I Picked Up the Abandoned Hero

69. Forcibly created wounds

It’s an old story.

There was a time when elves were at their most brilliant, when they lived lives that were completely different from those outside.

“The observation results have been released. According to the returned observers, humans and demons are currently waging war with the hero and the demon king as the main characters, respectively.”

An elf said while looking at various materials.

The paper the elf was holding contained a story about a war between humans and demons.

“Have those short-lived species been fighting for hundreds of years? Both of the first warrior demon lords have already died of natural causes, but they seem to be getting tired of it.”

An elf with white hair speaks while stroking his beard.

“At least the demons are winning, right? “At least demons have longer lifespans and higher levels of perfection than humans.”

Another white-haired elf said with a smile, covering her mouth.

“Humans are also amazing. “I was able to avoid being eaten by demons due to my lack of strength and ability, and my numbers alone.”

They were all elves called elders.

After the ancestors of the elves came to this land in the distant past, the ancestors’ direct descendants were called the Root Tribe, and they brought the elves to this land and ruled over them.

Elder is a position that only the most outstanding and experienced elves can attain.

Furthermore, all of them were high elves who were respected in elven society.

However, he was not particularly busy as an elder; he was already materially wealthy and was not subject to external interference, so he did not have any special work to do.

Is that why?

These 12 elders had already mastered magic beyond its limits, so they soon turned their attention from the life of the elves to the external ecology.

This is because there was nothing of interest in this land anymore.

“To the demons, it must be like a bug that keeps crawling out no matter how much you kill them.”

“The demons are also very funny. Although they are not as good as us elves, they probably have a longer lifespan and superior abilities than humans. “You’re doing this because you can’t do anything about humans.”

For the elves of the time, humans and demons were no different from wild animals.

The Demon King was certainly strong, but his magic was enough to suppress him, and it was not difficult to destroy the humans as it was difficult to exterminate every single one of them.

“Why not just make both species extinct?”

The youngest elder there smiled and said.

“Why? “Tell me why.”

“Both demons and humans are insignificant. “They are fighting like this just to expand their fence, and because of this, they are disrupting nature, such as burning forests.”

Humans and demons are fighting for pointless reasons.

If we’re fighting for such a trivial reason, it would be better to wipe out both species by extincting them.

“I also agree with that opinion. It is said that demons sometimes plunder or harm compatriots who have not yet entered our sacred land. Additionally, there is information that humans kidnap young children and use them as slaves.”

It wasn’t just that.

Although most of the elves had certainly naturalized to this land, focusing on the trees planted by their ancestors, many elves were still living outside.

But it was arrogant for humans and demons to dare to harm and enslave their own compatriots.

Some elders have already expressed their opinion that it is right to treat humans and demons with hostility and punish them.

The two races are still far behind the elves in terms of magic and weapon development, so even if the elves were to unite, it would be difficult to stop them.

“But we decided not to interfere with the past with external affairs. Most of the things about their own people are people who have chosen to live outside. “In the end, it’s all a result of their choices, so it’s not up to us to take action ourselves.”

Despite this, the reason why the elves did not step forward was because they had already made such rapid progress that they could not even be compared with the outside world.

We elves are already the top predators, so if we carelessly intervene in nature, order will be disrupted.

“I guess you haven’t already forgotten the things about the dragon.”

“But honestly, it would be cheaper for them to go extinct. “They dared to treat elves as lower creatures because their lifespans are only a few thousand years longer than ours.”

This decision was made because there was a precedent in the past where several species were exterminated simply because they were dangerous.

“That’s right. “They were like a living disaster, so annihilating them was excessive, but in the end, it was a necessary measure.”

“You can’t rationalize it simply because it was necessary.”

“Still, if they had joined forces, there may have been greater damage than at the time.”

At this time, the elves already had nothing to fear.

The elves were the ones who exterminated even the dragons, which had stronger powers than themselves, a long time ago.

Although we visited each living creature individually and hunted them together, we eventually realized that there was nothing scary in the face of the magic and civilization created by the elves themselves.

Still, if there’s anything they’re afraid of, it’s probably only elves who are just like them.

Humans and demons were not even worth dealing with.

