Book Eater

Chapter 95: State Guests of Elvenheim (1)

The magic kingdom, Meltor, had more magicians than any other country on the northern continent. Those magicians had studied magic with the zeal of a scientist, forming a magic system that could be called the root of Meltor’s prosperity. Compared to combat focused aura, magic was versatile in many areas, allowing Meltor to rival the Andras Empire despite their scarcer land and resources.

However, there was one area that magicians avoided like the plague. Politics, where schemes and deceit abounded.

I was called for a political reason.

Theo looked at himself in the mirror as he dressed himself in now familiar robes. Magicians were used to wearing robes, but the minor ornaments and complicated fabric didn’t fit Theo’s tastes. Did it have to take a few minutes to get dressed? If etiquette hadn’t demanded more from him, he would’ve just worn the robe over his casual clothes.

“Well, this is enough.”

He tied the last knot and pulled the cord hanging from the ceiling.

Rattle!

An attendant entered the room like he had been waiting. His keen eyes scrutinized Theo’s clothing quickly. By default, an immature young man shouldn’t be aware of the nuances of court etiquette.

If Theo made a mistake, then the attendant wouldn’t be able to avoid blame. Yet, Theo had refused his help and said he was going to dress by himself. However, the attendant could see that Theo’s clothing was completely perfect.

“... Theodore, I will guide you to the audience room.”

At first, the attendant was surprised, but he then remembered that the person in front of him was a noble and regained his composure. It was both true and false, but the man didn’t have anything else to explain what he was seeing. The Miller family was now a great noble family.

Theodore didn’t know about the thoughts running through the attendant’s mind and walked through the familiar corridors of the palace. It was the same path he had walked half a year ago, and he still remembered where the statues were located. Frankly, he really didn’t need the attendant’s help. He had a mental map of the whole palace, with the exception of the restricted areas.

“Theodore.”

“Oh, we’ve arrived.”

They had arrived while he had been woolgathering. Theo looked up to see the eagle engraved on the door. It was a symbol that only a few rooms, including the audience room, were marked with. In contrast, the important areas of the magic towers were marked with animals known for their wisdom. Did the tower masters have a turtle or an owl? It was a question for later, as the door opened.

Kkiiik...

It wasn’t very loud, since the hinges were well greased, but every head snapped to focus on the newest arrival.

Theo stiffened as a myriad of gazes fell on him.

What… why’s the mood like this today?

Theo had certainly become a celebrity in his own way, but he wasn’t special when compared to those who had gathered here. Meltor’s finest were arrayed before him, and any random person would be a high-ranking noble or court official. Yet the weight of their gazes were different from usual. It was beyond the level for the court ball or duel.

His questions only increased as the attendant gestured to a seat.

“Theodore, you will be sitting here today.”

“... A senior seat?”

“Yes, I was ordered to seat you here.”

Theo looked around, puzzled. He was being given a senior seat while most of the lords were sitting in lower seats. Theodore couldn’t see any viscounts, and there were only a few marquises around him. Even a magician had to be at least an elder to sit here. It was almost unprecedented to have someone of Theo’s stature to have such a high ranking seat. So it wouldn’t be unusual for him to receive resentment from the people sitting in the lower seats. However, none of them protested Theo’s seat.

This was his first experience sitting in such a luxurious seat. The silk material of the chair wasn’t much different from the others, but the air felt different.

A few moments after he sat down, someone slung a hot arm around his neck. “Hey kid. Have you been well?”

His skin tingled. There was only one person who drove mana so crazy.

“... Tower Master.”

The red hair of the Red Tower Master, Veronica, tickled Theo’s ears. It was a voice he hadn’t heard since he had thrown himself into special training. He leaned back reflexively, and Veronica laughed.

“Come on, is this your first time sitting in a senior seat?”

It still wasn’t a good enough distance for his heart.

Theo spoke to her as he tried to calm down, “It has been a long time... but Tower Master?”

Veronica’s eyes were scanning the room. “Hmm?”

“Do you know why I was placed in a senior seat?”

Veronica’s eyes widened at his words as she looked at him, then she nodded in sudden understanding. “Aha, you came without knowing anything? Indeed, it isn’t a matter that would be passed on. It seems like the others used other methods to know in advance.”

She glanced around and chuckled under her breath as she felt some people pressuring her with level gazes. Veronica had pierced right through them. That was indeed the reason the nobles silently accepted Theo’s seat.

Veronica looked at them like they were pathetic and said, “Obviously, your position isn’t high enough to sit here yet. It should only be a matter of time, but not quite yet. However, today you are the most eligible person to sit here.”

