The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

Neither Tatya nor Jasmine had any intention of harming them. Naka didn't tell Jasmine about Tatya because she felt the fewer people who knew, the less likely it was to be exposed. But the three of them had always been together, and Jasmine was someone she absolutely trusted. Finding the right time to tell her was necessary. Unfortunately, before that opportunity arrived, Jasmine discovered it first.

Since that was the case, Naka decided not to hide it from her any longer. Faced with Jasmine's forceful questioning, Naka finally relented and recounted Tatsia's identity in detail. Not only her gender, but also her race, her father, her mother, and the various battles she experienced in Isard Town... she told them all clearly.

Upon hearing this, Jasmine's grip on Naka's collar weakened, and her hand fell limp. She hadn't imagined that so many dramatic and turbulent things had happened in places she didn't know about. She also had no idea that Tatya bore such a tragic fate. She had only ever thought of her as a poor child. But the reality was far more difficult and unfortunate than she had imagined. After hearing Naka's detailed account, she could somewhat understand why Naka had been so reluctant to tell her about it.

"Yes, that's how it is... The girl is not only female, but also the only survivor of the Elf race... Indeed, as you said, if other humans or demons were to find out about this, it would certainly bring her endless danger and trouble..."

"Hmm. That's roughly it."

To prove her point, Naka turned around and took two items from her bag on the bed, handing them to Jasmine. One was a potion made by Vilia, and the other was a letter written to her and Naka by Tatsia's father before his death.

Jasmine didn't know much about the potion. After receiving the last words of Tatiana's father, Osider, she remained silent for a long time.

"I'm sorry, Jasmine. I didn't mean to lie to you. I just didn't know how to tell you, or how to get you to accept something so complicated. So I..."

"Never mind. You don't need to say anything."

Jasmine returned the letter and the medicine to Naka. Looking at her mysterious yet surprisingly innocent and kind friend, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Naka, you really are... I never expected you to be such a soft-hearted person."

"A pushover...me?"

"Yes. If it were me, I would have refused or run away from something so dangerous and troublesome long ago... Yet you were actually willing to do everything in your power to help that girl, even facing danger multiple times for her sake, and because of this letter, you stayed by her side according to her father's last wishes... Sigh, how many lifetimes of good fortune did that girl Tatsia accumulate to meet you? If it were someone else, they would probably have sold her to some slave trader or research institution to make a fortune... Not only did you spend time and effort teaching her, but you were also willing to risk your life for her, spending so much money to send her here to study... Really, you are so kind-hearted, Naka. To be honest, I'm really jealous of her."

"......"

To tell a Demon King, whose sole image should be one of terror and violence, "You're a good person" would only ignite his hysterical rage. It would be the greatest insult to a Demon King, the ultimate denial of his identity and achievements. That's how it should be... but Naka didn't even feel anger. Her mind was filled with doubt about whether she truly was that kind of person, even mixed with a joy she didn't want to admit. But Naka quickly realized that these were thoughts that shouldn't exist in the Demon King's mind. And the fact that she herself had felt these emotions meant she was no longer the person she used to be.

That said, what kind of feelings did she really have for Tatia...? Even after several months, the answer to that question still hadn't surfaced in Naka's mind.

"And also, Naka... don't you think the girl has been acting a little strange lately?"

"Huh? Hmm, it seems so..."

"I didn't discover her gender by accident or anything like that. She took my hand and let me touch her, that's how I found out. Didn't you agree not to tell anyone? Why did she do this?"

"Did she take the initiative...?"

"yes"

Naka initially assumed that some physical contact might have occurred during the battle, which was why Jasmine discovered her. However, if Tatiya had told Jasmine herself, that would be a different story. Naka could also see that Tatiya had been in a state of near-loss of self for the past few months. That first night, Tatiya had done something in the simulation training hall that utterly baffled Naka. Even so, Naka hadn't expected Tatiya to willingly reveal her identity to anyone other than herself. When asked why Tatiya did this, Naka had no clue.

To Naka, Tatya's actions were probably incomprehensible. "Human emotions" remained a profound and unfathomable subject for her. But Jasmine recalled Tatya's words and actions, and ultimately connected them to a possible...

"You get to spend every day with Naka... I'm so envious of you," Tatsia once said to Jasmine. At the time, Jasmine didn't understand why she said that. But now, the deeper meaning seemed to be becoming clearer. Although she felt bad about speaking ill of someone behind their back, Jasmine had no choice but to express her opinion.

"Hey Naka... does Tatsia like you?"

"Like her? Isn't it normal for her to like me? I like you too..."

"No, it's not that kind of liking! Honestly, you always seem so mature, but you're so oblivious when it comes to things like this..."

Naka's answer made Jasmine blush slightly. But she understood that Naka didn't actually have any deeper meaning; it was just a friendly gesture. However, Tatya's feelings for Naka weren't so superficial.

"I guess her feelings for you are more like a desire to possess you, to have you all to herself... in a sexual sense, I guess."

"In a sexual sense?" Naka tilted her head.

