Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Constantly Mistaken for a Pro (7)
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It was around the time the sun began to set.
The group arrived at their target destination before it got too late and busily began setting up camp.
Asha glanced at Elysia, who was resting comfortably, then turned her eyes to the mercenaries bustling about.
Only now did she truly understand what they meant by a win-win situation.
In exchange for handling all the miscellaneous chores, if a dangerous situation arose, they had to step up proactively as well.
It was the agreed-upon deal.
Having grasped the situation, Asha observed the mercenaries closely.
It seemed like something she might have to do herself someday.
"Here you go, miss."
"Thank you."
Once camp was set up, the group gathered around the campfire and began their meal.
Asha took a wooden bowl and blew gently on the steaming soup.
Salted meat, dried vegetables, and all sorts of mixed ingredients simmered in the broth, giving off a simple yet distinctive aroma.
It tasted better than expected.
'Is my palate just that undemanding?'
She stared into the bowl and tilted her head.
Soon, Asha sat beside Elysia, gazing into the flames, and leisurely filled her belly.
After satisfying her hunger, she looked around.
The mercenaries clustered with their own kind, and the merchants with theirs.
It was still a bit early to sleep.
Asha pursed her lips thoughtfully.
'Maybe I should chat with some of the others?'
To gather information and pick up some common knowledge.
It was the perfect spare time for it.
Having decided, Asha quietly stood up.
"Elysia, I'm going to talk with the others for a bit."
"Hm? Sure."
Leaving Elysia to rest, she set off on her own.
The group Asha approached was a bunch of rough-looking male mercenaries.
Meanwhile, among the mercenaries.
They were whispering among themselves about the newly joined elf.
"Whoa, I've never seen anyone that gorgeous since the day I was born."
"First real elf I've laid eyes on. Are they all like that?"
"No way. I saw one back in the day, but she's top-tier even among elves."
Admiring whistles and gasps erupted from the mercenaries.
"Ugh... Rina's plenty pretty, but now she's totally overshadowed."
"Hey, wipe your drool first."
They chuckled and bantered back and forth.
But their interest and antics stopped there.
The rumors about elves were too infamous to casually strike up a conversation out of curiosity.
Especially with that stern female knight right beside her.
In the end, the mercenaries settled for simply admiring her beauty from afar.
But then, out of nowhere.
"Hello?"
The elf girl approached them first.
The mercenaries exchanged glances and blinked rapidly.
'What's this? Did we do something wrong?'
'Someone mess up with that elf?'
'Any idiots fooling around?'
Silent exchanges flew between them.
Unaware of their inner turmoil, Asha curved her eyes gently into a warm, friendly smile.
"Do you have a moment?"
"Ah, y-yes! Of course!"
"Wh-what can we do for you...?"
Tense reactions all around.
What on earth was she planning to say with that scary smile?
The more sociable smile Asha put on to seem approachable, the more desperately the mercenaries racked their brains for what sin they might have committed.
As a result.
'Why are they acting like this?'
Even Asha grew flustered.
She wasn't about to eat them or anything.
She just wanted to chat, so why the weird reactions?
For a moment, she eyed the men frozen stiff as statues in bewilderment.
Then Asha quickly pieced it together.
'Well, a stranger suddenly approaching out of nowhere...'
Elves seemed rare, too.
She could see herself reacting the same way to an unfamiliar being.
Reminded that she herself was an elf, another assumption naturally followed.
What came to mind when thinking of elves?
Long-lived race, mystical and benevolent aura—plenty of things.
But everyone would agree they were strikingly handsome and beautiful.
In other words, the burly men collectively short-circuiting at the blooming smile of a lovely elf maiden...
'...Oh.'
Asha's cheeks flushed pink.
She'd gone and gotten full of herself again.
This was too much, even for her, Asha!
Scolding herself inwardly, she sheepishly scratched her cheek.
Anyway, having mulled over various reasons, she figured the solution was simple.
Just chat as planned and close the distance.
Asha plopped down on the dirt floor like the mercenaries.
"Nothing much, just thought we'd talk."
"......"
"......"
The mercenaries' shoulders hunched like frightened puppies.
Talk? Was she here to boast about her prestigious background?
Or to nitpick every little mistake they'd made?
Either way.
