The Elf Journey In The Western Fantasy World
Chapter 168: The Elf Who Stirred the Pot

Chapter 168: The Elf Who Stirred the Pot

"Sebastian only pretended he didn’t guess it, just to give me some room to express myself—so I wouldn’t feel too defeated. I’m well aware of that. But would I really feel discouraged over something that small? If they’re willing to indulge me, then I’m happy to take the bait. Whether or not Sebastian and the others saw through my act... that part, I really don’t know."

"Anyway, this is just how I get along with the demons. Illiya, you don’t need to think too much about it. I’m guessing you elves don’t do things this way, right? Elves tend to be cold, don’t they? That’s what I read in books, at least. But I suppose you’d know your own kind better."

Illiya wasn’t quite sure whether Anos was secretly manipulative beneath his cheerful surface or just unusually honest.

But now that the subject had come up, Illiya thought back carefully on the century or so he had spent in the Elven Forest. And to his surprise, he realized that, in some ways, Anos wasn’t entirely wrong.

After all, elves were famously quiet (direct action was preferred, always), rarely left home (couldn’t be bothered with small talk), and were emotionally reserved (immersing themselves in their happy little worlds was the ideal). Those were their defining traits.

Sigh... in the end, elves and demons really were completely different.

Ever since that day had passed, the atmosphere throughout the Demon Realm had visibly grown tense.

Where demons in the Demon Palace or other areas would once casually stop to chat, now they merely offered polite greetings before hurrying off, their faces wearing expressions of unprecedented seriousness.

As one of the few who knew the truth, Illiya naturally understood the reason.

He honestly hadn’t expected the outcome to be this explosive.

In his earliest assumptions, he’d thought the demons—after learning that the Yaguk Theocracy had come with ill intentions—would simply ramp up their defenses and perhaps uncover some of the hidden "leaks" within the Demon Realm.

However, what he hadn’t expected was that a small spark he’d tossed into the fire would end up feeding an uncontrollable blaze.

Judging by how the demons were acting, it was as if they were preparing to face a band of vicious, merciless enemies. And if he wasn’t mistaken, the Demon Realm’s army had already begun to mobilize.

Every demon aware of Yaguk Theocracy’s provocation was itching for battle.

Each and every one of them had the look of a mother whose cub had been threatened—furious and ready to tear the people from the Yaguk Theocracy limb from limb.

Then again, when one thought about it, the actions of the people from the Yaguk Theocracy really were akin to plucking a tiger’s whiskers—a suicidal move.

Somehow, they’d managed to get wind of the Demon Realm’s newly crowned Demon King, and instead of exercising caution, they intended to exploit the upcoming war to deal a severe blow to the demons.

Illiya guessed that these people had already made contact with spies embedded in the Demon Realm or co-conspirators who were preparing to assassinate the Demon King on the day of battle.

Whether or not that theory was true, Yaguk Theocracy’s current mission was clearly doomed to fail.

They wouldn’t gain any advantage—in fact, they were likely to suffer devastating losses.

They had brought this on themselves. No one could save them now.

Illiya found himself quietly sighing at the thought.

He didn’t even know what had compelled him to share this with the Demon King in the first place.

By the time his rational mind had caught up, he had already carried out the plan, and the aftermath was spiraling further out of control by the day.

So what exactly had caused that sudden urge to act?

Illiya didn’t quite understand.

What puzzled him even more was the strange feeling that followed—something close to "relief," almost like the satisfaction of finally getting revenge for a long-held grudge...

But...

He didn’t seem to have a grudge against the people of Yaguk Theocracy, did he...?

As far as he knew, he’d never even met them. _{f|re(e)web.n\ovel. (c)o.m}

It was all very strange.

As his thoughts wandered, Illiya’s gaze drifted toward the empty field, his eyes growing unfocused.

His mind had long since flown to places unknown, leaving him unaware of the dark elf who had silently approached from behind.

"...Illiya..."

Drow rasped out Illiya’s name in a low, hoarse voice.

Illiya was startled by the sudden voice from behind.

Thankfully, he had strong mental fortitude and didn’t show any emotion that would break the image of a calm, composed elf.

"...Ah, it’s you, Drow," Illiya responded a beat too late. He had, without a doubt, been frightened.

As he took a moment to collect himself, Illiya found himself wondering why Drow had come looking for him at this particular time. He also didn’t know how long the dark elf had been standing there.

Questions swirled in his mind, but no answers came.

"It’s you, Drow. Did you come to see me about something?" After a pause, Illiya couldn’t help but ask.

Some subconscious instinct told him that Drow would never refuse to answer him.

Drow kept his head lowered, unwilling to let the golden-haired elf standing in front of him see the miserable expression on his face—one filled with sorrow and grief.

It was a conditioned reflex.

Ever since he had been teased by Illiya in his past life, he had resolved never to show such expressions in front of him again.

He didn’t want Illiya’s comfort, nor did he want to be consoled.

He couldn’t let go—and he couldn’t forgive.

"...Yeah." After conjuring up a storm of thoughts in his mind, all Drow could manage to squeeze out was a dry, emotionless "yeah."

Looking at the dark elf standing before him like a block of wood, Illiya felt a wave of helplessness rise in his chest.

It was both frustrating and oddly funny.

Clearly, it was Drow who had come to find him.