Chapter 14

Son-con – Vol . 3 Ch . 14


 

“Come, son . The key to swordsmanship is not in the sword itself but in your footwork and wrist, but of course adept swordsmanship is also necessary . However, the physiques of us elves are not suited . The swordsmanship that elves use leans towards smaller steps, flicking the wrist and stabbing techniques, just like this… . ”

Mom flicked her wrist, stepped forward and then switched to a lunge, lifted her sword up horizontally to her eye level, and then quickly and fiercely stabbed at the wooden dummy before her like a snake attacking its prey . Her sword moved through the air as a blur . The next thing I knew, mom had returned to her original pose, but the wooden dummy had a hole in it .

“This is the most basic sword technique elves learn . It’s called ‘Python Bite’, and just like its name, you need to thrust as fast as a snake attacking its prey . Your movement needs to be smooth and simple . What you need is explosive power from your waist, wrist and calves… . Needless to say, you won’t have time to prepare on the battlefield . But once you master this move, you’ll be able to easily utilise your explosive strength . That’s why all those who learn swordsmanship are required to learn this technique first . ”

I nodded to show I understood, then looked at mom and said: “Mom, please teach me swordsmanship!”

“No . Stay away from this sort of stuff, son . ”

Mom turned me down with a smile and then sheathed the sword . She placed it on a shelf by the side, then tapped on my lip with her finger and said: “Once you pick up a sword, you’ll never be able to put it down . Once you’ve killed, you will no longer feel guilty about killing, and thereby won’t be afraid of the meaning of life . You saw that woman, didn’t you? She used to be a naive and bright girl, but can you associate the way she is now with the words kind and humane? I refuse to let you become like her whenever I see her . ”

Mom looked at me and then touched my face . She affectionately crouched down and looked into my eyes . Her blue eyes showed gentleness and love . She softly said: “Son, mommy is very happy to see that your eyes show kindness right now . Mommy doesn’t ask that you achieve any major accomplishments . Mommy just hopes that you can maintain your kindness like this . You’ve gone through too much war and bloodshed since you were born . Mommy will be satisfied as long as you can remain kind and protect this gift the gods gave you . ”

I lowered my head . Mom must’ve been referring to the war over their son ten years ago . Mom and the empress are different . Mom doesn’t wish for me to become a competent king . Instead, she wants for me to continue living happily . I guess this must be the difference between lifespans for humans and elves . Mom can live for a very long time, but the empress can’t wait . This must also be why I wasn’t too satisfied when I was with humanity . A human’s life is too short, yet they desire far too much . As a result, they resort to scheming and fighting .

I believe that mom has experienced everything the empress experienced . However, if she did experience everything the empress did, could she maintain her current self?

I looked at mom and gently asked: “Mom, have you killed somebody before?”

“I have . ”

Mom stroked my head with a smile and said: “Mommy killed many people on the battlefield . But that was for protecting my family behind me, and my beloved son . Therefore, mommy doesn’t feel guilty about it . However, mommy won’t become someone who revels in the feeling of killing . Sometimes killing is unavoidable, but you must remember, don’t kill out of vengeance or desire . If you must kill, kill for your country and others . When you pick up a sword, you should always feel sad and helpless, resolute yet unwilling . And never kill out of anger or for joy . ”

Mom gave me a kiss on my forehead and said with a smile: “But you don’t need to worry about this sort of stuff, son, because as long as mommy is here, mommy will make sure you don’t have to take up a sword . ”

“Uhm… . ”

I smiled bitterly . It’d be pointless of me to hold a sword since I don’t know swordsmanship anyway… .

Lucia stepped out from inside a small room to the side, looked at us motionless, then threw the towel in her hand down, bowed and said: “Ah, your highnesses . ”

Water was dripping from her hair . It looks like she just finished washing up after training . Lucia wore her tight suit she wears while on duty, walked up to us and then asked: “Swordsmanship?”

“No, mom was just showing me some basics… . ”

I forced a smile and then said: “I do want to learn swordsmanship, but mom won’t teach me . ”

“That’s perfectly normal . It’s too late for you to start learning swordsmanship now . You can do it for exercise, but if it’s for the deer hunting festival, then it won’t be of any use . Swordsmanship needs to be learnt from a young age and practiced for a long time before you can be accomplished with the sword . Unless you’re a genius, you’ll only be able to learn how to hold a sword without hurting yourself in the few days we have left . ”

Lucia drew a long sword, took in a deep breath, and after a flash of light, I looked at the wooden dummy before me split in two completely astonished . Lucia sheathed the sword and said: “There are only two days left until the deer hunting ceremony . You should just rest well, your highness . ”

“Lucia, don’t you use…a dagger?”

“I started by learning swordsmanship since swordsmanship and archery are basics that elves need to begin their training from . ” Lucia looked at me and then continued: “Alright, now I want to know where you went at noon, your highness . I can smell a new perfume scent on you . ”

I noticed Lucia’s hand pressed on the sword handle… . Mom too looked at me with curiosity . How the heck is your sense of smell so keen? Do you always have your wind elves blow my scent over towards your direction or something? You’re making yourself a borderline yandere by acting like this, you know?!

“I went to have some tea with Miss Mera… . ”

“Miss Mera?”

Lucia gave me a loathing frown and said: “I admit that Miss Mera has helped you with many things and is our good friend, but I suspect that you and her are walking on a very thin line if you’re going to have tea with her when you have no business . Put another way, if this continues, you two will soon develop a relationship that’s beyond normal . ”

“No, no!! We really are just friends! Friends!”

I swear to god that nothing happened between Miss Mera and I . I even came back early today . We didn’t do anything . We honestly just had some tea and then had a conversation between two people who had no confidant .

“Then why do you have the scent of her perfume on you?”

Lucia narrowed her eyes and coldly said: “Your highness, I don’t accept you having a lover in any form . Please break off any relations you have with them before marrying me . ”

“Where did ‘them’ come from?!”

I chuckled and said: “There’s honestly nothing between us . I just went for some tea . I don’t have any lovers . Do you not know me well enough, Lucia? Forget lovers, maids aren’t even permitted to speak to me… . ”

“As a husband, the most important thing is to be loyal . ” Mom stood behind me as she smiled and continued: “Son, I hope that you’re not the type of husband who’d betray his wife . ”

“Of course not!”

Lucia’s jealousy is a bit excessive, don’t we agree?! Come on, isn’t it normal for a king to have numerous lovers…? I think I’ll face an ending worse than death if Lucia catches me cheating… .

Alright, goodbye my isekai harem life . With a sword-wielding elf by my side, I can kiss my harem goodbye… .

But I don’t want any other girl if I have Lucia . I’ll be satisfied if I can live a peaceful life .