The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

She answered with a smile.

"Um, I'd like to know... Sister Naka, do you... have a boyfriend?"

"!"

This question seemed completely unexpected for Naka. Even the usually calm and composed Naka could not hide the surprise and bewilderment on her face. But she quickly regained her composure and shook her head.

"No, no... I've always been alone."

"Is that so?"

To be honest, Naka's lack of companionship wasn't something to be happy about. But Tatiya couldn't hide the joy on her face. Perhaps many people couldn't understand Naka's excellence, fools who couldn't recognize her worth, but Tatiya believed she was definitely not that kind of person. Since Naka was single, Tatiya readily expressed the most sincere feelings she had kept buried in her heart for many years.

"I...I like you! Sister Naka!"

"....!"

An even more obvious surprise appeared on Naka's face. This time, she couldn't quickly regain her composure. She stammered...

"Yes, really... Yes, I also think you're a good friend..."

"It's not liking someone in the sense of friendship!"

"Huh...?"

"Sister Naka..."

No longer the timid and weak woman she once was, Tatia has transformed into a powerful and courageous warrior, becoming much more proactive in her actions. She pulled the still-stunned Naka into her arms.

"This is what my liking means..."

Then, he pressed his lips to Naka's lips, which were agape in surprise.

"Uh-huh!"

Naka seemed to struggle, but she now appeared powerless against Tatia, one of the few remaining top-tier warriors. No matter how hard she tried, Tatia remained unmoved. Gradually, Naka's resistance weakened. She began to accept Tatia's affections, allowing her to kiss her.

Tatsia herself didn't know how long the kiss lasted. She only felt immersed in boundless happiness. The emotions that had been suppressed for so long were finally released, the exhilarating pleasure making her unable to stop. Since losing her parents, Tatsia had endless things to say to this person who was her greatest benefactor and the most important person in her life. And all of that was contained in this kiss. It could be said that Tatsia had suppressed countless unspoken words in her heart for this kiss. Naka's lips were far softer and more fragrant than she had imagined in her dreams, making her even more irresistible. Only when she could barely breathe, her face flushed red, did she release Naka from her arms.

Naka's face was even redder than Tatya's, just like the raging fire that destroyed her homeland that day.

"Are you...are you serious? We're both women..."

"It has nothing to do with gender. Sister Naka, I like you, I love you. Whether you accept me or not, I just want to express my feelings right now."

"..."

At this point, Naka fell silent. She simply covered her face, her body trembling slightly. She didn't immediately reciprocate Tatya's feelings. Instead, looking lost and dejected, she slowly and unsteadily walked out of Tatya's room.

"I...I need to calm down by myself...I'm sorry, Tatia..."

After leaving those words, Naka walked around the corner of the corridor. When Tatsia chased after her, Naka had already disappeared.

After that, Tatia tried to blow the conch shell. But after that kiss, Naka never responded to Tatia's calls again, nor did she appear before her.

Tatia was filled with regret. Perhaps her actions had been too impulsive, and she might have even frightened Naka. After all, not everyone can readily accept love from someone of the same sex. While regretting her actions, Tatia continued her adventure. Even now, she hadn't forgotten that everything she had done was to kill the Demon King who had destroyed her home. This goal remained etched in her heart, unforgettable.

Several more years passed. During these years, Tatia never saw Naka again. Instead, she further honed her abilities, creating even more legends with her companions. In these years, the battle between the human kingdom and the Demon King's army, which had defeated the elven kingdom, underwent a significant shift. The Demon King's army was driven back by the adventurers led by Tatia. Several of the Demon King's trusted lieutenants, powerful demon generals, were defeated one by one by Tatia. At the same time, she obtained the legendary holy sword of the strongest hero in history, becoming the most powerful hero in the world... At this point, exactly ten years had passed since the Demon King's army destroyed the elven kingdom.

...........

"ha!"

On this day, a massive body could not withstand Tatia's attack and collapsed under her sword.

The monster defeated by Tatsia was none other than the strongest orc general under the Demon King, who led a massive demon army to conquer her homeland ten years ago, charging at the forefront of the battle against the Elf Kingdom. He was someone many Elf warriors couldn't defeat back then, but now he had fallen before Tatsia. Tatsia's strength had indeed progressed to this level.

"Great! Tatia!"

Her companions gathered to celebrate Tatsia's victory. But Tatsia, who had already slain the executioner, showed no joy. She still remembered the orc general's last words to her.

"Well done! Survivor of the Elven race... But don't forget, I'm nothing more than a pawn following orders. As long as you haven't defeated our king... your revenge will never end! But with your current strength, you can't possibly defeat our absolute ruler! Hahahaha..."

