Ethairé walked up towards Vixella who sat upon a boulder, overlooking the refugee camp.

"Human... You're leaving already? It hasn't even been that long yet..."

Vixella blinked once at the developments below before turning to face him.

"Your elven sense of time is a lot different from us humans... Plus, I have another war to worry about."

"Is it something like our battles against the beastmen?"

Vixella gave off a wry smile.

"Nah, it's a war where the great human nations are at stake."

Ethairé frowned turned away to look down at the somewhat bustling refugee camp.

It seems like the elves had recovered their morale and spirits after yesterday's 'miracle'.

"After seeing that village burn away like that... I thought it was bad enough... But to think that humans will have it worse..."

Vixella looked ahead into the forest.

From Ethairé's perspective, it was seemingly out of his reach, a lonely faraway glance.

"Aah, I was at the frontlines many times... Although I do eventually get tired of all the fighting."

"You were a soldier before? That explains how you can fight so well... But wait-", Ethairé paused, "Then how old were you?"

"I'd prefer not to say."

"Forget it... Just... I don't get it... If you hate wars so much then why do you fight?"

"Because war... War never changes."

Ethairé nodded once as he hopped onto the boulder to also look far away into the forest, thinking of what she could've meant.

The people of the refugee camp were beginning to pack and move out to another village with their relatives and loved ones.

"Hey, don't think too much about it... That was just some stupid quote."

Ethairé looked back at her in silence.

"Ethairé?"

"Yes, human...?"

He was taken back by Vixella's genuine smile.

She leaned back down to look past the leaves covering the sky above before closing her eyes in slight regret.

"Wouldn't it be nice if I could somehow find my peace, alongside making the world a better place? Alas, it's just a child's dream."

"Then you can live with us in the elven forest... The beastmen will stop this farce soon once our main forces counterattack..."

"I can't do that... Why? Because there will be nothing left if someone like me stands aside during these 'major conflicts'."

"I see you bear quite the burden yourself... Well, I can't argue with that... It's quite a realistic way to approach things..."

The village chief, Ethairé's uncle, abruptly ran up to them.

"Your H- Niece! Did you finish saying farewell? Lady Vixella's butler has arrived to pick her up!"

"Yes, I'm nearly done saying goodbye to Huma- AAN-!? Uncle-!?"

A swish of the village chief's cane caused Ethairé to tumble down as his head landed on Vixella's lap.

He felt the softness of her thighs as his cheeks grew slightly red.

Vixella, in return, pondered her head sideways as she glanced back down at him.

The moment of bliss was abruptly cut off as Ethairé's father dragged him off the boulder and onto the floor.

"How many times have I told you to call her name properly! Come on, say it!"

Ethairé became as red as a tomato.

"V-Vix-xella..."

"Aah, aren't you a cute little thing when you're embarrassed... But what's up with that?"

Vixella casually slid down the boulder.

"C-Cute? A-Ahhhh..."

The usually composed Ethairé began to curl up in embarrassment.

"My apologies, Lady Vixella... My niece has always been like this around beautiful women."

Ethairé's father explained while gesturing at his son who was fumbling about while curled up.

"Aah, beautiful...?", Vixella looked around for a moment, "Wait, me...?"

"Uncle... I'm not a child! I'm already 56-years-old! It's just..."

" "It's just what?" "

"Nevermind..."

Ethairé curled up once again upon being 'oppressed' by both Vixella and his uncle.

"Anyways, I'll be going then."

"Wait, human! Take me with you!"

Ethairé screamed out as he ran towards Vixella who was nearing the carriage.

"Niece-!? What the Elderwood are you saying-!? We have our war to care about here in our forest!!!"

The village chief shouted angrily behind him.

"Till this day, I still wonder... What kind of phrase is that?"

Vixella whispered to Xenthur.

"Don't fret over it, Xiveall... Elves are one of a kind after all..."

Xenthur whispered back.

"Yes, I know uncle... But this war isn't of much significance..."

The young elf looked down at the ground before he turned up firmly.

His uncle, upon seeing the fire in Ethairé's eyes, took an unsteady step back.

"Your H...!? Niece... What are you implying-!?"

"When the time comes for our future generations to venture out and explore the human world, it shouldn't be in ruins by then."

"But humans can handle their disputes! It has always been like that for centuries-long! Even when the demons were still here!"

"No matter! This is my choice... I'm sorry, uncle... But for once... I'm not going to listen to you..."

Everyone became silent as they overlooked the Ethairé who had just steeled himself for a greater cause.

"Niece... I see how it is... You've grown up to become a good man... I shall allow this..."

