COI C10

"Man with a cat form or specific man with cat parts, Mercy for me to you from city of isekai and hope you understand. Your people should understand me with your technology, the child you rescue was involved from one of my brothers and sisters for apprenticeship. NEVER let that necklace be taken away from him, as a superior, there is no such thing for elves searching any race to teach"

Alche fully translated what Heist recorded, most of them thought to be some mysterious prophet but the kid was involved something sketchy. Alche watches the remaining video until the robe elf disappears and noticed a fissure like figure.

"He's invisible, he didn't leave"

"Yeah, Heist can sense someone's presence through smell but not on sight"

"Don’t forget Heist has difficulty finding them thanks to their wind magic"

Heist opens up any app that can scan out in his surrounding, from mostly a few apps can detect him were not used but thanks to auto apps that gives a few information.

"He just waited outside close to the portal, yet he is watching where the students destroyed the forest"

Alche learns a bit about these kinds of authoritarian elves, and in a short moment thinking about it and comparing the video between from all three perspectives.

"We should investigate ourselves. We shouldn't let the authorities handle this misunderstanding"

The adventurers were reluctant yet curious to see that elf, and decided to join along

"And also bring the girl who records their lunch with the elves"

An A rank adventurer is getting pump up for some reason, and wanted to be all serious about it. The girl comes to the meeting, and was asked some questions.

"Your teachers have done well to meet anyone from another race. Your video proves it, and I want to know that is this the full video?"

"Full video, I think it last for after lunch and about preparing for hunting a herd of elks"

The A rank adventurer gives off a thought as they show her the video.

"Hmm, a clue" "Huh? why did the video ended when they complained about the first question?"

"Do you know why?"

She didn't realize it. She was in stasis and record the whole thing.

"The elf might affect my device with his magic, but I never thought that it could work on technology"

"Yes, another mystery. Our technologies have some flaws or the magic did something else"

The A rank is getting far into the moment, and Alche ruined for him

"Or maybe magic items such as her device consists of magic energy. Magic energy is just the same as mana, it can be manipulated and controlled. Which is one of the reason people wanted to leave this world"

"Teacher Alche is probably right, that elf kept his magic flowing for the entire lunch because how troublesome we are"

Some of those students who with the elves are known adventurer's friends and relatives, and the girl who is with them is one of them. Silfa confronted to her in a worrisome manner

"How goes with the elves then? ehehehe"

Silfa looks a bit anxious, and the other S ranks never seen her acted that way.

"Why the changed of mood Sifa?"

"Well, those students like her using their life and death abilities. I am more stressed out that they are many of them in front of an elf superior. What would he say in front of the city guild and their connections about it?"

The girl didn't think about it, and her friends who were with her were also have connections within the city guild. Others got anxious as well, but Heist stops them with his hand slam on the table. '

"Don't go PR (public relations) on me"

"Yeah, investigation first everyone"

The adventurers were never expected them to be this serious to ignore the real problem here.

"Now comparing by the three points of views about this superior; Heist met him who wants to help the kid and translated, the girl who is with them and the video itself got corrupted by his magic, and finally, Alche? what was it again?"

Alche was over the other side of the corner, thinking about this matter. The A rank called him and quickly respond

"Heist? The student? Elves?"

"Yeah, that's right the elves"

"Ok"

He walks up to them only gives hypothesis for the time

"I don't have any proof, and only I give you just an assumption"

He pulls out one of Heist’s video showing the kid who was taken back to the city

"The last one is the kid, and the elf wants to help him for some reason. Different from what Heist said and the translation, did you ever notice that it is another one of those news before?"

Many of them don't want to match with those kinds of allegations. While in this investigation was close to more blind ends, someone is entering the portal. Sounds of cheering from the outside of their lounge and the A rank who plays detective is looking at the screen from the security camera on his device.

"Well, well, well, speaking of the devil"

That line give the other adventurers eyes rolling to hear him to act so cheesy. Except for the few as they say it out loud

"IT'S HIM!"

The portal opened were Haw, Ironno, and the students brought out the monsters they caught alongside with them were the elves.

Students rushing to the portal to see the elves and they saw more behind the carriage brought by the other elves.

"WOW! ELVES"

Everyone with their devices automatically record by their own excitement. Matching what the other students before they did. The two female elves repeat the process how they did again while the robe elf got pulled by them with a serious tone.

"Mylnoie, please be yourself for once and don't be like them"

The robe elf has his reasons, his devotions in secrets put his position all too suspicious what he did. He could only do is to come along with them.

