The elven nation, Beltox

The Elven Nation, Beltox. A border town called Streast.

I only learned both names after asking the elven gate guard and double-checking with Dea.

"I can't believe you didn't even know the country's name, Onee-san…"

Dea looked exasperated from the seat beside me on the driver's bench.

"B-But, you know! Everyone just kept calling it 'the Elflands' and that worked fine!"

"If you'd asked Aishia-san, she would have told you right away. You could have asked me too, you know."

Fair point. Aishia the former bard and seasoned traveler would definitely know basic geography…

Anyway, once we cleared the stone gate checkpoint as merchants, an ordinary-looking town unfolded before us.

The medieval European-style streets weren't too different from Solasidor—a pleasant mix of wood and stone buildings. If I had to pinpoint a difference, there were noticeably more flower beds and little parks dotting the streets. Also, a good 80% of the pedestrians were elves.

"Surprisingly normal for an elf town, though I do see more greenery."

"This is near the border, so there's relatively more human influence here. Head toward the interior and the cities become much more nature-integrated."

"So there's, like, a World Tree with treehouses built into it?"

"There is a great tree called the World Tree, but no treehouses."

Oh, so they do have a World Tree. Long-lived elves paired with a World Tree—a classic combination, really.

"I'd love to see the World Tree sometime."

"That could be arranged, Onee-san. My family actually manages the World Tree, so I can give you a personal tour."

"Oh? So you're from a distinguished family, then?"

"Yes, more or less. Distinguished enough to get special treatment at immigration, at least."

As I thought—Dea really is an ojou-sama from a prestigious house.

The sudden urge to pat his head struck me, so I did exactly that. Pat pat.

"…"

"Hm? Why'd you clam up? What's wrong, Dea?"

"N-No, I should be asking you that, Onee-san. Why are you suddenly patting me?"

"Do you not like it?"

"No… I don't dislike it."

Since he didn't dislike it, I kept patting away. Pat pat. Ahh, his silky silver hair feels wonderful beneath my fingers. He smells nice too… Wait, we're using the same shampoo, aren't we?

Something about that ponytail makes me want to nibble on it.

That aside, now that we're actually in the Elven Nation, I've noticed something…

Dea really is stunning, even by elf standards. Far from blending into the crowd, he stands out for being too cute.

Or maybe, like with dwarves, there are subtle racial markers I can't perceive that would instantly give away that he's male?

… Hmm. If that's the case, having Dea dress as a girl might actually be putting him through considerable humiliation.

"Dea, is your outfit okay from a racial perspective?"

"Ah, yes. Well… um. Yes, it's fine. Just so you know, I think even from an elf's perspective, I look completely like a girl when dressed like this."

He seemed to pick up on my concern and answered carefully.

So he passes as a beautiful girl even to elven eyes. That's a relief.

"For now, should we find an inn? Know any good spots, Dea?"

"Um… I'd rather not stay at one if possible. Can't we just camp outside? We're heading back to the base anyway."

Hm? That's unusually evasive for Dea…

"So there's a recommended inn, but someone you know works there or something?"

"It's not that I know them, more like… they know me one-sidedly. You know?"

"Oho."

For a moment I thought unrequited love, but that would be "I know them one-sidedly," so it's the reverse.

Dea is famous…?

Must be something like "Miss Beltox" or "Number One in the Elf Beauty Rankings." He's definitely gorgeous enough to sweep any elf beauty pageant.