The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

Upon entering the room, Tatia, who had only ever stayed in inns and dormitories at the Adventurers' School in Isard Town, was naturally speechless with shock.

In this spacious room, where you could run around freely with little fear of bumping into anything, stood two enormous beds that resembled billboards for some kind of large store. The elegant yet simple decor highlighted a refined balance that only the most discerning could appreciate. The overall color scheme and furniture arrangement avoided any unnecessary embellishments, instead creating a sense of tranquility and peace.

These things were far too luxurious for Tatsia, a poor child. She wondered if someone as uncouth as herself could comfortably enjoy such treatment, and looked nervously at Maya. Maya, however, wore a mischievous smile. She naturally understood the reason for Tatsia's unease.

"Sister Tatya, you're making a fuss over nothing. This room isn't even half the size of my own. The furniture is just average. Sister Tatya, please don't be so formal, make yourself at home."

"Hmm... okay..."

To someone as naive as herself, this might seem like paradise on earth. But to a queen, a princess who had enjoyed unparalleled wealth and luxury, these were nothing more than mundane, ordinary scenes. Taqia smiled helplessly. The injustice of fate had once again made her acutely aware of it.

However, just as she was preparing to pack her luggage, Mayera, who had already agreed to let her do as she pleased, stopped her. Mayera had preferred to agree to the request of this person who claimed to be monitoring her, not out of kindness. In return, Tatia had to give something in return for the deal to be considered complete.

Mayella's request, however, was very simple and straightforward.

"Sister Tatia, have you forgotten something?"

"What did you forget...?"

"Didn't I tell you before we came here that I had something I wanted to ask you?"

"Ah... yes, that's true... well, ask me whatever you want, and I'll try my best to answer you."

"That makes things easier... Sister Tatia."

Mayella cleared her throat and raised a question.

"...What exactly do you know about that centipede?"

This question had been plaguing Meira since the battle. Although she was startled, she, as the daughter of a demon lord, had been utterly humiliated by this wild monster devoid of reason. This was because Meira hadn't expected the centipede to possess abilities so similar to her own. She hadn't considered this possibility beforehand. Her mother, Nama Karenla, had told her that she alone possessed the ability of immortality.

Besides, Tatia's actions seemed very strange to Mayara. After being knocked away, Mayara, still in shock, didn't immediately get up to retaliate. She was either recovering from her severe injuries or pondering why she hadn't killed it.

Before she could recover, Tatsia launched her attack. Tatsia's attack was not a chaotic attempt; it was entirely focused on the centipede's head. This was evident in her repeated ignoring of attacks on the centipede's body, and even when her attacks missed, she would relentlessly attack the head again.

If this was her first time encountering such a monster, it would be impossible for her to quickly identify the centipede's weakness and find a countermeasure in such a short time. Did she truly know how to deal with a monster that wouldn't die even after its head was cut off, or was she simply trying her luck? It was to confirm this that Mayera gave up the opportunity to kill the centipede herself, helping Tatia restrain its movements and letting Tatia handle it. And ultimately, it was proven that Tatia had indeed already mastered the method to kill this monster.

Was her mother deceiving her, or was there another hidden story? If Tatiana was able to kill a monster with an immortal ability similar to her own, wouldn't she also possibly know a way to kill her? For Mayera, these questions were far more important than the potential consequences of being monitored by her.

Therefore, Mayera decided to temporarily live with Tatia, who possessed knowledge about certain monsters that Mayera herself was unaware of, and try to extract relevant information from her.

Tatia hadn't considered things to that extent. She assumed Maya had questions about the battle but didn't want to discuss it in front of Pais, so she deliberately created this opportunity for the two of them, who both knew each other well, to communicate directly without worrying about others. Tatia hesitated for only about two seconds before telling her the whole truth.

