Chapter 3: Getting Schooled on Tragedy

This way! Hurry!

Butter! Slow down a bit! I'm tired!

Of course it is! Butter always follows the chow delivery truck, so Butter knows the way very well.

Butter hopes that if Butter follows the truck... maybe a can of chow will fall from it...

Tig and her gang went in this direction, Kommy's sure of it.

There are footprints belonging to the three of them, along with their unique scents.

The scent of a failed revolution... It's so sweet...

What a pointless hope...

Huh? They're over there!

Hngh... Hnnnnngh!!!!!

Captain, this is hopeless...! I don't think brute strength is the answer...!!

You're the strongest of the three of us, Beni! If you're lacking in brains and you can't even do this, what use are you to us?!!

Are you really going to be responsible for us failing to achieve our dreams of conquering the elves?!

Ah... the sprite scoun... I mean... friends?

Perfect timing! Lend us a hand! Let's defeat the evil elves together!

That was a misunderstanding! Since we've cleared that up, we're all friends, right?

How can you be so simple-minded?!

A heroine like me doesn't read, that's why it makes sense that we have simple minds!

Hehehe.

Sprite Queen Erpin.

What do you want?

There's something really important that you need to be aware of.

Something really important?

You're probably extremely hungry right now.

You probably have not been able to have anything proper to eat since leaving Sprite Village and coming here.

S-So?!

Given the horribly picky nature of the sprites... You must have had a tough time.

Urgh...!

Listen carefully, Sprite Queen!

Within the elven city, beyond that toll bar, there is a cake vending machine!!

Cake... vending machine?

Hnnnnngh!!

My plan—as the Chow Rebels' top strategist—has worked perfectly! Haha!

N-No, Your Majesty! Please maintain your dignity...!

Whaddaya want?! This is super hard to deal with, so don't talk to me! You come and help too!

Wh-What?!

How the...?!

How did you open it?

Common sense...?! I've never even heard of such a field of knowledge! You're more amazing than I thought!

Calling that "common sense" to the captain? How cheeky! I, Rufo, should be the most amazing here!

I-I need to push harder than I am now?

O-Oh my!

HEEYAAAH!!!!!

O-Oh, the bar is bending! Your Majesty, please do not overexert yourself!

The strength of the crown is not physi—

Th-There is someone stronger than me...!

Seems that there is always someone better than you...

Hmph, I don't listen to those weaker than me.

The toll bar of the elven city that had barred the way for years has finally been breached. There's no way we can ignore this opportunity.

That's right, because of this toll bar, we had to take a long detour every day to get back.

This is the closest way...

Chow Rebels, charge! It's time to conquer and plunder! Haha!!!

Mayor...

The werebeasts have breached the toll bar.

Huh? No way...

This is not a joke. Please take a look at the surveillance screen.

H-How could this be...!

How did they manage to cross the bar? With their strength and IQ, they shouldn't have been able to get past at all!

The werebeasts... and sprites... wait... that's...?

A human...?

A human... in Elias?

M-Mayor? Now, what do we do?!

It's an emergency... An emergency! Declare martial law throughout Monatium!

The humans have come to capture us!

Mayor, it is only a single human for now... Humans are weak on their own. There must be a base, though. Wouldn't it be better to gather information for now?

Okay, Elena. I think you're overreacting now. They merely look like a tall werebeast. It's not a big deal...

Don't just say nonsense if you know nothing of this matter!

When we invaded Earth, the humans managed to mercilessly defeat us using only a primitive weapon.

After that, they trapped us elves in some underground facility for decades, using us as fertilizer for their technological advancement.

...Is she serious, Amelia?

I can still smell the soldering on my fingers from back then... *Sob*

.........

I have no idea what you're saying... Oh, wh-whatever! Do whatever you want!

Just make sure that our plans don't get derailed!

What the heck?! The cake is right before my eyes but... It says that it won't come out if I don't have something called '50 Cents'!

Don't worry, there's a trick we learned the last time we came to this city.

Oooo! What are you doing?

If you shake... and punch it like this...! Something is bound to come out!

This is... cake...?

It looks nothing like the picture on the vending machine!

*Munch, munch*

Still, it's pretty good. Each time we come here, I fill my pockets with these and bring them home to eat.

Huh? W-Well...

Of course it is! Because... we're here to conquer them!

War demands sacrifices. Since this vending machine has been stealing our military rations, it's only fair that it be executed!

That's right! Your village's conflicts would have ended ages ago if you hadn't been fighting!

Why are you complicating things?

Oh, that's right. I almost forgot that you're a sprite. Such weakness! We can't get stronger if we don't fight...!

Umm...

Somebody's watching us from over there...

E-Eek! I've been spotted!

A-An elf?

H-Hello! My name is Rohne.

I'm a g-g-guide for newcomers to our elven city!

