7 Hopeless Archer

"One who walks the path of kings. Why have you shown us such a disgraceful battle?" When he heard the this Leo couldn't answer the two beings. "Was this the mistake of youth? No that cannot be so. Though young you are one who walks the path of kings!"

Leo reaching the limits of his patience answered "I already know that! You don't have to tell me that! I already know, it was an unsightly battle! And the path of kings I didn't choose to walk it! You guys were the one who forced it upon me! I will walk the path that I myself deem worthy!" The two beings started giggling "Now that you stopped sulking, awaken."

†

Leo awoke from his sleep. The first thing he noticed was that he was wearing silk robes, someone had dressed him. Though he was wearing different clothes his sword-belt by his waist were still holding Chaos and Serenity. He looked around and saw his red leather coat folded at the side. The room he was in consisted of a large bed, a table and two chairs, Leo was trying to get his thoughts together when "Wait where's Eli? Eli! Eli!"

Leo stood up, and tried to reach for the door but fell, as he suddenly felt chest pains. "Damn! Is this the recoil from using chaos and serenity too much?" The door to his room opened, before Leo could look at who had entered he was hugged without warning. "You idiot! Who told you to sleep so much?!"

"Eli!"

†

"So I was asleep for five days." Leo looked blankly at the window in his room.

"After the battle with the giants, we both collapsed. I gained consciousness a day before you did. Really now! You looked like you were in so much pain when you were sleeping. Did you have a nightmare?" Eli looked worriedly at Leo.

"No it wasn't really a nightmare. It was more like, being scolded by your parents." Leo smiled wryly at his own answer. "So Eli what have you been doing while I was asleep?"

"Nothing much. I wasn't allowed to go out of my room while I was recuperating, and when I tried to ask for an explanation about the current situation. They told me to wait for you to wake up before they explain the situation. So when we heard you shouting a while ago I rushed over."

"That means, will get to hear that explanation now. You do know, it's bad manners to eavesdrop."

When Leo called out to the person outside of the room, the elf wearing the green silk robes entered. "Impressive, when were you able to tell that I was there."

Leo smiled boldly as he answered,"Since the beginning, of course."

Hearing Leo's confident answer, the elf smiled gently at him "I'm sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just couldn't find the right opportunity to enter."

"Nah that's alright. So who are you anyway? Are you perhaps the commander of this fortress?"

The elf looked at Leo astonished "How could you tell?"

"Well you guys told Eli that somebody would explain the situation when the time comes. The one who knows the whole situation should be few in number. So with that I could shorten the list of people who could explain the situation. Next the way you saved us the other day, and how you took command are signs of a leader. So I concluded that you may be the commander. Also When I presented my assumption you relented pretty quickly."

The elf looked at Leo as if appraising him "What a remarkable boy you are. What you say is correct I am indeed the commander of this fortress. I'm called Raigar, may I ask what your names are?" Eli stood up and did a curtsy

"I am Elizabeth Rogue."

"Rogue is it?" Raigar murmured to himself.

"The name's Leonard but you can call me Leo" Raigar nodded his head as a response.

"So Lady Elizabeth and Sir Leo the current situation right now..." Leo interrupted Raigar before he could begin his explanation.

"Hey Raigar don't call me with a sir, just call me Leo. I don't know about Eli here but I prefer things without such formalities."

"I'll take that into account Leo."

"Okay then, sorry for interrupting please continue."

"Then if I may, the situation for now is stable. The giants that you fought, only attack once per lunar cycle."

"Is there a reason for that?" Leo asked

"A hundred of new giants are produced after a lunar cycle. Sorry about that, my companion here is not a native of this world." It was Eli who answered, as she explained to Raigar why Leo was't aware of this trait.

Raigar hearing what Eli said looked curiously at Leo "another worlder that's rare nowadays the last other worlder aside from the summoned beings came about a hundred millennia ago. Hmmm, alright then as I explain the situation, I'll also explain things about this world."

"Thank you for the consideration." Leo bowed his head.

"It's alright. Now then first I'll explain about the giant's race. There are three kinds of giants the first are the naturals these are the giants we're fighting. They are giants by birth. Second are the changed these are humans who abandoned their humanity in exchange for power. They become giants by sacrificing two things first is their humanity second is their most important person. The last are the titans. The titans are a hybrid of human and God in short they are Demi-Gods among the three types of giants they are the strongest."

Leo then asked "If you were to rate their strengths who would be the second and last."

"The first of course are the titans not only do they possess the greatest size for a giant that is to say they are 40 meters tall. They also possess different special abilities like changing their body mass, or turning into fog. Each titan has a different special ability. The second strongest would be the changed. Though they possess the same height and strength as the naturals, they still possess their human knowledge and are still capable of thought. The last of course would be the naturals whose height range from 5 to 13 meters.

They possess personas similar to wild beasts. All they know to do is destroy and eat. The only advantage they have from the other two types of giants are their numbers. Unlike the other types of giants the naturals can multiply their number freely.