Tatsia understood that, just as the orc general had said, the true enemy to be killed was not the general himself, but the demon king who had ordered the attack, who had commanded the general to slaughter her parents and her people. As long as that demon king lived, Tatsia's journey, her battle, would not end.

Only Tatsia heard the orc general's dying words. His teammates were unaware, still basking in the excitement of defeating their powerful foe. Tatsia, however, simply stared silently at the orc general's corpse, her face expressionless.

The Demon King's last and strongest subordinate has fallen. Their squad has already reached the Demon King's castle. The final enemy to be defeated is only one person.

That night, all her companions had already gone to sleep. But while they weren't looking, Tatia used high-level teleportation magic to teleport herself from the Demon King's castle to another location.

Tatia hadn't been to that place for ten years.

She stood on the lawn at the border between the human kingdom and the former elven kingdom. The lawn, once scorched black by the fire, had long since regained its vibrant life after ten years. It was as if the tragedy had never happened.

Looking at the beautiful scenery before her and feeling the same breeze as that night, Tatia took out the conch shell that she hadn't touched in a long time and put it to her lips, blowing it one last time.

As before, even after a long time had passed since the conch shell rang, no one appeared beside her. But this time, Tatia didn't give up. She stood there persistently, motionless. How long had passed, she didn't know. Her wait was finally rewarded.

"Tasia..."

A voice she hadn't heard for many years reappeared in Tatsia's ears. It came from the very place where she had first encountered that voice. Tatsia quickly turned her head to look at the source of the voice. Standing there was the same girl who had appeared there ten years ago, her figure unchanged. This time, she finally answered Tatsia's call.

Tatiana simply rushed forward, throwing herself at that figure. Tears welled uncontrollably in her eyes. With a sob she hadn't uttered in ten years of unbearable pain, she called out that figure's name.

"Sister Naka...!"

............

Naka looked exactly the same as when they last met years ago—in terms of height, build, and features. Only now, for some reason, she looked incredibly tired, as if she hadn't slept for days. Taqia asked with concern.

"Sister Naka, are you alright? You look very tired..."

"No... I'm fine."

Naka responded to Tatsia with her signature smile. This time, however, Tatsia could tell she was putting on a brave face. Unfortunately, Tatsia showed no intention of inquiring into Naka's private life.

The two sat on the broken log just as they had ten years ago, sharing their long-lost stories. Tatsia kept boasting about her achievements. This wasn't meant to be arrogant, but to make Naka understand that everything she had achieved was thanks to the person who had always helped and protected her.

Naka remained silent as a listener. Only after Tatya finished telling her story did she respond with a smile.

"Actually, I know everything. Tatsia, I know all about your deeds..."

"Huh? Really? Then all my talk just now was for nothing?"

"No, that's not true at all. Hearing you say it to me in person is much more interesting and vivid than any hearsay..."

"hey-hey..."

Tatya smiled somewhat shyly. Even though she was already in her twenties, in front of Naka, she still acted like the naive girl she was ten years ago.

However, having discussed this topic, we've now reached the problem Tatsia is currently facing. This is the most important and difficult hurdle of Tatsia's life.

"Naka, we've reached the gates of the Demon King's castle!"

"Yeah...."

"If I just defeat the Demon King, my wish will be fulfilled. My dream will come true. But..."

At this point, Tasia's body began to tremble uncontrollably.

"But I...I'm not confident I can defeat the Demon King..."

Even with the strongest weapons and equipment, and the most powerful companions to aid her, Tatsia knew that the Demon King's strength far surpassed any monster she had ever defeated. Defeating the orc general had already required an all-out, fierce battle. The Demon King, of course, possessed power many times greater than the orc general. Frankly, Tatsia was terrified. If she died, all her efforts would be nothing but an empty bubble. All her years of hard work, and Naka's devotion to her, would vanish. The thought filled her with fear, like a little girl. Tatsia believed that only Naka could resolve this inner turmoil. That's why, on the night before her battle with the Demon King, she came to the place where she first met Naka, determined to see the face of her beloved one last time, no matter how long it took.

Naka quickly gave her answer, not with words, but with actions.

She gently hugged Tatsia and rested her head on her shoulder.

"Na... Naka-jie?"

This action startled Tatya. Because of her blunder a few years ago, she had been intentionally keeping a certain distance from Naka this time. But now, Naka herself had broken that distance.

"...You've already tried your best, Tatia."

"what?"

"Do you remember what I said at the end of our last meeting?"

"I...I remember...you said you wanted to be alone to calm down..."

