Chương 76: Chapter 76: Finding the Queen Part 1
Looking at Mrs. Sylvanus' earnest face, I found it impossible to say "No".
According to Darion's story, he was the Queen's grandnephew not on his father's side but on his mother's. She was the only female in the Queen's bloodline and was dearly cherished by the Queen herself. He also mentioned that her lack of ambition for power was for that reason.
The Queen had not shown herself for over a year, and strangely enough, when one entered the "labyrinth of Dreams", her mournful singing could be heard from outside. However, only Mrs. Sylvanus had heard this singing.
Consequently, her opinion that "the Queen must be found" was completely ignored by everyone else. The elders believed that the Queen's disappearance had a profound purpose, and it should not be interfered with.
"But I know."
"..."
"It's an embarrassing story to share with an outsider… but the current situation in Lysette is dire."
I listened to her quietly.
"After the Queen vanished, a power struggle erupted among the elders and nobles. They know there's a problem, but they are pretending not to see it."
"..."
"They don't want to interfere with Her Majesty. They hope she doesn't wake up."
"..."
"That's why we need your help, Theodore."
So this was the situation. It must have been difficult for a race that, like the elves, held honor in high regard to openly discuss problems festering within. I nodded my head in understanding.
"I appreciate your intention, madam."
"It will not be easy, but you are the only one I can trust… Please."
I was taken aback as Mrs. Sylvanus bowed her head deeply. The Queen's most cherished niece, an elf of her stature bowing to an outsider …
"…. I cannot promise that I will definitely be of help, but I will do my best."
"Thank you, Theodore."
After that, I received a promise from the Sylvanus family that they would support me in every way possible. There was no turning back now.
Indeed, the Queen I had seen in the Labyrinth of Dreams looked to be in danger. It was no exaggeration to say that an elf Queen of her caliber would be one of the formidable figures of the continent, yet the one I saw in the Labyrinth of Dreams…
She was literally in need of help.
Thorny vines surged and a dreadful darkness prevailed around her body. But what concerned me the most were the Queen's legs that were rooted to the floor like a tree.
It was likely the reason she had not awakened and remained asleep for over a year. She was trapped in the Labyrinth of Dreams.
If that was the case…
In the end, I must enter the Labyrinth of Dreams again.
Of course, I have no intention of going back there without any preparation.
First, I need to find out what the Queen meant by "Grizel".
I asked Mrs. Silvanus,
"The Queen has asked me to find 'Grizel'. Do you have any idea what it might be?"
I knew that "Grizel" translates to "pebble" in Elvish. But it seemed unlikely that the Queen meant for me to find a literal pebble…
So I asked Mrs. Silvanus in the hope that she might have a clue but her expression suggested otherwise.
"Grizel could mean…"
…or not? Does she know something?
She hesitated as if torn between speaking and remaining silent. Her face was a mixture of fear, shame, and reluctance.
"Anything you can share will be greatly helpful."
I spoke with firm conviction. I knew that withholding information could only complicate matters. It's generally better to be aware of all relevant information from the start, for both the client and myself.
After much hesitation, Mrs. Silvanus finally spoke.
"… 'Grizel' is a derogatory term used for the dark elves living around the Dark Forest."
Now I understood why she was hesitant to disclose this.
There was a clear hierarchy in elven society. There were the Queen, the elders, the nobles, the priests, the ordinary elves… and the "dark elves".
The dark elves were severely ostracized within Lysette. In fact, they were treated even worse than humans.
Of course, there were reasons for the dark elves' predicament.
It was their ancestor, Sidica, who had attempted to steal the "First Bloom" which was a flower revered in ancient elf mythology.
Sidica was an ancient elf who was cursed for trying to steal the "First Bloom" that the gods loved. It was said that she eventually settled in the Dark Forest, a place where daylight never penetrated. Hiding in the darkness of the Dark Forest, Sidica's descendants gradually became imbued with darkness and eventually evolved into the dark elves of today.
"Why did the Queen ask you to find Grizel?"
I shook my head in response to Mrs. Sylvanus' question.
"I'm not sure. All we can do is ask around."
"The Dark Forest has become much more dangerous recently."
"It's okay. Because I have my companions."
Everyone in the world knew that the Dark Forest was dangerous. But in my case, my worries were halved.
