"Take good care of yourself Beldandy and remember to always show character worthy of your race and nobility."
Lady Mireles said that to her daughter who was going out causing the latter to be shocked by this bizarre farewell.
"Mother, what is it?"
She asked.
"Nothing, give my greetings to that mortal for me."
She smiled wryly causing her daughter to blush.
"I-I will excuse myself."
She quickly left. Being left behind Mireles only gave a small tender smille.
(To think the next time I see my daughter would be five years.)
She only had that thought but she was not worried at all.
Beldandy who had just left her mother continued on her way to meet up with the mortal, this had somehow become a routine of theirs or to be more precisely hers, she doubted Karlmine really cared at all but since he had not complained, she decided he must not hate it either. Every day in the morning she would go to the sword training arena, her forte was the bow so its not like she had suddenly developed some interest in sword fighting. The reason she would go there was to see him, Karlmine would begin his training very early in the morning to the point that Beldandy doubted he ever slept. Beldandy would take this chance to bring him some refreshments and fresh fruits so even at that point hanging on her left hand was a basket full of fresh fruits.
Clank
Two swords clashed and one of them fell.
"Your grip still lacks firmness and your moves are still too predictable."
The one who made those remarks was a blue haired man, his face and tone all suggested that he was a stoic person naturally, the tone was deep but cold lacking any emotion but this would not bother those around him after all he was naturally like that. As he said that he went on to sheathe his weapon.
"Yes Sir, one more round please."
The one who took these remarks seriously was a young elf almost the same age as the mortal with blue hair however his tone and expression showed that he held deep respect for the other part. That was Heilis the prodigious son of one of the chief warriors of the elven tribe.
"Very wel_____"
"Before that how about breakfast?"
With a warm smile Beldandy broke their conversation.
"A pleasant morning to you Karl. A pleasant morning to you Heilis son of Geswald."
She bowed elegantly towards the two.
"Oh Bel good morning."
Karlmine responded maybe it was her imagination but she could have sworn his tone sounded warmer than normal.
"Lady Beldandy, a pleasant morning to you too. I will errm excuse myself."
This was another daily routine, maybe it was because he could sense the mood, Heilis would excuse himself and continue training alone leaving the two to eat their breakfast. Of course Beldandy was grateful for that.
"This is quite a delicious fruit."
After taking a bite at one of the pears, Karlmine said that with the same blend tone as always.
"They are quite good aren't they?"
She beamed at him and agreed and afterwards they continued eating in silence.
"You seem different, did anything happen between you and Samora?"
Maybe that was the so called women's intuition, Karlmine was almost tempted to tell her what happened but something told him it would be hazardous to his health.
"I wonder."
He gave that seemingly rude response causing her to pout but there were no ill feelings just playfulness.
"I think I will leave this place soon."
He followed with that statement which shocked her.
"What? Why?"
Suddenly she felt as if her windpipe had been clogged as she asked in alarm.
"Master!? Why?"
Heilis also paused his sword training and asked. It seemed these two had grown quite attached to him he almost smiled.
"You will soon find out."
He responded as such and proceeded to pick another fruit and eating it with the same motion and tempo as if nothing had happened. They continued in silence again and then after a few minutes a group of elven warriors armed to the teeth appeared before them. It did not take even a highly trained soldier to sense the ill intent from them and it was all directed at Karlmine.
"It seems we have quite a gathering today."
He continued eating his fruits peacefully even as more and more soldiers filed in.
Back to present
"You are not seriously thinking you can escape an entire battalion of soldiers."
Gareth roared, his face was filled with glee he was after all against him lingering in elven territory from the beginning. Whilst others had their hands in a sheathing ready position, he had already drawn his broad sword.
(His stance is solid, he is quite a formidable foe.)
With his discerning eyes being a fellow swordsman and all, he could tell right away that this elf despite the ill-mannered character was a seasoned veteran however despite that____
"That is exactly what I am going to do."
He finally got up and their hands tightened around their swords even though he showed no sign of picking up his.
"I will give you one last chance to get out of my way for the hospitality you have given me these past months."
He responded to them.
"Restrain him!"
Gareth shouted and with a loud yell led the charge against Karlmine and his compatriots.
Heilis intercepted them with his sword. He showed them the skills he had been drilled on by his master. His speed was insane attacking and knocking them out from his way. He might have chosen to side with Karlmine but he was still an elf and he did not want to spill the blood of his brethren.
"Heilis what is this?"
His father who was standing with the princess asked.
"Father, you always said that I should find my own path. I have found it and the destination is wherever this mortal is."
For the first time he grinned in battle, it was not that he enjoyed betraying his fellow race but for the first time his mind was clear.
"I see."
The head warrior nodded understandingly and proceeded to unsheathe his sword.
On the other hand, Beldandy gripped his dagger and would have charged too but Karlmine stopped him.
"Not yet Bel."
After saying that he proceeded to take down elf after elf barehanded. He side stepped and yanked the sword of their grip before knocking them out, he did all that while making sure none reached Bel. Which was probably why his movements dulled, of cause not having a sword was also a huge handicap.
"WATCHOUT!"
Bel suddenly shouted from behind Karlmine but by the time he reacted____
SPLASH
A sword had pierced him splashing blood all over Bel who had tried to run to his side. However the next thing everyone stood shocked because the one who had just been pierced just turned without flinching and held the blade with his bare hands further injuring himself. His gaze turned cold like winter as it looked at the one who had just pierced him the elf Gareth.
"As I recall, I made you a promise about the time you would tried to pull of something like this."
The elven warrior though shocked tried to yank his sword from his bloody hand but it would not bulge, at that time when everyone was shocked by the scene____
PAHHHHH!
The sound was followed by the disturbing sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing then a dull thud as the elven warrior fell down headless.