I-I'm not suspicious! Not at all!

Werebeasts are always getting lost when they enter our city, M-M-Monatium!

S-so, I was assigned as a g-guide in this area to ensure everyone's s-safety during their journey!

You ignoramus! This is all part of the elves' plan!

It's an evil plan to get close to us by pretending to be guides, only to eliminate us!

Do you suffer from a persecution complex or something?!

D-Do you find me suspicious? It's a m-m-misunderstanding!

Ha! See?! She's admitted it herself!

No misunderstanding would mean we're friends. A misunderstanding means we're enemies!

Chow Rebels, attack! Take her prisoner and interrogate her for information!

Atta... Urgh... Zzz...

She was disturbing my observation here... Too noisy...

Th-Thank you.

Werebeasts are always so p-passionate. It makes it hard to talk to them.

What a fortunate turn of events. Let's quickly send this Tig back.

She'll cause trouble again when she wakes up.

Ah... L-Leave that to us!

Our automatic d-drones will take her out of Monatium.

Y-yes! Um... you do know what a drone is, right?

Ah, yes. Of course you would.

Rohne, is that your name?

Yes, Sprite Queen!

Oh? You know that I am the Sprite Queen?

Ah, o-o-of course! You're incredibly famous!

Ah... Really? Hehe... I'm that famous?

Y-Yes! U-Uh... W-We... know that you love cakes!

Heh. Well, well. Seems you elves know me quite well.

I mean, I suppose I've met the elven representative a few times before when I granted authorization to develop the forest.

Yes, right.

Something... a bit strange...

In that case, as Queen, heed me!

Guide us to the most exceptional, high-class restaurant in Monatium immediately!

Sorry?

I'm staaaarving! It's been forever since I last had a proper meal!

Listen, we've gotta eat, don't we? Why are you some sort of stick in the mud, huh?!

I've taken enough of your bops... That won't work on me anymore.

OWWWW!!! Darn it!!

Please stop, everyone! Her Majesty is not completely wrong.

To be honest, I'm about to reach my limit too. It shames me to say, but I need to fill my stomach first!

Ah, o-okay! Follow me! As the g-g-guide, I am very familiar with restaurants!

This restaurant is truly amazing! Calling it the 'Last Supper' wouldn't be an exaggeration at all.

.........!

Strange...

Nothing... It's nothing...

What an exotic restaurant.

*Whisper Whisper*Human...? Is that really a human? *Whisper Whisper*

*Whisper Whisper* Don't look, l-let's quickly get out of here... *Whisper Whisper*

Y-Y-Yes! S-Sorry? Wh-Wh-What are you say—What is a human? Ahh! What in the world is a human? Oh, humanity!

Hey, shut it! Hurry up and order food!

If I don't get food to fill my stomach soon, I'm going to destroy this world!

Waiter, that human will have just a glass of cold water.

Try the most popular course meal in our elven city! It is m-my recommendation as your g-guide!

Ah, let me qui-quickly take this call... while we wait for the food. I-I-It's urgent!

Hmm...

H-Hello?

Rohne, what are you doing right now?

Monatium HQ's order was to gather information from the human, not to feed them. Also, you've taken them to a civilian area!

I'm sorry! I was afraid that my identity would be exposed, so I was improvising off-script, and then...!

Let me get this straight... The elf with the aptitude to become the greatest spy is worried about getting her identity exposed...

I-I'm sorry! I'll just have them enjoy a warm meal and then focus on the main mission!

Hmm... I'll trust you for now. The Monatium Aptitude Discriminator wouldn't make a mistake... so you must have your own reason.

Urgh...

Just hurry and gather the information for the mayor. As the Suppression Unit, we must act fast to keep order in Monatium.

*Sob...* What should I do...

Hmm.

Eeep!

Ah, the quiet Sprite? What's wrong? Is the food not to your taste?

You're suspicious.

Wh-What are you talking about?! No, I-I'm not!

Hmm... Lies... Stuttering gives you away...

I-I'm usually clumsy, so I s-stutter my words!

Hmmmmm... Anyway, come back, quick... It's chaotic inside.

Huh?

Restaurant Entrance

WHAT IS THIS?!

YOU SAID THIS WAS THE BEST ELVEN RESTAURANT!

THIS LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FOOD FROM THE VENDING MACHINE!

That's right! But the food here has more synthetic seasonings added to provide diners with a richer flavor.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

But this is what we elves normally eat...

No stuttering... Truth...

Yes.

DANG IT!!!!!!!!!

Is it only the food from the Sprite Kingdom that's actually proper?!

Stay out of this, outsider!

Sugar... Sugar, flour... Cocoa... Honey... Jam... They're all a dream now... I don't even remember what "sweet" tastes like anymore...!

Your Majesty, we should go meet the elven mayor quickly.

