01x03 - Along Came the Elf

[bunniefuu]

My life has suddenly become

a lot more lively.

The reason couldn't be clearer:

because we're a family of four now.

Shall we read a book, Big Sister?

Sure!

I love the books you read

to me! They're so fun!

Then let's read Lauretta's History of

the Rise and Fall of the Elvish People: Vol. 3,

chapter 5, passage 2,

the commercial policy failures of the

Clar Dynasty of the province of Hrant.

That's way too specialized!

The private army of Kranke, the first ruler

of the Clar Dynasty, grew so mighty

that it attained the status of a military

clique among the elves of Hrant.

Eventually, in the year 405,

he declared himself king.

Elves, huh? I've never met an elf.

Boing!

Tight!

Boing!

Um

It's an elf.

And what can I do for you?

Um, someone is after me

and I was hoping the Witch of

the Highlands could help me.

I bet I can guess who

would go after an elf

Are there any orcs around here?

It's not orcs!

I want you to save me from

the high demon Beelzebub!

I'm not home right now.

Wait! I'm begging you!

I don't know of anyone who could help

me but the Witch of the Highlands!

I don't want to fight a monster that scary!

Please don't say that! I heard

you're incredibly strong!

I refuse!

I'm begging you, Most Powerful,

Berserk, Wonderful, Strong Witch!

Don't give me weird names that

make me sound like a wrestler!

Bzzz

I've Been k*lling Slimes for 300 Years

and Maxed Out My Level

Along Came an Elf

I came here from a small nation of

elves in the province of Hrant.

I'm Halkara the apothecary.

Apothecary?

It's someone who makes medicines.

That's similar to my line of work.

Yes, witches make medicines, as well.

I specialize in plants, though.

Well, now we know what you do for a living,

but why would Beelzebub want

to go after an apothecary?

The truth is, I'm one of the

highest-paid apothecaries.

I collected components of mushrooms and

plants with exceptional nutritional value

to make an alcoholic drink

called Nutri-Spirit.

Nutri-Spirit?

When you're tired,

just one bottle of this

clears your mind!

strengthens your body!

Halkara's Nutri-Spirit!

It'll get you through your tough job!

Hustle charge!

It's just an energy drink.

Sure, I had a lot of them when

I pulled all-nighters, but

Nutri-Spirit became popular everywhere,

making it an expl*sive hit.

I even started a factory in town,

but production still couldn't keep up.

It's just that successful and profitable!

Yeah, I got that.

And why is Beelzebub after you?

Apparently, she acquired some and drank it,

but it seems to be poisonous to demons.

After drinking it, she passed

out with a high fever

and nearly ended up going straight to Hell.

A demon going to Hell?

So you're saying Beelzebub is

holding a grudge over that.

That's right.

She's been fuming that she'll k*ll

"whoever made this vile poison."

It got me chased out of my own town!

I have nowhere to go anymore!

Please! You have to help me!

Mama, I feel so bad for the elf lady.

I can't bear to see someone

with no home to go back to.

All right. I'll help y—

Thank you so much!

You changed your tune quick!

But I have no intention

of fighting Beelzebub!

I'll only shelter you!

When you go out, wear this robe.

The story is that you're the second

pupil of Azusa, Witch of the Highlands.

Thank you, Master!

Boom!

Boing!

I'm sorry It's just a bit tight on me

This might not work.

Halkara, has anyone ever told

you that you're very well-developed?

About 750 times a year or so

That's about twice a day!

Bzzz

You who have wicked hearts,

be caught in this net and

become incapacitated.

This net will fall upon you as

if it has a will of its own.

There. That doesn't look too bad.

Now Beelzebub won't be able to get in.

Thank you so much!

Let's eat!

Um, is something wrong?

When I was busy with work,

I ate out all the time,

and when I was being chased, I survived

on tree nuts I found in the forest.

It's been so long since I had a warm

meal like this with anyone else

Cheer up, Halkara!

Halkara, have some of this

raspberry jam. It's my favorite.

Thank you so much!

Sorry to have you gather

medicinal herbs with me.

I bet the ones around here are

different from yours, huh?

Yes, they are.

Ah! Here we go!

A dawn king mushroom!

This one's a greater round mushroom.

And these are rolling rat mushrooms!

You're only picking mushrooms

Well, mushrooms are my specialty!

Please be very careful.

Some of these are poison mushrooms

that are dangerous to eat raw.

But take this one, for example

If you boil it for about ten minutes,

the poisons break down and disappear!

Then you can use them for cooking!

Wow

By the way, the poison gives

you a warm, fuzzy feeling,

so connoisseurs leave a bit

in them when cooking them.

That mushroom's borderline insane!

This herb-gathering was way more

productive than I expected!

Thanks!

Not at all. I'm glad you

had such a good time.

