Chapter 73: Debt 73 - Path to S-Rank

Adventurers, demons, and death.

Kings of humanity and demon kings.

Church and betrayal.

Kingdoms and nations.

King of the elves?

Like a sequence of lines of code executing all at once.

Ryan began processing all those thoughts as fast as he possibly could.

’How did I allow myself to go from being an adventurer in the hero’s party to an exile, possibly wanted for treason and heresy... but what’s even stranger is, why would they ask a human to be the king of elves? Isn’t it absurd?’

Ryan looked at them closely, searching for any hint in their gazes or expressions that would give him the idea they were just playing a simple joke.

But who would play a joke at a time like this?

"He’s in shock," said another of the elders who hadn’t spoken before.

Ryan snapped back to his senses and looked at him.

"You think we’re being irrational by asking this of you, don’t you?" The elder placed a hand on the table and began to tap it with his finger, once for every word. It was as if he were mentally keeping count of every point mentioned.

He began to explain himself.

"It all began when the knights arrived days ago," the elder said, his expression turning serious. He continued, "They demanded an audience with our king, though it was more of a threat. If the king didn’t come out to speak with them, they would burn down the forest, and sooner or later, they would find the entrance to the village."

Ryan kept his eyes fixed on the elder, without blinking, paying attention to every word.

"And as expected, His Majesty had to go out. Although he was escorted by soldiers, they weren’t able to protect him. The knights’ request was simple: they wanted us to return as prisoners to the elven nation and for them to take control of the village. Of course, their excuse for entering the village was the beastmen under our care."

The elder paused, noting Ryan’s confused expression.

"Can I ask something?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"I heard something vague about it, but... you had a king, yet you say that elven nation has another king, right? What’s the relationship between them?"

The elder took a deep breath and looked toward Irina’s grandfather.

The grandfather cleared his throat and interjected.

"I will answer that."

Ryan nodded and watched him attentively.

"Before the ascension of the new king of the elven nation, there were only two candidates: our king and his half-brother. At that time, there was a queen regent who wasn’t our king’s mother, as his mother had died long ago. Our king’s father was very ill, almost on the verge of death, and couldn’t attend to any matters in the kingdom."

Then Ryan cut in.

"One second. By the king’s father, you mean...?"

"That’s right. I am he."

"I see..."

The elder cleared his throat again.

"Very well, I shall continue... Then, that queen established an alliance with the Church in exchange for making her son extremely powerful through relics—transcendental relics, which are even more powerful than epic ones."

The elder paused.

"But regarding those relics, they’re only known from ancient texts, and it’s said they were only used by those called deities."

The elder said it as if trying to recall something more, then continued.

"So the elven council was divided. Many nations question the Church’s actions, but they also fear the reach of its power..."

’Their actions, while under the excuse of protecting humanity, are just as cruel and ruthless as those of the demons. Although, being at war... that would be normal for both sides, wouldn’t it?’

"The thing is, the queen signed an alliance agreement with the Church, but now, the new king has changed greatly. Perhaps he was consumed by power, but he seems like a different person. Because of that, many elves in service to our fallen king decided to leave."

Then the old woman interjected.

"Though, we are practically... exiled elves. Perhaps at some point they planned to get rid of us, but it wasn’t a priority."

Ryan reflected for a moment.

"So, the Church would execute you for sheltering beastmen, and they would do it at the same time they wipe out the beastmen..."

"Yes. That way, among the inhabitants of the elven nation, if everything were made public... no one would object because the agreement they signed, besides the alliance, was to declare demons and beastmen as enemies alike."

Answered the other elder who had explained the matter at the start.

Ryan sighed.

"In a way, we have the same enemies, but... making me king is a bit... exaggerated, don’t you think?"

The elder began to tap the table with his finger again.

"No, it isn’t an exaggeration. Think about it for a moment... our forces are very low. We need a powerful leader who can guide us, and you, young Ryan, are strangely one in a million. You’re a support, aren’t you? This old man told us, but your power and resolve are superior to any A-rank in existence."

The elder paused, swallowing hard. Then he spoke.

"You’re even more powerful than when you came here some time ago... I’ll rephrase that count: you’re one in a hundred trillion. I doubt anyone with your talent exists in this world."

The elders nodded their heads.

"All right... but it isn’t something I can decide now. I’ll give you an answer once I finish some pending matters."

The elders looked at each other. While it wasn’t a positive answer, he wasn’t refusing either, so it seemed to satisfy them for now.

Then the meeting ended.

Ryan left the place, and in the courtyard, Beatrice was surrounded by elven children. She was crouching, smiling and blushing deeply as the children touched her horns with curiosity.

"Ryan!" Irina shouted upon seeing him, and Beatrice stood up immediately.

Both of them approached him.

"I hope you two are getting along," Ryan murmured.

But Irina managed to hear him.

"Yup, although Beatrice is shier than she looks."

"I’m not shy, I’m just not used to this place."

"Hehe... it doesn’t seem that way to me," Irina said, poking Beatrice’s blushing cheeks with her finger.

"Listen, there are many things to do now that we know the people from the Church and Rigal might return after not hearing anything from their emissaries."

Ryan placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"My companions will be here in two days."

’Though... what will actually happen when they arrive?’

Ryan sighed and added,

"But there is something I must do during these two days. Beatrice, you’re coming with me."

Beatrice nodded her head.

"And you, Irina... don’t let the elves leave the village for any reason."

"But I want to go with you. It’ll be for two days, won’t it?"

"I refuse. You’re a princess; there are things you must do here, understand?"

"Fine, fine..."

"Hey, I have what you asked for ready..." a shy voice sounded from behind them.

"Ah, Mika! That was very fast."

’Who’s that?’

She handed over a sheath containing what looked like two daggers.

She gave it to Beatrice, who adjusted them at her waist.

"Thank you very much for this, Irina... and you too, Mika."

Then Mika smiled.

"Don’t worry about it. It isn’t a very powerful weapon either; we don’t have good materials right now, hehe."

"Even if you say that, I feel safer with them. Thanks."

’An alchemist, huh... it’s good to know there’s someone like that in the village.’

Ryan turned toward Beatrice.

"So, are you ready? We’re going to the S-rank dungeon."