In order to reclaim our breads and cakes, we must resolve this sugar monopolization crisis.

Right... Ner, you're right. Guide!

Y-Yes?

Take us to your mayor!

O-Okay!

Umm... but why are you looking for the mayor?

Sugar and chow?

Also, they sent a bunch of canned chow to us werebeasts and filled our bellies!

Is... that so?

.........

Wait... Am I... on the bad side...?

N-Nothing! It's nothing... Wait, no...

Urgh... U-Umm...!

To be honest, I lied to you all.

I'm... well aware that you are a human.

Then, human... why are you here?

A primitive weapon?!

Ah, haha! Th-That's... we've met them before!

We played b-board games to-together!

Lie. Stuttering.

I-I... humans... Urgh...

Concentration camp... Soldering... Assembling semiconductors... Urgh... Coin mining... Gyaah!

Urgh... How could this...

I'm... a spy!

I'm a spy...! But the more I try to get information from the human, the more I end up divulging instead...!

My capabilities as a spy are perfect! There is no way that Monatium's greatest AI system's aptitude test would be wrong!

However, I understand now... I am not the problem, the human is! The human is so evil that my spy abilities are being used against me!

See?! You can even perfectly replicate my stutter when lying!

Suppression Unit! I am officially withdrawing from this intel operation!

Requesting support for operation zone extraction!

What is this all of a sudden?! It sounds like cats fighting at night and it's coming from all directions!

My ears!

Oh no...! What should we do? We have been surrounded by the elven golems!

Human! Do not resist. Hand over our best intelligence agent.

Suppression Unit Chief Canna! You've come to rescue me!

If you do not comply and refuse to hand over our agent, you will both be shot!

Wh-What the...?!

Yet another fight gets in the way of our progress! Perhaps Tig wasn't the issue...

Just hand me over quickly! The laser weapons sting quite a bit!

Master... Stuttering... Lies...

I was utterly defeated by the human... I've been betrayed by my own kind... Is this how spies meet their ends...?!

Don't shove me away with your feet! That's rude!

Conflicts with the werebeasts... Conflicts with the elves...

Maybe this is... the destiny of the Master? Or maybe... this is what you want, Master...?

Are force and violence ultimately the only solutions in these chaotic times? Is this the revelation you've received?

Wherever you go, fights and conflicts seem to come hand in hand.

You're the Apostle of Violence...!

.........

Th-That's true, but...

*Whisper Whisper* It's easier to blame others... *Whisper Whisper*

W-Well, w-we have evidence!

Stuttering... Lies...?

I'm talking about that gun! Ever since the beginning, you've solved every problem with that gun or whatever that awful item is called!

Have you not bopped Her Majesty on the head every time she did something wrong?

Were you not suggesting that sin can only be corrected through forceful means?

You have a point there...

Also, during our first encounter, did you not quell the chaos in an instant using the object called a gun?

Darn it! I've let them land a preemptive strike! Did I stall for too long?!

It fired...? What horrors...!

EEEEEK!!!! PTSD!! PTSD!!!

How did primitive weapons become so advanced after we escaped Earth?!

Humans are truly a wicked race!

Human... Threw gun away... Now it's mine... Collect... Hehe...

The power of the Master! How formidable it is!

What the heck is going on...?

Humans... Yes, no surprise here...

Elena?

Hey, Elena! We're not here to fight! We need to talk to you, so get your butt over here!

Sprite Queen Erpin. So, you've joined the humans? This is how it's going to be, huh?

What?

Even if we blocked the supply of your food ingredients, there are lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Did you really cut off our sugar supply?

Are you a fool?

WHAT? Why are you suddenly hurling insults, you brat?!

Monopolizing sugar isn't the only measure that we've taken to stop your food supply.

We've also been terraforming the land surrounding your kingdom in secret.

Terra... what?

We've been removing the nutrients from the farmlands around you and slowly preventing you from cultivating your own food!

We tried to stop you from being self-sufficient so you'd move elsewhere... But you fools never even thought of leaving your lands.

Every day it's just cake and bread for you! You're so fixated on sugar that you never realized your overall food yield has been decreasing?

Have I been shortsighted? Have I not realized that sprites are no different from werebeasts in terms of IQ?

Y-You brat...!

Then why did you provoke the werebeasts? Why did you make it look like we had sent the chow?!

It was part of our plan to drive you out, of course.

If we could get you two to fight each other without lifting a finger, one of you would eventually lose and leave.

And we would be able to drive out the victor, weakened from their recent battle, without much effort.

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh...

Are you being serious right now? Even if werebeasts became smarter... do you think it'd really make a difference?

With basic intelligence lacking, no matter how much you enhance their intellect, they'll still just end up rummaging through the trash bins of Monatium...

Do you have any idea how many clean-up drones I've had to deploy to the werebeast village border until now?

