In the perimeter of the forest where the elves lived, there was a particular construct that could be said to be the landmark construct of the fores of elves. It comprised of 2 gigantic ash trees, standing tall at over a hundred meters, looking as though they had sprouted at the beginning of the world. So gigantic they were that just walking one round their perimeter would take half a day. Both trees were entwined about each other, forming a colossal wooden pillar that seemed like it singlehandedly held up the blue sky. Within its vines and branches was a rich and complex ecosystem where many organisms thrived.

Tess began her incantations, and a strong wind lifted the both of us and brought us to the canopy of the colossal combined tree. As a member of the elven race that is blessed with natural talent in magic, she did not need a staff or any such medium to cast her spell.

Before our eyes was a glorious palace, that dazzled like a jewel, surrounded by branches. This was the abode of the king of elves.
As expected of the king of the n.o.ble race of elves, how majestic and superior is this? To put your palace on the canopy of the tallest of trees, and be able to look down on the ma.s.ses through the clouds.
2 guards stopped us at the palace entrance and bowed to Tess.

“Welcome Lady Tess. Human, no weapons may be brought into an audience with the sacred king, leave your sword.”

Come to think of it, that does seem inappropriate. I was about to hand over Shuoxue when I changed my mind and pulled Tess to the side and whispered in her ear.

“Tess.”

“Un?”

“Do you think that the king of elves will agree to let you go out?”

“No.” Tess answered without any hesitation.

“Why?”

“Zkocha has always hated humans deeply, and has forbidden all interactions between elves and humans. When I said before that I was bringing Molan and Miss Tina back to the forest, all his hair stood on end.”

“Is that so, then he will definitely not give permission for a trip outside.”

“Un un.”

“Must it be him that we get permission from?”

“Yes.”

This was troublesome. I have to bring Tess out no matter what as the forest is simply too boring. So no matter what I need permission from the king of elves, but if he refuses no matter what…

“Tess, tell me where he is, I’ll find the king of elves on my own.”

“Eh?”

I a.s.sured her as I rubbed the back of her head, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get permission, so just wait here for me.”

It took me a very long while as I scoured the palace before I found the king, who was watering flowers in his garden. He wore a beautiful, elegant long robe, with long golden hair that reached his waist. He had a youthful look and was very handsome to the point that one would feel that he is a worthy match for Tess. He detected my presence before I even showed myself and berated as he continued watering his flowers:

“Who goes there! Barging into my palace and bringing your weapon.”

I leapt off the roof and landed right in front of him. His face contorted upon seeing me, into an expression of disgust and hatred that he did not bother hiding at all.

“A human? Are you the boy that Tess brought back?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Do you have any idea who I am? I am the 16th sacred king, Zkocha Jan Viktoni.”

It’s not a Chinese name so even if you declare it I can’t remember it. I’ve already had to remember many people’s names, anymore and I’ll start mixing them up.

“My name is Molan Faburando, you can call me Molan.”

“Insolent human,” the elven king raised his voice, “Kneel before me!”

“Stop putting on airs already, I have urgent business with you. I heard that your permission is needed to leave the forest of elves so I came to look for you.”

“Oh? You’re leaving. How delightful.”

“Remember to give me 2 portions, I’m leaving with Tess.”

“What!?”

It’s standing! His hair is really standing on end! Tess wasn’t joking!

“You have the gall to take Tess away!?”

The elven king stared at me with eyes that wanted to eat me whole, which I met head on.

“Un, I want to show her a wider world. A girl like her shouldn’t be confined to the forest.”

Tess could only emerge from the forest once a year at the Oracle Plenary, and even had to wear a veil which she shouldn’t be. She should be proudly showing to the world her beauty, her youth and her radiance in all its glory. Her life is already near its end, how can she just disappear quietly in this mountainous forest when she has never enjoyed walking the streets and other normal pleasures!
Every girl has the right to follow trends and fashions, and no princess should be confined in deep, isolated castles. There should always be a brave prince to break through all the barriers and weather the hardships through to save the princess and bring her out and tour the world. She should be able to experience the most luxurious clothing brand [Isona] which costs 2,000 gold pieces for a full tailored set, the best perfumes from [Feimoor’s] where just a small bottle which costs 500 gold pieces can mesmerise the entire continent, the most fashionable hairstylists at Nicksbrun Street, the most comfortable heels at Janemosen, and the most exquisite make up, the most expensive leather bags, the most beautiful accessories, the shiniest nail polish… All this she has the right to enjoy, so she can become the greatest beauty the world has ever seen, not stay in some stupid castle wearing a lame dress!

That’s right! I’m the prince!

It was obvious that the elven king did not share my view as he stared at me in rage, disgust and contempt.

“Tess is the emissary, a symbol of purity and n.o.bility for the elves. She has devoted her mind, body and heart to the G.o.d of fate from birth. How can she be corrupted by the filthy human world!”

“What’s with such words, humans aren’t far off from you lot!”

“Humans cut down the forests, cause widespread pollution without caring to listen to cries of nature; and above all, they wage wars and slaughter one another which is against G.o.d’s will! That’s why the emissary has never been a human!”

“So is it G.o.d’s will that you isolate yourselves and remain in a backward era that still relies on barter trade!? When Jack said you elves don’t even have commodity money, I was floored! In a few hundred years when humanity ascends to the moon, you all might still be stuck hunting tigers and chewing gra.s.s!”

