Humans and Elves (3)
A refreshing breeze blew in, carrying the fresh scent of lush greenery. Each gust made the golden hair of the high elf girl flutter and dance.
Alonne Valencia. After grueling, bone-shattering effort, the high elf girl had achieved remarkable progress in her swordsmanship, boasting skills that outshone not only her classmates but even the exam retakers.
"How was that, Master? I was super fast just now, right?!"
Sweat-drenched and gripping her sword hilt with both hands, Alonne bounced on her toes as she asked. Yushin gave a half-hearted reply.
"Impressive."
"Tch... You weren't even watching properly! You've been phoning it in lately! I'm gonna tell Dad you're slacking on the job and get your pay cut in half!"
"Yeah, yeah."
His attitude didn't change. He seemed distracted, his mind elsewhere, as if lost in concentration on something.
Alonne puffed out her cheeks—a habit when she was seriously annoyed, especially when her mood soured. 'Was that the sword technique Rampage Flame used back then? The way she swung it?'
Whether he noticed the high elf girl's darkening mood or not, Yushin kept mimicking the sword techniques Rampage Flame had wielded in his illusions, lost in the effort.
It was an ultimate art completely different in form from the Thunderbolt Eight Swords, so imitating it came with countless hurdles.
Bwoooong!!
A tearing sound ripped through the air. Even with relaxed power, the swing shredded the atmosphere.
Where the Thunderbolt Eight Swords emphasized speed, Rampage Flame's techniques prioritized raw power. Massive energy-infused swings dominated the forms—vast, area-sweeping attacks that cleaved everything in a single stroke.
'Sabnack's main weapon was a greatsword, right? Feels a bit heavy for a one-hander... Rampage Flame swung a greatsword too. Guess I need to snag one somewhere.'
Yushin scratched his head, deep in thought. But the pondering didn't last long.
The high elf girl, wearing a pouty scowl, shoved her face right up to his.
"What."
"Whatcha thinking about all sudden-like? Worried about Sis or Allen finding out? Don't sweat it. Even if you're left with just your head rowing a boat, I'll remember you forever."
"...Don't jinx it. That might actually happen."
Yushin wiped away cold sweat as he spoke, and Alonne burst into giggles.
She believed her master could pull it off. Sure, it'd come with endless dangers and hardships, but still.
How the hell did he end up tangled with both of them? Alonne was floored by her master's boldness.
They were already at each other's throats like sworn enemies, and he'd gone and poured oil on the fire. If the truth came out, Yushin was as good as dismantled—half by Ardena, half by Allen.
"But what was that just now? Some new sword art I've never seen!"
Alonne's eyes sparkled with curiosity about the destructive technique Yushin had swung.
It centered on sheer destructive force, so her interest was natural.
Yushin explained it was Sabnack's swordsmanship. More precisely, Rampage Flame's imitation of Sabnack's style.
"D-Demon King's swordsmanship...!"
"Don't ask me to teach you. Too tiring."
"Aw, why not!"
"Just focus on what the kid taught you instead of drooling over the big leagues."
"I'm twenty-one!"
"You still look like a kid."
"...And you still did it with this 'kid'."
"Ahem."
Stung by her retort, Yushin coughed and slyly turned his head. No defense—he couldn't deny the facts.
If Alonne threatened, "I'm telling Sis and Allen everything!", it could spell doom. Already living in fear of discovery, Yushin tried to stay on her good side.
"Too dangerous. You might seriously hurt someone. The techniques I taught you are top-tier even in Valua Kingdom—be satisfied with those."
"I was just kidding. You think I'd really throw a tantrum like some brat?"
Alonne snorted dismissively. Apparently pure jest. A huge relief for Yushin, who'd briefly considered neck-chopping her to erase her memories.
"When are you gonna come clean?"
"Dunno. Timing it."
"Even if Sis lets it slide a hundred times over, Allen's the problem. She'd rip you apart alive for sure..."
Then I'll collect your hand.
Alonne giggled mischievously.
"In the books I've read, the heroines fight it out till the finale, then wrap up in a happy harem 3P."
"What kinda books are those? That's novel fantasy! What woman wants her man rolling with another?"
"You?"
"I'm the exception! Master's liking a shut-in like me is enough. Without him, I'd still be a mana-blind loser who couldn't handle Mana Blade... I can accept all of him!"
"Such a good girl."
"Heehee!"
Yushin gently ruffled her hair, drawing a delighted grin from Alonne.