Why in the world are you doing this?! We've co-existed peacefully all this time!

Peace? We're not interested in peace!

We need to drive all of you away from the Yggdrasil area and set up a research base!

We crashed on this planet and were left stranded. For us to return to our home dimension... We need to take Yggdrasil apart and analyze its Magical Energy!

You dare to lay hands on Yggdrasil?! Blasphemy!

That's exactly the kind of attitude that would have made any dialogue impossible! You all worship some piece of wood as some divine being!

What did you say?! What are you planning on doing to Yggdrasil?

H-Huh? Who said that...?

This is all about returning home. Aren't we cooperating for that?

Are you kidding me? I never agreed to such a thing!

Mayor, your mic is still on.

For fu—

Wh-What's going on?

City Hall Control? Umm... Hello? Any orders... for us?

...What now?

D-Don't ask us!

Well... I think we need to fight...

Seems so... right?

.........

You all heard me! Declare martial law throughout the city and send out all of the drones! Capture every single one of them!!!

This is mine... Once used, it wears out... and loses value...

They come at us no matter where we go!

Because they are mass-produced in an automated factory, there is no end to them.

This spy scum is still with us?!

I am... no longer a spy!

Th-Then what are you now?

I am... an abandoned spy!

.........

What's the difference?

I'm not sure. I'm just following along because I have nowhere else to go.

I cannot stand on the same side as a human! The humans used us elves as slaves in their factories!

If it weren't for Miss Elena's dimensional escape plan, we would still be making electric vehicles or graphics cards!

W-Well...

...We tried to conquer Earth.

Us elves... We were originally a higher intergalactic species that regularly engaged in conquest.

We would set up colonies and extract resources while turning the native species into our pets.

...You are scumbags!

It sounds similar to what you have done to us sprites and the werebeasts.

Extracting resources from Yggdrasil... and trying to control the werebeasts with chow... You think so?

Once we set a target planet, our strategy is to confront the strongest faction there and establish dominance over them.

We invaded a human kingdom... which was protected by 50 stars...

But our AI computer system was incapacitated by a malicious window program. We were defeated and taken to their factories.

Do you know how hard working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week is?!

We usually task robots with such inferior, simple labor!!

But the cutlets they served at lunch were delicious. That's why we even have a cutlet restaurant on the 1st floor of Monatium's 75th Street shopping center.

Hey, hey! Enough with stories of the past... What are we going to do now?

We can't even leave Monatium. The most we can do is hide in alleyways...

Actually, running away is not even an option. We must stop Elena's plan!

We all heard what Elena plans to do to Sprite Kingdom and the werebeast tribe.

That was way harsh, Master! Are you looking down at us just because we're small? We also have problems of our own that are very important to us.

Ah, well, well, well...!

Just as I had suspected.

You dimwitted lot were unable to perceive the elves' malicious nature and now find yourselves trapped in their tricks.

Now do you understand that the only good elf is an elf resting at the Weekend Farm?

It's not the Chow Rebels.

It is now the Chow Rebel Revolution Front!

F-Festa?

Festa is... a flop of a rocker.

A flop?! Rude!

Flop... It has a strong sound, like "Top". From now on, you are Chow Rebel Revolution Front's Flop!

Y-You rascal! Don't call me a flop after I saved you!

We were knocked out after a fierce battle...

Stop fixating on the details! Just keep quiet!

Anyway, we were dragged to the toll bar gate by the drones and were about to be thrown out.

It was horrible. We forgot how to pass through that gate already. It would have been rather difficult for us to get back in again.

In that dire moment, this elf came to our rescue.

Using that wicked mace, she bashed the drones and freed us from their clutches.

It's a guitar, not a mace! It's a limited edition of 350th Anniversary Elfiphone...!

I'm a free spirit... I can't bear to watch others be oppressed!

One day, I'll break all of society's rules and show what avant-garde art really means as a—

Flop!

Shut up, idiot!!

Anyway, after I rescued these guys, I found that we kinda clicked. I mean, I already wasn't vibing with Elena and her regulations.

How can you say that?! If it weren't for Miss Elena, we would still be on Earth enduring—

That was then, you fool! If someone who saved you asked you to be their slave, would you do it?!

Urgh...

I mean, it seems you already have become her slave! That's what being a citizen of Monatium means!

That's why I've been in hiding, preparing for the freedom revolution!

You're just homeless! You weren't even in hiding! I've seen you begging at Monatium Central Monorail Station all the time!

An ideal spot with plenty of foot traffic... It's hard in this business... It was too good to pass up.

Originally, I had only kept it in my head because I thought it would be impossible to pull off, but anything's possible now.

I mean, I am no longer alone! There are four of us now!

With the Chow Rebel Revolution Front, we can draw graffiti on the walls of City Hall and create a band!

The logic of a flop rocker... how pathetic.

