Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 76 - Messenger of Love

Chapter 76 – Messenger of Love

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“A guide? Oh, of course, I must do that much for you.”

Quite naturally, Martha promised that she would guide them on the path out of the Great Forest once the work was successfully finished.

Thus, Elbridge’s party took a good rest for a day, and from the next morning, they began their search of the Great Forest in earnest.

Or rather, they were about to begin.

“…It seems there are even more ground boars than yesterday.”

Even before crossing the wooden fence, the three felt a sense of helplessness.

In the Great Forest, which was already filled with giant trees, plump ground boars were packed tightly in the spaces between the trees. That sight evoked a primal emotion that was difficult to describe.

Elbridge said, as if letting out a sigh.

“Still, we have to do what we came to do…”

The three pulled themselves together and went outside the wooden fence. Fortunately, the ground boars were gentle today as well.

It was just that being gentle was the problem.

“The merchants probably didn’t fail to come to this village because they were afraid of the ground boars, but because it was hard to move.”

“I think so too.”

“It would be one thing if there were just many of them. Why are they so big?”

The size of a ground boar was much larger than that of a normal wild boar. The shoulder of a ground boar reached around the chests of Elbridge and Marcus.

Although they could somehow see their surroundings, more than half of their vision was blocked, making it inconvenient.

But to Rombel, even that was a luxury.

“Marcus. You and Elbridge can at least see around you. Ever since we left the village, all I’ve seen are the armpits and crotches of the ground boars.”

Rombel grumbled for a moment, then looked around as if something had occurred to him.

And he began to scramble up onto the ground boar in front of him.

Elbridge was startled.

“Be careful. If things go wrong…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t fall.”

“It’s not that, I’m worried the ground boars might go wild.”

Rombel glared at Elbridge for a moment and then spoke.

“…I know. Anyway, these guys don’t seem to care much, right?”

Indeed, the ground boar showed no particular reaction even with Rombel on its back.

Rombel’s expression brightened as he regained his vision.

“Since it’s come to this, let’s split up and search.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“True, but if they start running wild, it won’t make a difference whether there are three of us or just one.”

Since it wasn’t wrong, Elbridge and Marcus nodded.

Rombel continued speaking.

“Besides, right now, we can’t even go inside and are just lingering around the edges. How are we going to find anything like this?”

Rombel stood up on the back of the ground boar, then skillfully hopped across the backs of the ground boars, heading deeper into the Great Forest.

“I’ll go check it out, so wait here.”

Soon, Rombel’s figure vanished from their sight.

*

Around evening that day, Martha asked.

“Where did the dwarf go?”

“…I wonder.”

Rombel did not return to the village even by evening.

Marcus’s expression turned serious.

“There’s no way Mr. Rombel would miss mealtime… Has something happened?”

“Let us look for him first.”

Without even being able to eat, Elbridge and Marcus set out for a night search.

Since the direction Rombel had traveled was toward the center of the herd, Elbridge and Marcus also headed toward the area where the ground boars were most densely packed.

“Careful not to touch the young ones…”

After some time had passed, Marcus beckoned urgently to Elbridge.

Elbridge pushed through the ground boars, approached Marcus, and asked.

“Was there something?”

“Just now, it seemed like some person passed by riding a ground boar.”

“…Was it not Rombel?”

“That person was too tall to be Mr. Rombel.”

Since Rombel’s silhouette was easy to distinguish, Marcus could not have been mistaken.

“And the person I just saw had a somewhat strange face. I only caught a glimpse of the outline, but…”

“Was there a scar?”

“No. I think their ears were long.”

Elbridge’s expression turned grave.

This was because the story Martha had told about the elves came to mind.

“By any chance, about how long were the ears?”

“About this much? They seemed about twice as long as a normal person’s. I almost thought they were horns at first.”

Elbridge’s expression grew serious.

“That might really be an elf.”

At that, Marcus grew slightly excited.

“An elf? Wow, I haven’t seen an elf many times so far.”

“Mr. Marcus. Getting involved with elves is not a good situation.”

“The elves I saw in Solenion were all wonderful. They were pretty or handsome, and their tone and gestures were gentle yet noble…”

Elbridge’s voice sank slightly.

