Since the elf’s house was located right beside the lord’s mansion and that the people know of its existence we began to ask around a bit as we slowly approached the mansion
I heard that whenever the elf came to town for a bite to eat, he would be surrounded by a team of guards. They were probably a protective measure against outlandish individuals.
However, there were also stories of the elf researcher pacifying drunken adventures that acted violently.
At the center of the town, I was able to catch a glimpse of a spectacular rectangular building that was surrounded by a large wall.
The researcher was said to be living in a house on the feudal lord’s property. There was a portcullis attached to the gate and four guards were standing outside to keep watch.
I doubted that we could easily break through the front, but I was also hesitating about trying to sneak in. This was a little different from our usual situation.
For the time being, let’s just walk up to the gate.
The four guards were instantly alarmed when they saw us heading straight towards them. The guards moved into a semicircle formation and raised their spears against us to block our path. It would be impossible to not be suspicious of a knight that stood over two meters tall with a green fox on his head and a cloaked woman whose face was completely covered.
“Excuses me, we’d like to have a word with the elf that is said to live here……”
The guards’ tension rose another notch when they heard me speak.
“No one is allowed to meet with Casey-dono without an appointment. You should leave right now.”
The blunt response of the guard could be considered normal given the circumstances. I looked over my shoulder to Ariane to see what she’d do.
She apparently thought that talking would be a waste of time considering the way the discussion was going, and stepped in front of the guards placing her hands on her hood.
“I am a messenger from the Great Canada Forest and I wish to see Casey-dono!”
She threw off her hood and revealed her pointed ears, snow white hair and lilac skin. As she stared them down with her golden eyes framed by her sharp lashes, the four guards silently stood there with gaping mouths.
Another guard appeared from inside the building. His equipment was a bit better and he was in good shape considering his apparently advanced age. Raising his voice he started yelling at the guards to get them moving again.
“Oiii, you stupid lot! Go report this to the lord and Casey-dono!”
The guards finally regained their motor functions and two of them quickly set off to deliver the message, even tripping along the way.
“Please follow me while the lord is informed of your arrival.”
The elderly man, who seemed to be the captain of the guard, led us inside the walls and offered us a seat on the guard station’s sofa as we waited.
To pass the time while we wait I began to pour the lentils I bought into my hand for Ponta to eat with great relish.
Soon the messenger returned and offered the guard captain a salute before speaking.
“Casey-done is willing to meet with them!”
The captain nodded in response and the guard immediately left.
Somehow we were able to gain a meeting with the rumored elf researcher. But I couldn’t help but feel a little depressed seeing as I might have to interact with a feudal lord.
“I’ll lead the way.”
At the captain’s words, Ariane and I, along with two other guards, followed his lead.