Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Knights are High-Class Talent
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Conclusion first: Arselia and Sion's underwear shopping had been quite the commotion.
Why phrase it like a question?
"Young master, you need to pull yourself together."
"...Why did I ever think running a hotel would let me live a life of luxury?"
"Wasn't this your idea from the start, young master? You have to see it through to the end."
"Arrrgh!"
I couldn't go with them!
We'd only gone shopping for everyday clothes—not underwear—and it still took way longer than expected.
With my sister as the human clothes hanger, everything looked perfect on her, so time flew by unnoticed until the sun had set.
By the time I realized, it was already time to relieve Delpi at the counter.
Even on the weekend, evening was evening.
I still hadn't found anyone to cover the evening counter shift, so I had to swallow my tears and head back to work.
Delpi needed to go home too...
Two-shift system, right? If the next person doesn't show, isn't that seriously overstepping?
"Thanks for your hard work today!"
"Yeah, you too. See you tomorrow."
It felt wrong to ask the girl who was brightly smiling and waving goodbye to tough it out a bit longer.
Money was good and all, but sometimes other priorities took precedence.
She probably needed to get home and spend time with her family...
"...So, how was shopping? You got sister home safe?"
"Yes, I confirmed she entered the estate. Thanks to that, she won't have to worry about clothes for a while."
"Good. I should've taken care of it sooner."
Sion's job was ultimately to assist me at my side, which had the downside that she couldn't rest if I didn't.
"If I can't find someone for the counter, this is how it'll be from now on..."
Sob sob. I wanted to pick out underwear with my girlfriend too.
If not sister, it'd be me looking at it anyway—I could handle that much!
"Young master."
"Yeah?"
"You've barely progressed to kissing, so why regret it so much?"
"..."
Sion's follow-up left me collapsing in defeat.
"But..."
"But?"
"Romance is my first time too..."
"..."
"What? Why? You know that!"
"...Now I understand why the countess is so worried."
"Mom's still worried?"
"You call that nothing? She was so curious when I stopped by briefly last time."
"Tch, I didn't think Mom was like that..."
She clearly didn't even kiss much until the marriage ending with Dad, right?
Readers left comments like,
'Ugh, so when's it gonna happen?' 'Someone lock them in a room already, please.'
Hmm, thinking back, there were quite a few like that.
Teasing with 'maybe, maybe not' and rarely delivering was the best flavor...
Especially with that exquisite art style poured into hundreds of pages—it was bound to frustrate.
I'd even left comments myself, though I didn't usually.
But that couple was now my parents.
"Ha..."
"...Shall I tell you about the underwear Director bought?"
"Hiss...!"
Noticing how slumped I was, Sion tried a desperate measure, but I shut it down immediately.
"That kind of thing is best confirmed in person. Save it for future enjoyment."
"Where does a guy who's never even hugged a girl learn to say stuff like that?!"
"Ahem..."
I averted my gaze and turned my head, catching her mutter, 'Second young master must've said something again...'
Little bro hadn't done anything this time, but I could borrow his name.
He'd accept it as karma for all the past buildup.
"By the way, is your hand okay?"
"Ah."
The guys tailing us during the day had vanished by the time we left the cafe.
She hadn't told me specifically, but I could tell.
It wasn't scraped, but it was a bit swollen and red.
"Yes, it's fine."
"Let me see your hand."
"It's really fine, young master."
"Hand."
Hmm, this feels like training a puppy.
Even though Sion was a cat.
"..."
Well, her actions were pretty dog-like, so it suited her.
"It's a bit red. You're sure it's not hurt?"
"Just the surface. No scratches."
I checked it over—no real wounds, so I relaxed.
Should I get her some knuckle guards?
"More importantly, we should prioritize hiring the security team..."
"I agree. I can protect you since I'm by your side, but not Director."
"Hmm, should I tell sister to move in? Plenty of rooms, even a whole one just for her."
"Planning to live together? I'm all for it anytime."
