4 Elizabeth

The guards were speechless, the boy actually won and he did it in such a ridiculous way. It was an overwhelming victory. It was obvious to anyone who witnessed the whole battle. The boy was simply toying with the dragon testing its limits. When it showed everything it had the boy quickly ended the battle with one move. "A-amazing.. amazing!"

†

When the battle ended Leonard was welcomed with cheers.

"Amazing"

"You were great boy" the guards were all cheering.

Heh I was too engrossed in the battle that I completely forgot my surroundings, I guess I'm still too green.

Leonard formed a fist and raised his arm in the air. On doing so the cheering had gotten louder. "This isn't so bad" Leonard mummbled to himself. The guards started running to his side, and patted his back. T

he beastmen that look like lions saluted with their fist on their chest. While some of the other beastmen who had dog ears and tail started to lick his face. Everyone was pushing him back to the village.

†

Rain looked at the battle from a distance "so even the might of a dragon, doesn't faze you."

'Those blades now looking at them closely, they weren't normal after all. Yet why did a prideful dragon attack a small village? More than that it didn't even speak. Dragons aren't mindless creatures such as this. What happened to this world after I left?'

Rain's body was startinh to dissolve "I guess times up. I'm sorry Leonard I wasn't able to explain much. I didn't even get the chance to tell you my real name... It's Gabriel Lightbringer." After saying his name Gabriel's body dissolved into nothingness.

†

Leonard was inside one of the villagers house, where he awaited for the village elder to greet him. "So Rain's not here. I wasn't even able to thank him, after bringing me into such a wonderful world."

After the battle Leonard escaped from the happy villagers to look for Rain. He looked around but was unable to find a trace of him.

"Well as long as I live, I'm sure we'll be able to meet again." Leonard's eyes were only look forward.

When the door of his room opened an old beastman who had fox ears and tail wearing pure white clothing entered. He was accompanied by a muscular man and a little girl probably around twelve years old.

The muscular man seem to be of human descent, while the girl was a beastmen with cat ears and tail. Upon entering the room the village elder looked intently at Leonard, assessing him from head to toe.

The village elder pointed at Leonard as he looked at the muscular man who nodded his head. "I'm sorry for the rudeness, Our hero. I was simply surprised that such a young man was the savior of our village."

Leonard looked at the elder and nodded his head."It's alright, so who are you anyway?" The village elder bowed in front of Leonard "I am sorry, starting a conversation without even stating my name. I' am Monenach the leader of this village. The two behind me are my escort and grandchild. The both of you come and introduce yourselves."

The muscular man wearing iron armor was first "I'm Roland, the head of the guards protecting this village. It is an honor to meet you our hero" Roland saluted. The little girl then stepped forward after Roland's introduction.

The girl upon closer inspection was cute. Her cat ears were pure black so was her dazzling long hair. Her eyes were blue like sapphires. She was wearing two pieces of cloth that covered only the important parts. Though her chest was lacking to be called sexy, even with that kind of outfit.

The girl did a small bow "It's a pleasure to meet you hero, my name's Hina. I'm twelve years old right now so please don't treat me like a child." She was adorable, Leonard thought to himself. He smiled at them "Can you guys stop calling me hero. The name's Leonard you guys can call me that." The three nodded in affirmation

"If that's what you want Master Leonard."

"As you command Sir Leonard"

"Alright Leo" Monenach, Roland, and Hina answered. Looking dumbfounded Leonard replied

"What! Can you guys stop the creepy formal speech? Elder and Roland just call me Leonard or if you want call me Leo, just like Hina did. No more with the "master" and "sir" alright just simply Leonard or Leo will do."

The three nodded again

"If that's what you want Leonard"

"I understand Leonard"

"Yay Leo is Leo."

Leo sighed "So what is it you want. I'm sure you didn't come just to greet me." The three of them started to prostrate before him. Flustered Leo stood up "Hey what are you guys doing. There's no need to bow so low." "No there is a reason, though I know it is shameful to ask, but please can you aide us." the elder request pleadingly.

†

Three days have passed since the elder's request. Leo and Hina where in front of a cave. "Let me confirm the elder's request once more. The elder would like me to go, and beat the person who keeps sending enraged animals to your village. Due to it escalating from wild animals, into an earth dragon. You guys fear that something stronger might come next."

"Yeah that's right"

"So the reason why Hina's with me instead of any of the guards was because... I needed a guide but due to the fear of something attacking the village, none of the men could accompany me. Isn't that right Hina?"

"Yeah that right Leo" Hina's smile was so bright, as she answered me.

"So Hina can you return now. It's dangerous to stay with me as I fight. Don't worry I know how to get back on my own." Haeing what Leonard said Hina shook her head

"No! Hina can fight too. I won't be a burden on Leo. So please let me accompany you." Her eyes full of passion and resolve as she looked at Leo. Under the intense glaring of Hina, Leo was forced to accept the energetic companion.