Although there were times when elves were attacked by humans or demons, it was more like going into a forest infested with animals without proper preparation and getting into an accident.

Furthermore, even if they were the same elf, the difference in level was clear unless they were an elf under the protection of this world tree.

“Our past mistakes must never be repeated. “If you have made a mistake, you must learn something from it, so we will end this meeting by reflecting on the words of our ancestors.”

The oldest elder stood up and ended the meeting.

“The Supreme Elder also cares about the most insignificant creatures. “You leave these little ants alone when the world acts as if it belongs to them.”

“I am just following the words of my ancestors.”

The high elf, called the highest elder, was the oldest among the elves, and was the only elf alive to see the face of his ancestor in person.

No matter how long an elf lives, it usually returns to nature after a certain period of time.

“Our ancestors led the elves here to prepare for the apocalypse that would one day come to the world. They never wanted us to act like we were gods.”

In fact, most of the elders had already made magic or plans to annihilate humans and demons.

“We are neither gods nor controllers, so we must no longer interfere with the order of the world.”

However, that could not be done due to the opposition of the highest elder.

Although he is old and his strength is lower than when he was younger, he is still respected and is an elf with excellent magical knowledge.

Is there anything that a person with high intelligence and a long lifespan cannot do?

“Honey, let’s go back.”

“Yes, Supreme Elder.”

Most of these are probably possible except for one thing.

“…That disgusting hypocrite old man, why aren’t you retiring when you’ve already seen your granddaughter?”

“That’s right. “You can either step down or focus on future generations.”

“If you’re the successor, you saw it too, the kid who just returned with the Supreme Elder.”

“Is that child the heir? “I definitely thought he was just a servant, but I couldn’t believe he was the famous genius…”

“Stop. “Enough of the words that disparage the Branch Elder, the Leaf Elder, and the Supreme Elder.”

After the highest elder left, the remaining elders naturally began to reveal their true feelings to each other.

“Anyway, you said your name was Zion. Surely, if he grows up as is, he will take over the position ahead of us. “Because there is no cause, no ability, no lack.”

“What’s so great about such a bright young girl? “After all, she is the granddaughter of the highest elder, so it is possible.”

It seems like there wasn’t much to hide as they had already confirmed that they were on the same page.

But maybe that was a mistake.

Their conversation had already been heard by not only the highest elder but also his granddaughter.

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“…Chief Elder, why are you leaving them alone? “If the Supreme Elder makes a gesture, they will all bow their heads and beg for their lives.”

The girl said, puffing out her cheeks as if she was angry.

Perhaps he didn’t understand my grandfather, who just left these people who had nothing to say even though they were actually purged.

In front of him, he is called the best elder and is servile, but behind his back, he gossips like that.

“You foolish child, these are the elders who lead the elves, and they are all talented people like you, renowned as geniuses. “Of course, it’s bound to be full of dissatisfaction.”

“If you are full of complaints, how about soaking your hair in water for a year? Then all your complaints will disappear.”

It was okay up to that point.

“Where did you learn such harsh words? You are the child who will be responsible for the future of the elves. “If you try to solve everything through force alone, you’re not much different from them.”

“Tsk, those guys are looking down on you because the Supreme Elder said that. These guys are groveling in front of you and gossiping so scary that you turn your back on them. “How did those people become elders?”

“Please understand their position, because recently humans and demons have not hesitated to go too far.”

“Then go quickly and sort out everyone, whether humans or demons. “In the end, it’s just a fight between them.”

“I will see the timing soon and resolve it myself, so stay quiet. Then maybe their complaints will disappear.”

“…I understand. Well, I’ll just go back and study magic. “If you want to control those elders like your grandfather, you have to have good skills.”

“hahahaha, that’s right. “If our ancestors were alive, he would definitely be proud of you.”

“Of course. “I am someone’s granddaughter.”

It didn’t matter how much they looked down on me or gossiped about me.

In the end, they were just cowards.

Things that can’t say anything in front of others and are worse than just observing.

If they had remained worse than simple trash, I probably wouldn’t have made such an extreme choice.

However, as time passed, they seemed to have grown senile and lost their fear, so one day they ended up crossing the line.

Perhaps the fate of our elves was decided from then on.

“Grandma, what are you thinking like that?”

