The thing is, E-merl is a great guy, but people can see when you can only see through one lens, and doubly so when that lens is your self worth. Best and him are at two ends of the scale, but they both have the same problem, they both have an inner doubt as to their worth, which motivates them. Best uses a reliance on faith in a prophecy to support him, and expresses that belief through a massive ego, using it s a shield against self doubt. E-merl shields himself in humor and self deprecation. But the both of them spend most of their time thinking about themselves, and more importantly look at situations through how they affect them first. One of the redeeming things about them, one of the things that makes them heroic, is that (usually) they put this selfishness aside in a crisis and will put themselves on the line to aid others, but not always. And that uncertainty is why neither of them get quite the regard one might expect given their accomplishments, at least not from other heroes who actually know them. (Plus with both of them, it’s possible there’s some underlying racism involved, I believe their particular brand of elf is known as “Shit Elves” so that cannot be good for the self esteem.)

Lastly, in spite of his accomplishments and acceptance (like T says, the entire team relied on him last chapter, and they got him a gift at not-Christmas) he still walks around like everyone is going to reject him or thinks little of him. Guys part of an elite task force that is at the height of authority and prestige in the country (even if technically most of the governing bodies hate them) and he’s still walking around with a chip on his shoulder.