S-Grade Dungeon: Elf Great Forest
The Great Forest is typically regarded as a place where elves reside, essentially treated like a nation, but its formal designation is a dungeon.
Although elves, as sentient beings, are more amicable towards humans compared to other monsters and can communicate, from the human perspective, it was more like an encroachment from another world towards Earth, hence the dungeon label was fitting.
Anyway, elves don’t care too much about what humans call their Great Forest.
However, ever since the visit of Mangja Seongnyeo Shia, a different atmosphere began to take shape among the elves and Great Forest.
The most significant change was that elves, who previously refused to leave the Great Forest, suddenly wanted to engage in active exchanges with Earth’s nations.
This drastic shift in the traditionally passive relationship with humans was due to a change in ruling power, i.e., a transfer of authority.
The former elves had endured a turbulent period filled with political instability as the World Tree burned in the previous world, worshiping a false World Tree while a plague ravaged the Great Forest.
Nations typically have many weaknesses, and political instability often leads to diplomatic isolation. Thanks to Shia resolving numerous issues in one swoop, the elves were now ready to venture out into Earth without hesitation.
Anyway, thanks to the efforts of Mangja Seongnyeo Shia and the false hero Yujin, the World Tree’s child, Olgania, was officially resurrected. Immediately upon resurrection, Olgania was reinstated and received various administrative powers and governing rights from the elders, leading to a political structure previously managed by multiple elders being consolidated under Olgania, the World Tree’s child.
Yujin’s companion and Spirit Fighter, Big Olgania, full name ‘Olgania Iranier Belde,’ effectively became the de facto king of the Great Forest.
Of course, unlike an actual king, the relationship was more horizontal with other elves. However, Big Olgania became the representative of the Great Forest and the elf face while the elves, who had previously shown a passive demeanor as members of Earth, began to establish diplomatic relations with nations under Olgania’s leadership.
As for Small Olgania, she took on a position akin to that of a princess.
Still, being a princess didn’t mean…
“Ugh, Shia Unnie is so funny!”
She was currently watching Shia’s broadcast with a laugh, huddled in the corner, absorbing electricity, waves, and internet via her wooden computer made by Polytea.
Guess they’re not called the Mangchie Group for nothing.
When Shia wasn’t broadcasting, she would watch replays or sneakily join other hunter broadcasts to watch.
“Aaaah! KawaiiHorned! I genuinely can’t stand you! Shia Unnie should naturally surpass 130! I’ve seen it myself!”
[What can be said? Any photos?]
“Are you saying this knowing I’m an elf?! If we met in reality, you wouldn’t say a word…!”
Small Olgania, wrapped in a blanket while fuming, was pitifully gazed at by several members of the Lotus Knights.
“The World Tree’s child and princess is…79 years old this year, and she’s acting like this…”
“…sniff sniff.”
“Well, it’s okay. After all, Big Olgania will rule for thousands of years, and Small Olgania is still quite young, right?”
“Hmm, I guess?”
“Honestly, I watch that Mangja Seongnyeo broadcast sometimes. Excluding her extreme carnivorous tendencies, it’s quite enjoyable.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I subscribed when she suddenly barged into my house last time, singing ‘I~ love~ you~.’”
“Pfft…!”
Well, according to the words of the Lotus Knights, since Small Olgania was still incredibly young, she could enjoy life without being involved in political matters for now.
However, Big Olgania ‘Olgania Iranier Belde’ was having a very busy time.
Just yesterday, she had meetings with ambassadors from six nations and provisionally confirmed continuing official exchanges with the elves’ Great Forest.
“Ah, so busy. So busy…”
Even after a long night, Olgania barely found time to wash her hair in the elves’ bathing waterfall.
But there was no room for rest.
While bathing, an elf from the elder council brought documents to Olgania.
“Olgania, next is the human delegation from a nation called Hungary.”
“Which continent is Hungary on?”
“Europe, specifically in Eastern Europe. It’s a white nation, so their culture and customs will likely differ significantly from those familiar to us in Asia.”
“Got it… I won’t be able to prepare meat easily, but try to prepare dishes suitable to the preferences of the ambassadors if possible. If we lack variety, we can use externally purchased meat.”
“The commander of the Elanar Knights has probably brought back some externally purchased meat.”
Traditionally, elves, who love nature, had a diet similar to a vegan one… you could compare it to temple cuisine in Earth terms. However, thanks to the drastically carnivorous Mangja Seongnyeo Shia who rescued the elves last time, a little change had taken place.
