Chapter 73
As a result of helping the Elf Elder, we were able to get a watering can.
"Yay!"
Choryeon held the watering can high in the air, celebrating. However, the reaction from the other children, except Choryeon, wasn't so good.
"What's that! It's not cool at all! I can't use that as a weapon!"
"I think we already have a watering can on the rooftop. I wonder if we really need another one."
Hwaryeon and Suryeon looked at the watering can with dissatisfied expressions. I also looked at the Elf Elder with dissatisfaction.
"Elder."
"Yes?"
"Is this what you're giving as a reward? What exactly are we supposed to do with this watering can?"
For a relic, it seems pretty useless. The Elf Elder saw my face full of discontent and shook his head as he answered.
"On the surface, this watering can might seem unremarkable. But if you see this, you'll think differently."
What is this, a home shopping host? The Elf Elder picked up the watering can and walked to the window. Then he sprinkled water outside the window.
Splash, splash, splash-
About 10 seconds after sprinkling the water, we could see a tree rapidly growing outside the window.
Choryeon, witnessing the watering can's ability, shouted with sparkling eyes.
"Oh my, Father! We must take that! With that watering can, we could restore Earth to normal!"
Slurp-
Choryeon swallowed her saliva while staring at the watering can. She seemed to think it was essential for her Earth normalization plan.
"Elder. What's the exact ability of that watering can?"
"As you've seen, it's growth acceleration. The magic engraved inside the watering can helps plants grow."
"For something from elves, the reward isn't much, but well, Choryeon likes it, and it seems somewhat useful."
Let's take a look. I received the watering can from the Elder and examined it.
It looks like an ordinary watering can on the outside, but it has the ability to make plants grow faster.
'...I could sell more vegetables in front of the station.'
Good. I can use it later.
I decided to be satisfied with this reward.
"Well then, we've received the reward and we're satisfied. Shall we all go home?"
It's about time to head home.
I was about to leave the Elder's house with the watering can in hand. However,
"Dad, wait!!"
Suddenly, Hwaryeon appeared in front of me, spreading her arms to block my way, starting a protest out of nowhere.
I was a bit taken aback, but calmly asked.
"I was about to go home. What's wrong now, Hwaryeon? Is there a problem?"
"There is! There are a lot of problems! Dad, I don't like that watering can!"
"Then what do you want, Hwaryeon?"
"A powerful weapon! I want a cool weapon!"
In the end, she doesn't like the watering can. I asked Suryeon, who was quietly standing next to me.
"Suryeon, are you satisfied with the watering can?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty satisfied. I want to go home quickly and check its structure."
If Suryeon had refused, I would have said something to the Elf Elder. Too bad.
I spoke to Hwaryeon, who was about to throw a tantrum.
"Even if you don't like it, that's too bad. Stop throwing a tantrum and let's go home."
"No! I want a cool reward too! That's only good for Choryeon! I don't care about plants!"
Pitter-patter-
Hwaryeon lay down on the ground and started throwing a tantrum.
"...Hwaryeon, you're embarrassing Dad."
"Give me a reward too! Give me something cool!"
"Shut up. Let's just go home quickly."
Lift-!
I picked up Hwaryeon and tucked her under my arm.
"Aaah! Put me down! I said put me down!"
Although Hwaryeon shouted and asked to be put down, I ignored her words and left the Elder's house.
If I keep giving in to these tantrums, it might create bad habits.
"Are we really going home now?"
"Let go! I'm definitely going to get a weapon!"
"...Good, I want to go home quickly."
"I think I'd be okay staying a bit longer, Father...!"
But, we need to go home.
Where's the dimensional gate's core again?
'...Ugh, what a hassle.'
The elves said they didn't know the location of the core. So, we had no choice but to embark on a journey to find the core.
"I hope it doesn't take too long..."
"They say haste makes waste. Father, let's look for it at a leisurely pace!"
Only Choryeon, who didn't want to go home, was excited.
***
The journey to find the dimensional gate's core wasn't easy. It wasn't just because the terrain was rough and the core was hard to find.
The biggest problem was.
"Great Dragons! We just harvested some potatoes, they might not suit your taste, but please eat them before you go!"
"Ah, Father. Can't we eat those before we go? I'm curious about the taste of the potatoes!"
The elves kept interrupting us by talking to us. I glared daggers at the male elf running towards us with a basket of potatoes.
'He's an elf but not even a woman. Why does he keep interrupting? If he comes closer, I'll hit him. If he comes closer, I'll beat him up. If he comes closer, I'll kill him.'
I cursed with all my might at the approaching male elf. Perhaps because of that,
"Eek...! I-I'll leave the potatoes here...!! En-Enjoy your meal!"
The male elf, terrified, put the basket on the ground and ran away. I picked up a potato from the basket and took a bite.
