At The End Of The Hidden Greenery

Chapter 7

“It’s also my first time. To speak with someone who has… pointed ears like you.”

The man who was described as just ‘pointed ears’ frowned. His long ears also trembled, adding more to his reaction.

“We, the children of Elandos, are only called that by humans.”

“……”

“Only you have short ears.”

The language flowed into her ears as if it was automatically translated, but she couldn’t figure out what ‘Elandos’ was. Anyway, she could immediately understand that he was offended.

The word ‘pointed ears’ was not used by them to refer to themselves, but rather by the people of the Empire. And usually, such words were not used in a good meaning even in the world where Jiwoo originally lived.

‘It was a discriminatory word.’

It was clear that she had made a slip of the tongue. She immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry. It’s because I haven’t learned much vocabulary.”

The conversation ended there. Amidst the silence, only the sound of a bonfire was heard.
He stared at Jiwoo, who didn’t even eat the ripe meat, let alone berries, and said in a slightly softened tone.

“Then you don’t have to speak in a language you’re not familiar with.”

“……”

“I’m glad the wound wasn’t as deep as I thought. Follow me. Let’s first wash and disinfect…”

“I don’t need it.”

He held one of Jiwoo’s arms, but she pulled back. But he did not give up and took her arm again. Jiwoo shrunk her shoulders in embarrassment and looked up at him.

“I know you saved me from being swallowed by the miasma.”

“Ah… So that’s why you’re going to take me?”

His face turned into a frown.

It was a matter of fact. The Akarna would not have been something that was useful only to the Empire. The beasts didn’t just attack humans. It seems that this person too was seriously injured by a beast before and was about to die somewhere no one would have found him.

Perhaps he would benefit from having the Akarna. But he frowned and his long ears tilted at an angle.

“I know what you’re misunderstanding, but it’s not like that. I know it’s polite to repay you for saving me.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Then I’ll escort you to a human village at least.”

“There’s someone coming to my rescue.”

Then his voice, which had been talking non-stop, suddenly stopped.

“…Is it.”

After pushing this far, he seemed to have nothing more to say. At first, those races did not like humans anyway. It seemed like it was already a big favor for him to guide her to the human village.

But he can’t force a favor on someone who keeps refusing until the end.

Instead, he put down all the berries and leather water bags he had brought. Meat cooked in the bonfire was wrapped in wide leaves and placed next to the fruits.

Also, seeing the Akarna’s particularly thin clothing, he clicked his tongue and took off his cloak, putting it on Jiwoo. He got up and pursed his lips as if to say something, but he eventually left Jiwoo alone.