Chapter 14: The village chief, Muraosa.
1 gold = 60,000 yen. 1 silver = 1200 yen. 1 copper = 40 yen.
That is the approximate value.
Prices of Ed were used as reference.

“That’s great syril! It ended peacefully.”

As soon as we returned to the house, the calm Lucie was overcome with emotion and hugged me with a cry.
All these time, she seemed to be more worried about myself than me.

“Lucie, it’s has not finished safety yet. The real thing is the war against the empire. This is still the prelude.”

“However, Syril will no longer disappear suddenly.”

Her voice has turned tearful.
Looking at such an adorable Lucie, I gently hit her head.

“If Syril disappears, I will be alone.”

“Its okay, you will not be alone….Until last month, this house was livelier too.”

In the previous collection, Lucie’s grandmother who was our foster parent, and her sister 4 years younger was taken.

As for the happy family of 4, it is just the 2 of us now. It’s impossible not to be lonely. Although Lucie was behaving strongly for my sake.

“Will you really stay?”

“I promise. If its Lucie, even if I disappear, there are a lot of men wanting you as their bride.”

Lucie is 14 years old. It is the age of marriage in this village.
And even among elves who are relatively beautiful, Lucie is an exceptional beauty.  There are probably no single elves that have not proposed to Lucie by now.

“I don’t want that. I do not want such a relation except with Syril.”

“It is fine with me.”

“I have nothing to say.”

Although it was avoided, nevertheless it’s good.
Somethings are transmitted even without words.

“Lucie is really light. You must eat more meat. I have to get a good game from hunting.”

Putting my hands under her arms and lifting her up, I am surprise at her lightness.
Closely monitoring her health condition become my daily duty.

Her vitamin deficiency has become considerably better. However, although its good to be slender, you are a little too thin. There’s no helping it since field work is done while taking plain food.
Wild boars lives in the mountain. Deer meat is good, but in the case of nutrition taken, wild boar has fat which will be better.

“You must not only eat it only among the 2 of us. Lets distribute it together with everyone properly. I must make a serving of dried jerky before its too late.”

Crops are not raised during winter when snow piles up, and hunting also only occurs during days when the weather is good. In addition, since we must head back before the weather in the mountain changes, big games are rarely obtained.

Therefore when the harvest of wheat ends in the elf village and taxes are paid, woman and children prepares the field for next year and men widen the field while hunting in the mountains for deer, wild boars, rabbits and frog.

And those are made into precious winter food by drying them in the sun.
However during this period, game are not caught by primitive bow and knife. Elves in groups of 4 to 5 and hunting dogs stay in the mountain for 2 to 3 days, and a deer may be caught if one is lucky. It is also painful that powerful archers have died during the previous battle.

Still in my case, disregarding the influence on the ecosystem, around 10 should be hunted.

“Everyone’s portion is taken into consideration properly. However, I want Lucie to eat the most delicious parts first. That prerequisite is agreeable, right?”

“Why do you go to that extent for me, Syril? To teach me everything and train me, although its lovely.”

“That is because I like Lucie.”

Such a thing is obvious.
I conveyed my truthful feeling to Lucie.

“That’s unfair. Though I cannot say it so honestly with simple words.”

Lucie puffed her cheeks while being lifted by me. I gently lowered Lucie to the ground.

“At that time, you should do it this way then. Therefore, such a thing is enough. I have decided to not hold back my feeling, and to do all that needs to be done.”

“To do all that needs to be done….. its a good phrase. I have to follow it too.”

“First of all, how about starting from honestly saying your feelings for me?”

“Because of those words, I can’t say it anymore!”

It seems like I have somehow touched the nerves of the princess. I faced away.

“I’m waiting patiently. Now, I am still able to do various things.”

“You have a bad expression. Are you still plotting something?”

“Yes, various things. If it goes well, it will become easier to move in this village.”

Quickly, but without being hasty, I prepared a strategic move to create a situation.

—.

Two days has pa.s.sed since I displayed the crossbows.
During that time, I dug a well by using [Rinne Kaiki] and transforming into dwarf Kuiro.

“It is absurd going to the forest every morning just to draw water.”

To think of it, until now,  by carrying a heavy water jar and entering the mountains just to obtain spring water from so far away, it is really troublesome.

By using Syril’s water magic during daytime, I am able to grasp the flow of ground water and investigate the water quality. After confirming that it could make drinking water and that there was no fear of land subsidence, I dug a hole with dwarf kuiro and baked the hole to harden the water well.
I thought of making a pump, but as long as water can be seen, everyone in the village will be able to draw it up with water magic easily, thus it is left just as it is.
It was a simple project, but it was quite popular.