†

Back in the beastman village, the Elder was talking with his son. "Hey do you think those two are getting along?" Hearing what his fahter said, the fox ears of the son drooped "I knew it! Father you're planning something by sending my cute Hina with that boy! Damn it! That boy even if he did beat a dragon. If he dares touch Hina I'll tear him apart!"

"Calm down Toki!" The Elder sighed at his son's reaction.

†

Hina unaware of her father's outrage was happily following Leo inside the cave. The boy in front of her was a human who bested a dragon in battle. It was incredible, someone close to her age was actually able to do the impossible. She wanted to see even more incredible things and it seems following this boy would achieve that.

†

As Leo and Hina we're going deeper into the cave. They noticed that the cave was illuminated, but the source of the light was unknown. In the depths of the cave was a girl sitting on a chair the only visible furniture in the area.

The girl had wavy blond hair, crimson pupils, and pale white skin. She was wearing a dress of red and black, accompanied by brown boots. The dress had a lot of curly frills on it. She was shorter than Leonard but only a little. The girl was staring at the unexpected visitors with an expressionless face.

Leonard moved in for closer inspection "Hey I'm sorry for intruding here like this, but I was wondering if you were the one who sent that earth dragon to the village?" The girl answered, "No I didn't send the earth dragon, it simply went there on its own." Her voice was like a queen about to hang the unlawful criminals.

"You didn't send it but you do know about it."

"Hmph, what a rude visitor, first you simply enter a girl's home, and ask questions out of nowhere. You haven't even presented your name and now you're accusing me of such things."

Her expressionless face hasn't change, nor has the tone of her voice. Leonard tried to agitate her to see through her, but it ended in failure. He bowed "I'm sorry my lady, for being rude. My name would be Leonard and this here is my guide Hina. I would be grateful if you would present us with your wonderful name."

Leo said politely, though deep in his heart he was trying to stop laughing at himself. The girl stood up from her chair, "Very well since you have presented yourself in an appropriate manner. I shall forget your earlier transgressions." The girl did a curtsy "I am Elizabeth Rogue."

"So why did the dragon pass by here Lady Elizabeth."

"That idiotic dragon threatened me, trying to steal my cave. Those idiotic animals did so too. So in the end the animals, I tried to harm simply run away from the cave. While the idiotic dragon was forced back into a corner, I guess due to its huge pride, Getting cornered by a lady like me, it actually went insane and fled. Most probably it just wanted to vent out its anger and shame."

So that was the reason for those attacks, hearing this made Leonard sigh. He couldn't do anything about what happened and it's really not her fault.

"How about leaving this cave. If you are constantly attacked isn't it just annoying."

"Well it certainly is annoying but at the same time I don't really mind the exercise."

'I need to convince her somehow if she stays here who knows what kind of creature will attack the village next.' Leonard started to think of way to make Elizabeth leave.

"Lady Elizabeth I think it is unbecoming of a lady of your stature to live in a place like this." Elizabeth without changing her expression or her tone answered

"Hm that does sound intriguing what is it you want to suggest?" She took the bait, Leo started to smile

"Well you could join me on my travels to find a house to your liking. I would really love to help the lady Elizabeth."

The atmosphere changed, as the air was filled with killing intent. Hina was frozen in fear, she was not talking for a while, Leo guess she was wary of Elizabeth. Yet now she clearly trembled.

"Hina get behind me, I'll protect you." Hina did as she was told and retreated to the back. Leo smiled viciously at Elizabeth, the killing intent in the air had triggered Leo's instincts for battle.

"Hehe negotiations failed huh. Well I was getting tired anyway, speaking so formally and being courteous and all that crap. Hm, so Elizabeth what made you so hostile against me?"

"You insolent pig! You don't even know what you have done! You have asked, a noble vampire t-to accompany you on your journey." The expressionless face of hers was replaced with clear anger, her beautiful white skin turned into a tinge of red. Her voice that was ice cold turned to passionate heat. Leo looked puzzled as to why she was angry "I don't get it, so what if I invited you, to accompany me on my journey? I just wanted to help."

†

Elizabeth in the fifteen years of her life, had never met a man who made her flustered like this.

'S-s-s-suddenly asking me to accompany him. What is this fool thinking?! Asking such a thing to a pure maiden such as myself.'

'I'm a vampire! A noble of the demon race, how could he, so casually ask me that. He's just a human how dare he, be so impudent! B-but he does indeed look cute, with that black hair of his and those pure black eyes that seem to be gazing only forward. N-no this can't be!'

As Elizabeth's mind was in disarray she heard his voice "I don't get it, so what if I invited you to accompany me on my journey? I just wanted to help."