"How come you still don't understand... It's the same kind of feeling as romantic love! She likes you like she's a breeding partner! Honestly, don't make me be so blunt..."

Jasmine blushed after speaking. But Naka still couldn't understand a single word she said. For her, born and raised in the Demon Realm, this was an emotion she had never heard of or seen before.

"A breeding partner? We're both women, how could we possibly reproduce?"

"Yes! That's why she... Anyway, that's how it is! I'm not her, and I can't say for sure that's the case, but I think this is the only way to explain her behavior."

"Only heterosexual couples can reproduce. Didn't Mr. Osider and Miss Vilia teach her the most basic physiological knowledge? Or is it that elves are different and have a way to have children between people of the same sex? But I'm not an elf."

"..."

Jasmine felt she had been clear enough. Naka, however, still couldn't pinpoint the core of the problem and kept talking to herself. How could she explain it to her? Jasmine didn't know, and could only silently surrender to her slow-witted, frighteningly naive friend.

Even though she didn't fully understand Jasmine's words and Tatya's feelings, Naka knew that she didn't reciprocate those feelings. If Tatya had those feelings for her, she wouldn't be able to reciprocate.

"Takia... I'm so sorry, I can't have children with you. If that's really what you want..."

What were originally just words to motivate Tatia have now become anything but a joke.

"I really want to help you, and I want to guide you correctly. But if you really can't turn back, then the relationship between you and me... I really need to think about it."

"You decide what to do."

Faced with Naka's enigmatic monologue, Jasmine simply shrugged, indicating that it was none of her business.

Last conversation

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. The assessment that mobilized almost all the new students was already half a month ago. The remaining half month is for the entire school's teachers and students to work together to prepare for the most important event of this semester: the graduation exam.

Because many new systems were introduced this year, coordinating all aspects of the work was more complex and demanding than in previous years. Faculty and staff have already begun preparing for the final wrap-up activities. Recruitment for the next cohort of freshmen is also well underway. Therefore, Misha, the staff member in charge of recruitment, is extremely busy every day. She conducts interviews, explains the school's situation to each student, and reports to the school's leadership. She is practically overwhelmed with work.

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. What troubled her more was her biological sister, Mitian. For the past six months, whether she had become more normal or had other plans, her sister hadn't been constantly visiting her office and pestering her with rambling, pointless conversations. She rarely appeared in front of her anymore. Perhaps her sister becoming more normal was a good thing. But when she hadn't seen her sister for a long time, Misha felt a sense of loneliness. It was as if something very important was missing.

It would be nice if her older sister could come over and chat with her occasionally... but only if she didn't come during her busiest time. And doing the most troublesome things at the worst possible moments is exactly Mitian's style. Right now, Mitian is sitting at Misha's desk piled high with documents. She said to her sister with a hint of disappointment...

"Misha... tell me, does fate really exist in this world?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

"If she doesn't exist, why did I have to meet her here...? If she does exist, why can't I have her no matter what I do..."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

"Should I just let things take their course or take the initiative...? Even if I did a divination, I couldn't get a result... Misha, can you give me some advice?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

"Honestly! Misha, you're just giving your sister the runaround!"

No matter how much Mitian poured out her troubles, her good younger sister refused to help her. She simply brushed off every question with a flat, monotone voice. To be honest, she hadn't been listening to her sister at all from the beginning. It wasn't until Mitian couldn't take it anymore, shoving the documents out of Misha's hands and pressing her face close to her sister's, that Misha finally responded impatiently.

"What are you doing, sister? I need to deliver this document to Lord Frost today!"

"Work or my sister, which is more important?"

"...Ha, I'm really impressed with you. Of all times, you had to come when I'm busiest. What am I supposed to say? And you too, sister. Graduation exams are coming up soon, you shouldn't have that much time to waste on me, right?"

Not only did she disrupt her work, but she also whined at her like an unloved child. Even though she was much older, Misha always found dealing with her sister more exhausting than caring for a child. But she wasn't actually a child. She had her own work too. However, when it came to work, which was of paramount importance, Mitian said with complete indifference...

Don't worry about my job.

"No, I'm really worried that you'll get fired for neglecting your duties..."

"That's so mean! I did my job perfectly!"

"Okay, okay, I'll take that as it is... So, what exactly are you here for, sister?"

"Yes, it's because of that..."

The older woman looked shy and bashful towards her younger sister, twirling her index fingers together in small circles. She seemed too embarrassed to speak. This made Misha feel a little nauseous.

"Sister, let's talk this out calmly, don't be disgusting."

"How could you say your sister is disgusting!...Actually, you should remember, right? When we enrolled, I asked you something about a new student..."

"A new student?... Ah, is it that green-haired one from the Hero Class?"

"Yes. I've been thinking about him ever since I asked you... Do you know who he is?"

Who is it?

He's the child of one of my good friends.

"Eh... really?"

It's certainly a coincidence that a child might bump into an acquaintance here. However, Misha felt that was the end of the story. She still couldn't understand why Mitian had been dwelling on this for half a year.

"What does that have to do with the disgusting state you're in right now, sister?"

