Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: I Heard You Enjoy Fine Cuisine
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After finishing the meal, we enjoyed a simple tea time.
Tea wasn't anything special. Just herbal water.
"...Damon?"
Elfriede called out to me. My name seemed to have stuck well on her tongue by now.
"Yes?"
"Could you do me a small favor, perhaps?"
A favor.
If it meant I could owe an elf a debt, I'd welcome it with open arms.
"If it's something I can do. What is it?"
"Ah, well, it's just..."
Elfriede hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.
"Could you cook for the other elves too, like you did for me today?"
"Hm... Other elves?"
"Of course, my family and relatives."
"Aha. Where are they right now?"
Instead of answering the question, an explanation followed.
The elves, led by Elfriede, made their home in a place called the 'Spirit Realm,' where spirits dwelled.
It was a world completely cut off from the human realm.
Not just elves, but most non-human races resided in the Spirit Realm as well.
"Oh, so does that mean I can visit this Spirit Realm?"
"Hm... The other elves really hate leaving the Spirit Realm, so maybe that's necessary...? Ah, only if you're okay with it, of course."
Elfriede fidgeted with her fingers nonstop.
She seemed worried I might refuse.
"But Lady Elfriede, hasn't there never been a human entering or leaving the Spirit Realm before?"
Hans, who had been listening quietly, asked.
"That's true, but... what big deal would it be?"
I had no idea.
Just how unusual Elfriede was among her kind.
"If I say I'll bring you along."
...What?
How could she say it so boldly?
Did that mean humans hadn't entered before not because elves rejected them?
"Oh, so Damon would be the first human ever invited to the Spirit Realm?"
Deborah asked, clasping her hands together. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Yeah. Damon more than deserves it."
"Hahaha... Should I feel honored...?"
I swear, this wasn't what I'd hoped for.
I'd just thought learning about herb varieties would be nice.
Somehow, I'd ended up stepping foot on land humanity had never trod.
"The world of spirits... I'm quite looking forward to it."
"Really? Want to go today then?"
"...Pardon? Right now?"
"Yeah. Honestly, I'm not sure when I'll come out here again. Better to seize the chance, right?"
Ah, right.
I recalled hearing that this was Elfriede's first outing in nearly ten or fifteen years.
She'd said she first met Hans and Deborah around the current age of Damon.
Anyway, whatever.
Today's work was all done.
"May I go?"
"If that's what Elfriede wants. You alright with it too?"
Hans and Deborah readily agreed to my question.
And so, after quickly packing, we walked the forest path as the sun dipped low.
"Come to think of it, I have a question."
"Yeah. Ask away."
"Would it be rude to ask your age?"
As I mentioned earlier, Elfriede had said she looked exactly the same when Hans and Deborah were Damon's current age.
In other words, elves in this world were long-lived like in typical stories...
But asking a woman's age could feel impolite, so I sought permission first.
And the response was...
"Huh? My age?"
She reacted as if it were no concern at all.
"Well, elves don't count years. In human terms, maybe around twenty?"
"Pardon?"
Her utterly unexpected answer left my mouth agape.
"Not two hundred, but twenty?"
"She's joking, right?"
Elfriede laughed heartily, as if wondering why I'd think such a joke.
...What's going on.
Something felt oddly off-kilter.
"More importantly, Damon. There's something I need to tell you."
Suddenly, a shadow darkened Elfriede's face.
Though we'd only met today, I'd only seen her bright smiles, so this expression felt strangely unfamiliar.
"We elves, well, um..."
After a brief silence, as if searching for the right words...
"We're all suffering from some kind of illness."
"...Pardon?"
What on earth was this out-of-left-field talk?
"Does that mean you too, Lady Elfriede?"
"No, just everyone except me. I'm fine. Weirdly enough."
"...I see."
All other elves afflicted with illness, but her perfectly healthy.
This was no idle chatter to brush off.
"You'll understand soon enough. We're almost at the border. I'm telling you now just so you're not shocked—don't overthink it."
"I'm more worried they'll turn me away because of this...?"
At that, the silver-haired elf shrugged confidently and spoke.
"Pfft, no need to worry. I've got that covered."
Just what kind of existence was Elfriede among the elves?
