Chapter 9 The Golden Axe and the Golden-Haired Elf Girl
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Half a year had passed since I started training to dodge every imaginable death flag. Nearly every day, Orphen-san pushed me to the brink, and I clawed my way back from the edge without relying on any so-called cheat beans or recovery items. My own healing magic was enough. I’d grown stronger—painfully, honestly. And not just me. Alexia and Layla-chan had come a long way too. Wait, you’re wondering why I’d make my rivals stronger? Simple. Once the meddlesome guy in their story—me—is out of the way, the two of them can live out their flowery yuri romance in peace.
This world isn’t gentle. They’ll need strength to survive without me, and I’d rather they didn’t end up as another tragic subplot.
Anyway, training finally reached a lull, so I decided to give everyone Sundays off. We’d started this punishing schedule back in April, and even for someone like me, who’s got a bit more stamina, it was brutal. For Alexia and Layla-chan—just a year younger—it was worse. They’d push themselves until they fell sick, so rest days became sacred. Now we spend Sundays exploring some corner of the Seyfried domain together.
Safety? Let’s just say… I may or may not have spent nights ‘playing’ with bandits alongside my midnight pals. When I got home, those same buddies tended to escort the thieves to some scenic ravine from which they never returned. Coincidentally, Father said the territory’s crime rate had dropped dramatically. Doing good feels nice. Honest.
Today, we soared above the lily fields of Seyfried territory. The wind smelled of grass and sun.
”Picnic, picnic, with Shin-kun~ picnic time!” Alexia sang.
’Kyurururun~♪’ Red, our dragon mount, rumbled in rhythm.
”I’m coming too~♪ Alexia-sama~♪” chimed Layla-chan.
They were perched on Red’s broad back, their voices mingling like a musical number straight out of a certain mouse-themed kingdom’s movie. Red bobbed his head, thrilled to join the performance.
And to think this flying concert started because of what Father told me yesterday evening.
* * *
[Seyfried Family Dining Hall]
”What? Brother Saghir is coming home—with his fiancée?” I’d nearly dropped my fork.
”Yes,” Father—Hyde Seyfried—answered with a sigh. “He hasn’t set the exact date. Said he’d introduce her, then show her around the estate. The man rarely writes, yet now he sends this.”
He leaned back, the candlelight drawing lines of weariness on his face. Months ago, he’d been too busy restoring order in the domain to see me at all. (Rumor had it he was avoiding me, but that was a lie spread by Saghir’s faction of servants.) Lately, though, kidnappers and bandits had all vanished as if the gods themselves cleaned house—don’t look at me like that.
With peace restored, Father had more time to spend with us. He knew everything about the Regain Kingdom; when I asked questions, his answers came before I finished speaking. I respected that, so somewhere along the line, ‘Dad’ became ‘Father.’
”Shin-kun’s quiche is so tasty-no!” Alexia mumbled with her cheeks puffed full.
”Alexia, your mouth’s messy,” said Layla-chan, dabbing her lips with a napkin.
”Thank you-no~”
Across the table, Raichi-sensei raised her cup. “This wine’s divine-ssu! I still can’t believe Hyde-senpai took me in for free after I was left unsold at that auction-ssu!”
”Raichi-sensei, you’re drinking too much,” I warned.
”Oh-ho-ho, Raichi-dono,” said one of the maids. “Isn’t that the lord’s private red? Did you sneak it out again?”
”…Just your imagination-ssu. Right, Hyde-senpai?”
Father narrowed his eyes. “I’ll dock it from your pay. And stop calling me that in front of everyone. It’s ‘Raichi-tutor’ here—or shall I inform the headmaster at Alys Magic Academy where you’re hiding?”
”Eek-ssu! I’m sorry, Master Hyde!”
I blinked. Wait—Hyde-senpai? So Raichi-sensei was Father’s junior from Alys Magic Academy? How old is she, anyway?
