21st Century Archmage

n the small city made through the joint partnership of the dwarves and elves, elves plucked their harps and the dwarves banged their hammers, enjoying their lives apart from the rest of society. You could say they had grown closer to humans thanks to me, but there was still some kind of barrier keeping them from getting any closer. When other humans looked at the dwarves and the elves, their gazes were probably different from mine. Capable of sensing the feelings behind those gazes thanks to their pure hearts, the dwarves and elves took comfort in each other and were enjoying their newfound freedom in their own way.

One such person was the elven woman Narmias, who was quietly calling my name.

“Narmias!” I called, my voice full of gladness.

“Tsk tsk. Just what do you see in that skinny-as-a-stick elf? They all look like orcs that have starved for a hundred days, the lot of them… A true woman should have curves in the right places and curves even where they shouldnt, like our clans women. Kyre, Ill see you later.”

Clicking his tongue as he muttered about his ridiculous beauty standards, Cassiars turned around and left.

“Take care of yourself, sir,” I called out loudly, showing my utmost respect.

Of course, while I was doing so, my eyes were busy looking at Narmias, whose sweet apple fragrance wafted around her as she walked to my side.

‘Wow, how can you be so beautiful?

Narmias godly figure was an utter delight for the eyes. Her full-body elven mithril airplate glinted with silver, showing off her slim body in all of its perfection. It was enough to kindle flames in a fiery mans heart.

“I wanted to see you.”

‘Uwah!

I remembered seeing someone call elves the epitome of demureness and innocence. As she spoke, Narmias wrapped her two long, soft arms around mine without a hint of embarrassment in front of the dwarves and elves.

‘Oh! Gods above. Id love it if you would not test me so…

Even as I prayed, I was captivated by Narmias blue, mountain lake eyes. From them, I could tell that she truly wanted to see me, without lie or pretense. Because she loved me, she was not at all ashamed of her feelings.

I stroked her long hair that was pleasant to the touch.

It was a truly happy moment. The warm sunlight going from spring to summer beamed down lightly upon us, as if it knew of a certain foolish humans wish that this joy would last forever…

* * *

“Y-Your Majesty! Something terrible is happening!”

The central continent was spring, but the Ice Empire, Haildrian, was only now beginning to escape the cold of winter. In the Haildrian Imperial Palace, where magic maintained the fragrance of eternal spring, the panicked voice of Duke Aquilion reached the Tsarina.