'One wrong word here, and we're in for a world of hurt...!'
The mercenaries started eyeing each other cautiously.
"Hey, you talk to her."
"Me? Why?!"
"You said you've seen an elf before! Experience should step up."
"......"
It was just from afar, obviously!
No way he'd ever chatted with one.
But there was no escape for him.
The mercenary captain was nodding from a short distance away, giving the signal.
Gulping hard, the mercenary spoke.
"Wh-what... did you want to t-talk about...?"
His forced smile was obvious to anyone.
And Asha wasn't blind to it.
"Oh dear. I came empty-handed..."
"You're good as is!"
The mercenary yelped in panic.
Anything in her hands would make it even scarier!
Clueless to his panic, Asha thought, 'They're all so kind,' and nodded.
"Truth is, I'm a total greenhorn just starting out as a mercenary."
"Ah, I see... really...?"
"Yes! So, if it's not too rude, I'd love to learn a few things in your spare time. Is that okay?"
Asha leaned forward slightly, gazing up at the man with expectant eyes.
A strange silence fell over the mercenaries.
Finally, the one pushed forward cleared his throat awkwardly.
"You're a m-mercenary?"
"Feel free to speak casually! I'm the one learning here."
"......"
"......"
Not one of them trusted their own ears.
What had they just heard?
Speak casually? To an elf?!
This was weird.
Way too weird.
The rough-faced mercenaries glanced back and forth at each other, trying to make sense of it.
Then back at the elf girl before them.
Amid their rugged crew, her beauty stood out like a sore thumb—practically dazzling.
And her manners were impeccable.
It shattered every elf image they'd ever heard.
'Is this really an elf?'
'Mutant?'
'Not a disguise, right?'
If her ears were even a bit shorter, no one would bat an eye...
...Be that as it may, the adaptability of mercenaries who'd weathered all sorts of harsh trials was truly remarkable.
They adjusted even to this peculiar elf.
The weirder something was, the more caution it demanded.
They never treated Asha completely at ease, but they managed to mingle with her.
Of course, her enchanting beauty played no small part in loosening their guards.
"How about it? Pretty cool, right?"
"Hmm, what's the point of that move?"
As Asha asked, the mercenary tossed his dagger into the air once more.
It spun gracefully before he snatched it mid-fall with flair.
"Keeps your combat instincts sharp while getting comfy with the dagger."
"Bull. It's just showboating. Asha, that trick's meaningless."
"Hey! Let me have my moment!"
"Ah, ha."
Asha giggled at the bickering mercenaries.
Her clear laughter rang out amid the rough men.
The mercenaries grinned broadly in response.
A refined, polite intellectual elf!
An unheard-of freak of nature, but for now, she was like a vibrant flower brightening their crude atmosphere.
The march's fatigue vanished in an instant.
"I've got more where that came from. Watch this."
"Ahem! Forget that useless stuff—I'll teach you something actually helpful."
They started bragging about their own skills.
Asha listened intently with keen interest, spurring them on further.
Meanwhile, watching from a short distance away, Rina wore an incredulous expression.
'...Were mercenaries always such gentlemen?'
Definitely not. Few jobs were as barbaric and rude as theirs.
Yet seeing them perform for Asha made her common sense waver.
"Can I give it a try?"
"Hm? It's dangerous, though? Way harder than it looks!"
As Asha held out her hand, the mercenary hesitated but handed over the dagger.
He couldn't resist her curiosity.
"I-I'm pretty good at picking things up if I observe closely."
Grinning, Asha flicked her wrist lightly after taking the dagger.
Thud!
The dagger embedded into a tree with a sharp metallic ring.
Before it stood a man with bloodshot eyes, grinding his teeth.
"That damn bitch..."
In the dark forest shrouded by dense trees.
The faint torchlight cast a reddish glow on his twisted face.
"So that girl's a real looker, huh?"
"Perfect timing. I was itching for a big score anyway."
The surrounding men snickered.
Grease-stained armor, blades crusted with bloodstains, a choking stench.
They were all low-grade mercenaries.
Maverick, captain of the mercenary band that had terrorized Haven Village.
Having barely escaped under cover of night, he'd gathered dozens of filthy scum.
All to exact revenge on the elf girl who had humiliated him.