Chapter 245
He still had quite pleasant memories from when he previously attended the Elves' festival. He had eaten a lot of delicious food and had shared many conversations with the Elves.
There was an unfortunate Demon God who brought Hera to the Magic Tower Lord’s Office because he drank too much alcohol, but since nothing happened, it was a bit lacking to call it an accident.
But it couldn’t be helped. The fruit wine made by the Elves truly had a devilish taste. Once he brought it to his lips, he simply couldn’t stop.
“Should I prepare something this time too…”
Wasn’t he receiving their help every time just because he was the grand chieftain? It was only natural that he would want to do something for them once in a while.
If possible, an item that was practical yet suited for them, who loved nature, would be good.
'Let’s see, an item like that is…'
Franz’s fingers tapped the table at a steady pace.
Choosing a gift was never easy. It was even more so the more precious the recipient.
He had thought the grand chieftain was just an empty title, but now he considered them no different from family.
Perhaps Hera had known it would turn out like this.
Thinking that, Franz let out a pfft-, and burst into laughter.
Three days since then, even while busy with the production of the spatial teleportation device, he pondered and pondered over the gift to give the Elves.
And he finally made a decision. It was a gift perfectly suited for them, who loved nature.
The practicality aspect was a bit ambiguous, but as long as they put it to good use, there wouldn’t be any particular problem.
Thus, on the day of the festival, Franz was getting ready to go out with Arian’s help.
“An Elf festival… I’d like to go at least once too.”
“I’ll talk to the Elves. Let’s go together next time.”
In his heart, he wanted to take her even today. But wasn’t the Great Forest ultimately the land of the Elves? In order to step foot there, he had to receive their permission.
“There, all done.”
“Thank you.”
“Only with Roman?”
“Then what should I do…”
Franz couldn’t continue his words. It was because Arian had gently closed her eyes.
He wasn’t such a fool as to not know what that meant, so his face flushed for no reason.
Just what was she trying to do…
Franz reached out and lightly patted her head.
“Arian, I’ll be back.”
“…I don’t know.”
Arian stuck out her lips, wearing a sulky expression. But that was only for a moment, and soon she formed a playful smile and grabbed Franz’s hand resting on her head.
“W-wait a minute, what are you…”
The moment Franz let out a flustered voice, Arian bit down on his finger. She controlled her strength so it didn’t hurt much, but it was just as embarrassing.
“Hafe a fafe twip.”
Arian’s tongue moved inside her mouth, seemingly brushing against his finger.
Embarrassed by that strange sensation, Franz looked away at an empty spot for no reason.
“…You have to let go of my finger for me to leave.”
“Ah, right. I did.”
Pretending not to know when she knew everything…
Letting out a short sigh, Franz waved at her and slipped out of the Magic Tower Lord’s Office.
Both his head and his heart were still unsettled.
* * *
Franz arrived at the Great Forest.
It was a place filled with fresh air, no different from usual. Just breathing it in felt like his lungs were being purified.
It was a huge relief that there had been no particular problems since the Elf who fell for the cultist’s trick caused the Demon God incident. It had also recovered to some extent by now.
Though he didn’t know whether it was the power of nature that was amazing, or the power of the World Tree.
Franz, who was a little distance away from the elf settlement, slowly walked inward.
It was then.
[It has been a while.]
Suddenly, the World Tree’s voice was heard. The voice echoing directly in his head felt as if he were hearing a telepathic message.
'Haven’t we met quite often to call it a while?'
[The wait felt long, so it has been a while.]
'Yes, let’s go with that.'
In the past, it had at least pretended to be merciful, but ever since it became a demigod, it was no different from a neighborhood friend. Honestly, it was getting to the point where he was confused if it was even a real god anymore.
Franz walked while having a quiet chat with the World Tree.
It wasn’t a particularly important conversation.
Just…
[So? Have you made up your mind now?]
“Please give me a little more time to think.”
[Isn’t she a child who even sacrificed her lifespan to save you? You should start dating slowly and have a child now.]
…It wasn’t an important conversation. It was just a common middle-aged woman’s nagging for marriage.
