"Being able to enter silently without alerting the Guardian Knights or the Brave Knights... even Lancelot didn't notice..."
I looked the girl up and down.
She seemed to be overflowing with an extraordinary vivacity.
Even without being right in front of her, I could clearly feel that energy.
Yet just a moment ago, she must have been eavesdropping for a long time before suddenly jumping out.
That meant her concealment ability was top-tier.
"No, no, no! That Lancelot guy is way too strong."
"I didn't dare get close, so I just listened from outside."
"I only came in after he left!"
Vera stuck out her tongue.
Her innocent and mischievous appearance was truly endearing.
To be honest, if I were a man, my heart would have been struck instantly.
This girl is just too cute.
"Are you from the elves?"
"I am! Look, look! My ears are much longer than yours!"
As if she were showing off, Vera turned her head and lifted the long hair by her ear, revealing the slender ears unique to the elves.
Looking at her fair, tender skin and her fingertips, which were the only part of her that wasn't particularly soft, it was obvious that she was very skilled with bows and arrows.
Although this world had the background of a game, it was not actually a game.
A true archer was always a master of close-quarters combat.
This was especially true for the elves, whose physical flexibility and strength far exceeded that of humans.
To use a bow well, one's arm strength had to be incredibly high.
Vera leaned in, placing her slender ear right before my eyes.
"If you don't believe me, you can touch it! It's definitely real!"
Hearing her words, I subconsciously reached out to touch her ear, but my eyes were drawn to the longbow on her back that was taller than she was.
The height of this bow exceeded her own height by a significant margin.
From a distance, it looked like it was strapped to her back, but from up close, I realized something else.
The bow was not strapped to her; it was floating behind her.
This emerald green bow seemed to possess some kind of life force.
A faint feeling of it being 'alive' emanated from the massive weapon.
My fingers rubbed against the soft, pointed ear.
It felt quite nice, soft and very elastic.
It suddenly reminded me of a cold appetizer... marinated pig ears.
As I continued to touch it, I discovered that elven ears actually had cartilage inside.
However, the cartilage was very thin, and elven ears were much softer than human ones.
You could feel the cartilage with just a gentle squeeze.
It was actually quite fun to play with.
"Mnn... ah..."
A series of strange sounds drifted into my ears.
However, because my attention was entirely on the green longbow, I did not notice something.
Under my hand, Vera's skin had already turned a deep flush.
Her eyes were like autumn pools, with a mist of moisture shimmering within them.
That soft groan, sounding like a mix of pleasure and pain, had come from Vera's mouth.
Beside us, the little nun Tasha was completely dazed.
She had actually forgotten to remind her lady that the most distinctive feature of the elves was their ears.
And these ears were also one of the primary weaknesses of all elves.
They were the most sensitive part of their bodies.
They were comparable to... well, that.
As a personal nun, Tasha should have given a warning.
But she was so shocked by her lady's merciless 'claws' incessantly kneading Vera's ear that she had frozen entirely.
However, I still hadn't noticed that the elven girl beneath my hand had already gone limp and was slumped toward the floor.
I continued to subconsciously rub the elven ear that felt so good to the touch, while my gaze remained locked on the massive green bow.
According to historical records, every race has its own divine artifact, said to be left behind by the gods.
The human race has the Pope's scepter, which is currently in the hands of the Pope.
The elves, however, have three divine artifacts.
There is a sword, a crown, and a bow.
The sword was the melee weapon used by the god of the elves.
Its name had not been passed down, but it was certain that this sword had appeared once a thousand years ago during the great demon invasion.
The Elven Crown has always been on the head of the Elven Queen.
The elves are a strange race.
While the population is generally balanced between genders, it is strictly speaking a matriarchal nation.
From beginning to end, a female has always served as the monarch.
The males serve as the guardians of the Divine Tree, working in harmony with the Queen to protect the entire race.
That sword is the weapon used by the guardian of the Divine Tree.
The crown is on the Elven Queen's head.
The final one... is a legendary emerald green bow.
Rumor has it that this bow also appeared on the battlefield against the demons.
Its wielder was a female elf, but not the Queen; she was apparently a powerful warrior among the female elves.
