Chapter 24: A Cunning Ploy and a Flicker of Doubt

Her words were so convincing that I faltered for a moment, but I barely held onto my fleeing sanity and glared at the elf.

…Whether I’m fixated on Carl’s lower half isn’t the point right now.

The negotiation was still ongoing.

If I kept getting rattled by this deranged elf’s nonsense, we’d just waste time, and the talks would fall apart.

I chugged cold water to cool my head and spoke to the elf in a chilly tone.

“Anyway, your conditions are completely useless to us. We have no intention of accepting them.”

“Hm…”

“Besides, your kind has already broken trust before. Why should we believe you?”

Trust was one issue, but even if the elves offered better terms, the party wouldn’t return to the Great Forest.

The protagonists, with their clear adventuring goals, wouldn’t consider it.

And I sure as hell didn’t want to live in a survival drama in the Great Forest.

Plus, the priestess practically has a seizure at the mention of the Great Forest—who’d agree to those insane terms and go back?

Shaking my head to reject the negotiation, the elf let out a sigh bordering on a groan.

“This is a problem.”

She looked thoughtful for a moment before continuing calmly.

“You have no intention of returning to the Great Forest, do you?”

“After nothing but bad experiences, you think we’d want to? Everyone here feels the same.”

“But we can’t give up on you either. My sisters, who’ve tasted the ‘top-tier,’ are already showing withdrawal symptoms.”

“…”

I wanted to ask if they couldn’t just give up, but the elf cut me off with her next words.

These elves were relentlessly serious about mating.

How could their every motive revolve around it?

Calming my spinning head, I thought carefully.

What condition could I offer to shake off these lust-crazed elves?

After much deliberation, I came up with a good idea and curled my lips into a faint smile.

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

And a lower half for a lower half.

The perfect remedy for these elves?

“Even among high-tiers, there are ranks, and among top-tiers, there are ranks.”

Give them an even better lower half.

In NTR stories, how does the heroine fall for the golden sun?

Exactly—because he offers greater pleasure than her lover!

So, what if I gifted these mating-obsessed elves an even better lower half?

They’d probably forget the protagonist’s party and go crazy over it.

Complete with tacky lines like, “Oh, your lower half is amazing…♡”

Having read the original novel multiple times, I knew a few beings worthy of being called top-tier.

Some were even known as “playboys.”

With their bedroom skills, they could overshadow the pleasure the protagonist’s party provided.

The playboys would find joy chasing the beautiful elves, and the elves would find joy tasting “top-tier.”

A win-win, right?

After long deliberation, I cautiously proposed to the elf.

“If you can’t give up because of pleasure, how about I find you beings who can offer even greater pleasure?”

“…That won’t be easy. Is it possible?”

“I already know a few. How about it? Instead of chasing us, go after them?”

“Hm.”

The elf tapped the table, then nodded.

She seemed to think it was a decent offer.

But with a slightly dissatisfied look, she spoke softly.

“It’s not a bad condition. A top-tier among top-tiers would be worth capturing, even at great cost.”

“But I came to negotiate to minimize damage, not to chase bigger fish.”

“If that’s your only condition, fighting your party seems better. From our perspective, dealing with you is easier than those you mentioned.”

In short, she wanted a more enticing offer.

Hearing her, I reconsidered and came up with a solid idea.

…This might keep those lust-crazed elves at bay for a while.

With a confident smile, I threw a question at the elf.

“How about making a big score?”

“Can’t we do it once before I go?”

“Stop spouting nonsense and leave. Didn’t you say you came to negotiate, not to mate?”

“Come on, ever heard of killing two birds with one stone? Who knows? A taste might motivate me to keep my sisters at bay harder.”

“You said it yourself: no one’s tasted it once and stopped there. Think you can hold back?”

“…Tch.”

The negotiation concluded successfully, and the elf rode off on her bicorn.

She wasn’t fully satisfied, but I’d bought some time.

Sighing in relief, I collapsed onto the table.

“Ugh…”

I was mentally exhausted from the tension.

Or maybe from hearing so much insane nonsense.

Every word was a gut-punch, draining my emotions.

“Ugh…”

Chugging cold water to snap out of it, the priestess approached me.

Got something to say? I tilted my head, and she spoke with a serious expression.

“Will it be okay?”

“What?”

“The elves. They didn’t keep their promises in the Great Forest. Won’t they do the same now?”

She was clearly worried, scarred from the Great Forest.

I chuckled and shook my head.

“I don’t trust them.”

“Huh?”

“I’d sooner trust the theocracy than those elves. I never expected them to keep their word.”

They’re elves, after all.

They left looking pleased with the negotiation, but they’ll definitely find a loophole and come back to hassle us soon.

…Why agree to negotiate knowing that?

To buy time, obviously.

When I saw the Great Forest elves through the blonde witch’s crystal, I was ready for a fight.

No matter how fast we fled, they’d catch up in four or five days at most.

So I kept brainstorming solutions and despairing.

The grim future offered no answers.

But when the lead elf showed up, the situation shifted.

For some reason, she approached with a low posture.

That sparked an idea.

If played right, could I drag the Great Forest elves all the way to the west?

It was a ridiculous thought.

What insane race would go on a far-flung expedition to recapture escaped prisoners?

But because they’re elves, it seemed possible.

They’re already charging after us on bicorns to catch their runaways, aren’t they?

So I thought: throw them a tempting offer to sow confusion.

Operation: Divide and Conquer.

Split the elves between those chasing the “top-tier” taste and those wanting to help their prisoners to experience even better pleasure.

Sure, the former will likely win the debate.

They have solid intel from experience, while the latter’s is untested.

But the heated debate should buy us time to reach the west.

If, by some miracle, we arrive in the west and a skirmish breaks out between the elves and the evil god’s cult—or if the elves, against all odds, take my offer and fight the cult—

“…That’d be the jackpot.”

I indulged in the fantasy briefly but shook my head.

Given my luck so far, just not getting screwed over upon reaching the west would be a win.

Considering the worst of the worst, here I am daydreaming.

“Pfft.”

I laughed at myself.

They say luck evens out eventually, but when will I ever see that balance?

Gazing weakly at the dark night sky, the priestess, with nothing more to say, headed to her room to sleep.

“You’ve been sulking for days. Keep that up, and you’ll get wrinkles.”

“Shut it.”

Some time passed, and soon only Carl remained, tossing playful jabs at me.

Why’s it always him left? So annoying.

Glaring at him with irritation, I recalled the elf’s words.

“Weren’t you fond of that male?”*

“…”

I closed my eyes, then looked at him again.

What do I feel for him?

I asked myself, but before I could answer, Carl pulled me from my thoughts.

“What’s with that scary look? Planning something bad again?”

“…Nothing. Just had some thoughts.”

I smiled softly, chuckling.

No way I like him.

After everything, we could be friends, but lovers? Unlikely.

Under the warm moonlight, I approached him and whispered playfully.

“Sweet dreams.”

As for my dreams?

Don’t have them.