Chapter 437

[Extra] Retribution! (3)

The Lanuberks lived in a small town with a population of 3,000.

As the twins’ grandfather often lamented, its population couldn’t grow due to their race’s low fertility and high mortality rate.

Until strange occurrences began.

According to his and his secretary’s words…

“Mayor Elfheim, the number of pregnant women has been rapidly increasing recently.”

“Increasing?”

“That’s right. This is just my personal opinion, but I’ve deduced that this has been going on for far too long to pass it as a mere temporary coincidence.”

“… I see.”

As she said, their city’s population surpassed 10,000 in recent years.

And not because of immigrants.

Rather, it was because the number of 1 and 2-year-old elves recently surged.

“The cause behind it remains unknown, though.”

“Aren’t you a part of it? I know you applied for parental leave…”

“I don’t know. I’m of mixed race, so I shouldn’t be used as a reference.”

“Hmm… if we can find out the cause, we’ll be able to fundamentally solve the population problem. But I can’t figure it out at all!”

Grandpa, who always acted like a know-it-all, scratched his head in confusion.

The twins were really curious as well.

『A wealthy mountain god is delighted by the number of newborn babies.』

『A certain relaxed deity appreciates the fertility rate.』

『A certain restless demonic god supports careless mating.』

『A certain clever fanatic foretells the coming of a golden age.』

… But they couldn’t pinpoint it either.

『A certain innocent goddess thanks everyone.』

『A certain god hands out warm friendship-flavored popcorn.』

Only they could seem to see the messages of beings claiming to be deities.

They were at least certain that from the moment they appeared, everything started to change.

“Mollan~♪ Mollan~♬ Mollan~♪”

“…”

Selvenus started singing a strange song of unknown origin.

Selenis was going to tell her to stop since it was driving her crazy, but she gave up upon realizing she was also singing along with her.

It was quite addictive!

“We need to make a decision, mayor.”

“I know. I won’t delay your application for parental leave any longer.”

“I wasn’t talking about that!”

“…”

“Elfheim Kahn Lanuberk. Our father, our eternal sky. Everyone is waiting for your verdict, for the return of the Great Elf King.” His secretary went down on her knees.

Even though it was probably uncomfortable since she had a baby in her stomach, she lay herself on the cold floor without hesitation.

Was their grandfather sitting by the window to ogle at female humans’ breasts really that amazing?

Her grandfather answered calmly.

“I’m not as great an elf as you think.”

“That’s impossible. You often disappoint people, but everyone knows you’re just hiding what you’re truly capable of!”

“That’s…”

His mistakes were genuine.

But she seemed to seriously believe it.

“Elf King Elfheim! Please lead us once again! The neighboring countries that have been persecuting us have self-destructed and collapsed. Now is the time to rise again! This isn’t just my dogmatic opinion. Tribal chiefs, mayors, village heads, and group heads scattered across Festival are longing for your return! Here is a list of your supporters. Please take a look.” Though she was always calm and collected, she was coming out stronger than normal today after feeling a sense of determination and aspiration to do her duty before heading off for her 50-year parental leave, which she recently applied for.

Did he feel the same way she did?

Their grandfather, who always looked pitiful, became serious.

Stroking the twins’ head, he replied, “I’m already retired. Now, I’m content just being the grandfather of my two cute and lovely granddaughters. I’m too old to lead my people. It’s time to hand over my throne to the young talents suitable for the changing times.”

“That’s ridiculous! No one can take your place, King Elfheim!”

“My decision is final.”

Possessing no greed for power and fame, their grandfather could be called the ideal king.

But he seemed a little too bloated, causing many people to misunderstand his true colors.

“That can’t be! Our neighboring countries perished one after another after persecuting and oppressing us. There’s no other elf that can accomplish such a feat. Our race’s survival will be impossible without His Majesty Elfheim.”

“That’s self-defeatism.”

“There’s no use pretending, your Majesty. Although we found no clear evidence, our opponents were destroyed the moment they started targeting Selenis and Selvenus. You’re the only one who can secretly accomplish our great cause.”

“Huh? That’s just pure coincidence.”

“Even if you keep saying so, no elf would believe you, o’ Great King.”

Her words actually sounded plausible.

If all of his pitiful actions were but a disguise to hide what he was truly capable of…

Their grandfather began to look a little cooler.

『A certain innocent goddess admires his perfect disguise.』

『A certain restless demonic god makes fun of her for being innocent.』

『A certain innocent goddess is becoming teary-eyed.』

『A certain reaper quickly sprinkles red pepper powder.』

『A certain restless demonic god screams as he rolls on the floor.』

They were insane!

Were they the ones who did it?

『A certain receptionist pats his shoulder and agrees.』

『A certain relaxed deity admires his perfect disguise.』

『A certain ninja god admires his perfect disguise.』

『A certain wretched evil spirit admires his perfect disguise.』

『A certain spirit admires his perfect disguise.』

『A certain clever fanatic agrees.』

…

That didn’t seem to be the case.

If so, then that meant it really was their grandfather’s doing.

Despite denying it until the very end, he changed his attitude when his secretary threw in a condition.

“In that case, to strengthen the royal power and our cause, one of your two granddaughters will be the new Elf King’s bride…”

“Nonsense!”

