As the youth watched Riku's group from up in the tree while hiding his presence, he narrowed his eyes with a condescending gaze.
"Such an easygoing person, don't they realize that this forest is a nest of monsters and demonic beasts?" That was what he thought in his mind as he watched Riku's group continue to be engrossed in conversation.
But, at that moment his eyes opened wide.
(Wait, was that woman staring at me just now?— No, that can't be, we're over 100 meters apart and I've also hidden my presence, how could she notice me?!) He was surprised to see Alicia who only briefly stared at him as if aware of its presence. The woman smiled, but after that she averted her gaze again.
The youth swallowed his saliva. "It seems I underestimated them too much. Well, if I've realized it, I guess there's no reason to hide anymore," said the young man. Thinking that it was pointless to hide any longer, he decided to head out and walked over to Riku's group casually.
"My apologies for interrupting your conversation, but may I borrow your time for a moment?" he said as he stood before them.
But, at that moment his body immediately shivered.
(Killing intent?!) he screamed inside as he suddenly felt an overwhelming killing intent.
Seeing its source, he turned to Riku, who was glaring at him while remaining wary of him, the teenager's eyes blank with a blurry gray.
The young man gasped and reflexively held his breath. (What's with this kid? Is that really a look from someone who's only had one fight? Why can't I stop fidgeting?!) he thought.
Riku's sharp alert gaze seemed to ask himself, are you my enemy or my partner? He continued to evaluate the youth and also prepared to act in case of a fight between them. In the palm of his hand, the youth could also see Riku who seemed to be preparing to throw something, he didn't know what it was, but he was sure it wasn't something good.
"Who are you?" Riku asked, still wary.
After seeing how the reaction he got, the young man nodded in satisfaction. Then, he raised his head once more and stared at them resolutely.
(Quick thinking and rapid development from little experience. Well, I guess I have to admit it, you are a genius, Riku… But—) he muttered to himself, praising Riku sincerely.
But—
"—I still won't hand over my sister to you!"
"Eh?"
***************
Someone walked towards us, I was surprised. But, even more surprising, that person was an Elf. He has short blonde hair and sharp, cream colored irises.
I've never seen an Elf like him in the village, so that made me wary.
But, just as I was getting ready to run away while holding the [Debuff Powder] that can blind the opponent, the Elf suddenly said.
"I still won't hand over my sister to you!"
"Eh?" It took me by surprise.
What did he say all of a sudden?
Younger sister?
Have I ever taken his sister?
Confused by the situation, I turned to Alicia. The woman frowned as if she was trying to remember something as she continued to stare at the Elf.
In the next second, hers eyebrows shot up.
"Oh, I remember, weren't you the Elf from back then?!"
"The elf that time?" I tilted my head, wondering what this woman was suddenly saying. Is she an acquaintance?
I once again turned towards the Elf.
As expected of an Elf, he had a handsome face. Though it's a little annoying to see someone as handsome as him.
"Back then, thank you for saving me."
"Eh?"
I was surprised once again, to my surprise, the Elf suddenly bowed him body to Alicia and thanked her.
"Alicia, you know him?" I asked.
Alicia nodded and she answered in a light voice. "Well, while I was looking for a place to relax after defeating this undead, I came across it lying weakly under the rubble of the house, so I healed it… He-Hey, Riku, what's wrong?! Why are you suddenly angry?! Stop it! Violence is strictly prohibited! Aaaaaahhhh!"
"You're really annoying. Even though at that time I almost died, but you didn't catch up, you just relaxed you said!"
I immediately pounced on the goddess.
"Uuh, since when did your level rise this high? It hurts more than usual," Alicia grumbled while holding her swollen cheek.
I ignored her and turned my gaze to the Elf who was watching us. Well, since Alicia wasn't paying attention to him, it meant she didn't have any bad intentions.
Spirits are very sensitive to someone's evil intentions, so usually I always tell Alicia to watch someone and see if they have evil intentions or not using the spirit's senses. Besides, as if he did have evil intentions, Alicia had already warned me to be careful even before he could appear in front of us like this.
But, that doesn't mean I should lower my guard.
"So what do you mean you won't give up your sister? Sorry, but I can't remember ever taking someone else's sister. You may just have the wrong person, so could you spare us." I tried to think coolly.
"Don't pretend you don't know anything, you—"
"Hey, calm down, after all even if you say younger sister, who do you mean?" I interrupted before the Elf's emotions exploded, I tried to calm him down.
He still looked angry, but because he knew it wasn't the right choice to speak one-sidedly like this. The elf calmed himself down and lowered his head.
"Sorry, it's my fault. You're right. Even if I get angry like this it won't accomplish anything. Then, allow me to introduce myself first." Then, straightening his posture, he spoke again. "Introduce, my name is Elgia Elvin Cromwell, nice to meet you."
"Elvin?" I exclaimed wondering at the name I had never heard of. I looked at Alicia, but she just shook her head.
Then, confidently, Elvin spoke again.
"That's right, I'm Elvy's older brother."
"…."
I was speechless at the shocking revelation.
"Now, do you understand what… I... mean— He-Hey, w-wait, w-what's wrong? Why are you guys suddenly approaching me with faces like that? Hey, why are you guys suddenly casting support magic?! Wait! Please listen to me fir— Ugugh!"
Before the Elf could say anything further, Alicia and I simultaneously pounced on him with a direct punch to the face, knocking him out instantly.
"Really, how many perverts claim to be Elvy's brother? Enough of that woman filling out this section, don't add to the problem anymore."
Elvy must be really hard because her life has to be surrounded by strange people like this.
"Alright, let's get rid of this pervert and continue our journey. It's because of him that we've wasted so much time."
I made my decision and Alicia nodded in agreement.
After we got rid of that pervert by hiding him in the bushes, we continued on our way back.
As I walked away with Alicia on my back, Estella walked up to the pervert, looking sympathetic.
"Are you guys always like this?"
I don't know what she was trying to ask. But she seems to think that Elf is hers twin who has the same fate.