I was mad, very mad, “And you even seal off your borders, you… Foolish king!”

The watering can crashed into the ground with a bang, its shards scattering far and wide. The elven king’s body was shaking all over and there were sparks big and small all over. His hair had also expanded behind him like a peac.o.c.k; the flowers scattered and the tree branches shook even though there was no wind.

He held back his emotions and spat out, “….Get out before I punish you for your insolence.”

“I haven’t gotten the permissions.”

“For you alone, yes, Tess, no,” He paused, “Stay away from her, filthy human!”

I knew things would become like this, which is why I brought Shuoxue with me.

I drew Shuoxue, and felt weightless upon gripping the hilt.

“Then I have no choice but to use force.”

The elven king laughed coldly as the electrical current on his body intensified.

“You shall learn how audacious you have been, with your body!”

Within a split second, I had already spun about the elf and launched attacks from all directions but not a single one landed. He actually saw through every single move and dodged them all! The elven king leapt up onto the roof while I chased him. Sparks flew all about as my blade met his electric current.

“You’re pretty fast!”

The elven king swung his fist toward my side, forcing me to block with the blade, knocking me back by meters.

“But you are not my match!”

“Don’t blame me for bullying you by using a sword! You fist-using mage!”

“I am a close combat mage, with my main element being that of thunder. Through manipulating the electrical currents in my body, I am able to accelerate 10-20x or more than normal!” The elven king roared, “My speed now is but a mere warm up!”

The lightning crackled like popcorn and a sharp sound rang out. The elven king’s speed increased manifold and appeared in front of me in an instant, and delivered a right hook right in my gut. The sheer force of the punch sent me flying backwards and I landed in the gra.s.s. The electrocution made my limbs numb and my smashed gut felt intense waves of pain.
My forte is speed, and it was my speed which let me instantly kill the demonic beast and bathe the Oracle Plaza in blood. But now I was the slow one in the fight!

“I haven’t even used offensive spells yet.”

The elven king walked over to me and bent his head to look down on me, a condescending smile plastered on his face.

“Impudent and arrogant human, so what if you have a weapon?”

He raised his fist up high as he bent down.

“That was for barging into the palace, and this is for humiliating me.”

“*Keh keh*”

“Do you have anything you wish to say to me? If you are willing to kneel and admit your mistake, I may overlook your transgressions and grant you mercy.”

“You-You-You-You…”

“You?” The elven king looked at me with disdain, “What’s wrong? Go on.”

“You… f.u.c.k you!”

Dream on! I’ll never say “you are right”! You really are dumb, and you are the Qianlong Emperor of the elves! Sooner or later, humans will roll in with their tanks, and by then it will be too late to regret!

(TL: Qianlong Emperor is the 6th emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Though the beginning of his rule was almost like a golden age, uprisings, widespread corruption and poor policies were rampant near to the end of his rule. Most notably, he pursued a severe isolationist policy near the end of his rule that greatly widened the technological gap between China and Western nations that eventually led to China’s subjugation.)

d.a.m.n it!

d.a.m.n it! d.a.m.n it! d.a.m.n it…

The gap in our abilities is so much that it is despairing. The powerless sensation I felt during the Oracle rushed forth once more and strangled my heart. So I was weak all this while, weak to the point of ridiculousness. Which is why I lost Tina. Which is why I can’t take Tess out of the forest today. In the end, I can do nothing but run my mouth.

Please put a bit force into your punch and just pulverise me.

I’ve lost everything anyway, and don’t have a reason to live.

Who knows? Maybe if I die I will spring awake at my desk and find out that it was all a dream from falling asleep at my desk while revising. No magic, no elves, just 980 days away from university entrance exam, with mountains of preparatory books at my side. Outside the window will be the same familiar scenery from earth. And I would just forget everything I dreamt and put my efforts into my studies.

The elven king’s fist seemed to descend slowly, like a scene behind the camera. I closed my eyes, and waited resignedly. But even after a long while, no pain was felt.
Opening my eyes, I saw the fist stop just before my nose, as it was blocked by a faint high speed wind. He was not looking at me but somewhere beyond as a weak voice escaped his lips:

“Tess?”

I was elated and turned my head to where the elven king was looking at and saw Tess standing motionlessly at the garden entrance… With a very dark and horrifying expression.

“Don’t bully Molan.”

Every word that came out of her was like a razor-sharp ice sword.

I was so touched I was about to cry. I rolled away from the elven king, picked up Shuoxue and got up. Tess’s wall of wind was still active and with it protecting me, no attack could reach me and the elven king could not even touch me.

No wonder those beautiful ladies in novels and manga always cling to those heroes who save them as though they are in heat. Now I understand how they feel.

“Tess!”

“Un!”

“I think I love you!”

“… Eh!?”

So faces can get that red huh. You look even more like Guan Yu than Guan Yu himself, and I can see your red face bright and clear even though you’re so far away. Tess had covered her face, ran out of the garden in a panic and was now hiding behind the door, refusing to come out.

(TL: Guan Yu is often depicted with very flushed cheeks. No, not Kan’U from Koihime.)

But the wall of wind was still active. I swung my sword a few times to feel it out but it didn’t seem to affect my actions in the least. I looked at the elven king who seemed like he had taken a critical blow to his psyche and was sitting in a daze.

“Oi.” I called out to him.

What was his name again?

“‘chigesha’, was it? You see, I now have a sword and a shield, and maybe you have psychological trauma… But don’t blame me for bullying you.”