Chapter 631: The Elf Autonomous Region Checkpoint
Tauro and his party traveled south through the Giro Sugar territory and eventually arrived at the checkpoint marking the border of the Elf Autonomous Region.
That was the boundary with the Elf Autonomous Region.
Riding Garo, the wolf-shaped puppet, the party left the territorial capital first thing in the morning and reached a village near the border checkpoint by evening.
“Good work, Garo.”
After praising Garo at the village entrance, everyone dismounted and obtained permission to enter from the village gatekeeper.
“Are you adventurers? You’re welcome here. However, beyond this point is the border with the Elf Autonomous Region—and their checkpoint has been closed for a long time. You’d be wiser to head south toward another territory instead.”
The gatekeeper welcomed them but offered some advice.
“Has nothing changed at the border with the Elf Autonomous Region?”
Tauro casually asked, using the opportunity to gather information.
“No, nothing has changed for several years. Elves occasionally cross over from the other side, but no one except elves is allowed into their territory. I can understand why they shut themselves away, though. The former lord’s discriminatory policies favored only the elves, so the other races came to suspect that the elves had made some secret arrangement with Count Lunesk and lost trust in them. After that, the elves closed every border checkpoint.”
“So you mean you have no idea what’s happening inside the region?”
“Yeah. The elves who pass through here don’t talk to us at all. They’re more like scouts than travelers. If you try to speak to them, they ignore you.”
The gatekeeper shrugged, exasperated.
“So even merchants or adventurers can’t enter?”
“Right. A few have tried going to the checkpoint several times in the past, but they were ignored and came back. You’d just be wasting your time.”
With that, the gatekeeper returned to his duties.
“What do we do, Tauro? It seems like we won’t be welcomed as adventurers either.”
Aeris asked after hearing how difficult entry would be.
“We do have Royal Family authorization that allows us to enter normally restricted areas of the kingdom. Maybe my noble insignia and credentials will at least make them respond.”
Tauro said this and took his credentials from [Magic Storage].
“Hmm, if you can get through with that, then fine. But elves can be quite temperamental. The real issue will be how they treat us once we’re inside…”
Ragune expressed concern, apparently knowledgeable about elves.
“Let’s think about that after we get inside. We don’t even know the situation there.”
Tauro concluded the discussion and quickly secured a room at the village’s only inn.
The next morning.
Tauro and the others immediately mounted Garo and headed for the elven border checkpoint.
The checkpoint gate was tightly shut, and no guards were visible outside. It was obvious they had no intention of dealing with visitors.
Tauro dismounted from Garo, stood before the gate, and called loudly to whoever was stationed inside.
“I’m Tauro, an adventurer and newly appointed viscount! I possess Royal Family authorization to enter restricted areas within the kingdom. Please allow us entry into the autonomous region. I have proof of my identity and authorization!”
To support his claim, Tauro showed the documents he had taken from [Magic Storage], along with the short sword Tauro Kai bearing the Royal Family’s crest.
“….”
There was no response.
Tauro used True Eye and presence detection to examine the checkpoint from outside.
Some kind of interference was obstructing his detection, but his anti-interference ability nullified it.
Once the interference was neutralized, he detected four presences inside.
Though few in number, they should have heard him.
“I know you’re in there! This may be an autonomous region, but it’s still part of the Kingdom of Sart. Ignoring someone carrying Royal Family authorization is a serious matter!” Tauro called loudly toward the guards inside.
“……”
Still, there was no reply.
With his abilities, Tauro could clearly tell that the figures inside were discussing something.
After a while, one presence moved away from the checkpoint. Then one of those who remained approached the gate, and through True Eye Tauro could see that it was finally beginning to open.
The gate opened slightly, and an elf appeared from there.
“…I’ll verify that permission.”
The elf guard examined the official documents and noble insignia carefully, but still showed no sign of relaxing.
“…It’s genuine…!”
The elf seemed startled—perhaps after using an appraisal ability—and hurriedly added:
“Please wait a moment!”
Then the elf retreated inside.
Through True Eye, Tauro saw the three remaining figures huddle together in discussion. Two reacted with surprise to the report, and before long another messenger rode away from the checkpoint.
As the wait continued, Ragune, who had been standing behind Tauro beside Garo, grew impatient and stepped forward.
“In that case, what about the old pact with the dragonfolk? Will you ignore that as well?” Ragune called toward the checkpoint.
“Ancient pact?”
Tauro asked, surprised.
“Long ago, the Elf Autonomous Region made a pact with the Dragonfolk Village. Under that agreement, dragonfolk are always to be welcomed here.”
Ragune explained that the pact between the Dragonfolk Village and the Elf Autonomous Region was something known among the dragonfolk.
“I’ve never heard of that.”
Tauro replied.
“It’s a centuries-old pact. I don’t know if the elves still remember it,” Ragune said with a laugh.
Ragune’s declaration clearly caused a stir inside the checkpoint, and another messenger soon rode off.
Then, the gate opened once more, and the elf from earlier came out.
“Lady dragonfolk, we’re aware of the pact within the Elf Autonomous Region. We’re confirming the matter with our superiors now, so please wait.”
The elves hadn’t forgotten the old pact after all.
For an autonomous region that had effectively shut itself off for years, this was an unexpected opening.
Tauro and his companions decided to wait quietly for the response.