Franz ignored the World Tree’s nagging and quickened his pace, and it wasn’t long before he arrived at the elf settlement.
“Grand chieftain, you’ve arrived.”
An Elf who jumped down from a tree offered a friendly greeting. It was someone he had seen a few times while coming and going from the Great Forest.
“I heard there was a festival.”
“Yes, because it’s the chieftain’s birthday.”
He brought it up as if it were obvious, but Franz thought he had misheard something.
Because the chieftain meant Hera. In other words, today was none other than Hera’s birthday.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Today we are holding a festival to celebrate the chieftain’s birthday, did you perhaps not hear…?”
“Ah, right. I had completely forgotten.”
It was obviously a lie. This was the first time he was hearing it was Hera’s birthday.
Since there was no reason for him to lie, it was clear that Hera had deliberately not told him.
Just why on earth did she do such a thing…
Franz simply couldn’t understand her thoughts.
“Welcome, grand chieftain.”
“It’s been a while.”
As he walked into the settlement with him, the Elves offered friendly greetings.
Since most of them were familiar faces, Franz appropriately returned their greetings.
It was not long after that.
“How is the food preparation? Is the fruit wine all ready?”
In the center of the village, where the festival preparations were in full swing, he was able to spot Hera.
Why was the main character of the festival moving about so busily?
Well, given her personality, she would probably find it harder to stay still.
Anyway, now that he had found her, he couldn’t just stand still.
Franz immediately approached her and grabbed her thin wrist.
“F-Franz? When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“The preparations aren’t finished yet, so please wait a little. If you’d like, it’s fine to go wait at my house.”
“Alright, let’s go to your house.”
“I-I’m going too?!”
Knowing where Hera’s house was, Franz immediately took a step forward. Of course, Hera was with him. After all, he had something he wanted to ask her.
Soon after arriving at Hera’s house, Franz let out a long sigh.
“Hera, let me ask you one thing.”
“Y-yes, ask away.”
“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?”
Hera’s eyes, which had been looking at Franz, darted around and turned toward an empty spot. He had hit the nail on the head.
So it was true after all…
Franz let out another sigh. There were various reasons, but the biggest one, as expected, was that he hadn’t been able to prepare a gift.
Not the gift he had prepared for all the Elves, but a gift solely for Hera.
“T-that is. I thought you might feel unnecessarily burdened…”
“I appreciate the thought, but still, I wanted to properly celebrate your birthday. It’s only once a year, after all.”
“T-that’s… I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine. It’s no big deal.”
Franz placed his hand on the head of Hera, who was wearing a sullen expression.
He didn’t really intend to scold her. He just wanted to know the reason why she hid it.
Besides, wasn’t today her birthday? There wasn’t enough time even to be happy, so there was no time to be sullen.
“I’ll definitely give you the birthday gift I couldn’t give you today next time. If there’s anything you want to receive, you can tell me in advance.”
“I-it’s fine. I will gladly accept anything as long as it’s given by you.”
“Got it. Then I’ll prepare something myself.”
Since Franz had inwardly hoped she would tell him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
Afterwards, Franz came outside with Hera and headed to the wide-open ground in the center of the settlement. It was the place where Hera had been preparing for the festival just before.
“Chieftain-! This side is all finished-!”
“The food is almost done too-!”
The food being made in the giant fire pit, the fruit wine filling the oak barrels.
The preparations for Hera’s birthday party, no, birthday festival, were almost complete.
Was she inwardly happy to be congratulated by so many people? A gentle smile spread across Hera’s lips.
Franz, who was staring blankly at her, lightly pushed her back with a tap-.
“Are you just going to stand there?”
“No, no. Let’s go right away.”
Afterwards, Franz enjoyed the festival with everyone. He ate delicious food, played around with the children, and conversed with the adults.
Meanwhile, the resolve he had made before coming here was gradually fading…
In the end, he ended up bringing alcohol to his lips.
“Grand chieftain, please have some more.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Franz readily accepted and drank the alcohol poured by the other Elves. He was completely unaware of the sharp gaze watching him.