"What else do you want to ask?"
"What about what are you hiding behind that hood."
"That, huh? Hahaha. This is a difficult topic considering who you are."
"Let me guess, you guys tried to assassinate some of my ancestors a bunch of times? You certainly look like you have the skills."
"That probably happened once or twice, but it isn't because of that. You don't have your memories, so I guess it is fine."
He moved his hood and showed the face of an annoying, good-looking man. Aside from that, there was nothing weird; he had a bit of a dark skin, silver hair, and long ears, though. Pretty normal for a dark elf.
"A dark elf? What is the bad story between us?"
"How can you recognize one with your lack of memories? I am pretty sure there are no elves in this area."
"... I heard about them."
"Makes sense… Elenaris, Goddess of Nature and Magic, creator of the elves, cursed some of us who didn't follow her teachings. The ancestors of the dark elves were people who tried to use the magic they learned for war purposes, and that is how we became like this."
"I am sure this is the version that you guys heard to make you feel more unjustified for being treated harshly by other elves."
"We believe that as well. Compared to ordinary elves, we are underhanded and don't care about dirtying our hands and doing what is necessary.
"So, you want to free some imprisoned dark elves?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Cut the crap with the politeness and the title. It only sounds like mocking words. I don't have a throne or a crown, so just Leon will do it fine."
"... Very well, Leon."
"What is your name?"
"... Diran."
I saw a bit of surprise in his face, and the brief silence showed that he hadn't expected that kind of talk. It made sense since I wasn't the honest Leon Maxwell. Still, he should have expected a bit of that, considering that I was supposed to have no memories, so without memories, someone couldn't show any misconceptions about others. Dark elves might be disliked by other dark elves, but I didn't have room to be picky about potential allies. In any case, all of a sudden, the wagon began to slow down.
"Why are we stopping?"
"Why do you think? End of the line. Just kidding, stay quiet for a bit."
It was probably some sort of post… I could hear the metallic sounds of guards around the wagon, and soon, they began stabbing the wheat blocks. The wagon probably didn't have any real walls to make it look less suspicious, but the king of the humans was on the run, so they had to do that much, at least.
Come to think of it, if the dark elves were suspicious, someone else was driving the carriage. I was curious as to who was driving it, but that was a question for another time.
"Proceed."
One of the guards outside said that and then I let out a small sigh of relief. At the same time, Diran smiled and some tension left his body as well. It also looked like he was a bit nervous since his plan wasn't foolproof.
While we could have talked about our temporary alliance, I decided to ask about a few other things to improve my knowledge regarding the world, and Diran helped me with that. First of all, I was quite curious about these supposed deities in the world, so I asked for an explanation about them and the species they created.
Elenaris was revered as the gentle guardian of the natural world and the arcane arts. She is often depicted with flowing hair made of leaves and flowers, embodying the serene beauty and intricate power of nature. Elenaris created the Elves to be her stewards, gifting them with long lives and a deep connection to nature.
Torvak, the sturdy and steadfast god of the Dwarves, is portrayed as a burly figure with a hammer in one hand and a chisel in the other. His domain includes mountains and underground realms rich in minerals and gems. Torvak instilled in the Dwarves a love for mining and metalwork, making them exceptional craftsmen and builders.
Drakonis, the god of Dragons, is depicted as a mighty dragon with scales of molten gold and eyes of burning embers. His domain includes volcanoes and the raw elemental forces of fire and earth. Drakonis created the Dragons, granting them with immense power, wisdom, and the ability to breathe fire.
Lysandra, the whimsical goddess of Fairies, is shown as a radiant figure with butterfly wings and a playful smile. Her domain encompasses meadows, sunlight, and the playful trickery that fairies are known for. Lysandra brought the Fairies into being, granting them the ability to fly and use magic to delight and confuse.
Grommash, the fierce god of the Orcs, is portrayed as a towering warrior with battle scars and a mighty axe. His domain includes battlefields and the warrior's code of honor. Grommash created the Orcs to be fierce warriors with a strong sense of tribal loyalty and honor.
Zilgoth, the sly god of Goblins, is depicted as a shadowy figure with a mischievous grin. His domain covers caves, darkness, and cunning strategies. Zilgoth gave life to the Goblins, bestowing upon them resourcefulness and a knack for stealth.
Thalassia, the goddess of Merfolk, is shown as a beautiful figure with flowing hair like seaweed and a crown of shells. Her domain includes the vast oceans and the power of storms. Thalassia created the Merfolk, allowing them to breathe underwater and control water magic.
Nosferatu, the enigmatic god of Vampires, is depicted as a pale, elegant figure shrouded in darkness. His domain encompasses the night, blood magic, and eternal life. Nosferatu brought Vampires into existence, granting them immortality and the need to feed on blood.
Faeloria, the goddess of Beastkin, is portrayed as a wild figure with animal features and a fierce, untamed spirit. Her domain includes the wilderness and the raw instincts of animals. Faeloria created the Beastkin, people with animal traits to create beings with heightened senses and physical abilities.
Elysion, the visionary god of Humans, is depicted as a wise elder with a staff and a book, symbolizing knowledge and creativity. His domain includes the advancement of civilization, the pursuit of wisdom, and the spark of innovation. Elysion created Humans with a boundless curiosity and the ability to adapt and innovate. Still, he only granted power to the ancestors of the royal family.
Regardless, it was a pretty diverse world, but I only saw the beastkin in my execution. Diran explained that they were pretty numerous and physically stronger, so they didn't hesitate to advance through the human realm as a main force. In contrast, the others did that by the sides.
"Their main supporters were the elves, dwarves, vampires, orcs, and goblins. The others were not interested in ganging up against the humans."
"That so…"
"If you want to hear my biased opinion, there is no point in hating all those people and those of the same species. You should have realized that by now, but the opinion of those at the bottom doesn't reflect the will of those at the top."
That made sense… some people helped me, even though they didn't know my circumstances. Diran wanted to use me, but he changed his mind when he understood the value of having an ally like me. The decisions people make are based on a certain set of values of what they can gain or nothing… most people didn't have anything to win by going against their leaders to protect themselves or the royal family. That was all…