Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Elf and the Coffee Farm (2)
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The overall size of the labyrinth is known to span roughly a 10km radius centered on Labyrinth City Astraea. Of course, the labyrinth itself is undoubtedly larger on the inside than it appears, governed by utterly incomprehensible laws, but when digging outside the city, you encounter indestructible structures at about that distance.
The land stretching a considerable distance from the heart of Labyrinth City Astraea is barren—perhaps because these structures block underground water flows or emit substances harmful to nature. The immediate surroundings resemble a desert, while areas a bit farther out evoke vast wastelands.
And right now, I had reached the point where green grass was just starting to sprout.
"Good boy."
Since I wasn't hauling a ton of gear, I set out with a small cart pulled by a single horse. The cart carried coffee supplies, my camping and daily essentials, and fodder for the horse.
Now free of the barren, parched earth, I fed the horse and let it drink while brewing coffee with the portable espresso machine Mr. Dras had given me.
Using magic to draw in ambient air, it ramps up to 9 or 10 atmospheres of pressure—not perfectly consistent like a full-sized machine, but impressive output for its compact size.
I filled a metal cup with ice water, mixed in the espresso, and sipped an iced Americano.
Gazing out at the grasslands blanketed in green and rippling in the breeze, the coffee carried a flavor worlds apart from my usual brew.
"So this is why the uncles in my past life toted coffee on hikes."
I pictured my old company department head or the neighborhood guys trudging up local hills with thermoses of coffee, or drip bags and hot water. Was this a sign I was finally aging? Or just the scars of life's trials?
The wind sweeping through the grass tousled my slightly overgrown hair.
It felt peaceful, but in a way utterly distinct from my quiet hours alone at the cafe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Julius's sister? Why her all of a sudden?"
"No, I just... wasn't sure if I needed to mention meeting senior Julius."
"Come on, spill it."
Karin felt a twinge of guilt over her half-lie—not far from an outright fib—but she dreaded whatever drama might erupt between Yumin and Namei if the full truth came out. So she wove her words carefully, blending fact with fabrication.
She didn't know the details, but Namei hadn't brought up Justina unprompted for good reason. To steer clear of messy entanglements, Karin figured it best to grasp people's connections and tread lightly.
"She's not a bad person, but she can get pretty extreme at times. If she learned Julius was in the empire, she'd fire off a message to the emperor himself and pull every string to track him down."
That scenario spelled disaster no matter how Karin sliced it. She could already envision the Pallan Empire's emperor locating the cafe manager and squeezing him for diplomatic leverage.
Lately, observing Imir Kingdom's spoiled nobles had left her disillusioned with the realm entirely, amplifying her unease.
Catching the flicker of anxiety in Karin's eyes, Namei let out a smirk.
"She's endlessly forgiving toward non-nobles."
"Huh?"
"Nobles must embody dignity and competence befitting their station—that's the Lebedev creed. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she expects nothing from commoners."
It aligned closely with what Yumin had shared recently. Namei's take carried a warmer tint, but the unyielding standards for nobility rang true across the board.
Karin had never met her properly, yet she couldn't help picturing a stern, imperious woman—expressionless, much like the cafe manager.
His looks paired with that blunt demeanor would be downright intimidating.
"Naturally, she's just as harsh on herself, so she won't pick fights with you out of nowhere. No need to worry."
"Rias senior figured the only reason you'd care was Julius senior and grilled me on whether I knew anything."
"That's exactly her type—embarrassed by such rashness. She won't budge without solid proof."
With Namei and Yumin's assessments clashing, Karin couldn't nail down Justina's true nature. If opinions varied so wildly, maybe she tailored her demeanor to her audience.
She might show a different face to Namei than to Karin.
Should check with gossip-savvy Sophia later.
Karin shelved the thought and snatched a cookie Namei had baked.
Discussing Julius in the cozy side room adjoining the sorority lounge spared her prying eyes from other members—a small mercy.
"You've really mellowed out."
"Huh?"
"Not sure if it's more poise than when Rias had you in tears, or just slyness kicking in."
"...Can't it be from enduring all that nonsense in record time?"
"Ends up working in your favor, at least. Obsess over every slight, and you'll never stop."
Namei flashed a wry smile, sweeping her blue locks behind her ear before refilling her tea from the pot.
Watching Karin thicken her skin evoked images of timid noble heirs braving high society's tempests, emerging as cunning operators.
Progress, or a darkening worldview?
Either way, pin the blame on Rias and Yumin.
"Heard later those two were nuisances outside the dorms? Sorted without hitches?"
"Sorted."
"But hitches happened."
"Yeah... a little?"
Karin herself marveled at dubbing slaps to the cheek, backstabs, and mana blasts to the temple "a little." But spelling it out might ignite this senior's fury, so she muddled through.