“Marcus. I am not someone who discriminates against other races, but one thing is certain. There is not a single race with individual differences as extreme as the elves.”

“Individual differences?”

“Is there anyone you know whose personality gradually became strange as they aged?”

“Many.”

An upright and honest person does not become a mercenary.

Even if such a person becomes a mercenary because they need money, they quickly leave the industry once they gather the target amount. In the end, those who remain are only those who are not upright and honest.

That was why the majority of old mercenaries were eccentric.

“There are countless cases where a guy who was perfectly fine when he first became a mercenary is completely ruined when you meet him again five years later. Drunkards, thieves, swindlers who can’t open their mouths without scheming, gamblers…”

“Do they return to normal after a few more years?”

“Most of them get worse. Assuming they even survive until then. A guy like me who is still normal after more than ten years of mercenary life is not common.”

“Marcus. Elves live for over a thousand years.”

…

Quick-witted Marcus immediately understood Elbridge’s point.

A human’s life is similar to closing one’s eyes and drawing a line on the dirt floor.

When one first begins to draw the line—that is, in childhood—all lines look similar.

However, as the line is drawn longer, it is bound to deviate or bend slightly.

The differences grow the longer the line is drawn. Finally, when you open your eyes, you face a crooked and distorted line.

Among them, the lines that deviate exceptionally far become the so-called ‘eccentric old men.’

If that is the case for humans who can barely live a hundred years, what would it be like for elves who live for over a thousand years?

However, Marcus only understood the intent and did not agree with Elbridge’s opinion.

“But the elves I saw were all wonderful. Putting their appearance aside, they were nobler than most nobles.”

“Elves are a closed race. They do not send out elves who would disgrace the honor of their race.”

“If that is true… isn’t the elf here also a wonderful elf? Since he left the north and came all the way to the other side of the continent.”

Marcus still could not break free from the prejudice that ‘elves are wonderful and noble.’

But Elbridge was different.

When fighting together on a battlefield, whether they liked it or not, they were bound to expose each other’s rock bottom.

From what Elbridge had observed so far, elves sometimes showed a bottom that was far stranger than that of normal humans.

Elbridge shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, I am not saying he is definitely a bad or strange elf. Just that not all elves are noble. That’s all.”

Marcus’s opinion was not wrong either.

Because visibly strange elves were rare.

Even if they were a little strange, they would only expose their true colors in extreme situations like a battlefield, appearing upright and noble under normal circumstances.

After all, living for over a thousand years meant they had also navigated social life for over a thousand years.

“Anyway, which way did that person—or elf—go?”

“That way.”

Elbridge and Marcus pushed through the ground boars, sometimes jumping over them, as they moved forward.

In the middle, Marcus almost accidentally kicked a young ground boar, but Elbridge reacted quickly, so such a mishap did not occur.

After traveling some distance, the two discovered a faint light filtering out from deep within the forest.

“Isn’t that a cabin?”

“It seems so.”

The cabin surrounded by the massive herd of ground boars evoked a strange feeling in Elbridge and Marcus. It felt a bit unrealistic.

The two approached stealthily, intending to see who was inside.

But even before the two could peer inside the cabin, a cheerful voice echoed from within.

“Oh, more guests have arrived. It seems they are the friends you spoke of?”

“Really?”

The first voice was unfamiliar, but the second voice was familiar.

Sure enough, the cabin door slowly slid open and Rombel appeared.

“You’re here?”

Elbridge frowned almost reflexively.

“It is night, so why are you here instead of returning?”

“I thought it would be too late if I returned. I planned to stay the night.”

“…How am I supposed to know if you are dead or alive if you disappear without a word?”

“I have no choice but to be alive. Because I won’t die until I become a god!”

Rombel laughed heartily as he spoke.

And Elbridge detected the scent of a strangely sweet fruit wine from Rombel’s breath.

‘This bastard. He was leisurely drinking wine in the midst of all this.’

While Elbridge was contemplating what to do with Rombel, a person emerged from behind him.

With long platinum blonde hair, a clean, handsome face, and long ears. He was indeed an elf.

