01x05 - The King's Test

[bunniefuu]

You filthy human!

Who said you could trespass here?

This is bad. It's only natural that Tessia

would be returning to the elvish kingdom.

I had lowered my guard because

of how innocent she is.

What's she doing?

T-Tessia!

k*ll him!

I see now. I had forgotten.

Hey, I've been wondering this whole time

We've gotten pretty close, right?

So is it okay if I call you "Art," like we're friends?

That was all it took for me to trust her.

I should've known better.

I know full well how hollow

that kind of gesture can be.

k*ll the human!

Stop! Let Art go!

He's dangerous! This is one

of those violent humans!

Art isn't dangerous! He saved me!

Now release him, at once!

You corrupt human wretch! You pretend to help her,

only to brainwash her?! You'll pay!

That's enough.

Release the human. At once.

Yes, sir!

Art, are you okay?!

You're all so awful! Art isn't a bad human!

The missing princess reappeared with a

human savage in tow. Can you blame them?

Grandpa

Grandpa?

I am the former ruler of the

Kingdom of Elenoir, Virion Eralith.

You have my thanks for the aid that

you have provided my granddaughter,

the Princess of Elenoir, Tessia.

Princess?

Princess

Princess?!

#5 The King's Test.

A princess?

Did you not tell him, Tessia?

Huh Didn't I?

What do you mean, "didn't I?"

Nothing about her gave me even

the slightest impression that

Tessia!

Tessia!

Father! Mother!

Tessia!

I'm so glad you're all right.

I missed you so much! Daddy! Mommy!

That would make them the king and

queen of the Elenoir Kingdom, then.

Why is there a human in our midst?

And what are you guards doing?!

Arrest the human at once!

Sir

I stopped them.

Savage or not, this boy saved

Tessia and brought her back to us.

That hardly merits a summary execution.

That's right! Art saved me!

Don't be mean to him!

But

I said "no", okay?! Art saved my life, so we

have to show him hospitality, at the castle!

A-A human in our castle?!

Come on, Art! I'll share all my

favorite treats with you! Okay?

Yeah, but

It's all right, isn't it, Daddy?

Isn't it?!

I suppose it is.

Yay!

Boy.

We'll talk later.

What is this?

This unfathomable strength I sense?

This way, Art!

Slow down!

Hurry, hurry!

You don't have to drag me!

So this is the Kingdom of Elenoir,

home to the elves.

Amazing

The books I read were accurate.

It seems that the elves and humans are

in a state of touch-and-go hostility,

thanks to past conflicts.

It's hard to believe I'd get to see such a unique

civilization with my own eyes, considering.

She's pretty unique, as well.

I keep thinking about that

face Tessia made earlier

T-Tessia!

What did it mean?

I don't know.

Nor do I know the cause of this pain.

In any case, I can't afford to let

my guard down like that again.

It's a pleasure to have

you back, Princess Tessia.

I'm back, everyone!

Now that we're here, I'd like you to show

my savior here our best hospitality!

It's okay! Art's not a bad human.

I don't know how you expect

them to react to that explanation.

Now, where to begin? Snacks?

A meal? Maybe a long bath?

Or maybe we could play first?

Before all that,

is it all right if I explain what brought us here?

Let's hear it, then.

Is it all right for the princess to be present?

Sure it is!

It is?

Wait, why are you the only one

standing, Art? Have a seat!

Uh, I'm not sure I should

Okay, then.

Oh, and if we're going to be talking, we should

have tea and snacks! What a great idea!

And this is all fine?

Truly?

To start once more, from the beginning

I am Tessia's father, and the current

King of Elenoir, Alduin Eralith.

This is my wife, Tessia's mother,

Queen Merial Eralith.

And this is

The former king of Elenoir, Virion Eralith.

My name is Arthur Leywin.

I am from a humble town in the Sapin Kingdom.

My status would not usually

afford me an audience with a king,

much less the ruler of the elves,

and I am honored beyond

words at the opportunity.

For someone of low-born origins,

you've been educated well enough.

The introduction is slightly excessive,

but if they treat me like a child,

this discussion won't go anywhere.

So, tell me what happened.

Yes, sir.

I explained how I was separated from

my family by the bandit ambush,

while leaving out certain details.

I did not lie, but I also

didn't offer the entire truth.

When I got to my encounter with Tessia,

the mood in the room changed drastically.

Slavers?!

Then human barbarians were

behind her disappearance!

Begging your pardon, Your Majesty,

but sl*ve traffickers are individuals of

a shared profession, not a shared race.

What?

So, you saw these slavers kidnap Tessia.

What did you do, as a child, to save her?

Negotiate with them? Beg for her freedom?

Neither, Lord Virion.

While I am a child, I am also a sorcerer.

And you mean to say that a child's sorcery

was enough to overcome these slavers

and save Tessia?

Yes, sir.

Then you really did beat them!

