“You don’t mean to say… you’ve been down here eating mushrooms for thirty years, do you?”
“Sure do. Us elves have crazy-efficient metabolisms, you know?”
Dorothea said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"And I'm a dark elf, known as the elite, among the elves. If I absorb mana in the atmosphere, I can afford hundred years without drinking or eating."
“A hundred years?! Elves are amazing!”
"No, sure I heard that there are some who can do it but..."
Charlotte was awestruck, but Allen just furrowed his brow.
Elves were a race that lived in harmony with nature.
They usually lived deep in forests, forming small settlements and drawing life energy from plants and flowers.
Still, they were living beings. Even if they were vegetarians, they ate proper meals.
Living a hundred years without food or water… that was a feat reserved only for very powerful, high-ranking elves.
(For an elf like that to have hidden herself away for thirty years… What kind of situation could force her into that?)
It smells too fishy.
As Allen watched her warily, Dorothea tilted her head curiously.
“Wait, so if thirty years have passed… does that mean I’m, like, a missing person on the surface?”
“Uhh… yeah, I guess.”
Allen could only avert his gaze.
(This is bad… If the previous resident is technically still living here, this could be a huge legal mess…!)
It's definitely a legal dispute, and there's a possibility that it could even go to court.
Worst case scenario, Allen and the others might be forced to vacate the house.
Sure, the real estate agency might pay some compensation...but that wasn’t the issue.
Charlotte, who was technically a wanted person, had finally found a safe haven here. The house was far from town, visitors were rare, and she’d finally gotten used to life here. Forcing her to move would be cruel.
Building a new home in the forest wasn’t ideal either.
Charlotte would definitely stress over the massive construction costs.
Moving out? Not an option. Building new? Also out.
In that case, the only way left for Allen was negotiation.
“Hey, Dorothea. I was wondering if we could talk about something…”
“Yeah?”
Allen got straight to the point, asking if she’d be willing to let them have the mansion above. Dorothea listened with a thoughtful “Hmm,” then shrugged and gave a surprisingly easy response.
“Don’t really mind. I actually like the basement better anyway. Use the mansion however you want.”
“That… that’s a relief. In that case, let’s discuss payment...”
"No, I don't need any money."
“...What?”
Allen blinked, and Charlotte tilted her head in confusion.
Dorothea studied their faces closely, stroking her chin.
“Hmm, brooding tough-guy type and a delicate-looking girl… now that’s an intriguing combo. Totally hits my creative sensor.”
“What the hell are you talking about…?”
“Nothing much. Just thinking of a little exchange deal we could work out.”
Dorothea grinned.
Something about that smile sent a chill down Allen’s spine...but she just kept going.
"I'll have you fulfill my wishes. The price is the mansion. It's a simple deal."
“Wouldn’t money be simpler…?”
“Oh, come on. With you two working together, this’ll be over in no time!”
“Is it… something I can help with too?”
“Of course! In fact, it has to be the two of you!”
This was getting more suspicious by the second.
Allen glared at Dorothea through his narrowed eyes.
“So? What exactly do you want us to do?”
“Hehehe… Isn’t it obvious?”
With a dramatic flourish, Dorothea pulled a notepad and pen from who-knows-where, pointing the pen directly at them.
“I want to see you two go all out flirting! For the sake of my next masterpiece, by Dorothea, the world’s greatest romance novelist!”
"Haaaah!?"
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