Although Tatia had told her about her adventures before, Tatia had intentionally concealed information about monster modification, describing them only as ordinary monsters. She had assumed that after her mother's death, she would never encounter similar monsters again. However, the appearance of the centipede proved her thinking was too naive and presumptuous. Mayera also personally experienced fighting modified monsters. Pais might be able to brush it off with a few words, but as the daughter of the Demon King, she would surely sense the clues and wouldn't easily let it go. Tatia finally decided she could no longer keep this to herself. From the initial boar-type monster Inosishi, to everything that happened in the mansion, and even the fact that her mother was also involved... she revealed everything without reservation.

"Remodeling..."

After hearing the answer she wanted, Mayera repeated the word thoughtfully. Tatia added at the end.

"That's all I know. To deal with these monsters, you have to attack the magic circles on their bodies to completely destroy them. Otherwise, even if you take their heads off like you did, it's pointless... Actually, Naka taught me all of this."

"Sister Naka...?"

Upon hearing the name, Mayera frowned. In Tatia's stories, there always appeared someone who inexplicably possessed a great deal of knowledge and helped Tatia immensely. But Mayera couldn't understand the motives behind this person's strenuous assistance to Tatia from Tatia's tales, nor did she understand how this person knew so much. When Tatia told Mayera about this person after she had let Tatia go, Mayera hadn't really taken her seriously, but now, compared to Tatia, Mayera was much more wary of this woman in the story.

"Just who exactly is this Sister Naka?"

"Well... I don't know either. She told me she came from... what was it called again? I forgot... anyway, it was a village I'd never heard of before."

"..."

"She's amazing, truly amazing. I don't know her past, but she saved me. I will never ask her anything she doesn't want to tell me. Because without Sister Naka, I would never be who I am today..."

As she spoke, Tatsia's longing and yearning for Naka resurfaced on her face. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but smile. Even though Naka wasn't by her side, just talking about her and seeing her face in her mind made Tatsia feel happy.

Seeing that Tatia was becoming increasingly engrossed in her story, Mayera didn't press the matter further. She knew Tatia wasn't lying, and that this was likely the extent of her knowledge. She understood that if she wanted more information, she would have to ask Naka.

"Sister Tatya, you're looking for Sister Naka, right... but do you know where Sister Naka is right now?"

Tatia shook her head regretfully.

"I don't know... I think she should be in Sunflower Town, but I left there on the second day of the graduation exam, and so many days have passed since then, she probably isn't there anymore... She's not the champion, so she shouldn't be in the capital either."

Having perfectly avoided the correct answer, Tatsia's expression turned somewhat dejected when she addressed the question. No matter how much she missed Naka, she had absolutely no information about Naka's whereabouts. Where was Naka most likely to be? Tatsia had no clue about this either. Even if she wanted to investigate, there was no way to begin. Finding someone in this vast world was like finding a needle in a haystack. Only then did she realize how superficial her understanding of Naka truly was. The guilt she felt towards Naka would take countless years to reach the person most important to her.

Intacia's statement that she was unaware meant that Mayella had missed out on an important source of intelligence. She also expressed some regret.

"Is that so...that's a real shame. I'd like to meet Naka, the sister who helped you so much, and see her in person."

"...Anyway, I thought that matter had completely subsided after my mother's death. But the same monster has reappeared near this town of Vado... There might be some mystery behind this. We might encounter similar monsters in our upcoming adventures. Remember, just break their magic circles."

"Understood~"

Mayera gave Tatia a military salute in a slightly flippant tone. However, she immediately switched to a fierce tone.

"I believe that I, possessing immortality, am unique. How could such lowly, subservient beasts, bowing down to humans, be worthy of such power... If I encounter such creatures again, Sister Tatya, please don't interfere. I will personally make them, and those foolish humans who created them, understand from the bottom of their hearts that true immortality is an ability only befitting someone of my status! Next time, I will never lose my composure like I did today!"

"...Whatever you want."

Mayera seemed to harbor resentment over being intimidated by the immortality of a modified monster despite her own immortality, resulting in her being knocked away. After all, she had suffered a loss in her most prized ability and area of ​​expertise, and her pride must have been severely wounded. Tatia could understand this. Since Mayera was determined to avenge her defeat, Tatia decided not to argue with her.

