The Uniform Promise and the Warrior Captain's Return (6)
After Yushin Gilliard left for Maherith with Allen Rocksfield, Ardena Valencia began preparations to fulfill the promise she'd made to him.
"A school uniform now, of all things. I knew men had a thing for women's cosplay... But even so, to think the day would come when I'd have to wear this again just to keep a promise."
Like Alonne Valencia, who was currently attending Bria Academy, Ardena had also been a student there in the past. However, few high elves knew about her time there. She'd graduated after passing all the exams in under a year—a prodigy so rare she appeared once every few centuries. Her classmates from back then only remembered that a genius had outshone them and left early; the number who could recall actually sharing classes with her could be counted on one hand.
"Ugh... Ah, it won't close...!"
Ardena was currently wrestling with the blouse buttons. She'd managed the lower ones, but the top was the problem—the ones meant to cover her ample D-cup breasts. They flatly refused to fit into their holes, staging a full-on strike. The uniform was simply too small overall. And that made sense; a staggering 305 years had passed. She'd grown taller and more developed in that time.
Ardena ultimately failed to button the top. As a result, her bra-clad breasts practically burst out of the blouse, and her pale white midriff was left completely exposed where the fabric couldn't reach.
"Have I gained weight? No, that can't be... It must be because my body's matured."
Gazing at her disheveled reflection, Ardena briefly wondered if she'd put on weight. The suspicion deepened when she barely managed to hook the skirt. After somehow squeezing into the full uniform, she struck careful poses in front of the mirror, inspecting her outfit. The forcibly buttoned holes screamed in protest, but Ardena admired herself with a comment of, 'It still suits me so well.'
"To think Father preserved my academy uniform with preservation magic all this time."
Preservation magic—a spell that prevented wear from the ravages of time. Thanks to it, the uniform from her academy days remained pristine. Wallace Valencia had cast it on Ardena's uniform, but he never dreamed his daughter would one day pull it from the wardrobe and try it on. If he saw her now, he'd mutter something like, "They say you see strange hallucinations when death is near..." and hurry off to beg forgiveness from his wife back at her family home.
"I could pass for seventeen."
Spinning in place before the mirror, Ardena murmured her self-assessment. She was growing bolder. Even after over three hundred years, the uniform still looked perfect on her. It was tight from her growth, but that only accentuated her slender figure.
"Why do men like this sort of thing...? Perverts. A uniform is just a mark of being an academy student—nothing more. I can't comprehend it."
Ardena grumbled to herself, classifying Yushin's request as perverse coercion. But she didn't seem displeased. Deep down, she hoped he'd be thrilled by her in the uniform and embrace her passionately, just like that rainy day.
"Miss, there are guests outside... Oh, oh my! Heavens!"
The maid knocked, got no response, and entered—only to shriek in shock at the sight of Ardena half-undressed in an academy uniform. The ever-intellectual and flawless lady of the house in such a frivolous getup...? Convinced it was a hallucination, the maid slammed the door shut and fled. A minute later, when she reopened it, Ardena—now hastily changed back to her regular clothes—was slumped in a chair, breathing heavily.
"W-what is it?"
Ardena's voice trembled uncontrollably as she asked.
"Warrior Captain Miguel LaMancha has arrived."
"...Miguel LaMancha? The Second Seat?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Understood. Escort him to the drawing room first. I'll compose myself and join shortly."
The warrior captain whose whereabouts had been unknown for over a decade had returned. Miguel LaMancha. Ardena couldn't hide her surprise at the news, and even more so that he'd come straight to Valencia Castle. Word of Sabnack's subjugation must have reached the Holy Empire. That could be why. Unlike the priests who harbored deep grudges against him, Ardena had always viewed Miguel favorably.
"Warrior Captain Ardena."
"I sincerely welcome your return, Warrior Captain Miguel."
The gray-haired elf rose from the drawing room sofa to greet her. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they sat across the table and briefed each other. Ardena detailed the Demon King subjugation battle, while Miguel recounted events on the Holy Empire's eastern front in vivid detail. She marveled at his exploits over the past decade, wandering the continent and amassing heroic tales, but gasped in horror at the news of the Tyranny Demon King's awakening.
"Agares must have died by Yushin's hand."
