Chapter 95: Clan Founding
Chapter 95: Clan Founding
Even after choosing their clothes, Guwon's ordeal wasn't over.
Only after they had also picked out shoes to match their outfits was Guwon finally able to leave the store.
I mean, I get it.
The boots we were wearing were designed for practicality, and pairing them with a tuxedo or a dress would make us fashion terrorists.
But that doesn't mean it wasn't exhausting.
By the time he left the store, Guwon's spirit was completely and utterly drained.
For the record, the clothes and shoes were so expensive that I found myself asking the clerk to repeat the price.
They weren't even custom-tailored, just off-the-rack, and they still cost that much.
Even though we've been earning a decent amount lately, my hand still trembled when it was time to pay.
The only consolation was that I wasn't the only one.
She was barely managing to keep a cool expression, but I clearly saw Sara's hand shaking, too.
This is normal, right? Diana, who paid without batting an eye, is the weird one, right?
Feeling a strong sense of kinship, Guwon smiled at Sara.
"W-What's with that all of a sudden? That strange smile."
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing."
"Well then, let's go get something to eat," Diana said nonchalantly.
"What are you talking about? The time is..."
As he spoke, Guwon glanced at the time displayed in the corner of his vision.
1:13 PM.
...We definitely left this morning, right? And it was pretty early, too.
For some reason, Guwon felt like he was about to cry.
Anyway, we followed Diana's lead and went straight to a restaurant.
This place, too, looked incredibly expensive.
"Do we really need to eat at a place like this?"
For Guwon, who wasn't a picky eater, dining in a place like this was actually a little uncomfortable.
It was the kind of restaurant where you'd have to worry about table manners.
"We can hardly go to an ordinary restaurant dressed like this, can we?"
Diana offered a perfect excuse, as if she had it prepared all along.
I guess she has a point.
Guwon gave up any further resistance.
Today, I'll just follow Diana without thinking too much.
The inside of the restaurant was decorated with a magnificent chandelier, making it even more opulent than it had looked from the outside.
Don't places like this usually have some kind of entry requirement?
Not that I'd know, though.
But Diana strode in confidently, and a waiter came out to greet us and guide us to a table.
Did they let us in just because of how we're dressed?
Ah, whatever. I shouldn't worry about it and just eat.
Guwon picked up the menu from the table.
Yep. I have no idea what any of this is.
I really wish they'd give food intuitive names you can understand just by reading them.
Or am I just not used to the names of the food in this world?
Guwon glanced over at Sara.
I knew it. This restaurant is the weird one.
Sara's face maintained its cool, blank expression, but her eyes were subtly trembling.
Heh. But I have a way to overcome this adversity.
Watch closely, Sara. This is what you call the wisdom of life.
"It's my first time here, so I'm not sure what's good. Diana, do you have any recommendations?"
"Hm? Right, you wouldn't be familiar with the names of the dishes here. Don't worry. I shall order for you."
She saw right through me in an instant.
I guess even the wisdom of life is no match for an old lady.
At least it wasn't too embarrassing, since I'm from another world.
Having escaped his predicament, Guwon leaned back leisurely in his chair.
Alright, show me, Sara. How are you going to get through this dilemma?
"Miss Sara. Have you decided?"
"Yes?! Y-Yes. I'll have this... no, this one."
Sara pointed to one item on the menu, but when Diana made a surprised face, she immediately moved her finger and pointed to something else.
"You have surprisingly peculiar tastes in food."
I can guarantee you, Diana knows exactly what she's doing and is just teasing her.
The two of them have been getting along so well lately, unlike when they first met, so I'm not sure why she's suddenly pulling a prank like this.
"Wha-?! No, that's, um..."
Guwon desperately held back a laugh.
Heh heh. Humans really are amusing.
Especially Sara, with her usually cool expression.
Still, she's starting to look pitiful. Maybe I should help her out. I'm a nice guy, after all.
"Why don't you just have the same thing as me, Sara? It's going to be a while before we get to the government office anyway. If we eat the same thing, it'll give us something to talk about."
