While the Princess of the Elves is threatening my life, a thought goes off in my head. Its a thought about how lucky I have been so far. Few things can really unsettle , and for so reason, paperwork has always been one of those. I dont know where this primal fear cos from; I just know that its a real thing. Even though Ive suffered a lot because of it, I still managed to find people kind enough to care about my well-being. From Lucillus to Lord Juler, and even Princess Laura, the sa person who wanted to gut not even twenty-four hours ago.
I am not sure whether Ill be able to defeat this multi-headed beast that seems always to sprout a new head when I finally manage to excise one. But I can say that, within reasonable doubt, I have people I can count on. And maybe thats why Im not feeling as anxious as before. The thought of having to get a [Collector] still unpleasantly rings in my mind. But now, the terror has subsided. I am not in abject fear anymore. I am a bit annoyed, a bit anxious, and scared. But I also know that all these people around care. And so, why should I betray their trust by killing myself?
Thank you, I say to the murderous Princess.
She looks at and clicks her tongue before putting her sword away.
If you were an Elf, I would praise your courage and guts. But you are a Human.
Ill still take the complint, I smirk, and I think Stanimal wants you to stay here so you hate Humans a little less. Lots of my peers can behave like killers. But thats also true for Elves. I got shivved in the street after barely a week or sothing.
Humans call us Demons and promote our discrimination throughout the world. Are you complaining because a little blade scratched you?
Never called you a Demon, so why should I be the one paying for so stupid politicking? If anyone in the street calls you a Demon, Ill be the first to make them swallow their words.
Sure. And are you going to go to Teiko and lay to waste every kingdom thats currently warring with us? Would you end a war by yourself, even if you could? Would you teach every single Human not to hate Elves like you are trying to do with ?
Holy.
Is this a trap?
Oh, man. I just fell for it. Oh, this is unbelievable. This is ridiculous.
Not even Stan, Lord Juler, or Vilith managed to do sothing like this.
What? Are you asking what Im talking about?
Are you blind?
Cant you see whats happening here?
Ok, let spell it out for you.
This is a part of the main quest.
If I say yes to her words, Lady Luck will bind to them. Then, Ill have to fight the war to end the Elven-Human conflict.
Holy hell.
What do I say? I cant say that I will. Who am I to stop a war?
My student.
Oh, shush there for a second.
I look at Princess Laura, whos a bit taken aback by my silence and a dazed expression. Her purple hair flows in a lustrous waterfall around her shoulders, giving a royal attitude even to those plain clothes shes wearing.
Shes not just beautiful. Shes what every man would think beauty should look like.
I an, I think that at so point, Lady Luck will indeed force to choose or outright kill . So, I might as well try to make the best of a bad situation.
Say I stop this conflict between the two continents, I reply, would you marry for that?
She couldnt help but snort at my question.
Are you daft? I would even carry your children if you could stop a war that no one, not even the greatest of us, could ever stop.
Oh man, why did you have to say that, I say with a pained expression, putting my head between my hands, facing the table.
What are you doing now, you flat-eared idiot? theres a hint of hesitation in her voice.
I was hoping you would say no to this. Oh, man, now I have to stop an entire war. Goddamnit. I an, at least it sounds like a good excuse to avoid paperwork. I guess I would be given an amnesty for all the wrong forms I submitted in that case.
Mmmmh, I perk up while thinking of that. That is an even bigger incentive.
An amnesty for the wrong submission of legal forms would be better than marrying ? Princess Laura fishes sothing out of her bag of holding and puts a translucent crystal on the table.
Is that a truth stone?
A truth stone of the highest grade. It can reveal truths even if youve convinced yourself that sothing isnt actually true. It will pierce whatever idiocy governs your mind.
I see several sparks flash all blue inside the truth stone.
That is wow. Lets try it. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever dreamt of encountering in every world Ive lived in.
Every mote of light inside the crystal flashes blue.
Oh, yeah, baby.
Always speaking the truth.
Answer my question.
I would like to have at least three children, though. I was an only child, and only books and forced labor were my hobbies. I think that every child should have siblings. Maybe a boy at first, then two girls. That way, the boy would protect the younger sisters. I an, now that I think about it, all the won Ive here t so far were more dangerous than the n. So, thats that.
Blue, and blue.
Would you take an amnesty from all paperwork in perpetuity rather than marrying the Princess of Elves? Im pretty sure we could even arrange a treaty to avoid the repercussions of incorrect paperwork in every other country, as long as our kingdom was willing to foot the fines.
God, woman. You are making my life very hard. What kind of proposal is that? Thats the dirtiest thing anyone has ever said to . How could I even think that such a benefit existed?
Maybe our marriage should take place in a Garden rather than the Royal Palace. Id want sothing less stuffy if you know what I an. Im not sure I want Lucillus as my best man. Maybe Id take Camilla as a best woman if thats allowed. Oh, we could have Stanimal walk you to the altar!
Princess Laura slowly hunches forward on the table, balling her hands into fists. Shes clearly unhappy with not answering her question. In fact, she fishes out a piece of parchnt from her robe and smiles wickedly at .
Is that for our vows?
Im sure this is a waste of my ti and money, Human. But I want to know how stupid you really are, even if it costs a good artifact.
She whispers a few words under her breath before speaking again.
Are you, or will you be able to, in a ten-year fra of ti, stop the war between Epretos and the Kingdoms of Teiko, knowing that Teikos military power is no less than that of Epretos and that the power you have witnessed in my Ancestor is not nearly enough even to hopeto stop such a conflict?
[Curse Received: Compelled Answer, Truth-Inducing]
I see a skill flash in my mind, and before I can even realize whats happening, my mouth opens.
I believe I will beco much more powerful than your current Ancestor and any living [Archmage]. I deem my chances of becoming strong enough to stop this conflict high, if not very high. That is, obviously, if I put every effort of mine into such an attempt.
I go pale beyond imagination as soon as the last word forcibly cos out of my mouth.
And the crystal flashes blue.
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