Annan's gaze swept over the elves. Every one of them was breathtakingly beautiful, but not one fit the description "the most beautiful elf in the world"... Tadel was not among them.
"Greetings, beautiful envoys of the Elven Royal Court. I'm Annan, the City Lord of Free City." Annan's gaze finally returned to the Elf Mentor.
Irilanze looked poised and elegant among her people.
The elves held themselves aloof, but when some recognized Annan, their beautiful eyes lit up and they gathered around him, chattering.
"Why didn't Jack hide with Rose?"
"Was the Red Demon King Professor Snape?"
"Did you write the line 'Sunlight fell upon my shoulders, as though I were free'?"
Elves appreciated talented beings, even Orc poets. After all, however beautiful other races might be, none could match the elves.
As an elf who had visited Free City and maintained a friendship with Annan, Irilanze led the delegation.
"Let me introduce Alger and Selma Windrunner."
Annan knew who they were—the smartest elf and the most promising archer chosen by the Magic Mirror.
The former had no particularly wise look in his eyes, while the latter carried Nature's Bow on her back.
Before they set out, Tadel had told them Annan was the one who had discovered them. So they were the only two who neither crowded around him nor acted arrogant.
Annan led the elves into the City Lord's Mansion.
The building blended human and elven styles with a touch of the Northern Frontier, and it suited their tastes well enough.
Annan followed them into the Reception Room, then left the conversation to Olmedo—he was hopeless at discussing this sort of thing with them.
Olmedo welcomed the delegation and introduced Free City to them. Meanwhile, Annan whispered with Irilanze.
"Is Elder Tadel really that beautiful?"
"Irilanze" lowered her