Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Capital's Holiday -2-
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Creak—
The door to the Adventurer's Guild swung open under her touch.
Rather than the rough slam of brute force, the polite control in her strength drew the adventurers' eyes instead.
'…'
Cheap tobacco smoke and the stench of booze-soaked humans assaulted Eclair's sensitive nose.
It reminded her of her first time here.
She hadn't been able to adjust to the crude aura of the adventurers staring at her back then, but now it felt somewhat familiar.
—Who’s that wom… ack!
—Turn your damn eyes away if you wanna live, you idiot!!
…
The moment she stepped inside, one heel extended gracefully, their gazes swarmed like a flock of startled birds—only to scatter like frightened mice.
Her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight and crimson eyes drew attention, and her stunning beauty captivated the men's stares.
But adventurers who tossed flirty glances at women like it was mealtime only had one life to spare.
Those who recognized Eclair from her occasional official visits forced their eyeballs to swivel away.
Knight orders were centered around nobility.
Not all, but most viewed lowborn adventurers with disdain or outright refusal to acknowledge them—it was common sense.
No incidents had erupted here because of Eclair yet, but there was no guarantee even the famed Empire's Five Knights were free of such prejudices…
In the familiar atmosphere, Eclair fixed her gaze ahead and strode straight to the receptionist.
"I sent a letter ahead."
She'd dispatched it via the fastest courier on the day her holiday was firmly confirmed—no cancellations.
The difference from her usual business was enclosing personal funds for the guild's delivery fee.
To ensure it reached Roman through the guild as quickly as possible.
She'd heard Roman kept his mailbox open only to verified contacts, and it had arrived properly via courier.
"Ah—! He was just on the first floor until a moment ago…"
Apparently, he'd gone downstairs to the tavern because he was hungry.
'…This is a problem.'
Eclair had never ventured beyond the guild's reception room.
She knew she wasn't welcome here, so sticking to the designated path was basic courtesy.
"Is it alright for an outsider who's not an adventurer to go down there?"
Asking the receptionist to run downstairs would hold up the adventurers queued for business.
"Hmm… If you're here to see Mr. Roman…"
Permission granted on the basis of her noble status and rank among the Empire's Five Knights.
With a plea not to pick fights with the adventurers, Eclair headed to the bustling basement tavern.
Clack— clack—
Descending the worn wooden stairs stained dark with age, she spotted Roman seated at a round table with a group of adventurers.
He waved cheerfully upon seeing her descend.
"…"
She considered uncrossing her arms and waving back, but her hand wouldn't budge, so she nodded instead to convey her intent.
Flashing a bright smile, he left the table and approached.
"Our timing's a bit off. Let's head out."
"Aren't your companions waiting over there? I can wait."
"Companions? Nah."
Roman tossed a casual "thanks for the trouble" to the staring adventurers and swiftly climbed back to the first floor.
—Hey… hey!! You crazy bastard!! Pay for what you ordered!
—Who’s gonna eat all this!
Was this okay? But Roman's voice calling from above pulled Eclair up the stairs too.
Ting—
Roman, arriving first, flicked a gold coin with his finger. The receptionist's eyes lit up as she caught it.
Their exchange flowed naturally, like something they'd done countless times.
"Cover the noisy bunch downstairs with this. I've got a guest—heading out."
Creak—!
Noticing Eclair behind him, Roman led the way out of the guild.
"This isn't about imperial business or commissions, right? Then the guild reception room feels off."
Eclair agreed.
It looked bad to make a busy receptionist handle a knight's personal errand.
"I've got a spot in mind… A café okay? There's one nearby that reserves private rooms."
"Any snacks besides drinks?"
"Not sure on details, but… probably desserts."
Eclair followed Roman, who strode ahead confidently despite not knowing the place well himself.
"I'm not craving sweets right now—I want something salty."
"Restaurant or diner works too. Plenty of spots good for talking."
"Aren't you hungry?"
"…Asking me? I ate before coming, so no."
Roman gave her an incredulous look for some reason.
"Good enough. Café it is. Lead the way, knight."
—
Eclair guided Roman to a café frequented by imperial officials for meetings and work.
Menus were easily double other places' prices.
But rooms were fully isolated, soundproofed with expensive magic tools.
Perfect structure for shady dealings—or private talks.
They ordered simple drinks, and Roman stared at her openly.
No commission meant no easy opener.
Under his somewhat burdensome gaze, Eclair held her silence until the server set down the drinks and left.
"The sudden letter was because—"
"Not that."
As she moved to the point, Roman's face hardened, his low voice cutting her off.
"…Hm?"
"We're 'friends' meeting after ages. Diving straight into business is cold. Basic conversation manners, no?"
Eclair's mind grew muddled under his stiff gaze.
The realization and adjustment clicked instantly.
'I-is that so?'
Indeed… People always started with small talk before getting into substance.
Jumping to your own agenda without warmup could seem selfish.
"Sorry… That was careless. Ahem… H-how have you been?"
Silence choked the air for seconds after her glitchy tone.
Roman's blank face cracked, head dropping.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Kh…!!"
He slammed the table, burying his face as laughter erupted.
His wheezing chuckles rang clear to Eclair.
"…?"
"Hahahaha—!!! Ha… Best laugh this quarter. Won't feel down for a while."
Realizing she'd been played as a fool, heat rushed to her face as he roared with laughter.
"You… tricked me?"
"~I'm dying. Hilarious. Sword genius, but maybe more?"
"…"
Anything she said would just fuel more laughs, so Eclair sealed her lips until he calmed.
After giggling for ages, he looked at her face and shifted his expression.
Still smiling, but softer—not flippant.
"What? You're not mad, right?"
"…Absurd. I was waiting for you to compose yourself."
"Kh…! Sorry. Your reaction's too fun."
He'd anticipated this, knew exactly how she'd react to "friend" framing.
Eclair gulped her cold drink to cool off and glared at him.
"Can we get to the real point now…?"
"No. That wasn't a lie, though? How's things with your sister since then?"
Family matters within House Dreitna, but Roman deserved to know.
"Better than ever… That's all… We're going out together tomorrow."
"Oho~ Sisterly bond's a sight."
No awkwardness in calling them close sisters, but his impressed look made continuing hard.
Eclair smoothly passed the baton.
"And you look healthier than before…"
"Me? Gotta be. Someone's looking after me."
Like during outdoor class, mentioning Lady Skadi made Roman's face transparent.
Emotions read like an open book.
'That enjoyable?'
His relaxed features hardly fit a platinum adventurer's miracle-stacked feats.
Grinning, something occurred to him.
"Right. Rike wants to meet you sometime. Casual mention."
"…Me?"
Roman nodded.
Lady Skadi connection… Chloe?
Just a light spar during outdoor class.
Brief encounter, but Eclair knew.
She wasn't one to spout empty praise like typical knights or nobles.
There'd be purpose.
'No clue what she'll say.'
Like lovers, both unpredictable in action.
"No reason not to."
"…Your straightforwardness is scary."
"Not now, of course. But since you're close with Chloe… Inviting you to the estate sometime works."
They refilled empty drinks and continued chatting.
Aside from the prank, he gave straight answers when asked.
But getting brooch answers would end this abruptly.
Did it need to be so curt?
Sun still blazed high in the morning sky.
Time empty until Chloe returned from the academy.
This chit-chat was fine.