The Alf's Royal Forest.

*Rattle* *Rattle*

I put a hand on my chin as I drew out the currents on the glass of the luxurious carriage currently heading to the royal palace in the Elven forest. A part of me thought Riveria had only been joking and 'testing' me whether I'm serious about her or not. It was a common thing, after all. I should have known she wouldn't do that, she didn't exactly have a joking personality…

" I apologise, Ken. I shouldn't have let you get involved in politics... I hadn't expected my family to make such a quick move."

So that's what it was, politics… My face scrunched up at the mention of that word. I was not a big fan of it.

Riveria noted my reaction, " Is there a problem?"

I sighed, "Not really... It's just a big step, you know."

"I am aware, but you are consorting the only princess of the Alf royal family. You will be the in-law of the Alf royal family when we get engaged."

"Hold up!" I said, holding my hands up in the air.

She can't be serious. I could stomach a meeting with the parents, but the straight-up engagement was simply too much. Is this some fantasy nobility novel or something?

"Fufufu."

Riveria's shoulders slightly shook as she snickered behind the hand on her mouth. It was the classic noble laugh.

"Hahaha, nice joke."

I mentally swiped the metaphorical sweat on my forehead. It was definitely not a nice joke, just like her other ones, of course, I wouldn't tell her that she sucked at jokes so hard.

"So what's going to happen?" I asked her when she calmed down.

She hummed.

"You know, once we get there. There isn't going to be some archery and magic competitions, right? To ascertain whether I was good enough for the royal family or something?"

Danmachi's elves ought to be at least a bit more original than that, right? Well, not really, it seems.

"How do you know that? Do you have Elven ancestry? But why would you never tell me that…"

I facepalmed, "Why didn't you inform me before."

She grinned provocatively, " Doesn't Mr.MagicMan know some tricks. Simple archery shouldn't be a problem."

"Right. I do, it shouldn't be that hard."

Of course, I noted her sarcasm. I just chose not to feed it into her. I smiled, looking at her grumbling expression. It felt good to exchange banters. I bet it was a breath of fresh air for her, I don't think Riveria liked being surrounded by ass-lickers... That was all those Elves in the Loki Familia looked to me.

Frankly, I couldn't say that I was madly in love with her, but I am surely fond of her. I wouldn't be here, otherwise. A good face and reputation can only carry you so far. Besides, that was why this date was going to happen in the first place… I grimaced, except it got turned into a meeting with the in-laws. Good thing is that I'll be even more assured if it is going to work out at the end of the day with the parents around.

"Your highness, we've arrived." the coachman said.

I stepped out of the carriage steps and into the thick forest where we stopped at.

[Ascal Torlee- Lv1]

It seems the coachman isn't really a big fan of mine, as he sent me a rather mean look. He was actually quite the handsome fellow, with the usual blond elven hair, sharp features, and blue eyes. His apparel could have been better, though. It was the classic leather armour I see elves wearing. Don't they ever get tired of that?

'How dare you even breathe the same air as the princess lady Riveria, you mongrel!' I could almost hear him shout that off the top of his lungs. I guess he is 'composing' himself in front of Riveria's presence.

I shook my head. He isn't doing a good job at it. It didn't matter, though, he didn't even have a Falna to boost him. I heard some Elves have unique from, and I double this little shrimp has one.

I grabbed Riveria's hand as she got down from the carriage. She seemed to give the man, Ascal, a single glance, and he couldn't even meet her eyes after. That simple glance carried a thousand words behind them.

'Wow. That was something.' I muttered impressed.

It was interesting to see Riveria in her actual 'royal' mode, she looked quite commanding with the green robe and the staff. Yes, she went like that. I sometimes forget how old she is… Riveria certainly doesn't look like she's 96 years old.

I sweatdropped as Riveria somehow turned her head towards my way the moment I mentioned her age. 'Is this the so-called woman's intuition?' I muttered.

"You should stand there." Riveria gestured to an open spot and I did. She started chanting, looking at the empty air.

No way…

Is this the usual hidden Elven territory thing… It wasn't that hard to remember the chant she used with me fully focusing on her. I don't know if I should tell her that or not, but I will refrain from doing that for now. We wouldn't want some troubles with the in-laws so soon, what if it were some special Elven thing or something?

The area was unveiled, and I widened my eyes at the view… The forest beyond the place where Riveria stood was interesting, to say the least. All the houses were perfectly moulded into the trees or otherwise caves, the green vines served as decoration. I could see the only solid-looking structure on the horizon— it was no simple structure— it was a big castle.

"That's the Alfa royal castle," Riveria said, catching on my gaze.

It was huge, its span was completely ridiculous. I hummed. I guess my house was still bigger at the end of the day, although magically enhanced.

Riveria seemed to misinterpret my brisk stop, "Are you getting cold feet, now?"

I rolled my eyes, "Hardly, it's just a little royal family castle at the end of the day."

"Careful there, I am part of that little royal family castle too,"

'Touche.'

"Although, yes. I do wish more Elves walked out and socialised more. It's a waste." she regretfully said.

It was. If Elves were a bit like beast-kin or dwarfs in terms of socialisation, then they could have got a pretty good spot in Orario. Just the Elite Mage squad Loki has built up spoke volumes of their potential strength.

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Skills: GamersMind(Off) - GamersBody - Instinct - Mind'sEye(True) - Mage - Mystery- DivineSmith- MasterSworsman- Rejuvenation - Shapeshifting - Mixing- DivineTouch- Luck- EndlessLibido- Battlecontinuation- Mana Burst.

Magic:- MasterElementalist - Temporal Spacial Archmage- Dark/Light Archmage.