The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

A Maiden's Petition (Part 2)

***The city of Berondin***

Not all was bleak in the plight of the survivors of Dorian. While they were 'officially' captured by the army of the 'mud' elves, they were still treated better. The only problem was, though they were given proper shelter, the longhouse was small to fit everyone in, so some of them had to brave the elements outside. Those who did were given spare cloths and were taught to make tents.

They were heavily-guarded. The Berondin elves wouldn't easily trust anyone, given the bad history between them and the 'forest elves' of the interior. They would give the refugees extra food, if they could help it. Otherwise, the Dorians would have to spend long sleeps hungry, for they weren't permitted to hunt...which would entail letting them out of their enclosure.

"..."

Meanwhile, the leader of the Dorian elves, the Lord Ingwer, talked with the elders of Berondin.

"You mean to say that the one who sat on the throne of the Elf Saint is a human, yet this human is not 'human' at all?"

"That one is an impostor," the Lord Ingwer reiterated. "The Lord Kuro of Arles is a friend to everyone, including us elves; and he gave good counsel to Her Holiness, the Lady Hinwe. That 'Lord Kuro' in the Saint's Tree is another person, originally meant to 'safeguard' the saint's throne, but ended up usurping authority 'in her name'."

"It's confusing," one elder remarked, shaking his head. "And what type of magic this 'Lord Kuro' used to convince the saint to agree to his plan?"

"There is no magic, milord," the Dorian leader replied. "The Lord Kuro only highlighted the merits if everything would go according to his ideas. And I think you and I will agree that the palace officials of Her Holiness have grown corrupt and decadent after she has withdrawn from governing us."

"This is why we Berondin elves would prefer living in this accursed place than submit to her," another elder commented. "The Lady Hinwe Tal-Inwir may be wise in the old days, but she had lived long enough to be a villain."

The Lord Ingwer, though he was pained to hear such words said about Her Holiness, remained silent. He had to admit that their observations had slivers of truth in it, and that he also needed the help of the Berondin elves was another factor he had to mind while negotiating with them.

"There are several things that I find implausible in the Dorian lord's story," the leader of the army of Berondin noted.

"Speak your mind, Lady Elsa."

"The Lord Ingwer claims that there is someone disguising as a 'human' noble ordering the forest elves on the Elf Saint's throne. As far as I'm concerned, the forest elves are a proud people. They will never let humans—though we may have been allies in the Human-Demon Wars of old—to lead them. Their folly even drove us to these parts, at the fringes of Cherwoods, because we have different beliefs in the authority of the Elf Saint. If the Dorian lord's story is true, then why didn't the other elf cities rise up to fight that human? And also, why didn't the Elf Saint's Life Guards overthrow him?"

The members of the elder council of Berondin rallied over the Lady Elsa's statements, and accused the Lord Ingwer of fooling them. However, their most senior elder rose up and chanted a silencing spell that removed their voices, much to their surprise. When they realized they couldn't air their arguments, the elders sat down, dejected.

"My kin," the senior elder, the Lord Fenorian, gestured for them to keep still. "I recommend we listen first to the answers of the Dorian lord, before we throw accusations. These forest elves treated us with contempt; let us be better by understanding them." Then, he turned to the Lord Ingwer, and said, "You may explain your side, forest brother."

"Thank you for the opportunity, milord," the Dorian elder bowed, and paused for a moment before continuing. "To answer the Lady Elsa's questions and dispel any accusations the members of this honorable council have leveled against me, let me tell you that the impostor at the Saint's Tree is no ordinary human."

"You said it earlier, that this 'human' is not human at all."

"With all due respect Lord Fenorian, I think you misunderstood my meaning of 'not human'. As what I said to the Lady Elsa before, we came from the city of Dorian, which was destroyed following an attack from the Elf Saint's Life Guards. The soldiers, though in outward appearance looked like elves, are not the 'guards' we remember them to be. These people are emaciated, their eyes—while open—are blank...as if they stared at nowhere. Take note that they are killing our people, yet they have no expression at all. No fear. No anger...just blank, as if they're devoid of life."

By this time, the entire council never moved. Everyone leaned forward as the Dorian lord narrated.

"And here's what even more strange. Of course, we have our own army to resist them. But, no matter how we shoot at them, they'd keep advancing, as if the arrows are nothing. Then, it came to the part where we fought them in melee, but these Life Guards never mind our attacks. Cut off their limbs and they'd fight by biting or kicking you."

"Are you telling me they turned into undead?"

"I don't know milord, but what I can say for sure is that they are not scared. Not one bit. And they can't be reasoned out either, so we really have to fight with our lives. But that's not the worst part."

"Good heavens," the Lord Fenorian exclaimed. "If that's not the worst part, then what is?"

"That impostor came amid the chaos and carnage, and stood right in the center. I remember it clearly, when he began chanting some spell...and black smoke slowly came out from under him. That smoke then shot out from all directions, even as armies and the Life Guards battle it out. Those who were hit by the smoke suddenly got even more emaciated, as if life was sucked out of them. I can still hear the terrible screams of those who were trapped in that smoke; our trees, our families, and even the enemies. It was loud at first, then slowly died down with every moment passing...we don't know if it's because we ran as fast as we can, or it's the dying sound of the victims."

The Lord Ingwer paused and collected himself, since he was getting emotional recounting his and his people's experiences. When he settled down, he added, "I don't know what happened after we ran from Dorian, but I've heard news of other 'rebellious' cities getting destroyed by that impostor and his accursed army. This place can be next..."

The council hall was so quiet one could hear the pin drop. The members couldn't believe what they heard, or what to do about it. It was then that the Lord Fenorian broke the silence...

"Lord Ingwer of Dorian," he was restless in his chair. "Let's say we believe your story. Won't it mean that the human—or monster—that sat on the throne at the Saint's Tree is a formidable enemy, notwithstanding his army of...undead elves? What can we even do to resist him?"

"Well, here's the thing milord," the Dorian elder replied. "Not all is lost. As I've said earlier, that 'human' in the Saint's Tree is just an impostor. And the human whose disguise is being used by that monster is actually the powerful one that even Her Holiness the Elf Saint respects him."

"You don't mean to say..."

"Yes, Lord Fenorian, the Lord Kuro of Arles—the legendary hero of the human, beastmen and demon realms, is coming to Cherwoods. I'm sure he knows the situation now, and is moving to save us," the Lord Ingwer then presented a letter to the Berondin council, with the wax seal of the duchy of Maverny on its end.

"That's a human noble!" the Lady Elsa cried out. "You're entrusting yours and our people's lives to human hands?"

"Times are desperate, milady. Again, my apologies for the late introduction, lords and ladies of this venerable council, but I really led my people here in your city not only to seek help. I am the Lord Ingwer of the city of Dorian, and a representative of Her Holiness' adviser, the Lord Kuro of Arles, Duke of Maverny. I know it's strange that we only approached you now, our Berondin brothers and sisters. However, will you set aside our differences and work together, just even for this one moment. A monster will consume these lands, killing everyone—including us and your people. Will you help us, Berondin?"