Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Coincidence for the Heroine (5)
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***
『Shock!! Extremist Elf Declares Enrollment at Lord Howe!』
When Freya Khan heard the news that an elf had come to Earth to enroll in the academy, the first emotion she felt was utter bewilderment.
'What kind of nonsense is this?'
An elf enrolling in an Earth academy? It would be a miracle if they didn't get kidnapped, let alone receive any education.
Even after the Malta announcement, all 'official' conflicts between Earth and the worlds beyond the dimensional gates had ceased... but Earth was still Earth, and elves were still elves.
Earthlings couldn't forget the elves' terrorist attacks driven by vengeance.
The elves remembered the defoliants that blanketed their forests and the hydrogen bomb dropped on the World Tree.
'Did she want to become a symbol of peace?'
It was a plausible reason.
What reason would an elf, overflowing with superhumans to teach her, have to come all the way to Earth to enroll in an academy?
Either she was mentally ill, or naively dreaming of peace... one of the two. Or maybe both.
'Well, delusions are free.'
That was the end of her impressions.
Whether the foolish elf became a symbol of peace or just died on Earth, it was none of her business.
However, half a day later.
When she received a request disguised as an order from the Australian government, she couldn't help but be stunned.
—You'll have to protect the elf princess.
The identity of the foolish elf from the news was a direct blood relative of Demerond Ip Marx. His own daughter, no less.
—That crazy red elf leader's daughter? What the hell was the Korean government thinking, letting this hit the news?
—Do you think the Korean government knew and did this? They're not that stupid... probably.
—They don't know? Then they still don't? We have no intention of telling them either. Ha, you want me to go find this pointy-ear on my own and play bodyguard?
Freya Khan protested in disbelief. What kind of bolt from the blue was this during her vacation?
—It's only been a day since the article broke. If we find her before she's tracked down, we can get through this without issue.
—Damn it.
—We've roughly pinpointed her location. The problem is finding someone to escort the princess with minimal force. Sending our agents would cause a diplomatic mess.
—So you called me?
—You're the quickest deployable asset in Australia right now.
—Bullshit.
—I know it's shameless to ask you this. But we have to prevent even the slightest chance of a second Sarajevo incident, right?
—Sarajevo?
—Just assuming the worst.
The Sarajevo incident.
It referred to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo a century ago.
To modern people, it was better known as the spark that ignited World War I.
The reason the Australian government brought up Sarajevo was obvious. If the elf princess got hurt or killed, the elves might start another war.
—That's some nasty blackmail. Damn it, fine, I'll go.
The moment Freya Khan agreed, the Australian government promptly sent her all the information, as if they'd been waiting.
Details on the elf princess and her entourage, photos, and their last confirmed location.
Memorizing the scant information, Freya Khan headed to Korea without another glance.
8,500 km from Melbourne to Incheon.
She raced through the sky, using every magic item she rarely touched. Her heart raced. Hadn't they brought up Sarajevo?
She left Melbourne as the sun set and arrived in Incheon before it rose.
'Find two elves in this massive city?'
The government had made it sound simple, but Incheon was far larger than she'd expected.
'Should I use the brute force method?'
She could search with mana-tracking items one by one, but time was the issue. With no choice, she spread her mana as widely as possible and shut down all senses except her mana perception.
According to the Australian government's info, both the princess and her companion were superhumans. Superhumans surely used mana at some point. She planned to track them the moment the two elves emitted mana.
Simple and crude, but equally reliable.
Fortunately, shortly after spreading her mana, she detected two intensely moving mana signatures.
'Found them.'
In a back alley of the MacArthur Market, inside a rundown building.
It was a space unfit for elves, but decent for hiding.
She immediately leaped toward the two superhumans and...
Encountered a strange guy using elf swordsmanship despite not being an elf.
***
"You're what, some kind of spy planted by the elves on Earth?"
Freya Khan tilted her head.
"...I truly have no idea what you're talking about."
The Dung Beetle replied with a genuinely aggrieved expression. Even Freya Khan, who had seen his swordsmanship moments ago, was almost convinced by the brilliant acting.
"Ha, this guy really seems like a spy... but elves wouldn't use a human spy."
She pondered for a moment, then reached behind her back. Mana rippled in the previously empty space.
The invisibility or perception-blocking spell lifted, revealing two scabbards.
One was a white scabbard so ornate it looked like artwork, the other a plain black one without decoration.
Twin swords symbolizing the era when she was called Australia's pride, before earning the moniker Holy Sword.
Seeing the swords from documentaries in person, the Dung Beetle narrowed his eyes to hide his emotions.
"Why is the Holy Sword threatening me like this?"
Instead of answering, Freya Khan drew her sword from the pristine white scabbard.
Schling. A longsword about two fingers thick emerged.
The blade, engraved with intricate swan patterns matching the scabbard's opulence, exuded a sharp killing intent contrasting its beauty.
"Kid, when someone like me does it, it's not a threat—it's a lesson."
She grinned and tossed the sword.
Whir—thunk. The white sword flew in a long arc and embedded itself at the Dung Beetle's feet.
"Draw it."