I pushed forward preparation for the “special” arrow while increasing the production of crossbow used for the battle against humans and repeated such trifling contributions.
However, the vital plan of the village has not been decided yet. That is because the village chief have not given a nod to the fight against the empire.
Dissatisfaction are piling up among the villagers. Even opinions of changing the village chief has been made.

I’m moving behind the scenes to expand that voice.
During treatment,

“Talks of changing the village chief seems to have spread.” are said every time, and

“Rumors are saying that the honey mead in the food taken away has all been drunk by village chief alone.” Such talks are said.

In addition, “So far, I think guys that were hated by the chief were used in the exchange for magic stones.” Gossips and facts are mixed into conversations.

During peace time, everyone ignores such talks and that will be it.
However, when done to the state of the village today, it spreads in no time at all. Spreading rumors changes the common knowledge within elves and corners the village chief mentally.
Even if there is no direct action, animosity is introduced. In addition, I can imagine what would happen if a villager is stimulated now.

The village chief cannot say to fight against the empire. Currently, with the most luxurious treatment in the elf village, one cannot cast away a life where safety and security is guaranteed.
On the other hand, words to completely abide by the empire cannot be uttered as well, since it is not known what the villagers will be capable of in that case.
While time is spent without saying anything, the situation worsens steadily.
It is a dead end for the village chief now.
I scattered a poisonous bait there. I made them choose the easy third choice, and destruction is waiting for them beyond that.

–

It was late at night.
When sleeping, a part of my consciousness is always awake and making links with mana of the wind.
It’s a habit of time when I was on the battlefield. Sleeping deeply is the most dangerous. Furthermore, I am in a position of grudge now.
Thus, once more, I am monitoring another trap.
Mana of the wind gives an alarm.
The prey was caught in the trap at last.

“Now, I thought it might be a little longer, but it was surprisingly impatient.”

Opening my eyes, alignment with mana of wind allows me to boost my vision and acquire information.
A lone carriage was trying to leave the village even though it’s late at night.
I had installed a device beforehand surrounding the village, made from thin metal box with iron b.a.l.l.s inside, that will make a noisy sound if the wind blows strongly against it.
And I blow the wind with all my strength.

When sound echos within the village, elves of the village get up wondering, and rushed out of their houses.
I also hurry and got out, kicking the earth. Of course, it’s high speed movement with the help of mana of the wind.
Arriving at the entrance of the village in a moment, I struck a daunting pose in front of a carriage swaying left and right to calm the frantic horses surprised by the noise.

“What is happened this late at night? Village chief.”

Bearing a desperate smile, I asked in a gentle tone.

“Syril, Why!? Get out of there!”

The coachman is the village chief. Inside the carriage are his wife, son and daughter-in-law.

“Get out? Is there anything in a hurry? My question has not been answer.”

“Shut up! Step aside or be die by being run over!”

Finally calming the horse with the whip, village chief rushes forward.
Its funny thinking that I would be done for with only a horse.
I tripped the horse with wind. Since the horse was innocent, I did not harm its legs by causing it to fall on its stomach.
And as according to plan, the platform fell over, spilling its contents around.
In addition to valuable honey mead, pepper and salt, dried meat, wheat and a heavy sounding leather bag was there too… planted by me.

“Hey, what’s wrong!”

Villagers came over here.
Now, the situation was complete.

“Well, I had operated the trap thinking that soldiers of the empire had invaded the village, though it’s just the village chief leaving in a horse drawn carriage late at night, and by greeting out I was ran over by this carriage. So I instinctively resisted.”

“This is not a trivial matter.”

The number of curious onlookers are increasing. Now, shall I sprinkle the trigger?

“So chief, why at this time of the day?”

My question did not get a response, only cold sweat poured out.
In that case, shall I collect circ.u.mstantial evidence?

“On the carriage, not just alcohol, pepper, but there are also valuables and considerably valuable jerky and wheat. Is that the portion for 4 people for 2 weeks?”

Villagers with good intuition are beginning to understand my words.

“And isn’t this leather bag the cash I took from the supply base?”

Other than food and weapons, the supply base also holds coins.
As the priority is low, I wasn’t able to look for it very much and was able to take only a minimum, but still there are 200 pieces of silver coins (240,000 yen equivalent) to 50 pieces of gold coins (3 million yen equivalent).
Moreover, there was another bag upon closer inspection. I did not know about this one.
If is filled with silver and copper coins when opened. Although money is rarely spent in elf village, the minimum arrangements must be prepared just in case. And that was taken out.

