The Elves' Faith

The twenty-second day of the adventure.

With Kraft joining them, Rhode and Serie's journey became much easier.

Especially since Som the Dwarf always charged in first during battle. Sometimes, the fight was over before Rhode even had a chance to contribute.

If an enemy could not be dealt with quickly, Kraft and Serie would step in as well. Basically, no Monster could withstand the attacks of those three.

During this time, Rhode continued working every day to increase the amount of mana within his body.

He also found time to have Serie teach him the Light Pillar Missile spell. Serie naturally agreed, teaching him step by step how to gather light and then make it explode.

Kraft could only smile wryly at the sight, eventually hiding off to the side so he would not have to watch the two of them.

"Delicious, delicious! Give me another bowl, Mr. Rhode."

Before the campfire, Som the Dwarf held his wild vegetable and mushroom soup in both hands and praised it enthusiastically. It was his first time tasting such refined and delicious cooking.

"Just call me Rhode."

Rhode refilled Som's bowl. Aside from fighting and eating like a Dwarf, this guy did not resemble one at all.

The fact that he could sew clothes alone nearly made Rhode lose it.

He had no idea how those huge hands could wield a tiny embroidery needle so skillfully. All he could say was that stereotypes could be deadly sometimes.

"It really is delicious. I suddenly understand why you chose to travel with Rhode, Serie."

Kraft praised the food as he wolfed down a grilled skewer.

"That wasn't my reason."

Serie retorted, holding a bowl of mushroom soup and sipping it in small mouthfuls.

Ever since she had scalded herself last time, she had learned her lesson. Before every sip, she would blow on it twice.

"Still, I'm surprised you accepted this kind of food."

Back in Elf Forest, Kraft had been a strict vegetarian just like her. The only difference was that she had simply had no other food to eat, so she occasionally tried novel dishes.

Like the grilled mushroom skewer Rhode had offered her when they first met.

Kraft's current appearance of eating meat in great mouthfuls truly surprised Serie a little.

"Over these past hundred years of adventure, there were no fruits and plants like those in Elf Forest. Naturally, when we were hungry, we ate whatever was available. Basically, all companions who went out adventuring eventually became like this."

Hearing Kraft say that, Rhode formed a bold guess.

Could it be that thousands of years later, all these Ancient Elves would become elves like Frieren, who ate meat by the mouthful?

Rhode felt as though he had vaguely touched upon the truth of history.

"By the way, I thought you elves only had Elf Forest as your base. I didn't expect there to be an elven country as well," Rhode remarked.

"That was probably two thousand years ago." Kraft slowly began, "At the time, the War of the Gods had only recently begun, and the elves of Elf Forest were divided over the war."

This even involved events from the beginning of the Age of Gods?

Rhode quickly shifted closer and pricked up his ears, ready to learn about this secret piece of history.

However, he did not notice that his entire body had pressed against Serie's. By the time Rhode realized it, his thigh was tightly against hers, and he could even smell the faint fragrance coming from her.

Fortunately, Miss Serie did not seem to mind.

As far as she was concerned, it was fine as long as Rhode did not restrain her like he had in the tent before.

Seeing that Serie showed no sign of rejection, Rhode simply did not move away. He shamelessly settled right beside her.

Meanwhile, Kraft continued his account.

"Elves worship the Goddess of Life, but the goddess's favored race is not the elves. It is the Winged race.

During the war among the gods, the Goddess of Life was also drawn into it. Some elves believed that elves should fight for the goddess, while others believed that an elf's choices had nothing to do with faith.

In the end, some elves left the forest and abandoned the title of Ancient Elf."

"That sounds a bit like the story of the strongest elf in history and the strongest elf of the modern age."

Rhode made the remark for no particular reason, but no one else understood what he meant.

"The strongest elf in history?" Kraft asked with interest. "Who are you referring to? Lucimi? Ladorath? Or Kevin Trell?"

Kraft casually named several people Rhode had never heard of.

Still, they must have been renowned elven powerhouses from history. It seemed Kraft had misunderstood what he meant.

So Rhode hurriedly laughed it off. "Ah, it's just a legend I heard in a tribe. I can't really remember the names either."

Serie gave him a suspicious look. "Would a human tribe have legends about elves?"

She had previously asked Rhode where he came from, and he had only said that he had crossed the sea from a very, very large human country beyond the Eastern Sea.

Serie could not tell how much of that was true.

After all, she did not know what lay on the other side of the sea either.

"Well..." Rhode continued spinning his lie. "Maybe it was a story told by some traveler who had seen elves."

After all, in a continent-type otherworld like this, no one knew what lay beyond the sea.

So Rhode could make up whatever he wanted.

Kraft burst into laughter. "I see! It seems us elves are still quite famous among humans!"

They were indeed famous, except their reputation got increasingly warped later on.

Rhode grumbled inwardly, but he did not say it aloud this time, lest he invite more questions.

Som suddenly interjected, "What happened afterward? What became of the elves who left the forest?"

Rhode had actually already vaguely guessed what came next.

Kraft's expression turned serious. "They founded an elven kingdom and joined this War of the Gods that has lasted for two thousand years."

"Until now," Serie softly added. As a member of Elf Forest, she actually envied those elves.

They could participate in this war openly and without restraint.

After Serie finished speaking, everyone fell silent for a moment. The breeze stirred the campfire, making its flames dance, until Kraft spoke again.

"Still, Serie, haven't you changed your mind?"

Kraft's sudden question was vague, but both Serie and Rhode knew what he meant.

Seeing Serie remain silent, Kraft sighed. "Very well. Until you believe you are strong enough, do not rashly go to those places."

His journey with them would end at Gremir Forest. After that, he would travel alone.

So this was his final attempt to persuade her.

Serie nodded. "I know my limits."

"That's good." Kraft turned to Rhode. "Take good care of her."

Rhode could not help laughing bitterly. "I think she should be the one taking care of me."

Kraft smiled. "In terms of strength, that is certainly true. But..."

He gave Rhode a meaningful look. "You are the first person who has made Serie care this much."