12. Elven Search Operation

The details of the mission, including places and names never heard before, went right over Yumino's head. As such, he decided he would just check the minutes later with Nima's help.

"So, I take it all of you are on board with my humble request?"

"If I may speak in the name of us all." Averin stepped forward. "We will do as your majesty wishes, and we will proceed with a the search for any last survivor of the elven country—"

"I won't," Yumino's voice suddenly resounded, bringing a moment of general stupor.

After a brief pause. All of the eyes around fell on the elf just as Averin spoke.

"Yumino! There must be something really wrong with you! It is thanks to these search missions that you are even here!"

"And should I thank you for that?" he cut in once again.

"Oh?" the sorceress raised an eyebrow. She found herself more and more intrigued by the elf standing next to her.

Under everyone's curious gaze, Yumino continued.

"If it's not goblins, it's a weird flying knight. If it's not that, it's a whole town of damned vampires. What's next? A—"

"Yumino!"

Averin's voice resounded like thunder, even shaking the conviction of the elf whom she had interrupted, who barely found it in himself to act unbothered by her.

"Saying this in front of Lord Lucien is—"

Lucien raised his hand, signaling the girl to let Yumino speak. His stoic look was not letting anyone read what was on his mind.

"Truth is, I've never asked for any of this in the first place. Your rescue, my stay in the city, living together with Nima—for too long have I let myself be carried by the will of those around me."

The elf turned towards Averin.

"I'm not denying your kindness. After all, you've saved me from that horde, but it only took a couple of days for my life to be put in danger again. And this time I've dragged someone else with me."

"That is..."

"I know that you have good intentions. I've spoken to you enough to understand that much, but as far as I'm concerned, you've taken me from the lion's den and thrown me to the wolves."

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Gavin wanted to ask, but his breath was taken away by Velmira's elbow, letting Yumino continue uninterrupted.

"As for the rest of you guys. I don't doubt your deeds as heroes were great, and I don't doubt that your intentions are pure. But what point is there in blindly following your sense of justice if it brings pain to others?

"This city where elves who go out at night disappear with no trail to follow, do you really think you're doing us a favor by bringing us here?"

Referring to himself and the elves as "us" felt bizarre to Yumino. All the more so since the elves were with him at every step.

"But Yumino, aren't they your kin?"

"A kin that—ah!"

Before getting to the end of his sentence, a sudden headache hit Yumino.

"You may want to keep that part for yourself, dear hero," a voice suddenly spoke in his head.

"I was wondering where you went..."

"Ahem, as I've said many times before. I think it would be better if you didn't group me with my kin."

"How can you say something so—"

"Enough, Averin."

At the words of the lord, the girl backed off.

"Thank you, Yumino, for telling me your point of view. I did hear about there being some commotion yesterday. I didn't know you and Nima were involved in it. All the more reason for you to refuse. If you so wish, you have every right to ignore my plea for help."

"Thank you for the kind words. Now, if I may be excused."

"However, with your ballsy speech, you have insulted my very kin!"

Yumino froze in place. In the heat of the moment, he completely disregarded the features that gave away Lucien's race.

"Such an act cannot be overseen."

But the elf didn't back down.

"Oh? So you're saying that me throwing dirt on the vampire race is an inexcusable affront, yet them doing the same and hunting my kin can go on as an every-night occurrence?"

Before long, Yumino found himself flanked. On one side there was a girl clad in heavy armor, and on the other there was a giant wielding a white claymore. Neither of them radiated any kind intentions. Their mover were calculated, not even giving Yumino the chance to notice them before it was too late. 

They clearly knew what they were doing, yet he continued.

"Lord Lucien, with all due respect. As long as you have your loyal servants threaten me, and as long as you turn a blind eye to the discrimination taking place in your kingdom—only because the race doing it is the one you are a part of—I am afraid I can never look at you with anything more than pity."

As he spoke, Yumino looked around for an opening, but the others were clearly on guard.

"Of the three times my life has been put in danger, two of them happened within your walls. You may try and strike me down right here, but I assure you, my hands are pretty quick, and my arrow is pretty well trained."

Yumino reached for his bow with his eyes fixed on the two threats. However the tense atmosphere was broken by the loud laughter of the vampire.

"Yumino, you may doubt my abilities. You may also call me out, and you would be right. Rest assured, I will not put you in danger for such things."

As he said that, the two fighters stepped back, their killing intent having completely vanished.

"All I wanted to ask of you is that you listen to my story. I'm sorry, I have pushed you too far and even tried to intimidate you. But worry not, for this was all just a play. Nobody here intends to hurt you."

As his surroundings were calming down, Lucien pointed towards a room behind the throne.

"If you will, please follow me, and let us speak with our hearts on the table."

The adrenaline finally wore off, and Yumino's mind became tired.

"I think you've done enough for today. Please, go with him, hero."

Somebody else telling him what to do. Yumino was getting sick of it.

"I have no reason to listen to the likes of you..." he spoke in his mind, but he felt he had little choice.

"Hah... but at the very least I know you value my safety."

On the basis of shaky reasoning, Yumino listened and followed the lord.

"Whew. Things were really heating up around here. Were you really planning to attack the guy?"

At the question posed by the hero, Averin hesitated for a second.

"To be honest. I didn't know what was going on. But if Lord Lucien ordered so, of course I had no choice but to follow through..."

"Our Little Averin really is a righteous soldier. Good girl~!"

"Vermina! "Stop teasing me like that!" said Averin, walking down the hall towards the exit, her steps heavy as she headed for the door.

"Got it, Miss Averin!" Velmira answered with a playful tone.

As she walked out, a red mark of unknown origin slowly faded off her back.

"I just hope you'll learn to think for yourself soon... before you find yourself swinging your sword in the wrong direction."