"Too soon for that. We still have empty rooms on the top floor..."
"...That might burden Director more. What if she runs into royals?"
"Nah, no way. We reserved a few for royals, but they won't actually..."
Clank, clank.
The thick sound of metal armor echoed through the lobby.
The design reflected sound toward the counter for easy identification of arrivals, making it even clearer.
What appeared was a knight fully clad in armor, helmet and all.
So well-maintained it gleamed under the chandelier lights.
'At least the sword's sheathed at her waist—small mercies.'
The people killing time on the lobby sofas, the couples arm-in-arm chatting...
All mouths shut, plunging the space into instant silence.
Gazes locked on at once.
I could feel everyone in the first-floor lobby sneaking glances at the counter.
Startling as a sudden armored knight was, I'd seen this armor before, so I knew who was inside.
Sion must have realized too—she didn't growl like she was about to pounce this time.
"Welcome. Our hotel doesn't discriminate by race, politics, or preferences. How may I assist you?"
I flashed my business smile, and the knight halted before the counter, raising a hand to remove her helmet.
Clang—the metallic ring revealed a familiar face.
Silver-white hair like moonlight transplanted.
Icy blue eyes, large and piercing even under warm lighting.
She tucked the helmet under her arm and brushed back the hair stuck to her forehead, slowly speaking.
"My lord said to stay here."
Her low voice, husky and unmistakable for a woman's, filled the space quietly.
"Do you have a room?"
Hearing that voice sparked a great idea.
The most efficient way to acquire the 'talent' I needed most right now.
"Then you've come to exactly the right place. We always have rooms ready for VIPs."
They say fortune dislikes the unprepared?
Only those always ready can seize the goddess of luck by her ponytail.
And I was prepared to grab her by the collar from the front.
A knight is one who wields the sword.
Forget that, and you're the first to die...
Ah, wrong context.
Though comically, the knight who said that was an ice mage...
Anyway, even if not as hopeless as knights in that dreamless world, knights were high-class talent.
Not just for skilled swordplay or superior durability to commoners.
They trained professionally in swordsmanship, mastered knightly etiquette, and navigated complex protocols for dealing with all social ranks.
In short, perfect for our hotel's security team.
"Please use this during your stay. Anything else you need?"
"This is the room... for my lord to use..."
Prepared to the highest standard, so even imperial blood wouldn't find it lacking.
Worth the effort—she nodded after scanning the room thoroughly upon entry.
"Seems fine. Thank you for the guidance."
Practically no one else would get this room; it might as well be reserved for the prince who'd given me the certificate.
Other royals were too busy fighting publicly and covertly over succession to bother coming here.
"If you need anything later, use that artifact over there."
"That...?"
"Direct line to the counter. Day or night, just call."
"Doubt I'll need it, but... understood."
"Yes. Enjoy your stay."
She said no immediate needs, so I quietly closed the door and left.
As a 'VIP,' I'd left Sion at the counter briefly to show her up myself...
Once we had more staff, I'd delegate finely, but right now manpower was too short.
We had people for minor tasks, but no one for the most crucial—counter duty.
Honestly, if I were someone else, the pressure would've made even high pay a hard sell.
Not just rich nobles with minor titles—real heavyweights were coming.
Someone might say, 'Whoa, big shots? Great networking chance!'
I'd ask them this:
Can you handle an elf elder council diplomat on your left, a southern mega-shipping baron on your right, the northern grand duke's heir in front—all at once?
And behind, folks from massive factions you recognize by name alone, lining up with drinks to greet you...
Think you can manage?
If so, I'd be thrilled.
Handle them politely without offense, meet all demands simultaneously?
If such a poised, unflappable, competent gem existed, I'd pay double salary to snag them.
People like that were priceless.
"And that knight fits the bill pretty well."
Imperial direct unit—poaching impossible, but plenty of ways to utilize her.
"Connections are the best talent pipeline. Time to rack up some serious favor."