Because I have Ayla.
Ayla was a shadow wolf, and the Dark Forest was the natural habitat of the shadow wolves. With Ayla by my side, the challenges of the Dark Forest would significantly decrease.
Of course, I would need to prepare a protection totem or item for Lloyd and El.
I wonder if Lloyd will be fine?
It seemed enough to just look after El.
"I will prepare to enter the Dark Forest. Please check on the areas where the Dark Elves are known to appear."
"Understood."
"Don't worry too much. I will do my best."
Since it was a quest before anything else, I had no choice but to give it my all. Mrs. Silvanus was perhaps reassured by my confident tone and nodded her head with a weak smile.
"Thank you, Theodore."
***
"… So, as soon as I'm ready, I plan to enter the Dark Forest."
"Yes!"
El responded energetically, but Lloyd who had been quietly listening did not reply.
"Lloyd, what do you think?"
"Theodore, have you ever been into the Dark Forest?"
Lloyd glanced at Ayla and then asked me. Perhaps he thought that since I had Ayla, a shadow wolf, I must have ventured into the Dark Forest before.
"No, I haven't. It's surprising, but Ayla was born in the Barak Empire. For some reason, her mother traveled all the way to the Golden Road with her pack.
"I see."
"However, her instincts must be imprinted with what the Dark Forest is like. That's the nature of instincts."
"..."
I stroked Ayla's silver fur. Even if she didn't know what the Dark Forest was like right now, her skills were exceptional. So, it didn't matter.
"Have you ever faced a dark elf?"
"...Actually, I haven't seen one either."
"That could be a problem."
Most dark elves stay around the Dark Forest. There were some who went to the central continent from time to time, but they weren't treated very well…. The majority of dark elves usually live as gladiators in Roshan. I might have met them in Roshan… but I didn't like the Colosseum much, so I had never seen a dark elf.
I should have gone when Jamil suggested it.
Then I might have known what kind of fighting style they had… Well, it's useless to think about it now. I asked Lloyd.
"Do you know much about dark elves?"
"I've fought them a few times."
Ah, that makes sense. Occasionally some dark elves serve as guards for imperial nobles. Lloyd who was clearly of knightly origin would have had opportunities to cross swords with them.
"Then, you could tell us."
"..."
"To all of us."
Ah, another free lesson from Lloyd. I gripped Lloyd's shoulder and smiled broadly.
We decided to prepare for a week. With Lloyd's private tutoring, gathering items, crafting totems, and studying the monsters that lurked in the Dark Forest… Time flew by quickly.
"Hmm, will this be enough?"
The day before we were set to head into the Dark Forest, I was crafting a totem. It was a type of monocle made from the eyeball of a giant owl that prowled the Dark Forest. It was intended for Lloyd and El.
When I put the totem on one eye, it was like looking through a thermographic camera; I could see green afterimages around me. Hmm, this should be quite helpful.
I had the [Owl Eyes] skill, so I wasn't worried, but just in case, I made three of them.
Well, if we don't use them, I can always sell them later.
Whether they were elves or mercenaries, no one would turn down such an item. I stored the totems aside and stood up to prepare emergency rations, just in case. I planned to make energy bars with dried fruits, nuts, honey, and beef jerky too. Maybe I'll make it a bit spicy…
When I opened the door to head to the small dining hall attached to the annex.
"…Huh!"
"The-Theodore…"
That surprised me.
At the door stood a figure in a black hood. I reflexively reached for my dagger, but then relaxed my stance and looked at the intruder.
"…Darion, what brings you here at such a late hour?"
The intruder was Darion.
Indeed, if he had been a suspicious character, Ayla would have jumped out and bitten him by now. It seems she did not feel threatened by him, probably because he was a familiar face we had encountered several times before.
But why here, of all places?
Did Mrs. Sylvanus send him?
"What are you doing here, Darion?"
My voice pressed him for an answer once more, and after hesitating for a while, Darion stammered out his response.
"I also…"
"You also?"
"Take me to the Dark Forest too."
"…What?"
Does this young master… understand what he's saying? A nobleman who probably hasn't ventured outside of Lysette without an escort, and now he says this?
Perhaps reading the disbelief on my face, Darion opened his mouth again with a red face.
"I also want to be of help to Her Majesty the Queen."
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