"Still terrible at hiding it. Spill—what went down?"
In the end, Karin cautiously recounted the abuse, skipping Yumin's eventual cafe visit.
Namei pinched her brow, pondered with a hum, then lifted her gaze.
"Alright. Game changed. I'll teach you how to get along with Justina."
"Uh... sure?"
"Rias is still Julius's official fiancée—practically Lebedev by association. Word of her slapping and berating a junior? Justina intervenes without fail. She's ruthless on noble decorum."
"Uh, uh-huh. So then..."
Namei yanked her chair close with a scrape, tone firm and advisory.
"Key rule number one: Manners above all. Proper etiquette, noble-style greetings and replies if you can swing it. That's the foundation."
"Got it. Basics from orientation..."
"Plenty. Two: No lies if avoidable. She's got a nose for deception—sniffs it out in seconds."
"...What if she asks about Julius senior straight-up?!"
"Dodge the topic."
"But that's why I got smacked..."
"..."
Namei shut her eyes, conceding the impossibility. After a pained grimace and deliberation, she raised her thumb.
"No helping it. Stick to what you told me before. Wing it from there."
"B-but if she tips off the imperial family over the empire bit..."
"We'll fend it off. 'Brother's thriving' might be her soft spot—nudge toward that."
"Ah. Like, he's taking a breather, traveling around."
"Exactly. Play it that way."
With that, the side room door swung open. Kaya Aseph—soft-featured baking sorority member—drawled casually.
"President. Justina Lebedev's here."
"Already?"
"Already...? Was it scheduled? Anyway, she's here."
"Apologies, Namei senior. Looks like Rias stirred trouble again—I came to apologize, but heard the other party's here."
In she strode after the greeting: blue eyes sharp and unblinking, blonde hair braided neatly to one side. Petite frame, yet her bold gait and rigid posture eclipsed any sense of smallness.
She dipped her head to Namei with impassive eyes, then fixed those glassy, marble-like orbs on Karin.
"Justina Lebedev. My brother's fiancée seems to have caused repeated disturbances—my apologies."
"No need. Namei senior helped sort it, all good now."
"Relieved to hear. That said, might I ask why she targeted you?"
"Uh, our merchant house sponsors senior Ermina, one of..."
"...That idiot still clueless about her own failings. I'll set her straight."
"Uh... really no need."
"As a noble—let alone one aspiring to be Lebedev in-law—such conduct is intolerable. No formal annulment means I hold the authority and duty to correct her."
Trouble. Real trouble. If this sparked Rias getting thrashed and blurting Karin's knowledge of Julius's whereabouts, the backlash would swing her way.
Just imagining Justina demanding why she hadn't mentioned their prior encounter sent cold sweat down her back.
"Um, excuse me!"
"Yes, junior?"
"Uh, perchance... seeking senior Julius?"
"Yes. Searches for my brother's whereabouts continue unabated."
"Uh, well, back when Rias senior was harassing me..."
This time, Karin relayed the original tale she'd told Namei: Julius thriving somewhere in the Pallan Empire. Justina's eyes gleamed at "Pallan Empire," whirling to leave.
"W-wait! From what I heard, he's doing great—wanted some travel downtime."
"No. My brother must return."
"Wh-why...?"
"Brother is the empire's next pillar, setting the example. Peerless, ever at the forefront. Without him, Imir's nobility holds no worth—none."
"Not even a short break...? He really soured at hearing I'm from the academy..."
Justina's brow twitched. She glared at Karin.
"What exactly did you discuss?"
"Uh, academy gossip, stuff like me getting roughed up by Rias senior?"
"Ha. And his take on that woman?"
It was a question in name only—a demand for answers. Pressure mounting, Karin murmured softly.
"Just... she's always like that. Go to Namei senior for help."
"Not me—Namei senior? Not even Professor Selene?"
"...Yes."
"No word of me? Sister, Justina—anything?"
"Nothing..."
Justina's face twisted more fiercely than Karin had ever witnessed.
Eyes drifting unfocused as she muttered to herself, she drew a deep breath, then laid a hand on Karin's shoulder with a gentle smile.
"Space magic your specialty? Day trips to the empire—or weekend overnights, two nights three days—must be trivial, right?"
"Kinda... but."
"If brother craves rest, a sister endures. Visiting in person? Hardly an issue."
"W-would it... be?"
"Won't be. Will it?"
"..."
"Karin. Right? Say it."
"...Yes."
"Then we'll scour weekends at leisure. Ah, no worries—I'll handle every expense."
See you this weekend.
Her stern visage blooming into a beaming smile, Justina vanished.
"...She fixates on brother like that."
"Scary in a whole different league from Rias senior."
"Polite and sweet normally, if you mind your manners."
"Zero relatability."
Ah, my serene academy days.
Karin wept inwardly.