With Father less busy, everyone—nobles, servants, guests—now shared meals together. Apparently it started because I’d stopped being the brat who never listened and became the kid who apologized so quickly he practically groveled. Family dinners had returned, just like before Saghir or I were born, when laughter filled the hall. Hard to believe there were once two hopeless delinquents here making everyone miserable.
”You seem quite close with Alexia-sama,” Father said. “That’s good.”
Alexia-sama? That phrasing… suspicious, but whatever.
”Yes, especially Alexia and Layla-chan—they’re very close, aren’t you, Alexia?”
”…I’m closest with Shin-kun,” she murmured, cheeks puffing again.
”What’s wrong, Alexia? You’re pouting like a squirrel.”
”I am not~!”
Father chuckled. “Ha-ha-ha! You truly get along well. I’m relieved. Starting tomorrow, all of you will stay in the annex—or rather, let’s call it an evacuation.”
”Sir!” Orphen and the other servants straightened instantly. Layla-chan, startled, mirrored them.
”…Evacuation?” I repeated, the laughter fading from my chest.
”Unlike you, your brother Saghir hasn’t changed,” Father had said, his voice low but steady. “Word from Alys Magic Academy is that he’s still leading troublemakers and stirring chaos. I’ll deal with him myself. You stay near Alexia-sama and Layla, Shin.”
That look in Father’s eyes—the one that said, I trust you now.
”Yes, Father. Understood!”
He nodded once. “Good. I’m counting on you.”
The next morning, I turned to Alexia. “Let’s go on a picnic tomorrow.”
”Picnic? Is that something delicious?” she tilted her head.
”Not quite. It’s when family or lovers spend a quiet, happy time together in a sunny meadow.”
Her eyes widened. “…Family… lovers… I want to go—with Shin-kun!”
”Then it’s settled,” I laughed. “Tomorrow it is.”
”Yay!” she cheered. Layla-chan waved from behind. “I’ll join too, as your apprentice maid, Shin-sama!”
That night, though, my mind drifted to my brother. Saghir was basically what I’d have become if I’d never remembered my past life—reckless, arrogant, doomed. If I got tangled with him, I’d probably drag Alexia into his mess. Better to stay a harmless background character and follow Father’s orders.
So, yeah—no need to catch the villain’s eye.
* * *
Now, a day later, our “harmless” outing had us flying over a field of lilies. Alexia, the supposed heroine of this erotic lily-game-like world, sang with Layla and Red, our dragon mount.
”Shin-kun and me~ just the two of us~♪”
’Kyurarara~♪’
”I’m here too~♪” Layla chimed.
Their chorus filled the sky as Red bounced in rhythm. Then the world flipped upside down.
”Eh? The sky’s inverted?” I muttered.
”Shin-kun and I are falling~♪” sang Alexia—still singing, mind you.
”I’m not falling—wait! Shin-sama, Alexia-sama! You are falling! Red’s upside down!” Layla cried.
I sighed. Six months of near-death training really paid off—they didn’t even panic anymore. Their vocabulary had improved too; they spoke more like little adults now.
”Impressive,” I murmured. “To my precious ones—gentle breeze, [Windu].”
A soft wind wrapped around Alexia. “Whoa! Shin-kun, I’m floating!” she giggled.
My basic wind magic worked perfectly, lifting her safely as she drifted downward. Adorable, really. Alexia had grown into quite the airhead.
”Layla-chan, Red—take care of Alexia!”
’Kyurarara?!’
”But then you’ll fall, Shin-sama!”
”Forget me—protect Alexia! She’s still fragile. Go!”
”Y-Yes, sir! Red, let’s go!”
’Kyururarara!!’
They dived toward the forest below, chasing after Alexia as she drifted near the meadow’s edge.
”Fufufu… and now, I finally have some alone time. Daytime privacy—first in half a year! [Wind].”
I wrapped the wind around myself and glided gently down to a small spring beneath the canopy.
