Chapter 35: The Confused Elves and Reinhardt’s Wisdom
Elves POV
Under the soft morning sunlight, Amanda and her daughter, Vivian, led a group of curious elves and high elves through Minori Village. Sylthara, the high elf leader, walked gracefully beside some of her kin, while the others followed behind, their expressions filled with curiosity.
As they walked, the warm atmosphere was filled with the gentle sound of footsteps on the village's dirt roads. Amanda, with the wisdom of an experienced mother, guided them with a calm yet welcoming voice.
Amanda (smiling warmly, speaking with warm voice):
"As you can see, the eastern part of the village is mostly farmland and villager houses. Since Ardi arrived, Minori Village has grown rapidly. The villagers work together to ensure stable harvests and the well-being of everyone."
Vivian (excited, flapping her small wings energetically):
"Yep! Minori Village is amazing! See those wheat fields? They always produce so much! And over there—rice fields, beekeeping, fisheries—oh! And look at that big red tree! That's a Red Rubber Tree!"
Vivian eagerly pointed at a cluster of large trees, their red sap visibly oozing from the bark. The elves observed closely, especially a male elf named Vaelion, who frowned slightly as he examined the trees.
Vaelion (narrowing his eyes, voice filled with curiosity):
"This… isn't a normal plant. I can sense traces of magical energy within it. Where did it come from?"
Amanda smiled and glanced at her daughter. Vivian immediately stepped forward proudly, placing her hands on her hips with a confident stance.
Vivian (grinning, tapping her chest proudly):
"Hehe~ These are all gifts from Ardi! The Red Rubber Tree produces sap that can be burned as a liquid fuel, but when dried, it turns into a stretchy material called rubber!"
The elves exchanged glances, some looking impressed. Then, a high elf woman with silver hair and emerald-green eyes, named Elyndra, stepped forward.
Elyndra (calm, gentle yet curious):
"And that plant?" (She pointed at a lush field of tobacco growing nearby.)
Amanda let out a small sigh before answering.
Amanda (smiling slightly, explaining):
"That's Pipeweed, a unique tobacco plant from another world. Some villagers started growing it for their own use. Don't worry, even though it has a strong smell, they use it responsibly. According to them, Ardi likes it because it helps him relax when smoked."
The elves grew even more interested in the strange wonders of the village. However, Vivian, still full of energy, started talking again.
Vivian (raising a finger, cheerfully):
"And you know what? All of this exists because of Ardi!"
Some elves chuckled at Vivian's enthusiasm. But then, Sylthara, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.
Sylthara (cool yet elegant, looking at Amanda seriously):
"So, how did the villagers react when they first learned about the fairies? Humans are not usually very accepting of those who are different."
Amanda paused for a moment before nodding with a small, hesitant smile.
Amanda (gentle but honest):
"At first, they were curious. But once Ardi explained our presence, they welcomed us with open arms. In fact, some villagers even share food with the fairies who wander around the village."
Vivian (nodding quickly, grinning brightly):
"That's right! Some fairies even play around the village all the time. It's so fun here!"
The elves and high elves listened attentively, but before they could ask more questions, they arrived at a place that made Sylthara and the elves stop in their tracks.
In front of them stretched the Meat Field—a farm that looked ordinary at first glance, but instead of crops, fresh pieces of meat grew from the ground like plants.
Sylthara stood still for a moment, staring at the bizarre sight with an unreadable expression. After a few seconds, she turned to Amanda, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
Sylthara (hesitant, looking at Amanda):
"Amanda… Ardi… does a lot of strange things, doesn't he?"
Silence filled the air for a moment before Amanda and Vivian suddenly burst into laughter.
Amanda (trying to hold back her laughter, wiping her eyes):
"Oh, Lady Sylthara… that question is… well, quite funny."
Sylthara frowned slightly, then glanced at Larethion, one of the elves beside her, as if asking whether she had said something strange. But the elf simply shrugged.
After calming down, Vivian approached Sylthara and answered playfully.
Vivian (cheerful, giggling):
"Ehehe~ Of course, Sometime Ardi does weird things! Even Yui, his official partner, can't always guess what he'll do next."
Sylthara let out a small sigh.
Sylthara (still slightly confused, looking at the Meat Field):
"And this farm… is this one of Ardi's 'strange' creations?"
Amanda smiled lightly and shook her head.
Amanda (calmly explaining):
"No, the Meat Field isn't one of strange Ardi's creations. This farm naturally grows meat, just like other crops in the village. Even now, we still don't fully understand how or why it happens."
The elves looked utterly stunned by the explanation. They whispered among themselves, struggling to comprehend the fact that meat could grow like plants.
Elyndra (frowning slightly, skeptical):
"Meat… growing like crops?"
Vaelion (stroking his chin, deep in thought):
"This goes against everything we know about nature…"
Amanda simply smiled and shrugged.
