Chapter 66
The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide
Chapter 66: Shuvina’s Journey
The Elven Country lies deeper in the forest west of the Holy Country Ishtarika, centered around a colossal tree known as the World Tree, where elves have gathered to form their nation.
I, hailing from the Elven Country of the Kingdom of God Tree, was raised by my elven father and mother.
However, it’s not like I was specially loved or raised; once I grew to a certain age, I was brought up with only the minimum interaction.
This wasn’t because my parents were cold-hearted, but rather, many elves have emotions that dull over their long lifespans.
If they didn’t, there might be a risk of becoming mentally unwell over the decades, losing the will to live and ultimately committing suicide.
Aside from their longevity, elves are characterized by their extraordinarily beautiful appearances, regardless of gender, and they can wield a unique type of magic known as spirit magic by forming contracts with spirits.
The timing for forming a contract with a spirit varies for each person, but usually, a compatible spirit watches over the child from birth, and as the child grows physically and their magical power increases, the spirit will eventually make their presence known.
It is only at that moment that they can form a contract with the spirit, and an elf who has contracted a spirit is recognized as a full-fledged elf for the first time.
I made a contract with the plant spirit Dōna when I was ten, and since then, my mother has taught me how to use spirit magic and interact with spirits.
When I was born, it apparently had been fifty years since a child was last born, so there was no one near my age, and I was often bored. But after contracting with Dōna, she became my playmate.
About two years later, I grew tired of my monotonous days and expressed to my parents my desire to venture into the outside world.
At that time, I had one particular admiration, and that was for the hero from the fairy tales told in the elven country.
The hero overcomes various hardships with companions to rescue a kidnapped princess and ultimately defeats the Demon King after many adventures.
While it was a cliché story, I was captivated by that hero from the tales.
(I too… might make friends if I go on an adventure.)
With that thought in my heart, I told my parents of my wish to embark on an adventure, and after some contemplation, they granted me permission.
“Shuvi has contracted with a spirit and has become a full-fledged elf. If you have something you want to do, then give it a try.”
“That’s right. Just be careful of strange people, okay? You can be a bit absent-minded, so make sure to listen to Dōna properly.”
“I understand. I will listen to Dōna.”
I felt a bit dubious about Dōna being trusted more than me by my parents, but I nodded obediently, knowing Dōna was indeed reliable.
After preparing for various things, half a year passed, and I set out with Dōna, seeing my parents and acquaintances off.
Our first destination was the Holy Country Ishtarika, where I planned to register as an adventurer.
During my first camping experience, I faced some challenges, but elves live in the forest, and I had been taught hunting since I was a child, so I managed to handle our meals somehow.
After a leisurely journey with Dōna, I arrived in Ishtarika and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the scenery.
While I loved the beautiful nature of my hometown, the Kingdom of God Tree, Ishtarika was a land of stunning white buildings, flowing waterways within the city, and a grand cathedral at the center radiating a solemn atmosphere.
Filled with wonder at this new country, I asked the locals for directions and made my way to the Adventurers’ Guild, where I successfully registered as an adventurer.
At first, I mainly received requests for gathering herbs, helping at an orphanage, and cleaning the streets, but everything felt fresh and new, so I willingly accepted any assignment.
By the time four months had passed since coming to Ishtarika, I found that I’d risen to D Rank and was finally able to accept requests for monster extermination.
(If I’m going to fight monsters, I’ll need to gather a party after all.)
In the hero’s story I admired, everyone works together to battle monsters, sharing their emotions when they achieve victory.
That was one of my goals when I decided to leave my country, so I promptly approached those who seemed to be around the same rank as me.
However, most people were already part of a party, and even the guys who said they’d let me join expressed that Dōna wouldn’t allow it, so I had no choice but to decline.
In the end, I couldn’t form a party with anyone and continued to tackle monster extermination requests with just Dōna. Three more months passed, and I achieved a promotion to C Rank.
“Dōna, shall we head to the next town soon?”
After about half a year of adventuring in Ishtarika, I realized I hadn’t managed to make the friends I was seeking, leading me to think it might be impossible here. Hence, I decided we should move on to the next country.
“How about trying the Ruzenia Empire next? I hear that’s the most populous country on this continent, so maybe we can meet some good people there.”
Leaving the Holy Country Ishtarika with Dōna, it took us several months to reach the Ruzenia Empire.
Initially, we explored the western town of Safari for about two months as adventurers, but I still couldn’t find any companions or friends, prompting us to aim for the coastal city of Minerva in the south.
“Minerva is a place where many people come and go within the Empire. The sea is really beautiful there, and perhaps we might find good encounters.”
It’s been almost a year since I decided to make friends and go on adventures.
Feeling down about still not having made a single companion, I headed towards Minerva, praying for a fateful meeting.
However, I got lost along the way, completely ran out of money, and collapsed from lack of food.
“Am I really going to die like this…?”
My spirit, weary from the journey that never seemed to go my way, began to imagine such a future, but just then, a pair of adventurers happened to walk by.
One was a handsome boy with deep blue hair that reached his back, and the other was a beastfolk girl with beautiful silver hair and a refined face.
Seeing that they appeared to be around my age, I set aside my shame and clung to them, somehow convincing them to share a meal with me and take me to Minerva.
The journey with them was truly enjoyable; Eir may have been a bit standoffish, but he was caring, and Fiera, being female, we bonded quickly.
(This is fun! Someday I want to have companions like this!)
Time flew by in enjoyment, and before I knew it, we had arrived in Minerva, parting ways with Eir and the others.
Though I wished we could stay together a little longer, I had my own goals, and I figured they must have theirs too, so I quickly said my goodbyes in order not to burden them further.
For the next few days, I tried approaching kids in the guild who seemed to be around my rank and age, but I kept failing, and when I took on a dungeon alone, I ended up getting chased by a cow monster on the fifth floor.
At first, Dōna and I fought bravely, but then my magical power was depleted, and I had no means left to fight.
I could use a bow, but there was no way a mere arrow could take down such a beast, and I desperately continued to flee.
(No, no! My legs are giving out…)
Just when my legs were getting sluggish from fatigue and I was about to lose hope, I heard a cow’s mooing behind me.
“…Huh?”
When I cautiously turned to look behind me, there stood the silver wolf girl who had come with me to Minerva, slowly walking toward me.
“Are you okay? Shuvi?”
“F-Fiera~!”
Overcome with relief at being saved, I couldn’t help but tear up a bit and clung to her, asking her to stay by my side until I calmed down.