Return and Discovery (2)
Returning to Valencia Castle alongside Yushin, Ardena wasted no time before performing the first check. She summoned the White Lily Scale armor. By unleashing the mana accumulated within her body all at once, the armor's form took shape. But then—pssssh—like sand scattering without a drop of moisture, the mana that had formed the armor dispersed into nothingness, as if caught on something.
This phenomenon signified a loss of power. In other words, the White Lily Scale had rejected Ardena of its own volition.
"...As expected."
As the White Lily Scale unsummoned itself, Ardena murmured in a voice laced with resignation. To wield power near-infinite in scope required supporting conditions. In the case of the White Lily Scale, the condition was that its owner must possess the body of a pure, untouched virgin.
Just as if to prove that condition true, it had rejected Ardena now that her purity was lost. Even after three hundred years of symbiosis, it callously discarded her for that single reason.
I've prepared for this. No regrets. We've been together for three hundred years. That's enough. Now you'll want a new master.
Ardena whispered to the White Lily Scale as if speaking to a longtime friend. She felt a pang of regret, but no true remorse. She had steeled herself for this. She had resolved to be with Yushin.
"Sis?"
Alonne peeked her head around the corner, her expression exceedingly cautious. Seeing her tomboyish little sister gazing at her with worry, Ardena managed a wry smile.
"So... you can't use it anymore?"
Ardena nodded at her sister's question.
"It's time to let it go."
"What kind of shameless armor does that? You've cherished it so much! And it ghosts you just because you're not a virgin anymore? Good riddance, honestly. An armor only a virgin can use... gives me the creeps just thinking about it."
"Maybe I've monopolized the White Lily Scale for too long out of personal greed. Now it's time to find it a new owner."
"A new owner?"
Alonne tilted her head, puzzled. Ardena beamed a bright smile at her adorable sister.
"Who knows? Maybe someday you'll become its master, Alonne. If you grind through the bone-crushing effort to become a warrior captain safeguarding the Liberia Elf Kingdom—and rise to represent the captains as the top one... I think it's entirely possible. As your big sister, I have high hopes for you."
"Uh, y-yeah... Thanks...."
At Ardena's words laced with expectation, Alonne flashed an awkward smile.
* * *
Shaking off the memories of what had transpired at Valencia Castle, Ardena cleared her complicated thoughts and turned back to Ileina.
"It was my own rash decision. I apologize, High Priestess."
"No, it's fine. Besides, I've been rooting for you and Yushin. If anything, I'm in a position to congratulate you. Congratulations, Warrior Captain Ardena."
"...Thank you. Hearing that puts my mind at ease."
Ardena gave a wry smile at Ileina's consideration. To claim there was no selfish motive would be a lie. The consort of the Demon King Slayer—upon hearing such tales from the maids at Maherith Palace, Ardena had harbored a desire to become his partner. She wanted recognition from everyone. She wanted to declare her place at his side. She simply yearned to prove that she, Ardena Valencia, was the woman most worthy of being the Demon King Slayer's consort.
"B-but on this joyous occasion... why did you summon me...?"
Rosta, who had been abruptly called to the office, wore a baffled expression. Why summon me so urgently? It could be a reprimand for clashing with a Yetzirah Council high elf noble. Or perhaps to address her insubordination toward Bariteon and grant her exoneration. Harboring various worries, Rosta arrived only to hear shocking news from Ileina, leaving her stunned.
"Exactly as I said. I'd like you to hand over Saint Veronica's Shield to Warrior Captain Ardena. Of course, it's not for free. Have her equip the White Lily Scale in exchange."
"M-me...? The White Lily Scale? It's so sudden... I don't know if it's too much or... burdensome...."
At Ileina's proposal, Rosta averted her gaze, clearly flustered. The White Lily Scale—the supreme armor that granted near-infinite power and authority to a pure virgin. Gleaming with a verdant light, it wielded miracle-like might and had forged its fame alongside Ardena Valencia's in the Liberia Elf Kingdom as one of the finest artifacts.
Trade her shield for the armor. Rosta dithered, unable to commit.
"B-but how can you be sure I'm a virgin...?"
"I heard you've emulated Warrior Captain Ardena's Invincible Vow out of respect. You'll only marry the one who defeats you in a duel... right?"
"...Yes."
"Haa. I'm glad your legends are famous, Warrior Captain Ardena, but please don't turn all our promising knightesses into spinsters."
Ileina sighed deeply, pressing her temple at Rosta's response. Their population was already woefully low compared to other nations... and now elf knightesses idolizing Ardena were pledging conditional celibacy, giving their leader in the Liberia Elf Kingdom endless headaches.
"I-I didn't force them!"