Before entering the portal, Ironno and Haw noticed a powerful presence when they reached to the portal. The robe elf didn't expect it where Haw throws a flammable potion at him, as it touches the ground kept it burning while the robe elf's position remained clear from the flames. His fellow elves noticed him, and exposed him. Now he is with them closely supervised pretending to act what those students to believe. Rumors spread further while everyone reunites.

"The robe elf is stalking here"

He didn't complain as being acted that way, and never thought that those two figured out where he was.

"Mylnoie, By the blessings from the well. Be more careful, these two are the same the rest of the Enders. Remember they can't face powerful magics so close like us"

"I apologize my sisters, but my callings are made me focus more than my intellect"

The female elves held him firm as they walk along with Haw's group, while hearing more rumors behind their backs. They can hear them muttering about the robe elf's actions.

"High rank elf, and their twisted nature. Just like from the manga"

"So it's the same with the other isekais manga"

"Or it's because men are creeps"

"And along with his harem"

"I have no idea what they say to me, what I did was watch over their area and the causes they did hiding in the wind. Waiting closely, out of the open won't be safe when the forest is searching its nutrients"

"Explain it to them Mylnoie, they can understand you"

"I will, and I hope so"

The elves help carrying what the students catch, and the trouble of them putting their inventory was decline by Ironno's point. Believing it that they would steal it like he experienced many other students reported theft from both Haw’s and Ironno’s belongings as a joke.

"We could just use our inventory slots"

"Teacher Ironno already got strict ever before, since many took his things during school"

"But it was funny to see him seeking help to other teachers"

Ironno already know that and don't care, and these rare ingredients are enough to be hard on them. The adventurers arrived and saw what they brought.

"That's . . . B rank monsters, Hounder Elks, how did you get it . . . wait . . . they have no alpha"

The arrogant students and Haw's group were reunite, and the students were a bit proud to get anything from the hunt. Where the one who managed said to them.

"So, how's your side of the hunt?"

Embarrassed by all what they did and failed, others where not pleased who got beaten to the pulp, and finally the other students used their ultimate abilities on a monster with their own lives.

"Guessing not much, huh?"

The students argue each other between their conversation, and seeing such a catch. The adventurers were impressed also along with the other students who have connections with the city guild to have succeeded to get a rare monster.

"Why carrying them when you can use your inventory?"

"Teacher Haw and Ironno won't let us get into our inventory and thought we could steal it"

"Seems like it, I thought showing off was one of them"

"No Teacher Alche, they have their reasons"

Surrounding the elves with many students seeing them in person like before they first met. One of them tried to talk to them and the time they did took so long. The elves were busy but the robe elf was part of the conversation and the students ignored him. All together again, and one lead to another with exchanges between them. Until night came by, the elves never ceased to end their bond with the students. The robe elf left the talking circle. While he left, the adventurers followed him

"Remember me?"

"Yes, and Ironno's stone is here so I can finally speak"

"Yeah Gown man"

Short laughs and another hour for the Robe elf to endure.

"We want you have dinner with us"

"I love to, but let those two of my sisters enjoying their time with your children"

"Those students are not my kids, but if they are. I have some awesome sex drive"

The elf laughs quietly how obscene of a joke he heard from a cat eared man

"Also include with the Raker Mawn members. I want to talk to them"

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"Sorry, but we need just you"

Heist and the others bring him to the lounge where the adventurers rest. They enter the lounge where Haw and Ironno are leaving, both of them saw him as he looks back at them. The two didn't respond and go straight out. Passing through, the robe elf gives one of them a gem as they passed.

The robe elf only watched them passed by while they moved on straight out.

"Sir, we better move"

The elf nod and gets into the lounge. The one of the two holds the gem and only felt its warmth without anyone to see.

"Kinker, kept our Lord's ties strong"

Haw and Ironno joined the female elves where they started to have dinner. The robe elf seats with the other adventurers where Heist facing him opposite side of the table, seeing all extravagant and the elf confuses himself between camps or a luxurious guild inside a realm. The foods were served by their dummies or mannequins.

"These servants of yours, what are they?"

"Our special maids or what we call them as our androids. All summoned to serve their makers"

"I don't get it why to use such a large source of mana to control these many"

The robe elf can't grasp their limits, where most summons in their power, it is difficult to maintain the locals' mana before they can master it without using their bodies as vessels.