* * *
(Seyfried Domain — Gold Forest)
”Heh… hahaha! I did it! I’m free—alone in broad daylight! Considering how Alexia and Layla-chan even bathe with me these days, I deserve this break!”
Whoosh! Thuck! Something hissed past my ear and clanged into a tree.
”What the—? A silver needle (Shinki)? Why would something like that fly out of an ordinary forest?”
I barely dodged another one. Each needle was thick enough to kill a man if it hit. Following their path, I glanced toward the spring—and froze.
A naked girl stood there.
Long golden hair. Pointed ears. Porcelain skin that glimmered like moonlight. A petite, perfect form, red and blue eyes glaring at me as she tried to cover herself with both hands. In her right hand—a small dagger gleamed.
”You… who are you?” I asked.
Her lips trembled. “How… how do you know my name, human?”
Right. No mistake. That dagger—the Shinki, “Shirogane-hime no Ittō,” the Silver Princess Blade—and her face… this was Karentisia Efyldis, one of the top three heroines from Maidens x Cross-Dressing. Future queen of the elves and the walking definition of trouble.
In the game, Alexia met her as a child—exactly here, at a spring—naked, bathed in sunlight, a scene that led to friendship, reunion at Alys Academy, and eventually… well, seven days of honeymoon in Alexia’s room. Yeah. That route.
And now? I’d just stolen that meeting.
But that dagger—
”‘The Silver Princess Blade,’ forged by master smith Touga Rihad… I didn’t expect to see it here, Karentisia-san.”
She stiffened. “Wh-Why do you know my name?!”
I smiled grimly. “Because you’re destined to cause chaos later. I’ll take care of that concern now. [Dark Zero].”
A black orb burst from my palm.
”Tch! You appear from nowhere and speak nonsense! [Shining]!”
Her light clashed against my darkness, exploding through the trees.
”Ha-ha-ha! Impressive! Dodging that at close range—perfect. It’s been six months since Orphen-san nearly killed me, and I’ve been wondering just how strong I’ve gotten! [Dark Snail]!”
”Tch! I don’t even know what’s happening! I was just bathing—[Light Meal]!”
Of course, she countered instantly. Even at her age, the elf girl handled long-range combat like a pro. Impressive.
”All right,” I muttered. “In this world, chanting boosts power, right? [I call upon the abyss, let darkness gather in my palm…]”
Her eyes widened. “A human—chant propagation? At that age? [Grant strength to my humble light…]”
”[Dark Crimson]!”
”[Light Prominence]!”
The blast shook the forest, two elemental forces colliding in a thunderous bloom of shadow and flame.
”…Not bad,” I grinned. “Then how about close combat? Sirius Style—[Fang of the Wolf]!”
Our blades met midair. “He neutralized it? With human magic? Don’t mock me! [Light Shot]!”
And so our friendly duel continued, trees splintering as the Gold Forest trembled around us.
* * *
(Flora’s Spring)
”Dear child,” a serene voice echoed from the water. “Did you drop an ordinary axe, a silver one… or a golden one?”
”Hmm? I didn’t drop anything,” came Alexia’s cheerful reply. “But you look hungry, so here—have a snack.”
”Ah… a rusk? How delicious. To answer my question truthfully, and even show me kindness… what a pure heart you have.”
”Shin-kun said to be nice to poor hungry people.”
”…Poor, am I? Very well. May the Shin you speak of suffer mild stomach pains as divine balance. In honor of your honesty, I bestow this—[Goddess Hermes’s Golden Axe].”
”Hmm? I don’t really want it, though.”
* * *
Meanwhile, back at the forest clearing, our battle tore through the land. Despite our childlike forms, the magic we unleashed could’ve leveled a village.
”I know your weak point,” I said, circling behind her. “Your back—when it’s stroked or licked, your focus collapses. Gotcha!”
”What? When—?”
Too late. I traced a fingertip down her spine, then—just to test the theory—gave her neck a quick lick. Lemon tart.