"Yes. Because I didn't know how to respond to your feelings. So I've been avoiding seeing you. I know all that, you've called my name so many times over the years... I've remembered every single one of them..."

"Sister Naka..."

"I'm so, so sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

"No! That's not true. Sister Naka has no reason to apologize to me at all. On the contrary, I'm the one who should apologize..."

"Now, it's time to give my answer."

After they finished speaking, their lips met again after many years. This time, it was Naka who initiated it.

This kiss lasted even longer than their last. When they parted, neither of them spoke to break the beautiful silence. They simply savored every single moment. They looked at each other and smiled.

Finally, the last night was ended by the sunlight. It was time for Tatsia to set off to face the final battle with her companions. She stood up and held Naka's shoulders, uttering the most important request of her life.

"Naka... no, Naka. After I defeat the Demon King, you... you'll marry me."

"What...?"

This request inevitably surprised Naka once again. But this time, Tatsia came prepared.

"His Majesty the King promised me that if I defeat the Demon King, he will grant me one wish. Any wish will do... I said I don't want gold or silver, nor social status. I don't need him to mold me into a great hero for all time... I only have one request. That is, I hope he will acknowledge my marriage to another woman."

"This...could it be referring to...?"

"That's right. Although same-sex marriage isn't officially recognized in the human kingdoms yet, the king has agreed to make an exception for me... Naka, after I defeat the Demon King, the king will make an exception and hold our first and only wedding between women... I've been so lonely these past few years... I can't bear being apart from you anymore, I want to be with you forever!"

"............."

Tatiana did not cry. She spoke of her eternal wishes and everlasting dreams with unwavering resolve, appearing so righteous and dignified. Handsome and dashing.

On the contrary, it was Naka who shed tears, who had never shown weakness in front of Tatya.

"Waaaaaahhhhhh!"

Always so calm, composed, and at ease, she now burst into tears. Her sobs were as heartbreaking as her youthful appearance. This was the first time Tatsia had ever seen Naka like this. She said nothing more, simply holding tightly the person she wanted to hold in her arms forever.

Naka cried for an unknown amount of time before finally stopping. She still looked exhausted, but a sense of relief lingered on her face. The tears seemed to have washed away the confusion in her heart. She stood up, putting on that familiar smile that Tatsia knew so well. She brushed the dust off Naka's clothes.

"...Hurry back, your companions must be waiting for you. They'll be worried if they can't find you."

"Hmm...I know. I should go, Naka..."

"Chirp"

Naka stood on tiptoe and kissed Tatsia, who was now two heads taller than her, deeply on the lips once more. Then she smiled and waved to her.

"Bon Voyage"

"Um!"

As Tatya activated the teleportation spell to return to the Demon King's castle, standing within the magical circle, she waved goodbye to Naka. She believed this separation was only temporary. She would see her again soon. And then, Naka would never leave her again.

Unbeknownst to her, the hand gripping the holy sword had stopped trembling. Naka's smile had completely dispelled her fear of the Demon King.

She is fearless as long as she receives a kiss from the person she loves most.

After navigating countless deadly traps and dangerous monsters within the Demon King's castle, Tatia kicked open the gate to the Demon King's chamber.

Sure enough, in the very center of the vast, dark room stood a tall, muscular figure completely clad in black armor, his back to the door. Upon hearing the commotion of Tatsia and the others entering, the figure immediately flung his cloak around, turned to face them, and let out a chilling laugh.

"Hahahaha! I am the Demon King! I have been waiting for you here for a long time, heroes!"

"Demon King!"

Tatiana raised her holy sword, pointing the tip at the culprit, the mastermind behind it all. She gritted her teeth once more, just as she had ten years ago when she fled her home. The grief and anger of that time surged back.

"The blood feud between my parents and my compatriots... I will make you pay with your life today!"

"Hmph! Can you even do it?"

The Demon King scoffed disdainfully, gathering dark, evil magic in his hands.

"Letting you escape back then was a serious miscalculation on my part. But don't worry, I'll soon send you to meet your parents and compatriots!"

"Don't even think about it!"

Even though the Demon King unleashed magic far exceeding her expectations, Tatia resolutely strode forward and charged.

Because she had a reason not to lose, and a reason to win.

The Demon King's power was indeed unparalleled. Even if Tatia had ten lives, she wouldn't be able to defeat him in a one-on-one fight. The battle was exceptionally arduous, and near-death experiences occurred frequently.

But Tatia wasn't fighting alone. She had equally elite, arguably the strongest, companions who constantly supported her. And in her heart, there was someone even more important.

With these people by her side, Tatia will fight to the very end.