Chapter 637: In Order to Gain Trust

Tauro and his party found an inn in the Forest City, the center of the Elf Autonomous Region, and stayed there for several days.

The reason was simple: during that time, there had been absolutely no response to the letter Tauro, as a lord, had entrusted to the secretary elf.

“Hm… Either the Council of Elders is taking a long time to deliberate, or things just aren’t going well… Judging from what the secretary said about the representative being rational and focused on productivity, it’s likely my letter didn’t sway the representative…”

Tauro had expected a quick reply based on the secretary’s description, so this was disappointing.

“I don’t think there was anything wrong with your letter. It was a wonderful proposal for mutual development. If there’s a reason, it’s probably lingering resentment toward the previous lord. And you’re his successor. Even if the representative leads the council, that’s still only one of twenty elders, right? Persuading all of them in a short time would be difficult.”

From the cold looks the elves had been giving them over the past few days, Aeris sensed a deep-rooted hostility. Naturally, she believed convincing the council would be no easy task.

“…In that case, we need a breakthrough, something that would make even long-lived elves decide quickly. Let’s try Glasslow’s idea.”

During these days of waiting, Tauro had been discussing future relations, domestic policy, and diplomacy with Glasslow, the elf who had become his subordinate. From those talks, they identified the current problems in the Elf Autonomous Region as food shortages and the urgent need to eliminate the trolls emerging from the pseudo-dungeons, which were contributing to the problem.

Glasslow pointed out that trolls were already notorious as the elves’ natural enemies, and having them roam the vast forest region around the city was a serious problem that needed urgent resolution.

Glasslow suggested to Tauro that if he and his group could solve this issue, it might significantly improve the elves’ perception of humans.

“So, we enter the pseudo-dungeon where the trolls originate and purify the source of the magic essence producing them!” Zion said, correctly grasping the plan.

“Exactly. Fortunately, Aeris, Zion, and I specialize in purification magic. While we’re purifying it, Ragune will protect us, and Glasslow—you’ll go to the Council of Elders and secure a promise: that if we eliminate the trolls and their source, they’ll agree to negotiations.”

“Leave it to me! I’ll make sure everyone is safe!” Ragune declared, thumping her chest.

“Persuading the Council of Elders… you say? Got it! I’ll do everything I can for you, Lord Tauro!” Glasslow nodded with determination.

“Alright then, let’s head out to the pseudo-dungeon threatening the elves!”

With that, Tauro led the group out of the inn.

As they exited through the north gate of the Forest City, the gatekeepers questioned why they were heading north. If they were humans returning to their own territory, the south gate would make sense, but to the north lay only elven villages.

“We’re going to enter the pseudo-dungeon where the trolls are spawning, the natural enemies of the elves, and cut off the source,” Tauro declared boldly.

“What!? Why would humans risk something so dangerous? What’s your real objective behind such an obvious lie!?” one guard snapped, as others gathered.

The commotion drew a crowd.

Seeing this, Tauro raised his voice again.

“We wish to restore relations with the Elf Autonomous Region. To prove our sincerity, we’re willing to risk our lives to solve the troll problem that plagues you!”

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

“Humans? Can we really trust them…?”

“But the troll outbreak is our biggest problem. My village has been attacked too. I don’t care who fixes it!”

“But can we trust what humans say?”

“That’s just a human child, and he’s declaring he’ll risk his life to solve it! What’s wrong with having a little hope?”

The elves were split—half hopeful, half skeptical.

Tauro was internally surprised that there was more hope than expected, but it showed just how desperate the situation had become.

“I’m not asking you to trust us right now. We’ll prove it through our actions and clear away your distrust of humans. When that time comes, please reconsider how you deal with us. I ask for just that!”

After addressing the crowd, Tauro turned back to the gatekeeper.

“—Will you let us pass?”

“…I’ll go with you as an observer. If this is all talk, I’ll report everything to the Council of Elders and have you thrown out of the territory.”

After receiving approval from the superior on duty, the gatekeeper asked to ride at the back of Garo, the wolf-type golem.

It showed that the elves still doubted Tauro’s group, but at the same time, it meant there would be a witness when the matter was resolved. And given that the pseudo-dungeon problem hadn’t been resolved until now, it was clearly dangerous. Accompanying the group meant the gatekeeper was also risking death.

Tauro admired the gatekeeper’s courage.

“…Thank you.” Tauro simply thanked the gatekeeper.

“D-don’t get the wrong idea! I’m just making sure you don’t run away after making such big claims!”

Flustered, the elf mounted Garo.

“Then our destination is the pseudo-dungeon. Garo—let’s go!”

“Gau!”

With a bark of acknowledgment, Garo set off, carrying Tauro and the others through the north gate of the Forest City and toward the pseudo-dungeon to the north.