Dancing with Elves (7)
There were many cultural differences between the kingdom and the empire, but if one had to pick the most representative, it was undoubtedly water. Even within the realm of water, countless things diverged, but the one relevant to this very moment was swimming.
The kingdom's swimming and the empire's swimming were worlds apart. If the kingdom's version meant survival strokes to stay afloat in water, the empire's was about competition and races through it. The only time they immersed themselves in water was for bathing.
Swimming as a concept was imported from the empire in the first place.
Before that, the kingdom had simply soaked in water or splashed around for fun. Dipping into a stream and playing in the shallows—that was the extent of water play. The idea of donning completely different clothes and diving in with a splash was unimaginable to anyone in the kingdom.
—We're not drowning dogs or anything. Why swim in water? If we fall in, a knight comes to save us, right?
That was the average mindset in the kingdom. They saw swimming as akin to a dog paddling desperately with just its head above water, dismissing it entirely.
In contrast, swimming was commonplace in the empire.
—Every academy offers swimming lessons.
The empire taught it as a liberal arts course in their academies.
—Swimming is play, competition, and an essential part of human physical activity.
On the surface, it built stamina, improved cardiopulmonary endurance, and prepared for emergencies like falling into water.
But it's also part of a plan to infiltrate marines secretly via the southern straits.
Most imperial plans hid sinister military purposes tied to war. Swimming was no exception: the ability to hold breath underwater for long periods, to navigate deep seas without losing direction. Had the deep waters beyond kingdom territory not teemed with krakens and monsters, the empire might have sent black-painted marines sneaking in at night from darkened ships.
Of course, that was just the wartime backstory. Culturally, the biggest gap was the kingdom's bafflement at imperials custom-making clothes just for swimming.
—This is swimwear?
It's underwear!
I'd heard lectures at the academy, but many were shocked visiting imperial beaches. Men strode around shirtless, covering only below—understandable enough. Some mercenaries bared their torsos to show off muscles or exposed thighs for the same reason.
But the women?
—Parading in just bras and panties! So lewd and indecent!
In the kingdom, it was utterly vulgar attire, barely covering the chest and privates—something even back-alley prostitutes wouldn't wear.
—It's not a bra or panties, so it's not embarrassing.
That's what an imperial student told me when I asked during academy days.
Swimming. Natural in the empire, but a cultural shock to kingdom folk. Even if the empire was more open than the kingdom, they'd probably say yeah, this is a bit much about this place.
Is it swimming, or just swimming while bathing?
I immersed myself in the lake as is. Aside from baths since regressing, I'd never gone naked into water—but
It's been a while.
Before regression, I'd soaked plenty: lakes, seas, mostly tubs.
Feels awkward.
The water was warm. But it lacked another warmth. The space was vast and open, missing the intimate heat of a narrow tub.
Focus.
I wasn't here to dive or build stamina by swimming. It was to increase not physical strength, but mana.
Clear your mind, concentrate on the mana.
As the Platinum Lord herself had guided me, no purer mana existed anywhere. A spring where nature's mana gathered. In this pristine water devoid of life, only mana dwelled. Mana was the fish swimming here, the plants swaying. It could form into fish to dart about or cling to the bottom as aquatic weeds rocking in currents.
All of it is mana.
I focused on the water currents flowing over my body.
Feel the mana with your whole body.
From head to toe, become nature itself and absorb mana. Fill the tiniest gaps in your hair, the cracks in your skin, draw it beneath to fill and refill.
Wrong.
Before my eyes, the inverted Platinum Lord approached, mouthing words at me.
Don't force absorption—surrender to the flow.
She spoke of a theory utterly unlike the emperor's. She called his method wrong: hoarding mana indiscriminately to dominate the continent.
Do you think you can seize time by force?
Time flows forward, an transcendent concept no method can grasp. Mana comes from nature. How can one defy nature's flow yet hope to hold mana?
She's right.
Sword Masters always included such phrases when discussing mana. But knowing the honest, righteous path—the right theory and true way—why choose the quick one?
I have no time.
Even delaying war triggers, five years had passed.
Just surpassing intermediate isn't enough.
Faster growth than my past life, but still short of the peak.
Ridiculous. Seeking the easy, swift path.
The Platinum Lord scoffed. To reach in mere years what others took centuries? Isn't your greed excessive?