You know, you made an impressive entry, so I had some high expectations... but you're just a beggar with a grudge against the world.

You narrow-minded fools! The flop's plans are only getting started!

Stop calling me a flop!

Even if we give it our all, we cannot defeat the elves with the sprites weakened from starvation and the werebeasts addicted to chow!

But... what would happen if the cauldron lost its main body and only had three legs left?

To win, we must take out their leader! Once we capture the mayor and seize City Hall, everything else will crumble!

Focus all of that fiery energy into the upcoming battle!

You know... I'm strangely finding myself agreeing with Rufo.

If we capture Elena, the elves won't be able to lay a finger on us.

Yes... she is.

The Chow Rebel Revolution Front will draw the elves' attention near City Hall, with the flop leading the way.

While they're distracted, you guys break into City Hall and capture Mayor Elena, then victory will naturally be ours!

I think... this is our only option.

When it comes to Elena, it doesn't seem like words will work. You heard what she's planning, didn't you?

But... but... I'd be betraying my kind...

...I can do it!

This may be a good opportunity for me to stop being a spy!

After being dismissed... maybe I could open a fried chicken shop in Monatium?

Master! I think that using that gun imbued with your power will be vital.

Nope.

Also, it's not "gun."

Coco.

Written on the bottom.

Hair.

Human... give me hair.

An IOU...

Soon I'll have all of it... hehe...

Hurry.

Next time, I will ask for something bigger... Hehe...

Mine...! It's my...!

Argh! You're so frustrating!

That hurts!

Why can't I? You're always hitting me, too!

Am I the only one you find an easy target?

Here! Don't lose Coco or whatever, and keep it close.

Ugh... So mad...

Coco.

Coco. That's cuter.

Wow, look! That must be the City Hall!

So many... Elves...

Elves that have descended upon Elias are a declining race.

It's just the drones that make the number of elves appear larger.

Over there! It's the Suppression Unit Chief, Canna!

Miss Canna is the pluckiest of the elves.

She is someone who can obliterate the arcade with her bare hands.

However, ever since we fell into Elias, there haven't been any significant battles here.

When the invasion of Earth happened, I was just a basic cleaner and didn't understand the battle process... but I know that Canna must have her exceptional qualities to become the captain.

She's the only one who operates in civvies without a helmet or body armor.

You could say that it's a sign of confidence... I guess?

Just need to send the signal.

I sent the signal.

Urgh... Human's fault for not saying that earlier...!

They're around here somewhere!

Everybody stay alert and search the area!

Here! She said to read this!

Rufo. She handed me a letter before we commenced the operation! She said to read this when we're in danger!

Read carefully, Your Majesty. This operation was put together hastily, so it'll be risky.

However, you only need to sit tight after sending the signal. The Chow Rebel Revolution Front never fails.

No...!

The "Chow Rebels" may have failed... But the "Chow Rebel Revolution Front" was just established, so they remain undefeated!

It's the trend-hating experimental music hipster! Watch out, everyone! I think my ears are going to bleed!

The elves are blessed with exceptional hearing, making them vulnerable to high-pitched sounds. Once the flop begins her guerilla gig, I'm sure it would send them into a panic!

What's going on? What is the eastern defense line doing?! Get your act together!

It's the werebeasts! The werebeasts are causing trouble at the recycling bins by the City Hall! They've stuck the plastic bottle labels back on that we just managed to peel off!

Elves like to strictly adhere to the rules, so they cannot stand disorder. If we manage to wreak havoc on their waste disposal facility, which they're so hush-hush about...

...They'll definitely go crazy, and then they'll crumble like a retreating tide.

Stop them now! What are you doing?!

Miss Canna, we need backup!

Darn it! Is this a diversion?

Leave only the minimum number of troops and provide support to both sides!

Who would have thought? She actually has some skills beyond just talking big!

You only have about 10 minutes. We also don't want to get caught, so we will peace out as soon as we're spotted. Good luck!

We don't have time for this! We must enter City Hall within 10 minutes!

Everyone, report! Is the situation under control? Answer!

Hey, you scoundrels! Do you think you can just run inside in front of my very eyes?!

We don't have time for you! Move!

Don't blow me off! You good-for-nothings!

What now?

The door to City Hall...! Has been locked!

How foolish. Don't underestimate Monatium's defenses...

Did you really think that such a shoddy operation would work?

Suppression Unit, assemble!

Ahhh...

The gun...! Use the gun!

*Gasp!* Is that the primitive weapon that blew up the drones earlier?

Hmph! Do as you wish! Monatium's Suppression Unit does not negotiate with terrorists!

Shoot! Quickly! Just shoot!

Yes, do it! They will only be sent to the Weekend Farm!

Could you spare some time for me to gather the spoils before they go to the Weekend Farm?

Oh well.

