Raising the Elf’s Genius Slayer

---

Chapter

The place where Enok and Rionne had previously entered the dungeon. There was a crack in the air that looked like a broken window.

Arriving in Tetika through the dungeon along with several Elf Rangers, the group began to investigate the traces of monsters left in the vicinity.

“Fortunately, it seems they didn’t head straight for the city,” one of the Rangers remarked.

Rionne interjected, “Speaking of which, what types of monsters were there? This dungeon overlapped with the Demon Realm. From what we’ve heard, they probably weren’t monsters from that side.”

“Yeah. They were the type of monsters we usually see in the forest.”

A Ranger brushed away the footprints left on the ground and stood up.

“However, their numbers were far greater than normal, and there were quite a few unusual specimens.”

“Unusual specimens?”

“They were abnormally strong and appeared to have clear intelligence.”

As Enok scanned the surroundings, he activated his Ki Eye. If the monsters had passed through the dungeon into Tetika, they would be tainted by the magic within the dungeon.

Kiiing—!

The Ki Eye marked the path where the magical traces led.

“Rionne, it’s over there.”

Rionne nodded, but her expression looked rather serious. Normally, it shouldn’t be that alarming even if the monsters were strong.

“Let’s check it out. I hope it’s just a false alarm…”

“What’s the matter?”

“Um… it’s a long story to explain.”

As Rionne hesitated, Tsukiyo suddenly interrupted.

“Just spill it. What if something happens while you’re keeping quiet?”

“…That’s true.”

Rionne briefly recounted her encounter with Kyle Estor from the dungeon, mentioning the current situation and fragments of feelings.

“So, you’re saying that there might be a clone of the Sword God around here…?”

“Wait a second.”

Rionne closed her eyes and reached out like the branches of a great tree in her mind. Suddenly, she could discern the locations even more clearly.

“That way.”

Coincidentally or not, it was in the same direction as where the monsters had gone.

Tsukiyo, who had been rolling her eyes, paled.

“W-We’re all doomed! It feels like something bad is about to happen… Hieeek!?”

Rionne sighed as she grabbed the scruff of Tsukiyo’s neck, who was causing a ruckus.

“We definitely need to be cautious. Did you all hear? There could be a clone of Dad here, so don’t act individually. Try not to wander too far.”

“Yes!”

The Rangers replied crisply as they bowed their heads obediently.

“Alright, then let’s go.”

*

While the Rangers cautiously scouted the surroundings, Rionne led Enok towards the city.

“First, I want to explain the situation and hopefully request some cooperation. It won’t be pleasant for them if others are roaming around their territory, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Honestly, it could be ignored, but it’s better to keep things peaceful. It wouldn’t be that troublesome.”

Passing through the castle gates was quite a hassle, so they skipped that part and arrived directly at the Lord’s Castle, jumping over the castle walls.

“Halt! What business do Elves have at the Lord’s Castle?”

A guard blocked their path, acting quite arrogantly. Just as Enok was about to hurl the guard aside, Tsukiyo stepped forward.

“Step aside.”

As Tsukiyo waved her tiny hand, the guard nodded blankly.

Enok stared at the dazed guard.

“Illusion?”

“Yep. It’s the kind of illusion you picked up on right away, Butler.”

Tsukiyo pouted.

“Oh my, I need to train my skills a bit.”

“Sir Swordmaster, what do you plan to do about those castle walls? Having a penchant for children is a mental illness.”

“What, what…!?”

Rionne’s jaw dropped. Enok defended her, who seemed to be at a disadvantage.

“Choco.”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“Do you know what’s better than children?”

“…Let me hear it.”

“A strong and healthy child.”

Tsukiyo tilted her head, scrunching her face in confusion.

“That might be true?”

Thanks to Tsukiyo’s illusion, the path to where they assumed the Lord’s aura was located was quite pleasant. Not that it mattered much since the Lord likely couldn’t do anything anyway.

Isn’t it rather beneficial for the Lord too? They’ve come to help.

“…Who are these people? Humans, Elves, and Beastmen? What an odd combination.”

The lord of the port city was a robust middle-aged man. After glancing over Enok’s party, he looked back at the dazed subordinates behind them and clicked his tongue.

“I ask this as a matter of courtesy, but are you assassins?”

[Do you seriously think they came just for you? What a confident fellow.]

As Undine snickered, a strange expression crossed the Lord’s face.

“Then what brings you here?”

Rionne poked Enok in the side. She intended to teach him a thing or two about social interactions this time.

Clearing his throat, Enok stepped forward.

“I’m Enok Estor. We’re going to rummage through your territory, so please don’t take it too negatively…”

“…Enok?”

“Isn’t that it?”

Enok scratched his head. Rionne had nothing to add and only scratched her head in confusion.

