Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: No Way, That Can't Be
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“Kuaaaack!”
“Wh-what? Why is an elf showing up here?!”
“Guhk—!”
The battle ended in an instant.
Blood spread out beneath the mercenaries' lifeless bodies, staining the ground red.
“Hoo...”
The lady knight barely caught her breath. She shook the blood from her sword, sheathed it, and turned to the elf girl.
Under her rippling, radiant golden hair, a pure beauty that didn't suit the surrounding carnage shone brightly.
Her smooth figure highlighted the elves' characteristic graceful lines. Above it, her ample bosom rose and fell subtly with her breathing.
She hadn't noticed during the fight, but now the girl’s cheeks still held a soft, rosy flush of baby fat.
No one would doubt she was a lovely young lady just beginning to bloom.
‘...But her skills are the real deal.’
Recalling the scene from moments ago, the lady knight swallowed hard.
When the mercenaries had lunged at her, the elf had struck like a wild hawk targeting her back.
Slipping into a blind spot beyond their gaze, she had sliced their vitals with flawless precision.
This was no amateur who had swung a sword once or twice. The elf girl before her was a genuine warrior.
The lady knight gave a knightly salute and bowed politely.
“Thank you for your help. I owe you my life.”
“No need. More importantly, let's tend to that wound first. You're bleeding badly.”
“...!”
A beat late, the lady knight's eyes widened in surprise.
The elves she knew would have boasted here, something like, ‘Behold my dazzling prowess!’ They reveled in flaunting their skills and honor.
Young or old, man or woman—it was all the same.
Yet this elf's efficient judgment in ambushing after assessing the situation...
And her rational priority of emergency treatment over formal greetings...
Was this really...
‘...an elf?’
Unconsciously, the lady knight glanced at the girl's pointed ears.
Thin and perked up in focus, they twitched at every little sound, contrasting her calm expression.
...Definitely an elf.
“Good thing it missed your vitals.”
The elf girl rummaged through the mercenaries' packs and pulled out bandages as she spoke.
Grateful, the lady knight took them and wrapped her wound with practiced hands.
Only after she'd placed the first aid behind her did they finally have a moment for introductions.
“Thank you again for your help. I'm Elysia Valtline.”
“I'm Asha Rosain. But how did you end up in a remote mountain like this?”
Her gentle voice accompanied fidgeting with her sword hilt.
Elysia flinched and instinctively stepped back.
Seeing the girl's puzzled head tilt, she finally relaxed.
‘Scared me there...’
Elves were such a belligerent race.
For a split second, she'd thought the treatment was done, so now came the ‘Reveal your identity, or I'll cut you down.’
Not every elf was that extreme, but she couldn't let her guard down.
She'd actually met ones like that before!
Besides, in her current state, she'd lose any fight for sure.
No—even fully healthy, could she really win?
Elysia closed her eyes and steadied her breath.
First things first: answer the question.
“Well, you see...”
“...And that's how it happened.”
“Ah.”
Asha nodded slightly and offered Elysia some herbs.
The two were now in Asha's cabin, not far away.
Elysia politely accepted the herbs, unwrapped her bandage, and treated the wound again.
Meanwhile, Asha went to the kitchen, prepared drinks, and returned.
They sat across from each other at the wooden table and began chatting.
“So, you achieved your goal, but the mission itself failed?”
“Yes, I'm afraid so.”
Her situation was simple in summary.
The lord of her Knight Order, Count Raglain, hadn't given up searching for his long-missing child.
On the way back from her mission, Elysia had overheard rumors tying the mountains to it.
Loyalty sparked, she investigated on her own and hired mercenaries to enter the mountains.
In the end, the rumors were true, but encountering the elf girl meant mission failed.
Elysia let out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Asha, cheeks faintly flushed, rested her chin lightly on her hand.
‘How long has it been since I talked to another person...?’
She didn't hate mountain life, but the lonely days without a soul to talk to were lonelier than expected.
Who knew conversing with someone could feel this welcoming!
Moderation was key in all things, it seemed.
‘Gotta be careful not to say anything dumb.’
Asha leaned forward and asked,
“You'll head back down the mountain, right? When do you plan to leave?”
“Depending on my condition, tomorrow morning. I can't keep imposing.”
Elysia said, rolling her eyes hesitantly.
Soon, she rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a pouch.
It was a sub-space pouch—a magic tool with the capacity of a backpack.
She took out a handful of imperial silver coins and placed them before Asha.
“I-I'm sorry. Normally, I'd reward my benefactor more properly, but I don't have much on me right now.”