Of course.
No argument there. I hadn't planned this originally. But.
The one who climbs the highest peak first kills to keep others from following.
If the leader lowered ropes to help, fine—but he hurls daggers and lashes whips to block all.
I must drag him down.
Is dethroning him and claiming the summit your goal?
No. Just driving him out.
Even if you fall with him from the heavens?
If his absence lets those who wish my happiness live in peace on the land below.
Even if it means cheating by flying up the cliff, I'll take that path.
Admirable.
Her mouth curved downward. Corrected: inverted, it was a smile.
Then to aid your shortcut, I must step in.
Standing upside down, she approached, grasping my face.
Rest easy. I won't kill you or steal your time.
What are you—
The thought cut off as she forced my jaw open with her hand.
"!!"
Water flooded my mouth. I tried to close it, but my jaw was pinned.
Drink. The mana.
You're no frog—why absorb through skin when the most efficient way awaits?
Warm water slid down my throat, filling my stomach. It poured relentlessly, as if to flood my guts, entering without resistance. As if with will. As if she manipulated the currents to shove it in.
Gradually, breath failed, consciousness faded.
Rest easy. I'm not killing you—I'm making you strong, fast.
I knew, yet couldn't endure.
A Master could hold breath over an hour.
Not a Master—my limit hit.
* * *
"I nearly died."
"We'll repeat it. Back in."
"......."
I came to above water; she tried shoving me back the instant I woke.
"Wait. Ever heard of moderation in all things?"
"I dislike dwarf sayings, but iron hardens with hammering."
"Hammer too hard, it shatters. And I'm human."
"Didn't you want the honest, swift path?"
"True, but."
I knew—no rebuttal.
"Your techniques refine after accumulating mana. Perfect the body first."
"......."
"You don't think this body is complete, do you?"
"Of course not."
I rose, gazing at my reflection.
"Muscles need more bulk; frame can grow too."
"Not just that growing, seems."
"...Listen, Platinum Lord."
"Joking. Praise, yet you recoil."
"Grateful, but praise fits the person. And I hate being like this."
No choice, but I had to say it.
"If I rule this elf forest, I'll clothe every elf."
"Tyrant."
"Better than extinction? The empire has cameras—bodies could be photographed nude."
All consideration for the elves.
"If clothes discomfort, at least underwear or swimwear. Mandatory."
"Hmm...."
"Consider it?"
"Clothes imprison the self in repression."
"Animals cover with fur."
"We have hair."
"Ha...."
She swept her loose hair aside, shaking it.
"Vampires infiltrate human shadows in civilization, yet elves laze in forests—explains their rise."
"......."
"Am I wrong?"
"No, correct."
Smack.
"...Unfair."
"Said it's correct."
"Violence for truth? Childish."
"Stronger violence solves easiest—why tire with words? You're no different."
"......."
"No intent to persuade the one you kill."
"Different."
I stood firm before her.
"Can't persuade him, won't be persuaded, one must die to end it."
"Some things allow no compromise."
"Yes."
The emperor taught me much. Reward for opening the gorge and pledging Gibraltar loyalty, but he invested heavily.
"Solve one issue, I'd almost side with him now."
"Persuade him starting today?"
"No. Separate from you—he won't abandon those thoughts."
"People change."
"But not their roots, once adult."
"......."
"Platinum Lord. As you've dimly sensed, I want Hapsburg von Tersian dead."
The imperial crown prince, next emperor.
"Perhaps the traitor you despise, commanding Bloody Elves. Removing him lets me be truly happy."
"......Dire fate."
"Yes. Dire."
From human view, he's her son-in-law.
"May I ask how a child happened between you two?"
"Youthful folly."
"...Pardon?"
"Erwin's clever, but love blinded her. Me too."
She shook her head bitterly.
"Handsome ones are hard to resist."
"So the crown prince...."
"Around twenty years ago."
She nodded silently.
"Among humans I'd seen over centuries, top three in looks."
"......."
"Beard ruins it now."
Past.
—In my youth, I was quite the looker like you. Haha!
Thought it empty bluster.
"......."
"What."
"Nothing."
Sometimes.
"My father fell for my mother at first sight, so I understand."
"Hmm...?"
"...Me too."
Simple emotions underpin all, no tangled causality—just raw feeling anew.