Let’s not impose our vegan meals on external guests.
As long as they respect us, we must also respect them.
Thus, the elves decided they would use meat imported from outside, Earth, to entertain guests, even if they themselves refrained from eating meat.
“By the way, do human nations on Earth extend so many hands as well? As soon as we contacted them, it felt like they were eagerly waiting for us to reach out.”
“The reason is simple.”
“Oh, what is it, Olgania?”
“It’s straightforward. Whatever we say, we hope for affirmative relationships between the two nations, but in the end, it’s just about power.”
Inspecting the documents sent by humans up and down, Olgania swiftly reached a conclusion, using her elven acute vision to read each line meticulously.
While elves loved nature and were often isolating, they weren’t fools.
Olgania was not just the World Tree’s child for no reason. In the previous world, she wasn’t simply elevated to the position of hero’s companion due to her strength.
“Dressed in suits, acting formal, pretending to respect each other… yet this world and Earth’s human world are not that different. The logic of power continues to reign, and we elves do not lag behind in power, at least not in numbers. Even in the human world, 30,000 hunters are considered an asymmetric force.”
“Hunters? Ah… you’re talking about those with power, right?”
“Exactly, those who manipulate mana or spirit power, or others with special abilities, are termed Awakened Ones or Hunters in the human world. Though our Great Forest’s brothers and sisters are fewer, they are not a force to be underestimated in the human world.”
The elves of the Great Forest were officially estimated to be 30,000 in number, but in reality, there were slightly more than that.
However, what mattered wasn’t the number but that even the youngest and weakest among the elves, including Olgania, possessed abilities comparable to those of C-grade Hunters by Earth standards.
Fewer in number, yet with an average lifespan far surpassing humans, their accumulated depth of experience over the years was unmatched.
Of course, one couldn’t dismiss the power of numbers. If 30,000 elves with average A-grade abilities faced off, they had the power to draw along at least the state involved, like dragging a water ghost into the depths.
Even so, it didn’t matter; the head of the Lotus Knights, Elanar, and Big Olgania possessed abilities on par with S-grade Hunters.
It was as if they had at least two or more asymmetrically powerful nuclear bombs at their disposal.
“If our elf power were merely questionable or sufficient to suppress a small-scale army in the human world, there would be no way that so many diplomatic missives would arrive. Rather, they’d have more likely moved to overrun us and develop this area by now.”
At those words, an elder elf who recalled the tragedy of the World Tree being burned in the previous world frowned.
Most elves believed it wasn’t Yujin who burned the World Tree, but rather a few human traitors, after all.
“Hmm, I see. Humans remain unchanged whether in the past or on Earth.”
“It’s not so much that humans are the problem; rather, the world is. Regardless of how beautifully packaged things may seem, in the end, power logic governs.”
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
“Furthermore, we no longer have our mother World Tree. Instead, her blessings have been equally distributed among us. We no longer pray to our mother World Tree; all spirits now dwell within us, and the grasses, trees, and crops within our reach flourish beautifully.”
“By the way, it’s said the crops blessed by our elves are highly effective for humans like potions?”
“Indeed. I didn’t initially understand why humans expressed such desire for elven goods, but later realized the hidden truths behind this.”
In reality, elven crops transcended mere delicacies, becoming tremendous recovery potions for Hunters or Awakened Ones, auxiliary potions that replenished mana and spirit power, and even research suggested they could awaken unawakened individuals.
In the modern Hunter era, elves had many attractive points to the human perspective.
“Speaking of which, after concluding the meeting with the Hungarian ambassador, another ambassador is scheduled to arrive.”
“What? I thought today’s agenda ended with the Hungarian ambassador?”
“Well, they stated it wouldn’t be possible, but those humans unilaterally scheduled another appointment…”
“Where at?”
“Apparently it’s a country called China. And other Hunter humans will accompany them…”
Sigh.
Letting out a short sigh, Olgania shrugged her shoulders, adjusting her twisted horns like a rotten branch.
It had become a habit that resurfaced since the rebirth.
When something went wrong or a bad premonition arose, she would start fidgeting with these dark wooden horns.
She shouldn’t be biased already.
As long as they respect us, we should respect them in return.
“Got it. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
○○○○○○○○○○○○
And three cabbage worms…
No, Mangja Seongnyeo Isia.
The golden hero Menelapie Hailum.
The once Witch of the Dark Star… now just a human named Lirisia was kneeling respectfully in front of Yeonseo’s grandmother.