However, Tatia reconsidered. Mayera couldn't possibly be a monster modified by her mother. Yet, she too possessed immortality, and unlike modified monsters, Mayera's immortality was virtually flawless. In their previous battle, no matter where Tatia attacked, she couldn't stop her regeneration. She also never saw any magic circles on her. It was practically impossible to stop her. She truly possessed a flawless, immortal ability unmatched by any modified monster.

And this is where Tatsia's new question lies.

"Speaking of which, what's wrong with you, Meera? Where did you get your immortality? Is the Demon King immortal like you? And I've always wondered... as the Demon King's daughter, you should be a demon, right? But why do you look exactly like a human?"

New questions and old doubts that she hadn't been able to voice both weighed heavily on her mind, so Tatia took this opportunity to ask them all at once. She also knew that these questions, involving information about the Demon King, were somewhat sensitive. If Mayera refused to answer, Tatia had no intention of pressing her for an answer.

But upon hearing these two questions, Mayera's eyes once again showed a look of melancholy and sorrow. She lowered her head, and her hand, which had been raised in salute, slowly fell to its lowered. It was as if she had been touched upon some past event she did not wish to recall.

Even so, she still answered Tatia's question.

"I knew I was immortal a long time ago, back when I was a child. As for why I look like you humans, I don't understand it either. When I first saw your illustrations in a book, and then when I actually came to your world, I was quite startled..."

"Isn't that because your father is human?"

"I have no father."

"Huh...? Could that be your mother?... But isn't your mother the Demon King? She couldn't possibly look like a human, could she?"

When Mayra answered the question, her face had long lost its usual charm and childlike innocence. Instead, a forced, sorrowful smile appeared on her face.

"But I have never seen my mother's true face."

Mayella's childhood

The word "father" sounded so foreign to Mayera. The concept of it seemed so distant. No one had ever told her she had a father. She had accepted the fact that she only had one mother, without knowing when it had happened.

She remembered that from the time she could remember, she had lived in a large room. The room was filled with plush toys, a bed, warm blankets, and plenty of space for her to play freely. When she felt hungry, hot and delicious food would appear in a small cabinet in the room. It was, in short, a paradise where she had everything she wanted and lived a life of complete freedom.

However, there is one thing missing here. That is the freedom to let Mayella leave.

Having grown tired of playing in the room, Mayera tried to push open the door. But no matter how hard she tried, the door wouldn't budge. Later, she learned that her mother had placed a spell on the door to prevent her from escaping. With her abilities at the time, it was absolutely impossible for her to break it.

Some time later, when Mayra was about three years old, the door that Mayra thought was absolutely impossible to open was suddenly opened by a white-haired, wrinkled, mummified corpse wearing a cloak. He barged into the world that belonged only to Mayra. He spoke to Mayra, who was cowering and crying by the bedside, terrified by his appearance and actions.

"Don't be afraid. My name is Farn. I am your mother's father, that is, your grandfather."

"...Grandpa?"

This word was the first word that Mayella remembered and spoke after she was born.

From that day on, Mayella was no longer alone.

Every day, many strangely shaped monsters come to her house, bringing countless books. They are responsible for teaching Maya knowledge—teaching her to read, write, and speak. Once Maya has acquired basic language and writing skills, they begin rigorous education in mathematics, art, etiquette for various occasions, dance, singing, and other skills. They are extremely strict and absolutely refuse to compromise. Whenever Maya fails to remember key points or makes a mistake, the merciless teaching whip will strike her heavily.

At first, Mayella thought this kind of life was much better than her previous, rather dull, play, but she quickly grew tired of it. The numerous daily classes left her breathless. Only the three meals a day and the hour before bedtime were precious times for Mayella to play freely. Four years later, when she was seven years old, she finally couldn't take it anymore. When Farn came to her room to check on things, she suddenly shouted at him...

"Grandpa! Why are you locking me up here?!"

"This is the order of your mother, Her Majesty the Demon King."

"Mother... why did Mother do this?!"

"I am unaware."

"These courses...were they also arranged by Mother?! Why...why have I never seen her before?!"

