Stale silence before death would have been preferable.
However, all that rang in Freya's ears as she lost consciousness were the arrogant squeals of the Demon Beasts.
They raised their fists and readied their kicks, ready to assail her already beat-up body until it was nothing but useless lumps of meat.
It wasn't exactly a dignified exit, but, at this point, nothing more could be done.
>WHUUUUMMMM<
Their blows descended.
Freya's blurry vision went dark.
And then—
>BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!<
—An explosive blast of destruction was heard, no, felt through her entire body.
'W—wha...?'
Suddenly, Freya felt relieved. Her body was light, and the pain that assailed her subsided.
Was she finally dead?
Was this how death felt like? Had she finally escaped the horrors that awaited her?
As she felt the warmth around her, as well as the peaceful silence enveloping her, Freya smiled to herself.
"This... isn't so bad..."
"—The hell is this pervert talking about?" A voice rang through her pointed ears.
It was... not her voice!
"Shh! Don't say something like that!" Another voice spoke up.
"Shouldn't we cover her up too?"
"Ah, that's right."
"Here, you do it. The rest of us should look away."
Freya couldn't understand what was happening.
Who were the ones speaking?
The answer to her question would be answered once she opened her eyes... and so she did.
"A—ah...?"
Rather than the darkness she had been surrounded with before death, when she opened her eyes, Freya felt the brightness of the sun tingle her eyes.
She was forced to squint them, slowly getting accustomed to the newfound illumination that now seemed strange.
"Looks like she's awake."
"She didn't hear me, did she?"
She probably did..."
"Just shut up, Ivan."
Freya's eyes widened upon realizing... she hadn't been dreaming.
Actual people were talking around her.
"W—what is—?!"
She sprang up, seating upright as she looked around her.
Her eyes bulged upon seeing six people around her.
Their appearance was similar to hers, except... they didn't have long ears.
They weren't very attractive as well, except for two. And they were both women.
The scenery looked similar to the one she left when she was still alive. However, unlike the Miasma-infested area, Freya found her surrounding to be quite refreshing—filled with Mana.
Just taking in a few breaths made her feel so much better.
It wasn't according to her expectations, neither was it accurate with what the Elders had told her, but... could this perhaps be...!
"... Am I in Heaven...?"
The people surrounding her were probably angels of some sort, right?
"The fuck...?" One rather unruly one with red hair muttered.
>WHAP!<
A smack was sent to his back that very instant.
"Shut up, Ivan. She's just confused."
"Ow! You didn't have to hit me, though."
"What did you just say?"
"N-nothing ma'am..."
Freya watched the weird exchange between a silver-haired girl and the impudent red-haired man.
It was looking and sounding less and less like the Paradise she had often heard of in lore.
"Hey, girl. I wouldn't move so much if I were you." One of the six people spoke up, pointing in her direction.
It was at that moment that Freya took a good look at herself.
Her naked body was currently covered with a large sheet of fabric.
However, thanks to her squirming a lot, the cloth was falling off.
"Kyaaa!" Freya squealed in embarrassment, sharply raising the sheet to cover herself.
Her ears and cheeks were beet red, and her eyes wavered in embarrassment.
As an Elf, she had been taught to protect her chastity above all else.
To think even after death, such teachings would remain ingrained in her thoughts and actions.
"Why is she acting so surprised? It's not like we haven't seen it be—"
Another smack descended on the red-haired youth.
Freya's face was flushed with even more embarrassment.
Of the six people present, four were men. And the fact that they saw her naked meant...
The Elf wanted to die of embarrassment.
"Oh, wait... I'm already dead..." She cried even more.
To her surprise, though, the people surrounding her gave her looks as though she was crazy.
"Just so you know, Elf girl... you're not dead." The red-haired woman among those that surrounded her spoke.
"E-eh...?"
"You're very much alive. This is your hometown. We simply saved you from dying and took care of the Demon Beasts. So... you're welcome."
Freya couldn't believe her ears.
She wasn't dead? And the Demon Beasts were obliterated?
But, how was that possible?
"D-does that mean... you're backup...?" Freya murmured.
"Well, that's one way of putting it..." The Red-haired woman spoke with a shrug.
The Elf was even more confused.
Rationally speaking, backup shouldn't have arrived anytime soon.
Even if they did, would they have been able to wrap up the incident so swiftly?
Besides, the people around her didn't look like Elves.
In fact, based on their appearance and behavior, she could only fit them into one description.
—Humans!
But, even then... why would such a Race be here?
Many thoughts swirled in her mind, but, Freya knew that it wasn't time to be so confused and flustered—especially now that she knew she wasn't dead.
"U-um, please who are—"
"We're Envoys from the Eastern Kingdom, Princess." A voice came from behind her.
Freya's eyes bulged as she sharply turned to the person who approached her.
"Greetings, Elf Princess." A blond-haired boy bowed slightly and gave her a slight smile.
On his hands were her Silver Armor and Spirit Sword.
They were nearly held and handled with care, showing that he understood their relevance. Adding to the fact that he greeted her with etiquette, Freya instantly understood that he was a different breed from the others she had been conversing with.
"E-Envoys of the Eastern Kingdom, you say...?" She murmured.
As she thought, they were humans.
"I am certain that you have many questions, but now is not the appropriate time." He spoke calmly, not forgetting to address her with absolute courtesy.
Freya could hear voices behind her saying stuff like "She was a princess? I didn't know!" and also "Damn, you ruined everything, Ivan!", but she completely ignored them.
The boy standing before her was more important.
"Y-yeah... you're right." The Elf Princess said with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Envoys from the East."
Even if she was still inappropriately attired, Freya felt the need to return his courtesy.
"My name is Freya Vindiel, First Princess of the Elf Kingdom."
The blonde nodded and smiled, once again bowing to her.
His performance was exquisite.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Jared Leonard. May the spirits bless our meeting."
