Academy's Honored Guest (3)
“Do you know me or something?”
Was my name really that famous? Enough to choke on my drink mid-sip?
Nah, maybe I've just got a bad rep among goblins and orcs.
“...I can guess why you're surprised. There was some bad stuff around me, but I didn't choose any of it.”
“Kiii! Kyaa! No, no. I was trying to freak you out. Kiiik... but I ended up the freaked one. Kiirai...”
He seemed genuinely flustered, trailing off mid-goblin phrase. But I had no clue what the big shock was supposed to be.
“Kiikii. Who knew you were that Kirgil. Word was you'd draw steel the second we met. Kiiii, not share a drink like this?”
“If we'd met elsewhere, maybe. Common sense says you deal with goblins on sight in human lands. You'd do the same to us.”
“Kyahaha, right? That's why I sat next to ya. Kihihi, figured you'd put on a show.”
“What, no arena here. If drawing swords is your hello, fine by me.”
“Kyahahahaha!! Actually greeted three humans that way yesterday!! Kihihi!”
“You didn't kill folks in a bar, did you?”
“Kiii, even this rough city's taverns don't go that far. Kiii, act too cocky and you'd end up a frozen shish kebab alive.”
Big cities had their guards and crackdown squads, it seemed. Crowded spots always drew forces trying to keep order, good or bad.
A few rounds with Tibumira, and interesting tales poured out. His goblin-side take on humans was fresh.
Humans came cave-hunting or camping, only for big bandits to crash the party.
Most humans here got culture shock seeing a goblin plop down beside them. Orcs too.
That's why they'd stared when I offered a drink and chatted. Everyone expected a brawl—free 3D action flick with booze. Betting on it, even.
Chatting away, his signature kiii~ breath grew familiar fast. That goblin wheeze on exhale, like our human sniffle.
Soon, booze loosened us up; we swapped snacks and dishes, critiquing flavors.
Sharing multiple menus beats waste and adds variety. This goblin dug sweet-salty combos.
“But... am I that infamous?”
“Kii, after what you pulled? Deserved. Kruh, at least as big as Katona's rep you absorbed.”
Tibumira named Katona and downed a shot.
I matched him. Booze lubed my tongue; words flowed easy.
“Might get me hate, but I'm the aggrieved one. Katona invaded me.
“Nearly died by that bastard. Almost lost precious people... nah, lost a few.
“Katona? Just a thug. All that honor talk? Nah, picks fights to win and brag!
“Had to kill him, no choice!”
“Kyahaha!! Kiiiiiaaa!! Short time, but I saw him true!!
“Blessing or curse, remembering the dead straight—that's tribute. Kiii!
“Boss! Strong one! Kyaaa! On me tonight!!”
My rant lit him up. Shared the joy with a lavish round.
Small body, big heart—this goblin.
Tibumira flicked a gold coin.
Orcish-looking boss caught it, rang a small bell.
“Ahem! Tibumira's treat!!”
He raised his glass; cheers erupted with his name.
House custom, huh.
Soon, a massive keg hit the center.
Staff popped the lid; folks dipped in freely.
Sharing booze—and spit—in thick camaraderie.
“Kiaa, hated his bragging too. Never thought a human would get it. Kyahaha! Still, a shame he died. Kihihi.”
“Knew him well, then.”
“Kii, yeah. He'd hit this city, drink hard, leave. Kruuuh, know why?”
“Good booze? Buddies?”
“Kyaa! Nah.
“Kiiii, he'd come here, then human armies prowled nearby like clockwork.
“Kruuuh, came to scrap locals and brag. Kiiik.”
Like biker gangs rallying secret; cops stake out on tip-off.
“...Total thug.”
“Kyaaaaa! Blocked my trade routes plenty; pissed me off more than once. Kyaaa!”
“Still snagged Darania's Knight Commander, right? Solid move.”
“...Kii?”
His brows twitched, eyeing me sharp.
“Kiii, testing me?”
“Nah, honest take. Darania knights? Rotten to the core. Me and my crew hate 'em.
“Saw the 2nd Commander recently. Would've beheaded his son in a heartbeat—no honor. Yeah, Inario. He killed his boy Inadia.”
“Kiii!? What?! Spill details!!”