Amanda (in a relaxed tone):
"Well, that's the world around Ardi. Impossible things happen, and we've just learned to accept them."
Vivian twirled in the air with her small wings, laughing.
Vivian (cheerfully, flying in circles around the group):
"Yep! That's the magic of Minori Village!"
The elves still seemed a little confused, but in the end, they could only accept that Minori Village was far from an ordinary place.
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Human POV
On other side, Reinhardt led a group of 20 humans and four archmages, including his two students, Edmund and Lena. They walked through Minori Village, heading south toward the coast.
As they moved, their eyes fell on Ardi, who was speaking with the Lizardmens and demons. The newcomers looked wary, some whispering among themselves, uncertain about the reality they were facing.
Edmund (hesitant, looking at Reinhardt):
"Master… is it really possible for a human lord to unite so many races and create a settlement like this?"
Reinhardt smiled faintly before letting out a soft chuckle, surprising Edmund and the others.
Reinhardt (calmly, stroking his beard):
"That's a good question, Edmund. But let me ask you something—can you easily trust demons or goblins?"
Edmund fell silent. His lips parted as if to respond, but no words came out.
Seeing this, Reinhardt stopped walking and gestured for everyone to sit under the shade of the trees near a small dock by the river. The distant sound of the waves added a peaceful atmosphere, even though the newcomers' hearts were still filled with uncertainty.
Standing before them, Reinhardt spoke in a deep yet steady voice.
Reinhardt:
"Listen carefully… In theory, what is happening in Minori Village should be impossible. A human lord bringing together races that are usually at odds and making them live in harmony? That's nothing more than a pipe dream in the outside world."
The group listened intently.
Lena, a young archmage with silver hair, hesitated before raising her hand.
Lena (uncertain, asking cautiously):
"But why is Lord Ardi… different? Why do the other races follow him without fear or hatred?"
Reinhardt took a deep breath before revealing a story that few knew.
Reinhardt (speaking with deep meaning):
"I performed the Oracle Ritual to understand who Ardi Yuniarsyah truly is. And what I discovered… was astonishing."
Everyone held their breath, waiting.
Reinhardt (with knowing eyes):
"Lord Ardi is not from this world. He was reincarnated from another world."
Gasps and murmurs spread through the group.
A tired-looking man in his 30s, Marcus, frowned in disbelief.
Marcus (shocked, slightly wary):
"So… he's not originally from this world?"
Reinhardt nodded.
Reinhardt (calmly explaining):
"That's right. But he is still human—just with a different than ours. In his previous life, he was a teacher, someone used to guiding others. He was not a king, a noble, a warrior, or a great mage… just an ordinary teacher who was brought into this world."
The group was stunned.
Lena (softly, almost in disbelief):
"Master… then how did he build this village? How did he gain the respect of so many different races?"
Reinhardt smiled slightly, remembering how naturally Ardi interacted with the villagers.
Reinhardt (with admiration):
"Because Lord Ardi doesn't see race or differences as barriers. He sees everyone as people, regardless of their appearance or origin."
Several of them slowly nodded, beginning to grasp something they had never considered before.
Before they could fully process it, Reinhardt's voice lowered.
Reinhardt (serious, his voice deeper):
"But there is something even more important. I spoke with Gaia, the consciousness of this world."
This time, their eyes widened in shock.
Edmund, who had been silent, stared at his teacher in disbelief.
Edmund (stunned, almost whispering):
"Gaia… the will of the world spoke to you directly, Master?"
Reinhardt gave a firm nod.
Reinhardt (with authority):
"Yes. And she told me that Lord Ardi is one of the chosen ones who will shape this world's future."
Silence fell over them. Only the distant sound of waves could be heard.
A middle-aged woman named Amelia, who had seemed frightened by the village's situation, looked at Reinhardt with uncertain eyes.
Amelia (hesitant, her voice trembling slightly):
"Then… does that mean we should follow him? Should we entrust our fate to someone who isn't even from this world?"
Reinhardt let out a deep sigh.
Reinhardt (gently, with wisdom):
"You don't have to entrust your fate to anyone. But look at Minori Village. See how its people live—not in fear, not in war, but in harmony."
They remained silent, considering his words.
Reinhardt (continuing, his voice warmer):
"Lord Ardi may not be originally from this world, but he is more human than many leaders we have known. He is not a king hungry for power, not an arrogant noble… he is simply someone who wants to create a small place where everyone can live peacefully."
Lena gazed at her teacher, then softly asked:
Lena (quietly, a little more convinced):
"So… our duty is to help him?"
Reinhardt smiled gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Reinhardt (firmly):
"Not just to help him… but to protect him."
The group exchanged glances, and slowly, the doubts in their hearts began to fade.
They no longer saw the village as just an unfamiliar place full of uncertainties.
They now saw it as an opportunity—one where they could build a better future.