"At first, everyone might still be able to maintain an independent mentality, but what about later?" Riku said, tapping the table. "Compared to a long-lived race like the Elf, they can probably witness hundreds of generations of human changes in their lifetime, right? Under the influence of the Elf, how long can human independence last?"
After all, compared to the power of the Elf, humans can't even see the spirits.
"Not to mention you, Su'er," Riku continued, staring into Su'er's eyes. "Are humans from your world longer-lived than humans in this world?"
"...No," Su'er shook his head. "In the era before I came here, living to eighty years old was already considered a long life."
And that was in an era where material conditions, nutrition, and medical conditions were all very high. As for humans in this world... just by looking at how Riku and Su'er, who were only in their teens, were already considered leaders of the settlement, you could tell a lot. Living to thirty years old could be considered a long life.
What's more, Su'er knew that his lifespan had been shortened a lot...
"Maybe while you, Su'er, are still alive, the Elf won't do anything, but how can we entrust the survival of humanity to the connection between you and that Elf? Maybe at the beginning, it was just to survive, to live a little better, but once they get used to living under the protection of the Elves... it will be very difficult for humanity to stand up again, right..." Riku said dully.
"At that time, what price would we have to pay in blood to regain our own will?"
Su'er never forgot that the Elves were even a race where slavery was prevalent.
"Agreeing to that Elf's suggestion means that the human race will be directly exposed to other races. Have you forgotten what we rely on to survive to this day?"
"Ah, we can't be discovered, we can't be perceived... we can't be in danger," Su'er answered in a low voice. He knew all the principles Riku was talking about, but what he needed was precisely this affirmation.
The frustration in his heart also disappeared.
"Retreat is a one-time thing and a countless-time thing. Maybe at first, we can use the excuse of letting everyone survive, but the more we retreat, the more things we'll find we can give in... Some things can't be compromised, even if it means death," Seeing the light in Su'er's eyes becoming brighter, Riku knew that his heart had become firm.
Yes, Su'er had made a decision, and he was even prepared to ask Think not to do anything extra even after he died.
When Riku spoke his mind, Su'er had already found evidence in his own memory.
It's just like drug addiction. It's either a one-time thing or a countless-time thing. There are very few people who can quit on their own will. Once they get used to that rhythm, it's like falling into a mire, difficult to get out of.
Maybe at the beginning, they would only ask the Elves for help with things they needed—because there were too many places where humans needed help, and with Think's care, the Elves would naturally not refuse, but what about later? When Su'er gets old? A hundred years later?
The Elf civilization was built on slavery from the very beginning. Even as creations of the Forest God, they had commoners as an unappreciated lower class, so what about an external race like humanity? Therefore, this refusal was not arrogance or hypocrisy, but something that should be upheld.
Trusting human nature and not trusting human nature are not contradictory here.
"I understand, don't worry," Su'er nodded forcefully. There was no need to say any more. He had made his decision.
"Pfft, well, it looks like you're not having an easy time either, Riku," Su'er suddenly laughed, looking at Riku's pained expression across from him.
In their previous conversation, he had already heard Riku talk about the settlement's development over the past two years. With plenty of food and clothing, thousands of new babies had been born in the settlement in two years, which was a real headache for him and Couronne. The lively atmosphere in the settlement now was also somewhat related to these cute little ones.
There's a positive and a negative side. The slackness that Riku was worried about was also related to this happy life now, a happiness built on a crisis, but it was so good that he couldn't bear to wake them up from it.
"Well, anyway, keep up the good work," Su'er stood up and stretched with a relaxed smile. He said, "I probably can't return to the settlement again. I've told you all the knowledge and information I can remember. You have to take everyone and live well, okay?"
The situation Riku was facing was a bit like the group getting too big to manage. This outwardly cold but inwardly warm young man had bitten the bullet and succeeded in leading everyone to survive in a difficult environment, but now that conditions had improved, he had fallen into another kind of difficulty.
It really made Su'er feel amused, but in any case, those were problems that Riku would have to solve slowly in the future, and Su'er believed that this man would not be stumped.
So, let him take on the task of finding a future for humanity.
Su'er only briefly mentioned what Aucan had said, but didn't give the specific details.
"...Are~ you~ not~ done~ yet?"
The wooden door creaked and was slowly pushed open. In the light of the fire, half of Couronne's head popped out from the edge of the door like some large feline, her eyes reflecting a scary light.
She was here to urge them to eat.
This wasn't the first time Couronne had come. Although Riku had said that she would take Think and Jibril to see the current settlement, everyone knew that it was just an excuse for the two men to talk alone.
The only thing they didn't expect was that they would talk for so long.
"Ahaha, sorry, we're done, we're done. We're coming now," The stretch that was halfway done was retracted, and Su'er answered with a dry laugh.
It wasn't that he was being a coward, it was just that Couronne really looked a little scary.
"Honestly, what can't you say slowly? It's really too much for you to leave Think and little Ji alone like this! You should be more considerate," Couronne squeezed out from the crack in the door, her cheeks puffed up as she mumbled, giving her sister's lecture.
"Okay, okay, I understand, I understand. Let's go quickly, they must be getting impatient?" Seeing that Couronne was on the verge of not being able to stop, Su'er quickly raised his hands in surrender and begged for mercy.
As for Riku... this man had already wisely stood up to go eat as soon as Couronne came in.
A friendly and cordial meal. Putting aside the strange atmosphere of this simple meal for a moment, Su'er, Think, and Jibril did not stay in the settlement for too long. After roughly two days of rest, they once again left the settlement under Couronne's teary eyes.
Think was fine, but Jibril really couldn't contain her curiosity and was as noisy as an alarm clock, clamoring to set off. So even though Su'er himself wanted to stay for a few more days, he ended up embarking on the journey ahead of schedule.
There were a few times when Su'er really felt like he was taking care of a child who was only a few years old. Nona was even better behaved than this pink-headed Flügel.
She was just a troublemaker.