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

Stalemate (Part 2)

***The upper deck of the steam ship, St. Theodosia III...***

The halt of the operation at the tree palace didn't go unnoticed from the ships of the invasion fleet, docked a few miles off the coast of Cherwoods. One of those people who learned of it early on was Meanor, who was anxiously waiting for news from the elf army of the Lord Kuro from her spot. As a former mercenary herself, she knew that was not 'part of the show', meaning, it was not in their plans when the otherworlder drafted it. She wanted to tell Her Holiness the Lady Hinwe what happened, but decided to put it off for the meantime and wait for any updates to come from the army at the frontlines.

"Don't worry, Mea, I'm already aware."

The elf maid immediately went to assist her mistress as the Lady Hinwe emerged from the lower decks. The sea was rough at that moment. "Your Holiness!"

"Yeah, it's impossible not to know about their stop; I can hear the cannon explosions from below the decks yesterday. Now, everything's silent."

"Right..."

"And I also heard the voices of my figmas crying for help as they fell off my shelves..."

Meanor threw a sharp glare at the saint, "You're joking, right, milady?"

"Ahaha...yes, I'm just joking," the Lady Hinwe reiterated. "I'm just trying to lighten the moods of everyone here...I mean, elves are dying in my name. Kuro's putting his life on the line to install me back to my throne. And the other saints are counting on me to protect him, when it's actually the other way around. Mea, if I can just swap my life for a simpler one, I'd do it without hesitation."

"It's not like I don't understand you," the maid told her. "Back when I was thrusted into my first battle as a mercenary, I really wanted out. The fears of not going back alive, and the thought of killing someone were enough to make my stomach churn. But, what can I do? I'm already there, and I have to accept what my fate will give me."

"You're a brave soul, Mea...I can only wish I have even a little of your courage."

"Eh, don't say that, Your Holiness! You're the one who inspired me to become what I am now!"

"Lip service."

"No! I mean it!" Meanor countered. "Look, if I was in your position, once those elves insulted me, I may have called a huge wave and obliterated them for their lack of faith and blasphemy! But you, even if you're hurt, you carried their insults and hate like a true saint."

"I am a saint," the Lady Hinwe winked.

"Of course."

"Well, another thing that made me go up here is that," the saint took a deep breath before revealing, "Meanor, you've noticed that Kuro's taking his time capturing the tree palace, right?"

"Yes, Your Holiness," the maid took a quick peek at the shores on her spyglass. "I guess they're having difficulties in the assault. The soldiers on the beaches and the port city have barely moved."

"You know I'm the saint of this realm."

"Err...Your Holiness, if you're planning to go ashore to help the Lord Kuro, I suggest that you desist."

"I fear for the Lord Kuro's life more than I fear my own dangers."

Meanor stared at the Lady Hinwe, then asked, "Is this because of your feelings for him, or the threat of the Human, Beastman and Demon saints to butcher you once he's harmed?"

"Both," was the Elf Saint's curt reply. "They're just smiling, but I can feel the 'guilt-tripping'. Also, add the Lady Seirna to the equation."

"Well," the maid chuckled as she strapped her sword on her waist. "No backing out now, Your Holiness. As your servant, I'll always go with you. And as someone caught in those three saints' hands, I'll have to safeguard the Lord Kuro's life as well."