Rohne of Monatium's Intelligence Unit, the Abandoned Spy of Misfortune... will lend you a hand!

Miss Canna! These ruffians are holding me hostage! Please save me!!!!

That's not help—it's betrayal!

Agent Rohne. You understand what a spy's end looks like, right?

Once a spy's identity is exposed, they must abandon everything on the spot!

Chief Canna! *Wink, wink*

.........

.........?

Wh-What are you do—

Ahh! Please save me! Quickly! *Wink, wink*

???

.........!

Another strategy, maybe...?

Maybe she was intentionally captured... and pretended to be a hostage?

A secret order from the Intelligence Unit...? Part of their plan...? Since she is our best spy agent...

*Wink, wink*

F-Fall back...

Chief?

Fall back! Everybody retreat!

But...

Silence! That's an order! Fall back!

Whew...

Thank goodness. It worked!

Owie! That hurts! What was that for?!

You betrayed us, got away by sheer luck, and now you're backtracking!

Use your head... Do you think that actually makes sense? I deceived the Suppression Unit on purpose!

What? Deceived...?

I pretended to be on a secret mission and sent a false signal!

They probably fell for it because I'm the Intelligence Unit member who received the highest score on the Spy Aptitude Test.

Even though my graduation score was the lowest...

P.S. The elves' greatest weakness is their system.

Didn't finish reading earlier... Just getting through the rest... shh...

Open sesame.

Collecting stolen goods doesn't follow a set time or location... such skill is necessary.

Let's go in before the Suppression Unit finds out!

Going down.

Miss Elena should be in the underground research lab.

So the so-called "amazing" Monatium City Hall only has a total of three floors... My palace has five!

Miss Elena's laboratory is a secret facility! Did you really think that there would be a button for it out in the open like that?

It requires a button combination. First, we press the Emergency Call button and then press... UP-UP-DOWN-DOWN-OPEN-CLOSE-OPEN-CLOSE-B1-1-B1-1...

Then, we can get to B23!

No freaking way! You guys have dug down that far? That wasn't included in Elias's land development permit!

Elena must have found a loophole in the contract.

There are only restrictions on the surface area for land development, without clearly specifying anything about the sky or underground...

Wait... does that mean that...

You've dug all the way down to where the witches live...?

They are a race considered to be distant relatives of us sprites.

We sprites live above ground by the trunk and branches of Yggdrasil, while the witches live underground by the roots.

They ARE villains! They are wicked!

The witches... they...

Eat potatoes!!!

*Whisper Whisper* What's going on? Why such a cold face? *Whisper Whisper*

*Whisper Whisper* Perhaps you should give a few more details to really drive your point home? *Whisper Whisper*

Ahem hem! You don't seem to understand, so let me clarify...

The witches... eat sweet potatoes too!!!

Why don't you understand...?

Don't tell me... you aren't disgusted by tomato bread with a sweet potato crust?

My goodness... Surely you don't enjoy tomato bread with pineapple toppings, do you?

We cannot co-exist! If we allow this to continue, even if we reclaim the kingdom, a civil war will be inevitable!

Please... take back what you said...!

It's a major issue, a major one! In Sprite Kingdom, pineapple toppings and mint-chocolate combinations are long-standing causes of conflict!

What a relief. We actually have great plans in place to eradicate such things from the land.

G-Good! What a relief!

Indeed, sometimes we settle for less. Just like when we're hungry, we might eat Bean Log.

Should we reclaim the kingdom, let's put together a great inquisition and burn all baked goods with pineapple toppings!

Pineapples and pineapple toppings on baked goods are two very different things! Pineapple toppings are sacrilegious!

Eeek!

Religious reformation?! That is too radical! Please take that back this instant!

You have arrived at B23.

We're here. B23...

All the lights are off... What is this place?

Are you sure that Elena is here?

Were we being watched the moment we entered Monatium...?

Isn't that obvious? I've been following you since then...

Good job, making it this far.

Elena?

Elena, stop this and come out! Just surrender. You don't even have guards nearby.

Please abandon your twisted desire to take Yggdrasil apart and repent!

You guys will never understand...

The despair of realizing that the place we escaped to after failing to conquer a primitive civilization... was an even more primitive world...

You could never understand the humiliation of cleaning using brooms and dustbins when we first arrived here...!

What big deal? You have two hands and two feet. They're not there as decorations, you know? Stop whining! You're just being lazy!

Human.

You should be the only one who understands me, right? That feeling of traveling back to ancient times.

Don't you also wish to return to your home? Smartphone, computer, TV... Don't you miss these?

Here, you can't even have a simple fire without rubbing sticks and stones...

And you need to grow your own crops for half a year to make some snacks instead of just going to the convenience store to feed your late-night cravings...

And then you finally make yourself something, only for it to be an epic fail?! Do you guys know just how that feels?!