Now we can get back to the main topic. The reason why I said they can multiply freely is because they are not born through a contract or even by mating. If you noticed during the battle there were no female natural giants."

"Isn't that because they were on a battlefield that's why there were no females... Wait... You said natural giants had a thinking process akin to a wild beast. Meaning if there was any female natural giant, they too would have gone to the battlefield. So the another logical conclusion to be made is, that there are no female natural giants. But if that were true how could the naturals multiply every lunar cycle?" Leo questioned, Eli looked at him amused while Raigar nodded.

"I'm glad you grasp things quickly. You are indeed correct the natural giants are all male. So how can they multiply? The answer lies on the origins of the natural giants."

There was a knock on the door as a young female elf entered. Though all the elves seem to be young and beautiful the one who entered looked obviously younger. Unlike the other elves she wasn't wearing silk robes instead she was wearing a brown shirt made of cotton, with black leather pants and boots. On her back was a green war bow, by her waist was a longsword and a quiver with dozens of arrows. Her red hair was short and ruffled, and her pupils were the color of lavender. Her skin was also different compared to the other elves it was not white, it was darkish brown. Even her aura was completely different from other elves.

She came close to Raigar and whispered something to him. Hearing what the female said, Raigar then clapped his hands "I'm very sorry but something urgent has come up. So I'll be taking my leave early. By the way this is Rika." The girl nodded in affirmation, "She's sixteen years old, the youngest in the fortress. She's near your ages so I think it would be more comfortable to talk with her. I'll be leaving her with you two. She will act as your guide. If you need anything just ask her. Then excuse me, I'll be going now."

†

'The commander left me in charge with the two guest. What should I do? This is the first time I'll be spending time with people my age.'

"Nice to meet you Rika. I am called Leonard but you can call me Leo."

'The boy Leo looked at me smiling. Woah! That's the first time a boy my age talked to me.'

"Nice to meet you Leo." Though Rika was having internal problems. Externally she answered like an older sister. Elves were masters of emotional control, so this much of internal strife wasn't a problem for Rika.

"I am Elizabeth Rogue, it's a pleasure to meet you Rika." The girl who had an aura of a high class lady did a proper curtsy.

'Wow! She's really pretty and well-mannered unlike a tomboy like me.'

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Elizabeth. If you guys need anything just tell me." 'I hope I didn't sound weird.'

Unknowing of Rika's inner conflict Leo asked "Then Rika could you kindly give us a tour of the fortress?"

'A tour with a boy. I and a boy will walk together side by side' "Sure." Rika smiled gently like a mother smiling to her children. Yet deep inside unknown to anyone but herself, she was already having delusions of holding hands with Leo

†

Leo, Eli, and Rika started their tour of the fortress. They first went to the edge of the fortress wall. "Wow It looks even higher when you're actually looking from here." Leo exclaimed.

"This fortress was built to protect the inner layers of the elf kingdom from the giants. It has been standing tall for the past 200 years. In those 200 years the commander had not changed. Raigar has defended this position without fail." Rika started explaining like a proper tour guide.

"Wait 200 years? Raigar has been alive for 200 years?" Leo sounded shocked.

"Yes? Why do you sound so shocked Leo?" Asked the puzzled Rika.

Eli answered for him Leo. "I'm very sorry, my companion here is from another world, so he has no knowledge of many things."

"Oh! Another worlder? This is the first time I ever met one in person. Sorry Leo I'll explain properly this time. The reason why Raigar has been alive for more than 200 years, is because we elves we are beings that are ageless. We never grow old and we have a long lifespan that range to eons."

"So you can't die?"

"No we can indeed die. The only difference between a human and an elf's vitality is how long there lifespans are. Elves too, die from hunger and disease."

"I'm sorry Rika for asking such a rude question." Rika shook her head "I really don't mind. So let's continue our tour then."

†

The next place was the training grounds. There were people polishing their swordsmanship and archery.

The elven archers were firing at targets 350 meters away and they were doing it with terrifying accuracy. The soldiers then noticed Leo and his group. "Hey Rika I see you're with our two esteemed guest." Rika Saluted "Yes! The commander asked me personally to guide Elizabeth and Leo."

"So how about showing them what you can do with the bow."

"Why should I? I'm really not that good with it."

"Stop with your modesty. You're the best archer in this fortress."

Leo looked a little surprised "The best archer?" The elder soldier chuckled at Leo's question "Yes our Rika here can shoot accurately at a 600 meter distance."

"600 meters!" Both Eli and Leo exclaimed mouths agape. "Come on Rika how about you demonstrate to us your skill"

"Yes please do!" Leo and Eli said excitedly.

†

"Alright then."

'How did this happen it's all that damn old man's fault telling these two that I'm good at archery.' Even though she was grumbling in her mind Rika went into position. She was 600 meters away from the target, for humans this would be an impossible target no matter how good the bow. Even for the wood elves who are the best archers in the continent the distance of 600 meters would sound like a joke to them.