Though, to be honest, I'm not the type to chat about my critique of the food after a meal.
"Sh-Should I?"
An unmistakable sense of relief was evident in Sara's voice.
"Hmm. Then I shall order the same for you as I am having."
Diana shook the bell on the table to call the waiter and began to order.
The food arrived shortly after, and Guwon was faced with yet another challenge.
...There are so many different kinds of knives and forks.
"Is this one of those places that's really strict about table manners?"
There was no point trying to act tough in front of Diana. Guwon asked her directly.
"Would I have brought you to such a place? Don't worry about it and just eat comfortably."
Since Diana said so, I guess I'll do just that.
Guwon simply picked up a random knife and started cutting the meat, which looked like a steak.
Contrary to what she'd told Guwon, Diana seemed to be observing all the proper table manners as she ate.
It was such a contrast to the usual, easygoing Diana that Guwon couldn't help but keep staring.
Should I call it elegant? Seeing this really makes me feel like Diana is from a different world.
Even though I'm lucky enough to be traveling with her now.
I suddenly remembered Diana saying that fame would be necessary for various reasons.
Definitely. To keep standing by Diana's side, it seems I'll need at least some fame.
Of course, I'll probably never be able to match the fame of Diana, the so-called Supreme Archmage, even if I tried for my entire life.
"What is it? Does the food not suit your palate?"
Diana said, noticing Guwon's gaze.
"No. This is delicious."
Guwon deflected.
To keep standing by Diana's side? What am I even thinking?
Ever since I started becoming conscious of Sara, my thoughts keep drifting in that direction, which is so unlike me.
This is all your fault.
Guwon shot a resentful glare at Sara for no reason.
As for Sara herself, she was struggling to eat with the best possible manners, desperately sneaking glances at Diana.
Seeing her like that, I can't even bring myself to blame her.
Guwon decided to just clear his mind and eat.
After finishing their meal, they finally set off for the government office.
The office seemed to be quite far from where they were, and walking all the way there would be difficult for Sara and Diana in their dresses, not to mention Guwon in his suit.
Sara, in particular, didn't seem used to the feel of her shoes. She didn't show it, but she looked quite uncomfortable walking.
So, they decided to take a carriage this time.
What a day of new experiences.
They were in a commercial district relatively close to the noble residential area, so carriages passed by occasionally, making it easy to hail one.
As soon as they hailed a carriage, Guwon hopped in first and extended a hand to Sara and Diana.
"After you, ladies."
Hmm. I tried to act like someone in a movie, but even I think it was cheesy. This is a failure.
"Hmph. You're not as completely ignorant of manners as I thought."
But surprisingly, Diana seemed to approve.
This cheesy act is actually considered good manners?
Even if I defeat the Demon King and become famous, I don't think I'll ever be able to play the part of a noble.
Diana took Guwon's hand and elegantly climbed into the carriage.
"Sara, you too."
"Yes."
Sara also climbed in lightly.
She wasn't used to the shoes and stumbled slightly, but she used her exceptional physical abilities to regain her balance with ease.
Isn't this the kind of situation where I'm supposed to catch her as she falls, leading to a scene where our affection levels go up?
To think she'd skip an affection-raising event with her physical prowess.
I really can't tell if she's interested in me or not.
Anyway, after that long journey, Guwon and his party finally arrived at the government office.
It was so long... I can't believe registering a clan is this much trouble.
I came here expecting something like a local community center, but the government building was incredibly magnificent.
There were even two soldiers in armor guarding the entrance.
Seeing this made me think that all the trouble we went through wasn't for nothing.
If we weren't dressed like this, we might have been turned away at the door.
"Halt."
As the party tried to enter the building, one of the guards immediately stopped them.
What? You mean even dressed like this, we don't get a free pass?
"What is it?"
"I don't recognize you. Uh... excuse me, but may I have your names?"
The guard spoke with a hesitant tone.
I guess it wouldn't be easy to say something like that after seeing Sara and Diana.
They were both dazzlingly beautiful to begin with, but now that they were all dressed up, it was like they had halos.