”F-fnyaaahh! N-no, stop, that tickles!”
She folded, collapsing into the spring with a squeal.
”Looks like I win, Karentisia-san.”
”You—p-pervert! I’ll remember this, you vile— I’ll kill you!”
”Uh-huh. You’re losing all dignity when you talk like that, little miss. Anyway, I’ll just take the [Silver Princess Blade]—thank you~♪”
”Give it back! That’s the treasure of my people!”
”I’ll give you this replica instead—[White Blade One]. Honestly, it suits you better. Try it.”
”You… how dare you—”
”Relax. No one can tell the difference between a fake and the real one now. So, grow up into a fine, scandalous elf and go seduce Alexia someday, all right?”
”I-I don’t understand anything you’re saying! Give back my sword! Waaah! Papa, help me!”
Ah. I’d made the golden-haired elf girl cry. Not ideal. Better put her to sleep.
”Here, have this. My homemade memory-erasing candy. I’ve been experimenting in alchemy lately—purely academic curiosity. Chew well now, Karentisia-chan.”
She blinked through tears. “W-what are you—mmpf… gulp… bitterrr!”
”There we go. In a moment, you’ll drift off and forget everything—our fight, our meeting, even me. No grudges, no trauma. Goodbye, Karentisia… and register: Contractor, Shin Seyfried. Done.”
A flare of seven lights spiraled around us. The divine sword recognized me as its rightful owner and vanished into my storage charm.
Karentisia swayed, her voice trembling as she fell unconscious. “Shin Seyfried… I’ll never forget… the humiliation… I’ll have revenge, villain…” Thud.
”…Scary last words, but fine.” I shrugged. “Maybe I’ll take her panties as a trophy. Rudeus would be proud. Now, let’s fix this mess—[Auto Heal].”
The shattered Gold Forest shimmered, every tree, flower, and creature restored as if reborn. The spring glowed anew.
”Wow. Not just healing people, but whole ecosystems… maybe I really am amazing.”
Afterward, I pulled Karentisia from the spring, dressed her in my spare clothes, and left her peacefully sleeping.
”Elven royal gear fetches a good price among certain… collectors,” I mused. “But I left her money and clothes, so she can’t complain. Time to disappear. Bye-bye~.”
I had no idea I’d someday meet her again—grown, radiant, and still furious.
* * *
(Gold Forest Exit)
”Alexia!” I called. “You’re safe—thank goodness!”
”Shin-kun! You’re okay!” she cried, rushing into my arms.
’Kyururaa~!’ Red trumpeted, Layla bawling behind him. “Shin-sama! Alexia-sama! You’re both safe! Waaaah!”
We laughed, hugging tightly, grateful to be alive.
Then I noticed it—around Alexia’s neck.
A golden necklace, glowing faintly in the light.
”…Alexia,” I whispered. “That golden necklace—could it be…?”
Notes:
• Layla – A maid-in-training for the Seyfried family. She is observing Shin’s dramatic change in behavior after the incident with Alexia.
• Orphen – The Seyfried family’s head butler and Shin’s swordsmanship mentor. He is a retired legend—the Demon Knight of the Kingdom and a former Holy Knight. He agreed to train Shin only after the child abandoned his pride and groveled.
• Saghir – Shin’s perfect older brother and the family heir. He is everything the parents adore and secretly despises Shin, viewing him as an obstacle. His slander helped push Shin toward villainy.
• Hyde – The Duke of the frontier, Shin’s father. He is a busy noble trusted by the Regain King and burdened with difficult assignments. He is initially skeptical of Shin’s sudden “saintly” change, attributing Shin’s past mischief to neglect and his “wild youth.”
• Raichi – Shin’s magic tutor. A former elite instructor at Alys Magic Academy, expelled for “creative misconduct” (embezzlement, harassment, etc.). A reckless mentor whose unorthodox methods, combined with Shin’s knowledge, fast-tracked his magic mastery.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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