In the midst of the Great Forest, an elf was shouting at the top of his lungs.
“…”
Meanwhile, the Empire’s princess sat dazed on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
She had lost.
To that elf.
And not with magic or spirit arts, but with a sword.
Those who had always looked down on martial prowess.
Those who were nothing more than archers, at best.
The miserable reality made Ezel shiver uncontrollably.
She hadn’t been careless.
She had given it her all.
She had poured everything she had into the fight.
She knew her opponent’s weaknesses and was fully aware of her own strengths.
Even if another renowned swordsman of the Empire had been in her place, they wouldn’t have fared any better.
Only one person—Sir Noah.
If it weren’t for him, she was confident she could have defeated anyone.
“Her Highness, the princess, so helpless…”
“She was one of the Empire’s finest swordsmen. How could this happen?”
The faint murmurs from behind only deepened Ezel’s despair.
Perhaps, objectively speaking, they might have anticipated her defeat.
But even they hadn’t expected her to lose so utterly, without being able to do anything.
They must have assumed she would put up a fierce fight, giving it her all.
Thud.
Raising her head, she saw the elf who had just been pointing his sword at her.
A race the Empire had always been wary of.
A bunch of arrogant beings who lived in their own self-importance.
The opponent she never wanted to lose to was now standing over her in victory.
“You fought well.”
“…Go away.”
Ezel didn’t push away the hand he offered, but she didn’t take it either.
Magic, spirit arts, and now even swordsmanship—humans were being utterly outclassed.
We humans pour our blood, sweat, and tears into mastering even one of these arts.
Yet they, simply by being born as elves, seem to effortlessly excel in everything.
She wanted to curse the gods who created such a world, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Not because of her faith, but because it felt like admitting complete defeat.
Though it was frustrating to lose to an elf, there had been no tricks or deceit in the fight.
As a human, it was infuriating, but as a swordsman, she had to accept it.
“You’ve won, Tyreal. As promised, I will treat you and all elves as honored guests. And I will also apologize for any past discourtesies.”
“We are already being treated as honored guests. If Your Highness goes further, it might become burdensome. And there’s no need for apologies.”
Even now, he was trying not to trample on her pride.
That attitude sparked a bit of curiosity and defiance in Ezel.
It felt as if even his kindness was a way of flaunting his victory.
“I had heard rumors, but you truly are different from other elves.”
“Many say the same, both about my kin and about humans.”
“You could have used that difference elsewhere. You could have focused solely on advancing into the future. Why are you so intent on revisiting the past?”
The changes you seek to lead—you could have used them solely for the benefit of the elves.
Why involve the Empire, offering mutual gains?
Even your own kin would surely disapprove. What is your reason?
At this question, the elf named Tyreal scratched his cheek and slowly began to speak.
“Until now, elves have acted as if we lived in this world alone. While that may have been justified at times, it also became arrogance that stabbed at us.”
“There was bloodshed and pain, but no one paid much attention. Or perhaps, they were forced not to.”
“What are you—”
“To put it simply, we elves wish to walk alongside humans. And with the Empire. Even if it’s late, and even if there will be much discord along the way.”
Walk together.
At those words, a scoff escaped Ezel’s lips.
You’re talking nonsense.
After all this time mocking humans and the Empire, now you come to this?
After all the ridicule, after tearing us down, after trampling us so thoroughly.
‘Oh, we thought about it and realized we were wrong. Sorry!’ Is that it?
“Are you worried that your perfection might be tarnished? Is that why you’re talking about apologizing for the past and making amends?”
“…”
“Walk together, you say. Then let me ask you. Have we humans, has our Empire, risen to the level of you elves, to your great Great Forest?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, Ezel’s mind went blank, as if she had been struck on the back of the head.
What did I just hear?
Did I hear that correctly?
Did I hit my head during the duel?
Otherwise, how could this be?
Those who never consider anyone but themselves as equals.
Those who declare that no other intelligent beings in the world can match the Forest Clan under the gods’ creation.
An elf, with their blood running through his veins, would never say such a thing. So…
“Humans have become great enough to walk alongside us, the Forest Clan.”
“…”
An elf—no less than the one who had defeated her—was saying this.
Not just any elf, but one who likely represented the Forest Clan, the Great Forest, to some extent.
Acknowledging humans. And the Empire. Not belittling them as before, but recognizing them.
“We realized this too late. If you ask if our arrogance blinded us, then yes. Even if we had the right to be arrogant, that arrogance prevented us from seeing clearly.”
“…”
“And so, even now, we wish to walk together.”
Tyreal smiled brightly and extended his hand to Ezel.
There, she could see it.
His palm, calloused and scarred.
Unlike the elves who were said to love only magic and spirit arts.
Unlike the race that looked down on martial prowess.
Just like her, this elf had walked a path of hard work and sweat.
“Tyreal, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You really are… very different.”
“You’ve said that before.”
Yes, she had.
But this time, it was different.
Very different.
After a moment of staring at Tyreal’s hand, Ezel slowly took it.
Thanks to that, she could see a little more clearly.
And she could see something else.
That there was a sword she, as a swordsman, had yet to reach.
And that the figure smiling before her now was shining brightly.
“Ah, if it’s alright with you, may I tell Sir Noah about Your Highness?”
“About me?”
“He often says there’s no one in the Empire he particularly admires. But seeing you now, it seems there’s at least one. I’d like to tell him about you.”
Even her pride as a princess.
Even her resistance as a human.
Before that name, she was powerless.
To have her name reach the ears of Sir Noah, the Empire’s swordsman, and to receive even a single lesson from him.
Ezel was certain that at least a hundred others in the Empire shared that lifelong dream.
“Well, I’m not asking, but… if it’s possible, then…”
“Understood. You can look forward to it.”
As she watched Tyreal smile, Ezel’s face turned red.
A jumble of indescribable emotions swirled within her, leaving her a mess.
*
“The instructors to teach the elves about large monster tactics are all prepared. Additionally…”
A high-ranking Imperial officer was enthusiastically explaining before me, the Antioch Marquis, and the Empire’s princess.
I had been a bit worried, but seeing this, it seems my concerns were unfounded.
He’s very passionate about this.
Of course.
The experience of teaching ‘elves’ is something few can claim.
The instructors assigned to this task must have prepared extensively, waiting for this moment.
More importantly, it’s a relief that things have worked out well with the Empire’s princess sitting there.
Dealing with a noble lady can be quite tiresome, but the princess, no less.
At first, I thought it was a disaster, but somehow we managed to pull through.
Along the way, I subtly brought up Sir Noah, using her identity as a swordsman.
I’ve heard that anyone in the Empire who wields a sword respects Sir Noah.
I was confident that mentioning my desire to introduce her to him would earn some goodwill.
Indeed, as soon as I finished speaking, the princess showed a faint smile.
Anyway, this marks the success of integrating our kin into the academy and monster subjugation efforts.
No matter how much elves proclaim themselves a great race, it’s meaningless if it’s just empty echoes.
It’s not good to rely solely on others’ evaluations, but living only by one’s own perspective is also problematic.
“Tyreal.” Over here,
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“There’s word of a monster nearby. Shall we go together?”
“Nearby? Of course.”
I can only hope that the elders back in the village will recognize these efforts.
Am I asking for too much?
With that thought, I rose from my seat alongside the princess.