Oh, looks like the small ones are ready.

This called elvin sauce.

It's made by fermenting

several types of beans.

It smells like soy sauce.

This is good!

It is soy sauce!

Please eat all you'd like.

I had no idea there were

so many edible mushrooms!

We elves don't live in

the forest for nothing.

I'd love to teach the villagers how to make

optimal use of the forest's bounties, too.

That's a nice idea!

I need to get my daughters

and Laika to try it, too!

I'll be glad to provide all

the guidance you need!

Come on, you're laughing a little too much.

You're right But I just can't stop!

Wait

Halkara, are those poison

mushrooms you're eating?

What are you talking about?

I'm a mushroom expert!

Striped wave mushrooms don't contain poison.

Orange pencil mushrooms don't

contain poison, either.

Triangular chestnut mushrooms

do contain poison!

You did have a poisonous one in the mix!

You're right!

I put one from the

medicinal-use zone in here!

Your sorting method's too careless!

That's one I haven't eaten yet.

That's a silver lining, I guess.

I did eat one

What symptoms does it cause?

It stimulates your mind and body

so you laugh uncontrollably

And it works as an aphrodisiac, too

Huh? Aphrodisiac?

That means it temporarily

makes you feel very lewd.

Huh?

Why are you moving away, Master?

Because I suspect you're

full of poison right now!

Master

Jiggle, jiggle

Would you like to do something fun with me?

Actually please do it

No way!

Don't worry. I promise

it'll make you feel good.

That's not what I'm worried about!

Please

Ta-da!

Ta-da!

Ta-da!

Ta-da!

Um What happened while you

two were gathering herbs?

Oh, stuff.

I neutralized the poison with magic, though.

I made a careless mistake

I'm sorry. Please don't ask questions.

Accept these mushroom dishes as my apology.

Yummy!

It's wonderfully seasoned.

This is delicious!

Isn't it?!

Striped wave mushrooms puff up

when you wrap them before cooking!

They're the best!

You bounced back quick!

Our cooking repertoire will

expand with you here, Halkara.

Thank you so much!

Bzzz

I've Been k*lling Slimes

for 300 Years and

Maxed Out My Level

Master, you're so quick at defeating slimes.

I've been doing it for 300 years.

Okay, Halkara, give it a try.

Yah!

Bob!

Yah!

Boing!

Tch.

Yah!

I managed to defeat it.

Wow, check it out

Thank you for this blessing.

So do you always get stared at this much?

Oh

It's sort of my fate.

You should have more confidence,

too, even if you're small.

I-I'm not that small!

But

It does seem curious that there are

more women staring at you, too.

Oh, an adventurer put that up this morning.

Oh, dear

A "wanted" notice?

The reward for it is quite generous, isn't it?

I guess those who have it, have it

and those who don't don't.

I do all kinds of mundane

tasks, day in and day out!

"Searching for a female apothecary

in the province of Hrant

who makes a product called Nutri-Spirit.

Maybe I should become an adventurer, too

Goes by the name Halkara.

She is currently on the run from Hrant.

Most notable physical feature:

her very large chest.

Reward of 15 million gold for

the one who captures her.

Posted by the demon Beelzebub."

She's already made her move

At least we have the lack of a physical

description going in our favor

But it's just a matter of

time before she comes here.

Laika, can you evacuate my daughters

to some village far from here?

Of course.

Mother, I want to fight with you.

Thank you.

Your willingness alone is enough.

But

Shalsha, don't make things

difficult for Mama.

You might think what you're saying

makes you a good daughter,

but that's not what being

a good daughter means.

Okay, Big Sister. I understand.

Good girl, Shalsha!

Thanks, you two.

Now, we must hurry.

I will revert to my dragon form

at once and take them away.

Right.

I hope the barrier I put up

this morning keeps her away.

Bzzz

Please don't let anything happen

Having Nutri-Spirit on hand makes

me feel like I can fight all night!

I can't believe you can drink

that at a time like this.

The whole concept of my medicine-making

is to make things I'd

want to consume myself.

You're drinking it yourself,

aren't you, Master?

Huh? No, I haven't had any.

Huh?

But look.

I really didn't have any.

Also, Halkara, did you eat dinner?

What? No, I didn't.

Th-This is a joke, right?

I wouldn't joke at a time like this.

Bzzz

Bzzz

Hey

Yes?

Beelzebub is a fly, right?

Bzzz

Yes, she's also known as

the Lord of the Flies.

I'm just wondering here, but

C-Certainly not!

That's just a filthy little fly!

It's a lowly creature that

swarms around horse poop!

There's no way it's a

terrifying demon like

Who are you calling a lowly creature?

Master, don't start doing

crazy voice impersonations!

I didn't say anything.

Then whose voice was that?

Mine!

