The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Meanor, Daughter of Ulve (Interlude)

***Somewhere in Cherwoods, ages long ago...***

When Meanor decided she had enough, she resolved that she would never return to her mother's home once she stepped out of its door. And that, she did. Carrying a bag that was almost half her size, she disappeared into the ancient forest tracks and dirt roads of Cherwoods.

'Don't come looking for me,' she wrote in her farewell letter, which she left at the dinner table. 'From now on, I quit this family.'

And so, with emotions running high, the young elf started her journey into the unknown.

"..."

However, while it was the land of the elves, the great ancient forests of Cherwoods still posed a danger to any young elf foolish enough to venture to its treacherous network of dirt roads, narrow tracks, and winding paths that sometimes led to nowhere. Squalls would add to the danger, as it would suddenly pour, followed by flash floods—usually coming down from the elevated areas. The muddy waters would inundate the lower regions, forcing the young Meanor to take detours to avoid it.

But in an effort to keep herself dry, the elf girl lost track of her destination. The thick forest canopy and the heavy clouds didn't help in her navigation, as it obscured any distinguishable signs she could use to reorient herself on the journey. And, to complicate matters more, the greatest threat of a forest—wild animals driven by the floods—would come looking for food for survival.

It was something Meanor expected. Stories from her late mercenary father taught her the value of journeying prepared. Hence, she brought her father's sword—an elvish blade of dwarven make—to protect herself from such situations. When a wild creature known as 'Blaerbok' (it looked like a bear with the head of a bird) cornered her as its potential food, she took the sword out, and pointed it towards the monster.

"Kuh...!"

Nevertheless, for such a young elf girl, Meanor's slender arms weren't suited for handling a sword just yet. Its weight could barely keep her from holding it, and she knew that if she swung the blade, she would fly to the ground with it.

But the Blaerbok, moving at the dictation of its stomach, charged. It attacked Meanor, beak first and ready to impale her to the tree behind her. The elf had to dodge sideways, though she was nearly caught. Blaerboks may have big, burly bodies, but it moved so fast that Meanor could barely keep up. Not to mention, its bear was as hard as steel, early elves used it for their primitive weapons.

"!!!"

When the creature saw its attack had failed, it tried to peck the elf girl, lying helplessly on the ground. Meanor, still reeling from her evasion attempt earlier, had to roll away to avoid the incoming barrage of Blaerbok beak. For such a small body, it was a tiring effort—yet her adrenaline, and steadfast will not to die kept her going. However, she had to let go of her father's sword, for it hindered her movement.

"Mama!!!" the young elf cried, and screamed as regrets raced in her head. She shouldn't have left home! She should've just stayed there even if she is angry at her mother!

Mama, I'm sorry!

"That's nice! You shouldn't fight your mama."

"!!!"

At once, a blast of water hit the Blaerbok to its head, decapitating the creature even before it knew it was hit. With a dull thud, the monster fell lifeless to the ground, splashing its golden-yellow blood to a shocked Meanor.

"This is a good sword," a beautiful elf-lady with long blue hair, blue pair of eyes, and flowing robes stood before her, and picked her father's sword. "Hello, Meanor, daughter of Ulve! I see you wanted to go on an adventure on your own, yet your mother did not allow you. Is it why you left home?"