The Book Eating Magician Chapter 335:

Chapter 335 - Promised Night (2)

The sun set as always . However, the forest was more turbulent than usual .

It was because the news of the ‘festival’ had spread throughout the forest as Elvenheim invited each species . Although it might seem strange to hold a festival a few days after a big battle, that was only from the viewpoint of a human . The residents of the Great Forest were accustomed to the food chain and accepted the invitation with pleasure .

The ents moved in a rare manner, while the dryads sang happily . Joyful songs, musical instruments, and cheerful voices rang out through the forest .

In particular, the square of the world tree, where the main guests were gathered, was very lively .

“Now! Let’s have a toast for our friend, Theodore Miller, who has come from a faraway place!” Alucard raised a wooden cup and shouted in a loud voice . “Cheers!”

Theodore smiled as he raised his cup in accordance with everyone else . In fact, the act of toasting wasn’t part of the elves’ customs . However, they followed along after seeing him and Veronica bump cups a few times . That’s why the people sitting here were becoming drunk much faster than usual . It was natural that they would lose their pace when drinking alcohol according to the pace of others .

The sudden development of bad habits caused Theodore to feel awkward .

“Hiccup . ”

The worst victim was sitting on his left .

“Ellenoa, aren’t you drinking too much?”

“Ah . . .  Not yet, still okay .  Hiccup . ”

“You don’t look okay . . . ”

Her skin was red, and her tongue was twisted . However, she looked at Theodore with a clear focus . He didn’t know if she was completely drunk, but it should be fine if she said so . Additionally, his drinking partner wasn’t just Ellenoa .

“Hey, there are still more bottles, gorgeous young man!”

“Alisa, why are you calling me that? You look much younger than me . ”

High elf Alisa looked like a human in her late teens, and she chuckled at the words .  Every woman, no matter the species, liked being told they looked young . However, high elves lived for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years . Alisa held a bottle to her lips and said, “What? Are you not accepting my cup?”

“No . ” Theodore lost his escape route and drank another cup of alcohol .  

Then Lumia appeared next to him with another bottle . This was called facing a mountain after another mountain .  Theodore had initially thought Lumia had a mature and reliable style, so he couldn’t help feeling betrayed .  

Lumia looked a little apologetic but still offered him the bottle sweetly .  “Please share a cup with me for your troubles . ”

“ . . . I understand . ” Theodore drank more than the average person at this party and felt his face burn up . It was because the alcohol from the elves was much stronger than he had thought .  By now, he had already drunk a few bottles worth of alcohol .  He tried to refuse, but six individuals kept trying to share a cup with him . Of course, the effect of the drinks quickly faded .  However, Veronica was a little different .

“Come on, look inside . ” She sat on Theodore’s right and lifted the bottle with a frown after discovering that inside was empty .  Fortunately, she didn’t seem to be angry .  

“This one still has a bit left . ”

“Ah, thank you . ”

High elf Titania sat next to Veronica and filled up the cup in front of her .  Despite having met for the first time a short while ago, they liked each other after trusting each other with their backs during the fight . The two women drank in a relaxed atmosphere .

The sound of singing and musical instruments stimulated their ears, and the atmosphere was good . A few hours flowed by .

“Ah . ” Ellenoa’s cup fell over . It was proof that her vision was blurry .

Theodore realized it was time to stop her and opened his mouth, “You have drunk enough . Stop now . ” 

Ellenoa looked up at him with a funny expression and asked with an excited voice, “Are you worried?”

Theodore nodded, ignoring his pounding heart . “Yes, I am worried . ”

“Then do you want to get some fresh air? Just like last time . ”

“That . . . ” Theodore hesitated after being invited by Ellenoa .

Veronica laughed, pushing at his shoulder . She made a knowing smile, causing Ellenoa to blush .

“Go . It isn’t too late in the night,” Veronica told them .

“ . . . Sigh, then let’s go . ”

“Ah, yes . ”

Theodore held out his hand to Ellenoa, who rose from her seat and left the area with him . The high elves were either too drunk to know they had gone or left them alone . Veronica hummed as she looked at their backs before picking up a fruit .  “Bah . ”

Only Titania was sober enough to read the mood and asked Veronica a question without hesitation, “Veronica . ”

“Huh?”

“I don't know much about the relationship between men and women, but . . . are you really okay with not following them?”

“Ah, really! You should pretend not to know!” Veronica suddenly yelled, causing the other high elves to look at her with surprise .

Veronica coughed a few times before closing her eyes for a moment . She seemed to be suppressing the feelings that were caused by Titania’s words .  Titania waited with an expressionless face . Then Veronica opened her eyes . “Well, didn’t she seriously like the kid first?”

