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Count Egor stood up and looked out the window.
A panoramic view of the mansion.
However, at the end of his field of vision, there was a cart loaded with the results of the expedition led by Pelas.
Heaps of orc axes were placed there.
Even at first glance, it looked like seven or eight bags.
But that wasn't all.
It doesn't seem like an orc's ax is important.'
What really surprised Egor was something else.
It was the momentum of the rank knights Pelas had brought with him.
Egor, who had been sweeping the battlefield countless times, could sense that they had changed at once.
Originally, it was the knights of the Count Dimeo family. At least, it was a place where only those who were like gemstones entered.
However, it was also true that when he was a regular knight, he was not so great.
However, the knights of today, unlike when they were on the battlefield, had become jewels at some point.
'Fellas this guy. What the hell did he do...'
Count Egor's gaze could not leave the window.
To be honest, it was Egor who wanted to go down and check it out right away.
His heart, who had lived as a knight, reacted much more strongly to the shining knights than to the scraps of papers.
But first of all, he couldn't move hastily because he had a location.
Egor turned and looked at Hans.
"Call Pelas to the study right now. Right now."
"Yes. Count."
* * *
It had only been a week, but Pelas felt strange when he entered the mansion of Count DiMeo again.
It feels like it's been empty for quite some time.
Of course nothing has changed.
But it also felt new.
Havertz spoke lightly about the most recent schedule.
"Once you go in, wash up. I'll prepare a light refreshment for you in the meantime."
"hmm."
"Perhaps the Count will call soon. Then you can conduct the briefing you prepared."
"It's complicated."
"And I think you should also add a story about Aria-sama. First of all, you didn't get the Count's invitation."
Pelas turned his head to stare at Aria, who was engrossed in looking at the mansion from behind.
"Ehh. I never thought I'd follow you all the way here."
"Actually, it's not a bad thing. Elves' abilities are so outstanding. The Count will be interested to hear about their alliance. They haven't been allied with humans for a long time."
What he said was true.
One hundred years ago from now.
So, the point at which the story of Winter War 2 was in progress.
It was the last time humans and elves made alliances.
Since then, after the death of the final boss of Winter War 2, the alliance between humans and elves has frayed.
Now, at the beginning of Winter War 3, it was just a weak alliance that didn't touch each other.
Many kingdoms valued the abilities of elves and wanted to be with them, but elves, naturally fond of peace and quiet, never responded to the call of humans.
It was clear that Count Egor would also be interested in elves.
Pelas nodded at Havertz's words.
"Okay. About the briefing, about Aria, everything I have to say is well prepared."
"Yes. Master."
By the end of their conversation.
I saw Hans walking in the distance.
Pelas dismounted and stood on the ground.
Hans approached and bowed his head to greet Pelas.
"Welcome, thank you for your hard work. Master Pelas."
"Yes. Hans. Nothing special."
"Yes, Bocchan. Nothing special has happened in the meantime."
"Okay. First, I need to go in and unpack."
With those words, Pelas was about to pass Hans.
Hans said to Pelas.
"young master."
"hmm?"
"The Count wants to see you."
"ah."
It was what was expected.
He was supposed to come and report what had happened.
It was Pellas who had already listened to Havertz's words and prepared the contents perfectly.
So there wouldn't be any big problems.
"I'll just wash up and see you soon."
As Pelas nodded and tried to pass Hans again, Hans stopped him again.
"young master."
"Why? Again."
"The Count wants to see you right now."
"huh?"
At Hans' last words, Havertz and Robben also hardened their faces.
Come back as soon as you return.
They, too, were unexpected.
There was nothing different about Pellas.
However, Pelas instantly calmed down.
You can't say you won't go anyway.
I thought I'd rather go out boldly.
It would not have been an easy decision at Pelas' age, but it was a middle-aged life if the age of the previous life was added.
"Okay. Take the lead, Hans. Oh, Havertz takes care of Aeria."
"I understand. Master."
It was Hans who was rather surprised by his steadfast reply without being greatly shaken.
'The big boy's disposition has changed a lot.'
But he didn't say anything like that.
Because it didn't seem necessary to do it now.
Hans lowered his head, turned around, and started to lead.
Pelas followed him without saying anything further.
As the two disappeared far away, a worried Roben asked Havertz.
"Haberts-sama. Bocchan... are you okay?"
Havertz hesitated for a moment before carefully answering his question.
"Do you remember the boy you showed at Vatinova?"
"Yes. Of course."
"He is the young master who made even the knights of Batinova so strong that they were tongue-tied in the end. Believe me."
Robben nodded at Havertz's words.
True to his word, Pelas was recognized by all the knights of Vatinova.
Not only the knights who went out with the expedition, but even the ones who didn't.
Pelas's leadership was different from that of previous commanders.
Should I say something a little more sophisticated?
Should I say it's advanced?
It was Pellas who showed an unexpected side in this expedition.