"...These are all arrangements made by His Majesty the Demon King. Please forgive me for not being able to answer."

The concept of "mother" was something Maya learned from books. She already knew that life was the crystallization of her parents' love, and that she herself was a child born of her mother. But precisely because of this, Maya found it strange. The books portrayed mothers as great beings who could sacrifice themselves to protect their children, offering boundless love. Maya, however, could never understand this. Because since she was old enough to understand, she had never met her own mother.

She only learned from Fane's words that her mother was a being called the "Demon King," the ruler of a nation. She herself was a princess, a noble being second only to the king. But even so, she knew nothing about her mother's appearance, her voice, her personality... Her mother seemed vastly different from those described in the book. The children from impoverished backgrounds in the book grew up surrounded by their parents' love. But she, the so-called "above all others," had never experienced even what these ordinary children took for granted.

Forget love, her own mother wouldn't even see her own child. Even young Mayra couldn't help but ask Farn this question.

"Does Mother... really love me!?"

"...His Majesty the Demon King is extremely busy, and therefore has no time to come and look after the princess. But please do not worry, Princess, His Majesty's feelings for you are unique... Bring it here."

With a wave of his hand, several demons stepped forward. In their hands were glittering gold and silver artifacts wrapped in beautiful brocade. There were hairpins, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and a crown made of crystal, inlaid with a bright red jasper.

"These items were all sent to you, Princess, at the behest of His Majesty the Demon King. They are priceless treasures that even His Majesty himself is reluctant to use, painstakingly collected from all over the world. Princess, doesn't this demonstrate His Majesty the Demon King's affection for you?"

After hearing Farn's words, seven-year-old Mayella's first feeling towards her mother was disappointment and helplessness.

What is maternal love? In the books Mayela had read, it was described as a priceless treasure, invaluable and as heavy as Mount Tai. Her own mother, however, regarded this "priceless treasure" as mere material possessions, believing that these things, which Mayela considered worthless, could move her heart. This undoubtedly enraged her. Mayela forcefully pushed away the monster that presented these things, roaring...

"Enough! I refuse to live in this ambiguity any longer! I'm going to find my mother and ask her face to face for an explanation!"

Farn hadn't expected things to escalate this way. In his mind, once those dazzling, golden objects were displayed, Mayra should have excitedly accepted them and eagerly put them on. He failed to react in time to Mayra's anger, and she seized the opportunity to flee her room like a whirlwind.

"No...no good! Someone come quick! The princess...the princess has escaped! Every soldier and officer in the city, whoever saw her, seize her immediately and bring her back!"

Startled, Fan immediately pulled out his self-developed communication device and issued an order to the entire Demon King's castle to capture Meera. The Demon King... because his adopted daughter had repeatedly instructed him never to let her leave her room. Meera's unexpected action caused Fan to mutter a complaint to himself after she left.

"Tch... As expected, we shouldn't have raised a natural fighting machine like the 'Demon King's clone' as our child...!"

That was the first time in her life that Maya had left her room. She had finally witnessed the world outside her room.

The wide, long corridor, and the strange light streaming in from the corridor windows... all these utterly uninteresting things filled Mayella with an immense sense of novelty. It was as if she had entered a new world. It was so interesting and fun.

But at the same time, Mayera knew she couldn't become addicted to these new things. The anxious voices of soldiers and officers echoed through the Demon King's castle. They were asking each other if they had spotted the princess; they were saying they had to capture her. Mayera dared not linger anywhere for even a moment. She didn't know how to leave the castle; she didn't know where her mother was. She just ran aimlessly, hoping not to be caught and sent back to that dark, oppressive little house.

However, the seven-year-old girl overestimated her abilities and intelligence. The monsters in the Demon King's castle were all his trusted confidants, experienced warriors. Lacking any counter-surveillance skills, Mayera was quickly discovered by the monsters. Before long, she was cornered against the wall.

A general resembling a gray wolf extended two sharp claws and slowly approached Mayella. As he drew near, he spoke...

"Your Highness, you can't escape now... Don't worry, I won't harm you, I'll just take you back to your room."

