Chapter 6: Bow 4 Times, Kneel 4 Times

Wake up...

Wake up, soldier...

Hey soldier, are you seriously sleeping right now?

Hey! I am Youngchun!

Why do you keep calling me a wad of gum?!

Really?! Want a taste of forsythia?!

What's that supposed to mean?! Don't try to be creative at a moment like this!

YOUNGCHUN is my name! Youngchun!! Geez, seriously...!

Anyway, you! What's this life of yours where you get to sleep this much?

Things seem to have settled down lately, so I thought we could talk...

But whenever you come home from work, you're always sprawled out sleeping and looking all pitiful, so we can't even talk!

Ah... uhmm... Well, you see...

Since I've been lending you my ability to read inner thoughts... I tend to get tired more often.

During the day when you're out and about, my eyes just fall shut and I get drowsy...

It's actually easier for me to get things done when you're sleeping...?

Well, I could force myself to be up during the day... But honestly, work-life balance is kind of important to me... hehe.

...

Well, then let's call it even on the sleeping.

Hmm... So tell me, you must have had it really rough lately, huh?

I thought humans were special enough to handle these kinds of things without breaking a sweat...

What do you mean?

They've apparently been keeping a sort of adventure journal over at the Order's archives.

Hehe, I skimmed through it while you were asleep. There were quite some interesting new incidents!

Yeah. Well... there were tons of typos and missing parts here and there...

Ugh... It would be nice if there was someone who could write properly...

Huh?

Gun?

Ah... You mean the one who picked the lock and came in in the middle of the night while you were sleeping?

I told you, only you can see me!

Hmm... Show it to me when you get it back.

If I can see and touch it myself I might be able to figure something out.

Anyway, you've been doing a great job solving issues here and there.

Looking at the records, if I had been in your shoes, I would've wanted to just plow over everything.

Ah... I was just saying.

Even though I'm "her" underling, I don't have that kind of power.

By the way, I saw a record about you meeting a 'strange elemental'...

Yeah... the one who rides around on a frog.

When you met that Ui... did you feel anything strange?

Really? Hmm... That's weird.

Well... no... I'm not sure if I'm forgetting something or what...

It just feels like I've never seen someone like that before...

Hmm... Really?

Anyway, is what she said true—that she lives by the pond near where the elves live?

Maybe I'll head all the way out there someday...

Huh? Oh, no worries! You don't need to trouble yourself on my account.

Besides...

I think you'd better go find that priestess as soon as you can.

Yep. She's been popping in and out since earlier. Looks like she's just been waiting for you to wake up.

S-Sure... Wow... you've gone completely pale, haven't you?

I wonder if the sprites are working you too hard...

Hmm... let's do some digging of my own, then, eh?

Edelian Elegy.

Edelian Elegy. It is the Yggdrasil Order's hymnal.

This is the hymnal that would have been used in the morning mass, which you missed because you overslept, Master.

How many times must I tell you, Master, that it is not dozing but prayer?

...

N-Not exactly...!

It is odd. I am certain I placed the book of hymns upon the altar yesterday, yet when I came to check this morning, it was gone!

Without it, no one can recite the hymns, making it impossible to hold the mass.

I can, but our followers cannot!

Without the book of hymns, everyone will only move their lips awkwardly, lip-syncing along!

Commercial sacred text bootlegging of Yggdrasil Order texts is not allowed!

That was the only copy we had!

Reforming our teachings?! I warned you not to get so carried away, Master!

At the break of dawn each day, the priestess on duty copies the hymns onto the blackboard. When mass ends, they are erased.

But... it is a tradition that has been around since before I was admitted into the Order...

I am not some lesser priestess. The burden of the chalk is not for me to shoulder.

As Head Priestess, it is my great responsibility to drive the lesser priestesses mercilessly—I mean, to manage and teach them properly.

This is a journal from my youthful, more innocent days, when I tried reducing sugar in Her Majesty's diet bit by bit to ease her addiction...

And miserably at that.

Hey, Master!

I came to see my friend after powering through all my palace duties—why else?! Hehe.

Your Majesty... finishing work in a hurry...?

Very suspicious.

How did you know?!!!

W-well... that is... um...

My audience cheat sheet... disappeared!!!

It's a cheat sheet I always look at when I work... a notebook with all the instructions on how to behave in the Audience Chamber.

Well... for example, when someone is caught committing a crime...

'I, Queen Erpin, always strive to ensure the comfort of my subjects. Your feedback will be forwarded to the relevant department to help develop the Sprite Kingdom.'

...That's how I respond.

There are different variations depending on the task, but I lost it so I couldn't do any work today.

Tem...plate? What's that...?

Could there be a connection?

The missing hymnal and... Her Majesty's cheat notebook... something does not feel right.

Master!! How dare you call them useless! This is like losing our Holy Scripture...!

That's right! Take that back! This is like losing the Sprite Kingdom's Civil Code!

Ouch! Why hit only me! You should hit Ner too!

Tch...

Master! Head Priestess!

This is terrible! I'm ruined!

