The Kingmaker System
Chapter 198 - 197. I’ve Got Fans (2)

Chapter 198: 197. I’ve Got Fans (2)

After having a good vacation at Oasis, Lady Dahlia and the Seraph Knights were ready to leave. It felt quite weird seeing her off as now she was a part of an integral secret. I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone but she might slip it to His Grace Alarice, her husband but then again I couldn’t just go and kill the Montaire family.

I should have resorted to the magic contract to keep their mouths shut but, I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

"It’s time now," Lady Dahlia said as we stood in front of her platoon who were ready to take off.

"Please be safe on your way," I spoke and she cleared her throat.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Master Ocean. It’s the first time that I had relaxed through half of winter without having to worry about the monsters." She smiled and I smiled back.

"I’m glad staying here was a good experience for you,"

"What will you do about those elves though? Put them with the kids?" She asked.

"I’m thinking of it,"

"Aren’t you worried though, Dark Elves have... quite an infamous reputation. Those kids might get scared when the Dark Elves show up in front of them."

I could sense the hint of concern in her voice for the kids and it somehow made me feel better. She was the one who was hesitant in approaching the kids when I had taken her to the Eldarf manor but now she was worried about their safety and feelings.

"Those kids can make anyone fall in love with them, Your Grace." I said, "Just like they have made a place in your heart as well."

A smile graced her features before she chuckled, "That is true."

"Your Grace, we’re ready to leave." Sir Adler reported and I looked at the carriages and the horses.

Lady Dahlia gave him a nod before she looked at me, "I’m leaving for now but when I do find time, I’d like to visit Oasis once more with my husband and son this time."

I cocked my brow before smiling, "You’re welcome anytime, Your Grace. But I guess it will take some time for that,"

Her eyes twinkled making me wonder what was going through her head at this moment, it was definitely something that I wouldn’t like.

"With that said, I guess we should leave now." She said.

"Please give my regards to His Grace the Grand Duke." I said and she nodded as she took a hold of the reigns of her horse.

"I will," she said, "Also,"

I tilted my head slightly as she reached out wrapping an arm around my shoulders, I stiffened up for a moment as I didn’t see that coming.

"I hope when I see you next time, we’ll meet in your real form... Your secret will stay safe with me." She whispered before she stepped back with an enchanting smile.

"Till then, grow up well, Master Ocean."

"I will." I spoke and watched as she mounted her horse.

I turned my head and looked at Sir Adler who stepped towards me.

"Thank you for letting us stay so comfortably at your residence, Master Ocean. I hope we will meet again soon."

I nodded, "Return safely and don’t injure yourself."

"Yes, you as well, take care of yourself, Master Ocean."

With the brief exchange at farewell, Lady Dahlia and the Seraph Knights were on their way.

A few days after the departure of my guests, I was at the outhouse facing the Dark Elves who looked better than the time when I had seen them at the forest.

"You all seem to be doing well," I commented as they stood in front of me with smiles.

"It’s all thanks to you, Great Lord!"

"Don’t address me that way, just call me Master Ocean as everyone else does," I said.

"Master Ocean..."

"Master Ocean?"

They all tried saying it before I announced my reason for meeting with them.

"I want to take you guys somewhere." I said making them all stare at me inquisitively.

"If you like the place and can adjust with the ones living there I will shift you all there."

They exchanged looks with each other looking anxious and I could understand why, they must be worried because I mentioned about the ones who were already in that space.

"Don’t worry," I assured them but the look didn’t fade.

After some time we stepped inside the protection barrier and the Dark Elves flinched looking around.

"This place..."

"It’s a protected space, no one other than the ones allowed can enter this space. So, you’re free as long as you are on this hill." I said and the Elves looked around the well maintained forest.

Just a bit and they suddenly halted with their eyes wide and I could understand why.

"Come," I simply said and they hesitantly followed me while seeming like they might retreat in an instant.