"No! Stay away from me!"

"Don't be so naughty, Your Highness. If you do this, Lord Fan and His Majesty the Demon King will be in great trouble... Be a good child and don't cause trouble for your mother and grandfather, okay? Come here, listen to me..."

Even after Maya loudly refused, General Gray Wolf didn't stop. Its claws were about to seize Maya's small body when Maya suddenly leaped up and jumped to the window on the wall behind her. Standing on the windowsill and gripping the wall, she threatened the monsters below.

"Don't come any closer! If you dare to come any closer, I'll jump off this cliff!"

The windows in the corridor were unobstructed. Although small, they were large enough for young Mayra to squeeze through. Upon seeing this, General Gray Wolf was horrified and repeatedly tried to stop her.

"No...Your Highness! Come down! Let's talk this out, don't do this!"

In his eyes, if Meira jumped, she would surely die. The Demon King would then hold him accountable. However, as someone who obeyed orders, he couldn't bear such a heavy responsibility. Seeing Meira's determination, he dared not advance further. He could only stop and try to negotiate. But no matter what he said, Meira had only one condition.

"Bring my mother here! Otherwise, I'll jump off this cliff and find her myself!"

"this..."

"Hey! General Wolf! Grab her right now!"

Just as Gray Wolf was still hesitating, Farn arrived, his legs wobbling unsteadily. Seeing the situation, he immediately ordered Gray Wolf to capture her. The height Mayella was at was easily within Gray Wolf's reach, requiring only a slight tiptoe.

But this statement ultimately backfired. Upon hearing that Farn was going to grab her, Mayera gritted her teeth, leaped out of the window, and jumped.

"Your Majesty!"

Fearing impending doom, the gray wolf and his demonic minions immediately cried out in terror. The lead gray wolf hastily gave orders...

"What are you all standing there for! Go check on Her Majesty the Princess! Hurry! If you're any later, the Demon King will kill us!"

"Yes, yes!"

The thought of the princess dying like this, and the tragic fate that awaited them, already lingered in the minds of Gray Wolf and every one of his demon minions. They charged out of the Demon King's castle like madmen, intending to circle around to the other side of the wall to investigate.

While all the monsters were in a panic and frantically trying to escape, only the princess's grandfather, Farn, stood calmly in place, unmoved.

The corridor was located approximately thirty meters above the ground. It was common knowledge among the demons of the Demon King's castle that Meera, despite being the Demon King's daughter, had never received any combat training since birth. They believed that a seven-year-old girl falling from such a height would surely be shattered to pieces. Even if she miraculously survived, she would almost certainly be severely injured. The Demon King's accountability was unavoidable. Therefore, on their journey to find Meera, Gray Wolf and his subordinates were already filled with despair.

However, when they arrived outside the Demon King's castle, beneath the window where Meera had fallen, they were struck by a tremendous impact from a different angle.

"It hurts...it hurts so much..."

Contrary to their expectations, Mayera hadn't been smashed to pieces. She was still alive, still had the strength to cry out in pain... If that were all, it wouldn't have surprised these warriors. What truly made them doubt their eyes was Mayera's current state.

Fortunately, Mayra didn't fall to the ground. Unfortunately, she landed on an iron gate, which was covered with rows of sharp spikes to prevent intruders. Mayra fell squarely onto the spikes. Her abdomen and chest were mercilessly pierced by the spikes, leaving a large amount of blood. In fact, this was even more gruesome than falling to the ground. In the eyes of General Gray Wolf, this was a fatal wound that could kill instantly.

However, Mayera, despite suffering such a fatal wound, did not die. The massive wound and profuse bleeding, which should have been fatal by any means, seemed to be an illusion. She struggled energetically against the thorns. The more she struggled, the wider the wound was torn open. But Mayera seemed completely unconcerned. Her cries and writhing movements showed no signs of abating. This unbelievable scene made Gray Wolf realize after a few minutes of dazed disbelief that he shouldn't have stood there watching. He hurriedly ordered his equally stunned subordinates to go and rescue her.