Ethairé's uncle was seemingly sad to let go but decided to give his son a last pat on the shoulder.

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"Uncle?"

"However, you are still lacking since you can't call most girls by their names! Hahaha!"

The village chief lightened up the mood by mocking him.

Ethairé smiled bitterly before laughing along.

"Hahaha... Really now, uncle..."

A CENTURY LATER

(Leafy Transition Music)

"Okay human... Now let us depart!"

"So soon?"

"Aren't we in a hurry?"

Ethairé got into the carriage and carefully shut the door behind him.

"My lady, it's your call."

Xenthur peeked through the wagon shutter.

"Full Flank Ahead."

Heeding her command, Xenthur smashed the reins as the wagon accelerated and sped off into the distant greenery.

"Niece, I hope you become a man worthy of Lady Vixella once you return! Ahahahaha!"

The last thing they heard was the village chief shouting weird stuff back at them.

"Seems like uncle always misunderstands my intentions around women..."

Ethairé leaned back against the seat to let out a sigh of relief.

"The reason why you can't say their names... It isn't because you're interested in them?"

Vixella raised an eyebrow.

"No human... I have great respect for you... But you're too weird to be taken as a romantic interest..."

Ethairé replied bluntly without a trace of doubt in himself.

Vixella winced slightly as if implying she was hurt by what he said.

"Aah, then why can't you just call me by name?"

Ethairé groaned from the irritation of Vixella pressing him with the topic.

"That's because it's hard to let go of this habit, okay-!?"

Vixella rolled her eyes before leaning against the window to look outside.

"Alright, won't pry further into your virgin phase."

"Wha-!? You're one too though...!?"

"Aah? What do you know?"

Ethairé puffed his cheeks as he looked away.

"There's no way a childish woman like you has... Done it with another man..."

Before Vixella could reply, the wagon's shutter was suddenly slid open.

"My apologies for the interruption... I would like to ask, what's shall be the plan for this upcoming war, Lady Vixella?"

"We'll just have to somehow balance the war effort and drag it out to preventing significant damage on either side."

"Ah, indeed... 'Somehow'... Might you have a solid plan already laid out?"

"The plans will be revealed at the heat of the moment."

"Human... Isn't that just improvising?"

Ethairé butted in.

"Don't you believe in me?"

"Of course I do!"

"Good."

"Ah, then let us die together under her command, shall we?"

"What?"

"My lady here never has a good plan, you see."

"I'm sure she'll figure something out...?"

"You surely jest-", Xenthur smiled pensively, "Ah, I shall wish you luck... For she might have overheard us."

"Wait, please don't leave me to deal with her alone-"

Xenthur abruptly closed the wagon's shutter on him, much to Ethairé's dismay upon turning to see Vixella smile brightly at him.

"What were you guys whispering about?"

"Nothing important..."

"Aah, so doubting me isn't something important?"

"No! Wait, human... I assure you that we didn't say anything bad..."

"I can tell when people are lying... I have many ways, would you like to know?"

Vixella leaned over to whisper into his long ears.

Ethairé flinched before averting his eyes.

"Please don't, human... But don't you believe me?"

"What's up with that desperate look? It's not like I'm going to interrogate you or anything..."

"..."

"Come to think of it, you elves don't look half bad... It all kind of fits your blonde hair and emerald eyes."

"Thank you, human."

"Welcome."

"Now... Would you mind making the distance?"

Ethairé closed his eyes in relief as he gently pushed her away by the shoulders.

"I heard you can interrogate elves by touching their ears... Is that true?"

Vixella brushed his hands aside and swiftly tapped both of his ears.

"Ah...!? D-Don't touch me there! Our kind is... Sensitive there..."

"So this is your weak spot?"

"Please don't 'interrogate' me!"

Ethairé kicked himself away towards the corner of the wagon in a panic.

"Don't worry, I won't... Although you might be fast... There's nowhere to run inside this wagon..."

Vixella smiled as she moved in to caress his ears with her hands.

Ethairé was helpless in the corner as he began to think of submitting to her advances.

Upon seeing Vixella close in with her hands, he flinched and closed his eyes-

"How about you just confess already? What did you guys talk about me earlier?"

Vixella then proceeded to mercilessly violate Etharé's ears even further.

"Ahh...!? Human... You said you weren't going to... Interrogate me..."

"Change of plans, Elfie-kun! I've always wanted to molest an elf's ears!"

"Human... V-Vixella... Pwease... Stawhp... Ahhh... NoOOoOOoOooooo..."

Xenthur who sat on the outside and peddled the carriage shed a slight tear upon hearing Ethairé's muffled screams.

"Ah, now only if that was me."