Book 12.2: Chapter 2


    Whats the best weapon for a duel between elves and humans? Definitely not stamina. Elves possessed a much shorter and smaller staturepared to humans. Inard, whom Vyvyan thought was big, looked obviously skinny and weak in front of Elizabeth, hence why the essence of elven swordyy in nimbleness. Although the elves were a bit thinner, they were substantially faster and nimbler than humans, so what appeared to be strange movements to humans were easily performed by elves.


    Elven long swords were a tad superiorpared to humanitys in regards to quality. As such, only the elites among humanity couldpete against elves in swordy, because elves were very confident with their swordy. Additionally, Lorana, who specifically trained the Gdriel Tribe, was the best among the best. Vyvyan and Inard, who were trained by her, shouldve been the best among the elves. However, Inard couldnt defeat Elizabeth.


    Elizabeth didnt know why wielding a sword felt so familiar to her, either. The long sword didnt feel as though it was a long sword to her; it felt as though it was her arm. Lorana was very reluctant to admit it, but sometimes, geniuses appeared, such as Elizabeth, who was currently holding a long sword, appeared.


    I surrender. I surrender!


    Inard sprawled on the ground and raised his hands up to call surrender. Elizabeth pressed her sword onto his neck and looked over to Lorana. Lorana nodded, and then Elizabeth retracted her sword before pulling Inard up. Inard was still wearing a stunned expression, for it was upsetting for the proud elven Prince to be defeated by a human in a sword duel. Nevertheless, the upsetting reality became the norm for Inard. Since improving their swordy, Inard and Elizabeth duelled daily to test their mettle. Vyvyan was caught in a conundrum when she watched them, since she didnt want for either of them to get hurt. At the same time, she wouldnt be happy to see either of them win.


    She liked her brother, so she wanted to see him win, but she gradually found herself hoping Elizabeth would win, too. Elizabeth was usually a kind and gentle, polite, noble and graceful girl; however, she couldnt shake off the feeling that something was missing. Previously, Vyvyan wasnt sure what was missing, but she felt something was missing from Elizabeths eyes. Her eyes didnt look lively. In battle, though, her gaze immediately becameplete. Her eyes filled with spirit were different to how they usually appeared. Her suave posture when she held a sword was surprisingly resembled a warrior more than her brother. She would go as far as to say that she waspletely captivated by Elizabeths sweaty and suave silhouette, instead of watching her brother.


    That was when Vyvyan realised what Elizabeth had been missing. Elizabeth was missing her own will. Elizabeths grace and nobility wasnt her personal trait, but something that she learnt through her family education. However, Elizabeth didnt have something she liked. It was the first time she found something she liked. Though it wasnt something that was befitting of a female, there was a saying that went, Women and des are a couple. When Vyvyan saw Elizabeth, her belief in that saying was consolidated. She came to believe that there were women born for the de.


    Beautiful, Elizabeth. Maybe you should be friends with swords in this lifetime.


    It was rare for Lorana to praise someone, but Lorana praised Elizabeth. Elizabeth shyly sat down to the side and nced over to Inard feeling somewhat apologetic. Vyvyan jogged over to hand Inard a towell. Inard looked at Elizabeth with a hint of frustration. He let out a heavy sigh before turning to Vyvyan to ask, Sister, am I no good with a sword?


    Vyvyan responded honestly: No! Onii-sama, your swordy is fabulous. Its just that you cant beat Elizabeth.


    Inard rubbed his head in a slightly unhappy fashion. He handed the towel back to Vyvyan and said to himself, How depressing. Why cant I beat a girl  not to mention a human? I should be better suited to this


    Lorana unhappily rolled her eyes. She then pulled Elizabeth and Vyvyan over. She exined, This human girl has never cked. Your Highness, I dont need to remind you how undedicated you were after beginning swordy training, right? Your Highness, swordy has nothing to do with your tribe or your gender. Its a matter of whether or not youmit yourself to it. Today is thest warm day before we enter autumn. Ladies, lets go take a bath; else, Itll be troublesome to take one after. In addition, we need to prepare firewood for winter Of course, we still need food for winter. Winter is torture to us every year Life after winteres in wont be sofortable and leisurely.


    Indeed, winter was a very rough season for elves, because they had no means ofbatting the cold. The group was also outside the elven forest. In other words, they were where the protection offered by mana was weakest. They might be reluctant to admit it, but the current reigning Elven King didnt possess sufficient mana, so he couldnt cover all of the elven forest. Put another way, summer and winter did exist in the elvennds.


    The next King in line was Inard. Now, while he was much stronger than the ordinary elf, he was a bit too weak inparison to Vyvyan. Vyvyans birth was basically a miracle in elven history. It was as if it was a god was born not an elf.


    Normally speaking, Vyvyan should be the one to seed the throne. However, she didnt seem to have any ns to be the ruler; hence, Inard should be the next King. There shouldnt be a problem with Vyvyan providing mana, though.


    Inard looked at the three maidens who were ready to go for a bath. With a nk look, he asked, Wait, what about me?


    Elizabeth spun her head around and shyly grabbed her chest. In a loud voice, she eximed, What do you want?! You want to bath with us or something?! Do all you always do that?!


    In a serious voice, Lorana exined, No. Please allow me to apologise. Elizabeth, I guarantee that theres only ever one idiot Prince among the elves who would have such sick ideas.


    Inard took a hit to his heart. Vyvyan frowned: Brother, I suggest you find another way to wash or wait for us to return before going. To be honest with you, I wont bath with somebody of the opposite sex.


    Not even your brother?! asked Inard, astonished.


    Vyvyan firmly replied, Not even my son.


    However, Vyvyan didnt know shed soon p herself in the face.


    The three went to the creek. The temperature was no longer as warm as before; nheless, it was still rtivelyfortable. The creek was situated behind the house the three lived in. By the edge was a softwn. The three maidens yed in the water there every night. However, the water temperature was cold at night around this time of the year. As a human, Elizabeth found it a little diforting, so she moved her bath time to the afternoon.


    Once they got to the creek, Vyvyan stripped down and walked up to the edge of the creek. She turned her head around to wait for Elizabeth. The moment she went to call out to her, she noticed Elizabeths slightly wet lower body, which was her sweat from training. Her smooth back shined, as it was covered in sweat. It shined as though it was the glow of an angel. Elizabeth grabbed her long hair to stop it from sticking to her back, thereby revealing the back of her smooth neck. Vyvyan spaced out as she looked at her. Her heart unexpectedly began to race while a strange feeling stirred. An annoyed, yet shy, feeling appeared in the young girls mind and stuck there for a long time.


    Elizabeth turned around to catch Vyvyans expression. She presumably recalled Vyvyans sneak attack from behind, so she nervously covered her breasts with her hands: Hmm? Whats wrong, Vyvyan?


    Vyvyan swiftly spun her head around and, in a nervous tone, replied, Ah No Nothing Nothing