Chapter 17

I Met an Elf

After leaving the Catfolk village, we headed deep into the forest, guided to an area where medicinal herbs grew abundantly.

โ€œAhhh, this is amazingโ€ฆ! I can finally make advanced potions!โ€

The area seemed untouched by human hands, with plenty of high-quality medicinal herbs thriving.

As we gathered herbs and pressed on, we entered a part of the forest where tall trees towered over us. Occasionally, we saw small creatures darting through the foliage, rustling the leaves as they went.

The winding path was lined with massive trees, their trunks entwined with strange blue vines.

โ€œStop! What business do you have beyond this point!?โ€

A sudden voice echoed from nowhere.

โ€œHuh? Beyond this pointโ€ฆ?โ€

What could possibly be ahead? More importantly, where was this voice coming from? It seemed to be from somewhere above, but the echo made it hard to pinpoint.

The voice belonged to a man, sounding relatively young.

โ€œDonโ€™t feign ignorance! You cannot pass!โ€

A glint of light caught my eye, and then something came flying toward us. As I tried to step back, my heel caught on the twisted roots of a tree along the path.

What flew at us was an arrow. It wasnโ€™t aimed directly but shot as a warning, landing just shy of my feet. Before it could touch the ground, it was engulfed in flames and burned to ashes.

โ€œAn elf, no doubt.โ€

โ€œAn elfโ€ฆโ€

I repeated Belialโ€™s words. I had hoped to meet an elf, but I didnโ€™t expect them to be so combative. In Egdualum, where non-human races were banned, I had eagerly looked forward to encountering other species.

โ€œWhatโ€ฆ what is this!? A woman with such a terrifying being in her serviceโ€”what is your intent in coming to our village!?โ€

Finally, I realized the reason for the hostility. Elves, being even more sensitive to magic than the Catfolk, must have sensed something ominous from Belial, heightening their caution. So, their village lay beyond this path.

โ€œMy deepest apologies. I am a magical item craftsman from the town of Renant in the Kingdom of Chenkaslar . Iโ€™ve come seeking medicinal herbs. I only heard of this forest from others and had no knowledge of your village. We will take another path, so please be at ease.โ€

I bowed respectfully, unsure if they could see me, and turned to leave. Suddenly, the leaves rustled, and a male elf, armed with a bow, gracefully leapt down from the high branches.

Golden hair and eyes, long ears as rumored. His skin was pale, and he wore green clothing with a chest guard. As he landed, the feathers of the arrows in his quiver lightly bounced.

โ€œโ€ฆMy apologies for jumping to conclusions. It seems you are not bandits. Recently, children have been disappearing from our village. Yesterday alone, three peopleโ€”a child, another child, and an adultโ€”failed to return from the forest. As such, we are on high alert.โ€

The young man bowed his head apologetically. Come to think of it, I had been warned about bandit activity before coming here and told to hire a guard. If itโ€™s come to kidnappingโ€ฆ this is a grave situation indeed.

โ€œThat must be heartbreaking. If I see anything, I will let you know.โ€

โ€œThank you. I am Justus of Montian. If you encounter any issues with the elves, mention my name.โ€

He seemed to feel genuinely sorry for shooting the arrow and offered his name as a gesture of apology.

โ€œI am Iriya , and this is the demon I am contracted with, Lord Belial. Should you have any issues with demons, feel free to use his name.โ€

โ€œIriya ! Do not so lightly use my name!โ€

โ€œI thought my name alone would not sufficeโ€ฆโ€

โ€œWhile that is true, your flippancy is excessive!!โ€

I thought it might be polite to return the favor in kind, but apparently, I went too far. Still, I felt Justus was trustworthyโ€”people who can readily admit their mistakes are likable.

Justus chuckled awkwardly as he watched our exchange.

โ€œBy the way, what is Montian?โ€

โ€œAh, thatโ€™s the name of this forest. Among humans, itโ€™s apparently called the Elf Forest.โ€

I seeโ€”I had only ever heard it referred to as the Elf Forest.