I've been kneading dough for years, all the recipes are in my head! Who do you think I am?!

The accounting book is gone! Without it, I can't calculate this month's expenses or next month's inventory!

Ouch!!! Why did you hit me, Your Majesty!?

The Order's scripture and Kingdom's civil code are missing, and you're worried about some accounting book?!

This is... a revelation!

Master, don't you see the pattern?

Important books directly tied to each of our fates disappearing all on the same day...

One book is coincidence, two is suspicious, and three is certainty!

This humble Head Priestess insists we must investigate immediately!

We must look for some clues!

This looks like it could be a major headache. Let's let the smart Master here handle it!

I'm smart too, you know? Do you think just anyone could be the headmistress of a magic school?

Ashur, shut it! This is your chance to delegate work to someone else. Read the room!

Such wise words indeed. That's our Master for you!

Well, here is the list of royal petitions that came in this morning. Master, please take a look at them.

Someone broke into and vandalized the garden of a residence near the gates to the kingdom.

The entire garden was destroyed and there were multiple slash marks on the scarecrow in the middle of the garden.

Special note: White, brown and orange clumps of fur were found scattered around.

A denizen reported someone knocking at their window at dawn.

The denizen woke up startled and went to check, but found no one.

They also reported hearing loud noises from the floor below—but the residence is a single story detached house.

Due to records of excessive chocolate consumption the day before, it was concluded that it must have been sugar overdose-induced hallucinations and the denizens were sent away.

A denizen living in a quiet meadow claims to have seen a strange meteor while stargazing last night.

At first the denizen thought it was a blue shooting star, but it appeared near the Elemental Mountain, descended abruptly to the ground and quickly flew toward the center of the kingdom.

The presumed impact site was investigated but no damage found. Thus it was dismissed as a false report and the denizen sent on their way.

Oh? Master! Take a look at this petition.

It looks kinda important. You should have a look too. Hurry!

This letter began in Monatium and makes its yearly round, bringing good luck to those who...

Elena sent it to me.

Why would you throw that away?! Are you out of your mind?! You have to copy it and pass it on, or it won't work!

Hmm, this petition smells familiar... I can't quite put my finger on it...

There have been reports of two sprites getting into a huge row in a back alley in the bakery area.

We have not yet confirmed the identities of the two sprites, but they reportedly threw bombs and tranquilizer darts at each other as they fought.

According to a witness, they were shouting at each other, each claiming the other had stolen something from them.

So? What does it say?

Really?!

You just read a few words... and managed to figure that out?

...I kn-know that too, okay?! D-don't take me for a fool!

This shop is called "Pawnshop." This must be Mayo's place.

I told you. I never stole it! We work together every day. How can you not trust me?!

Thief = Criminal, Criminal = Untrustworthy.

I'm not a thief! I'm an explorer!

Huh? Oh, Master!

My precious. Long time, no see.

Uh... well, er...

Shut it, Marie.

Look at these two... Avoiding the question, eh? Seems like something's up.

Nope.

...Really?

Then first, sign here.

Ledger disappeared.

...? You could have just told us that. Why make us sign NDAs...?

Well... that ledger is actually a map.

My place burned down. During the insurgency. I split the stolen goods and hid them.

Marie's an explorer. She stole the map. Wants my treasures.

I told you, I didn't! Why would I do that? You're the only one I can sell my looted—no, excavated—treasures to!

Treasures...? But didn't all your stolen goods burn? Looks like you worked extra hard to collect more!

Because we put Master for sale...

The Deliverer's hair, the Receiver of Revelation's finger and toenails... You know, that kind of stuff.

Don't worry, Master. They're not really from you.

Mayo and I are trimming our own nails and hair to sell. We package them and slap a label that says "From Master" on it, and everyone seems to love it.

It's not fraud! We even got them properly trademarked!

Trademarked as "Master's".

Hold on... That proposal for the "Master's Juicy Balls of Cheese" collab... That was you, Mayo?! I don't remember seeing "Pawnshop" under the company name...

Mayo and I are co-CEOs, so we listed the name of our business.

It's "Super Marie-O". We're in the convenience store business.

How dare you use our Master for business! That is blasphemy! Master is the property of the Order!

Look. The trademark certificate.

"I, Queen Erpin, listen carefully to the voices of my citizens. I will look over these opinions closely and work hard for the advancement of Sprite Kingdom."

I was busy then... I don't think I was able to take a good look at that application...

I, Queen Erpin, am always working to prevent any discomfort for my citizens. I will pass this suggestion to the right department and work hard for the advancement of Sprite Kingdom.

So basically, everyone here has lost an important document?

It's all pretty random.

The only similarity is that they all fall into the book category...

Hmm... Perhaps the incidents from last night share a connection.

The mutilated scarecrow, the underground noises, the blue meteor that appeared at Elemental Mountain...

How about we split up to investigate?

Counting Master, Her Majesty, the Head Priestess, Mayo, me, and the baker, we can pair up into teams of two!

Why am I the only one you call just "the baker," making me look useless?!

Because that's what you are.

