I wonder what my friend is doing at this moment.
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"Aradon, would you like this salad?"
"I'm an adult mom, I can eat what I like."
"Well, you are still a baby in my eyes."
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Well, whatever happens, he is probably having a bad time, I thought distractedly.
Te Celsa, I know of him. I mean, why wouldn't I? He is a famous human general, strategist and diplomat. If one thought about causing war, one has to think about what kind of opposition you are going to face.
Thinking of it, I don't really know who the true protagonist of the first and second series of the Defender of Lumaria series are either. They are kind of like the protagonist of the original Starcraft 1 and Starcraft Broodwar in that regard. Faceless administrator and strategist who control the face of war. Well, in the second series, we kinda have the face of the game being Kai and Magnus and it was at least confirmed that Magnus lead the army of the second game for a short amount of time, however, the protagonist of the first game is still a mystery.
But it is definitely not Te Celsa. The human is too old for war. I wouldn't be surprised if he falls over dead in a few years, why then would I care about him.
However, there were still a few things I'm worried about.
"Hello, I am Te Celsa and who might you be." The old man's eyes were as kind as any grandpa, however, I feel like I'm being drowned by the blue of his eyes. I glance at Hisu, wondering if she notices it, however, instead, the princess's maid looks at the human man with friendliness.
"Master Te Celsa, this wood elf here is Andarel, you may not have heard of him, but I can guarantee his skill at chess is very good. He has beaten me after all. Currently, he is serving in the country's ranger order, I have specifically asked the king for his presence. May his skills entertain you."
"Andarel is it?"
The old human looks at me.
I need to confirm something.
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An old human whose beard has grown long enough to touch the floor reached the capital city of Hafthor. With him, a group of retinue. It is the legendary diplomat Te Celsa. However, when he reaches the city, the group was stopped.
"What is it?" The old man asks from his carriage.
"The elven guards need to confirm your identity."
"Wasn't the proof from our king enough?" One of Te Celsa's retinue angrily remarks.
"Now now, Shio. It is no big deal. You have more to learn." Te Celsa slowly walks down from the carriage to confirm his identity. His protege, Shio is just an angry young man without any patience.
Te Celsa, however, is old.
After confirming his identity, the old man asks the flustered guards in charge.
"It seems the city is on guard. Did something happen?"
"Ah yes, master Te Celsa sir. The entire city is on alert after the High Archmage Elanna Caemfaere arrived here recently."
"Oh you must be on your best appearance then. If you don't mind me asking, do you know why the High Archmage is here?"
"I'm sorry sir, I don't know."
"It's alright soldier. It's just an old man curiosity, nothing more."
The legendary Te Celsa returns to his carriage, looking at his protege, Shio. Slowly, he told him
"Do you see your rashness, Shio?"
"I'm sorry master Te Celsa. If we didn't deter to your judgement, we wouldn't have known about the situation of the city and the appearance of the High Archmage."
The old man frowns, just a bit.
"Send some men to investigate why the High Archmage is in this city. It is best if we know about the entire situation before moving in."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Sir, do you think it would affect-"
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I watch the old man and the young elf play chess together happily. The old man is kind, and the young half-elf is always laughing. Princess Aelene meanwhile yawns while no one is looking causing me to roll my eyes.
The old human and the young half-elf play a set of two games, in which Te Celsa won both of them.
However, even though she loses, the princess maid still smiles happily, looking up at the human as if she is trying to earn his approval.
That is, she did it without knowing at all that Te Celsa was not serious. The two games were indulgent game, like an adult indulges children. However, Hisu's action... Her actions are just unseemly!
She is a half-elf born with superior intelligence, she is also 40 this year. Even if she is a child in elves term, she is still an adult in human years, why would she be content with being treated like a child?
If you live blissfully unaware of everything around you, even if you are smart in some aspects, what good would it be if you don't change anything?
Then, it is time for me to entertain master Te Celsa.
With a heavy heart, I sat down in front of the chessboard.
"Young man, it is just a game, why are you so serious?"
Well you see, it is because you play from a position in which you look down on me. Did you think I did not notice? Hisu is too dumb for it, but not me.
From the beginning, you exude superiority. You treat Hisu as if she was a kid, and play with her, even letting her to think she was good. Did you think I didn't notice? From the beginning, you were extremely sure of your victory, no matter who it is. You play from a position in which it is assumed that you are higher than us. Did you think I did not notice?
I am no fool.
And that is what rankle me the most about this whole situation.
Here he is a human, looking down on us elves. The kindness is a mask for hypocrisy, just like me.
And I know hypocrite, because I am a hypocrite.
From your high tower, did you look down on me?
Well then, I will bring down that tower down.
"It seems, you are too serious." Te Celsa says.
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"I resign."
I look at the table feeling crushed.
In the background I can hear the princess's maid cheering. However, my concentration is on the opponent in front of me. The old snake, the feeling of superiority never wavers even one.
Respectfully, I bow down.
"Thank you for the game."
"Mr. Andarel is really too serious. You need to relax more to see the world around you. If it is about skill, I don't think there is any one alive who can outplay your mechanical skill. However, life is more about how good you are. You need more experience Mr. Andarel."
In the background, Hisu is still celebrating.
"So this is about having master Te Celsa taking revenge for you, you are surprisingly petty Hisu."
"It's not like that princess!"
I'm not mad. It is the truth. How can I be mad about losing a chess game. There are more things for me to worry about than a game of chess.
In the end, it is a joke anyway.
"Still, princess, having master Te Celsa takes that guy down a few pegs is a good result out of this. He looks down on people too much." Hisu whispers
More like you can't see the truth in front of you, you damn half-elf.
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"How was it master?" The protege, Shio, escorts his master
"Ha ha. I'm feeling good. I taught that damn arrogant knife-ear a lesson. I think he saw through me, however, he still lost in the end. No one will believe him even if he told them. So much for a genius. Being a smart little thing without any real power is no different from being an ordinary person.
Continue with the plan.
Tonight, we take the Idol of Solarii. The knife-ear High Archmage being here or not, it doesn't matter.
After all, they are just stupid elves in the end."