On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

Elorand, the unusually muscular Dark Elf looks like he is going to pull his long hair off. The more he hears Arieda's story about what has happened, the more distressed he looks.

I don't blame him though; I would also react the same if I were him. After all, when you are tasked to protect the life of a little princess, your neck will be at stake if she comes home with a story of her life threatening experience.

I don't necessarily see Elorand being afraid of his life, but he still looks like someone who knows he will have an earful from Arieda's parents.

There is two possibilities of what it indicates. First, there is no rule pertaining the safety of the Princess, which is highly unlikely; and second, it is something that has happened a lot of time, which is something that I am inclined to believe.

"Huuh... Anyway, Princess, please do not repeat this again in the future." Elorand massages his forehead. "Being adventurous is good, but you are too adventurous for your own good. You are making everyone worry."

"Don't worry, Elorand. Next time, I will just explore the forest behind the Kingdom!"

"Please, don't do anymore exploration, Princess," Elorand says dryly. "One step in your standard equals to one Absitan—we can't afford to lose you."

Shrugging, absolutely not paying a single mind to Elorand's request, Arieda points at me and Eliseus. "Ah, these two are my benefactors and my friends. This kind lady over here is Miss. Eliseus and that quiet Demon is Mr. Layland."

Widening his eyes as if he has just forgotten we have been there, Elorand stands up swiftly. Walking toward me carefully, he stares at my mask intensely.

I don't know why he didn't do it to Eliseus instead—maybe he finds Eliseus more intimidating, which is true—but I am sure he is intending to have a staredown with me. His eyes, unfortunately, are nowhere near as scary as Valeria's.

It is clear to me he hasn't killed as many as Valeria, which makes me unconsciously sneer while tilting my chin slightly upwards. Seeing that, Elorand also tilts his chin upwards and tiptoes slightly to match my height.

I don't have any intention to compete in height here, but it seems he has misunderstood me. I don't think height is important in this world, so I didn't expect Elorand who is just two inches shorter than me would feel attacked.

"You are tough," Elorand remarks.

"You are... Whatever." I wanted to say you are a blockhead, but I immediately realized it was inappropriate.

"Hm? Is that some kind of an insult?" Elorand doesn't seem happy about it, but he lets it slide in the end. "Anyway, my name is Elorand. Thank you for bringing our Princess back safely."

Taking Elorand's extended hand, I think of a proper respond. "It is all nothing but a coincidence. If she didn't encounter us that time, we wouldn't deliver them back to you."

I am not good with flattery—no, Valeria has actually taught me about it, but I can't bring myself to use it. I hate being pretentious—I prefer being blunt and honest to myself.

"Hoh? What an interesting Demon." Elorand quirks her eyebrow. Turning his gaze to Eliseus, he extends his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Eliseus."

"Hm."

Compared to how he treated me earlier, the way Elorand treats Eliseus is way more polite. He even still bows his head despite being only given a hum as a response.

Clearly, he knows who he has to be afraid of.

"Ah, now that I think about it, we have also encountered a Monster on our way here," Elorand says out of the blue. "We found her crying alone under the tree while eating fruits. She said she was lost and scared."

Scoffing at how pathetic of a Monster that Monster is, my eyes darken in the next moment. I immediately turn to Eliseus, and she greets me with her weary look.

Turning to Elorand at the same time, he looks at us with confusion evident on his face.

"Do you bring that Monster with you?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah. She is with the guardians." Elorand points to the other Dark Elves who haven't showed themselves. "Fweet! Reveal yourself, guardians!"

Right after Elorand whistles loudly, 15 Dark Elves and 1 Monster reveal themselves. The Dark Elves are mounting on the gigantic lizard, and the Monster is sitting behind one of the Dark Elves.

Eliseus and I immediately sigh helplessly the moment we identify the Monster. Somehow, we are not surprised to meet her this way.

"G-Guys! Oh my... I can't believe it—it's really Layland and Eliseus!" The Monster is Vibiane. "Hey, can I get down from here?" She asks the Dark Elf whose lizard she is riding.