The Dung Beetle alternated glances between Freya Khan and the white sword, wondering what this was about.
"...Draw it?"
"I said draw it."
With those words, Freya Khan's mana surged.
Clang!
The moment the Dung Beetle reflexively drew the sword, sparks flew before his eyes.
A realm where hands moved faster than eyes. Even blocking with sword met sword, his grip trembled as if tearing.
The next instant, swords clashed again. Starting with the high-pitched ring of metal on metal, lightning-fast attacks poured in.
Head, ankles, chest, knees, wrists, shoulders... swords assailed from everywhere.
Relentless barrages left no room to breathe. The Dung Beetle channeled mana through his body, heightened his senses, and parried.
"Now I see it. You're self-taught in martial arts, right? You built up your killing intent just because, without knowing better."
Freya Khan had the leisure to speak mid-attack.
It was natural. The years of training, mana reserves, and refined skill were worlds apart.
Yet...
'Well, well?'
The Dung Beetle's sword began catching up to hers. His defenses grew precise, his breathing steadier.
Was he adapting to her swordsmanship? No, it went beyond adaptation.
Like fire devouring firewood, like a hawk diving from the sky... he was instinctively absorbing the swordsmanship itself.
"Damn, this guy's the real deal."
The warrior's instinct stirred at the sight. Alright, let's see how far you can go.
Her sword accelerated further.
Mana clashing on blades roared thunderously, shoving the air aside.
But the Dung Beetle kept pace, even at that speed.
Blood dripped from his sword hand, his body trembled from mana depletion, yet he held his focus.
After blocking over a hundred strikes...
The Dung Beetle's sword overtook Freya Khan's.
Scree—
The pristine white blade slashed the air, cleaving it apart.
A single stroke astonishingly similar to the first one she'd shown.
With that strike, both stepped back.
Freya Khan in surprise, the Dung Beetle from exhaustion.
"Ah, so that's how it is."
Freya Khan smirked at the Dung Beetle, on the verge of collapse.
"You instantly learn the form of any technique after seeing it once... a blessing? Or maybe talent?"
She casually raised her sword hand. From wrist to forearm, her sleeve was torn longways.
A trace of the fierce strike. A bit deeper, and it would've sliced her arm.
"You got me good."
She was genuinely impressed, forgetting why she'd come to Incheon.
But her admiration didn't end there. Panting, the Dung Beetle pointed at her eyepatch.
Eyepatch? Freya Khan reflexively touched it, and something fell.
Rustle.
A few strands of her tawny hair slid down her wrist. The Dung Beetle's sword had gone beyond the sleeve to her hair.
Puhahaha!
Seeing the falling hair, she burst into laughter.
Overjoyed, she strode to the Dung Beetle and clapped his shoulder.
"You little shit, I really like you."
“...”
The Dung Beetle stared at her face, unable to hide his bewilderment.
Swinging her sword to kill just moments ago, now flipping attitudes like flipping a palm?
Documentaries really couldn't be trusted. Packaging this lunatic as a noble saint...
"...So, what the hell was that about?"
As the Dung Beetle sighed and asked, Freya Khan finally remembered her mission.
"Oh, right. The mission."
No time for this—she'd enjoyed it too much. Her single eye fixed on the Dung Beetle.
"Have you seen elves in the city?"
"...Elves?"
The Dung Beetle frowned. So it was about elves.
"Don't play dumb. That elf swordsmanship you used. You stole it fighting an elf, right? Obvious as hell."
“...”
The Dung Beetle shut his mouth.
He couldn't predict what this mad expert wanted with the elves.
She'd swung her sword on sight of the elf techniques, so probably not good intentions.
After brief deliberation, he cautiously spoke.
"...May I ask why you're looking for them?"
"To protect them."
Instant answer. No hesitation, so probably not a lie.
"I get you're suspicious since I attacked first, but kid, I'm the Holy Sword. Would I come to this country just to slice one elf?"
“...”
Yes, after meeting you, I think you would...
The retort rose to his throat but sank back.
Seeing the Dung Beetle's dubious gaze, Freya Khan waved it off.
"If that red elf princess dies on Earth, war might break out. So I'm here to make sure she doesn't. Explanation over. Happy?"
She even knew it was the princess. The Dung Beetle finally grasped the situation.
"Sorry for attacking first. Think of it as a crazy aunt's whim and help out. We gotta prevent war, right?"
Blunt and simple, but with a mindset to act for others. The documentary portrayal wasn't entirely false.
Burying his relief and bewilderment, the Dung Beetle spoke.
"I met the elves recently..."
He began, suitably editing the story of the encounter.
He omitted all the branch chief parts. The details didn't matter. Just that the elves headed to the burned warehouse.
"...So, the elf princess went to the burned warehouse, and that's all you know?"
After the explanation, Freya Khan confirmed again. The Dung Beetle summarized once more and roughly described the way to the warehouse.
But...
"Even with that, I don't get it. No map either."
“...”
"Can't you guide me there yourself?"
She was more brazen than he'd imagined.
"It's not much as payment, but I'll take you as my disciple."
No, more insane than imagined.
***
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