Ugh... Well... I guess I am just a baker for now...

The scarecrow is close to Werebeast Forest. Mayo and I will investigate there! We're experts at exploring forests and loot—no, excavating!

The underground might involve witches or elves... It would be best for Her Majesty and me to investigate that area.

Yep! Since it could lead to diplomatic problems for the kingdom! It is definitely not because I am too lazy to go running around everywhere!

Okay, then—

You want me and Master to go... to Elemental Mountain?

Well... seems like it.

Why does it feel like I'm going all by myself and it'll be tough...

But... Your CP is zero... Aren't you just deadweight?

Ashur! You said before that you know a spell to defeat the elementals. Don't worry too much.

W-Well... yes... you're right, of course...

Wait a minute. There was that conflict with the elementals near Monatium before. Isn't this the most dangerous task then?

You think I haven't thought about that?

Y-Your Majesty! Do you have something in mind?

Of course I thought about it, that's why I didn't choose to go to Elemental Mountain.

Then you just passed it on because you were scared!!!

Hehehe...

Are you worried, Master? Alright then. How about Your Majesty?

What?! Why me!!!

Because Your Majesty is the only spare person here who has nothing to do... and probably won't be much help?

Ner!!! Don't say things like that with such a straight face!

Don't worry, Your Majesty. You have me, Ashur, who can subdue the elementals. Hehe... he...

No! I don't want to go! To fall for such a scheme! I could have just stood next to Ner doing nothing...!

Aaaah!!!

It's been a while since I've climbed Elemental Mountain. I used to come here often for field studies...

Shut up! Who wants to hear your nostalgic stories? I got dragged along because of you!

Well, who told you to put on that smug smile back there?!

That's right, Your Majesty. Try to enjoy it since we're here.

Look! At! That! How am I supposed to enjoy this?! How long will it take to climb that?!

.......!

Ah, I guess you were imagining some convenient flying spell?

I thought it was strange how calm you were when Ner said to go to the mountain.

But it seems our dear Master has finally come to face reality... Hehehe!

You think Ner assigned us like this for no reason?

Marie and Mayo quickly chose to go to the scarecrows first, so she chose the next easiest one!

Teleportation is dangerous on Elemental Mountain because of the magical interference waves.

And fast-moving spells only look fast to others, but the caster still has to use the same amount of energy when actually moving.

You got played without even knowing it? Hehe!

Don't start whining already. The mountain trail only begins after we pass the lake.

Eeek! Cold! W-What's this!

Kyahahahah!

Wow! Sprites! Haven't seen you in a while.

I am Naia, the Noble Water Elemental and guardian of this lake!

I am the gatekeeper of Elemental Mountain, pew pew! You shall not pass!

Eeek! Stop it!

How dare you spray your water gun at the Sprite Queen! Eeeek!!!

The Queen?

What brings you here, Sprite Queen?

I'm investigating a mysterious theft that could bring about the greatest crisis in Sprite Kingdom history!

T-That's ancient history now, that's in the past!

A theft...? Are you saying one of us elementals stole something?

Hmm?

What's with this tall one? Not a sprite, not an elf, not a werebeast...

Claims to be a human. Just kinda fell into Elias a while ago.

Hu... man...?

At first it's a bit strange to look at... but you get used to it.

Hmm... have we met before? Or have I just stared at you long enough, like the sprite says?

I'm not sure, but the wind elementals at the peak might have seen something...

Wait, are you trying to climb the mountain?

You can't! You can NOT!

It's dangerous on the mountain right now. Ifrit got into a fight with someone recently...

Some elves and tiny sprites dunked her in water, and now she's lost her mind.

Hmm... That used to be the case before. But now that we live separately by element, we've all developed different thoughts.

Hmm... you're really determined to go up, aren't you?

Well... it's not my domain, so I don't really bother with it...

You might be able to sneak up if you go through the inside of the mountain.

You want to climb the mountain? Well... not my business, but...

For an easier way... maybe you could get help from the earth elementals...

They're inside the mountain.

Caves? No way! Ifrit and other fire elementals live inside Elemental Mountain! That could be even more dangerous...!

Of course, once you set foot on Elemental Mountain, you're safe nowhere. What matters is whether there's someone who can help you.

The mountain is full of beings who hold grudges against your sprites and elves.

Why do you think Ifrit went down there in the first place?

No matter what you say, that stubborn fireball won't even listen, right?

We elementals are divided into two factions. Water elementals like me and earth elementals don't have any particular feelings toward you all, but...

Fire and wind elementals are extremely wary of other races from Elias.

If they find out their area has been invaded... ugh... I don't even want to think of it!

Hmm... Gabia is someone that can be reasoned with... probably.

She's a Noble Earth Elemental. You'll find her if you enter the cave near the mountain.

It-it's a trap!

They're going to betray us! They're leading us into a trap! Doesn't it feel like that?

Betrayal...?

How did you know?

Kyahaha! It's an ambush! Pew pew!

Ahhh! We're under attack! Help!! Quickly!!!

