"…But will it be okay for me to visit the Elf Village? I'm an outsider and a human."
"We'll have to ask the Village Elder for permission. It should be fairly simple, the only way to prove your trustworthiness is to tell them that I trust you more than anyone else."
"Well, if that's all it takes… Then I'll come with you!" I smiled.
Ariane smiled back and held out her hand. "Then it's settled!"
I accepted her handshake and we made our way upstream to meet up with Danka and the other elves we rescued.
We took it easy traveling to the village since the elves are still recovering mentally and my running would just make it worse.
Once we were in view of the gates deeper in the forest, Ariane shouted out, "Open the gates! Ariane Glenys Maple, Danka Niel Maple returning!! We return triumphant! Hail the homecoming of our captured brethren!!"
The elven women and girls we rescued quickly ran through the opening gates and hugged their waiting families. I looked at the heartwarming view with a smile while Danka immediately went to prepare himself for his next mission.
What a responsible and hard-working man he is.
"Please wait here while I get permission from the Elder, Astolfo!"
I nodded and looked at Ariane's retreating figure. As I waited some curious elves took glances at me, some of the young elven men staring a bit longer, and the girls looking at me in curiosity. Still, their stares were more cautious than anything else.
After only a few minutes, Ariane came back informing me that I was allowed inside the gates and guided me into a humble-looking home where two figures were waiting.
The male elf stepped forward with a casual smile, "I am Dillan Tahg Lalatoya, Elder of this village and Ariane's father."
"And in his wife, Glenys Alna Lalatoya. Ariane's mother, naturally." Said the female elf next to him.
"I'm The Knight Astolfo! Wow~ both of you look so young!" I suppose it's only natural for fantasy elves to have youthful appearances.
They both just chuckle, "From what Ariane told us, you've been watching out for our daughter. Thank you."
"I'll be 170 this year~" Glenys replied with a slightly embarrassed smile.
Dillan turned a bit more serious as he changed the topic, "I thank you wholeheartedly… but, I have to be honest, I didn't expect you to kill a Marquis."
"Th-that's because they violated the terms of the treaty!" Ariane defended our actions.
"Your mission was to deal with slavers, but did you have to torch the Marquis' castle?"
Ariane stumbled with her words as she became more and more overwhelmed at her father's questioning.
Cute…
"Allow me to explain, Elder!" I saved Ariane by explaining in detail and providing the documents that showed the contracts of purchased and sold slaves that the Slavers had.
"I see… I'll take these documents to the Council of Elders and explain to them the details you've told me." Dillan said as he rolled up the parchments and put them away.
"Are we done with the serious talk? I think it's about time for food." Glenys said as she began putting down steaming plates of various foods on the table.
"Wow~ this all looks delicious! Thank you, Madam Glenys!"
••••••••••
I awoke the next day on a comfortable bed, splayed out almost completely naked, my panties the only thing keeping my fully masted little (huge) brother at bay.
"Ugh… morning wood…"
There's no way I could release it in the guest room at someone's home… that would be rude as hell.
But, even as I think that, it hasn't gone away in minutes… even when I sit fully dressed in my Saber attire, my skirt is pitching a tent.
"Uuuuugh…!"
*kno-knock*
"Miss Astolfo? Are you awake? Breakfast is ready."
"I-I'll be done in just a moment!!" I yelped.
I tightly closed my eyes, trying to think of anything that could help me calm my brother down.
Come on… anything…? Oh!!
The image of Ugly Bowl-Cut came into my mind, of him making a weird pose, trying to look handsome as he attempted to flirt with me.
"Bleghh!" The thought immediately made me gag. Thank you Ugly Bowl-Cut Man. If I ever have future problems getting it down, I'll think of you.
"Oh, good morning! Did you sleep well?"
Glenys greeted me as I sat down at the table, setting down a cup of this world's equivalent of coffee in front of me.
"Yes, the bed was super~ comfy!"
"That's great to hear! I'll serve you some breakfast right now."
"Thank you~!"
After finishing breakfast with Glenys, I realized Ariane and Dillan weren't here. "Where are Ariane and Mr. Dillan?"
"They left early in the morning for Maple. To report on Ariane's mission." Glenys answered.
I nodded in understanding as killing a Marquis, even when completely justified, is still a serious matter.
"Tell me, Astolfo. Do you have any plans today?"
I swallowed my sip of citrus juice and shook my head, "No, nothing in particular."
Honestly, the bed was so comfortable that I might just go back to slee—
"Then, what do you say we do a little sparring with me?" Glenys interrupted my thoughts with a terrifying smile.
She's smiling, yet her eyes are those of a predator looking at prey.
"…Eh?"
••••••••••
Both of us stood out on the field of the backyard. Glenys held a wooden straight sword and was all smiles.
I could tell… she's a battle junkie…
I stood across from her, the same kind of wooden sword in my grip. "With the way you seem so eager to spar… I'm assuming you were the one to teach Ariane the blade?"
"Oh, my~ You're correct!" Glenys nodded with a smile before continuing.
"We Dark Elves excel at all things physical. That's why we like to test someone's skill when we meet them. And as Ariane's mother, I want to see for myself just how strong the person by her side is!"
"I… understood. When you're ready, Madam Glenys…"
"Fufufu~ without further ado… here I come~!"
When that last word left her lips, her vibe changed instantly and her figure disappeared from my view for a moment.
She's fast!
She appeared right in front of me with the tip of the wooden blade heading towards my face.
I stepped back almost as quickly, barely dodging the sword, but Glenys seemingly disappeared yet again, reappearing behind me.
"Damn…!" I twisted my body around, swinging my sword without hesitation, yet my blade met nothing but air.
Again?!
Unfortunately, I was still airborne, my feet only inches away from touching the ground. Glenys put a hand over my face and forced me down, straddling my chest and touching the tip of her wooden sword to my forehead.
"You're pretty skilled despite your age, huh? How old are you in human years? 15, or 16?"
"Uh… N-nineteen, Ma'am…"
She thoughtfully tapped a finger to her chin, "Hmm… 19… that's about the equivalent to my little Ariane's age, maybe younger."
Glenys raised her sword and let me up, her smile now more relaxed as opposed to her scary one from earlier. "You were somewhat surprised at my speed, but you recovered quickly with a counterattack. Fufu~ despite living for only 19 years you're probably as good as Ariane is at swordsmanship, and she's been learning since she was 15 years old!"
Right, elves live long lives… "How old is she now?"
"Oh, my… she'll be turning 52 this year, but don't tell her I told you her age~"
Ah, 52… so Ariane is a MILF? Hot…
Glenys trotted back to her staring position and jumped up and down excitedly. "Come on, come on! Get ready, let's keep going!"
I'm not really in the mood for sparing, but I need this. If I'm at Ariane's level, I need to get even stronger without relying on my Noble Phantasms. Who knows when they may not affect something. Swordsmanship would be the only thing I'd have to rely on when that time comes.
Plus, there are no video games, so what else is there to do except spar!
"Hear I come!"
Needless to say, I got thrashed the whole day. I didn't even manage to land a single hit on her, she's so damned fast.
"Oh, dear. The sun is already setting. I have to prepare dinner before Ariane and Dillan get back. Think you could lend me a hand, Astolfo?"
I lay on the ground in numbed pain. "Yes, Ma'am…"