Somewhere in the settlement, Ruhkkadevata arrived at a colossal, ancient tree, its immense trunk intertwined with a network of platforms and bridges connecting to other tree buildings nearby. Various regal-looking elves mingled within the structure, going about their day.
Upon witnessing this, Ruhkkadevata inhaled deeply and moved closer to the entrance of the ancient tree. When she entered the building, several attendants confronted her.
"Greater Lord Ruhkkadevata, where have you been?"
"We've been looking for you, Your Grace."
"My lady, did something happen out there?"
Overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, Ruhkkadevata raised a hand, urging them to stop.
"I just visited the archway to welcome new arrivals," she explained, "so I would like to discuss this matter with my sisters."
"That sounds important, Your Grace," remarked one of the attendants. "If that's the case, the other elders were in the council room waiting for you."
"Thanks for the heads up," Ruhkkadevata replied gratefully before continuing deeper into the ancient tree's interior.
She navigated a series of passageways and chambers meticulously carved by elves, creating habitable spaces while keeping the massive structure alive. Eventually, Ruhkkadevata arrived before a round wooden door, guarded by two watchguards.
When they noticed her approaching, one of them stepped forward and opened the door.
"Many thanks."
As Ruhkkadevata passed through the doorway, she entered a dimly lit room and noticed two figures present inside. One is seated in front of a long table, writing something on parchment paper, and another is standing quietly by a window, gazing outside.
"Let me guess, you did something at the archway earlier, didn't you?"
Without looking up, the seated figure questioned Ruhkkadevata's actions, continuing to write as she spoke.
"That is definitely cheating, big sister," Ruhkkadevata replied lightly. "But yeah, I came across two young elves and granted them permission to enter the settlement."
A brief silence followed, but then—
"Why would you do that?"
The figure by the window turned slightly, her voice harsh and edged with disapproval.
"Allowing outsiders inside without consulting us first was reckless."
"Don't be like that, little sister," Ruhkkadevata defended softly. "I could assure you, those two meant no harm and just wanted a place to settle."
"Assurance is not a guarantee."
The seated figure finally spoke again, her tone measured and composed.
"Looks can be deceiving, and those faces may be hiding their true intentions."
A quiet tension settled in the room, thin yet unyielding.
Ruhkkadevata remained standing where she was, her expression soft but resolute.
"I understand your concern, dear sisters," she admitted. "But if we chase away everyone who comes to us in need, then what kind of sanctuary do we have?"
The seated figure didn't answer, her hand never pausing as ink traced deliberate lines across the parchment. However, the figure by the window sighed loudly, gazing outside once more.
"Screw it! I will judge those outsiders myself!"
Without saying anything else, she stepped onto the edge of the window frame and leapt out, her figure plummeting towards the trees below with orange streaks fluttering behind.
Another brief silence followed her exit.
The seated figure sighed and placed a hand on her temple.
"...She could have used the door."
Ruhkkadevata chuckled lightly as she glanced towards her remaining sister.
"Will you be seeing them as well?"
"Eventually," the elder sister replied, "I need to finish my work first."
The scratching of ink resumed, consistent and unhurried. Ruhkkadevata waited patiently, her hands resting lightly in front of her.
After a moment, the seated figure set her writing quill aside and rose from her chair.
As she stepped away from the table, her gaze shifted towards Ruhkkadevata.
"So, what do you intend to do next?"
Ruhkkadevata straightened slightly, meeting her sister's gaze.
"I will prepare a place for them to stay," she answered. "It's the least I could do for them."
The elder sister studied her for a brief moment before looking away.
"...Very well."
Without another word, she made her way towards the exit, leaving Ruhkkadevata on her own in the chamber. The door closed softly behind as a blue streak peeked through the gap.
For a moment, the room fell to complete silence.
Ruhkkadevata strode over to the long table and leant against its edge, her earlier composure wavering slightly. Her sisters' reactions lingered in her mind.
Though she believed in her decision, a small seed of doubt began to take root.
"...I hope those two will be alright."
Her faint murmur faded into the stillness of the room.
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[Alice POV]
The Lethariel Grove is such a wonderful place.
It holds so much wonder and whimsy that is not found anywhere else so far.
I couldn't wait to explore more if it weren't for one thing.
"In the residential sector, every tree you see is a home, and every path leads back to here."
Ever since Cyrene urged Elinalise and me to follow her, she hasn't stopped lecturing us about the residential area—or whatever she calls this part of the settlement.
"Fun fact, this sector fulfils all residents' needs, such as food, clothes, tools, and medicines."
Don't get me wrong. I learned a lot about the livelihoods of every elf who had settled here, as well as the significance of this sector. Even though it was no different from how most villages functioned in my previous life, given how similar their way of life is.
But for the love of Perugius, I want to move on to see something more interesting.
"Not only is this where we elves live and prosper, but this is also where we provide essentials and support required by the other sectors."
Finally, an opening.
"Tell me more about the other sectors," I asked, urging her to switch topics. "What are they?"