Of all the preposterous nonsense

What could a child like you possibly do?

I'd wager you deceived

Princess Tessia while she was lost

in an effort to infiltrate our kingdom!

Stop that.

But, sir

I won't repeat myself again.

Lower your sword.

Art's not lying! I was really

caught by some bad men!

I heard them mention selling me off, too!

Help! Anyone!

Shut her up.

Hey, boss.

Elf girls sell for a lot, don't they?

Yeah, she'll earn us quite a bit.

Let's get moving.

Then we can finally say

goodbye to these eerie woods.

I believe you.

Thank you, sir.

And, as such, there was also something

I'd like to ask you, Your Majesty.

What is it?

As I described, I was also attacked by bandits,

which was how I ended up in your lands.

My only wish is to return

to my family, in Sapin.

Are you suggestion that we help you return

to Sapin as a reward for saving Tessia?

With all due respect.

After experiencing firsthand

the enmity we have for humans,

you would demand that we show you,

one of those humans, gratitude?

Daddy!

That's the very reason why, sir.

If elves would claim that

humans are lowly savages,

I have to believe they wouldn't conduct

themselves in a debased fashion.

He has you there, Alduin.

Be that as it may, the hate between elves

and humans cannot be washed away so easily.

Stare

Stare!

More pressingly, the teleportation gate to the

Sapin Kingdom is only accessible for the council

between all three races rulers,

held once every seven years.

It won't be open again for five years.

Five years

That's far too long.

However, we can't let a human dwell

among us for such a long time.

I will have some soldiers escort you home.

Thank you, sir.

Finally. I can finally go home.

In the meantime, make yourself comfortable.

I'll have your escort prepared

by tomorrow morning.

It keeps getting worse. What is happening to me?

I what should I do, Sylvia?

Help me

The evening breeze feels nice,

and lessens the pain.

I can't let this continue. I need to

understand what's causing these pains.

Tessia?

Are Reynolds and Alice all right?

I doubt they would be done in easily.

I'm sure they've safely escaped.

I miss them.

When we're reunited,

will they smile like that for me?

So kindly

Is it even possible?

The notion of someone smiling and

warmly greeting someone like me

Art?

Arthur!

Tessia?

Did I interrupt your spoiled princess time?

So mean! Stop making fun!

I'm sorry, Art.

My Daddy and the others

were really rude to you.

It's fine. It just goes to show how

worried they were about you, right?

True, but

Which is why you should behave like the spoiled

princess you are, and let them spoil you.

You keep making fun of me!

Even though I bet you'll be the same

when you see your parents again!

Art?

Will I, though?

Will Mom and Dad really

be happy to see me again?

They were attacked by bandits because of me.

They went through so much trouble

Would they really miss me, after all of that?

Someone like me, who was incapable

of protecting his family.

Art

What are you doing—

Your parents are obviously sad

about not being able to see you!

I'm already sad about you leaving,

and you're not even gone yet!

Arthur.

Arthur.

What was I fighting against?

These flowers are called firefly pots.

T-Tessia!

k*ll him!

What was it I saw in her expression?

I really love them!

I keep being overwhelmed by

the darkness inside me

waging w*r with my past life.

How could I be so foolish?

I'm sorry, Tessia.

About what?

I like them, too.

Hello, there.

Lord Virion?

Grandpa!

How could you do that?! Were you trying

to k*ll your own granddaughter?!

You really think that could k*ll someone, eh?

It was a trick.

Your instant defense and response

it seems you really did fight those slavers.

You did this just to test me?

Stop picking on Art!

He's not the kind of human you hate,

Grandpa! I know you understand that!

Pick on him? Do you really think I'd come

all this way for that kind of nonsense?

Then why are you here?

Because I haven't taken this kind of

interest in someone else in a long time.

Not bad!

He's strong.

I use mana, and try to keep my

movements as direct as possible

but he's still faster than me!

Here's a chance!

I have to go faster.

Faster still!

This

reminds me of the look in the eyes

of the beasts I faced in the arena.

Their claws and fangs,

bracing for a final attack,

launched instinctively at

the climactic moment

when it's k*ll or be k*lled!

Arthur!

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting

you to get the better of me.

Now, let's begin the second round.

That is quite enough bullying from you, Grandpa!

Ow! Ow! That really hurts, Tessia!

You're supposed to hold back

during this kind of thing!

If I had done that, he would've

ended up bullying me, my dear.

What nonsense.

It's an honor to hear you

overestimate me, Lord Virion.

An honor? If you really believe that,

boy, then you'll become my apprentice.

His apprentice?

Well? Do you accept?

Um Are you being serious, sir?

I wouldn't make this kind of offer in jest.

I understand that, but my parents still

don't know that I'm alive. This is too much.

Suppose there was a way to let your

parents know that you were fine, then.

Is that really—

I thought as much.

You've inherited a Beast Will.

You'll become my apprentice, boy.

Because if you don't

You will die.