Chapter 151


    Recently, as in about six months ago, did you not ignite a fire in a forest where the Apfros nest was?


    Huh?


    Raciel unintentionally replied. The elf womans eyes turned icy.


    Exactly. The leader of the arsonist gang. Lieutenant Rihan.


    Its true. He has no intention of denying it. But that wasnt a recent event. Therefore,


    This feels quite unfair.


    Unfair?


    The elf womans eyebrows furrowed.


    He expressed hisint sincerely.


    Its true that I set fire to the forest. But youre portraying me as a wicked person with your clever rhetoric.


    A wicked person? Me? You?


    Yes.


    Why?


    You questioned me with a knife to my throat from the beginning, asking if I had set fire to the forest recently.''


    Thats correct.


    So, I thought. Arson? Did I recently do such a thing? But I should at least remember it if I did, especially if it was recently.''


    Raciel calmly interrogated.


    How did this elf woman infiltrate the heavily guarded Second Princes pce without being detected? She must be a master of stealth techniques.


    But he wasnt afraid. The reason was simple. From the moment he first saw the elf womans eyes, he sensed that a friendly conversation was possible.


    <em>If she truly wanted to harm me, she would have attacked me immediately.</em>


    He remembered once again. He is the crown prince of the empire. Anyone attempting to assassinate him wouldnt engage in a conversation. They would simply aplish their mission and escape.


    <em>Furthermore, in the novel Devil Sword Emperor, it was stated that elves never interfere in human politics.</em>


    So, theres no reason for her to harm him. This means the elf woman wants something from him.


    This gave him confidence.


    He confidently questioned the woman. The impact was quite assertive.


    So what now? Are you trying to engage in wordy with me? Youmitted arson recently. Six months ago.


    Yes. I didnt think you would consider an event from half a year ago to be recent.''


    Why isnt that recent?


    Why is it recent?


    Its recent because it is.


    Then, why did youe to inquire about it as if its old news only now, after half a year?


    I took some time to contemte how to approach you.


    Their gazes shed in the empty air. Raciel realized that this elfs perception of time seemed to be quite different from that of humans.


    So, lets first remove the knife from my neck and converse.


    Why?


    Didnt youe because you have something to say?


    Threatening with a knife isnt the best way to make a request. Unless its a robbery.


    I might rob you.


    State your demand first.


    I wantpensation.


    For setting fire to the forest?


    Clearly.


    Did she recall the incident then? The elf womans eyes became fierce once more.


    It was a beautiful forest. Numerous nts thrived, each with its own unique song. But you, a young human, set it aze. Without anyones permission or understanding, you heartlessly burned innocent nts.


    Yes, I apologize. I have no excuse.


    Raciel openly admitted his guilt. In reality, there was no excuse. He had set the forest aze to fend off the giant wasp Vesparos, but arson remained arson.


    Furthermore, he recollected the characteristics of the elves in this world as described in the novel Devil Sword Emperor.


    <em>Extremely passionate nt lovers.</em>


    That was the most striking trait of the elves in this world. They adored nts. It wasnt just fondness or affection; it was an obsession to the point of pampering a ragweed thirty times over.


    <em>To what extent? To the extent that they wouldnt even consume nts.</em>


    The elves in this world were not vegetarians at all. They refrained from eating fruits as well. Their diet consisted solely of meat, all in the name of safeguarding nts. Their garments were crafted entirely from animal hides and sinews, even their bows and arrows were fashioned from animal bones, sinews, and obsidian.


    <em>Even the women were the ones who ventured out of the vige for hunting. Why? Because their lighter bodies caused less harm to the grass when traversing the forest.</em>


    In simple terms, they were fervent advocates of nt life.


    The ultimate carnivorous conservationists.


    That was the reality of the elves.


    Yet, just like that, a zealous nt-loving elf hade to hold him ountable for setting fire to the forest. He had been apprehended, so to speak. Therefore, denying responsibility would only stoke greater anger.


    So, I am willing to offer you suitablepensation. Just let me know.


    Raciel adopted a businesslike demeanor. Acknowledge what needed acknowledgment and provide adequatepensation. He was confident in his ability to handle anypensation as the crown prince. He wielded immense authority and had also amassed considerable wealth from the Minotaur-bile Clear Heart Pill.


    But the elf womans response was astonishing.


    Go to the forest yourself and restore it.


    Pardon?


    Didnt you hear me? Go to the forest you burned and nt new trees and grass.


    Are you perhaps an ambassador for Arbor Day?


    Arbor Day? Whats that?


    Never mind, its not important. Are you suggesting that I should personally go there and nt trees and grass?


    Yes.


    How many trees should I nt?


    Restore it to its pre-fire condition.


    So, if I simply nt that many, its sufficient?


    No.


    The elf woman shook her head resolutely and made an even more startling statement.


    The trees and grass that are nted must be carefully nurtured until they grow to resemble their previous state. Thats true restoration, isnt it?


