I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 54

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 54

Smith Viscount had regularly reported on the reservoir construction progress even after I returned to Belheim, and I had received the last report just four days ago.

Until then, he had conveyed good news, saying there were no problems and that all processes were proceeding smoothly.

So I was a bit bewildered to hear that problems had arisen.

“What kind of problem? Did monsters appear again?”

“Something more troublesome than monsters showed up.”

“More troublesome?”

“Yes. Elves came to visit.”

Elves that only appeared in novels or comics actually showed up?

‘Oh, right. This is also inside a novel.’

I nodded as I belatedly remembered that I had died from overwork and possessed into a novel.

Since monsters and magical beasts existed in this world, it wouldn’t be strange at all for elves to exist too.

“The elves demanded that construction be halted immediately, saying that building the reservoir would destroy the ecosystem.”

Callix Crowbell continued with an irritated expression.

“They said if we don’t comply, we’ll pay a corresponding price.”

They even made threats. I recalled a phrase from some novel about elves doing anything to protect the forest.

“So Smith Viscount asked if there’s a way to build the reservoir without destroying the ecosystem. Is there such a method?”

“Well…”

I had only learned about building reservoirs by searching through books at the time, so there was no way I would know such a method.

“I’ll look into whether there’s a way, but it would be better not to get your hopes up.”

It was inevitable that building a reservoir would destroy the ecosystem in that area.

Environmental groups didn’t oppose the construction of dams or reservoirs for no reason.

“Then regrettably, we’ll have to halt the reservoir construction.”

Contrary to his words, his expression was refreshed. He even seemed somewhat pleased.

“If we don’t build the reservoir, the Raed River will overflow and the residents of Nuviar will suffer damage.”

“That’s not my concern.”

Callix Crowbell tilted his head sideways and looked at me.

“It’s not something you, as Belheim’s manager, need to worry about either.”

I was about to ask why he told me then, but I held back.

“However, you’ll need to attend the negotiation meeting.”

“What? Why?”

He said I didn’t need to worry about it, so why would I need to attend?

When I asked back, the wrinkles between Callix Crowbell’s brows deepened further.

“That damn Smith Viscount sold you out to the elves. He told them that you, Eileen, are the general supervisor of the reservoir construction.”

Ah, so that’s how it happened. Now I understood why he was in such a bad mood.

“When is the negotiation?”

“In five days. The elves said they’ll attend too.”

Oh, I’ll actually get to see elves.

While it was a bit bewildering that Smith Viscount had sold me out, I was still secretly looking forward to seeing elves.

“Even if you attend the meeting, don’t think about stepping forward.”

Callix Crowbell looked at me with murderous eyes as he spoke.

“Even if Smith Viscount or the elves ask if there’s a method, say no, say you don’t know. Understood?”

When I first saw him, he was scary enough to make my knees weak, but perhaps I’d gotten used to it, as it didn’t bother me anymore.

And since I couldn’t complete the main quest without finishing the reservoir and sluice, I had no choice but to step forward.

But if I said I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

So I told a blatant lie and left the nobleman’s office.

* * *

Five days later, I went to Nuviar through the portal with Callix Crowbell.

I still couldn’t use the portal alone, but it was possible if I held his arm.

‘What on earth is the reason?’

I could guess why I couldn’t use the portal. It was probably because I came from another world.

But I didn’t understand why it was possible with Callix Crowbell’s help.

Did this man have some special ability?

“Oh, welcome. Miss Eileen. We’ve been waiting.”

“It’s reassuring that Miss Eileen came.”

“Indeed it is.”

As soon as we arrived in Nuviar, Smith Viscount and the managers welcomed me so enthusiastically it was burdensome.

“We don’t have time for this. The elves are waiting, so we need to go to the meeting room right away.”

“What? Right now?”

I thought we would first meet to hear in detail what had happened, discuss countermeasures, and then sit at the negotiation table, but we had to go right away.

“It would have been nice if you had called us earlier.”

“I wanted to do that too.”

Smith Viscount said this while glancing at Callix Crowbell.

‘I can understand that.’

Smith Viscount must have asked us to come early, but this man probably refused.

“Come on, let’s hurry. Elves really hate waiting.”

Still, I hadn’t expected to go straight into the meeting like this, so I was quite bewildered.

“Do you happen to have a good method?”

While following Smith Viscount to the meeting room, a Nuviar manager asked cautiously. The other managers also looked at me with expectant eyes.

But I couldn’t give any answer and just smiled awkwardly.

“…Is it really that difficult?”

“Still, if we negotiate as well as possible with the elves…”

Taking it as a negative meaning, the Nuviar managers were disappointed but exchanged conversations about what to do going forward.

“…If it really doesn’t work out, we might have to consider fighting the elves.”

Unfortunately, no practical alternatives came up.

Shortly after, when I arrived at the meeting room, I naturally looked at the three men sitting inside the table.

Golden hair that seemed to contain light, and faces that were excessively elaborate and delicate. Long, pointed ears visible between their hair.

‘Those men are elves.’

They said elves were a race of beauty, and those words were exactly right. Among them, the appearance of the man sitting in the middle was particularly striking.

While the other elves gave off a sharp impression, that elf had a gentle and soft feeling.

Callix Crowbell naturally sat in the head seat again, as if it were obvious.

“Who is that human?”

Then the elf on the far left asked.

“This is Duke Callix Crowbell, the lord of Belheim.”

When the Nuviar manager answered, the elves’ eyes widened like lanterns.

They put their heads together and whispered in an incomprehensible language. I didn’t know what they were saying, but from the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like a good conversation.

“Is there some problem?”

When Smith Viscount asked, the elves exchanged glances and then shook their heads.

“It’s nothing. More importantly, is that human woman the supervisor of this construction?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. This is Eileen, who is in charge of this construction.”

Strictly speaking, I wasn’t the supervisor, but since that’s how the story had been told, I didn’t particularly correct it.

Then the elves glared at me with cold gazes. It was eerie, but compared to Callix’s gaze, it was nothing.

“Regardless of the reason, we absolutely cannot tolerate the destruction of forests and ecosystems.”

As soon as the negotiation began, the elf sitting on the far right spoke firmly.

“So halt the reservoir construction immediately. Otherwise, we won’t stand by quietly either.”

“But if we don’t build the reservoir, the Raed River will overflow and the residents will suffer great damage.”

When the Nubiar Manager objected, the Elf snorted dismissively.

“So you want to eliminate the habitat of creatures that already live on that land just to reduce some temporary inconvenience for humans? Humans truly are a cruel species.”

“That’s not what we meant.”

“What do you mean it’s not? Didn’t humans build this city in the first place by driving out the creatures that lived here and destroying nature?”

“We were simply securing a place to live. Elves would be no different in that regard.”

“Don’t treat us the same as you humans.”

The Elf sitting on the far left spoke with obvious displeasure.

“Unlike you humans, we don’t destroy nature or drive out other creatures.”

“That’s right. We live in coexistence with everyone.”

Sharp exchanges flew back and forth. The more they talked, the worse the atmosphere became, let alone any negotiation.

“Wait a moment.”

I thought it would be better to step in before things got worse, so I raised my hand.

“Everyone please calm down and listen to what I have to say.”

At my words, the faces of Smith Viscount and the Nubiar Managers visibly brightened.

“….”

On the other hand, Callix Crowbell frowned deeply and glared at me. His eyes were warning me not to interfere.

‘Unfortunately, that won’t do.’

I need to complete the main quest.

I took a deep breath and slowly parted my lips.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————