How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 1: Chapter SS3

Aisha: Day of Departure

It happened in the vast wooded region in the south of the Elfrieden Kingdom, also known as the God-Protected Forest.

This forest, said to be protected by a god-beast, was also the domain of the dark elves.

With great martial prowess, they took pride in their role as woodland protectors and thought of themselves as a people who lived and died with the forest. They did not socialize with other races, and, while they were a part of the kingdom, that was only because they had determined that, should the kingdom fall, the God-Protected Forest would be in danger.

However, recently, the situation in the forest had changed. Ordinarily, entry into the God-Protected Forest was forbidden to all but those of the dark elf race, but now the members of other races in the kingdom had begun to trespass. The cause of this was the food crisis that had arisen after the appearance of the Demon Lords Domain. Other races in the vicinity, struggling to find anything to eat, had begun to enter the forest in search of its natural bounty.

However, the forests bounty was not without limit. The dark elves could understand that the food crisis was making life difficult for these people, but they needed the forests bounty to sustain themselves. As a result, there were clashes on the outskirts of the forest between dark elves guarding against intrusion and members of other races intent on entering the forest.

If things were left to follow their own course, there was the risk that this could develop into a larger armed conflict. Something had to be done.

Having resolved to do just that, one young woman was about to depart from the forest.

Goodbye, Father. I will return soon, said a girl with light brown skin who looked to be 18 or 19, slinging a great sword over her back.

This was Aisha Udgard, the only daughter of Wodan Udgard, chief of the dark elf village.

I swear that I will emerge victorious in the martial arts tournament and stand before the king, Aisha added, thumping her chest once with pride.

Recently, it seemed the throne had passed from one king to the next. What was more, they had heard that the new king was now casting a wide net in search of talented people. As part of that process, he would be holding the Best in the Kingdom Martial Arts Tournament, where fighters would compete to demonstrate their gift of martial ability. If she won this tournament, she would be able to attend an award ceremony held by the king himself. In other words, she could meet the king in person. If she had that chance, she could make an appeal to him about the plight of the forest.

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The clashes are already beginning to escalate beyond what we can handle ourselves. I must have the new king take steps to prevent intrusions!

That was Aishas plan.

...Must you go? As he watched her leave, Wodan seemed concerned. A direct appeal to the king will be seen as an affront. This young man, Souma, hes just recently taken the throne. Theres no telling what decision he will hand down. Theres no need for one so young as you to go, is there?

Seeing her fathers concern, Aisha silently shook her head. Father, you know how capable I am in battle. I am the strongest in our village. It should be possible for me to win the tournament and meet with the king. There, I will appeal to him directly about the plight of our forest.

Hmph! A human king will never listen to our requests, a contemptuous voice said. This was Wodans younger brother (Aishas uncle), Robthor, who had also come to see her off. Robthor had always been a conservative, but lately, every time there had been a clash, he had taken the warriors with him and headed to the site. This had led him to develop a mistrust of other races.

Uncle, first we must meet with him and talk, Aisha said. Fortunately, I have heard the new king is a wise one.

You are too optimistic, her uncle retorted. You may find that he is cunning instead.

All the same, I must first see for myself what kind of man he is.

Hmph! Do as you will.

With those words, Robthor walked off in a huff. With a bitter smile at his younger brothers behavior, Wodan placed a hand on Aishas shoulder.

Regardless, I just ask you come home to me safely. No matter what the result, I will not fault you for it. So long as you return safely, that is all I ask.

Yes! Absolutely! Aisha nodded firmly, and Wodan nodded back.

That said, he continued, taking on a look of concern, youve never left the forest before, have you? Thats what worries me.

What is there to fear? Even among the men of this village, none can match my strength.

Not all of the dangers in the outside world come from those hostile to you. Wodan tried to put it in terms Aisha would understand. Aisha, you are an excellent warrior. However, you are something of a glutton.

A-Am I, really...?

If someone in the outside were to treat you to delicious food, might you not carelessly follow them wherever they took you?

I-I will not forget my task! Aisha protested, but Wodan didnt seem too inclined to believe her.

Then what of when your task is complete? What if the one offering you food is a man? If a man tames you with food, will you so wish to be with him that you no longer desire to return to the forest?

Now his complaints had just turned into those of a father worried that his daughter might hang around with bad men, so Aisha responded indignantly, I will never take a man weaker than myself as my husband! And I will not be tamed with food!

Really, now...

Its true! I swear, I will not give in to the temptation of food!

O-Okay...

Somehow... this seems like a lost cause, Wodan seemed to be thinking.

Have a little more faith in me! Aisha said indignantly. ...Now, I must be going!

And so, Aisha departed from the God-Protected Forest.

Later, Wodan received a messenger kui (something like a messenger pigeon) from Aisha. In the letter, it said that she had won the tournament, and had been able to make her appeal to the king as planned. It said that the king had given a favorable response, and that she had not been faulted for appealing to him directly. Furthermore, it said that he had offered valuable insight into how to manage the forest.

...It said all of these things, but they only accounted for about two-tenths of what she had written. Of the remaining eight-tenths, two-tenths extolled how marvelous the new king was, five-tenths related how delicious all of the foods she had eaten while staying with His Majesty, and her report on recent happenings made up less than one-tenth of the letter.

While Wodan was relieved his daughter had completed her task successfully, he knew that what he feared had come to pass, and let out a deep sigh as her father.

Sigh... well, she seems cheerful, I suppose that is good enough, Wodan muttered, looking towards the capital.

Around that time, Aishas voice rang out cheerfully from the Parnam Castle cafeteria: Your Majesty, seconds please!