“Well village chief, why are you purposely taking your family, valuables and money to escape from the village with a horse drawn carriage in the middle of the night?

“I, er.., I was, I was going to buy some food at ELIN just like previously. “There is anxiety about the village’s reserve supplies, with the food supplies stolen by Syril.
I was going to raise purchase funds by selling alcohol and pepper.”

“Is that so? If I were to take all the village’s a.s.sets and valuables just before the war against the empire, surely I would judge to be running away to ELIN, you know.”

Before the rule of the empire, I went to the large city ELIN that belongs to the opposite empire Colline to sell produced goods such as crops, jerky and beast skin, and purchase essentials beside gold and salt.
Salt is obtained from the neighboring village of Firefox by bantering with various items.

The village chief insisted that he was doing that.

“I won’t do such a thing, I’m the village chief.”

“I see, what does every one think of the village chief’s words? I get particularly angry when such an poor excuse is used seriously.”

I could see murderous intent arising in the eyes of the surrounding villagers.
Where in the world would a fool bring his wife, son and daughter in law to go shopping?
Where is the reason to sneak out expressly late at night?

They also do not understand the reason for needing 2 weeks of food.
In the first place, the village chief does not need to buy it himself.
There is too much strange points to be believed.

“I.., I..!”

“Just give up, chief. Its unless no matter how much you try to say. You betrayed everyone in the village even though you are the village mayor.
You took the a.s.sets of the village and tried to save yourself.
I wonder if we have a reason to let you off?”

I swear with anger. And laughed at the chief in my heart. This man moves according to my desires too much.

This man has no capacity as the village chief. But simply became the successor because my father die, and became merely a tool for the empire, only knowing about causing fear and being fed by the empire, and growing fat without thinking.
It isn’t just that.

Being in a position to choose which elf to kill must have surely been comfortable. One can look as a mere spectator only from a safe area.
It’s impossible for such a person to fight. He bears no grudges to the empire unlike other villagers.
Yet, it is unlikely he can be patient when villagers criticize him regarding the war.
This man cannot even accept the villager’s dissatisfaction.

At such a time, there is suddenly such a temptingly large amount of money on hand. With so much, I can move to a new land. That kind of dream. That’s the poison I scattered.

It wasn’t his own decision to run away to ERIN. That is the result of feeding information through close aide. Everything was to peacefully remove this evil chief in order to easily move this village.

“That’s right. I’m running away.  Is that bad?! I’m the village chief!
This village’s things are my things!  What’s bad about my own freedom!
It is thanks to me that the village have not perish up till now!
Isn’t this amount of fringe benefit fine? I do not want to die.
I’ll have no part in fighting against the empire.”

Each and every word touches the villager’s nerve.
I suspect whether it’s deliberate, but I could tell with those bloodshot eyes and flushed face that he was serious.

“I understand the feeling of not wanting to fight.
It’s okay. Running away is okay too.”

I’m slowly preparing the middle ground.
The village chief looks relieved at my words.

“But the carriage is not allowed to be taken since it’s the a.s.set of the village. The same goes for honey mead and pepper. Since it is scheduled to be distributed to each home before winter comes, you may take your portion of jerky and wheat. I’ll prepare the bag to carry those.”

“Wha, What are you talking about? What kind of authority do you have to say that!”

“On the contrary, you who escaped from the village still have the face to act as our chief? You are already no longer a villager. I am showing mercy by donating food.”

His face looks like a pigeon that ate a peashooter.

“Is everyone ok with that? Even though its a former villager, its hard to kill him.”

“Wait, please wait, isn’t that the same as telling me to die?! How can I go to ERIN without a horse?”

“Regarding that, I do not know.”

I declared coldly.
There isn’t a person who will protect the village chief at this place. He tried to steal money and valuable food of the village and escape. The fellow who can permit it is a saint.

“Return, please allow me to return! When I’m not here, this village will be without a leader! Wouldn’t it be troublesome without a leader?”

The village chief changed from a c.o.c.ky att.i.tude to a negotiating one.
ERIN is closer to the empire by about 150km. But, there is a paved road to the empire here while to ERIN, one has to go over a steep, unpaved mountain.

The trip is considerably hard even with a horse. It is no joke to go on foot.
That’s why KORINE kingdom did not attempt to rule the village of elves. This is because even though 1 carriage can somehow go over the mountain, a surprise attack is impossible.