Master, what do you think? Should we go through the cave like Naia suggested?

But what about the meteor?

She said the wind elementals might know, but they hate us. Will they give us proper answers if we ask?

Eeeek!! Let's go! Let's go! We can think about complications later! I need to avoid the water gun Damage first!

Kyahaha!! Your reactions are so perfect, it's fun! It's been so long since I've had such a good playmate!

Master, this is quite spacious for a natural cave.

Ugh, it's damp... This is really too much...

I'm not talking about that water elemental, I mean you guys!

The Queen of Sprite Kingdom, huh?! You just stood there watching until things got this bad? Would it have killed you to stop her?

Please calm down, Your Majesty. Why are you making such a fuss about getting a little wet?

Tch... I'll deal with you all later.

If this is where the earth elementals live, they probably already know we're here.

When we talk about an elemental's domain, it means the area itself is part of them.

Ugh... This feels like a lecture and my head's spinning... Can't we just nod and move on?

Your Majesty, you're only making things harder for yourself by acting this way.

What did I do?!

Your Majesty, you live in Elias but you never try to understand anything about it.

Hey, that's what experts are for! A queen just needs to do queen stuff properly!

I was doing okay when I had my cheat sheet!

That happened because the elves were up to something shady! Everything was running somewhat smoothly until then!

You're going to fix my cheat sheet? Cheat Sheet 2.0...?! I'm all for it!

Ugh...

Then doesn't that mean we don't need to find the cheat sheet in the first place?

Of course it is. For inventory management, sales volume, purchases, revenue... uh, and also...

Because of Her Majesty!! It's because she keeps running up tabs with her unimaginable appetite!

That's just your opinion that they're not important.

Ha! Hey! Your hair serves no purpose, so would it be fine if you lost it?

If you woke up one day with all your hair gone, could you calmly go on with your life?

That... is the logic of a loser, understand?

It's just an excuse to kneel before your circumstances and quietly adapt to reality!

If you lose your hair, it's your destiny to risk your life and charge headfirst toward solving the problem!

Eek! What's this! Why did you suddenly turn off the lights, Ashur!

I didn't turn them off! The light magic suddenly stopped working...

It seems the magical energy is weakening as we get closer to the elemental's roost.

Yes. Since elementals are basically magical creatures, they can interfere with the flow of magic.

We do have torches, but we need magic to light them...

I'm so used to using magic that I didn't even think of...

That's what happens when you rely too much on magic! Serves you right, Ashur! Hahaha!

Your Majesty, are you really choosing this moment to mock me?!

I'll do what I want! Nyeh nyeh nyeh!!

Hey!

Ouch! Ashur! Did you just hit me?!

I did not!

You were planning to betray me while we can't see anything! Is this the baker insurgency?! Huh?!

Your Majesty, you think I don't notice you're making weird accusations while trying to hit me?!

What's wrong with a little beating?! Huh?! Got a problem with the queen disciplining her subject?!

Eh?

Eek! W-what is this!

M-master, do something! Try shooting Coco or something!

Y-you have a loud voice, at least you can intimidate them! Try imitating Coco's sound and yell!!

No way! If we yell, we'll only provoke the monsters!

A-an e-earthquake!

No! This is actually good!

If the cave's going to collapse anyway, I should eat something while I can!

You must have emergency food! Just stay quiet and still!

Aaagh! If we get buried here, we'll be eating dirt for the rest of our lives!

...

They... they all ran away!

...

*Nods*

(Pointing in a direction)

(She tilts her head)

(Surprised)

Can earth elementals not talk? This is frustrating...

I... saw... it...

You can speak!

Your voice is quite soft. You must be quite shy.

Mountain... top... light...

It wasn't just light, it was a meteor!

Meteor... light... blue meteor... Sylla...!

(Stamps her foot in frustration)

(Pointing in a direction)

She changed direction... should we follow her?

Eeeeek!! It's hot!!!

She led us straight into a fire pit! She got some nerve luring us into this trap!

(Gesturing to stay quiet)

Do you think I'm gonna get cooked silently?! Watch me...

OUCH!

It's the fire elemental...!

Huh? Over there... in the center of the pit, that's...

Is this all the fuel for today?!

You lazy bunch!

The elves changed their recycling policy... so there weren't many paper boxes...

Shut up! If there are no boxes, you should at least cut down some trees instead of raiding the dump!

If we use trees, the wood elementals will...

I don't care about those weaklings!

Eek...!

Did I get ahead of myself? Calm down... calm...

This is not what I'm usually like.

My sistren, we must endure a little hardship to stick to the plan.

Remember when we first set foot in Elias. What a neat and clean world it was.

You all know how irresponsible these inferior races are, living off the world we designed.

How can we, such magnificent beings, be content with living as mere bakery oven flames or fusion catalysts?!

It's a mutual relationship. I don't really understand the fusion stuff, but there are fire elementals living in bakery ovens.

My sistren, just hold on a little longer and gather your strength.

When the time comes, Sylla will become Elias's new wind and guide us!

Wind... elemental.