Enraged and furious, he wrapped his arms around the twins to protect them as he made a declaration.

“I will make a powerful country where no one can surpass my granddaughters!”

Would it be that easy?

He was the one who told them there were a lot of beings in this world whose power had surpassed common sense itself.

『A certain innocent goddess vows to support him.』

It became a reality.

“Does this make sense? Selvenus, what do you think…”

“Mollan~ ♪ Mollan~♬ Mollan~♪”

“…”

At this point, Selenis no longer knew what was happening.

*****

Their territory, which grew to an empire by absorbing neighboring countries without much difficulty, developed like a snowball turning into an avalanche.

The twins got goosebumps because of it.

“Awesome! Grandpa prepared for this in advance!”

A series of phenomena that shouldn’t have been possible occurred in succession.

The tyrant, previously thought invincible, was now dying of grave injuries?

A civil war rose in a town that had faith in local beliefs.

Oracles that foretold a flood came to temples in various places.

The list was endless.

When did he start preparing to absorb neighboring countries?

He smiled all day long in front of his family, but he was already brewing up such a storm from behind…

Their respect for him grew a little bit larger.

His neighbors and those around him all seemed to agree.

“Long live the 3rd Elf King!”

“Praise His Majesty Elfheim!”

“Our Great Father!”

“We will sing songs about your glory!”

“May the King live forever!”

People used to praise him in the past, but the twins didn’t realize just how much back then.

Nevertheless, when their city turned into an empire, and everyone chanted their grandfather’s name…

They finally understood how amazing their grandfather was!

“That’s…” He looked embarrassed.

Seeing his reaction, their mother grumpily said, “I’ve felt it since a long time ago, but my father’s really lucky. I’m not saying he’s incompetent, though.”

“Huh! It’s quite sad to hear that from you, my flat-chested daughter. You got married to the strongest being in this world because of my luck.”

“No, what?”

Their grandfather said he was once stuck with her mother, but now, she couldn’t stop talking about their father.

They didn’t know what he looked like, but his shadow was always around them.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Earth, fire, wind, water, soul!

The spirits he gave the twins as escorts were always with them.

And a group of faculty and staff members regularly checked their family’s safety and ensured they could enjoy various privileges.

As their Empire’s territory grew larger and more elves were born, their race’s power and rights increased day by day.

“All these feats belong to my daughter Elkaterina and my two granddaughters, Selenis and Selvenus, who have inherited the blood of the Great Hero! My compatriots! Please continue to love these two blessed children!” Their grandfather exclaimed.

“Wow!”

“Long live the royal family!”

“I love them!”

They didn’t know what he was thinking when he said that, but others’ expectations of them began to rise since then.

『A certain innocent goddess cheers for the twins.』

『A certain receptionist cheers with a certain innocent goddess.』

『A certain relaxed deity appreciates the twins highly.』

『A certain restless demonic god expects a lot from the twins.』

『A certain god is cheering for the twins.』

Selenis and Selvenus expressed their gratitude inwardly.

The Elf Empire continued to grow day by day.

However, as their territory expanded, so did their crises.

“Chaooo…!”

A colossal angel-hating jet-black dragon came down from the skies above.

Noebius.

This planet’s previous owner haphazardly landed in their home’s front yard.

They could let that much pass, but…

“Mom! I can’t see Mollan playing in the yard!”

“Your slime? I definitely saw it there last time…”

“No way… Is it?”

It wasn’t as soft as others of its kind, but the twins still cherished it as their pet.

The two diligently circled around the dragon, looking for it.

“Mollan!”

“Mollan! Where are you?”

However, despite how hard they searched, they failed to find it.

As they were about to give up halfway, they finally witnessed a terrible sight.

“Chaooo.”

In the middle of the plot of land Noebius vacated was a pile of goo that had become so flattened its shape was rendered unrecognizable.

“Mollan…”

“Sister! It’s alive!”

“That’s a relief!”

Thanks to its soft body, it returned to their arms safely and in its original state.

But the twins couldn’t move on just like that.

“We’ll never forgive you!”

“Right!”

『A certain innocent goddess strongly sympathizes.』

Selenis and Selvenus went to find the evil Black Dragon without their grandfather and mother’s knowledge.

“Chaooo?”

“Retribution!”

“Retribution!”

They planned on hitting him lightly with a pillow.

A being of his size would probably only snort at their attack, but they still wanted to get vengeance anyway.

“Bad dragon! If you’re going to laugh, laugh!”

“Chaoooo~?!”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Exceeding their expectations, they crushed Noebius, the fearsome Black Dragon, so much he didn’t even leave behind a corpse.

『A certain innocent goddess is pleased.』

『A certain timid dragon god sweats coldly.』

The situation grew chaotic.

Their mother scolded them for doing something dangerous, but their grandfather only laughed cheerfully and danced.

“As expected! You truly carry the Hero’s blood! Just trust me, Selenis, Selvenus. All the elves on this planet will whisper your name once more!”

Rumors that the twins defeated the black ceratopsian Neubius spread across the continent in just one day.

As a result, their Empire easily annexed countless countries. Afterward, they were established as its emperors, and their grandfather their regent.

Everything was going great.

Until that fateful day.

“Hey?”

A male human with the same smile as them unexpectedly came into their lives.