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

Subversion (Part 1)

***The Saint's Tree***

Within the deepest parts of the Elf Saint's official residence was the dungeons dedicated for the enemies of Her Holiness. Before, the palace officials tried to have their rivals thrown in those cells, but the Life Guards frustrated their efforts, declaring that it was the property of the holy lady, thus, she was the only one who had the authority to imprison someone there. It could be safely said that, since the Lady Hinwe ascended the holy office, those dark chambers underneath the ancient tree palace remained unused...until now.

Confined in the underground forest of old roots and soil, with no chance to escape because his legs were chained, was the captain of the Life Guards captain, Sir Eldarv. Detained with him were the other members of the Elf Saint's retinue, and the surviving palace maids. They all knew that once an elf's chains suddenly removed itself and that person would let themselves out, that poor soul would end as a grisly meal of the human monster sitting on the throne above where they were.

After all, they witnessed how that 'Lord Kuro of Arles' ate his first kills before their very eyes.

"..."

They had no idea how powerful was that human; the only thing they were sure of was that they were imprisoned there like livestock, waiting for the time they were called to the throne room to be murdered. However, Sir Eldarv was resolved in fighting for his life, even if he died trying. The only problem was the chains. If he could remove those himself, then he'd have his chance to escape.

"What are you doing?" a fellow elf asked him when they noticed the elf captain kept on squirming.

"I'm trying to remove my shackles," he whispered. "Look, my wrists and hands are pretty small, I guess I can make it slip off me."

"You know we can't do anything about it. Might as well accept our fate."

"Well, I'm not!" Sir Eldarv countered. "Hey, don't lose hope; we can still do something if we think of a way to get these things off our wrists and legs."

"Milord, I suggest you don't. It's a futile effort, anyway. Are you turning crazy like that Chersean elf over there?"

Sir Eldarv followed his fellow prisoner's direction, and asked, "You're talking about that Cerdan guy?"

The other elf nodded. "Haven't you heard his ramblings? He's saying that we should expect help from the 'real Lord Kuro of Arles'. That the one up there is a fake, and the true one is mounting an expedition to free us and restore Her Holiness to her throne."

"He really did say those things?"

"You're not listening?"

"I'm busy with my escape attempt that I don't pay attention to others."

"Fair enough. Well, what do you plan to do, milord? Ask him about his nonsense?"

"Well, at this point, I'm desperate enough to welcome any suggestions, or ways out, even if it's crazy," the elf captain quipped.

"Suit yourself."

Then, Sir Eldarv called out to the Chersean elf, "Hey there! Your name is Cerdan, right?"

"Are you talking to me?" Cerdan asked.

"Yes," the former captain followed up. "What do you mean by that monster up there is a fake 'Lord Kuro of Arles' and we should expect the 'real one' to help us?"

"It is what it is," the Chersean elf answered. "If you won't believe me and call me crazy, it's fine. I know what I'm talking about."

"You sure are confident in this human," Sir Eldarv commented.