"Allen, is that you?"

Si Kai cried out in surprise, looking at the three captured Elves before him.

"Si Kai?"

The lead Elf, who had been shouting defiantly, also wore a look of disbelief.

...

Soon, after the two acquaintances recognized each other, it became clear that this was all a misunderstanding.

These three Elves were all members of the Wind Speech Tribe.

Because Fulina had contacted Levi’s group directly for reinforcements using a Transmission Stone, these Elves had no idea that anyone was coming to help them.

Furthermore, they didn’t recognize the Thorn Corps’ insignia and assumed it was just another faction coveting the Magic Crystal Ore. That’s why they had been tailing them, preparing to gather more information.

This was what led to the misunderstanding.

"So, you’re saying you didn’t retreat in time and got left behind?"

As the one who knew them, Si Kai took on the role of liaison.

"That’s right, and it’s my fault," Allen sighed, looking remorseful. "If I hadn’t gotten greedy and decided to ambush a stray squad, we wouldn’t have been separated from the main force. Now, the main body of the Wilderness Alliance Army is blocking our path, and there’s no way to get around them and return to the Tribe."

In fact, although their ambush on the stray Wilderness squad had succeeded, they were then hunted by reinforcements the enemy sent out. They had spent the last few days hiding and running.

The Lord secretly sized up the Elf.

This Elf wore Leather Armor and a green, hooded cloak, looking quite capable in their military attire. Their face was youthful, appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old.

But the Lord, having been fooled before by long-lived species like Miriel and Sophia, no longer judged the age of these beings by their appearance. That was, without a doubt, a shallow approach.

Moreover, this Elf was tall and slender, with skin fairer than porcelain and golden hair that rivaled even Liya’s.

The Lord felt that even a blind person could see that this fully armed Elf Ranger was clearly a woman disguised as a man—and not a very convincing one at that.

But that didn’t really matter, as it had little to do with him.

The reason he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances was this: despite the remorseful expression, the Elf possessed an exceptionally beautiful face.

It was a kind of beauty that needed no description. One look was enough to make you look again, proving their beauty with your own actions.

"My Lord, thank you for coming to aid the Wind Speech Tribe."

After finishing their talk with Si Kai, Allen turned to the Lord with a sincere expression to offer their thanks.

The arrival of friendly forces gave her hope that the Tribe could be saved.

"Miss Allen, there’s no need for thanks. As allies, we could never stand by and watch you be attacked." The Lord flashed what he considered his most dashing and handsome smile.

It wasn’t that he had any ideas about this Elf chick—he wasn’t that kind of person. The real reason for his behavior was the Magic Crystal Ore!

Because, according to the tropes in Knightly Novels, an Elf who liked to disguise herself as a man was, at the very least, a Princess.

Therefore, getting on her good side would definitely be beneficial for Levi’s acquisition of the Magic Crystal Ore.

"...Si Kai, I’m going to go get my companions." Ignoring Levi, "Miss Allen" shot the Lord a vicious glare after speaking to Si Kai, then turned and left with the other two Elves without a backward glance.

’A shame her voice is a bit raspy, and she’s a bit flat-chested... Hmm... and a little too arrogant. Doesn’t seem very easy to get along with...’

Levi watched the tall figure depart, sighing with emotion. ’Heaven is fair; it’s rare for anything in this world to be absolutely perfect.’

This Elf’s appearance was flawless, but her voice was a grating, duck-like squawk, and her figure was slightly flat. It was, admittedly, a great pity.

After all, people like him, who possessed both a perfect appearance and unparalleled Power, were a rare few.

"Lord, you’ll have to blame me for this one." Si Kai was struggling to hold back his laughter, clearly in agony. "It’s my fault for not telling you sooner. Allen is actually a male Elf, and he absolutely hates it when people mistake him for a woman."

"Huh?"

The Lord’s mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg.

"It might be hard to believe, but it’s the truth." Si Kai spread his hands, his expression not looking like he was lying.

Levi had a feeling the guy was still holding back a laugh as he spoke, and it was hard to say if it wasn’t because he enjoyed seeing him embarrassed.

’I can’t believe I, your Lord, would one day make such a misjudgment.’

The Lord let out a long sigh, feeling that his wise and martial reputation had now been stained.

"My Lord, it’s not your fault. If Knight Si Kai hadn’t said anything, I would have also thought he was a beautiful female Elf," Masha chimed in reassuringly from the side.

"This was never your fault, Lord. I’ll explain it to Allen later," Si Kai said with a nod of agreement.

BOOM!

A violent explosion echoed from the distance.

"That’s the direction Allen and the others went!" Si Kai’s expression changed instantly.

According to Allen, ever since they had been stranded here, the Wilderness Alliance Army had kept a team out searching for them.

So, this sudden attack was most likely from that group of Wilderness People.

"Si Kai, take command for me. Panda, you and your men follow me."

The Lord made an instant decision, dismounting and breaking into a run toward the place where Allen had disappeared.

Panda followed with a hundred Panda Warriors.

In a forest like this, a horse wasn’t as fast as a person on foot, so the Lord naturally abandoned his mount, which was more symbolic than practical anyway.

...

"Damn it, they found us."

Allen hid behind a giant tree, his heart thumping wildly. He glanced to the side, his face filled with grief.