Secret

When he woke up, Issei was on a bench with a sweet girl covered in colorful drawings on her arms and legs resting on his lap.

Issei stroked the girl's hair, momentarily banishing everything bad from his mind. He wanted that moment to last a lifetime, but the girl woke up shortly after.

<Hey, good morning.>

The girl stretched and waved with her eyes closed. Then she opened her eyes and blushed.

<How long have you been awake?!>

<Not long, don't worry.>

The situation was very awkward. Issei laughed, scratching his head.

<I have to go...>

<Okay. Bye then!>

The two said goodbye, both red-faced. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he had feelings for her and vice versa.

Now I have to worry about the next trip. I don't have time to think about anything else.

They had finally saved up enough money for the next leg of the journey. Before reaching Wurm, they had to enter a realm that even Issei wasn't familiar with.

The journey to the demon king's castle was still long, and a great adventure still awaited them.

Together, they discussed the departure date: three days and they would be gone.

<Issei, teach me some more techniques, please!>

Josuke asked the knight, who smiled; he couldn't say no to that beaten-dog face.
Together, the two left the inn in search of a place to train.

<Lately, I've always taught you techniques against monsters. But with an enemy like that snake, you wouldn't be able to fight it.>

<So today, I'll teach you some tricks you can use in a humanoid fight.>

The two trained under the scorching sun; summer was already making itself felt. Josuke had become much better both with the sword and at listening to Issei.

<Good, now try to take the sword from my hand.>

Josuke leaped from side to side and then stood in front of the knight. He parried every single blow, waiting for the right moment to disarm Issei.

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Josuke's eyes lit up. With a twist of his wrist, he knocked the sword from the knight's hands.

AAAH!

The blade landed between a girl's feet. She fell to the ground in fear.
Issei and Josuke's eyes widened, ran to get the sword back, and bowed to apologize to the elf.

<It doesn't matter. Be a little more careful next time.>

Sylphiette stood before them, like a king being acclaimed by the people. A gust of wind lifted the girl's robe. Issei, who was standing up, saw the girl's panties; they were very close to his face. The wind stopped, and the robe trapped Issei's head inside.

<Get your face out of my robe! Pervert!>

Josuke laughed, and Sylphiette's face went red with embarrassment. Issei was red too, but he laughed. Even without the wind's help, the girl's panties were visible through her semi-sheer white robes.

<Why are those dresses? Aren't they a little too revealing?>

The girl went even redder.

<And stop looking there!>

Sylphiette composed herself and explained.

<These dresses are traditional. They're breathable, perfect for the hot climate here. Plus, they're made of a material that's easy to obtain and work with. That's all.>

<Now that I know, I'll respect your style of dress. Another question: what do you do around here?>

The elf wrapped her arms around her belly and swayed from side to side.

<I heard you're leaving in three days. So I came here to...>

The elf stopped, the blush on her face not stopping. She was clearly embarrassed. She wanted to ask the knight something very embarrassing.

<I-I was wondering if I could... come with you.>

Issei was surprised by the request. But he couldn't say yes to her, their mission was something secret and dangerous.

<I'm sorry, but there is no room on the carriage. Furthermore, an adventurer's journey is always full of dangers.>

<It doesn't matter, I will find a solution! Plus you're very strong, so there won't be any problems!>

The elf wanted to travel with them at all costs. But this was not possible.

<What are you saying, it was all luck, in fact I didn't do anything at all. If I'm not mistaken, it was you who saved the village from the snake.>

<I still wonder why the elves forgave us.>

<Don't say that, you are very strong. If we are all alive it is only thanks to you.>

Issei scratched the back of his head, feeling embarrassed at receiving so much praise. But then he returned to the reality of the facts.

<The reason we are traveling is to save the place where we were born and lived. This mission has nothing to do with you. So if you mind, now Josuke and I have to train.>

It was brutal, Sylphiette was on the verge of tears. Issei's words were not filled with anger, but for the girl they were a bad blow.

<Okay. Then I'll remove the disturbance.>

Issei realized he had been too harsh, but by now the girl was walking away with tears in her eyes.

<You've done it badly, Mr. heart-breaking knight.>

<Hey, don't call me that. You know that we cannot reveal our origin and our mission to anyone.>

Josuke snorted and continued slashing with his sword.

In the afternoon, Issei went to the market in search of magical items to take on a trip. But he didn't find much there. The elves didn't have many useful things. It was all rudimentary stuff.

Are elves really that behind technology?

The elves are a separate kingdom from Wurm's. Being completely independent, perhaps it convinced them they didn't need anything else.

Besides, the most intelligent people move to Wurm's capital, where they can continue their studies with the advantages of modern technology.

Without innovative people in the kingdom, it's probably lagging behind the rest of the world.

Plus, I haven't seen a single person of another species. There are only elves. And even though we four are the only ones different, no one notices. How bizarre. This place is truly strange.

It was a magical place that accepted everyone who entered without asking too many questions, but shunned the advice of others. They remained ignorant in their world, but life wasn't bad. No one complained, and crime was as low as development.

Evening fell, and a whole day had passed. Two more days and our heroes would set off on their next journey, to the demon king's castle.