*Nods*

That's a dangerous combination. Even a small spark can turn into a massive forest fire with the right wind.

Wrong? This is how we've always lived. We're not forcing the fire elementals to live in ovens...

Master! Aren't you putting too much blame on us?

If the elementals had complaints, they should have said so from the start! Why bring this up now?

*Shake, shake*

(Thinking)

Me... teor?

What are you planning to do, Master?

(Bounces up and down.)

(Makes a big gesture.)

What do you mean? Speak up!

...

I can't hear you!!

.......!

Argh, I can't anymore! Hey!! Just write it on the ground!!!!

What's that noise?!

...

Did I hear wrong? Must have been the wind.

That's why you should have spoken quietly!

Waaaaaah!!!! You hit me again! Always hitting! Teasing! Teaching! Nagging! What are you, Ner 2.0?!

L-Look over there!!!

Huh? They're the ones... from the factory...! Catch them right now!!!

Aaack! We've been spotted! It's not my fault, it's because Master hit me! Wasn't me!!!

Let's run away quickly!

*Sigh*

Aaah! The lava!

We're greatly outmatched in the fire elemental's domain! We need to get out of here fast!

I don't know what you came here for, but prepare yourselves for the consequences!

There's no water here to protect you!

Aack! The cave is collapsing!

(Gesturing for you to leave first.)

Is Gabia... protecting us?

Na... Naia...!

(Tilts her head.)

(Gestures to get out fast.)

G-Gabia...!

Gabia...? Did you bring them here?

Even though we're both Noble Elementals, bringing such dangerous people to my roost... Unacceptable!

.......!

...What?

.....!!!

Speak up! I can't hear a thing!

There's a Crossroad ahead! Which way should we go?

Is this the right way?

Isn't this the path we came through earlier?

...

...

Master, let's just admit we're lost.

I didn't want to believe it, but we're really lost?!

"Ah... Erpin! Stop talking nonsense and just follow me! We haven't gone this way yet!"

But I'm sure we've been here before!

"Don't you trust me? My IQ is four digits higher than yours!"

Of course, you're the great Master! If you couldn't even handle something like this, would you even be human? Ha!

"You and I are the same kind! Let's join hands and share a bowl of cheesecake!"

What should we do now?

Gabia stayed behind alone to help us escape... but we're lost and wandering around...

If this goes on... there's no hope...

But still...

I'm getting hungry!

...

Ashur!

E-Excuse me?

Ashur, give me your hand!

My hand? Why suddenly my hand?!

Ashur's hands... so sweet... always covered in flour and jam... worker's hands preserved in sugar... smells delicious...

Don't try to eat someone else's hands!

If you're hungry, I brought some food...

What do you mean?

What is it, Master... you're being weird...

Ugh... quick... quick, give me some baked good...

Could you stop staring at me with those creepy eyes? I'll give it to you right away...

Ta-da!

It's a saccharin-sprinkled log. Dead stock because no one bought it!

Why are you hitting me! You asked for food and now you're complaining!?

That's not bread!!

How old is this saccharin block?! Sugar supply resumed ages ago, why do you still have this?!

It was leftover dead stock that I've been forcing myself to eat!

It must be expired! Trying to feed such a thing to the queen is revolting, REVOLTING!

What...?

No, wait... I have some food, so let's just...

...

Well, if you say so...

Master... are you trying to make me your enemy...?

Is the leader of the Order challenging royal authority?!

Think I'll fall for your sugar-coating?! You've always wanted to overthrow me and create a theocratic monarchy, you evil master!

Um... Your Majesty seems to be out of her mind from hunger, maybe we should...

Shut up, food container! I'm more clear-headed than ever!

Master, I think we could knock some sense into Her Majesty with a few hits.

What's that sound—

Found them, over. Everyone gather at the rendezvous point to prepare for the next stage.

Huh? You're... the one who was always with Elena...

So this is where you were. I've been looking all over for you.

What do you mean why? Didn't we ask for your help?

...? Didn't you receive the letter?

On the surface, yes. It was actually encoded to prevent confidential information from being leaked...

Hm? I-I knew about it! Master tried to throw it away but I stopped it!

Anyway, you came here without knowing any of the reasons.

I don't know what's happening on the Sprite Kingdom's side, but this works out anyway.

Our great leader of Monatium, Mayor Elena... has been kidnapped by elementals.

Please don't casually refer to the mayor like an item.

Monatium is a city with 24-hour surveillance cameras. We have records that clearly show the mayor being carried away by the wind.

The only explanation for lifting someone of the mayor's weight would be magical wind summoned by elementals.

Master! Then... were our goods also taken by the wind elemental...!

If the sprites also have business with the elementals...

Our suppression unit is climbing the mountain outside, let's follow the cave up to join them.

You mean the water elemental from the lake? I met her before climbing the mountain.

She suddenly shot her water gun at the suppression force. We considered it a hostile act and contained her in our elemental binding device prototype. It was completed only two days ago.

Where is Naia now...

The suppression unit is carrying the device, so she should be around halfway up the mountain.

Hey... w-what do we do now?