“Inadia, that arrogant prick, roughed up my comrade. We beat and caged him. Sent to palace for proper justice.
“But Inario shows, executes on whim. Sudden bloodbath—heads rolling, walls and ceiling splattered. Spectacle.”
Recalling soured my mood; downed a shot. Tibumira bolted up.
“Kihahaha!! Why I can't quit street drinks!! Kyaaayaaa!! Boss, Inadia's dead!!”
Thrilled again, flicked gold.
Cheers backdrop; boss poured premium shots, slid one to Tibumira each.
Some grudge against Inadia—or Inario.
“Kiii!! So you got him killed!! Kiii!! Kirgil!! Got a girl to intro you to. Kihihi! Interested? C'mon, now!! Kii!”
“Uh... sorry. Open-minded, but goblin girls ain't my type yet.”
“Kihahahahaha!! Hilarious bastard!! Love it!!”
“Kiaaa, no worries—human-sized!! Kiii!! You'll think she's a catch. Kyahaha, gotta make you meet her. Kruuuu, perfect match! Kiii, my eye for it never fails!!”
She must rank high; switched to honorifics, “that lady.”
High-status woman talk jogged my memory of one waiting now.
“Totally spaced. Companion waiting at inn. Gotta go!”
“Kiii. Rare beauty, centuries unseen. I vouch! Kiii.”
“Thanks, but she's a girl too. Late means trouble. Might get grounded. Yelled at!!”
“Kruuuh, really? Shame.”
Ears drooped genuinely.
I was buzzed; floppy-eared goblin looked cute.
“Kruu, change mind, hit me up. Kiii, she's big-hearted—takes a whipped guy like you. Kiiii!!”
“Before leaving town, for sure. Just drop by anytime?”
“Kruu, yep. Tell my boys. Kiii, anytime. Kihihi, waiting.”
Final cheers; rising, free-booze crowd chanted our names, toasting.
Felt like a star weaving fans.
Quiet exit, please.
This? Past burden, straight scary.
Outside, dusk deepened; magic streetlamps flickered on. Big-city perks.
Ashu waiting long; hustle.
Ran to carriage stand—city's taxis lined up.
Sudden shadows blocked: one taller, one my height.
“Khun! Human. This spot's ours tonight. Khunkhun... who're you?”
Not minotaur—fluffy cow beastkin spoke. Fur made him cuddly.
Intimidate by bulk? Adorable fail.
Other: Kataril male like Hairil, black wolf ears.
“Ah, first time? Safe passage. We guard this turf—no pickpockets, cutters. Silver x2 fee.”
Territorial types. Pay for protection/management.
No big ask; skip hassle.
Reached for pouch—wrong one, just fur.
“Hiiiik!!!”
“???”
“Th-this scent... forgive our ignorance!! Sorry!!”
Kataril guy bowed full-body—not 90°, flew back—then bolted.
Cute confused cow grabbed, dragged off forcibly.
“......What?”
Me too. What'd Hairil give me?
Sniffed pouch—no clue.
Separate villa-bound, more beastkin queued for carriages.
All scattered or yielded as I neared.
Shower time, stat.
Trials aside, inn safe.
My mood?
“You're late!!”
Soft lights, incense wafting out sweetly.
Cracked door: Ashu in gala-ready dress, no red-carpet mismatch. Sat at two-seater table.
Two half-full glasses before her.
Thought guys prepped romance events.
Here, girls aggressive too—still adjusting.
Deep guilt hit.
“Hey...”
Cheek-propped pouty Ashu...
“Kruuu...”
Straight asleep.
Relief and letdown; chuckled softly.
Post-long haul, exhaustion due.
Waiting with drinks piled fatigue.
Regret tonight; princess-carried her gently to bed.
Mid-lay: her arms looped my neck.
Eyes shut, grip firm.
“Awake? Sorry, late.”
Puffed cheeks, eyes closed.
Kissed lightly, deflating.
“Wait bit. Showering.”
...Pull away; her arms tightened.
“...Not letting go.”
“......”
Like her first raw confession—barged in, clung, squeezed.
Thought she'd mellowed; core unchanged.
Short time apart, yet missed that—and this cute now.
As she wished.
Tonight, no separating.