    Hold on.


    Listening to this, a strange sensation crept up Raciels spine. He suppressed a looming headache and inquired,


    So, to sum it up, youre proposing that I should live as a forest caretaker, nting and nurturing trees and grass until the forest is fully restored?


    Exactly.


    Do you realize that it would take at least 10, if not 20, years topletely restore a forest after a wildfire?


    Of course.


    20 years isnt such a long time, is it?


    Unbelievable!


    Raciel inwardly eximed. It didnt make sense. Twenty years would consume nearly 30% of an average humans life.


    <em>I mean, I haventmitted some heinous crime deserving a 20-year sentence!</em>


    He was even more baffled by the elfs nonchnt attitude towards such a substantial amount of time. He barely restrained his mental state, which was nearing the point of despair.


    Wait, are you kidding me right now?


    Kidding? Me? Why?


    Because for your race, which can live for thousands of years, 20 years might not be much. But for me, 20 years is a significant portion of my life.


    In that case?


    Cant we find another way to make amends?


    Like what?


    I will cover all the expenses required for the forests restoration.


    Money?


    Yes.


    Dont make meugh. A few shiny coins hold no value for us elves.


    It wont be just a few.


    What?


    It will be several crates.


    If you want, I can provide even more.


    She hesitated.


    For a brief moment, the elf womans eyes wavered!


    <em>Ive got it!</em>


    He was certain.


    No matter how noble the forest elves may be, in the face of gold coins, they had to be on equal terms. Because the idea that money had no value was all a facade.


    <em>Of course. Who in the world doesnt need money?</em>


    Just look at the elf woman before him. Did she spend every day camping out while traveling from the elf vige to here? Did she sustain herself by catching rats and sparrows in back alleys?


    No, that was highly unlikely. It was impossible. If she had traveled all this way without any resources, her hair, reminiscent of a hair treatmentmercial, and her well-kept attire wouldnt make sense.


    Hopeful of convincing her, Raciel spoke quickly.


    So, how much would it be?


    I can offer a significant workforce for the forest restoration.


    Wouldnt that be more convenient for both of us?


    The Elf womans gaze delved into contemtion. The dagger that had once been aimed at his neck had silently been lowered. Likely because she found his argument reasonablypelling.


    Sensing the favorable atmosphere, Raciel pressed on.


    Think about it rationally. Im already filled with remorse. I acknowledge the wrong Ivemitted in destroying this precious forest. So, I want to make the most efficient and effectivepensation. Whats the point if I alone struggle for 20 years to revive the forest?


    Instead, invest some money, hire more people for maintenance. Then the forest would regenerate much sooner, be healthier, and everyone would be happy. Birds would sing in the clear air, oxygen would fill the atmosphere, it wouldbat global warming  wed all rally for Greenpeace, you know. Wouldnt that satisfy everyone?


    Consider it.


    He was making progress. He was close. Raciel subtly posed his persuasive question.


    The Elf womans gaze wavered even further.


    She pondered,<em> Whats this human?</em>


    She was perplexed.


    She hadnt anticipated this response. She had expected him to either strictly adhere to her demands due to the gravity of his offense or tly reject them. It was either one or the other.


    But it wasnt. He offered a substantial sum of money forpensation, iming it would satisfy everyone.


    It sounded far-fetched, but she couldnt easily refute it. Struggling to gather her mixed emotions, she spoke.


    I understand your point. However


    Youre hesitating, arent you?


    Yes, I am.


    How about pausing to think about it?


    Pause to think?


    Yes.


    Raciel nodded discreetly.


    Its a crucial decision and negotiation, isnt it? Deciding hastily would be strange, dont you think? So why not take a moment to ponder, consider various perspectives, and then we can continue our conversation?


    It made sense.


    Caught in Raciels rhythm, the Elf woman found herself nodding almost as if enchanted.


    Fine. Ill pause and think about it, then return.


    Youve made a wise choice.


    Yes. Ill be back soon, so wait for me.


    Of course, take your time.


    Raciel bid her farewell casually.


    The Elf woman disappeared in an instant.


    <strong>Whoosh!</strong>


    Did she vanish into the wind? Or did she meld into the shadows? He couldnt discern. What he did know was


    <em>Mission aplished.</em>


    A sly grin formed on Raciels lips. He didnt waste a second before heading back to the banquet hall. The Elfs pause would likely be at least half a day.


    <em>So now, should I prepare as well?</em>


    An unexpected appearance by an Elf woman demanding substantialpensation had initially shocked him. However, upon reflection, it wasnt an insurmountable situation.


    <em>So I should assess my options.</em>


    Finding a way to turn this incident into a profit. He was confident he coulde up with one. He had plenty of time to think and weigh his choices. A night would be more than sufficient.


    His cerebral cortex shifted into high gear.


    (To be Continued)


    To read ahead


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