...?

What are you whispering about?

Understood. Follow me.

We're here. This is the designated contact point.

You got any food to share?

Are you hungry? The suppression unit members should have emergency rations. We'll share when we meet them.

Thank goodness. Your Majesty keeps trying to bite my hands...

Oh, I won't bite, just let me give them a little lick!

Stay back, Your Majesty! I told you to keep ten steps away!

Lady Amelia! Over here!

So you met the sprites? We thought you'd betrayed us when you didn't show up at the meeting point even though we waited forever...

Can't help it, can we? It's our most familiar form of diplomacy...

It's just another path we can select when a good opportunity presents itself.

Don't take it too personally, Sprite Master. The elven way is to not shy away from dark choices in dark times.

Hmm... come to think of it, it's coming to quite naturally now.

Canna used to argue about speaking informally to you. Too tired to pick fights about it now?

The hierarchy has been established.

Now that I recognize your position as Sprite Master, you're my superior.

I give credit where credit is due!

But this only applies while we're allies. If you betray me, I'll go back to speaking however I want.

Back there...

Ah! Hello? You all made it up here?

Master... is she really captured?

For someone who's captured, she seems to be having too much fun.

Fight? I don't think we fought... I just shot my water gun a bit, and they sucked me up with something like a vacuum cleaner.

When I woke up, I was here, but it isn't particularly uncomfortable...

Of course not.

To safely contain an elemental, they need to feel comfortable. It's designed so they won't want to leave the device on their own!

It should feel similar to a human sitting in a massage chair. It actually includes massage functions too.

What were you expecting? Did you think we'd tie her up with ropes and handcuffs? We elves are far too advanced a civilization for that.

Ugh, you're not lying just because we're questioning you, right?

If you're suspicious, you can check the recorded footage later.

We always stream live camera feed to the situation room during operations.

Recorded, live camera, stream? What are you talking about...

What? Gabia is? I didn't think she'd go that far to help you...

Just directions maybe...? It's rare for elementals to fight each other even if we have different opinions.

If Gabia went that far... it means Ifrit must have crossed some line...

The Elves say their mayor was kidnapped by a wind elemental...

And they stole my cheat sheet too!!

Hmm...

Sylla...

Living alone by the lake... maybe I've been too detached from everything... I hate dealing with complex matters...

Hmm...

Let's... check it out first, Sylla's roost. She lives a bit further up.

I need to find out what Sylla and Ifrit are plotting first. Then I'll decide whether to help or not.

What about Gabia? She must be fighting with Ifrit...

It's fine. No matter how much they fight, they won't do anything too extreme.

Sylla, Ifrit, Gabia and I are Noble Elemental sisters born at the same moment—we have this unbreakable bond.

Suppression unit! Resume march! We'll advance to the summit and secure the mayor's safety!

Yes! Resuming march!

Why do you ask?

Hmm... Sylla is definitely the most... how should I put it? Smart? Or maybe calculating among us...

Sometimes composed like the cold winter wind... sometimes warm like the spring breeze...

Maybe it means she's as unpredictable as the wind?

Think of their personalities similar to the nature of each element.

Naia, being a water elemental, has a flexible personality, like water taking the shape of whatever container it's in.

Gabia the earth elemental is steady and calm like the earth, while Ifrit is always fierce and aggressive like fire itself.

Earthquakes don't happen 24/7, you know. And bonfires can spread into forest fires when caught by the wind.

I'm not saying their personalities have no rough edges. Try connecting each elemental with the fundamental nature of their element, Master.

Hah! Ashur's just a bookworm who always has her nose deeply buried within pages. You can only know someone's personality by meeting them in person.

Your Majesty, are you still just waiting for chances to make snarky comments?

Sometimes I make valid points too! Nothing's more dangerous than always thinking you're right!

Right, right?! See! Even Master agrees with me!

We've reached the summit! She could appear at any moment, so everyone maintain vigilance in all four directions!

What's this about vigilance in four directions...? Can the elves look into all directions at once? But we can't!!

Mmph! Mmph mmph!!

Mayor! The mayor is over there!

Mmph mmph!

How could this be... to see you restrained in such a barbaric way...!

What did you say? How dare you do such things when I'm not around!!!

I can't let such a rare sight go to waste. I'll add this to my mayor life-size cut-out collection...

Chief Canna! We're done here, so please untie her now!

Yes!

Mmph mmph mmph!!!!!

To see you shuddering so desperately! I'm sorry, mayor! I should have come earlier...

That's far enough!

Don't come any closer to your leader.

Sylla!

Naia...?

What's going on? Don't tell me you've been captured by the Elves?

Indeed! The Noble Elemental of water is under the custody of the Monatium Suppression Unit!

I'm merely stating the facts.

You're not content with cruelly submerging Ifrit in water, now you've gone and imprisoned Naia...

The Ifrit incident was self-inflicted!

I knew you parasitic creatures were cruel, but to think you'd go this far...

Sylla! What are you saying? They don't seem to have done anything that wrong...