"Actually, that child... his parents have passed away. Now he's all alone, and I feel so sorry for him. I wanted to adopt him and give him a warm home... but he refused!"

I think so too.

Misha had grown up with Mitian and was sometimes frightened by her strange behavior. Let alone a complete stranger like herself. Misha also believed that her sister's intentions went beyond simply adopting him. When she extended the invitation to the boy, she was sure it would have been far more disgusting than what she saw now.

"If I were him, I would also refuse you, sister."

"Eh!? My sister is really shocked!"

"No, no, you should think about those of us who are going to suffer because of you..."

"Well, even if my attitude might have been a bit off, so was that child's! I've made the pros and cons crystal clear to him. Continuing to be an adventurer will definitely not lead to anything; on the contrary, he'll encounter endless dangers... So it's safer for him to come home with me. Am I right? Misha, tell me, what I said is correct, isn't it?"

"Well... it's not entirely wrong."

"Right, right! But he's graduating soon, and if I can't persuade him soon, he'll leave! Then finding him again will be incredibly difficult!"

"but..."

For a boy without parents, without even a safe haven, to travel, adventure, and fight alone is indeed extremely dangerous. If he were the child of someone his sister knew, it wouldn't be incomprehensible that his sister wanted to provide him with a safe and comfortable environment away from the chaos of war. But even so, if he still chose to refuse, Misha believed there was only one possibility.

"...Sister, have you put yourself in his shoes? Instead of giving him what you think he needs, give him what he thinks he needs."

"What does he feel he needs?"

"Yes. If that boy's dream is to adventure and fight, of course he won't be happy if you force him to give up everything he's worked so hard to achieve. Besides, this kind of statement is like negating all the effort he's put in. He came here to become stronger, not to find someone to support him and live a life of leisure, right?"

"..."

"Sister, if you truly care about him, don't always try to persuade him to go with you. Instead, think about whether you can provide him with what he really needs."

"What he really needs... I don't know either."

"See, sister, you don't understand him at all. Of course he wouldn't have any feelings for you."

Misha shrugged helplessly. She understood such a simple truth, but her sister, with far more life experience, didn't. Since her sister had asked, Misha had no choice but to offer her some guidance.

"I don't know if that boy still wants to see you, but I think you'd better talk to him again. Don't adopt a condescending attitude, like a kind benefactor, when you talk to him. Instead, approach him as a friend, on an equal footing, and ask for his opinion. Maybe the outcome will be different."

"Let's talk..."

Mitian's goal: In their last conversation, Tatiana clearly expressed her desire to never see him again. If he were to shamelessly go to her, she might actually do as she said and eliminate him.

Tatia's transformation was completely beyond Mittian's expectations. She hadn't imagined that Vilia's daughter possessed such a dangerous side. Mittian understood that this was a consequence of her own words. She had intended for her to obediently follow her, but it had had the opposite effect. Mittian also believed that Tatia's subsequent defeat by Oz was partly her fault. For this, Mittian felt a pang of guilt.

But now that things have come to this, how should she approach her again? Mitian couldn't explain the complicated situation to her sister in detail, so while Misha's advice made some sense, it was extremely difficult to put into practice.

"Oh, right..."

While it wasn't the most essential thing, Mittian did have some idea of ​​what was most important to Tatsia: the saintess Naka, who was attending her class.

Mitian didn't know what had happened between Naka and Tatsia. But Tatsia had absolute trust and admiration for her, and would do anything for her regardless of the consequences. Even when Mitian lied and said that Naka only saw Tatsia as a disposable tool, Tatsia readily accepted this fact. Her feelings for Naka remained unchanged.

If trying to work on Tatia proves ineffective, then Mittian has only one option left.

"...I think I'll talk to Naka instead."

"Who?"

The unexpected appearance of another name left Misha somewhat bewildered. But her older sister seemed to have figured it out. Mitian grabbed her sister's hand and shook it forcefully.

"Misha! I think I've got an idea!"

"Huh?...Is that so? That's good."

Misha wasn't sure what her sister had actually understood from her words. But there was definitely a sense of clarity on her sister's face. If her sister could resolve her inner conflict, Misha, as the younger sister, was somewhat happy for her.

"Thank you for your advice! It's really helpful to me... You're truly my best sister!"

"What, what's all this about..."

Misha was caught off guard by her sister's sudden praise. She slightly turned her blushing cheeks away and said, somewhat insincerely,

"Since everything's alright, you should go now, sister. I still have some documents to process."

"Okay! I won't bother you any longer, Misha. You can continue with your work. I'll come back to thank you later."

"Thanks...let's wait until my advice actually works."

"It will definitely be useful!"

Mitian seemed to have an inexplicable confidence in her sister's advice. "Is it really that serious?"...Misha herself had her doubts. But in any case, the older sister's problem was temporarily put to rest.

After thanking Misha, Mitis jumped off the table and turned to walk towards Misha's office door. However, just as she opened the door, her sister let out a gasp behind her.

"elder sister!"

"Hmm? Is there anything else?"