Because this bow once split an entire mountain range in half with a single strike, it became famous across the continent.
However... not many people have seen it, but those who have say 'it is alive.'
These rumors are all recorded in historical documents.
Since I am quite interested in this subject, I have read them all.
Therefore, when this massive longbow appeared before me, combined with that feeling of it being 'alive'...
The name of the bow flashed through my mind instantly.
'Verdant Strike.'
Yes, the name might sound strange, but when I recalled the brilliant feat of splitting a mountain in half, there was no reason to doubt it.
'It is the one.'
The moment that name crossed my mind, I understood.
This bow was undoubtedly the Verdant Strike!
"How did you come to possess this?"
This was one of the three great artifacts of the elves.
If it appeared on the continent, even if people didn't dare to offend the elves openly, everyone would covet this bow.
Huh?
Why isn't anyone answering?
Where is Vera?
I subconsciously looked down.
What met my eyes was a girl with a flushed neck and face, her body appearing boneless as she panted softly.
Her eyes were like rippling waves, shimmering with a look of... well, that kind of state.
Looking at my hand again, it was still hooked onto her ear.
I realized what had happened in an instant and quickly pulled my hand back.
"I am sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. Please forgive my rudeness."
Vera breathed out a fragrant sigh as she sat slumped on the floor.
In her emerald green eyes, which looked like shimmering pools of water, my reflection was clearly visible.
At that moment, for some reason, I felt like I could read the emotions in her eyes.
It was the kind of look a young girl gives when she sees her sweetheart.
"It... it is alright."
Vera struggled to calm her breathing, but the constant rising and falling of her chest proved just how excited her body was.
Hmm—a B-cup?
Cough, that isn't important.
"I did not expect the Saintess's technique... to be so exquisite."
Is that supposed to be a compliment?
I hesitated for a long time before tentatively replying:
"Thank you for the compliment."
Vera gave a slight smile and pressed her hands against the ground to stand up.
But before she was even halfway up, her legs went weak, and she instantly started to fall again.
Reacting quickly, I subconsciously reached out to catch her.
But the moment I supported her, I happened to see beneath the hem of her skirt, about ten centimeters above her knees.
A crystalline drop fell.
Oh my god, what on earth have I done!
Mother of mercy, I almost... I almost did 'that' to an elf?
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Vera lowered her head slightly, her face blushing crimson.
She seemed to realize I had seen something, and her hand subconsciously wiped along her leg.
In that instant, I clearly felt a ripple of mana.
She had obviously used magic.
I was very familiar with this ripple; Ligeia had used the same magic when she was cleaning the slimes off Nara.
It was cleaning magic.
It seemed she had cleared it away to avoid embarrassment.
"Tasha, why didn't you stop me just now?"
This was too awkward.
After a brief eye contact with Vera, she immediately looked down, so I quickly turned to look at Tasha.
I had to change the subject; I couldn't dwell on this anymore.
This female elf clearly had a bit of a crush on me now, didn't she?
"I... I saw that Your Highness was playing so intently... ah! No, no!"
"I saw that Your Highness was so absorbed in looking at the bow that I... I didn't dare to disturb you."
Tasha's face was also bright red.
A girl of twelve or thirteen already understood what was going on.
She stole a glance at the hem of Vera's skirt, seemingly recalling the crystalline drop she had just seen.
Her face was flushed halfway to the sky.
Hearing her say that, I was completely petrified.
Listen, little sister, if you don't know how to speak, then don't.
What do you mean 'playing intently'?
Was I playing?
I just... I just forgot myself for a moment!
"It is fine, it is fine. Your Highness, do not scold her. Actually... I am okay with it."
Vera kept her head down, the redness on her face spreading all the way down to her neck.
Hey, lady, what exactly are you 'okay with'?!
Good grief, are all elves lesbians?!
No, I can't recruit any more elves next time.
I feel like a pink atmosphere has suddenly filled this hall.
"Cough... Very well. Vera, you should... introduce yourself."
"If you are to serve under me, I must at least know your situation."
What the hell am I saying? Why did I say 'very well'?!
Looking at Vera, I really wanted to give myself a slap.