Fortunately, it was the Lord who opened the conversation.

“Estor? Then might this young lady be…?”

At the Lord’s gaze towards Rionne, Enok nodded.

“Oh…! To meet the Swordmaster! What an honor!”

“Rionne, do you know?”

“My grandmother read me fairy tales when I was little. It’s been a long time since then…”

It was certainly a compliment. Still, Rionne had a peculiar expression, almost as if she were being reminded of her age.

“Human!”

At that moment, Tsukiyo, who had been standing with a disgruntled expression, stepped forward.

“If you recognize the Swordmaster, shouldn’t I get some recognition too?”

Tsukiyo, with her flat chest proudly pushed out, pressured the Lord with sharp eyes.

The Lord rapidly examined Tsukiyo. Judging by her ears, tail, and fur color, she was from the Black Cat Tribe. If someone of her stature was associated closely with the Swordmaster…

“Could you be Lady Tsukiyo…?”

“Oh! Correct! Did you see, Butler? I’m such a famous cat-person!”

Was she seeking praise? As Enok ruffled Tsukiyo’s head like a cat, she squealed and started hitting his arm in protest.

“Kyah! Don’t do that!”

Tsukiyo, who backed away, looked at Rionne with a strange expression.

“Anyway, let’s get to the point.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Monsters have come from the Elf Union to this place.”

“Eh? From the Elf Union?”

The Lord looked puzzled.

“There’s a temporal connection due to the dungeon. I’ll explain that later, but in any case, we’re looking to eliminate the monsters that have come through, and I’m asking for your cooperation in that.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

When Rionne smiled brightly, the Lord appeared almost ecstatic. For a moment, Enok wondered if he might actually die from it, but he decided to let it slide this time.

“Since the monsters could head towards the city, we need to…”

As Rionne spoke, the Lord eagerly nodded his head behind them, and Enok looked out the window.

The sea visible beyond the castle walls. Where did all that water come from?

The first time seeing the sea, it strangely appeared quite unsettling.

*

“This place is… paradise?”

Tsukiyo drooled as they passed through the fish market. Enok grabbed one of her twin tails and tugged on it.

“Come on.”

“Kyah! Don’t pull my hair!”

As for the clone of the Sword God here, would they really be safe if it turned against them?

Recalling the Sword God seen in the dungeon, Enok frowned. It might be better to avoid using the Ki Eye for a while.

“Are you worried?”

Rionne gently took his hand. Looking down at her as they walked, Enok shook his head.

“Not really? You’re here too.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

Rionne, lightly smiling, ruffled Enok’s hair.

“Still, be careful. Even if it’s a clone, it’s definitely not something trivial if it’s Dad’s clone.”

“It might not even show up.”

“That’s true. In reality, the chance it won’t show up is much higher, right?”

Considering nothing has gone wrong so far, a few monsters showing up shouldn’t change anything.

“What monsters were in the forest again?”

Lizardmen, Goblins, Orcs, sometimes Ogres, and occasionally Spider Monkeys, and maybe even Noisy Parrots…

“Hmm.”

Perhaps not? Nothing significant would happen, right?

*

– Kweeeek! Kweeeek────!!!

With a malicious screech that seemed determined to burst eardrums, Enok grimaced.

“…What’s that, Rionne?”

“Noisy Parrot. It’s literally a loud parrot. It’s just really noisy.”

Unable to hold back, Tsukiyo dashed off and disappeared over the hill.

Moments later, she rushed back over the hill, tossing a brightly colored feathered bird onto the ground.

“It’s so loud it’s killing me!”

The Noisy Parrot lay in a miserable state, much like the butterfly a cat toys with, resembling a parrot as its name suggested. Except it was just about the size of a human’s upper body with an abnormally developed beak.

“Noisy Parrots attack with their unique sound waves. Once they weaken their target, they swoop in with that beak for the kill.”

Enok scratched his chin at Rionne’s explanation.

“That thing won’t scream loud enough to summon a clone, right? You mentioned it’s in a state similar to being asleep.”

“Uh, I don’t think so? Even if the Noisy Parrot is loud, it’s not like this place is usually quiet.”

Pwoooooo──────!!

Just then, the sound of a ship’s horn echoed from afar.

“Well, there are people around and ships too.”

Nodding, Enok eased his tense body. But Rionne seemed a bit uneasy.

“…Should we deal with it quickly, then?”

“Good idea, nyang!”

Tsukiyo, feeling anxious herself, quickly nodded. Then she jumped onto Enok’s shoulder.

“Let’s split up while the Rangers handle the rest.”

“Then Enok and I will go together, and the cat will go alone…”

“Hey! The strongest Swordmaster should go alone!”

Tsk, Rionne clicked her tongue.

“Butler, let’s train while taking down those parrots.”