Uneasy Alliance (2)
While the maids of Maherith Palace bustled about preparing for the celebration banquet, Yushin was instructing his two disciples. And there was a pair of eyes watching them intently—Ardena’s.
Sword training continued under Ardena’s observation. Unlike Alonne, who seemed as usual, Leticia swung her sword desperately, hoping for even a sliver more of Ardena’s attention.
“What’s with you, suddenly going all out like that…”
“Shut up and just lose to me already!”
“Like hell I’m losing!”
The wooden sword spar intensified fiercely. Alonne, with her golden blonde hair cascading down, and Leticia, her waist-length red hair tied in a ponytail, slashed at each other, showing off their progress to Yushin. Both displayed exceptional skill. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they had already surpassed the graduation exam standards. But they weren’t satisfied with that alone, pushing even harder in their training. Passing the graduation exam was just a midpoint goal; their true dreams lay beyond.
“They wanna be like you,” Yushin said.
Ardena nodded at his words. “The resolve to pursue their dreams through bone-grinding effort is a noble spirit. For the lady of House Santander to see me as her idol… that’s heartening news.”
No knightess in the Liberia Elf Kingdom failed to respect Ardena. Including Leticia, countless sprouts were even now grinding away, measuring themselves against her as their benchmark.
“I’ll help out too.”
“Huh?”
Ardena, who had been watching Alonne and Leticia’s bout, gripped her wooden sword and stepped forward. Was she impressed by their passion? Perhaps she wanted to personally instruct these promising seedlings who would one day build the foundation of the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
Alonne’s face drained of color at the sight of Ardena approaching them. She’d once sparred with her sister and ended up half-dead from the ordeal. The memory must have resurfaced, because Alonne began edging backward stealthily.
“Th-this is an honor! P-please go easy on me!”
Leticia’s face flushed hot as she bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, flustered beyond words. To think she’d cross swords with Ardena Valencia herself! An unexpected stroke of luck. She considered it the highest honor to face the woman she’d admired since childhood.
“I-I’m not feeling well… Suddenly feeling chills, must be coming down with a cold!”
Alonne shrewdly yielded the first turn to Leticia and retreated to Yushin’s side, clinging to him. Her vibe screamed she wanted no part of this.
Soon, Ardena swung her sword, launching an assault on Leticia. She held up at first, but caught in Ardena’s relentless barrage, Leticia exposed a gap and quickly fell into a defensive scramble.
“Stance! Watch the sword and move your body! Never avert your eyes, even if an attack rushes at your face!”
Ardena’s dogmatic nature bordered on fanaticism. She gave no quarter. Pouring on strikes as if in real combat, she pushed Leticia to her limits. It wasn’t like teaching academy students; it felt like mock battle training for probationary knights. Ardena had indeed instructed knightesses before, earning the moniker “Demon Instructor” for her merciless methods.
“Nngh!”
Leticia, struck hard by the wooden sword, didn’t wince in pain—she beamed with joy. Her face beet-red, she even charged at Ardena as if begging for harsher treatment.
Yushin and Alonne’s faces hardened at the sight. Did the lady of House Santander harbor such bizarre tastes? She seemed to derive some twisted fantasy from being roughed up by her idol.
“Harder, please!”
“Unyielding resolve, never backing down—commendable spirit.”
Leticia cried out amid the fierce onslaught. Ardena praised her tenacity. Even veteran probationary knights, forged through years of grueling training, would have yielded under such pressure. Yet Leticia endured steadfastly. Ardena declared she could one day rise to warrior captain.
“Fr-from Warrior Captain Ardena herself… I’ll engrave this as House Santander’s glory!”
Though covered head to toe in dirt, it was worth it. Flustered by the lavish praise, she even asked if they could spar again next time. Ardena nodded—anytime. Leticia, never dreaming she’d actually agree, stomped her feet in delight.
To deliver dragon armor to Yushin, Empire chamberlain Tanya Mainz had visited Maherith and was still lingering at the palace. Wondering if they’d forgotten her, Tanya took the initiative and requested a meeting with Yushin. He agreed to meet her in formal attire for the banquet, accompanied by Allen, who was already dressed in her gown.
Yushin and Tanya, granted the palace’s most luxurious reception room, sat across a table laden with teas and sweets to talk.
“Damn punk, showing up early as hell.”
“Your fault for having such a weak presence. Flat chest, zero presence.”
“Wanna get arrested right here under the chamberlain’s authority? Even the Diablo Slayer of the Holy Empire won’t come out unscathed if you mess with me. I’ll report to the emperor you humiliated me.”
