"Lady Mistoria, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Prince Faust of Aurum, and this is Viviana."
After exchanging introductions, Faust smiled as he poured tea for Mistoria.
"The scenery of the Kingdom of Aurum is indeed quite good. Even compared to the elven homeland, I'm quite confident in that regard."
The elven Sword Saint picked up her teacup and took a light sip. "Mm, perhaps.
I left my homeland long ago. I certainly haven't felt this comfortable in any other human kingdom."
"Lady Mistoria, why did you leave the Nation of Darkfold?"
Viviana suddenly asked. After learning the elven Sword Saint's identity, her hostility and wariness had mostly faded.
After all, reputation matters.
With Mistoria's status and power, she couldn't possibly have ill intentions, and even if she did, there'd be no way to resist anyway.
Still, her appearance here left the pale gold-haired girl puzzled.
"From what I understand, the Nation of Darkfold was invaded by demons twenty years ago and suffered terrible losses. To recover its strength, it's still in a state of isolation even now."
The implication being: why would someone as important as a Sword Saint not be guarding the precarious elven kingdom, but instead traveling through backwater regions like a tourist?
At her words, Mistoria's eyes, which had maintained calm and clarity since they'd met, instantly filled with dejection.
"I'm... exiling myself."
"Exile?"
Faust expressed amazement. "What crime could condemn a Sword Saint? Is the elven kingdom's rule of law so strict that even you have no immunity?"
Mistoria shook her head.
"No one condemned me. I cannot forgive myself. Until I find a way to redemption, I have no intention of returning home."
The elven Sword Saint's voice grew quieter as she spoke. The hairpin and tassels adorning her flaxen hair trembled slightly as she shook her head more vigorously.
Sounds pretty complicated.
However, Faust didn't plan to probe into the reasons, especially since Mistoria was clearly radiating an aura of "don't want to discuss it."
After finishing the tea and snacks, Mistoria placed her hands on her thighs and thanked them solemnly.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll take my leave now. I should continue my journey."
Wait, she's leaving just like that?
Faust froze, not expecting Mistoria to truly be here just for a meal, and hastily tried to keep her.
"Lady Mistoria, won't you stay in Aurum a bit longer? Let us show you proper hospitality."
"No need. I'm used to an ascetic life."
The elven Sword Saint swept back the flaxen hair beside her ear and turned her head.
"Besides, I have no interest in getting involved in human conflicts, so don't bother."
Clearly, during the elven Sword Saint's "self-imposed exile," many people had tried to recruit her.
After all, she was a legendary elven hero of great renown. It would be impossible to resist the temptation.
Faust had originally planned to take things slowly, but seeing that Mistoria truly seemed about to leave, he couldn't afford dignity or restraint anymore and said, "I don't have such lofty hopes. I've simply heard of your deeds and hope to receive some guidance."
The elven Sword Saint Mistoria was more renowned for her ability to teach disciples than even her brilliant battle record.
Before the Nation of Darkfold closed itself off, Mistoria frequently traveled to various countries to participate in martial competitions, claiming championships in all sorts of tournaments.
During this time, she often made friends through combat and was enthusiastic about passing on her techniques.
While you couldn't exactly say she had disciples everywhere, since Mistoria had never formally acknowledged any master-student relationships, it was undeniable that the juniors she'd guided and taught had almost all become outstanding figures later on.
Mistoria glanced at Faust. Her bright golden eyes flickered, and she spoke bluntly. "Your talent isn't good enough."
"I have taught many students, but they were already warriors with exceptional talent and deep foundations who were simply stuck at bottlenecks.
As a martial artist, I merely used real combat to guide them across the threshold."
The elven Sword Saint looked at the pale gold-haired girl sitting properly, quiet and beautiful as a painting, and said, "If we're talking about taking disciples, I'd be more inclined toward this knight. But with her talent, she doesn't need any guidance at all."
"But your face is very attractive. There are few humans who impress me. Have you considered following the path of a priest?"
Faust: "......"
Wait, is this right?
Shouldn't the elven Sword Saint see his exceptional bone structure and talent at a glance, be utterly amazed, and insist on taking him as a disciple, while he, after brief consideration, gladly agrees?
How did she end up looking down on me instead!
[Ah, such a shallow assessment. Don't be upset, Faust. In my view, your talent and constitution are incredibly rare throughout history.
You're not only beloved by witches, but possess the wisdom to see through fate's trajectory, and most precious of all for mortals, you have fearless greed.]
"That's useless to say! Mephisto, what about the teacher you promised to find me!"
Faust mentally attacked the Fae for failing at their task. Is this what the blessing was supposed to be?!
[Faust, my dear Faust, your accusation is quite unreasonable.
Did you really think that bit of merit from walking a Path could directly make a legendary hero, an elven Sword Saint, wholeheartedly teach you?]
Fair point, it really couldn't.
Faust thought it over carefully and understood that such an exchange would be quite unbalanced. But he also knew Mephisto wouldn't deliberately mess with him.
"Then you translate for me. What exactly is meant by 'surprise'?"
[The surprise is that you can use my name to keep her here. In the elven kingdom, I'm somewhat well-known too.]
Mephisto taught Faust a few phrases, saying that using them would completely win over Mistoria.
Ah, so it's borrowing the tiger's authority. Now I'm interested.
"Wait, Lady Mistoria."
Just as the elven Sword Saint was walking across the water, preparing to leave, Faust pulled up his sleeve, revealing the contract seal he shared with Mephisto.
"I've formed a contract with a Fae. Mephisto. Do you know of them?"
"Whoosh—"
Accompanied by the sound of surging waves, Mistoria, who had nearly reached the shore, instantly returned to the pleasure boat, moving so fast the naked eye couldn't track it.
The elf's almond eyes, like flowing molten gold, widened in shock.
"Is... is it His Eminence Mephisto?"
Faust was startled by the elven Sword Saint's excitement. Her handsome, delicate face was practically pressed against his nose.
"That's right. From your reaction, Mephisto is quite famous? Yet I'd never heard of them before."
"How could humanity's shallow history books know of Their existence?
Especially in your lands, which constantly war and collapse, losing who knows how many records of the past."
Mistoria placed one hand lightly on her chest.
"In the ancient legends of our kingdom, His Eminence Mephisto is the Fae who guided our ancestors to carve civilization from the wilderness.
Not just elves, in ancient times, most of the initial kingdoms were founded under His Eminence Mephisto's guidance. They are a true primordial Fae."
Holy crap, so they're a veteran!