โ€œWait here for a moment.โ€

Justus clapped his hands as if recalling something and quickly leapt back up into the trees. With the ease of someone accustomed to this terrain, he moved across thin branches and returned shortly.

โ€œThis is my apology. Please take it. We had a good harvest this year and have extras.โ€

He handed over medicinal herbs, which were also ingredients for high potions, and even mandrakes.

This is incredibleโ€ฆ!

I had heard rumors that elves had successfully cultivated mandrakes, a magical plant that could only grow in mana-rich lands, but to receive such a treasure so easilyโ€ฆ!

โ€œMy goodnessโ€ฆ Such rare and valuable itemsโ€ฆ I accept them gratefully. Thank you so much.โ€

I searched my item box for something to give in return. Since elves were likely skilled in crafting medicine, something different would be better. Most of my items, though, were for personal use.

My fingers brushed against a bracelet with a red stone. A keepsake from Belial, it was imbued with protective magic. Considering the dangers posed by bandits, this seemed perfect.

โ€œThis bracelet was imbued with magic by Lord Belial himself. Please accept it.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆIsnโ€™t that something I gave you long ago? Why havenโ€™t you used it?โ€

โ€œDidnโ€™t you tell me to sell it or do whatever I wanted with it?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s far too valuable for me to accept!โ€

Justus hesitated, but I insisted, not wanting to leave without reciprocating. He eventually accepted the bracelet, albeit reluctantly.

After asking about locations for collecting materials and directions to the town, we parted ways.

Belial, however, seemed dissatisfied, muttering to himself.

โ€œTo think the protective magic I personally cast was left unusedโ€ฆ No wonder it never activated.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m sorry. But I couldnโ€™t think of anything else suitable to offer as thanksโ€ฆโ€

โ€œโ€ฆYour potions are already more than adequate.โ€

Though he sounded exasperated, he seemed slightly pleased.


Further along, we arrived at a crystal-clear lake surrounded by blooming flowers in the wetlands. Sunbeams filtered through the trees, illuminating the lake in a mystical glow.

While enjoying the scenery, gathering materials, and fending off monsters, we somehow lost our way. Likely, I had missed a turn while absorbed in searching for herbs. Navigating forest paths is tricky without clear landmarks.

โ€œI assumed you knew the way, given how confidently you were walkingโ€ฆโ€

Belialโ€™s pointed gaze stung.

As dusk approached, we decided to rest while Belial scouted ahead.

โ€œSighโ€ฆ When it comes to herbs and magic, I lose track of everything elseโ€ฆโ€

I reflected on my actions, but just as I relaxed, my guard slipped.

A sudden impact struck the back of my neck, and before I could cry out, darkness swallowed my consciousness.


I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman

I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman

ๅฎฎๅปท้ญ”ๅฐŽๅธซ่ฆ‹็ฟ’ใ„ใ‚’่พžใ‚ใฆใ€้ญ”ๆณ•ใ‚ขใ‚คใƒ†ใƒ ่ทไบบใซใชใ‚Šใพใ™
Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Japanese
The prologue may appear serious on the surface, but itโ€™s fundamentally comedic. And there is no romance. The pairings are left to the readers' imagination. Updates are generally once a week on Fridays. This is a fantasy story about Illya, who is a magic-focused, effort-driven character with zero physical combat ability, and the demon Belial with whom she has made a contract. It includes elements like magic incantations, magical enhancements, demons, summoning, and amuletsโ€”packed with things I love! For those coming from the books: Volume 1 covers the first chapter. The continuation starts from Chapter 2, Episode 27. Volume 2 contains Chapters 2 and 3, but Episodes 49 and 50 have been cut. Volume 3 includes Chapters 4 and 5, with content from Episodes 51 to 74, but Episodes 71 and 73 have been cut. It also includes Episode 80, "The Masterโ€™s Return of Favor." The first part is complete. The first wide-area attack magic appears in Episode 37, and demons will increase in the latter half! (;'โˆ€') The second part is also complete: The Hell King War! The third part has finished as well: The Fiancรฉe Annulment Arc! A lot of travel takes place. The fourth part is also complete. Cutting through the darkness of Egdualum!?

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