...I don't understand a single thing that she's saying. Do you know what she's talking about?

We have only dreamed of returning to our home planet from the beginning. That is why we have researched continuously. However...

No matter how much research we conduct, the answer is always the same.

The only way for us to return home... is to use the magical energy of Yggdrasil.

Magical energy that cannot be explained through science... Magic...! With that, we can open a dimensional portal and return to our original dimension!

No matter your reasons, we cannot allow you to take Yggdrasil apart!

.........

Perhaps... We can help you though...?

Your Majesty! What are you saying?!

No... I'm not saying that we will help them take Yggdrasil apart, but...

If they need magical energy, couldn't we just help them? We're born with it, after all...

...You have a point.

If they'd been honest and upfront with us from the start, all of this could have been avoided!

Mayor, you've suddenly gone silent and your expression is darkening. Anything that dawns upon you?

Sh-Shut up! I'm not doing wrong!

Elena, stop fooling around and get your butt out here! Come and apologize for all you've done first.

Hehehe... It's already too late for that.

My pride does not allow me to apologize and take back all that I've done!

What?!

Either way, the plan is close to fruition. The Sprite Queen has abandoned her kingdom... and the werebeasts are addicted to chow.

If I eliminate you folks here, I can forget about everything discussed, take Yggdrasil apart, and return to our home planet!

You scumbag!

Can you hear it...?

The engine of the "Mechanical Emotion Observation Weapon," or M.E.O.W.! I've had it prepared for this very day!

Wh-What is that?! That thing is moving! It's as big as a house!

Activated.

Miss Elena, please enter the attack command.

GOODBYE_WORLD!

Aaah!!!

That maniac is trying to send all of us to the Farm!

Mayor, you're amazing...! You're using your ultimate from the get-go! That is both a bit shameless and really wise of you!

I've conducted hundreds of thousands, no, millions of combat simulations against you magic wielders.

Complete, overwhelming destruction! I will crush your hopes and dreams! BWAHAHAHA!

We can neither run nor hide here! What should we do?!

Do you really want to rely on something that never works when you need it to?

I can't let you do that.

Lost... Coco...?!

The elves may have watched you since Monatium, but...

I have been watching you all from the start. I cannot allow you to use such a dangerous object. Hehe...

Wh-Who are you?

The thick scent of potatoes and sweet potatoes! She's a witch!

Of course you would be clueless! That is all part of the plan! Just know that I will be the ultimate victor...

Hey, Fricle, thanks for the assist!

Never heard that name before...

Elena!!!

Why? What did I do...?

I was intentionally keeping my identity a secret... and then you yelled out my name!

Umm... what's the big deal? Isn't it listed in the phone book or with public records?

Elias is not a dystopian dictatorship like your home world!

Tch... The elves really are an untrustworthy bunch...

What do you mean by untrustworthy?! That's crossing the line... we're allies!

I should have terminated our alliance the moment you revealed your intention to take Yggdrasil apart...

That was dramatically resolved after a small argument!

Settled?! If Yggdrasil is destroyed, this world will end along with it!

D-Darn it...! You got me all hot and bothered and I'm telling too much.

We elves are going to leave via dimensional portal anyway, so we aren't concerned about the safety of this world... The ones being left behind will handle that.

Arrghh.. grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

You really don't listen!! Argh!!!

Power system partially damaged. Initiating repair sequence.

What have you done?! Are you betraying me, Fricle?!

Who's betraying who?! I want to conquer Elias, not destroy it!

I'm not working with such a greedy scoundrel like you any longer! I don't need you anymore anyway!

Darn it...! I was trying to betray her first, but she beat me to it... How insulting...!

Perhaps those who have been betrayed by us feel the same way, Mayor?

That's... their problem, not mine.

Argh... Amelia! Keep the mic on only when we need it!

Turn on the Tap-to-Mic function in the settings, Mayor.

I can't be bothered to turn it on each time I speak! I need to develop some kind of automatic speech recognition mode or something...

Fire away, M.E.O.W.!

Weapon system damaged. Initiating repair sequence.

If only I had nanomachines, then this level of damage would be nothing! Darn it!

We have a chance now...!

M.E.O.W. has been weakened because its weapon system has been damaged!

M.E.O.W.'s armor is too sturdy!

Don't think that you'll be able to penetrate it with mere magic!

The armor plating has been coated with aluminum foil, which grants it magic-disrupting properties! It's basically impervious to magic! Hahaha!

I-I don't know!

If not magic...

That means that it will be easy to cut through with a non-magical blade!

Didn't she run away?

If we defeat the leader of the elves, then the elven city will be ours!

The Chow Rebel Revolution Front will become its new rulers!

Captain... I'm hungry... Can't we just go home?

The main character always shows up in the nick of time!