I had to change the topic quickly and stop this atmosphere from continuing, or who knows what would happen.
"Vera, about that bow behind you... if I am not mistaken, could that be the Verdant Strike?"
Let's keep things civil and focus on the business at hand.
Vera's emerald green eyes suddenly sparkled.
She reached out and took the massive longbow that was floating behind her, introducing it to me with an excited expression.
"Wow! As expected of the Saintess! You actually recognize it!"
"It is! It really is! This is the Verdant Strike!"
"I stole it from my mom... cough, I mean, I borrowed it from her!"
Fine, say whatever you want.
However, I was more concerned about the 'mom' part.
"Vera, is your mother the current Elven Queen?"
Vera's eyes grew even brighter, and she looked like she had just received a shot of adrenaline.
"Wow! You even know that!"
Alright, I get it, you're not good at being the straight man in a comedy duo. You don't have to be so over-the-top.
"In other words, you are the elven princess?"
"Hehe... pretty much!"
Vera scratched her head, looking proud yet acting like she was being modest.
Oh my god!
It was bad enough that the Recruitment Order notice brought in a Sinner, but how did it bring in this... thing?
How did it lure out a runaway elven princess too?
"Does your mother know you are here?"
"How could she know? If she knew, would I still be able to come out and play?"
I pressed my hand to my forehead.
As expected, this wasn't a princess; this was a total troublemaker!
Not only did she steal a divine artifact, but she also ran away without the Elven Queen's knowledge.
No, I have to stabilize her first.
I'll contact the elves immediately after this.
This hot potato absolutely cannot stay in my hands.
If even the slightest thing goes wrong, my Kingdom of the Moon will offend the entire Elven Kingdom.
And I can't just let her leave either.
If she leaves and the Elven Queen comes knocking on my door later, what would I say?
That I 'chased her away'?
The elves would lose their minds at me.
"I see. So, Vera, did you come here today to respond to the Recruitment Order notice?"
"Of course!"
Vera proudly puffed out her almost non-existent chest and said with an air of arrogance:
"I am a level fifty-three magic archer!"
"If I launch a surprise attack, even that Lancelot might not be able to block one of my arrows!"
"Besides, I have this!"
As she spoke, she reached out to stroke the emerald green bow.
The material of this bow was entirely wooden, but the wood was clearly alive.
When Vera's hand touched the bow's body, the entire weapon emitted a faint green glow, seemingly responding to her touch.
"Very well. Vera, from now on, you are an archer of the Kingdom of the Moon."
"I will have someone arrange a place for you to stay. As for your monthly salary, how does fifty gold coins sound?"
Regardless, I had to keep her here.
That way, it would be easier to explain things to the Elven Queen later.
"Fifty... Fifty?! Oh my god! Do you know how much popcorn that can buy?!"
Fifty gold coins... fifty thousand units of currency. How much popcorn are you planning to buy?
I rubbed my forehead and couldn't help but ask a question.
"How much money did you earn before?"
"Hmm, let me calculate..."
Vera started counting on her fingers, looking upward as if trying to remember.
"The first time I chased away some wild wolves for someone, I earned twenty copper coins."
"The second time I drove off a magic bear that was bothering a village, they gave me a hundred copper coins."
"And then there was the time I drove off some bandits, and..."
"Alright, I get it. May I ask... who arranged these jobs for you?"
Twenty copper coins for chasing wolves?
A hundred copper coins for a magic bear?
This child has absolutely no concept of money.
At the very least, as far as I knew, the task of chasing away wild wolves was listed at the Adventurers' Association with a fixed price.
Killing a single wolf earned you one silver coin, provided you brought back two wolf eyes.
The rest of the wolf's carcass belonged to the adventurer to sell as they pleased.
"It was a middle-aged man! I didn't catch his name, but I always just called him 'Mister.'"
"..."
(゜ロ゜)
Why does she seem so airheaded?
"Alright, Vera. I think I understand everything you've told me."
"That is the amount of money I'm offering. I won't give more, but I won't be stingy either. So, fifty gold coins. Are you willing?"
"Of course! It's a deal!!"
Rate on N.U.