Ardena cried out. Good grief. I never imagined knightesses would follow the Invincible Vow. She was grateful for their admiration, but their blind devotion—aping even things they needn't—burdened her. She worried her irresponsible actions might harm the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
I get that she hooked up with Yushin... but confirming feelings and jumping straight into bed? How long had they been holding back?
Ileina glanced sidelong at Ardena's profile and muttered. Had she seized the moment? Ileina couldn't hide her shock at Ardena's boldness in graduating from virginity in one go. As a warrior captain, duty and pressure might have forced abstinence until now. With her stubborn personality, without Yushin, she'd likely have lived her life as an eternal virgin, never knowing woman's joy.
"Does that mean I have to live as a virgin forever like Senior Ardena?! Well, not forever, but...!"
Rosta shouted. Demanding a young, robust virgin maintain purity for three hundred years was as cruel as ordering a newlywed bride into solitary confinement.
"You don't even have a boyfriend right now anyway."
"I-I could snag a hot one tomorrow...!"
"Quit talking like a thirty-year-old virgin who's never dated, lost in fantasies. With your wild personality, no guy's biting—relax."
"That's too much!"
At Ileina's sharp jab, Rosta looked genuinely hurt.
"This is my fault."
"No! You don't need to apologize, Senior! I don't know if I'm worthy of the White Lily Scale, but... I'll take custody of it for now."
In the end, Rosta decided to accept the White Lily Scale. In exchange, she handed over her sole weapon and shield, Saint Veronica's Shield.
"Lucky you? Now you can flaunt it without sneaking around. Don't worry—I'll fully enforce maternity and childcare leave."
"No plans!"
As Ileina teased, Ardena snapped her head away. Maternity leave, childcare... She wasn't uninterested in childbirth and raising kids, but not now.
"A child of Senior Ardena and the Demon King Slayer would surely be a genius for the ages! I guarantee it!"
Rosta declared. Flustered by the words, Ardena cleared her throat evasively.
"Hang in there. I'll cheer you on."
"N-no cheers needed!"
"If I had the miracle-working powers of the founding High Priestess, I'd bless my loyal Warrior Captain Ardena with fertility."
With each of Ileina's words, Ardena's face grew hotter. A child with Yushin. To say she'd never thought of it would be a lie. She'd already named five—no, six.
"No need to be shy. Bearing heirs and continuing the line is natural, right? Human or elf, proliferating through offspring is instinct and duty for racial prosperity. Our ancestors did it, and that's why we exist."
"Yes, understood. I'll keep it in mind."
Wrapping up the personal talk, Ileina addressed the Demon King Army subjugation with Ardena and Rosta.
"As you know, the Demon King Army—having lost some strength—is holding a defensive line in Granada, southern Liberia Peninsula. They'll muster forces soon. This time, we'll drive Sabnack and her Demon King Army back to the southern continent and declare the peninsula elf territory once more."
The silver-haired elf girl clenched her fist, voicing her ambition. Annihilate the Demon King Army. Secure dominance over the Liberia Peninsula. The long-cherished elf dream was within reach. Sabnack losing immortality was the decisive blow. Plus, the Demon King Slayer stood firm in the Liberia Elf Kingdom. Victory was assured.
"I'll join the fight."
Ardena stated. At her words, Ileina cautiously asked,
"Warrior Captain Ardena, could Yushin possibly join this subjugation?"
The Demon King had lost immortality and fled. Yet even without it, Sabnack retained horrific swordsmanship that had slaughtered tens of thousands of elves mercilessly, plus her calamitous Rampage Flame authority. She remained a formidable foe, a monster not to underestimate.
Ileina insisted Sabnack would join the final defense at Granada and pleaded once more for the Demon King Slayer's participation.
"I'll ask him earnestly."
Ardena replied.
* * *
Back at Maherith Palace, Ardena relayed the news to Yushin. The southern reclamation war was imminent. With Sabnack sure to confront them at Granada, she requested his participation—specifically, to face Sabnack.
At Ardena's earnest plea, Yushin spoke.
"Sure."
"Thank you, Yushin."
"But on one condition."
"Condition...? Anything I can do!"
Yushin wore an utterly serious expression. A condition. Ardena nodded. Even if conditional, his agreement was gratitude enough. The Demon King Slayer marching again would skyrocket elf morale.
"N-no! Not that! Anything but!"
Ardena shrieked upon hearing Yushin's 'condition.' Vowing to accept any terms, the high elf warrior captain recoiled in horror.
"It's been three hundred years—exactly 305—since I graduated Bria Academy!"
"Yeah, youngest graduate, right?"
"And you want me—me—to wear the academy uniform?!"
"Don't like it? Fine."
At Ardena's fierce opposition, Yushin turned away indifferently.