What's with these losers?! How pathetic is this lunatic...?! She brings a sword to this fight!

It's not the sword that's important...!

It's who wields the sword that's important!!

Wh-What are you doing?! Gyaah!!!

M.E.O.W. is...!

Finished!

That werebeast... she really is strong...

Chow Rebels! Now that the elf boss has been defeated, it's time to plunder to our heart's content!

Let's go pillaging around Monatium!

The latest 56-inch TV is mine!!

That's enough, Elena! It's time to surrender!

I-If only I had modified it some more, I could have won... Urgh...

Elena!

At the very least, an extra escape pod... If only I had more time and funding...! *Sob*

Elena, it's over!

Urgh, just how much humiliation are you planning to subject me to? Kill me quickly!

Heeya!

Ow! Why are you hitting me?!

Please do not hit the Mayor on the head! Every single one of her brain cells is important! Hit her in the stomach instead!

Everybody just says what they want to say instead of listening to others! Ugh! How frustrating!

Elena, listen carefully. You've attacked us and devised evil plans, no doubt...

However, I understand that you elves yearn to return to your home planet.

S-So?!

I'll help you.

D-Do you truly mean that, Your Majesty?

Yeah! It's not like the elves came here because they wanted to, anyway.

If they can find a way back by studying Yggdrasil, then I don't see why we can't help them.

E-Even after everything I've done...?

That doesn't mean that I'll be exonerating you!

Apologize properly, and promise that you and the elves will live peacefully with the Elias citizens before returning home.

I... don't know the answer to that...

However... this is the right thing to do... I can feel it.

What? Hey, I haven't even seen chow since coming to Monatium!

Your Majesty... To think that you would be capable of being so warm and wise without doping...!

I, Ner, am deeply touched beyond comprehension!

Ner, you're indirectly insulting me with that statement!

U-Umm... Is everything over now?

Finally, I'm not a spy anymore! Betraying my kin means I'll definitely be expelled... Maybe I can start over with an aptitude test and open a fried chicken shop...

What are you talking about?

Sorry?

A spy needs to be skilled at betrayal. As you have proven to be exceptional at that, I will personally ensure that you remain in the Intelligence Unit.

Ah... NOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Amelia... I'll go follow the Sprite Queen and apologize to the neighboring races.

Look after things in Monatium while I'm gone.

Mayor! Are you sure about this? A Monatium without you... I shudder to imagine!

Once I do this... We can properly study the magical energy of Yggdrasil. It's something that I must do for the sake of our race.

Mayor!

.........

Hmph... Geez, you gonna hug and cry, too?! Just pack whatever you need and let's get going!

A-About what?!

From me?

N-No! I'm not jealous at all!

Sh-She can't c-compare to Ner, who never p-praises me, always scolds me, and punishes me!!

Stuttering... Lies...

Shut up!

Hmm...

Ah, yes... I've already thought that through! Let's head back to Diana for now!

Hmm?! Wait a moment...

It's nothing.

C'mon, let's get going! I have quite a lot to take care of!

You mean to say that Mayor Elena was really behind everything?

Yup! Well... There was also this witch I'd neither seen nor heard of... But I don't think it's something we should be too concerned about.

Master! Shush! Please allow Her Majesty to focus on one thing at a time. If her attention is divided, her IQ may drop.

Diana, Elena says she'd like to offer a formal apology.

Has Mayor Elena come herself?

Here.

.........

Isn't this too cruel?

Urgh...

I'd say that this is the least she can do to show that she's repenting, don't you agree?

We brought her here like this after reaching a unanimous agreement.

Hmm? What did you say?

Alright, Elena! On your knee—I mean, apologize now!

I'm sorry. I deeply regret distributing chow and sowing chaos among the werebeasts.

Well, aside from the pills that had been added, many of our kind actually enjoyed it...

To be honest, there was not that much damage done to us.

In fact, Tig and her gang caused more trouble by fussing over the chow.

I'm not so sure. She's such a stubborn mischief-maker...

It's exhausting trying to keep her under control all the time, so I just let her be.

Alright, now that we've settled things with the werebeasts, let's head to Sprite Kingdom.

.........

Are you planning on dragging her all the way like this?

Of course.

...I thought you were just immature, but I can see that you can also be heartless when you want to.

Is this not the image of the perfect monarch? It is extremely touching.

Chief!!!

Oh, hello, Butter. What is it?

Ah... Let me guess, Tig caused trouble again, didn't she? Being chief of the werebeasts must also be quite tiring.

Oh, you're here too, Queen Erpin! Perfect!

This is not about Tig!

Something major is happening in Sprite Kingdom!

.........

So we are the ones in hot water now... Tch...

We've been in hot water since before we left.

It's not that... Sprites are all being driven out of the kingdom!

What?

Something big is happening in Sprite Kingdom! You should head back immediately!