Snakes

In front of the knight, the prince fiddled, happy to have performed a highly advanced technique, one that even Issei couldn't quite master.

<Let's look for the surviving elves.>

If any elves survived, they could be used as evidence. Maybe that way, they could make amends. But wherever they might be, there were goblins everywhere.

Issei continued walking thoughtfully; the fiddling prince in front of him froze.

<What's going on, Josuke?>

The boy didn't speak, pointing behind Issei. When he turned, he realized the battle wasn't over yet.
Behind them, a myriad of smaller snakes emerged from the snake's corpse.

Everyone, filled with rage, crawled quickly toward our heroes.

<Shit, let's run!>

Issei picked up the little prince and began to run. The others followed him.
The sun was now high in the sky, looking brighter than usual.
The sound of snakes slithering across the grass sent shivers down little Josuke's spine.

<Oh, how scary!>

Sylphiette was also frightened by all those crawling monsters, even though she had just faced a huge one.
The elf's sandals slipped on the leaves. Issei instinctively threw the prince in the direction of the coachman, who caught him.

Issei ran toward Sylphiette, gave her a hand to get up, then with a serious look, picked up the girl and ran to join the others.

The elf was as red as a tomato. Her slender body disappeared between Issei's muscles. Smoke was coming from her ears, and her cheeks swelled.

<Shouldn't you ask first?! Pervert!>

The girl landed a few weak punches on the knight's chest, but he completely ignored the elf.

<Let's go back to the village. If we can explain the situation, we might be able to.>

The only thing Issei could think of at that moment was asking for help from the village he'd just been banished from.

Issei and Shirou were out of breath, but they reached the edge of Langlebig Village. It wasn't long before a guard spotted them.

<Hands up, you're under arrest!>

Two tall, furious elves pointed their spears at the knights.
Sylphiette dropped to the ground, rubbing her clothes. The elf then stood in front of the spears and, with her hands on her hips, grumbled.

<Stop! They saved me!>

<And they also killed the village chief!>

The guards passed the elf and brought the tips of their spears close to the knights' faces.

<What if I show you some nature? Would you let them go?>

The guards blushed, looked the elf up and down, and lowered their spears.

What does "showing nature" mean?

Issei had no idea what they were saying.

<No, we won't be fooled by that little thing!>

Don't tell me she meant showing...

The elf was completely red.

<I wouldn't have shown them to you anyway! Hmph!>

Issei was speechless. The elf tried to bribe the guards, but failed miserably, admitting defeat.

At that moment, Issei stopped to look at the elf. She had bright, aqua-green eyes that looked like two gems. She had very light, light blue hair, tied in two very short, tender pigtails.

The white robe was different from that of all the other women in the village; the skirt was much shorter, the shoulder straps were also shorter. Underneath, her underwear made of dark leaves was visible; soft panties and a leaf band that covered her flat breasts.

On her feet, she wore now-dirty sandals. A bracelet was tied around her right ankle, and a fuzzy tattoo appeared on her left thigh.

Issei was turning red. A feeling that had died was resurfacing.

<Hey, stop looking at me!>

<Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to! I swear!>

The elf sighed and continued to glare at the guards, huffing and puffing.
The coachman, fed up, drew his sword and with a sharp blow, broke the spears. The guards took fright and ran away.

<Such spineless guards.>

<Argh!>

Behind them, the goblin army was approaching ferociously, along with a thousand snakes.

<Sylphiette, you know this village well, right? You can warn the guards of approaching monsters. We'll try to keep them at bay in the meantime.>

Sylphiette nodded, knowing where to go and what to say, but she stared at Issei for a long second.

<Move! There's no time to waste!>

<Yes, you're right!>

The elf headed toward a hut made of wood and straw. It looked like it was falling apart, yet it was their military base.

The elves weren't used to wars; they were so rare that they didn't have a plan for the village's defense.

<Great elf, we need all the guards on the east wall! Snakes are attacking the village!>

The elf with the long whiskers who was lounging in the armchair jumped up, spilling the coffee he was holding.

<Oh damn. All guards, go to the east wall!>

The elf in charge of the guards shouted into a cone attached to the desk.
Issei and Shirou heard the announcement. Issei then realized the grave mistake he had made. Then all the guards in Langlebig village rushed to the call. As they approached, they saw Issei and Shirou.

<Here are the assassins!>
<Let's get them!>

Issei tried to explain the situation with gestures, but a goblin knocked him to the ground. The elves were unaware of what was coming.

The elves attacked Issei and Shirou in a group, pinning them to the ground. The guards tied the two up and laughed heartily. Then the snakes appeared from the tall grass, followed by the goblins. They began to fight, paying no attention to the knights. There was total chaos.

Damn elves, how stupid are they?!

With a little teamwork, Issei and Shirou managed to get back to their feet. The knight looked for little Josuke, who had meanwhile hidden behind a house.

<Josuke! I didn't think I'd say this, but I need your help!>

The prince was stunned; everything stopped, even his fear. Then he took his sword and cut the ropes.

<Let's leave the goblins to them; we have another problem to solve.>

The snakes slithered on the ground, completely ignoring the elves. They were heading for Issei.

The small scaly beings began to gather in one place. Little by little, the body of the snake they had defeated earlier was reforming.

<How is this possible?!>

All three said in unison.

They couldn't believe their eyes. The enemy was before them again, alive and well.