The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 38

After Miska, who had made nonsensical remarks, was restrained and dragged away by the other mercenaries, the group descended the hill along a small path.

The forest, seen up close, was farther than it had appeared from atop the hill.

After moving approximately one kilometer, they could finally get a good look at a group that had emerged from the forest.

“What… is that?”

Piotr asked, his eyes wide open.

The elves waiting at the entrance to the path leading into the forest were all armed and were riding animals that were not horses.

At first glance, they looked like cows, but they were darker in color and a bit larger than cattle.

Additionally, their horns protruded forward from the forehead rather than extending from the sides of the head like a cow’s.

“Could those… be, d-deer?”

“That’s right. They’re deer. Those are called Gau.”

“Gau? How can a deer be that big… wow…”

Piotr had regularly hunted in his hometown and had caught fairly large deer before, but the size of the Gau was beyond what he considered normal.

After all, no matter how large a deer is, the idea of it carrying a person, let alone a fully armed adult, was absurd.

However, the creatures the approaching group was riding were neither horses nor cows but animals resembling deer.

“Deer? That’s a deer?”

“Look at the size of it. It’s bigger than most bulls.”

“Why is it so tall?”

Even the mercenaries, seeing the Gau for the first time, could not hide their astonishment.

‘I was just as surprised the first time I saw it.’

Long ago, Si-on was greatly surprised when he first saw the Gau that the elves were riding.

But then, Si-on remembered that a similar animal existed on Earth.

Though he had never seen one in person, the Gau resembled the moose that lived in North America.

The only difference was that the horns of the Gau pointed forward rather than fanning out like a moose’s antlers, but their size and appearance were strikingly similar.

Even the fact that they had a temperament so fierce that taming them was nearly impossible was the same.

However, the elves, known as the Forest Tribe, tamed these giant deer and used them much like cattle or horses.

Though a bit slower than horses, they were strong and quite fast, making them excellent for both work and riding.

“I want one. It would be great if we could raise them too.”

“Elves have been taming the Gau for ages, so why do you think humans haven’t tried raising them?”

“What?”

“It’s because only elves can tame them. Plus, they aren’t suitable as livestock because their meat is tough and tasteless. The hide is useful, but there are plenty of other animals that can substitute, so there’s no particular reason to raise these creatures. Most importantly, Gau can’t survive long outside the areas where elves live.”

Although the Gau’s lifespan was similar to that of a cow or horse, around 20 to 25 years, that was only when they lived alongside the elves.

Wild Gau living near elf settlements lived for around ten years, and in places without elves, they couldn’t even reproduce.

Thus, all human attempts to raise Gau had ended in failure.

“That’s a shame.”

“Still, you’ll see them often in the Si-on Duchy. They often use Gau instead of horses or cattle there.”

“Wait, didn’t you just say they couldn’t be raised by anyone but elves?”

“The Si-on Ducal Family has good relations with the elves. Though few in number, some elves live among humans at the request of the Ducal Family. They raise Gau and help out in various ways.”

“You know a lot, huh? Our Founding Patriarch made it all possible.”

Sirvan, who had snuck up quietly at some point, interjected with pride.

“Elves are a high-nosed and unsociable race. But the Founding Patriarch was a figure they respected. That’s why they followed him to the Duchy and have continued to help us to this day. But…”

Sirvan continued with a meaningful glance, unaware that the Founding Patriarch he so admired was standing right in front of him.

“Outside nobles don’t like it. Especially the royal family—they hate it. But don’t worry. My Uncle Yonas and I are here… huh? W-where are you going?”

As Si-on suddenly urged his horse forward, Sirvan panicked.

“Salen! That man is really…!”

Flustered, Sirvan tried to call Si-on back but quickly gave up.

‘Hmph! It’s about time someone put him in his place.’

Elves were known as a gentle and peace-loving race.

But that was only because of their beautiful appearance and their past participation in the Dark Dragon War, where they assisted the Six Heroes.

At least, the people of the Si-on Duchy knew better.

They knew how exclusive and combative elves could be.

Even though the group was bearing the banner of the Si-on Ducal Family, the elves’ tendency to distrust outsiders, especially armed ones, made it unlikely they would even engage in conversation.

‘So, this know-it-all about elves is finally going to get some comeuppance. Let’s see him embarrass himself.’

Sirvan was planning to reluctantly (but gallantly) step in when Si-on was inevitably ignored by the elves. But just then, as he was secretly snickering to himself…

“Greetings. Strong and powerful afternoon. The Watcher’s Forest welcomes overnight stays? Not yet?”

“Overnight stay possible. Always welcome. If you want, hunting and gathering allowed. Get permission and offer a bribe. 30% of collected goods.”

“Good bribe offering. Gifts to Elder. Permission?”

“Elder welcomes well-mannered gifts and likes guests. What return gift do you wish?”

“Only conversation.”

“Good agreement.”

It was a peculiar exchange, but to Sirvan, whose grasp of Elven language was still immature, that was all he could understand.

“H-he can speak Elven?”

“I’ve never heard anything like it, so that’s Elven? Nephew, what did Sir Salen say?”

Likewise astonished, Piotr asked, and Sirvan hesitated as he replied.

“He… he greeted them first, and then they talked about something like camping and bribes…?”

“Camping? Bribes?”

“Tsk, tsk! I told you to study Elven more diligently, but you’re still like this?”

Yonas clicked his tongue and interjected, causing Sirvan to blush.

“Do you speak Elven well, sir?”

Now fully embracing Piotr as “family,” Yonas smiled warmly at him.

“Anyone from our family should be able to speak Elven, Brother Piotr. Of course, you’re an exception. Take your time learning. If you’d like, I can arrange a native tutor for you.”