"It's warm. Tasty too. You guys eat one each. Be careful, they're hot."
I distributed potatoes to the children as well.
'No, this isn't the time for this.'
Let's quickly find the dimensional gate's core. We walked through the forest, chewing on hot potatoes.
Of course, elves kept popping up at regular intervals.
"Great Dragons! I can't get down from the tree! Please save me!"
"Why can't an elf get down?"
An elf requesting help, saying they're scared to come down from a tree.
"I'm praying to the World Tree for the forest's peace. Please go the other way."
"Suddenly? Here?"
Elves suddenly praying to the World Tree, and so on. The elves showed various behaviors to interrupt our journey.
However, there's a limit to interference.
"We were almost at the edge of the forest."
"Finally found it! Let's go home!"
We managed to find the core despite the elves' annoying interruptions.
'Whew, that was exhaustingly annoying.'
Let's quickly go home. I reached out to destroy the core.
At that moment, about 10 elves suddenly jumped out of the bushes and shouted at us.
"P-Please, Great Dragons!! Don't leave us behind!!"
"Stay with us, Dragons!!"
Thud-
The elves knelt down and pleaded desperately. It was obvious they were about to tell another useless story, so I quickly destroyed the core before they could speak.
Crash-!
"You elves can live by yourselves. Why are you trying to drag us in?"
"That's right, elves. Why are you bothering us? You don't even have internet."
The elves sighed seeing the core shattered. However, they still hadn't given up, as the Elder spoke as their representative.
"We need you, Dragons. Elves not only serve nature but also follow the great Dragons. So..."
The Elder paused for a moment. He swallowed dryly and spoke with courage.
"The great Dragons don't have to stay. Instead, we'll go to your world."
"What?"
"We want to serve the Dragons up close! Please! Even if it's just a few of us! We beg you!"
Bang-!
The elves banged their heads on the ground, desperately pleading with us. Curious about the children's reactions, I looked at them.
"Are they asking to be our subordinates? Hmph, I don't like it!"
"Bothersome. I don't like it either."
"There are no bad creatures among those who love nature! Having elves around might be convenient, don't you think? Is it just me?"
The reactions were quite mixed. In this situation, the final decision was up to me.
'Elves... The trash around here was annoying. It would be nice if they could clean up for me.'
Of course, we can't take them all. A small number should be fine.
I looked at the bowed heads of the elves and answered.
"Alright. A small number can follow us to our world."
"R-Really?!"
"But there are conditions."
I spread my fingers one by one as I spoke.
"First, what was that fruit Nidhogg wanted?"
"You mean the fruit of Yggdrasil?"
"Yeah, that. Bring that first."
We can eat it, sell it, or grow it. Honestly, just getting a watering can feels a bit lacking, so this is an extra reward.
The elves pondered my condition for a moment but nodded in agreement.
"And second. I'd like to bring female elves too."
"...Dad?"
"...Father?"
Suryeon and Choryeon's gazes were piercing. Still, the elves nodded and agreed to this condition as well.
'Kids. I'm sorry, but. Doesn't Dad need to get married too?'
Dreaming of marrying a beautiful elf, I set these two conditions.
The elves immediately agreed to the proposal, and a total of four elves decided to follow us to serve the dragons.
"Two men and two women. A perfect balance."
Clap, clap-
I'm very pleased.
I clapped my hands in joy.
"Hmm..."
"Umm..."
Suryeon and Choryeon looked quite displeased, but… anyway.
Somehow, we ended up escaping the dimension with the elves. Before entering the dimensional gate, I asked the two beautiful female elves.
"By the way, how old are you two?"
"100 years old."
"150 years old."
...
There's quite an age difference, but they look about the same on the outside.
It should be fine.
Thinking this, I reached out to shake hands with the elves.
"Let's get along well, elves."
"Yes."
The female elves readily extended their hands towards me. I was about to reach out to hold those delicate hands.
But why,
'...There are rings on their hands?'
Do elves wear rings?
I asked, just in case.
"By the way."
"Yes."
"Are you married?"
"Yes, the elves coming with us are our husbands."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes."
"..."
It's a couples trip. They're married elves.
Disappointed, I slumped my shoulders and headed towards the dimensional gate.
"Sigh, forget about marriage. Let's just raise the kids..."
Suryeon and Choryeon seemed to find my reaction amusing. They came to my side, humming, and said.
"Dad, I like things as they are."
"I feel the same! I don't think we really need a mom!"
I see. I guess I'm destined to live as a single person for life.
Anyway. I walked towards the dimensional gate with the children to escape the dimension along with the elves we met in this new dimension.
'Well, it's their choice. They'll manage somehow.'
Since they get along well with Choryeon, I think the elves will adapt well to the human world.
I just hope they don't join Choryeon in environmental protection movements.
Still, for being forced into a dimensional gate, it seems we gained quite a lot.