How can you spout such nonsense while you're being held captive, Naia?

Sylla, please calm down. What exactly are you trying to do?

I'm going to drive all these creatures out of Elias!

I'll expel all these parasites who live as they please and return to the harmonious times when only we elementals used to live here!

Th-that...!

Master? What's wrong?!

H-hey, I can be serious when I need to be!

Arrgh...

Sylla, what's driven you to have such terrible thoughts? Even though you were always the most cautious among us, you were never this extreme!

Can't you hear the screams of the other elementals?

The lesser elementals who trust and follow only us are crying out for help every day...!

Wh-what are you talking about?

I suppose you don't care about the suffering around you since you're always fooling around!

Wh-what?

We can't just stand by any longer. Suppression unit, open fire!

Yes!

We're simply responding appropriately to a preemptive strike against Monatium.

These elves must have lost their minds!

Cease fire! Survey the surroundings and report!

If we let the elementals strike first, everyone will be in danger!

Don't you remember what happened when you faced Ifrit, Master?!

W-Whoa! Master! Look over there!

That wind elemental is completely fine!

Failed...! Failed to subdue the enemy!

So this is how you want to play it? Bring it on then!

Ugh! This is crazy! Stop shooting!

The target is too fast! We can't hit it!

These are vaporizing rounds using elemental suppression sap, so they'll have an effect if we can just land a hit.

It's altered sap flowing over Yggdrasil's bark.

What?! What have you done to Yggdrasil?!

Did you stick some kind of tap in it or something?!

We just collected the sap that flows on the outside. Don't make such a fuss! We didn't stick any taps in it.

Do you think you can defy the power of nature...?

W-Waaah! My body's being pushed around!

She's trying to throw us off the mountain!

Master! I'm scared! What do we do!

Ah! R-Right! First leaf of Yggdrasil! Obey my words! I am a friend of Yggdrasil...!

What...? Urgh!

This feeling I'd forgotten long ago...

Grrrr...! The elements of Elias... will no longer obey anyone's commands!

Ugh! Did it fail...?!

Of course! How could you, who only ever bakes bread, do this properly!

I did it properly! This shouldn't be happening! It worked on all the lesser elementals!

This is a complete failure! What do we do now!

No! She'd definitely slower than before! Now's our chance...!

Suppression unit! Attack now!!

Impossible, Amelia! The wind is too strong, our members can't get within effective range!

*Static* Heh.heh.heh. *Static*

Huh?

*Static* Time for backup to step in? *Static*

What's this transmission? Chief Canna, did you create a backup team?!

Backup? That's impossible! We brought all our forces except for the admin team to rescue the mayor!

*Static* Heh.heh.heh. Who I am isn't important. *Static*

*Static* Let's just say... I'm a passing sniper of the black shadows. *Static*

Someone's been intercepting our communications?! Our channel is compromised...?

I've been watching the live coverage. *Static* Just waiting for the right moment. Hehehe...

Ugh... I don't know who you are, but are you saying you can help us right now?!

*Static* One shot. Got it? Better get that bank transfer ready, heheh. *Static*

W-What- Urgh... Understood. Please help us!

Aaaah!!!

Ugh! What's that sound?!

The sound of the shot just caught up with the bullet!

She made that shot from Monatium...?

Is that even possible? To make a shot from this Range?

Uh... Even I don't...

*Static* Heheh... Did you get that? The bank account number is 6, 6, 6, and another 6... *Static*

Changing the infiltrated radio frequency!

Well, everything's resolved now anyway, so no need to make that deposit.

*Static* Hey!! Wait...! Just wai- *Static* Gyaah! *Static*

Turn off the operation broadcast camera too. Situation room, going radio silent!

Ugh... to think I'd lose to these worthless punks...!

Something's strange...

Even if Sylla is sharp-tempered... she's not the type to do this...

Finally, a chance to free you, mayor! Mayor! I'll get you out of here!

Mmph! Bleurgh! What took you so long?!

I'm so sorry, mayor! I should have been faster...!

Do you know how much humiliation I've endured in just one night?!

I... I even had to bow my head to this elemental!

Why are you looking at me like that?! That's not all!

I had to grovel and beg that thing for my life!!!

Mayor! To think you went through such hardship...! This is the first time bowing to another race since our failed Earth conquest...

Shut up!

Uh... huh?!

What did you guys do to make Sylla end up like this?!

W-we didn't do anything!!

Are the elementals who went to the factory theme park really okay?

They're fine! We showed you the water elemental employment contract before, Noble Elemental!

That's true... but can I really trust this?

It's the truth!

Hey, Master! You saw it yourself! Don't just stand there, say something!

Yeah... If anything, I was even a bit jealous of the elementals.

R-really? Alright then...

W-what?! Betrayal at a time like this! You truly are a wicked human!

P-Pulling a Tallulah like that...! You humans are pretty slick, huh?

Anyway... neither them nor we are the problem!

What do you mean?

While I was kidnapped, I did some deduction with my genius brain.

Even if elementals have a strong instinct to protect nature... attacking Elias's denizens is unnatural.