Cyrene gave me a knowing look and smiled. "Well, we have the Barracks sector, which keeps the settlement's defence force, and the Academia sector, where elvish knowledge is stored."
Interesting. So, this place not only has its own military, but there are scholars as well.
"Could you describe what each sector looks like?" I pressed further, my curiosity growing.
With a playful grin, Cyrene replied, "Which one do you want to hear first?"
Given a tricky question, I hesitated and pondered for a second. Should I witness the strength of the elven military or the intelligence of elven academics?
Feeling stumped, I turned to Elinalise, whose gaze wandered in the distance.
"Hey, Elinalise."
As I called her name, she turned to me and tilted her head in confusion.
"What is it?"
"Would you like to see the barracks or the academia?"
Elinalise pauses, considering my question before meeting my gaze again.
"I suppose the barracks sound nice."
After receiving her answer, I returned my attention to Cyrene and spoke.
"We would like to see the barracks."
Cyrene's smile widened ever so slightly, as if she had been expecting that answer all along.
"Good choice," she replied cheerfully. "Follow me, then. I'll show you something interesting."
With that, she turned her heel and started walking towards the winding paths, her steps light and energetic as if she had done this route a thousand times before.
Just as I was about to follow her lead, I had the unsettling sensation I was being watched yet again. I glanced around and noticed several elves staring at me, their expressions tinged with doubt and suspicion. Just seeing their piercing gaze made me uncomfortable.
However...
"Hey, Alice, what's the hold-up?"
Cyrene's voice broke me out of my trance, prompting me to leave the uneasy stares behind. I quickly caught up to her and Elinalise, who were patiently waiting for me.
"Why did you stop back there?" Cyrene asked curiously. "Did something happen?"
"It's nothing," I replied, shaking my head. "Just some bystanders staring at me."
"What if they come after us?" Elinalise pressed worriedly. "What should we do?"
"Don't mind them," Cyrene said casually. "They're just like that when they see new faces."
Yes, right. I hope that's the only reason for their strange stares, or else I'd totally freak out.
Moving on from that incident, we proceeded towards a more crowded part of the settlement, where a group of elves was working beneath a wooden canopy-like structure.
"Welcome to the bowyer's station," Cyrene announced. "This is where we produce brand new bows and arrows for the watchguards and scout rangers to use in the barracks."
Looking at the elves, I could tell they were so devoted to their craft that they could make any factory worker jealous. I watched as they bent the wood into the desired shape and attached the strings at both ends. When they're done, they arrange the finished product on racks.
"This got me curious," I remarked wistfully. "Why do elves prefer bows?"
"Well, that's because—"
"—bows are underappreciated and full of potential."
Just as Cyrene was about to answer my question, a deep, fiery voice spoke up from behind.
I quickly turned around to see a tall, muscular elf woman standing before me. She has tanned skin and dazzling orange hair, dressed in a black tank top, loose-fitting pants, and a red scarf wrapped around her neck.
How did she get behind me without being noticed?
As this thought raced through my mind, the elf woman stepped forward and looked down.
"I've never seen you two before, so you must be the outsiders my sister let inside."
Her intimidating tone made my body tense, unable to move.
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We're so screwed.
Not only were the people of the settlement suspicious of Elinalise and me, but someone who I could assume was important confronted us personally.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you, Great Lord Shariradevi."
In the midst of the imposing presence, Cyrene stepped forward and addressed the person in front of me. The tall elf woman turned her gaze to the pink-haired elf and raised her brows.
"Oh? What are you doing here, Pinky?" she asked skeptically.
"Greater Lord Ruhkkadevata tasked me to tour these newcomers," Cyrene answered casually before gesturing in our direction. "Also, their names are Alice and Elinalise."
Shariradevi returned her gaze to us, narrowing her eyes. "Is that right?"
I nodded in response to her question but remained silent, worried that my current vocabulary might not make sense to someone like her.
However, by doing so, the elf woman frowned. "What's wrong? Beastkin got your tongue?"
I swallow deeply, weighing on whether to answer now or stand firm for a bit longer.
"Umm... Your Grace."
Before I could respond, Cyrene intervened.
"These two couldn't speak the Beast God language."
Hearing this, Shariradevi turned to her in confusion.
"What do you mean they couldn't speak our tongue, Pinky?"
Cyrene scratched her cheek awkwardly before explaining further.
"They can only communicate using human language for now."
A brief silence enveloped us, dense with uncertainty. Even Elinalise, who had been silent all this time, hid behind me, clutching my arm as if she sensed that things were about to take a turn for the worse.
Then—
"What?"
Shariradevi's expression darkened in an instant, her presence weighing heavily like a sudden, brewing storm.
"Do you really expect me to believe that these two elves have a place in our settlement when they could only rely on the language of outsiders?"
Her voice rose—not loud, but sharp enough to cut through the bustling noise of the bowyer's station. The elves around us stopped their work, casting curious looks at the scene unfolding before them. Great... now we have an audience.
