Chapter 500: Introductions
That Heka was the daughter of the Amazon Queen, Elara also explained why such an attack from the powerful ice witch didn’t end her life or at least put her in mortal danger.
The revelation was surprising, but it made sense. Heka was not an ordinary Amazon; she was royalty, blessed with the strength and resilience that came directly from generations of powerful bloodlines.
Her survival was not a miracle, but rather a testament to her heritage.
With the group more at ease and healed in a matter of seconds, they calmed down.
The tension that had gripped them moments before began to dissipate, replaced by a cautious curiosity. They still had questions, still harbored doubts, but they were no longer on the verge of attacking.
"My name is Eric, I am Elf," the Elf began, as Benjamin’s eyes roamed to the wrapped sash (sarashi) visible on the chest of the slender man. "I am also the leader of this party. Thank you for healing my friends."
It confused Benjamin a little as to why an Elf was with a Japanese outfit.
The rest of the garment was elegant, clearly well-made, though now singed and torn from the battle with the dragon.
Eric’s voice was soft and melodic, carrying the musical quality that elves were known for throughout the realms.
He bowed his head slightly, a gesture of respect that spoke of genuine gratitude.
His movements were graceful, unhurried, however, the movements of someone who had lived for centuries and had learned patience through long experience.
Benjamin shook his hands and blushed a bit, wondering if all elves were that beautiful.
His eyes roamed over Eric’s features, taking in the delicate bone structure, the smooth skin, the elegant lines of his jaw.
There was something almost ethereal about him that seemed to belong more to dreams than to reality. His eyes where a light crystal green, pale and luminous like the first leaves of spring.
His pale green hair reached his shoulders, falling in soft waves that caught the light and seemed to glow with their own inner radiance.
His skin was smooth and his body slender enough to mistake for a woman. The torn dress revealed glimpses of his figure, and Benjamin found himself having to look away at times to maintain his composure.
"This is Katana, a frontliner and swordsman like myself," Eric gestured to the dark haired lady who bowed in the Shishi-no-su style.
Her movements were precise, formal, the bow of someone who had been trained in proper etiquette from a young age.
She kept her head lowered for a moment longer than expected, as if showing deference to someone she considered worthy of respect.
"I am Katana. And I appreciate your help with my party," her voice was adorable, small, and very feminine.
It was a voice that seemed too soft for someone who wielded a blade with such deadly skill.
Her dark hair fell across her face, partially obscuring her features, but Benjamin could see the faint blush that colored her cheeks. "Please... forgive our earlier rudeness over your identity."
Her words were formal, but there was real emotion behind them.
They had been suspicious of them, had accused them of being involved with the dragon’s unnatural transformation. Now that she knew the truth, she was embarrassed by the earlier accusations.
"Haha! No problem!" Benjamin nodded in understanding, his grin wide and genuine.
He waved his hand dismissively, as if the entire misunderstanding was of no consequence. "My magic was way too whacky, it’s normally at bay. And hey, be casual with me. You were more casual with your other friends while fighting, no?"
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Benjamin saw the flash of realization in Katana’s eyes. Her expression shifted, the embarrassment giving way to something sharper and calculating.
"..."
Heka facepalmed at Benjamin’s careless slip. Her hand connected with her forehead with a loud smack, and she let out a long, weary sigh.
She had been trying so hard to maintain their cover, to present Benjamin in the best possible light, and he had ruined it with a single careless comment.
"So... you WERE watching the fight, as you earlier denied?" Katana’s dark eyes almost went darker.
The warmth that had been there moments before was gone, replaced by a cold suspicion that made the temperature in the air seem to drop.
Her hand drifted toward the hilt of her blade, not quite grasping it, but close enough to make her intentions clear.
Benjamin had begun to sweat a little, beads of moisture forming on his brow and trickling down the sides of his face.
He laughed nervously, the sound high-pitched and strained, as he searched for a way out of the situation he had created.
Before he could speak, however, the Elf raised a hand, silencing the tension that had begun to build.
His eyes met Benjamin’s, and there was understanding in them, a patience that came from centuries of dealing with difficult situations.
He seemed to be telling Benjamin to think carefully before speaking, to choose his words with more care than he had shown so far.
Benjamin took a breath, calming himself, and decided to confess.
"Yes, I and Heka were watching the fight long before you all saw us," he played with his fingers as he explained, his gaze dropping to the ground in a display of guilt that was only partially feigned.
His voice was quieter now, less confident, the voice of someone who knew they had been caught in a lie. "I wanted to help, I swear! B... But my companion here told me an adventurer must finish their task themselves to feel grown and accomplished. I was forced to hide! Right, Heka?!"
"Indeed!" Heka took into character immediately, frowning and walking forward as if to sink into Katana.
Her strides were long and purposeful, her expression set in hard lines of disapproval.
"I suggested we left you all to strife and suffer on your own, lest growth be interrupted. Why? Do you have a problem with that? I suppose this is where you punch me hard in the face. Don’t worry, I promise not to stop you. Punch me if you are dissatisfied with my approach."
Her voice was cold and challenging, like someone who was spoiling for a fight.
She stopped directly in front of Katana, close enough that she could see the fine details of the other woman’s face.
Her chin was raised, her eyes locked on Katana’s, her body radiating an aggressive confidence that was overwhelming.
Katana felt heat creep through her face, as she realized how tall and toned Heka was up close.
The Amazon towered over her, her muscular frame practically blocking out the light and casting Katana in shadow.
The heat rose from her neck to her cheeks, and she felt herself shrinking back slightly, intimidated by the sheer presence of the woman before her.
"I’m... I’m sorry." She apologized and looked away, embarrassed, her voice barely above a whisper. "We did take this job to finish it, and your help would have been wanted, but not helpful in the grand scheme of things."
"Hm? Even so," Heka panicked, her aggressive facade cracking slightly as she realized that Katana was not going to take the bait. "I am giving you the chance to pour out your anger on me. Don’t miss out on this opportunity."
Her voice was desperate now, eager for the confrontation that she had been denied. She stepped closer to Katana, intentionally crowding her space, trying to provoke a reaction.
"No, no. I only feel gratitude for you and your partner. I will never harm you both!" Katana’s voice was firm despite her blush, and she took a step back, maintaining the distance between them.
Her hands were raised in a placating gesture, and her eyes were wide with something that might have been fear or might have been awe... Or both.
It became an argument at the corner, the two women going back and forth in a strange dance of aggression and submission.
Heka kept pushing, kept trying to provoke a fight, while Katana kept retreating and refusing to take the bait. It was comical, the way they circled each other.
While this was happening, the introductions continued.
The Amazon woman stepped forward. Her eyes were warm, and she smiled at Benjamin with friendliness.
"My name is Maria. This is my younger sister, Aria," she introduced herself and gestured to the dwarf near her.
The dwarf was shorter than her sister and slender, but powerful, her massive axe still resting against her shoulder in a posture that suggested she was ready to use it at a moment’s notice.
She continued: "Forgive me for calling you something not human."
Her tone was apologetic, and there was shame in her eyes. She had been wrong, and she was not afraid to admit it.
"Ahaha, not like you were entirely wrong!" Benjamin cackled then hit the nail on the head, his laughter fading into something more thoughtful. "But say, how come an Amazon and a Dwarf are sisters? And aren’t dwarves supposed to be thick, heavily build, bulky, and muscular? I know a certain red haired dwarf king who seems to be into guys."