"I have no clear understanding from your technologies, but they seem a bit too closely being alive"

"Well yeah, our city did extra care of making these servants. You can have one if you want"

"NO! no, I have experienced it before from one of your adventurers during my time"

The meals were placed before them, where the region endlessly produce the foods. The city itself pour their hearts content of bringing so many kinds of cuisine. The robe elf couldn't grasp of seeing foods to look good and taste better than it seems.

"Before we eat, may we first talk before we dine in"

The elf didn't mind to talk first, but the adventurers took the first bite as they enjoy their meal.

"Well, uh, right!?"

Doubted for them to be acted like that. Heist first takes the lead

"Ok you, elf, I want to know what do you know about the kid last time. Since what you said helps you to speak better, kindly tell us what's up?"

The elf took a few bites even though they should talk first, his attitude only mimic to theirs. He tastes the food and never expected to have this overwhelming flavor.

"Yeah, first let me introduce myself. My name is Elyrion Shardsgem from the city of Purissarwell"

"Greetings Elyrion, my name is Silfa Ventus and these are my fellow adventurers"

They greeted back and him realizing that Heist won't be the only one talking to him. Elyrion takes another a few bites and took a few sips of the drink

"You are wondering why there was once a child I wanted to see"

Busily enjoying their meals, only a few are listening especially the A rank who acted like a detective.

"The kid wore a necklace, wondered off into the forest, back then got beaten by the other students, and you gave Heist something for the kid. Will the paper help him? and the necklace, what is it?"

Slowly the conversation grew a bit some attentions where the others lean their heads for what they want to know.

"Words got out that the necklace is from one of my people. It is quite strange to let that child be alone, and it is not how elves behave. If the necklace matches ours . . ."

Elyrion's magic blown to the air and formed a small glow of light that drawn by the elves. The markings of the Eldesune language, it displays before them as a literature from the elves.

". . . But doesn't match ours with his necklace, and probably from other Horsin's people. It said, someone has interest of him. A few unknowns might reach out to him without any clue who they are"

Elyrion's magic vanished leaving himself continue to eat going along with their manner.

"Anyway, I want to know why the kid was outside of the city and the necklace was spotted thought to be ours. They thought it was apprenticeship, but they don't know the necklace owner or is it even from the other seals"

Hearing such a serious claim, Heist don't have the right idea.

Silfa intervenes

"What do you mean by that? You give a kid a piece of paper, and there is danger that he will be chased by someone"

"That's why I gave him that paper. He'll understand once he reads about the necklace"

One of the A rank adventurers as she worries that there is something strange about the kid.

"It should be better to tell the authorities"

"I should, but in this world. I could say this that individually, it is better to learn separately than together"

"And why is that?"

"To separate between Demons and Humans"

Heist spouted

"How ironic"

The adventurers also agreed as Silfa couldn’t respond to that. They are hearing rumors that their own government had influence evil within them, nonetheless, it is much safer for them to continue and at least a few of them supervise the kid's condition, secretly.

"They have some interests to the kid, seeing the kid with the necklace with markings on it is already proven he wanted to join some groups. I know Enders and their search for recruits"

"Why would they just recruit us?"

"They already sent their employers to other cities, and your city had one. I don't know if they are desperate or not, seems like they have something happened in Rune Isles"

"They should have recruit one of the city guild's members, why some kid?"

The A rank raised their comments on to him

"If they hired those guys, they can finish their missions quickly"

"No, Rune Isles is heavily exposed of overdosing magic. The people who lived there are there to function the city, and if they brought other people than their specific choices. Then it is more difficult to sustain a city with only just scavenging ores and mining"

The adventurers don't know anything about it, and none of them seem to know the demands of their city.

"Wait, you don't know?"

"We're adventurers we doing our quests in this region"

"I understand, this region, however, has no ore veins, which has only purely of hard dirt were held together by the roots of the forest"

Only by the view of Elyrion, he portrayed what he remembers and the sites established by many cities that were erect for the homes of the survivors. Remembering during this time period where only the center region of Kinteinou has the most cities for almost all race. What he is getting at were the citizens in Isekai City once travel to their cities for help. All he gets were concepts of their people's agenda before they changed their mind. Looking deep into today, were these adventurers who are staying should know the demands needed to sustain a city.