My name is Beelzebub.

Excuse me for being nothing

but a lowly creature.

"Lowly creature" was just

a figure of speech!

I am but a speck of dust!

I had no intention of saying such a

thing about a great being like you!

It is that speck of dust

that I came here to find.

You've been hiding out in this

house all along, haven't you?

Of course.

I've been making myself at

home since she arrived.

Why didn't you reveal yourself right away?

I wanted to make sure this

woman truly was Halkara.

Also, flying around in houses

in the form of a fly

is my favorite way to spend

my extended vacations.

That's pretty unique!

Halkara, I went through

great pains to find you,

but it was very much worth it.

Please spare me! I'll do anything!

Oh?

Anything, you say?

That is what my ears heard.

All dealings with my pupil will

have to be made through me.

Master!

Witch of the Highlands,

you intend to stand in my way?

My pupil doesn't seem

interested in seeing you.

I'll have to ask you to leave.

When told to leave, it is only natural

that I want to leave even less.

Or do you wish to fight me?

That's perfect.

I haven't fought in so long,

I was starting to get rusty.

Let's fight fair and square.

My thoughts exactly.

I suppose I'll go over there, too.

Are you sure about this? A mere human

is bound to regret defying me!

I will show you just how terrifying

the power of a high demon is—

Oh, the barrier.

Oh, no!

Did you not say we would

fight fair and square?!

What was that?!

Uh, I mean

I didn't think it would work when

you tried to leave, too uh

Sorry.

You think apologizing will help?!

Honestly, talk about raining on my parade

I challenge you

Uh, aren't you exhausted already?

Please! This is nothing!

I feel ill

And I'm having chills

and I feel a bit nauseous

I can't

Whoa, whoa!

Huh? What happened?

Halkara, help me out!

Master, what are you doing?

Making healing magic.

Huh?!

God of the earth, it is not yet known

whether your chaotic power is good or evil.

Grant that power unto me now.

Wait

Hey, is healing magic

something you can use on a demon?

Huh? I think it should be fine

Okay! If it's not, I blame you!

That's too heavy a burden to bear!

Her color looks a bit better!

All right! We're gonna keep doing this!

Master, she's awake!

Beelzebub, you okay?

Yes, the nausea has subsided.

And the chills are gone.

Thank goodness!

You just need to rest for a while now.

Witch of the Highlands,

I thought you were a coward,

but you are quite the remarkable woman.

If you died on me because of that,

I'd regret it for centuries.

Once I recover, I'd like to

drink your Nutri-Spirit again.

Huh?

But if you do, it might

almost k*ll you again!

What are you talking about?

I heard that you developed a high fever

and nearly died after drinking it

Ah

I drank it during an all-nighter,

and it filled me with the drive to work.

I took it too far and overworked myself,

which caused me to break out in a fever,

but only because I put too

much stress on my body.

Huh?

Your Nutri-Spirit is loved

not only by the Devil himself,

but by all demons.

Which is why I came to ask

you to make some more.

S-So that's what you wanted

That's all? What a relief!

Hey.

I'm sorry!

Let's eat!

I'm so relieved that it

was a misunderstanding.

I made another careless mistake

Well, I'm just glad I didn't

end up fighting for no reason.

That's great, Halkara!

Now you can make Nutri-Spirit again.

Oh, about that..

I was thinking of relocating

my factory to this province.

Moving it here? Why?

Because even if it was all a mistake,

I don't want to pay exorbitant taxes

to the town that abandoned me.

Reality!

Also if I stay here, I can

live with you, Master

Well, we still have rooms, so that's fine

But we all take turns doing

the cooking and cleaning.

Of course! I'll work hard!

That sounds rather fun.

Beelzebub?!

What are you doing here?

Witch of the Highlands, Azusa

I have yet to settle my score with you.

Next time, we'll fight without the barrier.

Uh-huh

Of course, if you do anything else

that's fun, you must invite me!

I'll teach you a spell to summon me later.

Okay

Beelzebub.

Have some tea!

Indeed.

Beelzebub, can we ask you something?

Ask me anything.

What is the current state of demon society?

The same dynasty has persisted

for several centuries.

It is quite peaceful.

Are you married?

D-Don't ask silly questions!

Only races that age quickly do such things!

Say I'd like to adopt one of

these two as my own daughter.

I'm honored, but I must decline.

Beelzebub, what kind of life do you live?

Do you live as a fly all the time?

W-Well, you see

Things have gotten more lively here.

A dragon,

spirits,

an elf,

and a demon, huh?

We're quite a crew, but it's starting

to feel like we're a family

Maybe.

Amid the bustle, I get to

spend time taking it easy.

I was starting to think this

slow life would last forever

but then, a problem arose the very next day.

I will be returning to my own home.

Our family's falling apart!