A New Set Of Residents

“Dark… Elves…”

I searched my memory.

Dark Elves were one of the demi-human races—humans with similar forms but distinct traits.

Long ears and silver hair were their signature features.

“I am Miria. I serve as the chief of our Dark Elf settlement.”

“And I’m Lulu! I’m the fashion leader of the Dark Elves!”

Miria-san was a cool beauty with a sharp, serious aura.

Lulu-san had sparkling eyes and a bubbly, cheerful air.

I understood chief, but… what was a fashion leader supposed to be?

“I’m Woody. I serve as the chief of this village, Guinea… and also of Tree Village a little ways from here.”

“Ohh!? Woody-dono, you’re a tribal chief!? Such rudeness—there is only one thing left to do. I shall commit seppuku!”

“H-hold on—what are you doing!? Please stop!”

Miria-san drew a dagger from her waist and actually tried to press it against her abdomen.

Seriously!?

Not a joke—she genuinely tried to stab herself!

That was beyond dangerous!

“Sorry, Woody-san. Miria-chan is a bit stiff.”

“I-I see…”

“By the way, she’s so stiff that her boyfriendless record equals her age.”

“L-Lulu! My dating history has nothing to do with this!”

“I-I see…”

I could only answer like some kind of broken magic tool stuck on repeat.

“Ahem! In any case! Woody-dono, we wish for you to accept us into your village.”

“All right, then let’s sit down and discuss it properly. …But it’s way too loud out here.”

The festival was still raging on.

And the Dark Elves were far too eye-catching.

They likely wanted to speak privately as well.

I didn’t understand Dark Elf customs… and I understood even less what a fashion leader was.

But relationships with neighbors were crucial in the desert.

It was a rule of survival.

Miria-san and Lulu-san didn’t seem hostile, so this was an opportunity worth taking.

So I guided them into a House Tree where we could speak peacefully.

“Woody-sama.”

“What is it, Aira?”

“Another woman has joined us! Are you aiming for a harem!? We do not need more heroines!”

“E-even if you say that to me…”

Inside the House Tree, we began our conversation.

By the time we sat down, Miria-san and Aira had both calmed.

Meanwhile, Rebecca was still sitting on my lap.

“I apologize for losing myself earlier. This village… excited me far more than expected.”

“I understand.”

To be fair, when Guinea became a Sanctuary, even I was shocked.

Anyone would be startled to see a mining town appear out of nowhere in the middle of a desert.

“I’ve never heard of Dark Elves living in the desert… May I touch your ears?”

“Dark Elves allow their ears to be touched only by the one they love.”

Nadja, who had stayed nearby to respond in case of danger, was rejected instantly and wilted in disappointment.

“You can touch mine if you want?”

“—I want to touch them!”

While Nadja kneaded my ears enthusiastically, I continued the discussion.

Nadja, please… at least stand behind me.

And Aira, stop staring like that. I’ll let you touch them later.

“Rumors of your village have reached even the northern desert dwellers, Woody-dono.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“A paradise where endless water and fruit gush forth.”

“I see.”

“Well, of course we knew it couldn’t really be endless. That’s why we came to check.”

“No, water and fruit really are almost endless here.”

““Really!?””

Yes.

Sanctuaries drew water from the leylines naturally.

And as long as villagers lived here, I could plant trees endlessly.

“Please, Woody-dono—would you allow us Dark Elves to live in your village?”

“Sure.”

“Of course we didn’t expect acceptance so easily. We’re willing to offer Dark Elf secret elixirs, magic tool—wait, what?”

“You’re welcome to live in the village. But handling problems might be harder here in Guinea, so I’d like you to move to Tree Village instead.”

Accepting Dark Elves would probably invite new complications.

But problems were not a reason to abandon people in need.

And if necessary, we could even ask a Divine Beast to create a Sanctuary just for them.

We already had experience running a village—this time would be easier.

“Please do live in my village. I’ll guarantee your food, clothing, and shelter for a while. If it doesn’t suit you, you’re free to leave.”

“Eeeh, really!? Yay!!”

Lulu-san hopped excitedly, then gave me a passionate hug.

As expected of a fashion leader—she liked physical contact.

“We are deeply grateful… Truly, thank you, Woody-dono.”

Miria-san shook my hand with a composed gratitude.

And just like that, the Dark Elves became new residents of my territory—