A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai (素材採取家の異世界旅行記)

Until the sacred source runs dry, the fool will weep without end.

One who bears a different blood

shall shine forth and bring life back to the earth...

Vell Vareita Brolite! You dare bring outsiders into our homeland!?

They mean no harm to anyone here. We're only trying to find Luticara.

Silence! Do you have no respect for the laws of our homeland!?

To think you'd let such sinister beings set foot in our village.

Excuse me?

Did you just say that to me?

You dare call me, an Altatum Ecrus... "sinister"?

Altatum Ecrus?! A god?! Impossible!

My name is Hofvalpnir!

And those who mock me shall face my judgment!

I committed grave disrespect without realizing you were a sacred god...

I beg your forgiveness. Please.

To think the elves have fallen so low, they cannot even recognize my power.

They can't hear Puni-san's voice?

Right. When she's a horse, only people with enough magic can hear her.

Even knowing I may be speaking out of turn,

I wish to ask why you have come to our homeland.

Please allow me to explain.

And you are...?

My name is Takeru.

I'm an adventurer from the Europa Guild in Belkaim, in the Lusellevach Territory.

My rank is, uh...

An All-Rounder?!

Brolite is an important member of our team, the Azure-Black Brigade.

Takeru...

My name is Lylkhar Velqventale.

I am a warrior who protects the sacred grounds of our homeland.

I will guide you to the village.

Takeru.

There's something in this forest...

Something? What do you mean?

Something... very unpleasant.

Huh?

Wow, what is this place?

This is the Elven village.

The air here is quite unpleasant.

Yeah. This is all mana pollution.

What?

Before you approach the Great Tree,

you must first purify yourselves at that spring.

Um, before that, I'd like to make an offering.

An offering?

There's a lot of people, so I'll put a bit more power into this.

Clean, activate!

Impossible! The mana impurities are thinning?

My lungs feel lighter.

As expected of one blessed by the gods.

Explain yourself! What exactly did you just do!?

Yes, that is simply how remarkable Takeru is.

That's not an explanation at all.

Still, that Clean spell felt stronger than usual.

But why is the mana in this village so dense in the first place?

It sure is imposing up close.

This Great Tree, Gowan, is the very symbol of the elves.

Within it lies the palace where the High Elves reside.

Only High Elves and those granted permission may ascend.

I see.

What?! That means you're...

Hm? What's wrong?

Forgive me! I... I am a High Elf.

What?!

I fully understand how weighty the laws of our homeland are,

but there was something I could not forsake, no matter the cost.

I am sorry for keeping it from you until now!

Uh... Is that actually a problem?

High Elves are forbidden from leaving the village for the outside world.

Aye. The High Elves lead all elfkind, and hold their bloodline and laws above all else.

Is it like... if you leave, someone dies or something?

No, nothing like that.

Then it's fine to choose something more important than following a rule.

You must've had your reasons.

Eh...?

Sure, following tradition might be "correct,"

but focusing only on being correct can make life miserable too.

Old rules don't always fit the present day.

As long as you're not hurting anyone, I think you should live how you want.

Takeru...

Indeed! My village's rules have never been my top priority.

High Elves are simply a small-minded race who believe their tiny world is everything.

That is why I told you to not pray to that little spirit, Libelania.

Such a small creature.

Everyone... Thank you, truly.

It takes real courage to admit you've broken a rule that big.

I am sorry for keeping it from you. Come, the palace is just ahead.

So this is what you didn't want Puni-san to mention earlier?

Indeed.

Ahem. Indeed, a splendid sight.

Lady Brolite, welcome home.

Ambre, I wish to request an audience with my elder brother.

At once.

Huh. Elven secret tea? Interesting.

Gyokuro

Ah! This must be gyokuro tea?

I have kept you waiting.

Big brother!

Huh?

Her big brother? Not a younger brother?

It has been far too long!

Why do you dodge me every time!?

Because if your foolish strength crushed me, I would hardly survive it.

Now then, Brolite, would you introduce your esteemed companions?

My apologies. Everyone, gather for a moment.

These are the members of the Azure-Black Brigade, the companions I have joined.

And this is my honorable elder brother,

Orchesto Arjhen Seale, governor of Virio-la-ee!

Orche... Ar...

Think nothing of titles. I am merely Brolite's older brother.

Call me whatever you like.

Really? Then... is "Mr. Arr" okay?

Hey Takeru!

This is the first time anyone has ever addressed me that way.

I look forward to getting to know you, Takeru. And...

I have heard that you are the exalted one, the divine Altatum Ecrus.

With deepest reverence, we welcome your presence.

All of my clan rejoices at your descent upon our land.

Whoa. Puni-san really is being treated like a god.

And earlier, Lylkhar Velqventale spoke out of turn. Please forgive his discourtesy.

No, no, please don't worry about it.

You're surprised by my size, aren't you?

N-No! I'm sorry!

It is fine. We flaunt the title "High Elf," yet look at me.

This small, pitiful frame is our reality.

Brother, I dislike when you speak that way!

Do not raise your voice.

Whether we deny it or not, our clan carries a cursed bloodline. That will not change.

Cursed bloodline?

Even so!

I want to save our village from this curse!

I refuse to accept a future where our race vanishes!

Compose yourself in front of our guests.

My apologies. My foolish younger brother has acted shamefully.

No, no, your brother has a lot going on—

Huh?!

Younger brother?!

I am a woman. But also, just a little bit, a man.

What?! Everyone else is acting like that's completely normal?!

It may be rare among High Elves,

but there are Lizardman children who are born with both sexes.

Oh... Okay...

The cursed bloodline did not end with me.