Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Isteir (2)
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The atmosphere had just started to warm up.
"So, how did you manage to draw that Valkyrie?"
Isteir asked, her curiosity plain as day.
"Just got lucky, I guess."
"Luck? Pilots aren't made by luck. Valkyries only come to those blessed by the gods."
There was good reason why people here saw skill in draws as talent rather than fortune.
This world, much like the Valkyrie lore, was one where gods granted humans the power to command Valkyries.
Drawing strong Valkyries meant you were favored by the divine.
'Does that mean the gods cursed me...?'
Others might see me as some prodigy or a man beloved by the heavens, but the truth was different.
I was just the one the gacha goddess adored, that's all.
As we chatted back and forth, the food arrived.
Being Isteir's recommendation, the place served neat, tasty dishes.
I'd braced for scorching heat from the Volcano Chicken Pasta, but it was just pleasantly spicy.
But after one bite of mine, Isteir's face twisted in agony.
"Sssip... What... the hell... You said it wasn't spicy."
"It's not spicy at all. Look at my face."
"Haha... Yeah, you're right. Impressive."
I kept eating with a straight face, and she stared at me, cheeks flushed, looking awestruck.
She chugged water, stuck out her tongue to cool it—adorably cute.
Up close, she had plenty of other charms too.
And since she was my lifesaver, I figured it was time to speak my mind.
"By the way, Isteir, why do you fight in the Colosseum?"
"Well... Isn't it the same for all pilots? Wanting to stand at the top? That's probably it."
Our mindsets differed. To reach the top, you needed proper preparation.
"Not sure if I should ask this... but don't you only have five A-rank Valkyries? The rest are B-rank or lower, right?"
Her eyes met mine briefly before she replied.
"Yeah. That's true."
"So you came to Orc Forest to train your B-ranks?"
At her level, Orc Forest was practically a waste of time. Somewhere tougher would've helped growth more.
But with B-ranks that fragile in harder spots, she probably wanted to level them safely here first.
All so she could use them in the Colosseum.
"Exactly. Because of the ban system, I can't field my full team."
"Then just don't enter the Colosseum."
"Huh? What do you...?"
She looked utterly flustered by my words.
"Hear me out... Don't get the wrong idea. I just feel like you're not ready yet."
"What...?"
The cozy chat had turned icy in an instant.
"I don't plan to use my A-rank Valkyries forever. If I pull a bunch of SRs or higher, they'll sit the bench eventually."
This was sincere. Holla, Garujan, and Heiji weren't mainstays—they just weren't cutting it.
Elastra was worth bringing for her synergy with Lije, but if better ones came along, I'd swap without hesitation.
That said, I wouldn't neglect training them. Ban picks forced A-ranks into play sometimes when SRs were locked.
But with twenty-plus SRs? They'd gather dust.
Far in the future, if A-ranks could evolve, I'd raise them all for strategic flexibility.
Her eyes wavered at my words.
"But... that's only if you're overflowing with talent like you. Not me."
I hadn't expected the confident Isteir to look so vulnerable.
"Sigh... Here, drink up."
I raised my wine glass, and she clinked hers against it.
"You're not talentless. I watched the D-ranks—you're one of the best."
"Oh? Trying to cheer me up?"
"Not cheering... Just don't rush it. Take it slow."
"You... don't know me. Or why I'm like this..."
She downed her wine in big gulps.
"Whoa, slow down on the booze."
"Kai, got plans tonight?"
"Nah. Was gonna hunt, but I've been drinking already. Kinda wiped."
"Hehe... Wanna grab another drink with me then?"
Her stoic face had blossomed into such vivid expressions—I never saw it coming.
The wine had pinked her cheeks as she gazed at me.
This temptation was impossible to refuse.
"Sure. But loser's gotta grant the winner a wish. Deal?"
"A wish? Naughty..."
She squinted playfully, smiling.
"That's why you shouldn't get drunk first."
"Deal. First one wasted grants a wish. Shall we?"
Was it the restaurant's vibe or our chemistry? Things were heating up between us.
True to her word, Isteir footed the bill.
"Know any good spots?"
"Good spots? Of course. Trust me tonight."
Her voice a bit louder, she stepped out looking thrilled.
I barely knew the area, so I followed her lead completely.
She seemed to know all the best haunts—her stride was confident.
Trailing her brought us to a cozy bar with great ambiance.
Early afternoon still, but the lights glowed softly inside.
"A private room, please."
The server guided us to a back room after her request.
Sitting alone with a beauty like her made my heart race a little.
The wine buzz probably amplified it.
We scanned the menu—pub-style with highballs, cocktails, and such.
No soju spots? Not sure if soju even existed here, but it fit the vibe somehow.
"We're stuffed, right? Tomato caprese? Cocktails? Highballs? Your pick?"
"Whiskey highball for me. Oh, and don't forget—loser grants a wish."
"A guy losing a drinking contest to a girl?"
"Gonna... regret saying that?"
Her mischievous grin revealed new facets, each more alluring.
"Mm... Whiskey sour for me."
Noticing my gaze or not, she focused on the menu and ordered.
Food and drinks arrived, and our talk turned deeper. Secrets started spilling out.
"So, what's your deal? Why the rush to grow stronger?"
Her gloomy look back at the restaurant had bugged me.
"Sigh... I don't usually open up like this... But with you, it feels okay."
We weren't strangers exactly, but our real talks were brief. Still, we clicked like old friends.
"I'm all ears."
"You might've guessed—I'm from a noble house."
Hm. Figured as much. Her aura screamed anything but ordinary.
Jenellu's rundown on politics taught me the noble-commoner gap wasn't huge anymore.
Valkyrie power had neutered old noble privileges.
Pilots were shifting the power balance.
Status devices were pricey, though, so nobles still dominated ownership.
Even then, many couldn't sync or draw well despite having one.
Commoners saved up for theirs—it was a life-changer if talent unlocked.
So her nobility didn't shock me.
Modern nobles were more like civil servants now.
"My parents have big expectations. We were well-off, but oddly, no one else has pilot talent. Except me."
I could guess her worries.
Rich kid life until recently, now carrying the family like a young breadwinner.
Her talent wasn't bad, but she eyed higher peaks—hence the impatience.
"Then grow steadily. A high pilot rank doesn't mean you're strong."
"Hehe... True?"
Chatting and chugging sweet cocktails, her eyes started glazing over.
She'd ordered refills while venting—drunk now, it seemed.
"Hey. Loser grants a wish, remember?"
"Ah... Righ... Yeah... Sigh... But what if I get wasted?"
Her speech slurred. She'd pass out soon, so I pulled her up.
"Let's head out. Fresh air'll sober you."
Crisp spring evening—I dragged her outside to clear her head.
We paid and stepped into glaring sunlight.
Expected cool relief from the dim room, but the intense light hit like a wave—even I felt woozy.
Isteir fared worse.
She'd walked fine entering, but sunlight melted her legs.
I barely caught her as she crumpled.
"Hehe... Hehe..."
She couldn't stand alone, so with server help, I hoisted her onto my back.
"Uh... Now what?"
Panicking, I scanned around—and realized the spot felt familiar.
The Traveler's Rest, where I'd crashed for days, loomed ahead.
No choice. I carried her there.