NABC Chapter 146
Chapter 146
Schelmelhorn’s Monologue
I’ve been reading people’s minds my whole life.
No, it’s not like I wanted to. As a child, I couldn’t control it, it would just echo in my mind.
High Elves have an incredibly low birthrate. I was born with my older sister. Twins, they call it, but I’m not interested. I heard my mother died giving birth to us.
I was a troublesome child, always crying from headaches. My sister, Martinelshiela, on the other hand, was quiet and well-behaved, even as a baby.
Until they finally discovered that my headaches were due to a special ability, I was treated as a sickly child, one who could die at any moment. And so, I was always being cared for, people constantly by my side, their thoughts flowing into my mind, making my headaches even worse. It was a vicious cycle.
When they finally understood, I started living in seclusion in my room. I remember being incredibly relieved by the peace and quiet.
“Schel, I believe I can solve your problem.”
Mara had said this to me one day. Apparently, she had this special ability, that she could grant one wish, any wish. What a ridiculous ability. I was envious. But I could use it.
My headaches had subsided after I’d been separated from other people, but those thoughts still flowed into my mind, never completely vanishing. I wanted to be free of these headaches.
“I want to control this special ability. To use it whenever I want to.”
“Okay.”
And so, from that day onwards, I was able to read people’s minds whenever I wanted to, and ignore them when I didn’t. It was about 300 years after I was born.
And then, about 500 years later, those in the village started to learn how to shield their minds from me. Not everyone, and not all the time, but for some reason, I found it unpleasant. How strange. I’d hated this ability so much, and yet, now that I couldn’t read them, I found it a pity. That’s when I decided to take precautions, so they wouldn’t be able to defy me when I became patriarch.
Around the same time, I started to question why there were races other than High Elves. Why wasn’t the world just High Elves? It was probably because only High Elves were worthy, because they were closest to being gods. That’s why there are so few of us. And so, of all the races, we are the greatest. And the reason the gods hadn’t turned us into gods is because the other races don’t serve us. Because we aren’t worshipped enough. That must be it, I was obsessed with this idea.
And yet.
I rarely go for walks alone in the forest, but I’d sensed Mara coming and had decided to go out. But I won’t tell her that. It’s purely coincidental that we met here.
“...How’s the guild?”
That’s right. Staying silent would be strange, so I decided to bring it up. Be grateful, Mara.
“Hmhm, well, it’s running smoothly. There are always small problems, of course.”
Special-grade Guild Nemo, which I’d managed, had collapsed, but apparently Mara had taken over and was now running a guild based on it. The members are mostly the same, a new guild with a completely different system. It’s only been about 20 years since it was established, but I’d heard it’s already close to achieving the High-grade title. People were calling it an incredible speed, but it’s Mara we’re talking about. It’s only natural. It won’t be long before it obtains the Special-grade title too.
“The way you’re saying it, it sounds like those small problems aren’t even worth mentioning.”
“That’s right. Razzy handles most of them. He’s such a good boy. I’m always grateful for his help.”
Razield, huh? He worships those he acknowledges to an annoying extent. Oni are savage and violent, but easy to manage if you just overpower them with force. Well, that’s usually not easy, but it’s child’s play for us High Elves. And Mara, despite her gentle appearance, she’s a tough woman.
“Come visit us sometime, Schel. I’m sure everyone will be happy to see you.”
“...I’m sure they’ll hate it.”
I understand how I’m perceived. And so, I have no intention of being involved with them anymore. Mara puffed up her cheeks, muttering “You’re so stubborn,” but it didn’t matter.
But, well.
Maybe I’ll continue gathering information as a hobby.
Mara’s thoughts, as we were talking, had been along the lines of “He’s my hopeless little brother, I guess I have to indulge him,” as if she was dealing with a child. It annoyed me.
Honestly, only Mara treats me like a child. Having an older sister is troublesome. I’ll go home and relax with some herbal tea.