“Oh, thank you, Brother.”

“Haha! Don’t mention it. Are we not family? We’re family! Haha!”

As Yonas laughed heartily and patted Piotr on the back, Sirvan felt a mix of disbelief and jealousy.

‘He’s never spoken to me like that even once.’

Sirvan became sullen.

Recognizing that his young nephew was, after all, still just a child, Piotr, now more familiar with the boy’s nature, patted Sirvan on the shoulder.

“Nephew, you should learn with me. You’ll know more than I do, so teach me a bit while we travel.”

“Oh! That’s a great idea.”

Yonas beamed and gave Sirvan a knowing look.

Sirvan, realizing that he had a chance to teach his young granduncle something, began to feel a bit better.

But he didn’t want to show it.

“W-well, if Uncle Yonas insists, I guess I have no choice. Studying together wouldn’t be too bad, I suppose. Just know, I’m not doing it because my granduncle asked me.”

‘He’s still a kid.’

‘Definitely a kid.’

‘How cute….’

Though one of those thoughts was somewhat dangerous, the mercenaries around had now figured out what kind of person Sirvan was.

“What a tsundere.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Having finished his intense but polite conversation with the elves, Si-on returned and smiled at the sight of the interaction between his descendants.

“Anyway, we’ve got permission from the elves.”

“Oh! So, are we heading straight to the Duchy?”

“No. We have to meet the Elder—the Elven Elder—first.”

“The Elder…!?”

“The Elven Elder?”

Yonas wasn’t surprised at all, but Sirvan and Piotr each reacted for different reasons.

Sirvan was shocked because he knew who the Elder was, and Piotr was puzzled, not understanding why they needed to meet the Elven Elder.

“There are a few things you need to do to truly become a member of the Si-on Ducal Family. Meeting the Elder is one of them.”

“Oh, I see. Understood.”

Piotr, who had come to realize Si-on’s immense knowledge and experience despite his age, nodded as if it made sense.

But Sirvan was different.

“W-wait, meeting the Elder…? They’re going to introduce an outsider to the Elder?”

Sirvan, muttering in shock and disbelief, turned to look at Yonas.

“Uncle, is this really okay? What if the main family raises an issue later…”

“It’s fine.”

“Huh?”

Sirvan’s face went blank at Yonas’s immediate and confident answer.

“But…”

Sirvan tried to ask again, having regained his composure, but at that moment, a large shadow loomed over them.

“A traveler who knows our language and respects our culture and etiquette is never turned away.”

An elf riding a Gau, whose height was two heads taller than the large horses the group was riding, spoke with a voice as smooth and flowing as water.

“Moreover, he says you bear the blood of Si-on. The new Si-on is always welcome.”

The elf smiled at Piotr.

The elf’s smile, as if trees that had been drenched in a midsummer rain were sparkling again in the sunlight, left Piotr feeling not just admiration but almost entranced.

“Oh, right. I am Friel Buksan. Nice to meet you, grandson of Maria Si-on.”

“Ah… Yes! I’m Piotr, Piotr Si-on Kilburn. Pleased to meet you, Lord Buksan.”

“I’m not a knight, so ‘Lord’ isn’t the correct title. Buksan is the surname the first Si-on gave our race, so please just call me by my name.”

As Friel finished speaking, Sirvan quickly interjected.

“Granduncle, the elves living in our duchy have three surnames: Buksan, Kosan, and Namsan.”

“Oh… Those are unique yet dignified names.”

“I think so too. The first Si-on was a peerless warrior and also known for his incredible knowledge.”

“Ahem! Right, let’s get going.”

Si-on, feeling somewhat embarrassed, urged them forward.

The truth was, the elves’ names were all similar, so when he had to divide them among a few places, he found it too bothersome to come up with individual surnames.

Hence, he created Buksan (those sent below the northern mountain), Namsan (those sent south of the duchy), and Kosan (those sent to the highest mountain).

If the elves ever learned the truth, they would have every right to beat him without consequence.

* * *

The group, having tethered their wagons near the elven shelters, followed Friel and the elven warriors off the main road and through the forest.

Due to the nature of the forest, it became dark within a few hours, but the group managed to reach the elven village before nightfall.

The village was named Buksan, after the surname Si-on had bestowed upon the elves when he settled them there.

Since it was nighttime, the elven village was rather quiet.

Moreover, because elves rarely used fire in their dwellings and had excellent night vision, the area was quite dark.

“This way, please.”

However, because of their human guests, about ten torches had been lit, and the group followed Friel, lamenting that they couldn’t explore the elven village (their real disappointment being unable to see the female elves).

After walking for a few minutes from the village entrance, Friel suddenly stopped and turned around.

Those who were following him halted in confusion.

Friel calmly scanned the group with his eyes.

Since not everyone was carrying a torch, some faces were obscured in the darkness, but with his keen vision, Friel could clearly see everyone’s expressions.

Friel, the most skilled warrior among the Buksan elves, noticed something peculiar: the eyes of three humans subtly shifted to the left.

“You can see them, can’t you?”

“…???”

His cryptic question left Yonas, Sirvan, and almost everyone else bewildered.

However, the three individuals Friel glanced at—Piotr, Stelman of the Janstrick Mercenary Group, and Si-on—reacted differently.

Piotr and Stelman, looking quite flustered, kept turning their heads to the left like idiots, while Si-on watched Friel with a slightly tense expression.

Friel picked up a branch and drew something on the ground.

“Do you see this symbol on the left side of your field of vision? And the numbers too?”

The gazes of Si-on, Piotr, and Stelman dropped to the ground.

[LEVEL]

That was what was written in the dirt.