He had responded to Eltuan’s words without much thought right before the battle with the Troll King, when he had been prepared to die. But Karuta was embarrassed to fight against someone who might be accidentally smashed to death if he wasn’t able to control his strength properly.

‘What if she really wants to fight? How embarrassing would that be!?’

Eltuan was still looking at him with fierce eyes. After stealing a glance, Karuta sighed inwardly.

It was not a matter of winning or losing.

Even if he won, he would become a disgraceful orc who beat up a girl, and if he lost, though it was obviously impossible, it would be the biggest shame in history. His son, or even his grandson, would talk about the shame that their predecessor brought onto them.

No one would remember that he beat up numerous trolls and ogres. The only thing left to his name would be that he was beaten by a woman.

Therefore, Karuta avoided Eltuan.

You didn’t steer clear of shit because it was scary, but rather because it was dirty. Of course, in this case, he was a little scared of what might happen if he stepped on the manure.

“Why don’t you give her what she wants and have a go? I heard that she is the strongest warrior among the Red Moon Valley elves, even if she is a woman. And if it’s a bare-handed fight…”

Someone spoke with a suspicious grin on their face while peeping at Eltuan’s curvy body.

“How messed up is your head that you manage to become horny even in this situation?”

“What do you mean? What did I do? E, ehem!”

Killian coughed in embarrassment. It was only for a moment, but he had imagined the shameful postures he would have to take if he were to have a bout with Eltuan with his bare hands.

“Keuk!”

But he frowned as his action caused him further pain on his cracked rib.

“You pathetic scarecrow. What will you do if your wife smashes your remaining egg as well?”

“Hoho! Although I only have one remaining, I am simply an unmatched knight when it comes to the deed. Moreover, the Emperor of our founding fathers said that a hero must have three concubines, not to mention if one of them happens to be an elf.”

Among the elves that accompanied the Pendragon Duchy’s soldiers, Eltuan was not the only female. Besides her, there were four or five female warriors. Although they had painted bizarre patterns on their faces, it was not enough to deceive Killian’s profound judgement towards women. When it came to matters regarding the opposite sex, Killian’s ability was comparable to a wizard who inferred the secrets of the world.

Killian had already accurately grasped how many ladies were among the elven warriors and how beautiful and voluptuous they were. Even though he had broken ribs and had suffered large and small wounds all over his body, it was not enough to cool off the burning passion of the one who boasted the strongest power in the Pendragon Duchy.

Above all, he had already discovered the other female elves in the village of Red Moon Valley. At the time, he had more important matters at hand, so he left after saying something cool.

But now that the battle was over, they had grasped victory, and their lord was safe, the only responsibility he had remaining was to show affection and attention to the elf women who would have lived innocent lives in the Great Forest.

“Huhuhu… Keuk!”

Killian burst out into questionable laughter once more, before grabbing his chest and groaning in pain.

“Healing my injury as fast as possible… That will be the most important goal in this situation.”

Killian’s expression was more intense and serious compared to when he had faced the countless monsters in the labyrinth.

Karuta watched Killian silently, then eventually uttered an exasperated snort.

“I swear in the name of the Earth God. You’re going to die in the saddle.”

***

As the warriors returned alive after emerging victorious, the village of Red Moon Valley was swept in a festive mood. The Red Moon Valley elves were delighted, hugging and rubbing their cheeks not only against their own people, but also the knights and soldiers of the Pendragon Duchy and the Ancona Orc warriors. The Pendragon Duchy’s forces became a little flustered at the warm welcome.

Elves were generally known to have little emotional expression. Even though they knew that the Red Moon Valley elves were somewhat different from ordinary elves, they had not expected such a fierce welcome.

Since there weren’t too many members in the tribe, most of the young men served as warriors. As such, most of the elves left in the village were females. In addition, all elves were peerless beauties regardless of their age, and some of the younger soldiers were at a loss upon receiving the active hospitality.

Nevertheless, they did not lose their discipline.

Sacrifice always accompanied the glory of victory, and it was most important to honor and remember their fellow soldiers who lost their lives on the battlefield.

***

“Philippe from Enfield. From now on, you will remain Phillip Enfield, the squire of the Pendragon Duchy. Robren from Lowpool, from now on, you…”

Raven’s voice continued to ring in the solemn atmosphere.

Some of the soldiers in attendance were covered with bandages, and others were lying in stretchers. Some were mostly unscathed. However, as the names of the deceased were announced, all of their eyes started tearing up and their bodies trembled.

Most of the dead had been ordinary soldiers. Among the fallen soldiers, the commoners were honored as squires, squires were honored as baronets, and knights were honored as barons.

Their remaining families in the duchy would also enjoy corresponding treatment. Of course, such actions did not bring back the dead. However, all of them had vowed to fight under the flag of the Pendragon, and they had been prepared to die during battle.

In their deaths, the commoners were honored as squires of the duchy and presented with a last name. The survivors knew that their deaths were not in vain. Moreover, an unconventional event had taken place; their lord had done something that no other lords had ever performed. Alan Pendragon paid tribute to the dead by personally calling out the names of all the deceased with his own mouth.

