I hate this village.
Those thoughts floated through my head as I relaxed in the shade.
You shouldn't laze about like this Cyril.
A single girl put her hands on her hips as she admonished me.
She was around 150 cm tall with long straight golden hair that shimmered down her back like a waterfall, her beauty was further augmented by her pure blue eyes that glittered in the light. Her breasts were small enough to fit in the palm of your hands, but even if they werent there her style would be beautiful.
She was only 14 years of age so she definitely still had room to grow.
Her name was Lucy. She was the daughter of the house I was freeloading in. She was only born three months before me, yet she still exercises her authority as my Onee-san (Older Sister).
Whatever.even if I do my best theyll take it all away sooner or later.
I muttered while rubbing my long ears which characterized me as an Elf.
This was an Elf village under the control of humans with a population of around 200 Elves.
In the past we had freely hunted and enjoyed the blessings of the forest, but thanks to the military might of the humans we were forced to obey them and pay heavy taxes on the crops we cultivated.
Then around harvest time most of our cropsand more importantly our precious friends and family.are taken from us.
If you escape from the village youre killed. It was already nigh impossible to return to the life wed once lived.
Thats why we have to work hard right? Since the amount they take wont decrease we have to make plenty so we dont starve and die.
That might even be preferable! If its that kind of death then.
Ill get angry Cyril!
Isnt that the case? We live while our hearts die. You saw what happened last week! They purposefully did it right in front of us!
What the humans stole from us wasnt simply our crops.
Even our lives were stolen.
With that thought process Lucys Grandma who cared for me in place of my parents and Lucys little sister Rikka whod often hugged me had been killed.
I was sad, frustrated, and thought Id go made from the rage. But one thing kept me from taking action..the thought of losing Lucy.
I believe in Cyril. Cyril is number one with the bow, magic, and studies. Cyril is the number one in kindness as well. I look up to you and your sincere effort.
Believe in what?
I believe that someday youll save this village Cyril.
I smiled bitterly.
Theres no way I could do that.
Certainly I was more skilled than most people. However, if I was to truly fight back Id be able to kill four or five soldiers before ten times that number would arrive to kill me. Thats the only result I could see.
No, even that much might be difficult.
I stroked the silver collar around my neck. It was a disgusting magic tool that would interrupt any magic being cast by the wearer. It was something all the villagers were forced to wear.
If you used tools you could take it off, but since you couldnt reattach it you would be killed after being discovered.
I was completely helpless.
Is that really the case? Am I really at such a low level of existence?
Within my mind a voice similar to my own echoed out.
Cyril are you okay?
Its nothing.
Lucy supported me as I went through a bout of dizzyness.
Once again it was that voice.
As I grew older I began to hear a voice speaking in my mind.
For some reason as that voice became louder I was able to use my body better and increase the power of my magic.