The Not-Quite-Right Miss Elf

Chaos Era, Year 1813.

Kro Village.

A girl draped in a wide black robe walked along the bustling streets, a strand of silver hair peeking unintentionally from the edge of her hood.

If anyone knew her identity, they would surely be shocked.

Aina Kislilian, the newly ascended Demon King of the Blood Clan.

A prodigy with talent surpassing even the Blood Clan’s progenitor, she had reached the pinnacle of this world’s power in just over a century.

From birth until now, Aina had spent her life immersed in cultivation. Her father, a Blood Duke, had poured nearly the entire Blood Clan’s resources into her, forging her into the formidable existence she was today.

This was her first time stepping into the outside world.

"Humans… like ants," Aina thought coldly as she observed the passersby, an inexplicable irritation rising in her chest.

But she couldn’t act recklessly. Causing too much commotion might provoke an all-out war between humans and the Demon Race.

Aina knew that among humans, there existed those blessed by the goddess, granting them formidable abilities—powers capable of rivaling long-lived species like her own.

And among those blessed, the ones who received the most divine favor were known as… the Heroes.

Heroes… would inevitably come to slay the Demon King. That was an unshakable truth.

So then… wouldn’t it be best to eliminate the Hero before they could grow stronger?

Aina was certain her plan was flawless.

She had already gathered intelligence—this very village housed a Hero, one who was even assembling a party…

The Demon Race had previously dispatched assassins to eliminate the Hero, but none had ever returned.

Thus, Aina decided to take matters into her own hands.

Yet, when she finally laid eyes on the man in question, she realized she might have miscalculated.

Unfathomable!

Her ocular arts couldn’t penetrate his strength!

How was this possible? Did he truly possess such overwhelming power…?

She couldn’t act rashly. She had to tread carefully, probe his true capabilities, and strike only when she was certain of victory.

"Um… Miss Aina?" Xia Lun smiled awkwardly at the girl who had been staring intently at him. "Did you need something?"

"Hey, Xia Lun, what’s with her? Why’s she staring at you like that? A friend of yours?" A golden-haired elf named Liyana slung an arm over Xia Lun’s shoulder with a carefree grin. "That look in her eyes… Did you do something to upset her?"

"Of course not! This is my first time meeting Miss Aina… Ah, Miss Aina, please don’t misunderstand. Liyana’s just like this—she doesn’t mean any harm."

Xia Lun suddenly remembered something. "Ah! I posted a notice earlier looking for party members. Miss Aina must have come after seeing it!"

A party member?

If she could infiltrate the Hero’s group, it might work to her advantage—perhaps she could dismantle them from within.

"Yes," Aina replied, her gaze still locked onto Xia Lun, unwilling to relent. Yet, her ocular arts still revealed nothing.

"Oh? A new recruit?" Liyana finally seemed intrigued. "Your name’s Aina, right? Judging by your attire… a mage?"

"Correct."

"What rank?"

Aina thought for a moment. "High-tier."

Among humans, strength was broadly categorized into low-tier, mid-tier, and high-tier. Beyond that, power was no longer measured by simple ranks but by bestowed titles.

Meanwhile, the Demon Race—including the Blood Clan—followed a different hierarchy.

The Blood Clan’s ranks were structured by noble titles, from Vampire Viscounts to Blood Dukes, and even the Progenitor… But Aina’s talent had already surpassed even the Progenitor.

"Oh? High-tier, huh?" Liyana studied Aina with narrowed eyes. "Quite the mysterious lady."

Xia Lun didn’t seem bothered. Hiding one’s strength was common practice when traveling.

"So, Xia Lun, should we let her join?" Liyana leaned against him, grinning. "If you say no… I might just quit and form a party with this adorable lady instead."

"Ah… Liyana, don’t be like that. Right now, it’s just the two of us…" Xia Lun looked troubled.

"No worries. In that case, I’ll let Miss Aina be the leader, and then we’ll decide whether to invite you—"

Aina’s hooded gaze flickered toward Liyana.

The elf’s attire wasn’t revealing—light armor covered most of her body—but the undeniable curves of her figure still made her outfit strikingly alluring.

What was their relationship? Lovers?

Hmph. The Hero… What a frivolous man.

"Anyway, Miss Aina," Xia Lun cleared his throat, "though our party isn’t fully formed yet, both of us are capable fighters. Liyana is an exceptional archer among the elves… Would you like to join us?"

"Very well." Aina nodded.

"She actually agreed?" Liyana blinked in surprise. "Xia Lun, aren’t you going to ask about this icy lady’s background?"

"It’s fine, Liyana." Xia Lun smiled. "We’ll get to know each other better in time."

"Who wants to ‘get to know’ you? If anything, I’d rather get to know Miss Aina… Heh, I bet she’s absolutely adorable under that cloak." Liyana propped her chin on her hand, grinning at Aina.

Aina found herself perplexed. Were girls in the outside world always this… familiar?

"Miss Aina, I hope you’ll be cautious around Liyana in daily life," Xia Lun advised with a cough.

"Oh?" Aina shot him a disdainful look and retorted bluntly, "Shouldn’t I be more wary of you, Mr. Xia Lun? You are, after all, the only male in the party."

"Well said, Aina!" Liyana whistled, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Rest assured, Miss Aina, I would never act inappropriately toward you," Xia Lun stated earnestly.

For some reason, his words only stoked an inexplicable irritation in Aina. Was he implying she lacked charm?

"After all, we’ve only just met. We’re still strangers." Xia Lun continued, "But if, in the future, I develop feelings for you and wish to pursue a relationship, I’ll say so openly."

"Honest guys like him are so boring, right?" Liyana sighed, spreading her hands toward Aina. "Don’t get the wrong idea, though—he and I are just good buddies."

Aina silently observed Xia Lun, her anger gradually subsiding.

He wasn’t quite like the humans she had imagined…

"Since we’ll be teammates from now on, I think it’s only fair to be upfront about things—especially for Aina Kislilian’s sake… You don’t mind, do you, Liyana?"

"Not at all," Liyana shrugged.

Xia Lun tapped the table lightly, drawing Aina’s attention back.

"Miss Aina, the truth is… Liyana here is a lesbian."

Aina: …

Huh?