Chapter 37
First, I needed to set aside the problem-solving for a moment and address this first.
"No more Elven slaves."
In Hera's case, I had truly accepted her out of necessity, for the peace of the world. Because aside from becoming a slave, the only other option available was becoming a villainess.
But there was absolutely no reason to accept others as slaves.
No, rather, it would be troublesome if Elves started showing up asking to become slaves. Because keeping Elven slaves was a crime.
'Thinking about it, it's absurd.'
Typically, weren't slaves forcibly captured, sold here and there, and forced to do things against their will? But why on earth these guys voluntarily wanted to become slaves was something I really couldn't fathom.
"I-if becoming a slave isn't possible, what should I offer..."
Hera's green eyes trembled violently.
It seemed she had misunderstood something.
"I don't need anything. Didn't I tell you before? Just come find me anytime if you need help."
"But then, I cannot repay the favor..."
I knew she would say this again.
What should I do about this stubbornly traditional personality?
'Uh...?'
At that moment, Franz had an epiphany.
If Hera was obsessed with becoming a slave, couldn't I use that?
"Are you going to keep fussing about favors and whatnot?"
"Franz, Elves bestow kindness, but..."
"Then just don't be my slave either. Let's call off the promise."
"...Huh?"
Looking quite flustered, Hera froze with her eyes wide open.
Seeing her like that, Franz needlessly scratched his head.
He had blurted it out because it seemed like a good idea, but now that he'd said it, it felt like a threat, leaving him quite uncomfortable.
But thinking it over, that too was somewhat absurd.
He wasn't threatening her to become a slave, but threatening her not to become a slave; where else in the world did such a situation exist?
Haaa—.
Just as Franz let out a sigh.
The light slowly began to fade from Hera's eyes.
"Then... what reason do I have..."
Hera quietly muttered.
'What reason to live? Just live for the other Elves and the World Tree.'
...Saying that would probably just complicate things unnecessarily.
"So just accept it already. I'm saying I'll grant your request, my slave... saying it like that feels a bit weird. Anyway, I'm saying I'll grant your request. So just let it go, alright?"
"My slave...? Then is it alright for me to become your slave, Franz...?"
As Hera spoke, life returned to her eyes.
The disappointment that had filled her face began to be replaced by anticipation.
Why on earth did she react only to that part?
It made me suspect she might actually enjoy the idea of becoming a slave.
Anyway, separate from that, what Hera said was the correct answer.
If choosing between a villainess and a slave, it was naturally the slave.
"Yes, the promise still stands. Just accept it as a favor."
"Th-thank you...!"
Hera choked out, sounding like she might burst into tears any moment, and bowed her head deeply with a nod.
Somehow, her obsession with slavery seemed to be intensifying day by day...
'Well, it'll probably be fine.'
Anyway, she would only come asking to become a slave after rescuing all the Elven slaves.
That would take decades at a rough estimate, so I could rest easy.
Anyway, I should end the talk about Elven slaves here and get to the main point.
"Let's go inside and talk first."
"Yes, let's do that."
Soon, the two stepped inside the Magic Tower.
Hera looked around, moving her head this way and that, fascinated by the interior of the Magic Tower.
Then, if someone happened to pass by, she would press down firmly on her hood.
It seemed she was still wary of humans other than the Hero's party.
Then, Hera suddenly spoke.
"Franz, as the Tower Master, does that mean you are the owner of this tall building?"
"Well, for now, yes. Though someday I'll have to retire and pass it on to someone."
The problem was that there wasn't any suitable talent to pass it on to yet.
Well, I figured time would take care of that somehow.
"I see. Then, where do you live now? Do you perhaps have a separate house?"
"I work, eat, and sleep all here. Why do you ask?"
"It seemed convenient to know where I would live once I became a slave."
Hera's voice was remarkably calm.
As if it were the most natural thing.
Franz, who was supposed to be her master, however, was stunned.
Seeing her obsess like this made him feel uneasy for some reason.
It felt like she might show up asking to be made a slave immediately, without even rescuing the Elven slaves.
Afterward, Hera continued to look around, and Franz remained silent.
After a short while, the two arrived at the top of the Magic Tower.