"Wait, Your Grace!" Cyrene cried, raising both hands defensively. "It's not what you think—"
"Explain it then," the elf woman snapped sharply. "Otherwise, I will have both of them kicked out of the settlement, regardless of my sister's wishes."
Hearing that warning, the pink-haired elf turned to me with a defeated gaze. She had no idea how to justify our lack of understanding of the Beast God language.
What should I do? Should I help her, or should I admit it myself?
Either way, both results will be devastating.
I glanced over at the bystanders gathered nearby, noticing how they were whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion and doubt.
Seeing that pained me, realizing they saw us as outsiders.
You know what, screw it.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward, catching everyone's attention.
"Alice? What are you doing?" Cyrene asked in confusion. "She can't understand human—"
"It's alright," I reassured her, looking back. "I'll try my best to use your people's language."
Returning my gaze to the elf woman, she glanced down at me with an oppressive and almost suffocating aura. However, I clenched my fists and pushed my mind to recall the memories of the language this body had forgotten behind.
Slowly, archaic yet familiar words pour within me as if data were being recovered from an old hard drive.
"What are you standing there for? Talk, or you're out."
Despite Shariradevi's warning, I calmly form a response in my mind before meeting her gaze.
"Sorry for the wait. I was just thinking."
--------------------------------------------
After that retort, everyone present widened their eyes when I spoke in Beast God language... including me.
Wait, I actually said it?
For a brief moment, even the air seemed to freeze.
The whispers that once lingered around us vanished, replaced by stunned silence. The harsh stares that pointed at us calmed down, their suspicion giving way to wonder.
Shariradevi, however, narrowed her gaze, not in anger—but in scrutiny.
So you can actually speak our language," she muttered, her tone lowering slightly.
"Barely..." I admitted. "The words felt distant, like something I once knew but forgotten."
A ripple of shock passed through the onlookers.
"Forgotten, huh?" Shariradevi repeated, curious.
I nodded slowly before continuing carefully.
"We woke up beneath a labyrinth, and our memories scattered. The only language we could remember clearly was human speech."
With this revelation, the surrounding elves began murmuring again, their voices blending into a restless hum. Shariradevi, on the other hand, crossed her arms, gaze heavy as she glanced down at me.
"Even so," she retorted firmly, "what makes you think your companion could live among us by speaking the language of outsiders? I mean, you could speak our language, but she cannot."
Hearing her question struck deeper than I expected, making me hesitate.
I glanced at Elinalise, who was unaware of our conversation about her. When she noticed our gazes directed at her, she tightened her grip on my arm, silently asking what to do.
Right... I can't back down here.
I took a brief sigh before facing Shariradevi again.
"She will learn," I responded steadily. "Even if she forgets, I could help her and even myself to speak the language properly again, no matter how hard it is."
I paused briefly before adding.
"And we'll make ourselves useful to our settlement, and not be a burden."
Shariradevi didn't respond right away. Instead, she merely stared at me—no, through me—as if she were weighing every word I had spoken.
But then—
"Pftt... Kukuku..."
She laughed.
"Kukuku... hahahaha!"
Her laugh wasn't mocking nor cruel—but rather lighthearted.
"Hahahaha!"
Everyone was completely taken aback when they saw the imposing elf elder laugh as if the entire conversation had not mattered.
"Uh... Your Grace?" Cyrene called out, blinking in confusion. "What's so funny?"
Shariradevi waved a hand dismissively before answering.
"Her answer simply reminded me of myself back then—ambitious yet stubborn."
Huh? Did I trigger her memories or something?
"Anyway..."
Before I could process the information, the elder elf suddenly turned around.
"I suppose you two could stay in the settlement for now," she declared, looking back. "I can't say the same for my eldest sister, however."
With the ominous warning, I felt a chill running down my spine, knowing that another elder elf was waiting to judge us.
"And visit the shooting range once you have settled down."
After that last reminder, she began to walk away from us, and the bystanders continued their work, leaving me to wonder whether Shariradevi's intimidating aura was just a facade.
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[Third POV, earlier]
Before the heated debate had happened, the green-haired elf named Aerion strolled through the settlement, carrying his heavy sack of goods over his shoulder.
As he was walking, a bunch of elves were staring in a certain direction, confusing him.
"What are they looking at?" he asked himself.
Following their gazes, Aerion spotted two blonde elves following a pink-haired one. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly curious of their unfamiliarity.
"I've never seen those two before. Must be new arrivals."
Just as he said those words to himself, one of the blonde elves turned around and glanced at his direction, or at least that's what he thinks.
"Oh, shoot, did she hear me?"
Aerion backed off slowly, careful not to draw attention to himself. But then...
"Hey, Alice, what's the hold-up?"
The pink-haired elf called out to the blonde elf in a completely foreign language.
"What was she saying?"
Before he could process those strange words, the blonde elf took off and caught up with the two elves before leaving.
"Huh... that's weird."
After seeing the short yet bizarre scene, Aerion just shook his head and headed the opposite direction, not knowing he had missed the heated confrontation.