Chapter 632: Inside the Elf Autonomous Region

Tauro and the others ended up waiting for more than half a day in front of the checkpoint to the Elf Autonomous Region.

“This is taking a long time…” Tauro muttered as the hours passed.

Zion, bored by the wait, passed the time playing with Garo, the wolf-shaped puppet.

“Maybe even the old pact with the dragonfolk isn’t being taken very seriously anymore.”

Ragune sighed and shook her head.

“No, no, that shouldn’t be the case! The person normally in charge of this checkpoint is away, so the elders of the nearest village are meeting in his place to decide what to do.”

An elf peeked out from inside the gate and responded.

“Elders?”

Tauro asked, unfamiliar with the elves’ administrative system.

The highest authority in the Elf Autonomous Region was the Council of Twenty Elders based in Forest City. Since the checkpoint chief was absent, the nearby village elders apparently had to debate how to handle such an unusual request.

“Wouldn’t that make it hard to reach a decision…?”

Aeris commented, slightly exasperated.

“Our elders are long-lived even by elven standards, and they’re said to possess comparable wisdom and insight. The old pact with the dragonfolk has therefore been passed down properly and is widely known among the elves.”

The elf explained this, and when his eyes met Ragune’s, he quickly bowed nervously.

“So how long will this council meeting take?”

Tauro asked.

“This is the first case like this since relations with the neighboring human territory were severed, so… the meeting may take some time.”

“What?!”

The entire group exclaimed in unison.

Tauro had heard that elves were long-lived, but this made him realize just how different their sense of time could be.

“I can’t wait that long. I’m dragonfolk, and I’m asking you to honor the ancient pact. Are you still going to keep me waiting?”

Ragune pressed the elf for a decision.

“I’m too young to make a decision like this on my own… but if the old records are correct, there should be no problem admitting a dragonfolk guest… Alright! Please come inside!”

The elf finally made the decision himself and opened the gate wide.

“So the dragonfolk carry more weight here than even the Royal Family…” Tauro murmured, realizing just how old and independent the region’s customs were.

Tauro said this to Aeris with a wry smile.

“Every region in the southwest has its own history. The Kingdom of Sart itself is only a few centuries old, but some of these autonomous regions existed long before it and survived the chaotic era to become what they are today. The elves’ relationship with the dragonfolk may be older than the kingdom itself.”

Aeris explained matter-of-factly, drawing on the knowledge expected of a noblewoman.

“Our village has existed for nearly a thousand years!” Ragune said matter-of-factly.

If that was true, then the long-standing connection was entirely plausible. The ancient pact might even predate the present form of the Elf Autonomous Region.

Once the gate was finally opened, Tauro and the others passed through the checkpoint and entered the Elf Autonomous Region.

The checkpoint and its surroundings were enclosed by imposing stone walls that made the contrast with the quiet land beyond them all the more striking.

“I’ll accompany you as your guide. The rest of you, I’m leaving the checkpoint in your hands.”

The elf said this to the remaining guard and left the checkpoint with Tauro’s group.

More than half a day after arriving, Tauro and the others had finally been allowed into the Elf Autonomous Region.

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The elf guide introduced himself as Glasslow.

He climbed onto Garo somewhat hesitantly.

Then he pointed the way toward Forest City, the center of the region. Despite its massive body, Garo accelerated with its usual effortless speed, seeming almost to glide through the air.

“So this is what it means to cut through the wind…”

Glasslow sounded impressed by the ride.

He continued:

“Among us elves, some elders argue that we should sever contact with the outside world entirely and become completely self-sufficient within the region. But after experiencing something like this, I feel it’s important for us to learn about the outside world as well… Ah, take the right-hand path here.”

As he guided them, Glasslow sighed and shared a little about the situation inside the region.

The road ahead entered a forest of tall trees that cast deep shadows and dimmed the path.

Garo charged through it—and suddenly they emerged into a bright area.

They had apparently arrived at the nearest village from the checkpoint.

Houses had been built among the trees. Some were even carved directly into massive trunks, with warm light glowing from within.

Bridges connected the trees, allowing elves to move between them overhead. From above, many stared down at Tauro’s group—and especially at Garo—in obvious surprise.

“…We’ll stay here tonight and head to Forest City tomorrow. The village chief is an elder who once served on the Council of Elders in Forest City, so it should be easier to arrange matters through him.”

Glasslow said this, then called up to one of the elves watching from above:

“I’m Glasslow! Tell the village chief I’ve brought dragonfolk guests!”

The elves were clearly shocked, and several of them immediately ran along the bridges and ladders toward the village chief’s location.

“You should be able to meet the chief soon, so please explain your purpose to him directly.”

After saying that, Glasslow began explaining the situation to the elves who had come down from the trees.

“…I hope ‘soon’ doesn’t take too long…”

Tauro muttered to himself, no longer certain what “soon” meant by elven standards.