I entered the clearing and the elf kids were out in an instant rushing towards me, I could sense the panic oozing out of the Dark Elves behind me.

The elves from in front of me hugged me and I chuckled lightly as they snuggled into me, I had been away from them for quite some time now so, I guess their actions were justified.

"You’re late!"

"We were waiting for you, Master!"

"Stay with us for the night now!"

"No, stay for more time!"

The kids whined as they looked up at me and I ruffled their hair. They didn’t even seem to distrust the people whom I brought in this safe space, and accepted them without any discrimination.

"What the-" I heard Kent gasp as he stared at the people behind me.

"Kids, I’ve brought some new friends for you all." I announced and they all turned their heads looking at the hesitant Dark Elves who stood at the edge of the clearing.

"Dark elves..." Kent gasped.

I looked at the Dark Elves and beckoned them over, "Why don’t you come here and introduce yourself to the kids?"

The kids looked at them without any hint of malice or prejudice and the Dark Elves after hesitating for a bit stepped a little closer to the clearing.

"I-I am the leader of this group, my name is Anore." Anore introducted himself first.

"I’m Cynthia."

"M-My name is Lim."

One by one the twenty Dark Elves introduced themselves while looking at the kids who were still staring back without any judgemental looks.

"Will they really live here with us, Master?" Sylvia asked me.

"Yes, if they all can make friends with you guys then, I’m hoping to bring them here. This place has extra rooms and you all could use some veteran teachers." I replied making her eyes glow.

"That’s amazing!" Rowan cheered and ran up to the Dark Elves.

"Hey, old guys! Will you teach us your skills?" He asked them directly.

The Dark Elves looked at me instead as if hoping that I would explain to them but I simply shrugged my shoulders with a smile.

"We-We should teach you our skills?"

"Yes! We’re all training to be stronger for our Master."

"We beat everyone who comes here to have a spar with us!"

"And it’s so much fun!"

The kids slowly started speaking to the Dark Elves showing their excitement and enthusiasm.

The Dark Elves seemed a bit disoriented but they didn’t seem to shy away from the welcoming kids.

"Is-Is it all right if we are around you though? D-Don’t you feel disgusted or scared?" Cynthia asked.

Some of the kids sniggered while others snuggled close to me.

"You won’t harm us," Rowan announced.

"If Master has brought you here that means he trusts you," Viella said.

"And if he trusts you then you are good people." Sylvia smiled at them.

The Dark Elves stared at the kids and then at me.

"It’s your choice," I said.

I heard someone clear their throat and looked at Kent who was still standing there with questions.

"I found them when I went to the borders, they were forced to kill our soldiers because of a magic contract. But I’ve fixed that and now they are here," I briefly explained to him.

Kent kept quiet for a moment before he sighed.

"There are twenty of them, two people will share a room." He announced.

The Dark Elves didn’t seem like they were able to grasp it all but watching the kids and me. Their hesitation was natural, they had never found a place before where they would be accepted without any prejudices and now suddenly there were hands reaching out to them then, they must be having a feeling that it might be a dream.

"Can we... really stay here?" One of the Dark Elves asked.

"Only if you want to." Sylvia said.

The Dark Elves exchanged glances before they looked at me.

"We-We won’t have to go to another war, right?"

"It’ll be your choice," I said, "I will be waging wars in future but that’s got nothing to do with you. So, you can stay here in the safety."

The Dark Elves seemed reluctant but they stepped closer to the manor and soon the kids pulled them in while enthusiastically telling them about everything and the rules that were being followed in the space.

The kids asked their older counterparts various questions and told them about various things.

I was always amazed at their nature of accepting new people with open arms just because they trusted me unconditionally.

The Dark Elves seemed like they would be able to ease up with the kids around and so, I decided them to leave them there. In a place where they would learn about enjoying life and experience happiness.

Hopefully, they would be able to find some new motivation to live and not only think about surviving as they did up till now.