Chapter 10: FRIH - 10
"Mr. Ronan, you needn't worry," the elder began, his voice calm. "I sent a messenger to the Sword Village two hours ago. They should return within a week. Experts will verify the sword and instruct you on its use." He paused, frowning slightly. "I've seen the Hero's Sword, centuries ago. My memory might be faulty. The Sword Village experts are the true authorities. Until they arrive, consider this village your haven."
The elder's sincerity was clear; elves weren't equipped to directly handle Hero matters. But the Sword Village's arrival would change things. Even if the sword proved inauthentic, the elder had a plan. Ronan, being human, couldn't stay in the elven village indefinitely. Elven life, with its centuries-long perspective, would be stifling to a human. Unless, of course, he was exceptionally long-lived, a possibility the elder dismissed.
Ronan, oblivious to this strategy, saw genuine concern. He nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you," he said. "I overheard about your food shortage. I feel uncomfortable accepting hospitality without contributing. Perhaps I could help."
The elder hesitated, his usual serenity faltering. Silence hung heavy before he finally spoke, his voice low and measured.
"It began five years ago," he said, gazing towards the horizon. "The Demon Lord's army disrupted trade routes, impacting many kingdoms. While we elves appreciate agriculture, our resources are limited. Our harvests are impacted by seed scarcity, natural disasters, and conflict. Our population, however, remains static. This has led to dwindling food supplies."
He paused, weariness in his voice. "We now buy provisions from nearby human settlements. But they also face shortages, driving prices up. Elves, valuing art and magic, have historically placed little value on material wealth. We've lived for millennia with a casual approach to resource management, a mindset ill-suited to modern commerce."
He sighed. "Human kingdoms rise and fall, their currencies fluctuating. The monetary assets we possess that retain value are few. Manual labor is foreign to our culture. Yet, the food shortage remains."