Hard for her to judge herself, so I'd see for myself.
Plus, getting acquainted with elves might pay off someday.
"We're here."
And finally, we arrived at the entrance to the Spirit Realm.
-Don't do anything, don't go anywhere, just wait quietly here until Lady Rosalind finishes her business.
Bellatrix shoved Ailin into an unused parlor of the guildhall and vanished. She must have gone to attend her lady.
"Hoo."
Left alone, Ailin stroked her pounding chest.
'I thought I was gonna die of fright.'
For a brief moment, she'd faced Rosalind head-on.
Bellatrix had hurriedly intervened to avoid trouble, but that fleeting chill in her gaze lingered in memory, sending shivers down her spine each time she recalled it.
Rosalind Vandimion.
The powerhouse running the largest merchant guild in the central continent.
But her family name hadn't always been Vandimion.
As the rumors went, Rosalind was originally a maid who married the frail only child of the crumbling Vandimion house.
Her husband's name was Ted Vandimion.
A tragic lord who passed away in bed less than a week after their wedding.
Naturally, rumors swirled around his death.
'She targeted him for a noble name, promising financial support.'
Or 'She slowly poisoned him to make him seem weak, then finished him off after marriage once she got what she wanted.'
Thus, people often called her the 'Black Widow' behind her back—a somewhat malicious nickname.
But regardless of the gossip, the undeniable fact was that Rosalind had revived the fallen house.
That was precisely why Ailin had come here.
She was known for her unerring competence.
Knock knock.
A knock at the door.
Bellatrix must finally have time to look after Ailin.
Such sudden kindness from a stranger?
Bellatrix had the stern demeanor typical of female knights, but she wasn't the type to coldly ignore a girl like a little sister asking for help.
"Come out."
"Yes...!"
Ailin followed nervously behind Bellatrix.
Despite matching strides, Ailin kept flinching, while Bellatrix's posture remained impeccably flawless—truly impressive.
"Mind if I give you some advice?"
She'd listened to Ailin's story, arranged a private meeting with Rosalind, and now offered counsel too.
Ailin thought she must be a truly upright person.
"Lady Rosalind doesn't even bother with those lacking self-confidence. Meet her gaze, but don't stare too long—it might seem like a challenge."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Answers must be short and clear. Time is money. Don't forget she's the guildmaster."
"That too, I'll remember."
Soon.
They arrived at the makeshift office, and Bellatrix knocked.
"Come in."
The voice was chilling even on second hearing.
Its owner was engrossed in reviewing documents, not sparing a glance at her visitors.
"I'll step out while you talk."
Even as Bellatrix bowed, Rosalind kept her eyes on the papers, waving her off dismissively.
"......"
Silence filled the office for a while, but Ailin waited patiently. Until Rosalind spoke.
She knew it was important work. Interrupting would only cost her points.
How much time passed?
"I've heard your story. You're looking for a patron?"
Rosalind set down the documents with a thud and looked up.
Unlike their first encounter, Ailin could now properly take her in.
The noblewoman's jet-black hair contrasted sharply with her pale skin, giving an air of fragility. Yet that somehow enhanced her beauty.
Like a delicate flower on the verge of wilting—perilously fragile.
Entertaining such thoughts, Ailin bowed her head in reply.
"Yes."
"Then, may I be direct?"
"Of course."
But the girl's expression couldn't help but stiffen at what followed.
"...Why should I bother?"
"!"
A blunt way of speaking that left the listener stunned.
Good thing her head was bowed—her fluster went unnoticed.
"I know nothing about you. Am I wrong?"
"Quite right."
"Well, unless you have some special talent others lack."
A special talent unlike others.
Being exceptionally smart wouldn't suffice.
She needed to demonstrate something that could instantly captivate Rosalind.
"...I do have talent."
"?"
Normally, she wouldn't have continued like this. She'd planned to propose a near-contractual deal proving her worth somehow.
If not for recent influence from someone.
"I heard Lady Rosalind enjoys fine cuisine."
"...And?"
Ailin swallowed hard and lifted her head with resolute expression.
"I'm quite confident in my cooking."
At those words, interest flickered for the first time across Rosalind's otherwise impassive face.