Rika aimed her bow and arrow and after one quick breath release the arrow. The arrow flew in a straight line hitting the target dead on.

†

As Rika was shooting Leo heard whispers.

"What's that dark elf mix doing?"

"Apparently she's showing off."

"Disgusting" and other such comments.

'Dark elf mix? Hm Rika is the same as Eli. Well it does seem that no matter what the race, there will always be some prejudice.'

"So Rika how about that longsword by your waist? Can you use it as good as or better than your bow?"

"Well there are circumstances regarding that." Rika smiled stiffly.

†

"Well there are circumstances regarding that"

'Oh no! How could I tell them about that? If they found out about that, I might die of embarrassment.

"Circumstances?" Eli asked.

"Haha well it's kind of complicated. I'm sorry if I can't explain it."

'Nonononononononono their going to hate me now!'

"Well thats alright but I do have another question... But before I ask how about we change locations." Leo politely suggested.

'W-w-w-w-what is he going to ask?! He w-w-wants to c-change locations. Is this the legendary C-c-c-confession?!'

"Sure let's head to the plaza."

'W-w-what the hell am I doing! No wait we're with Elizabeth does he plan to c-c-confess with her around. Wait! Are they already a couple does Leo plan to make a harem including me and Elizabeth?! No wait they don't really act like a couple maybe he just wants somebody to witness the confession. NO! Wait what the hell am I thinking.'

As Rika continues to have a mental discussion with herself she guided Leo and Elizabeth toward the plaza.

†

The plaza lay in the innermost layer of the fortress, it had many different shops not just a weapon shop or an armory it also had things like a bakery, a jewelry shop, a mystic, a specialty shop, It even had three different inns. There was also one tavern. In the middle of the plaza there was a huge tree surrounding it were some benches, the group headed there. Eli, Rika, and Leo sat down in one of the benches. "So about my question Rika." Leo started speaking while looking directly at Rika's eyes.

†

"Yes what is it?"

'Oh no here it comes. What will I answer? Am I going to become a bride so soon? When will the wedding be?'

"I know its rude to ask but.."

'HERE IT COMES!'

"I heard that you were a dark elf mix. Can please explain what that is?"

'W-w-w-w-w-w-hattttttttttttt thats it! He just wanted to ask that huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu. Of course it's not a confession!!'

†

"Hello Rika are you still with us?" Rika looked at Leo blankly and shook her head.

"What? What is it?"

"I'm sorry Rika I shouldn't have asked such a question." Leo looked a bit apologetic as he stared at Rika who was in stunned silence.

"No! It's alright, really. I was just thinking about something for a moment. It's really no problem to answer that question." Eli looked at Rika worriedly.

"Rika please don't mind this idiot. If you really have a problem telling us, then that's alright. You don't need to force yourself to answer, for this idiot." Hearing what Eli said, Rika smiled wryly before answering.

"No! It really is alright. I'm a dark elf mix, before I explain what that is. I need to explain the different kinds of elves. Okay first there are the high elves the strongest spell casters of the elven race, they specialize in healing base spells. Though they are few in number, they are the oldest race of elves. Second are the wood elves. The people of this fortress aside from me are all wood elves. Wood elves are the greatest archers and are equal to high elves in spell casting but only their earth base spells. Third are the dark elves. Amongst the elves they are said to be the most powerful in terms of melee combat.

Their offensive spells could rival even some of the high elves. They are the only ones amongst the elves that love to battle. Fourth are the moon elves even amongst every elf little could be said of the moon elves for none of them leave their territory. There is also one more class of elf but they aren't actually considered elves anymore. Those are the elven Demi-Gods, they are fewer in numbers than the high elves. They say they are only three living elven Demi-Gods. Now a dark elf mix is what they call me, for I was born between a Wood elf and a dark elf. Among the elves only the high elves mate with the other clans. I'm the product of an unusual union."

"I see..."

"Hey please don't look at me like that. Really it's alright... So why don't we just continue the tour."

†

After the talk about Rika's origins the group headed toward the library. The library was made like a spiral to heaven. There were numerous books for a fortress to have. "Why are there so many books here? Isn't this a fortress?" Eli asked Rika a little puzzled.

"Well most of the elves, are people who like reading during their spare time."

"Hey Rika can you teach me how to read?" Leo suddenly requested out of nowhere.

†

"Hey Rika can you teach me how to read?" Leo who suddenly asked Rika, made her mind go into a panic once more.

'Oh no! h-he wants me to be his private tutor!'

"Sure Leo there's no problem just tell me when you want to start."

"Later tonight." 'ME AND LEO ALONE READING BOOKS. WHILE I'M TEACHING HIM DURING THE NIGHT. LEO YOU MUSN'T DO THAT!'

†

As Rika was having her delusions Eli questioned Leo. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Well if I'm to keep on living in this world, I might as well learn how to read and write. By the way Eli, I want you to teach me a certain spell."

"And what spell might that be?"

"The one you use to hide and summon your weapon." Eli looked at Leo a little surprised "Oh! That one... Sure why not."