She stiffly withdrew her arm and took a cautious deep breath.
Asha tilted her head, looking at the coins.
‘Why's she suddenly acting all nervous?’
Of course she was happy for the reward—no one had threatened her for it.
Maybe knights in this world had tough finances?
It made sense. With a serious face, Asha said,
“Do you have enough left for your trip back?”
“W-well, you see...”
“?”
Elysia suddenly reached into the pouch again and pulled out another handful of coins.
With resolute voice, she declared,
“It might not cover the precious herbs, but this is truly my limit!”
Her hands trembled.
Asha was inwardly flustered.
She wasn't trying to extort more—why the shaking?
‘What an unusual person.’
Asha pushed the extra coins back toward Elysia.
In a calm tone, she added,
“It's fine. I'll just take the first amount.”
“...!”
Stunned, Elysia exclaimed dramatically,
“You are truly a noble knight of the forest! Valuing mercy over mere silver coins—that spirit is a model for all elves!”
“...Uh, sure.”
Asha nodded with a wry expression. What was with her?
But to Elysia, this was her best effort.
Elves were belligerent, loving honor and luxury. Irk them, and you'd invite needless trouble.
She couldn't let her guard down just because the girl looked young.
“More importantly, milady. Is there a village right after descending the mountain?”
“Ah, yes. Follow the valley down, then half a day's walk more, and you'll reach one.”
“Ah...”
So it wasn't right at the base after all.
Asha nodded slowly.
It was a chance encounter, but perfect timing.
With travel money now, she could head down with her.
Better to learn about the world than live blindly.
And gauge public perception of elves too.
‘Still...’
Asha gazed steadily at Elysia.
Her brown hair neatly tied. Posture straight, ingrained with discipline.
Anyone could see she treated her as an equal being.
At least elves weren't openly treated as slaves here.
That was reassuring.
“Milady, mind if I join you to the village?”
“Of course not. But may I ask why?”
“Mm, I've been in these mountains too long. I'm out of touch with the world.”
“I see.”
Elysia nodded vigorously, fully understanding.
‘She's honed her martial arts in deep seclusion.’
Now she aimed to build honor and wealth.
Classic elf.
Humans chased gold and fame too, but didn't hole up in mountains—they rolled on battlefields.
Only long-lived races could pull that eccentric stunt.
Plus, shunning luxury for training put this girl in the top 1% of diligent elves.
Even the elf knights in her own order...
They splurged on luxury befitting each windfall, upholding noble face.
‘...Huh? Wait a sec.’
Right then.
A brilliant idea flashed through Elysia's mind like lightning.
What if this girl met the elf knights in her order...?
“Hmm...”
Elysia toyed with her lip, lost in thought.
The next day.
Asha rose before dawn and busily packed.
She stuffed her single sub-space pouch to the brim.
Preserved food, parents' mementos, tools...
The cabin held few valuables anyway, so she finished quickly.
Just before leaving.
Asha stood before her parents' graves one last time.
Hands clasped, head bowed for a long moment.
“I'll be going now.”
By her past life's standards, she'd stayed plenty long.
I'll visit again when I have time.
After staring at the graves a bit longer, Asha slowly turned away.
She ran into Elysia outside the cabin, and they began descending together.
Chatting idly as they followed the valley for a good while.
The sun passed midday, shadows stretching long, before Asha finally reached the village.
Mindful of the villagers' stares as she entered.
‘Bigger than I thought.’
She'd imagined a humble place without a proper inn.
It had walls and, heading to the center, a large statue came into view.
“A statue commemorating a hero.”
“A hero?”
Impressive title.
A face popped into mind, making Asha chuckle as she approached.
A statue of a lady knight, hand on sword, gazing proudly ahead.
Before it stood a stone plaque honoring the hero.
Asha read it unconsciously.
[Knight of Knights, Yulia Silvern]
- The one who halted the disaster engulfing the continent, becoming the true paragon of knighthood.
- In honor of the peace she brought humanity, we record her here.
- Unyielding justice and conviction that bends but never breaks, beginning here.
“Hm...”
A knight of firm conviction who stopped a disaster.
How noble and cool...
“...Huh?”
A strange sense of déjà vu hit her.
Asha tilted her head.
She read the plaque again.
[Knight of Knights, Yulia Silvern.]
“...”
Silvern?
No, wait.
No way, that can't be.
Asha rubbed her eyes with both hands and looked again.
Of course, nothing changed.
As her mouth gaped wide, a memory flashed by.
- The elves said it back then. Lady Silvern! You are the Knight of Knights!
“???”
What the hell?