“Today?”

Veronica grinned. “Yes. They didn’t come for Meltor; they came to see Theodore Miller.”

Before he could realize the significance of those words, the royal knight near the throne cleared his throat.

“His Majesty―! The king is coming―!”

Dozens of people rose to their feet and bowed as Kurt III appeared from beyond the curtain. As always, Kurt III skipped the formal procedures and sat down on the throne. He waited until everyone was seated before starting to speak.

“First, I want to thank everyone for responding so quickly to the sudden summons. This situation is unexpected, but I want you to know that it is an important turning point for this country. I expect some of you are already aware, but others aren’t. So, I will summarize it simply.”

He turned toward the upper seats, towards Theo.

“An envoy from Elvenheim has arrived. For the first time in history, they have come to extend a hand in friendship rather than trade. We will be meeting that envoy shortly.”

The noise in the room gradually rose as people started murmuring excitedly.

The country of elves, Elvenheim, wasn’t completely cut off from the outside. The elves maintained a moderate mutually beneficial relationship with the human species on the continent, but the humans didn’t have any real friendship with the elves.

Elvenheim’s goods were so unique that they couldn’t be produced anywhere else, and the elves accepted the rapidly developing human civilization. However, friendship had always been rejected.

“F-Friendship...?!”

“If this is true, the climate in the north will change!”

“I didn’t think that Elvenheim would come out with this...”

Elvenheim didn’t ally themselves with any country, nor did they become enemies with them. They stayed neutral and just watched the wars and alliances of other countries. The Great Forest at their borders made it possible for them to exist as a third power.

Andras or Meltor could advance into Elvenheim, but they couldn’t afford to risk exposing their rear to the other. However, that balance was now going to topple.

Once the people settled down, Kurt III clapped several times and looked toward the entrance of the hall.

“Come in.”

Everyone remained silent. This was the moment when Elvenheim’s envoy, the person who could change this era, would be revealed. They couldn’t help feeling tense. Even Theodore couldn’t help gulping due to the tension which had spread in the room.

Finally, the envoy from Elvenheim appeared.

“Umm...!”

“Is that the envoy...?”

Blonde hair that was closer to silver flowed down the envoy’s shoulders, while their nose and eyes were as perfect as a statue. The elf was the embodiment of beauty, as their flawless skin peeked out from their soft clothing and mysteriously flexible armor. All eyes were captivated by their appearance, but Theo admired the person in another way.

He could see the elementals dancing around the elf.

“Twenty-three? No, more than that...”

“The kid noticed as well.” Veronica heard Theo’s soft muttering as she looked at the elf with narrowed eyes. “A Spiritual Sentinel, the guardians of spirits? The cowards in the forest sent quite a big shot.”

Theo glanced at her. “Sentinel? What is that.”

Veronica kept her eyes on the elf. “It is a title used among the elves for elite elementalists who can handle senior elementals and the highest ranked elven warriors. In other words, a master.”

Veronica’s voice was calm, but Theo was taken aback.

A Spiritual Sentinel was equivalent to a sword master or a 7th Circle magician! If Veronica was correct, the envoy didn’t need anyone to accompany them. A master was enough to represent the country.

The envoy came to a halt and bowed respectfully. “I recognize the owner of Meltor, the magic kingdom. Edwin, the son of the third Beech Clan in Elvenheim greets you. Forgive me for any rude manners.”

Kurt III smiled easily. “We don’t know the courtesies of the forest either. Edwin, I sincerely welcome you to Meltor.”

It was a gracious greeting, unlike with the Andras Empire. The envoy introduced himself as Edwin without losing any grace, while Kurt III showed his dignity as the king, but he never pressed the other person.

Edwin ceremonially gave a tribute, which Kurt III accepted. Thus, the basic greetings were completed.

As the atmosphere turned toward a conversation, Kurt III carefully probed, “Elvenheim is our neighbor, but it is still a distant land. You don’t intend to get close to humans for purposes other than trade, and I think we have respected that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty's words are correct.”

“So, I have to wonder. For what reason did my neighbor come such a long way?”

Edwin raised his head like he had been waiting for those words. There was no need to look in any direction, since he could feel the elementals around Theo. It was a fragrance which all elves could smell, irrespective of their power.

Edwin looked at Kurt III and said powerfully “I have come here to pay back the person who saved the clan’s sixth dancer, Ellenoa, and to invite him and his companions as state guests of the Elvenheim kingdom!”