"He inherited the Demon Core... They extracted it from Agares's corpse and converted it into his own power. The vampire queen, now the Tyranny Demon King, is rallying Agares's kin and subordinates across his former territories."
"So tyranny truly begins anew."
"Unfortunately. After slaying the Demon King, it should have been sealed or destroyed."
"I believe Yushin had his reasons for not destroying the Demon Core."
"I think so too."
Miguel nodded. Ardena's words brimmed with faith in the Diablo Slayer. He subtly confirmed the rumors—that she strongly trusted him, and from the stories, they were lovers—and smiled faintly.
"I've heard you're lovers with the Holy Empire's Diablo Slayer."
"Ahem."
Ardena coughed awkwardly and averted her gaze. Her flustered reaction shocked Miguel. The ever-stern, self-disciplined Ardena Valencia—in a relationship? He'd assumed she'd remain celibate forever; the revelation hit twice as hard.
"Agares's kin were monstrous forces that overwhelmed the Holy Empire. If they join the vampire queen, catastrophe is certain."
"But I doubt those who served Agares would readily side with the vampire queen who ripped the Demon Core from his corpse."
"...That's where the Tyranny Power comes in."
Miguel's face darkened as he spoke. The Tyranny Power—the worst mind-control magic, capable of dominating millions at once. Absolute obedience. No one could resist. Those enslaved by it became puppet monsters, slaughtering parents, siblings, and children without hesitation on command. It was at least as potent as Sabnack's Rampage Flame, if not more.
"The Diablo Slayer... Yushin Gilliard, was it? I hope to meet him someday. I have much to say."
"He's in Maherith at the moment. He'll return soon enough."
Ardena's gaze drifted toward the brilliant orange twilight. The sun was setting. Evening approached, and night would follow soon after. The high elf warrior captain had no doubt he'd return on time. He'd promised no overnight stays.
* * *
Yushin wore a complicated expression at Allen's bold declaration. Did she know what she was saying? Probably not. Allen was practically clueless about romance and sex. The odds she'd said it aiming for intercourse were slim.
"So what're we gonna do on this dark night, then?"
Yushin asked. Allen replied,
"Uh, dunno?"
"No 'dunno.' You said you don't wanna go home."
"Yeah. I don't."
"......"
She'd clearly picked it up from somewhere. Watching her hesitate, Yushin sighed deeply and chuckled at himself for even thinking lewd thoughts.
"Why don't you wanna go home?"
His tone was gentle, like a father patiently coaxing a sulky child. He waited silently for her answer. Finally, Allen spoke, explaining why she didn't want to return to Valencia Castle.
"'Cause of those pointy ears..."
"Ardena?"
"Lately, you've been way too casual with those pointy ears. It pisses me off. I hate it. It's frustrating, and watching it makes my blood boil too."
Had he been too obvious in front of Allen? Yushin rubbed his face with a groan. He'd been neglecting her. Ever since getting together with Ardena, he'd been less attentive to Allen. Cursing his own insensitivity, he felt sorry for her. So tonight, he resolved to grant her every whim—starting with not going home.
"Got it. Bottom line, you don't wanna go home, right?"
"Yeah."
"No helping it, then. We'll crash outside and head back tomorrow morning."
Yushin gripped her hand tightly as he spoke. He burst out laughing at her surprised face.
"It's big bro's job to look after his whiny little sis."
He remembered Ardena's request. But just this once, he'd set it aside. He'd endure the lecture later... For his little sister, it was worth it. Ardena's tirades were fearsome enough to intimidate even the Diablo Slayer, but he'd man up and take it.
"So, what first?"
"Wanna walk with you for now. We'll figure it out while we stroll."
Allen swung their joined hands playfully, grinning ear to ear. She activated her necklace magical tool—the prankster's disguise—and shifted into her ronin tribe form, complete with fluffy ears and tail. She knew Yushin loved them. To reward him for indulging her tantrum, she'd become the ronin girl he adored. Even in wolf form, she wagged her tail like a puppy, overflowing with affection.
"Y'know, full moon tonight. You ain't gonna turn into a real wild wolf or somethin', right?"
Yushin let out an exaggerated beastly howl: "Awoooo!"
Allen burst into laughter. It'd be fun if so, but sadly, the tool only changed appearances. High fidelity, but no racial traits copied.