The geography shows on his mind in the regions of Kinteinou, from what everyone in the lounge learns about this continent. They only know about the southern part where Enders Bridge and Agatheus City closed by through the forest. Elyrion understood the entire climate itself to be the most consistent vegetations growing throughout the land. This is also the land has no veins of any ores to ever existed, and only held in its thick layer crust bounded together by the trees' overwhelming roots. What biomes of this part of the continent is still the mystery for the Isekai, but the other city states know where it comes from.

"Can't you people realize that you still using those kinds of metal for your civilizations?"

Alche barges in without any chance of knocking, he was late, but was invited to join them.

"Alche, what are you doing here?"

Heist never expected it, and the A rank adventurer answered

"Did you forget we still have to continue our yesterday's conversations?"

"Ah, not about that. I heard those two would be busy with the students, and what's it all about now?"

Alche reviewed their conversation and the situation about those ores.

"Yeah, I get it what you mean. Our own stocks of metals were all recycled, and none of the adventurers even known about the Taiyou's crisis"

"What crisis?"

"The districts were owned by private companies, and that district were just the manufacturing branches. The people who worked there are switching job thanks to having powers, and they didn't realize that the industry is running low of raw resources"

"Your mayor should have known all about it, why would he ignored since he ask the dwarves before"

"Maybe he forgot"

"Forgot? You may not know but that was the sole reason why your expedition teams went west. Or maybe they just went there to find something"

The adventurers got something on their mind, and Alche is the only one knew about it.

"Umm Alche? How do you know about the crisis?"

"I was a volunteered rescue team, and you know why I understood about the elves"

"Wow! I forgot to ask, how long did you learn elven language?"

"He didn't learn, he was blessed. Remember there is a rare occurrence when my brothers met theirs when trying help your people to leave"

Alche nodded and take a seat to the other side of the table with the A ranks.

"That's right, there are also others but what did you mention of Enders Bridge objectives"

They paused a bit to finished some dishes where the others can't wait to listen their conversation. Elyrion let the others speak while he eats.

Elyrion took his last swallow with a few drinks where the maid came to him and pour another one.

"If you understand the situation of your city, then you might know the reason for Enders Bridge need residences"

Elyrion raises his finger

"One, Rune Isles is the only harvester for raw ore deposits"

He raises his other finger along with his eyes raised as an act of suspicion

"Second, your city is in a dire need for ores. Third, is the rise of smuggling coming from your city"

After his third finger raised, he pulled his fingers back into a fist

"And what those mana batteries made off?"

The adventurers started to realized but won't believe it

"I thought they want our mana, because yours are limited, but the batteries itself is made out of magnetic properties that is also have components, right?"

"We are getting too far to the topic, is there time to talk about it"

"No Elyrion, we can talk another time. Heist, we have to be careful for the kid you save. Can you report them and understand the situation?"

Heist already got his information, and the elf keeps adding more connecting the small details.

"Now that you know, everyone from your guild will soon realize the effects within your city"

Elyrion places his hand to one of the maids closed to him. By hand to hand, telling her to pull him up from his seat.

"The weight of the ore is as closed as gold. From the past few years where Enders Bridge residences slowly abandoned because of the dangers of Rune Isles and quickly leave to other wealthy cities . . ."

Silfa and Alche didn't understand what he meant regarding the economy. All they are getting at is the government can handle the demands.

". . . Even people went back home after a few mining with just a handful, it can make any single person to become one of the richest of people within a year"

They understand that ores are needed to function parts of the civilization, but why only carry just a handful of it.

"Enders Bridge would have been one of those great cities as well, if they could build a proper excavating facility, they can collect more ores"

A raised voice coming from Silfa's team, with a serious tone put her into realization.

"Didn't we forget the failed expedition? Wait a minute . . . Did the city was attacked, right elf?"

Elyrion was finished eating and escorted with the maid heading to a couch where he can relax while the others remained in their seats.

"Yes, the Enders Bridge is always under attack, never thought the incident spread"

The time of the expedition and the day of the siege happened simultaneously, the adventurers back then thought they were superior

"The city remained that way for almost a century as it being siege even it can't farm anything but ores"

"Yet, they are still there holding the city"

"Indeed Silfa, many still questioned their ambitions, but the ores still benefits them only a little"

The adventurers couldn't believe it, a world crisis that they should have known. A city that is the only sources of ores, where it is always attacked by monsters.

Making it more unbelievable, even their government kept them to see what happened on this world. Even it is just some propaganda, they just ignored the situation they are in. In an apocalyptic world, they thought they could rebuild it quick. However, the main problems for them are the most basic resources are needed for their city to thrive. On this part of the continent doesn't have any ore deposits.

