Aska's salute stunned every guard present. What shocked the elves even more was how he addressed him...
Your Highness?
Among male elves, the only ones who could be addressed as "Your Highness" were those legendary... Hero Kings!
He had actually shouted at an Elf King to whom even Her Majesty the Elf Queen had to show due deference? Figoer was instantly dumbfounded.
"Aska, we meet again." Span patted Aska on the shoulder. "Your strength is nearly at the Transcendent level now. You should be a Grand Commander by now, shouldn't you?"
"I will forever be the magic swordsman who follows behind Your Highness!" Aska had once been Span's sword guard. Span had guided him in swordsmanship, and they had fought side by side through the rebellion in Silvermoon Fairy Capital, facing death together. Now that he saw his former superior and teacher again, he was naturally overwhelmed with emotion.
Span glanced at the elf guards around them, whose faces showed reverence, then said to the half-elf, "Though I hold no particular prejudice against half-elves, you truly are not qualified to attend the New Moon Festival. Whatever twists and turns may lie behind this, the elf guards were merely fulfilling their duty by stopping you. However, I can give you a chance to explain yourself. Only one."
Though the half-elf was not intimately familiar with the Elf Race's history, he had heard legends of the Elf Kings and vaguely guessed the truth. He quickly bowed. "My lord, earlier, this Figoer made a wager with me. He said that if I beat him in an archery contest, he would let me enter Silvermoon Fairy Capital. But after losing to me, he not only failed to honor his promise, he even accused me of being a spy!"
"Nonsense! I—"
"You may explain yourself,