“I was thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight.”

“Wow, this is ridiculous. Still, you’re not worried because she’s actually grandma’s granddaughter, right? “Well, I like the fact that that little bastard will never come back from there.”

“You idiot, don’t you know that if you do that, the baby will be in danger too?”

“So you are helping me on purpose? It’s a pity, but being a hero is lonely when you’re alone.”

Of course, these are all pointless thoughts.

“Worrying won’t change anything anyway, and you probably don’t like me worrying in the first place.”

“That’s obvious. If you’re that kind of a nerd, I’d rather you remain indifferent until the end.”

It’s all in the past, there’s nothing that can be undone.

All I can do now is live in the present.

Because I had long ago abandoned attachment to the past or the future, it didn’t matter whether the world was destroyed or not.

-Grandfather…! Please open your eyes! Grandfather! Grandfather!!-

I stopped being an elf a long time ago.

Such a disgusting and hypocritical race should have been destroyed long ago.

The present was the result of past mistakes.

Now that we have shown the children the place where the truth is, only they will be able to make the choice to move forward into the future.

“If you don’t feel like choosing dinner, just have it delivered. The world has gotten better these days, so they even deliver it to forests with few people around?”

“…Dinner is ready. “I want to read a book.”

“Your body looks like that because you have been skipping meals like that since you were young. How can you be the oldest and look the youngest on the outside? “Isn’t that just a scammer?”

“I don’t know how you look so much like my childhood.”

Anyway, is it because he now has grandchildren?

I understood how my grandfather, who passed away a long time ago, felt.

“No matter how old you are, let’s refrain from saying harsh things. Why don’t you just say that my mother is a nerd?”

Alfred said in disgust.

“…”

Even though he wasn’t that bad, I think her grandfather might have felt that way when he looked at him.

†††

“This is a tomb where the greatest elders of all time, including our ancestors, are enshrined. The entrance is tightly sealed with magic, but you can open it.”

“I know. “Be alert to your surroundings and step back for a moment.”

“Please don’t ruin it too much, this is the legacy of our ancestors, which is not much left…”

Arsel and Stella have already arrived at the entrance to the tomb where the ancestors of the elves are said to rest.

“Only the entrance will be cut down. “No other parts are touched.”

It is protected by a barrier so strong that it cannot be explained in words, but Arcel’s holy sword, Mystel, has the power to cut through magic.

Wow!!

With a simple swing, a hole was created in the barrier through which two people could pass.

But it certainly wasn’t an ancestor’s tomb for no reason. While it usually disappears immediately when a crack occurs in the barrier, this one held on just fine and was repairing the hole on its own.

“Let’s get in quickly, it will close soon.”

“It’s amazing, you can repair a barrier even if it cracks, and you can cut through that barrier without a care in the world…”

Stella frowned for a moment as if it was ridiculous, and then she entered the tomb.

It was a huge tomb.

In fact, it was a tomb, but it was no different from a temple built underground, and even when entering the barrier, the entrance was firmly held, sealed by tree roots.

“Is it okay if I cut this down too?”

“Wait a minute, I think I can solve this.”

Stella took out a small bottle filled with red liquid from her pocket and dropped a few drops on the roots.

Then the roots disappeared and the tightly closed entrance opened.

“What about that?”

“It’s my blood, because the blood of a pure-blooded elf flows through my body. “Only pureblood elves can open the entrance to this tomb.”

“But why was the blood stored separately in the bottle?”

“Every time I use it as an ingredient in a magic ritual, it can hurt my hands, so I prepare it in advance and preserve it separately.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

I guess I forgot about it for a while because there were people around me who were fine even though their throats were cut and their heads were blown off.

No matter how big or small the wound is, it hurts.

Especially if the wound was forcibly created.

“…Now let’s check, how to treat your body, and what was inside that made you not try to open the tomb until it got to this point.”

“Well then, you’d better hurry back.”

Stella took the lead and entered with great determination.

I have already seen hell before my eyes.

I have once faced a being that was like a terrible nightmare, and I have also lived with an entity whose identity I do not know.

Now I was confident that I would never be surprised no matter what secrets were hidden in this damned tomb.

…Of course, most of those mindsets are shattered when faced with reality.