36-86

EP.86 Elf Queen – 1 

“Haa… I thought I’d finally get a long rest.” 

With Karin’s help, I put on uncomfortable, cumbersome formal clothes. 

Normally, I’d never wear such stifling clothes, but there are times when you have no choice-like official ceremonies. 

“Should I refuse even now?” 

“No. Since it’s come to this, I’ll just have to deal with it.” 

I thought what happened in Carrion would be my last diplomatic affair, but reality proved otherwise. 

Instead, I’ve become even more famous, and now I keep getting called for things like this. 

Well, with the clever queen advertising me so much, I guess it’s only natural. 

“So, what kind of country is Neirn?” 

I’d heard bits about the political situation, but Neirn was a country I’d barely heard of. 

According to the documents from the kingdom, it’s close by, but almost unknown. 

I’d seen the name in passing a few times, but never heard what kind of country it was. 

“It’s a country of elves. They live in groups in a huge forest where it’s hard for people to survive.” 

“Why would people living in the forest want to see me… such a bother.” 

“Rumor has it they’re acknowledging the threat of the Demon King and want to join hands with humans.” 

“So that’s why they singled me out.” 

Currently, I’m publicly called the Hero-a grand title. 

The elves probably want to see what kind of person I am. 

After all, I’m being promoted as the one who stands against the Demon King, with the whole continent backing me. 

“Maybe they just want to see what kind of person you are before deciding whether to ally with humans.” 

“Hmmm… another troublesome affair.” 

After defeating the lich, Carrion became a powerful ally of the Lumis Kingdom. 

If they’re going to help defeat the Demon King, other countries can’t ignore them. 

“I never wanted to do diplomacy.” 

This is the problem with becoming famous. 

I want a quiet, leisurely, decadent life, but the world won’t leave me alone. 

Some might say I’m negligent for someone carrying humanity’s fate, but for me, a wild personal life is directly tied to my strength. 

“Now that I think about it, for a nearby country, I’ve barely heard its name.” 

“Most people just don’t care about it.” 

“What do you mean, don’t care?” 

Whether big or small, neighboring countries are impossible to ignore. 

Even friendly ones might betray you if given the chance. 

“I mean it literally. Neirn has been isolated for hundreds of years, and they’ve never attacked another country, so no one pays attention to them.” 

“Strange folks.” 

“And since they have almost no interaction with others and aren’t interested in expanding, most people don’t know about them.” 

So such a remarkable country personally requested me. 

Should I see this as a good sign? 

“Still, no matter how little they interact or how uninterested they are in expansion, that’s not easy.” 

“Apparently, another kingdom tried to invade Neirn in the past.” 

“What happened?” 

“It’s said the palace of that kingdom was turned to ashes.” 

Even in wars between nations, palaces rarely fall. 

Usually, they surrender and offer land or money before it comes to that. 

It’s easier than fighting to the death, since war only gets more costly the longer it goes on. 

And after conquest, you have to manage the territory and deal with other neighbors. 

“If they’ve lived in isolation, their numbers must be small, but they sound formidable.” 

“They’re masters of magic. They attacked the palace by surprise.” 

Magic, huh. 

That’s my weakest area. 

If they become enemies, it’ll be a pain. 

“So, an elite few… I should try to make them allies if possible.” 

“I think you’ll like them, Master.” 

“Like them? Me?” 

To me, diplomacy is just a hassle. 

Karin knows that well. 

But she fastened the last button of my outfit with a bright smile. 

“Elves are all beauties.” 

So that’s what she meant. 

If I get to meet beauties, that changes things. 

There are all sorts of pleasures to be had. 

“In that case, even a remote forest is worth visiting.” 

Suddenly, the cumbersome outfit didn’t seem so bad. 

If it’s to meet beautiful women, this much hassle is worth it. 

For me, beauties are more motivating than noble titles. 

Looking in the mirror with a cheerful heart, Karin gave a wry smile. 

“You don’t need to go. They’re already coming here.” 

“…Looks like I skimmed the documents.” 

I almost made a ridiculous mistake. 

If they arrived and I wasn’t here, that would be embarrassing. 

I should read documents more carefully from now on. 

“They’re supposed to arrive today, so you just need to attend the welcoming ceremony.” 

“The queen’s got guts-bringing powerful magicians who could burn down a palace right into the capital.” 

“It shows how much she trusts you, Master.” 

“We’ll see what that trust brings.” 

“And since their queen is coming in person, nothing bad should happen.” 

I had a good feeling for the first time in a while. 

A strange excitement ran down my spine. 

My instincts as a man stirred with anticipation. 

“I’m really looking forward to this.” 

“Everyone who saw the elf queen as she passed through town looked like they’d lost their minds.” 

By now, the idea of making Neirn an ally was almost gone from my head. 

If I mess with a beautiful foreign queen, it’ll probably cause problems. 

But my instincts, already boiling, weren’t something I could stop. 

“She’s no ordinary queen either. I’ll have to give her a proper welcome, worthy of the title Hero.” 

A hero who gains strength through sex. 

I’ll have to give her a welcome worthy of that reputation. 

On the lavish throne meant to display national power sat the Queen of Lumis Kingdom. 

Surrounded by countless nobles and soldiers. 

Her dignified, charismatic voice echoed through the hall. 

“I sincerely welcome you to our Lumis Kingdom.” 

She radiated an intensity that could crush any petty noble on the spot. 

But the person before her stood confidently. 

“Thank you for the grand welcome.” 

The representative of Neirn and queen of the elves. 

She alone stood on equal footing with the one seated on the throne. 

“I promise to do everything I can to ensure you’re comfortable during your stay.” 

“I’d like someone to assist and guide me while I’m here.” 

“Hero Yujin!” 

Yujin, who had been watching among the nobles, stood up. 

Everything had already been arranged. 

The queen of Neirn would meet Yujin, and Lumis Kingdom would secure a strong alliance. 

That was what both sides wanted. 

‘Things never go exactly as planned.’ 

If even one person here knew what Yujin was really thinking, they’d have tried to stop him at swordpoint. 

Knowing this, he hid his true intentions and knelt before the queen of Neirn. 

“So you’re the Yujin they call the Hero across the continent.” 

“Yes. Not that I intended it.” 

Yujin looked closely at the elf queen before him. 

The pointed ears unique to elves, beautiful blonde hair, emerald-like eyes, flawless white skin. 

Her dazzling beauty made him swallow instinctively. 

‘Her clothes are so revealing. And her body, too.’ 

Her green outfit was more revealing than Yujin expected. 

The chest line was completely exposed, showing off an enticing cleavage. 

The fabric barely covered her sides, and the design between her legs only covered her private parts and butt, leaving her smooth legs bare. 

“I’m Rania, queen of Neirn. Please take care of me while I’m here.” 

“The pleasure is mine.” 

Elves, who prefer nature and peace, tend to wear more revealing clothes than humans. 

They have an instinctive ability to regulate body temperature. 

But none of that mattered to him. 

‘I can’t possibly resist this.’ 

Looking at Rania, Yujin felt lustful thoughts welling up. 

Her ripe, alluring figure was an irresistible temptation for someone as lustful as him. 

“As the Hero, I’ll do my best to serve you during your stay.” 

Yujin made a firm vow to himself. 

No matter what, he would make this beauty his.