah! What a cheeky brat! We're in the mountains, so if we bury the body somewhere nearby no one will find out...... that's why we won't show you any mercy! We're going to show you the power of professional hunters! We'll tell you our names as a gift on your way to the afterlife!"

Professional hunters. Saying this, the men roared......

"The name's Koino!"

"I'm Kyupie!"

"My name is Tenpure!"

"Call me Ebento!"

One after another, they announced themselves and attacked us all at once.

The way they carry themselves, with coordinated movements that leave no gaps in their formation, is quite impressive.

『Hmm...... well, do not let your guard down, child. After all, the opponents are professionals. That being said...』

Tre'ainar's advice. I certainly can't afford to let my guard down.

I have Amicus here after all.

In addition, they're surrounding and attacking from all sides at the same time...... well, that's fine......

"Then I'll finish it with one shot!"

I won't let my guard down, and as promised, I'll finish it in an instant.

With that technique.

That's easy, right?