†

Leo heard something snap from Elizabeth.

"Oh, so you don't even understand the gravity of your words. Treating this like a game, playing with my mind like that. This is the first time, I met someone who can anger me so."

She was smiling yet her voice was even colder than before. It was like a queen sentencing one to death. Leo shivered this is the first time this has happened. Elizabeth started chanting "Hear me O' Death grant me thy weapon so that I may reap mine enemies." A Black scythe appeared in Elizabeth's hand, it was a weapon that was taller than her or Leo. "With this Death scythe granted to me by death himself. I shall reap this rude boy in front of me."

Elizabeth was casually walking forward with a menacing pressure. Leo drew his swords and immediately readied his best stance. He felt that Elizabeth was on a whole other league compared to the dragon he faced.

'Why the hell is she so mad?!'

†

Hina was trembling in fear of Elizabeth. At first glance Hina already discerned that Elizabeth was a vampire. The immortal nobility of darkness, compared to the earth dragon before. Elizabeth was a hundred no a million times stronger.

Though vampires were strong enough to rival even the strongest of dragons and War Gods. They were also the race with the most weaknesses, but in this dark cave with nothing more than a little light and a chair, those weaknesses were nowhere to be seen. Yet for some reason Hina felt that the normal weaknesses of a vampire, like sunlight wouldn't really affect Elizabeth.

She doesn't know why she thought of it, but if that was true then, it was almost impossible for them to get away here alive.

All the anguish and fear that Hina felt, was suddenly swept away by a burst of laughter.

†

Leo started to laugh while blocking Elizabeth's scythe.

"What! Have you gone insane as well human?"

"Have I gone insane? Maybe I have, but it's your fault you know, to have granted me such a beautiful battle."

Elizabeth reacted to the word beautiful strongly. While stuttering she complained "B-b-beautiful! What the hell are you saying now!"

Elizabeth's attacks grew fiercer than before. Leo countered blow per blow. Feeling irritated that her opponent is able to match her in a melee, Elizabeth resorted to using magic. "Bind" a round shadow was formed around Leo. He couldn't move away from it.

"Hmph now surrender and accept your punishment obediently." Elizabeth said assured of her victory.

"What no way! Let's continue the fun!" using serenity, Leo stabbed the ground where the shadow surrounded him. The shadow dispersed, Leo free from the spell moved forward.

"What!" Elizabeth was clearly shocked at what had happened but had no time to think about it. Leo attacked relentlessly while Elizabeth couldn't do anything but block. The situation had reversed.

†

Elizabeth was backed into a corner, as Leo had not given her any chance to counterattack.

'What the hell is he?! there is no way this is human strength!'

Yet there was no mistaking that the boy in front of her was human base on his scent. Even those blades of his are abnormal, is his strength coming from those blades?"

†

Elizabeth started smirking "Heh... So your prided strength isn't even yours! It comes from those swords right?"

Leo smiled "Sorry Elizabeth, I can't take that insult lightly. A swordsman controls the sword it is not the sword that controls the swordsman. Let me show you that it is not these swords that grant me power. It is I that grant these swords my power."

Leo stabbed both chaos and serenity to the ground. He then grasped the scabbards as replacements. Elizabeth deeply insulted shouted "Stop bluffing!" Elizabeth's full on charge was easily evaded.

"I wanted to enjoy this fight even more." Leo suddenly upped the speed of his strikes. Elizabeth was able to block some that were aiming for her vitals but most of it got through her defense, and her body was filled with bruises.

"Tremble upon my might." Elizabeth started chanting spell words, the air was freezing. "Shiver upon thy fear." icicles started to form around the whole inner area of the cave. Hina retreated further back to get away from the range of the spell. "Quiver upon this prison of ice!" The icicles surrounded Leo forming a prison of ice.

"Now apologize and accept your punishment. You can't possibly get away from this. So do as I say and obediently apologize." From inside the ice prison, Leo answered "Sorry this isn't enough to hold me." The ice prison started to crack, and Leo burst of out it. Before Elizabeth was able to put up any kind of defense, Leo pointed one of the scabbards on Elizabeth's neck.

"So still think that the swords were the source of my strength?" Elizabeth's scythe disappeared from her hands as she knelt. "I give up. I apologize for making such a rude comment. I as a noble of the night, concede victory to you. Kill me, rape me, or anything else I shall not object."

†

Hina couldn't believe her eyes, Leo won against a vampire and he did it with only the scabbards of his swords. Truly powerful but what about her? She simply stood there in fear. Even after telling him she could protect herself she was nothing but a hindrance.

†

Leo picked up chaos and serenity and sheathed them. "I already told you before. I want you to accompany me in my journey. So I'm pleased to have you by my side Elizabeth Rogue." Leo smiled brightly as he offered a hand to Elizabeth.