Passing through a long corridor and opening the door to the Tower Master's office, Arian was inside.
She was organizing documents scattered on the floor.
Feeling puzzled, Franz spoke.
"Arian, what are you doing?"
"Ah, Tower Master. You're back early..."
Arian trailed off, not finishing her sentence.
Her gaze was directed past Franz, towards Hera.
Franz felt that gaze was strangely sharp but dismissed it as his imagination and said.
"I was on my way to see Yustia but ran into a guest."
"Aha, I see... But I'm so sorry, what should I do? I spilled the documents on the floor, so it seems it will take some time to organize them. If you don't mind, could you please ignore me and continue your conversation?"
Arian flashed a bright smile.
Her gaze, however, remained fixed on Hera.
But Franz couldn't comply with her words.
Hera would surely feel uncomfortable if Arian stayed.
Snap—.
Franz snapped his fingers, and the documents scattered on the floor all floated into the air at once, then neatly arranged themselves on the desk.
Simultaneously, a dazed sound escaped Arian's lips.
"Ah...?"
"There, done now, right? It's fine, don't worry about it, just go."
"B-but..."
Arian looked back and forth between Hera and Franz.
Then, her shoulders slumped, and she let out a sigh.
"Alright..."
With those words, Arian trudged out of the Tower Master's office.
Seeing her retreating figure, which seemed almost pitiful, Franz felt a sense of puzzlement.
'Could something be wrong?' — he wondered.
But now wasn't the time to worry about that.
He felt sorry for Arian, but it seemed he would have to ask her about it separately later.
"Hera, would you like some tea?"
"Isn't that something a slave should do...?"
"You're not a slave yet. Besides, do you want some or not?"
"Then I shall have some."
"Alright, sit there and wait."
At Franz's words, Hera immediately sat down on the sofa.
Like a well-behaved puppy listening to its master.
'What is this?'
'There shouldn't be any problem, right?'
Feeling a strange sense of unease at her behavior, Franz moved his feet.
Soon, he carefully brewed tea and brought it over to the table.
"Here, drink."
"I shall."
Hera lifted the steaming teacup and took a careful sip.
A smile spread across her lips, so thankfully, it seemed to suit her taste.
Franz, having also taken a sip of tea, put down his cup and said.
"Explain in detail what's going on."
"Actually, Franz, not long after you left, strange things began happening to the World Tree."
"Strange things?"
"Yes, its leaves began to wilt, and its branches lost strength to the point of snapping off. So I sought advice from the Spirit King, but he explained nothing other than it being due to an evil power. I tried to resolve it within the tribe somehow if possible, but it didn't go well..."
Hera's voice was quite somber.
The situation certainly warranted it.
The World Tree was something the Elves cherished more than their own lives.
Not only had she failed to protect it with her own power, but she was now asking for help from someone she already owed a favor to, so naturally, she would be somber.
But the problem was...
'An evil power...?'
He would have to go see to know for sure, but somehow, he had a feeling it might be related to the cultists.
Because the 'demonic energy' they used fit perfectly with the description of an evil power.
Of course, demons also used demonic energy, but with the Human-Demon War already over, it was hard to imagine they would have infiltrated as far as the Great Forest.
"As the World Tree's power weakens, the trees of the Great Forest are consequently wilting too. The animals and plants that made the Great Forest their home are also suffering confusion. I am truly ashamed, but the situation is quite urgent."
"Alright, I understand the problem well enough. It's hard to give you a definite answer, but I'll do what I can within my power."
"Truly, thank you so much...!"
Hera shot up from her seat and repeatedly bowed her head in gratitude.
Not only that, but she even tried to kneel on the floor, and he barely managed to stop her.
'Something really is strange.'
'It seems like there's no problem, yet I feel this strange sense of incongruity.'
Anyway, now that he knew what the problem was, he needed to move immediately.
Because, as Hera said, the situation was urgent.
"Hera, let's go see Yustia."
"The Saint, you mean...?"
"Yes."
She was the best at purifying demonic energy.
Soon, Franz headed towards St. Serpia Cathedral with Hera.
And there, he met Yustia.
"Th-the Great Forest?!"
Yustia's eyes widened.