Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: He Lured Me In
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Wow, she's pretty.
That was the thought that hit me the instant I laid eyes on the elf.
Silver hair cascading like fine silk thread gleamed with luster, and her golden eyes sparkled iridescently in the sunlight.
Up until now, among the few people I'd met in this world, I'd thought Ailin was the prettiest. But in that moment, the rankings changed.
How could she compare to an elf, the very embodiment of beauty?
This place had a medieval vibe, so the locals all had this somewhat drab, shabby air about them that you couldn't shake. But this elf? Not a trace of it. She looked pristine, like she'd just stepped out of a shower.
As if her body repelled all external grime.
"?"
When I just stood there gaping without a word, the silver-haired elf tilted her head with a smile. It was devastatingly charming.
No hint of hostility or wariness toward humans.
'To think I'd run into an elf here.'
I'd never even imagined it.
In the original novel, elves were barely mentioned—just a passing reference for flavor.
'With a female protagonist, throwing in an elf would ruin the balance anyway.'
Anyway, gawking forever wouldn't do, so I finally managed a greeting.
"Uh... hello?"
Looking back, that sounds pretty lame. But what else was there to say?
"Hi. You're a new face?"
Only after I spoke did the elf flash a bright smile, like she'd finally relaxed. Stop!
You're killing me, sis!
Just as I clutched at my heart, she threw out something totally out of left field.
"Hey, can you see spirits, by any chance?"
Spirits?
This time, my head tilted.
Spirits out of nowhere?
"...Probably not?"
"Really? I thought you were talking to one."
Why does she keep talking so casually? Should I switch to informal too?
I quickly dropped the thought. An elf had to be way older than me, no doubt.
Besides, going casual now would make me seem like a psycho.
"Weren't you calling out names to the plants earlier?"
"Names...?"
Had I?
I racked my brain, replaying what I'd said.
-Hey, you look just like rosemary. Are you rosemary?
-Ooh, you're a dead ringer for basil.
"......"
My face flushed beet red.
She'd mistaken my muttering for spirit talk.
...Well, rosemary and basil do sound like names.
"Ahaha─"
Maybe she saw the panic on my face, because the silver-haired elf suddenly burst out laughing.
It was a clear, bell-like sound, like cathedral chimes.
But as embarrassing as it was, I had to explain first.
"I was looking for herbs. Just checking if they matched what I know."
"Herbs?"
When her gaze dropped to my hand, I opened my palm to show her better.
"Aha."
She said something then, but it was in a language I couldn't mimic—elf tongue, probably.
"Like I said earlier, that's a toxic plant."
So that's what she meant about it killing you if you ate it.
"You weren't looking for that, right?"
As if.
I hurriedly tossed it away and answered.
"Of course not."
"Good. You don't seem like a bad guy."
...Glad to hear it.
"If you're hunting for medicinal herbs, I could help."
My eyes lit up.
"You know a lot about plants?"
"You bet~"
Even I knew that was a dumb question. Who'd know plants better than an elf?
"Tell me. What do you need?"
"Well, I..."
Honestly, I'd take everything. But that'd be too greedy.
"Something good for cooking."
"Cooking?"
Her pointed ears perked up at the word "cooking." They were already pointy, but now they twitched even more, making her emotions crystal clear.
"No way—you're a chef?"
"Kinda."
In my past life, anyway.
Not this body. Not yet.
Then.
"Waaah!"
The elf's eyes sparkled as she beamed.
She's thrilled. Foodie, huh?
"You like cooking?"
"Yeah, a ton! Well, eating it more than making it. Hehe."
She bobbed her head nonstop as she talked. She really loves it.
"Hey, so then..."
"Yeah?"
"Could you cook for me? In return, I'll teach you all about the plants."
"...For real?"
Did I hear that right?
Cook for her, and she'll spill all the herb secrets?
No way I could turn that down. Deal sealed.
"Sounds good to me."
"Yay!"
She bounced with joy, and it lifted my spirits too.
Beautiful people make you happy just by existing, but this elf's every move was utterly adorable.
Only one problem, though.
I glanced around and said,
"But right now, it'd be tough. No proper tools here..."