That's right! The denizens living in Elias are also part of Elias's nature.

The wind elemental's logic has some holes!

What a surprise?! There's actually a sprite who can think...

Elves can be quite clever too, hehe...

Even we elves, as outsiders, calculate nature's self-purification capacity and don't release waste and smoke beyond the limit or more!

But we're always keeping things at just the right level where elementals are unsure whether to attack or not!

...

I'm out. If I say anything more, my position might be in danger...

Hey! So what's the conclusion? What did you figure out?

That wind elemental... isn't in her right mind!

...

...

Are you all ignoring the mayor's surprisingly ordinary and simple conclusion?!

Tch tch... Don't you understand what "not in her RIGHT mind" means?

It means 'these actions weren't done of her own will'!

If an elemental binding spell had worked, that would be a plausible theory... but she easily resisted my magical powers...

But what if a being of equal power attempted it?

What?

N-No way...

Heh!

Ehehehe!

Wow! Y'all are actually using your heads?

Someone's above Sylla...!

Pretty impressive? I'd like to give you a sticker or something, but I don't have time to make one.

Shaydi!

Not an elemental, a phantom.

Shaydi! What did you do to Sylla?!

What did I do... I just followed Sylla around.

I just followed wherever Sylla went and did some 'suffering elemental impressions'...

What...?

Ah... Please save me, Sylla...

Sylla... My body is too hot! Even for me, a fire elemental, 800 degrees in the oven is too hot!!

Hey, Sylla! After all these years, you're still so naive! Honestly, I didn't think this would actually work! Hihihi!

All those sounds were from you...?

I should thank that witch! To be able to trick the noble Sylla, a Noble among Noble Elementals, so easily...

Witch? Did you say witch?

Ordered? Don't insult me. Do I look like a phantom who takes orders from anyone?

Well...

Why should I tell you?

Huhhh?

What? You already figured it out? Why are you asking about something you already know?

Master! How did you know?

And you didn't tell me?

Hey! I can handle at least that much!!

Shaydi...!!!

Why are you glaring at me like that? Honestly, isn't this what you wanted to do every day you looked down on the races below the mountain?

Sylla, if you enjoyed it too, you should be cool about this little prank!

A prank? I won't let this slide! Making me attack Yggdrasil's creations!

So what are you going to do about it? Hit me? Aren't I also one of Yggdrasil's creations?

Shaydi!!!!!!

Ah... time for my exit. I better head home before the ever-serious Sylla scolds me. Well then, bye!

She disappeared...!

Hmm... Quite a troublesome one has been causing this mess, hasn't she?

Anyway, I've proven my point, so nobody can argue with that, right? Hehe.

As expected of our mayor! You're truly amazing!

To have such brilliant ideas even while being held hostage...!

Ugh... this bootlicking elf gives me the creeps.

But why don't I have anyone sucking up to me?

Would you... want that?

Sylla, calm down! Where are you trying to go?!

Let go! I won't let that Shaydi get away with this!

Calm down!! What do you think you can do by going into the phantom realm alone!

That's right! Now is not the time for revenge! Gabia might still be in the cave...!

Get out of my way!!

She flew away like an arrow.

What should we do now!

Unless Sylla stops them, Ifrit will continue her Rampage...

I'll... try to stop her. I'll find Gabia and together we'll prevent Ifrit from leaving the mountain...

You go find Sylla. Calm her down and send her back to Elemental Mountain!

Sylla isn't so bad.

You heard it earlier too. Sylla attacked you all purely because of Shaydi's manipulation.

Ugh... she looked really terrifying even though she claimed to have come to her senses...

Please, you're the only ones who can bring Sylla back while I hold off Ifrit!

Mmm... thank you.

I suppose... we should help too.

If phantoms cause trouble like this, it reduces the workforce at our factory.

We need more labor force for infrastructure improvements over the next 10 years!

Ah, no! We'll leave as soon as we find a way out, but until then, we need to keep working on our plans for staying here.

Then I'll be counting on you, mayor!

Yes, and I'm counting on Chief Canna to handle the sprites!

S-Sorry?

What are you saying! Of course field work is for subordinates!

I meant I'd send Canna as my representative. You didn't misunderstand that, did you?

Indeed. Did you delude yourself that our noble mayor would travel to such a remote location?

The mayor also needs to attend mental therapy sessions for the kidnapping trauma!

M-Mayor! M-my... vacation starts tomorrow...

Vacation can wait! Your mission starts right now!

Argh...!

Good, that's settled then. Amelia, let's head back and leave the troublesome work to our subordinates!

Yes, Mayor!

They really never change...

Ugh... is my vacation... cancelled again...?

Sprite Master.

Just in case... here, take my communication device.

Press 1 to connect directly with the mayor, but only call for important matters.

I'll do my best to help Sylla too.

Master! Are you sure we can just go like this?

...Didn't we actually get a lot of help from others to call it "by ourselves"?

I'm just stating the facts...!

I think she just assigned anyone because she didn't want to be bothered...

My first vacation after 250 days... ugh...