Did they each eat one cabbage?
That could easily be brushed off with a laugh.
But when one turned to two,
two turned to three,
three had just devoured an entire row of cabbages.
Notably, Menelapie and Lirisia didn’t have expressions of wrongdoing.
Lirisia was a wicked villain not to be underestimated as the Witch of the Dark Star, while Menelapie, with Shia, seemed to merely enjoy the frolicking fun of cabbage-pilfering, only grinning about it.
Among the three cabbage worms, only Shia genuinely felt guilty.
“Sigh… Shia.”
“Ah… no, Unnie, it’s not like that…”
“This grandma… no, this unnie does not mind giving cabbages to our Shia.”
Eighty-six-year-old Yeonseo. And eighty-five-year-old Shia.
Though Shia had technically received a mental age assessment of 21, they still shared an unspoken sisterly bond.
Among those excluding her granddaughter Yeonhwa and the Yeon family, Yeonseo cherished Shia the most.
Not only because she was a powerful being but also for her assistance in several large and small matters, rescuing Yeonhwa during their first meeting, and forgiving Yeonseo for an unfounded attack due to a misunderstanding.
It was only natural to treasure her.
“Cabbage is no big deal compared to you.”
“……”
“If you want, you can take it anytime…”
“……”
Every word from Yeonseo seemed to weigh heavily upon Shia, stirring her conscience… or perhaps bringing her to tears.
“However, should I not ask for permission from this grandma first…”
“Yes, yes, ma’am…”
“Without the master’s permission, it wouldn’t be a theft, would it?”
“Ugh…”
Each statement felt indisputable, leaving no room for rebuttal.
No, one shouldn’t argue; after all, those who had done wrong deserved it…
To think the saint was so weak to temptation, oh celestial star, forgive them; they know not what they do…
“As a farmer who pours half of a year’s effort into the field…”
“Eh… Unnie, if you used your ability, high-altitude farming could be done in less than a day?”
“………”
…Isn’t this just a cowardly fact check…?
No, when an elder speaks, how can one interrupt her!
“Ah! Can’t you keep quiet when this grandma is speaking?”
“Ugh…”
“Didn’t we say this before? No matter what, all items in the dungeon belong to the one who acquired them, but this grandma’s dungeon is still privately owned as it was purchased with money from the country! So Shia, if you keep this up…”
“，你说的对。将Zhang市的勇士在说过分的话。 河南省公众义务教育局所。”
“What?”
Suddenly, Menelapie intervened.
Lirisia, who had been silent, perked up, expressing joy as she observed Menelapie suddenly rise to confront Yeonseo, as if it were some epic game.
“Our Shia can also be that way sometimes. Isn’t it too harsh to push her so hard?”
“….?”
What now? Here’s where our gal gets a pass?
“Menelapie, you say that because you’re enabling Shia to act this way…”
“What? Enabling? Ha! As you say, Shia can indeed be rambunctious, gluttonous, and occasionally silly, and I might have talked a lot too! But what of it?!”
“….?”
What is this?
Menelapie… are you really defending me…?
You mean that, right?
No way, you’re not completely out of it since you’re no longer an emperor, right?
Since some time ago, you’ve been so different?!
“Still, as a farmer who has devoted half a year’s energy to planting in the fields… it’s unacceptable to consume that labor at will.”
“I do agree with that. If you do something wrong, you must be punished.”
No, so in the end, that means punishment is warranted.
But why the heck does eating one cabbage seem so wrong…No, to be honest, fine! Eating a whole row rather than just one or two is definitely pushing it, I’d admit!
But it tasted soooo gooood!
It’s literally a taste unlike any cabbage one could ever find! Once you start, you just can’t stop!
“Not asking too much.”
And then Yeonseo looked coldly at Shia. Then, gazing at Lirisia, who had been minding her business.
“Which one works better, Black Shia or White Shia?”
“Eh…?”
“Damn, am I in trouble too?”
“Did you think I’d let you off easily?”
Of course, this was a matter of wrongdoing.
I mean, you were the one who lured Shia with sweet words and turned her into a three cabbage worm… No, the start of munching cabbages was your fault!
“And what about the yellow emperor? Who amongst you works best?”
“Hey, calling me yellow emperor?!”
Suddenly, the now-yellow Menelapie shot an intense stare at Yeonseo.
“Call me Shia’s yellow emperor!”
“………”
Shia wondered whether Menelapie genuinely knew the internet’s euphemistic meaning of ‘yellow’ or if it was just an innocent jab.