Despite Sara's slightly awkward demeanor, anyone would mistake her for the daughter of a nobleman.
"I am Diana."
"Do you have anything to prove your identity?"
"I do not."
"Then you cannot pass."
This conversation pattern sounds very familiar.
So what comes next is... Guwon watched with excitement, his heart pounding in anticipation of the next development.
"I am Diana Telluna. Is that sufficient?"
"Gah! M-My apologies!"
But the guard's head didn't go flying.
The moment Diana said the name I'd never heard before, the two guards' bodies seemed to stiffen, and then they saluted in unison and shouted loudly.
"It is an honor to be in the presence of the Supreme Mage!"
"You're too loud. Speak more quietly."
"Yes! Our apologies!"
The guards' zealous tone didn't waver despite Diana's command.
These guys have some nerve, talking to the Supreme Archmage like that. ...Not that I'm one to talk.
Diana looked fed up, but she didn't say anything more.
I see. I always thought she seemed strangely used to me not listening to her. Turns out this is just her daily life.
"Ugh. So, may we enter?"
"Of course! Please, go right in!"
"I'll go in at my own pace. Don't order me around."
Finding the guards' reaction amusing, Guwon reflexively chimed in.
The guard gave Guwon a brief "Who the hell is this?" look, but then seemed to realize something and looked back at Diana.
"My apologies! I never meant it as an order!"
"Don't you start making things difficult, too."
Diana looked like she was about to raise her hand to give Guwon her usual flick on the forehead, but she quickly gave up, covering her armpit.
Heh. It's hard to attack my head in that outfit, isn't it?
Not only is it hard to stand on your tiptoes in those shoes, but since it's an off-the-shoulder dress, raising your arm would expose your entire armpit.
"By the way. Diana Telluna?"
"Mm. It is my full name."
"Should I start calling you Diana—no, Lady Telluna, then? Judging by their reaction, you're a pretty big deal."
"Just call me Diana. I prefer it."
"Really? Alright then."
In truth, Guwon was just saying it for the sake of it.
Even if she had told him to call her Lady Telluna, he found it too bothersome and had no intention of doing so.
"You really are... refreshingly simple."
"Huh? You like me that much?"
"That wasn't a compliment!"
In the end, Diana pinched Guwon's side.
The inside of the building was just as magnificent as the outside.
It wasn't a government office, but more like the mansion of a noble.
The few other people who looked like visitors were all dressed in lavish attire.
I've been thinking this for a while, but is this not just a government office, but one exclusively for nobles or something?
Wait a minute. A noble's mansion... staff... in that case!
Guwon quickly fixed his gaze on what looked like the reception desk.
"Welcome. What brings you here?"
But Guwon's hopes were shattered in an instant.
Dammit. In a place like this, a maid is supposed to pop out. That's the standard trope!
They don't get it. They really, really don't get it!
The person sitting at the reception desk was just a middle-aged woman.
In response to the woman's bored tone, Diana stepped forward.
Both Guwon and Sara were clueless about these kinds of affairs, so they had no choice but to let her handle it.
Besides, Sara looked like she was at her limit just trying to pretend to be calm.
Her face was even stiffer than usual, and her movements seemed somehow rigid.
"We're here to register a clan."
At Diana's words, the receptionist's eyebrow twitched slightly in displeasure.
Did she not like the informal speech?
Then again, this woman also looks like a noble at first glance.
"You cannot register a clan without the proper qualifications. You people are..."
"Diana Telluna."
"What's that... GAH! Lady Telluna! M-My deepest apologies for not recognizing you! I don't know if you remember me, but I am the head of the House of Viscount Cotton, and thirty years ago at the party of Count Ariwen..."
The woman, who until that moment had been leaning back in her chair with a bored expression, instantly shot upright and began shouting desperately.
"Yes, yes. That's enough. Just get the papers."
"Yes, yes! My apologies!"
The woman apologized with such fervor she looked ready to prostrate herself on the floor as she hurriedly pulled out the documents.
Even nobles act like this around her? She's really no joke.
If she ever finds out about all the times I've teased her, am I going to be executed?