“Hrmm . ”

“She can only stay with Theodore for a night, while I will be with him for the rest of my life . ”

Veronica placed the fruit in her mouth .  Then she chewed on it before spitting it out .

Spit! “What is this charcoal-like taste?”

The fruit that she had placed in her mouth tasted like fish that had been grilled over a campfire .  Titania, who had been watching the entire process, tilted her body and filled Veronica’s empty glass .

“Humans should know that we elves hate liars . ”

“Huh? Then?”

“Your lie just now . . . Yes, it is cute . ”

“W-What are you saying?!”

Titania giggled at Veronica’s confused reaction and raised her cup .

The joyous night of celebration passed by .

 

*     *     *

 

On the other hand, Theodore walked behind Ellenoa .  He got to know Elvenheim’s geography while preparing for this battle, but he had no knowledge of where the high elves were staying . Therefore, Ellenoa led the way, and he had to follow . However, Theodore soon had to grab onto Ellenoa .

“Ah . ”

“Ellenoa!”

Her body had stumbled over stones . Fortunately, his hands were faster . Ellenoa’s hot body temperature and smell were conveyed to Theodore as he held her . Ellenoa leaned on Theodore and whispered into his ears, “I can’t walk anymore . . . Theodore, I’m sorry, but can you please take me to my room?”

It was a lethal temptation, whether she intended it or not .

“Of course . ”

“Huhu, please . ” Her smile was seductive despite her drunkenness .  

Theodore shook off his thoughts and started moving . He was nervous about Ellenoa’s breathing on his back and her skin sticking to his, but he somehow endured it . Theodore walked for a few more minutes in the direction she pointed and saw a wooden knot covered with an illusion .

‘Is this really Ellenoa’s bedroom?’ Theodore stopped at the sudden thought .

Then Ellenoa whispered to him, “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing . ” 

As he stepped into it, the bleak knot changed to another space . Theodore had experienced a tree knot used as a space door several times . It was something that even White Tower Master Orta had failed to reproduce .

“Is this Ellenoa’s bedroom?”

“Today . . . ”

“Huh?”

Ellenoa fell to the ground without responding to Theodore’s question .  Theodore turned to her and froze like a stone statue .  His reaction was natural .

“Theodore . ” She gazed at Theodore with clear eyes, with no signs of drunkenness at all . “Do you remember the promise that night?” 

She didn’t need to explain what was promised .

“Yes . ”

“Then can I think of this ring as the answer?”

Ellenoa held up the finger with the flower ring . Unlike the elves who were born in the Great Forest and never left, she had once lived among in the human world .  She had pored over the books about civilizations that humans had written, so it wouldn’t be strange if she remembered some customs . A ring on the left hand was a symbol of marriage .

“ . . . Ellenoa . ”

This couldn’t be avoided anymore . He shouldn’t avoid it . Turning his back on her courage and determination would be the worst betrayal .  Theodore calmed his heart and spoke the words he hadn’t been able to say previously .

“I like you . ” He wouldn’t hesitate if that was all .  “However, I don’t think I am suitable to be your mate . ”

He couldn’t make a high elf, who lived for thousands of years, happy .  The present Theodore was too lacking .  No, it wasn’t merely a matter of time . For Theodore who always experienced all types of situations, being involved with humans or elves was a bad choice . He couldn’t come up with an answer despite many years of suffering . Theodore scolded himself for being indecisive and making her wait .

“Me too . ” However, her voice was filled with warmth as she held his hands . “I am the same, Theodore . ”

Ellenoa opened her eyes, revealing the slight glittering of tears .

She grabbed Theodore’s hands and confessed her feelings in an affectionate voice, “It might be because I am Mitra’s Saintess or maybe it’s because of the power of a high elf, but I can see it . Theodore is going to do great things in the future . I can’t hold onto you greedily . ”

“Ellenoa . . . ”

“I know that, but we have this place . Do you know? This alcohol is unusually strong . I’ve never once drunk it . I showed weakness in order to take advantage of your kindness and have tonight . ”

Did she seem ugly? Theodore shook his head .  No, ‘ugly’ would be applied to people who betrayed their friends for riches or power . A pretty girl using cute tricks to gain someone’s affection wasn’t ugly . Ellenoa laughed despite shedding tears .  

“Theodore, if so . . . ” Her slender fingers moved to the edge of the veil on her shoulders as she spoke in a voice that made him melt . “Let me have tonight . ”

Her clothing fell to the ground .  Then Theodore couldn’t think anymore . No, he didn’t want to think .  From here on out, his brilliant mind wasn’t a problem .

Theodore stepped forward and touched Ellenoa’s shoulder . The cold breeze touched her skin along with his warm touch . The shadows of the two people overlapped on the bed as the long night began .

It was the end of the festival .