There was no huge benefit to Nazarick here. If there was one, he would’ve spoken up, lay claim to anything worthwhile, and help keep the villagers alive. But the dark elves just weren’t worth the effort. If their loss was no big deal, then why lift a finger?
It had occurred to him to suggest they surrender to the Theocracy, but that was not for him to say. He had no clue if that would actually save their lives or lead to any happy outcome.
“Your input is greatly appreciated,” the elder said, turning away from Ainz to the assembled crowd. “Does anyone else have something to say?”
No one argued.
Looked like they were going with his proposal.
They moved on to how many they should send and who and where the rest should go.
Since they’d mentioned consulting the other villagers, perhaps it was too soon to settle those questions. But once the other villages were on board, it would be too late.
Ainz stood watching this, unsure how he should feel.
Having his idea adopted was satisfying on some level, but it failed to bring the joy of a successful pitch. Perhaps because he’d had no clear goal in mind.
He wasn’t leading them toward anything that would benefit Nazarick; he’d just been stuck in a position where he had to say something. He’d prefer to back out here and leave the rest of the decision-making to them. And—time was running out. He wanted to get going.
“If you’ll excuse me, I think my role here is done. I’ll go check in on the kids.”
“You’ve been a great help to us,” the eldest elder said. “We’ll hash out the details here and then relay the proposal to the other villages.”
No need to be obsequious about it, Ainz thought.
“May I ask that you not include my name?” he said.
“Wh-whyever not?”
“If they learn the suggestion came from someone who’s not from this village and has little to do with this forest’s dark elves, there may be those who reject the idea out of hand.”
That was not the real reason. He simply wanted to avoid incurring unneeded grudges.
“They would never! Our forests may be different, but our ancestors are the same. No one would think less of your ideas. But—I’ll do as you suggest and leave your name out.”
“Glad to hear it. Well, it’s a little sooner than expected, but I think it’s high time we left the village and headed on home.”
“What?!”
“An abrupt departure, I realize, but if anything happened to the kids, I’d be letting their mother down.”
“…If they’re making you this cautious, Fior, I take it these humans are powerful indeed?”
This momentarily baffled him, but then he realized that given their skill levels, the implication that they were fleeing the war had suggested they feared the Theocracy’s might.
“That, I can’t say. I’m pretty sure we could handle most threats, but it’s not like I know every champion the humans have or can predict the outcome of a major conflict like this. I’m simply avoiding any risks we don’t have to take.”
The elders nodded.
“It’s a shame to leave, but once we’re packed, we’ll be on our way.”
“Then…at least a farewell dinner…? We never even held the welcoming one, so it would shame us to let you leave without any show of hospitality.”
“No, no, don’t trouble yourselves. The situation being what it is, we couldn’t possibly add to your burden.”
They went back and forth a few times on this point, and finally he scored a victory by insisting this was hardly the last time they’d meet. Blueberry was doing a weird dance in the corner of his vision—perhaps he’d planned to show that off during the banquet.
Ainz made to walk off, but the eldest elder stopped him.
“Um, Fior, I meant to ask this away from prying ears, and it’s unrelated to the matter at hand, but do you mind?”
“What?”
“Are you married?”
Ainz blinked at him.
“If not, are you at all inclined to wed someone from this village?”
A quick glance around found no dark elves opposed to the notion. The women actually looked rather hopeful. It wasn’t that they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the village—they were outright in favor of the idea.
Ainz didn’t know a lot about women. Actually, he knew nothing about them. But he felt quite sure these smiles were not just for show.
“N-no, thanks. Honestly, I have a number of girls interested in me already. It’s a real hassle, ha-ha.”
This ambush had rattled him, and he wasn’t exactly picking his words carefully. The elder appeared unperturbed.
“Is that so? Well, it’s only natural a man of your considerable skills would capture the interest of many ladies.”
Talent certainly affected people’s prospects in human society, too. Judging by the reaction here, that was even more pronounced in this dangerous locale. But his excuse seemed to have convinced everyone.
There was only one last thing to say.
“We may be leaving here, but if you chose to abandon your village and flee to my city, I wouldn’t mind lending a helping hand. You only need to say the word. Might be a few months from now, but I plan to come back in due time. If you’ve been forced to leave the place behind, bury a map of your new location outside the tree I borrowed.”
“……We’re all hoping it won’t come to that, but if it does, thank you.”
The elders bowed their heads, and the rest of the dark elves followed their lead.
Once their heads were back up, Ainz said, “Then this is me,” and bowed his head once, followed by a deeper bow to the apothecary master.
Then he walked away.
No one called after him—he hadn’t expected anyone to—and he kept going until he was out of sight.
There, he found Aura and Mare waiting, obviously done pretending he was their uncle. They were clearly back in floor-guardian mode. Aura even gave him a quick look over, her eyes watchful.
“Lord Ainz, I’m glad you’re safe. Did they do something to you? I caught a strange vibe from you shortly before you headed our way. Like a hunter nocking a bow.”
He could think of only one reason.
“Uh, there was an awkward moment. The ladies may have set their sights on me. But don’t worry—I talked myself out of it.”
“You…did? I’m still sensing a strange tension… It might even be getting stronger…”
Ainz frowned. He’d thought the women looked convinced, but perhaps he’d misread things. But he didn’t know what else to do. They were leaving. No better approach existed.
“I should probably have asked this first, but is anyone monitoring us now?”
“No, we’re fine,” Aura declared.
That meant they were in the clear. Aura had known that, which was why she’d acted this way.
“I’m sure you heard the discussion?”
“Yes, Lord Ainz. I’ve already relayed the matter to Mare.”
Better to head back to the house they’d borrowed than talk here. But it was possible the two of them had picked up on something Ainz had missed. If so, it would be egg on his face, but he might have to turn back and rejoin the discussion. In which case, heading to their tree would delay that even further. For that reason, it was worth the risk of talking here.
“Anything catch your attention? Feel free to share.”
The twins exchanged glances.