Beside him stood the guardian of the Pendragon Duchy, the saviour of them all. She watched over the entire ceremony. The two of them were beings that even the Emperor himself could not treat carelessly, and now, they were honoring their dead comrades.

“May all the valiant warriors who sacrificed their lives under the flag of Pendragon be blessed by the goddess. In the name of Alan Pendragon and the Queen of All Dragons, Soldrake…”

By the time the midday heat disappeared and the blue moon started to make its appearance, the long memorial service finally ended. As it concluded, the Red Moon Valley elves closed the wooden coffins that contained the bodies of the dead.

As worshippers of the Earth God, it was customary for the elves to leave the bodies of the deceased to return back to nature, but they willingly made more than a hundred coffins at Raven’s request.

“Theo Milner, at dawn, have the remaining griffons transport the coffins and the wounded.”

“Sir!”

Milner struggled to pound his chest with crutches under one arm. However, his voice was more powerful than ever as he answered with red eyes.

“Then…”

Raven turned around.

The warriors of the Pendragon Duchy and the elves of the Red Moon Valley were looking at him in silence. Even though it was hard, Raven forced a bright smile and opened his mouth.

“All of us here are blood allies who shared in blood and tears, regardless of race! Let’s take some time to celebrate the joy of victory and the memory of those who passed on, and pledge eternal friendship between Pendragon, Ancona, and Red Moon Valley. All of you, thank you for surviving!”

“Uwaaaahhh!!”

A deafening roar erupted under the deep, blue moonlight as soon as Raven’s words fell

***

“Kuhaha! The drinks made by the long-eared scarecrows are pretty good!”

“Kuhe! I know. I keep craving something sweet. Even elves are different when they have the blessings of the Earth God! Kukekel!”

Kratul responded to Karuta’s words and burst into laughter. Upon hearing the compliments of the two, the faces of the nearby elves brightened up as well.

“I would like to have a taste of the alcohol from the Ancona Friends as well. From what I heard from Duke Pendragon, there is a sacred tree of the Earth God in Ancona Forest, right? Alcohol brewed in a place like that can’t be bad!”

“Kuhaha! Now you’re talking, my friend! There’s a true man among the elf scarecrows! Here! Let me pour you a drink!”

Karuta burst into laughter and poured alcohol into the elf warrior’s mug.

Then, someone silently appeared between the two warriors like a ghost.

“Give me a drink, too.”

“Of course! Of course! Even though we are from different races, true men are… Kuhuk!?”

Karuta started to turn around with a grin, then became startled. But soon, he licked his lips with a frown.

“Keheung! I don’t know if it’s appropriate for a girl to join in on a drinking party for men. I won’t say anything since it’s our first time meeting, so go somewhere else.”

Saying so, Karuta waved his pot-like hands.

“…..”

The expressions of the elven warriors who received alcohol from Karuta suddenly changed. They looked alternatingly at Karuta and the elf woman before beginning to sneak away.

“Koeeng? Why are you all leaving! Hey, elf scarecrow friends!”

“…it’s me.”

“Keung?”

Karuta called out to the departing warriors, then turned his head with a frown. He was certain he had never seen the elf in front of him before. Her appearance was completely exposed under the bright moonlight and the large bonfire. She had long green hair, large brown eyes due to the influence of the Earth God, and a high nose and thick, red lips. He had never seen her before.

In addition, even though she may have been a beauty by human standards, she was unattractive by orc standards.

“What do you, ‘it’s me’? Karuta has never seen you before.”

“It’s me, you big, ignorant, stupid orc!”

A hint of killing intent appeared on her sparkly eyes, and she raised her voice.

“Keheuk…!”

Karuta’s expression began to change little by little.

“You aren’t…”

His hand was holding onto a glass and a bottle, but it started to tremble without him realizing. She glared at him as if to devour him alive.

“Since you’re fit to suck on alcohol, you must be fit for a fight, right?”

Craack!

Eltuan twisted her neck left and right while cracking her knuckles.

“…..”

Karuta slowly put down the glass and the bottle. Then, he slowly stood up. The surrounding orc warriors and elves watched the situation with expectation and anxiety in their eyes.

“Then I will take it that you accept…”

“Kuwwwwuuuuughhh!”

Flutter!

Karuta began running away at the speed of light.

“T, that…”

Including Eltuan, everyone’s mouths opened agape at the sight of the strongest Ancona Orc running away with all his might. He had never receded in front of any monster before.

***

“It seems that everyone is enjoying the festivities. Especially over there.”

Raven smiled bitterly and nodded at Kara’s words.

“Eltuan must be the first one to make Karuta act like that.”

“Hoho! I have also never seen Eltuan cling to anyone like that before.”

Her voice was laced with an odd tone. Raven grasped the meaning of her words, and responded with a surprised expression.

“No way… Are you perhaps suggesting…? An elf and an orc… like that?”