Chapter 23: A Misguided Negotiation and a Stubborn Denial

The situation was chaotic with the mass escape of the “high-tier” and the complete loss of the “top-tier.”

While the other elves were busy cleaning up the mess in the Great Forest, Kalia began to ponder.

Even if we pursue, can we catch them?

Even in a place where they held an overwhelming advantage, they’d been outwitted and allowed the escape.

It was a mistake born of arrogance, but their opponents had exploited even that to get away.

And now, fighting them in a place without that advantage—against foes who kept growing stronger in battle—would surely come at a steep cost.

Kalia clutched her throbbing head and let out a long sigh.

What should I do?

Deceiving them through negotiation was impossible.

The witch knew far too much about elves—suspiciously so.

Trying it might backfire, turning a near-certain victory into failure.

But a direct confrontation would cause too much damage.

Whether on purpose or because she genuinely couldn’t, the witch hadn’t unleashed her vile magic in front of the elves even once.

Moreover, the top-tier ones had skyrocketed in combat ability after the Great Forest battles.

As she’d said, capturing them wouldn’t be easy.

The final option—giving up entirely—crossed her mind.

“Haa… haa…♡ Top-tier seed… just one more taste… just one more…♡”

“I can’t be satisfied with high-tier anymore… I need… more intense pleasure…!”

“Wait for me, husband…♡ I’m coming soon…♡”

Seeing her sisters like that, the mere mention of “giving up” felt like her limbs would be torn apart.

Of course, she herself craved the taste of the “top-tier,” so she had no intention of giving up either.

Stuck in a dilemma with no clear path forward.

After much deliberation, she decided to attempt a genuine negotiation for the first time.

Not the usual deceptive kind, but one where both sides exchanged what they needed.

So, she began recalling past events to figure out what the witch might want, and she identified a few key points.

The most significant was:

She’s smitten with the top-tier.

The witch had shown affection for the top-tier one—the only one the elves couldn’t kidnap.

Kalia thought it over.

Why was she so fixated on his lower half?

No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

In her 500 years, the witches she’d seen had no qualms or guilt about taking lives.

They valued “efficiency” above all, so there was no reason to target someone’s lower half.

Except for one reason.

Everyone wants to give their first to someone they love.

In her experience, females were more prone to this than males, even those pursuing the pinnacle of magic.

Given how the virginity-hating bicorn fled in terror, the witch was clearly a virgin.

And since she knew about “virginity,” she likely wanted to exchange firsts.

But how would she feel if her kind tried to take him away?

“If I can’t have him, maybe it’s better to destroy him altogether?”

It’s an absurd theory.

But it’s highly likely to be true.

Witches are peculiar beings.

When you think “no way,” the opposite is often the truth.

With that conclusion, she called for Kalis.

“Kalis.”

“Yes, sister.”

“I’ll start the pursuit. Get things sorted so we can leave as soon as possible.”

“…Will you be okay alone?”

“Who do you think I am?”

Kalis looked at her sister silently, then nodded.

Indeed, if it was her sister—whose self-control and strength were unmatched among the tribe—she could be trusted.

“…I’ll wrap things up and catch up. But don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep them pinned down.”

Kalia let the bicorn sniff the muscular elf’s clothes and mounted it energetically.

She whispered softly into its ear.

“No guarantees, but if we manage to capture them, I’ll let you have a bite too. Can you run well?”

Phweee—!

The bicorn, drooling with desire, answered eagerly.

Satisfied, Kalia set off after the witch’s party—

“I’ll give you his virginity. And the right to mate with him whenever you want. How’s that? Tempting, right?”

“What the hell is this crazy bitch saying?!?!”

Having caught up to the witch’s party, she immediately began negotiations.

When the apparent leader elf quietly appeared, the party raised their weapons, scanning their surroundings.

What was her motive for wanting to talk?

It seemed like a stalling tactic, so at first, I refused and prepared to leave the inn.

“I’m only here to negotiate. No ulterior motives, so please don’t be so wary.”

“You expect us to believe that? Your kind’s been two-faced forever.”

“If I had other intentions, I’d have come fully armed. Look, I’m completely defenseless. Anyone could take advantage of me right now.”

“You’d be the one taking advantage, you lunatic.”

Since she seemed genuinely open to negotiation, I decided to talk briefly.

But not long after sitting at the table, I regretted it.

“First, I’ll give you what you want.”

“…Oh? Let’s hear it.”

At first, I was slightly hopeful.

The elf seemed to be offering a real negotiation, not a fake one.

I didn’t understand why an elf in an advantageous position would bother, but good is good, so I listened.

Her next words, however, were enough to scramble my brain.

“Witch, here’s my offer: return to the Great Forest with that top-tier virgin, and his virginity is yours.”

“…?”

What kind of nonsense was this?

Stunned by the absurdity, the elf’s soft voice continued.

“Not satisfied? Fine. I’ll also grant you the right to mate with him whenever you want. That’s a huge concession for us elves.”

“?????”

I couldn’t comprehend it.

How could anyone come up with such a condition, or think I’d like it?

What about me made her think I was after Carl’s virginity?

Laughing hollowly at the outrageous claim, I roared at the elf in fury.

“What the hell is this crazy bitch saying?!?!”

Panting with rage, the elf looked startled, then bowed her head in apology.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Thinking the misunderstanding was cleared, I sighed in relief.

“I didn’t realize you were hiding your feelings.”

This mating-obsessed idiot elf spouted even worse nonsense.

I was losing my mind.

I thought she came to negotiate, but this felt like a mental assault.

Was this typical of a mating-crazed race, or just a deranged elf?

No, probably both.

Anyone listening would think I was smitten with that pervert.

Fuck.

Staring blankly in disbelief, Carl, sitting beside me, chimed in with a dazed look.

“Uh… is that what’s going on?”

“No way, you idiot!”

“They say strong denial is strong affirmation.”

“Who says that kind of dumb shit?!”

WHAM!

I drove my fist into his side, and Carl rolled on the floor, groaning. His pitiful wails finally helped me regain my composure.

…Now I feel alive again.

Her insane words had gotten me too worked up.

Calming myself, I shot a cold glare at the elf and spoke evenly.

“All your conditions are worthless. Are you just here to waste time?”

“…I couldn’t have been wrong. Weren’t you fond of that male?”

“No way. Why would I like him?”

If he were rich, capable, and could guarantee a peaceful life, maybe there’d be a slim chance.

But he’s the protagonist, a walking disaster magnet with a personality I can’t stand, so the chance of me falling for him is zero.

Who but a deranged being like this elf could like a guy like that?

Sure, I have a slight fondness for him, but it’s just reluctant attachment.

It’s definitely* not love, I’m sure of it.

Shaking my head in denial, the elf muttered with a puzzled look.

“You were so fixated on his lower half, I thought you were in love.”

“Cut the nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense. If you were thinking straight, you’d aim a sword at the neck, not the crotch, in a life-or-death situation, right?”

“…”

Her words sounded oddly convincing.

I tried to retort but found myself at a loss for words.