She was incredibly generous. Far from jealous, she figured her sister taking the principal wife spot was only natural. She adored and respected her big sis, after all. She could yield the Demon King Slayer's side to her.
Of course, convincing those two was the real hurdle.
"Teacher, here."
Mid their heated debate, a red-haired high elf lady approached with drinks and wet towels for the exhausted pair.
Yushin thanked Leticia Santander's thoughtful grace and took a towel.
"But what were you discussing so intently? You all looked super serious..."
"Nothing."
"Suspicious. You've been spending tons of time with Alonne lately. And whenever I show up, you cut off. Some secret I shouldn't know?"
Leticia hit the nail on the head. True to the Santander heiress, the academy's top student had sharp instincts. Her brilliant mind detected the unspeakable secret between Yushin and Alonne.
"W-Wait..."
Did something click? Leticia's face flushed crimson as she pondered.
Yushin swallowed hard. Alonne looked anxious too, fearing exposure.
After a long silence, Leticia cautiously spoke.
"It's about Captain Ardena, right? I saw it too. You and Captain Ardena... kissing on the terrace during the celebration..."
"Yeah?"
The kiss and confession had been witnessed by everyone at the party—unintentionally public. Ardena still kicked off her blankets nightly, haunted by the memory. Yushin was the same. The maids lamented, "At this rate, Valencia Castle'll run out of bedding."
"What did it feel like...? Kissing Captain Ardena..."
Leticia whipped around to ask, too embarrassed for eye contact, showing only her flushed cheeks.
The high elf lady touched her lips, inquiring about the kiss.
That terrace under the night sky, yellow rose petals scattering. In the soft glow of magic stone lanterns beneath the dark heavens, Yushin and Ardena's kiss was a dreamy vision for girls fantasizing romance.
"Romance novels say first kisses feel like floating on clouds. I-I mean, is it really like that?!"
Yushin pondered; Alonne shot back, "Not quite."
Leticia snorted and shook her head at the bold girl's reply.
"Didn't ask you. Probably just bragging like always. Why not claim you're secretly dating the teacher too?"
"Uh, um..."
Yushin and Alonne exchanged awkward looks, dodging a response.
"So kissing the teacher would be just like kissing Captain Ardena..."
The love-struck lady murmured excitedly, turning away. Santander's noble daughter prioritized family prestige, yet yearned for romance from novels. Her feelings for Ardena blurred between admiration and affection.
"N-No, nothing. Forget it—just a silly slip."
The heiress stammered, calming her burning cheeks. She'd nearly spilled her heart. Though it'd all but been said, she hoped they hadn't caught on and turned away.
'Am I imagining things?'
Leticia fled the scene. Watching her go, Yushin nudged Alonne's arm.
"That's not the point now. Leticia's scary sharp. We'll get busted soon."
"No choice—gotta confess to Ardena and Allen, even if it kills us. Better an honorable death than getting caught later."
"...All paths lead to death."
Alonne sighed deeply at Yushin's resolute, kamikaze expression.
Capital Maheritt, Maheritt Palace.
The High Priestess's face crumpled at the urgent report from the Akiteon Mountains border with Valua Kingdom.
Rangers guarding the mountains had been captured. Culprits: Valua knights.
With most forces committed south against the Demon King Army, they'd been caught off-guard. Humans had dared bare fangs at Liberia Elf Kingdom.
"Certain?"
"Yes. Disguised as hunters, but their movements scream trained kingdom knights."
"Sworn enemies, sure, but striking while we fight the Demon King Army? Insane. Holy Empire'll make it fatal if they learn."
Holy Empire deemed the six Demon Kings humanity's must-defeat evil. They'd vowed no tolerance for collaborators or indirect aiders.
Valua snatching border elves while Liberia battled Sabnack? Holy Empire wouldn't ignore it. Plus, they sheltered the Peerless Hero and Demon King Slayer.
'Third party sowing discord? Best keep it quiet. Yetzirah Council would explode over war with Valua. Handle discreetly.'
Hunt the offending knights, rescue kin. Ireina planned covert action, deploying untraceable personnel.
"Captain Liana."
"Yes, High Priestess."
The silver-haired captain knelt, awaiting orders.
Liana Linehold. Ireina tasked her with rescuing captives and slaying intruders.
Liana nodded gravely.
"First, scout the thugs' identities. Withdraw if risky—I'll send Captain Ardena then."
"...Understood."
Liana bowed heavily once more.