The Empire knights standing behind Tanya gulped dryly at her vicious words. To Yushin and Tanya, it was mere greeting banter. But to a third-party observer, the atmosphere looked downright murderous. What if Tanya ordered the Diablo Slayer’s arrest? Obvious outcome. Cannon fodder like them wouldn’t last a second, crumpling like scarecrows.
Knowing that, the knights prayed Yushin wouldn’t give them cause to clash.
With the chamberlain’s temper, a fight’s inevitable.
If only she weren’t so bullheaded… Though I kinda like that about her.
The knights fretted. But it was needless worry. Facing a common enemy had sparked camaraderie. They knew each other well, traded harsh words, but held mutual respect.
“You have no idea what the continent’s like right now, do ya?”
Tanya spoke up, rubbing her throbbing temple to collect her thoughts before continuing. “Every damn country’s got your name on their lips. Like you kicked a hornet’s nest good and hard. The emperor’s pitching a fit to meet you ASAP.”
“His Majesty wants to see me?”
“Obviously. A freak who took down two Demon Kings in the Liberia Elf Kingdom? Unprecedented. Sure, a Diablo Slayer pops up every century or so, but you’re the first to bag two. Of course they’re dying to connect with you. Bet tons of nations have sent envoys and diplomats your way.”
This could get troublesome. Yushin scratched his head in response. Demon King slaying had been sheer accident. No heroic sense of justice to save the continent, no greed for wealth or power. Just happenstance without fanfare.
“Better lay low?”
Tanya shot him a dumbfounded look. “What’d you hear, idiot? The emperor wants you brought to him. I’ve gotta drag your ass to the Holy Empire one way or another to fulfill the decree.”
“Sounds to me like ‘do whatever the hell you want.’”
“Not my problem. Decree delivered.”
Tanya leaned back on the sofa, washing her hands of it. She had to follow orders and bring him, but deep down, she hoped Yushin wouldn’t get tangled in human nations’ politics.
“They’ll summon me and beg me to handle their Demon Kings too, right?”
“…Probably.”
“What kinda nonsense is that? You think chopping Demon King heads is like picking fruit? Even in this last battle, I skirted death a dozen times. Same with Agares. Tell His Majesty this lowly Yushin Gilliard, who cherishes his life above all and suffers chronic illness, can’t obey the decree.”
The emperor would understand. Having built ties with past emperors, Yushin could defy this one. Even if not, he had zero intention of going. The Empire wasn’t on the brink—post-Tyranny Demon King, it was just skirmishes. No need for him.
“Then hole up somewhere. Be real with me! You act all lazy and indifferent, but you’re a total attention whore craving the spotlight, right? No one that vanilla flips the continent upside down.”
“Can’t deny that.”
In internet-saturated 21st-century culture, who wasn’t? He was definitely one. If he’d planned a quiet civilian life, he never would’ve started slaying Demon Kings.
Ardena was meticulous about self-discipline. Thus, she always wore practical uniforms for ease of movement. Picturing her in a flashy noble dress like other ladies? Unthinkable. Since becoming the 12th Warrior Captain at twenty, she’d worn one only a handful of times.
“A dress, you say?!”
“We’ll prepare it right away! Even if we have to fetch every skilled tailor in Maherith, we’ll get one you’ll love!”
The maids, asked by Ardena if they could procure a dress for the banquet, lit up and scurried off. The undefeated Warrior Captain Ardena Valencia seeking a gown for the event. Used to her simple uniforms, they hustled lest she change her mind, vowing to prepare a perfect one to captivate every man in the realm.
“Getting a whole new dress, huh? Makes sense—the ones at home are probably all worn out.”
“I’d prefer something new.”
“To show off to Master, right?”
“N-no, that’s not it!”
Ardena flushed at her little sister’s teasing jab, denying it vehemently. Alonne and the maids muttered, “Totally obvious.”
“Perhaps some rouge as well, milady?”
One maid approached Ardena, offering lipstick. “The demonic allure that beckons men’s kisses,” she touted.
K-kiss…!!
Ardena ducked her head, lips pursed at the bold claim. Kiss—peck, smooch, lip-lock, the intimate act where lovers pressed mouths together to affirm affection. Imagining sharing one with Yushin on a dark terrace, her face burned like it’d explode at a touch. Even her long ears turned scarlet.
“I… I’ll take it.”
Confirming Alonne had stepped out, Ardena whispered, carefully accepting the red rouge. If it truly held the magic to summon a man’s kiss, she couldn’t pass it up.