"Of course, you can," the Dark Elf says awkwardly.

Jumping down the lizard, or to be exact, jumping right at me, Vibiane exclaims midair, "I was really scared alone!" She is already crying at this point, and it makes me really want to punch her to death.

Alas, I can't bring myself to further worsen our reputation in front of the Dark Elves.

"Uwaah! You really catch me, Layland. I thought you wouldn't! I'm so happy."

The Dark Elves looking at us are bewildered for sure, and I can't blame them for that. Demons and Monsters are know by their ferocity, so it really is mind boggling to see a Monster like Vibiane exists.

"I will truly kill you if I find your snot on my coat."

"Hu-hu-hu... You won't!"

"... Fuck!"

Maybe I have grown attached to Vibiane; lately, it is hard to bring myself to harm her. The only violent things I can do to her are spanking her ass whenever she does something stupid or smacking her head whenever she says something stupid.

I can't even describe how weird of a relationship we have unfortunately developed. Nonetheless, we still find ourselves going along well even though I always insult her in almost every minute.

I am not a bully. Her stupidity deserves the insult.

Clap!

"Now that it is settled, can we go home now, Elorand?" Arieda says calmly.

"Of course, Princess." Elorand bows politely.

"We should properly thank my benefactors..." Arieda glances at Vibiane, who is latching on me like a koala. "...and their friend. Let them ride with the guardians."

Elorand merely bows politely and says nothing. He turns to us in the next moment, and politely escorts us to the Dark Elves whose lizard we are going to ride.

Vibiane rides with the same Dark Elf, meanwhile Eliseus and I ride with the Dark Elves who are positioned on the right and left side of Elorand. Arieda is with him, so I believe she puts us right beside her so she can talk with us.

"You should hang on tight. Varadome is hard to control," Elorand reminds us.

"Oh, these guys are called Varadome?" I remark. "Sounds intimidating." I pat the Varadome I am riding. "Ah, now I miss my lizards back at home. I wonder how those troublesome Wyverns behave without me."

A faint smile unconsciously creeps up my face the moment I recall how fun it is beating the shit out of those bastards. I stop smiling a few seconds after though; I feel gazes on me.

Looking around, I find everyone looking at me blankly as if I have just said something unbelievable. Shrugging nonchalantly, I turn my gaze to the Dark Elf in front of me, who is also staring at me blankly.

"Can I ride this guy? I believe he doesn't mind."

"H-Huh? Yes. I—I mean, no! You don't have any experience riding it. I don't want to risk having an accident."

"Is that so?" I say softly, slightly disappointed. "Well, it's okay then."

"Let Mr. Layland ride it, Calean," Arieda suddenly chimes in. "He knows what he is doing."

"As you wish, Princess."

Calean, the Dark Elf in front of me, immediately gives me his position in the front without hesitation. He doesn't even look at me in concern—it is as if he is sure Arieda's confidence in me is not wrong.

Shrugging lightly, I take his position in the front gladly. I pat the Varadome's neck three times, and it immediately purrs, slightly bewildering me.

"Well, I can't speak your language, but I can understand you," I say to the Varadome. "I'll be in your care, buddy."

After being buddies with the Varadome, I finally take hold of the reins. I feel many bewildered gazes again, but I ignore all of them, and turn to the bewildered Elorand.

"I am good with lizards." I shrug. "Apparently, this guy already knows the way, so should I take the lead?"

"... N-No. I will take the lead."

Nodding my head lightly, I gently pull the reins as soon as Elorand's Varadome walks. We start it slow, but after just a few steps, we pick up our pace.

Roughly five minutes passed, we are all moving as fast as a wind. I am sure everything will be blur if we can see our surrounding.

Not long after, we climb trees and pass through bridges that are set between them. This part is the most exhilarating as the feeling of riding a giant lizard that can climb very fast is just incredible.

After another ten minutes, we eventually arrive at the Dark Elves Kingdom.