Newcomers (5)

"Are you here to see me?"

"Who else? Bertrand, of course."

Hildeva flashed a captivating smile, as if to say what kind of obvious question ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is that?

"A royal decree went out across the kingdom, and I figured you should hear about it first."

She handed over the scroll, and as I unrolled it, the kingdom's signature ornate crest burst into view. No matter how many times I saw it, that ridiculously flashy design always screamed zero readability. Squinting through the elegant, flowing script that was every bit as elaborate as the crest, I pieced together the message.

"Hmm... an anti-discrimination law for all intelligent races, huh."

Among all intelligent races, the only ones humans typically discriminate against are half-elves—at least, that's the only example that comes to mind. It wasn't like they'd been silent on the issue forever and suddenly got a wild hair to protect half-elves out of nowhere. This had to be them honoring my promise to Marim back when I first visited her at the inn—that I'd take an interest in half-elves.

Punish discrimination, reward equal treatment... Simple and brutal, but some problems only get solved by forcing the issue like this. The king publicly declaring his will was a huge step in itself.

Hildeva pointed to a specific section of the decree with her finger.

"It says here they're looking for exemplary cases of equality to report. What if we nominate the inn? You've had Marim working as a waitress for ages already."

Right on cue, Marim poked her head around, wondering why she'd heard her name.

"From what I know, Marim gets paid almost the same as the other staff, right? And she shares the same dorms."

"Yeah, sure. That's just how it is."

"That's not 'just how it is,' Bertrand. A half-elf working a regular job with standard wages? That's unheard of in this world. It'll definitely qualify as an exemplary case."

The idea that treating her exactly like everyone else—same pay, same treatment—could count as exemplary... Wild.

"What's this about? Something to do with me?"

Marim peered at the decree. She could read, but that fancy royal script was beyond her.

Hildeva gave her the gist, and Marim blinked in stunned confusion, firing back with a question of her own.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"Because there's no reason half-elves should be discriminated against."

"Huh...? So you're saying there was a reason before this law? How does that even flip overnight...?"

She looked utterly baffled, but Marim wasn't a total idiot. She clearly got that this law was good for her people.

"So now I don't have to worry about what people think? Haha, no way. Finally, I can shop without side-eye."

"A historic law gets announced, and that's the first thing on your mind?"

"Well, what should I be thinking about then?"

"Never mind, forget it."

I lightly flicked her forehead, then a sudden idea hit me.

"Mayor. On second thought, this exemplary case thing—doesn't it apply to directly governed territories too?"

"It does. Initiatives at the city level could qualify."

"Hmm... Mayor, why don't we use this chance to really put Rosens on the map for Queen Elua?"

"How?"

I laid out my idea for Hildeva.

"Something like that happened?"

"What ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠do you think? City hall could back it, right?"

"Sounds good. Bertrand, we'll support it from our end. Let's do it right away."

With Hildeva on board, I turned to Marim.

"Marim. Bring your siblings to the inn."

"My siblings? And then what?"

"Put 'em to work here. What do you say?"

Her face twisted in confusion.

"Work at the inn...? But they can't blink like me..."

"Nah, you'll handle deliveries solo. The monster zoo needs hands for basic chores—no special skills required."

She thought it over, then nodded slowly.

"Uh... yeah, they could probably handle that. But... uh... you'll pay them, right...?"

"You think I'd have 'em work for free? What kinda question is that?"

Marim scratched her red hair furiously, then threw out another worry.

"I mean, sure, I'd like that, but... there's so many of 'em, and no place for them to stay..."

"That's not your problem. I'll handle it."

"But it's getting colder... Can't exactly build shacks in the yard..."

I couldn't hold back—I flicked her forehead hard enough to sting.

"Ow, that hurts!"

"You little shit! What do you take me for? You think I'd make your siblings sleep outside?!"

I grabbed her long ear and yanked, yelling.

"I'll build a dorm or convert the whole third floor to group rooms—whatever it takes. So shut up and explain it to them properly!"

"Fine, fine!"

Good grief, that pea-brained rascal.

I asked Mideronde to open a dimensional gate near Lenditofte. She didn't even need coordinates—just a spot on the map—and she nailed it right next to Teynibik Forest.

Marim and I stepped through to the half-elf village.

She gathered all her siblings and laid out the deal.

The big shots made a law so humans can't mess with us anymore. This innkeeper guy's taking us all to live at his inn. But nothing's free—you gotta work for it. Not dirty jobs for no pay like before. Normal work, normal wages, paid on time. You're kids, so you won't match adult pay yet, but it'll go up every year. I guarantee it.

When she finished, the half-elves just blinked their green eyes—no one said a word.

They hate the idea...? Nah, they looked more shocked than anything, faces blank with surprise.

One half-elf timidly raised a hand.

"Will we get beds there?"

"Of course! Beds, warm stoves, hot meals every time. Plus the monster zoo's warm year-round—no more shivering like here."

"Bad people?"

"The innkeeper'll handle 'em. Guy's crazy strong."

Another quiet one piped up.

"But... why are you doing all this nice stuff for us...?"

"'Cause your big sis asked him to."

Total lie, but no need to correct it here.

I smiled warmly.

"If you're still nervous, wanna tour the inn? Decide after."

And so I led the half-elves through the gate back to the inn.

The yard instantly filled with redheaded chaos.

First to greet them? Lurtjog's severed head mounted on the inn wall. The kids freaked—Marim calmed them, saying it was already dead.

Seeing kids who looked like Marim, Kali barked happily and bounded into the crowd.

"Eek!? Why are you guys here...?!"

Idi, drawn by the barking, spotted the half-elves and jumped.

"Flower pig sis!"

She'd visited the village with Marim a few times, so the kids rushed her.

"Hehe... long time no see... How'd you end up here...?"

"Innkeeper's hiring us to work."

"Reeally...? That's great... hehe..."

"Everyone, over here. Inn tour later—monster zoo first."

I called out, and the kids swarmed behind me like ducklings.

"Stick together, look after the kid next to you, follow me."

Felt like a damn tour guide.

At the monster zoo, the half-elves gasped at the sight.

"Real monsters!"

"Why's it not winter here?"

Mideronde, the demons, and Ukun waited, tipped off in advance.

"Welcome, half-elves. Glad you're here at the monster zoo."

The pureblood elf's entrance made them shrink back, huddling warily.

Mideronde smiled and waved lightly. Glass cups floated from the lab, bobbing straight to each half-elf's hand. A big bottle trailed behind, pouring mystery drinks.

"Mountain berry juice. Monster zoo welcome gift. Try it."

They sipped hesitantly—then went wild, yelling how good it was. Tension gone.

Buncha kids, alright.

Sweetened up, they hopped on the tour carriage. Had to show 'em the ropes before work. The small fry fit in one cart; Ukun took the driver's seat. Ammugar squeezed in for monster commentary.

The kids poked his horns curiously.

The cart rolled along the path as Ammugar pointed with a tiny baton.

"Um... On your left, the monster with the longest neck on the continent, called..."

"Waaah! Over here!!"

Weaving past giants, the kids screamed, shrieked, and cheered.

They were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so hyped, even I caught the vibe—laughing and hollering along.

But glancing back mid-laugh, Marim stared at me stone-faced, not smiling a bit.