“It’s alright, we will be able to manage somehow even if you are gone. Did you forget? I have received education to become a village chief from father. I will a.s.sist the next village chief.
If that’s insufficient, everyone will support as well.”

As expected, it is unacceptable for someone like me who is not even 14 yet to announce candidacy to become the village chief, but it would be easy to make the new chief follow my words.
I have placed myself successfully as the chief’s a.s.sistance and secured a steady income.
With this, this village will move according to my will.

“Then, isn’t it fine to just make Syril the village chief?”

However, words from Roreu, the best villager, resounded.

“You’re right. Syril knows everything.”

“That’s right. Syril has to be the only one leading us.”

“Syril’s father was a really good chief too.”

One after another, voices recommend me as a village chief.
That is unexpected. I thought it was impossible to become the village chief directly.
I feel a slight fuzzy sensation. I had a dream of becoming an excellent village chief like my father since young. That is almost coming true in this form.

“Wait! Are you insane! Because of what brother did, you forgot how many died! Syril is that brother’s son!”

The village chief points to me and yells.
An inferiority complex for my father instigates the village chief.
That has always been the reaction when being compared. That distorted the man’s fate.

“My father was defeated. However, I am not defeated.”

“Anything can be said with just the mouth.”

It is certainly so. Even my father’s intention when fighting was to win.

“I actually made a weapon.”

“Similar to your father, showing hope, instigating your surrounding to get involved and killed like your father. That speech manner and method of thinking is totally like brother. You will repeat the same thing too!”

I can’t think of a good response. My thoughts are dull and hazy. It may be because I feel indebted to my father. I am unable to speak clearly.
In theory, I can deny as much as I like. However, emotions gets in the way.
It draws out too much of Syril from me.
It’s useless here. Because of that, my confidence fades. One cannot step forward without understanding one’s head. The courage is insufficient.
However…

“Syril doesn’t only talk!”

Lucie’s shouting is echoing around.
The haze in my head was cleared by these words.

“Syril has brought about results. He has obtained food. Weapon has been prepared. All the way, curing injury and illness and making our work easier. That Syril said we can win! That’s why I believe it.”

As usual, the degree of honesty in Lucie’s words cannot be helped. Other than me, it propagate around.
Lucie gave a last push to the lacking me.
Come to think of it, it was Lucie who always pushed my back when I stopped. While intending to protect, I was always protected.

I shed a smile. Nothing is scary anymore.

“I do not say things which cannot be done. What ever I said has been done. And I will do so from now too.
I, We will win.”

Without raising my voice, as a matter of fact, I said it rather gently, but it came out properly.

It is truly important to have feelings in the end. Thus, the surrounding became my supporter due to Lucie.
Cheers break out all around. One by one believed in victory. A bright future was drawn within their head by themselves.
The voice of village chief is not heard anymore.

“Where did I make a mistake?”

The village chief says so and collapses.
I turned my back on the village chief and turned around towards elves who have gathered.

『You have not made a mistake.』

The village chief have no choice but to do that. Most people would choose the same path. To say it forcefully, an ordinary person was chosen to lead the people. That’s the village chief’s sin.

And so, an ambitious smile floated to my mouth as my mouth opened.
Different from the course, I have to declare my own will.

“The people of elves. I, Syril of the wind spirit, hereby swear in the name of our great founder, Shurano emperor.
To lead everybody and bring about prosperity in becoming the new chief.”

It is the most important vow in the clan of an elf.
While interpersonal promises are swore to the world tree, an oath on an official occasion is promised to Shurano, the forefather of the high elves.

Certain amount of resolution is needed to do this. This oath has continued on countless occasions ever since the birth of elves and overlaps repeatedly, and is close to a spell instead of just being normal words. The soul would be deeply damaged if it was broken.

I did it for the sake of conveying my feelings.
Surrounding elves got down on one knee, and made a fist with their right hand while pushing it against their left chest. This is the highest ranking salute for an elf.

This is proof that acknowledges me becoming the village chief.
With this, I became a village chief both in name and reality.
That means my shoulders bears the weight of the lives of 200 elves.  That’s what’s called the responsibility for standing at the top.

However, this weight is pleasant.
This village must be protected without fail. Well,  I will show it changing into a better village.

“Therefore, please follow me. Dear people of the elves!”

“King!!”

Powerful voices are overlapping each other.
And here, village chief Syril is born now.
This was what I imaged in my childhood dream.