Before I could finish, her perky ears drooped. I rushed to add,
"A simple salad might work, though..."
Oh, wait—no seasonings.
That'd just be rabbit food. Or would an elf like it?
Wrong call.
"Eww, no veggies."
She scrunched her face like a kid throwing a fit over side dishes.
'...She hates veggies?'
An elf who hates vegetables? Unexpected—
That's when I noticed the bow slung on her back and let out a short sigh.
A bow meant she was out hunting.
Hunting meant she ate meat.
Didn't change much, though.
We still couldn't cook on the spot.
'Should I make a promise? Say I'll bring tools next time...'
But those words never left my mouth.
"Oh, then we can go to your place! Right?"
...Huh?
I doubted my ears.
*
Go home? That's insane.
Convincing Hans and Deborah alone would be impossible.
A guy who said he was going to the apothecary drags home an elf from the woods, says he'll cook for her?
-Sell that elf at the slave market right now! Grab her!
-Honey, we're rich! Damon, you did it big time...!
...As long as they don't say that, I'll count my blessings.
So, I should refuse.
I should, but...
"Aha, so you live around here?"
"Yep. Woodcutter family, so we stay close to the forest."
I didn't refuse. Why would I?
'When am I gonna meet a living plant encyclopedia again?'
Screw refusing—I'd blow her mind with my cooking.
"Convenient, huh."
"Yeah. Come visit often. I'll make you tasty stuff."
"Whoa, really? For true? I'm holding you to it, then?"
Too excited?
Nah, I'm confident.
Already proven it.
Plus, elves are kinda barbaric, right? My food would open up a whole new world for her.
And she's no vegetarian? Piece of cake.
Even if she was vegan, no sweat—I could nail that too.
'Thought I had no lucky breaks, but one walks right up.'
No more apothecary runs. One less hassle.
Not just a hassle—this was huge.
A connection with an elf?
Can't pass that up.
The issue was convincing Mom and Dad, like I said...
"Hey, didn't you say you were going to the apothecary?"
Deborah spotted me while taking in laundry and raised an eyebrow.
"...And you're not alone?"
Her eyes shifted to my companion. Here it comes.
I took a deep breath, ready to trot out my prepared excuse.
Or tried to.
"Oh? Elfriede?"
Huh?
What?
"Hi, Deborah. Long time no see."
...What the?
I gaped, looking back and forth between the two women.
How do they know each other?
Aren't elves supposed to be rare?
'Oh.'
Come to think of it.
-Uh... hello?
-Hi. You're a new face?
If there's a "new face," that implies "familiar faces" too.
I finally got it and rubbed my forehead.
'She runs into humans a lot.'
And judging by how chummy she was with Deborah, maybe more than just run-ins.
Whoa, prejudices are scary.
"You've grown so much. How long has it been?"
The elf—that is, the beauty with the very elfy name Elfriede—asked with her usual lovely smile. Deborah pondered, then glanced at me.
"Before Damon was born, so probably over fifteen years."
"Wow. You're married with a kid already—time flies."
"Must feel even faster to you elves, right?"
"True that. And your husband...?"
Elfriede's gaze turned to the cabin.
"Hmm. So you're the final winner, huh?"
"Ahaha..."
Deborah laughed awkwardly, hiding her mouth behind the laundry and blushing a bit. She seemed embarrassed.
Whoa.
Never seen her like that.
"Final winner" must carry some meaning.
I was dying to know, but now wasn't the time to butt in.
"So, how'd you end up coming with Damon?"
"Oh, that..."
Just as Elfriede started to answer.
Creeeak. The door opened, and Hans peeked out. He spotted Elfriede and his eyes went wide.
Another new expression from him.
"Lady Elfriede...?"
"Hi, Hans."
The silver-haired elf waved happily, and I was shocked again.
'She knows Dad too?'
She's got connections everywhere.
Does she know the whole village?
"It's been ages."
Strangely, Hans greeted her with polite deference, like nobility.
What made it weird? He didn't even act that way with real nobles.
Elves really are something special.
"What brings you here, Lady Elfriede?"
"Oh, I was just about to explain."
She glanced at me and smiled brightly.
"Your son said he'd make me delicious food and lured me in."