The elf extended his right hand to Elbridge and Marcus with a refreshed expression.

“Hello! Uh… what did you say your names were? I heard them from Rombel. Elby? Elcus?”

Offering a handshake right away?

An elf this sociable was rare. The worry that had nestled in Elbridge’s heart melted away.

Elbridge took the elf’s hand and replied.

“I am Elbridge.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you, Elbridge. By any chance, may I ask which order you belong to?”

“I am a paladin of the Order of the Rusty Shield.”

“Good. You pass.”

“…?”

Although he didn’t know what passing meant, not a shred of hostility was felt in the elf’s voice.

Elbridge was led into the cabin by the elf’s hand. Inside, the cabin was filled with the savory and greasy smell of food.

The elf extended his hand to Marcus as well.

“If that one is Elbridge, then you must be Marcus?”

“Uh… yes.”

“Could you also tell me which order you belong to?”

“I belong to the Order of the God of the Sunshower. I’m not a paladin, just a mercenary.”

“Good. Marcus passes too. There are many welcome guests today. I am Niseras.”

Niseras brought two more tree stump chairs and placed them next to the table, laughing cheerfully.

“This is the first time three guests have come since I built this cabin. Though, it’s not actually an old cabin. Elbridge, Marcus. Have you had dinner?”

A friendly tone, as if talking to old friends.

Marcus shook his head.

“We haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Really? Just wait a bit. And since I don’t like standing on ceremony, speak comfortably. I’m sick of being treated like an elder.”

Niseras spoke like that, then spread butter on a small pan and began to grill meat.

It was not an unusual thing. Contrary to public perception, less than half of elves were vegetarians. If it was a robust elf like Niseras, the probability of being a vegetarian was even lower.

Once Elbridge and Marcus sat at the table, Rombel brought two wooden cups and set them down in front of them.

Then, as Rombel poured fruit wine into their cups, a sweet aroma arose.

Marcus was slightly nervous.

Wasn’t fruit wine made by elves considered the absolute best among the countless alcohols of the world?

This fruit wine was sure to be traded at a higher price than gold coins of the same weight.

While Marcus sipped the wine carefully and admired it, Elbridge threatened Rombel.

“Rombel. If a guy who disappeared without a word is leisurely guzzling alcohol, how do you think I would feel?”

“If I think about it by the standards of a broad-minded dwarf like me… you would think, ‘I’m glad my friend is being treated well.'”

While Elbridge was debating whether to show him the taste of a narrow-minded man’s fist, Rombel lowered his voice and spoke.

“Elbridge. I’m not here for no reason. Do you know how well Niseras handles the ground boars? Besides, Niseras said he would send the ground boars somewhere else once the sun rises tomorrow. It means we finish the request in one go.”

Come to think of it, Marcus said he had seen an elf riding past on a ground boar.

Elbridge muttered softly.

“Niseras was a druid.”

Among the elves, there were those with special abilities.

Druids, who could easily tame and communicate with animals, were one of them.

Suddenly, the words Vireon had said came to mind.

The story that the ground boar was presumed to be a crossbreed of a magic beast and a wild boar.

“…I knew that even druids couldn’t tame magic beasts, but since a ground boar is half animal, it seems they can communicate.”

When Elbridge finished speaking like that, Niseras, who was grilling the meat, replied.

“Hmm? Haha. I am not a druid.”

The one most flustered by those words was not Elbridge, but Rombel.

“What? Niseras. You weren’t a druid?”

“Of course not. Not all elves who don’t eat meat are druids, but all druids do not eat meat.”

Thinking about it, it was natural.

Wouldn’t it be a bit strange to eat animals while claiming to communicate with them?

“But the ground boars followed you well, didn’t they?”

“That is true. But it doesn’t mean other animals follow me well.”

Then was Niseras some sort of druid exclusively for ground boars?

No. There was no way such a thing could exist in the world.

Rombel asked.

“Then why do the ground boars follow you?”

“Because I created the ground boars.”

“…?”

Niseras raised his thumb and spoke proudly.

“Because I was the first to pair a wild boar and a magic beast.”