"How about the rebellion to the east of the city? What are they fighting for?"

Elyrion never thought they could ask that. His discomfort grew on his face.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that"

"No, for adventurers who have no idea about the crisis. I never expected to talk about them"

Elyrion thinks to himself a bit, while the others finished their meals. It was a long wait, but Elyrion gets it out from his mind.

"The rebellion is the remnant of disputes, where the most humans are involved to fight against the city states"

The adventurers have already know about the rebellions were mostly humans and there are also goblins joined along.

"All those years, the humans lost their origins and becoming like a tribal society. They never recover, and there are more of them beyond Rune Isles to the west. After the founding of Enders Bridge, we met them on the other side of the Rune Isles"

"My people were surprised that the rebellion had brought a ship, a cargo ship from the ruins, and it is so large that carried thousands of them ashore to the North. Luckily the Enders Bridge stopped their ships down to the west where the fortifications are enough for some of their ships to get stuck by their fortification of floating corroding wastes"

The adventurers and Alche were intrigue by this part of history of a tragic past.

"We don't know where did they get it, and lucky for the ships can only float on the sea in Rune Isles. When it reaches out to sea, they began to sank claiming that the region possessed the ships to afloat"

He explained to them the brief history of the rebellion, and now talks about today's event.

"The rebellion expand closed to your area to the east. Many of our allied goblin's tribes turn against the Horde Chief during the coming of your city. Many more bad news that your own people revolt deep to the far east, and many fights across the mountains. The dwarves and the goblins were furious that their outposts to watchtowers were taken by the rebellion"

The adventurers felt guilty, and Elyrion already understand that they aren't their faults.

"Don't act gloom, we never expect your people to come to our world"

Elyrion didn't say anything after that. The adventurers have something to say more, but the possibility where their city will be experiencing a shortage of raw materials. If Elyrion said is true, then they need demand more where the city experienced their first inflation for the basic materials such as metals. The dangers of the Enders Bridge are unpredictable for them to know. Both thought to be safe or deceitful, they ask one more time

"Can we place teleportation to Enders Bridge?"

"Yes, when you want go there, and no when you want to leave. It’s too dangerous"

They already heard from it from Haw about his city, and they thought Elyrion knows more about it.

Elyrion is looking at them that they are going to face a shortage someday, and he tell them this.

"I can only give some advice. When the crisis ever comes, make another expedition team along with the Enders Guild. Chances to harvest those ores can help maintain your city based on a deal"

"What kind of deal?"

"I'm not going to find out"

One of the A ranks just left, because of the thought going there because of its failures before.

"They need to subdue a corrupt mining dungeon, and according to the quest it has no value but to claim it. Meaning someone is going to manage and protect it. In return the mines are owned by the one who is going to turn it into a mining base"

"We will keep it in mind Elyrion and thank you"

Silfa heard him clearly when someday they are going to need that mine to maintain their city, as they already had done their filled. The maids come in to the room to clean, where the rest are starting to leave and talk about what they heard from him. Alche is the only one who stay behind with Elyrion laying down where the maid is beside them both.

"Servants like these make me questioned your culture"

"Well it is a custom for people to have staff since we are a hardworking society"

"No society will have these, by their attire. I have nothing to bother your ways of life"

Alche stares at the maid looking as a sexy doll in cosplay than ordinary.

The two chatting along, and learn only a bit of their cultures.

"Seems like your people rely heavily the most labor to your servants and other tools you are using. Being convenient have its uses"

"Amazing how the differences both humans from ours to this world are quite amazing"

"There is nothing else to be similar, because their lives rely on their abilities than the tools you are using. Like the ore are needed to make them in the thousands"

"Yeah about that, the mines, why didn't they take it already?"

"Because the demands are still weak, and according to the records it had more variety that it didn't need"

The two talk further through the night, and ended their day with it. Along the time spent by, the two female elves finally distant away with the students as they called over by Haw. He quickly turned in Elyrion's crystal to them where as the crystal leaks itself out of Haw's hand like the wind been flown out from his grasp, and materialized itself like sand forming together through.

"Did Mylnoie has something wants to hide?"

"I don't know, he just gave me secretly"

"Forgive him, that he also has secrets"

Haw turns away, and only knew what kind of tricks used by the Eldesune.

"He is cautious, but he needs to calm down"

The elves mention Elyrion one more tonight, knowing well that someone can be too serious.