Recalling his changed appearance, Robben also felt that his anxiety was slowly disappearing.
Robben looked intently in the direction Pelas had gone.
"That's right. We have to believe it. If not us, who else will believe the young master?"
* * *
"It's been a while. Father."
Pelas greets Count Egor, who is sitting with a solemn appearance.
Count Egor answered without looking at him.
"Have a seat."
"yes."
A father and a son who are left alone in a quiet space.
An awkward air filled the room.
Hororok.
Only the small sound of drinking tea is heard.
It was Count Egor who put down the teacup first.
Dalgrak.
"How was the expedition?"
Pelas also put down the teacup and looked straight at Egor.
"It was a trip that paid off a lot."
Pelas' eyes slightly reddish.
He was looking confidently at Count Egor with unwavering eyes.
It would have been unimaginable in the past.
Always in front of Count Egor, Pelas was a person who only looked down.
And deep down, it was Egor who was infinitely dissatisfied.
How could there be a parent in the world who would feel happy when their child is looking down at the floor?
However, that tendency was not easily corrected.
At the point of giving up, it was only now that he raised his head and became a son looking at himself.
"hmm."
That short sigh contained many of Egor's feelings.
The pride, the gratitude, and the regret that can't show all those feelings.
Count Egor swallowed those hearts and continued.
"You hunted orcs, not gray wolves?"
"Actually, I didn't go hunting orcs. I happened to encounter a group of orcs, so I couldn't avoid a battle."
"That's right. Even you guys wouldn't have made the mistake of deciding to fight the orcs with that force."
"Definitely. There were too few fights against the Orcs."
"Yes. You dealt with ten orcs?"
Count Egor predicted the battle based on the information he had received in advance.
Ten axes brought as trophies.
From Count Egor's point of view, it was reasonable to assume that Pelas's expedition had fought ten orcs.
Of course, that was far from the truth.
However, Pelas did not tell the truth and Pelas nodded at his question.
"Yes that's right."
They faced fifteen orcs.
However, Pelas replied to Count Egor that he had only dealt with ten orcs.
There was no reason for Pellas to say that he had defeated 15 orcs.
First, Pellas wasn't heading to Vatinova to win the heir test from the start.
It was an expedition that he left quietly to get the shrine's gloves from Batinova.
Second, Pelas had no intention of fighting the orcs in the first place.
I won because I fought to live, and it's just the spoils that I got after winning.
Whether he had a lot of loot or not, it didn't mean much to him.
Third, there were so many things to do in Pelas' head now.
Things to do in order not to be killed by Leonil as a puppet of the devil.
I needed to level up, and I had to synthesize Apel and the newly acquired Shinto's gloves.
I also had to visit the land of the elves, and I had to learn other combos besides the introductory combo.
There was simply no time to devote to examining the successor.
"Even ten orcs is not a small achievement. It is a remarkable enough achievement."
Pelas was slightly taken aback by the unexpected compliment.
"Honestly, when you first told me that you wouldn't even take the successor test, I thought you were just going to Vatinova with a different mind."
Pelas was hot.
It was right that I went to Vatinova with a different mind.
Embarrassed, he kept his mouth shut.
Fortunately, Count Egor nodded to himself and continued.
"But to be able to take the test so diligently. To be honest, I was a little surprised. Besides, he led the troops without any fatalities. I received a report that three people died in the expedition led by your brother. Yes. Even in that respect, you did a better job as a commander."
Pellas couldn't handle his gaze at the praise of the storm that flew in succession.
"However, even if there are no deaths, it will not be reflected in the test results. In principle, the index that determines whether or not you win or lose a test is how many strong monsters you defeated. Do you understand?"
"Yes. Of course."
"By the way, the look in the eyes of the knights who followed you, their momentum has changed. Those who were dumbfounded have returned as real knights. It's the same thing. I suffered."
"Thank you for taking good care of me."
"Hmm. Do you think I liked you? No thanks. It's because you showed what you deserve."
Pelas couldn't find an answer and just smiled shyly.
How many compliments have you heard?
It was to the point where I couldn't even remember.
Count Egor, who seemed to understand his feelings, also turned his head slightly and smiled.
Felas felt good, but the situation was awkward, so he calmed down and turned the story to the other side.
"Ah, one unexpected person has been added during the return."
Count Egor nodded.
He, too, was awkward in this situation, so he answered quickly.
Besides, it was already reported.
That the number of people increased by one more.
"Yes. I know."
"Actually, she's an elf."
Saying that he already knew, Pelas also calmly revealed Aria's identity.
"What!! An elf?!"
Count Egor, who had been conversing with dignity so far, jumped surprisingly high from his seated state.
His voice was also loud, and he jumped loudly, even beeping.
A much fresher reaction than I thought.
'oh. The reaction was dope. I almost gave it a thumbs up without realizing it.'
It was Pelas who praised himself for holding back the thumbs up.
< Episode 22. What!! An elf?! >end