Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Keeps Getting Mistaken for a Pro (14)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
...Just as Hunter Rune stepped out of the village chief's house.
He was heading to an old log cabin on the edge of the village, hoping for some quiet rest.
Then, purely by coincidence,
he ran smack into a horde of children pouring out from the direction of the inn.
Their eyes sparkling, the kids asked,
"Rune Uncle! Is it true Big Sis Asha is at the chief's house?"
"We saw it too, Uncle? Sis took down the monster threatening the village!"
"We're looking for her to hear the story ourselves!"
They all excitedly chattered on and on.
One particularly impatient kid even stomped their feet on the ground.
'When did she get so chummy with the kids?'
Rune was flustered.
The merchants had only arrived in the village a single day ago.
What on earth had that elf girl been up to, to already become the village kids' hero?
The fact that they were actively seeking her out meant they were completely smitten.
He couldn't for the life of him figure out when or how she'd won them over.
'That elf is truly unpredictable...'
Rune recalled the elf girl's diligent attitude during today's hunt.
She'd even shown consideration for the injured mercenary.
With her beauty and gentle personality to boot...
Kids were pure-hearted, so they probably opened up to her more easily.
He could understand them falling for her.
...Even if he still had no clue about the specifics.
"Did you hear the story from the forest?"
"Yeah! She beat a giant deer!"
"And a wild boar too!"
One word from him sparked a torrent in return.
Rune let out a soft chuckle.
"Alright, want to head to the chief's house together? I'll call Asha out without disturbing the meeting."
"Yay!"
"Hurry, let's go!"
And so Rune turned back, leading the kids along the way he'd come.
He was tired, sure, but he wasn't so callous as to crush their eager expectations.
Besides, sending them alone might just end up bothering the adults. Better to go with them.
In the scene that followed, Rune's thinking proved half right... and half wrong.
The kids completely forgot about him and dashed ahead with bright peals of laughter!
"Asha Big Sis—!"
"Sis! Tell us all about today!"
They shouted in excited voices.
Just like that, they reached the chief's house in a flash.
The door stood half-open.
A few kids slipped right through the gap, with the rest hot on their heels.
"Oh..."
Rune clutched his head.
He'd tried to stop them, but it was already too late...
"Sis! Thanks for protecting our village!"
"Asha Sis, are you getting a reward from the grown-ups now?"
Their innocent chatter filled the room.
At the sudden intrusion of the rowdy little ones, the chief's expression visibly hardened.
At the same time, the villagers seated behind him exchanged glances.
'If I play this right...'
In that moment, Rina's father keenly seized the opportunity.
He deliberately raised his voice.
"Kids, the chief says even though Asha protected the village, he can't give her any reward!"
"Huh? Why?"
"But she saved our village?"
"She beat the monster and the wild boar!"
The children's pure questions came pouring out one after another.
"Well, seems the chief doesn't see it that way. Guess he won't keep his promise."
"But grown-ups who break promises are bad people."
"Is the chief a liar?"
"Why won't you say thanks for saving the village?"
The kids' innocent barrage of questions!
Their untainted doubts battered the chief's dignity mercilessly, like clubs.
His face flushed beet red in front of everyone.
Rina's father quietly swallowed a laugh as he watched.
No idea when Asha had gotten close to the kids, but this was a golden chance.
He steadily pressed the attack.
"See, Chief? Even the village children can tell right from wrong."
"......"
"As an adult and a leader, shouldn't you set an example yourself?"
"Hah, really..."
In the end, the chief could no longer hold back his pent-up anger and exploded.
"What do you snot-nosed brats know about anything! Don't butt into grown-up business—get lost!"
The kids didn't back down and shouted right back.
"We know what we know!"
"Grandma said anyone who doesn't repay kindness is worse than a beast!"
'Good, good. You're doing great, kids.'
Rina's father scanned the growing crowd.
A few villagers, drawn by the commotion, had gathered and were murmuring as they watched.
Perfect audience.
A complete checkmate.
No matter that the opponent was the village chief—the momentum kept shifting their way.
'Now just to seal the deal.'
He poured oil on the flames.
"Chief, what dignified behavior in front of the children. Truly impressive."
"Th-this...!"
Only then did the thoroughly riled chief grasp the severity of the situation.
Behind the furious kids stood villagers whispering and shooting him dirty looks.
Public opinion was solidifying against him.
Today's events would spread like wildfire through rumors.
Beyond nearby villages—maybe even to the city.
One wrong move here, and not just his face, but his reputation would come crashing down.
The chief had to make a quick call.
"...Y-yes, you're right. Sorry for losing my temper. I had no idea the children thought so deeply."
His voice trembled as he declared his surrender.
"Those who protected the village... will receive fitting rewards."
Once the specific negotiations got underway,
Asha decided her part was done and led the kids outside.
She sat on a sun-dappled tree stump, chatting amiably with them.
The kids laughed and talked nonstop, their silvery giggles carrying on the breeze.
A few passing villagers paused to watch the heartwarming scene with smiles.
Not long after, the merchants emerged from the chief's house, negotiations complete.
Among them, Rina's father gazed at Asha from afar and spoke to Logan standing beside him.
"Say, isn't Asha a fascinating girl?"
"Definitely. A fierce warrior on the battlefield, but now she looks every bit the fresh young maiden."
She was a far cry from the typical elf image most people knew.
'More like the ideal image, really.'
Logan crossed his arms, watching Asha and the kids.
"Her courage and devotion go without saying, but that pure innocence..."
"She seems just like a figure from a holy painting. Gives off that noble vibe too."
They nodded in unison.
Neither was particularly devout, but in this moment, they meant every word.
Asha's presence simply felt that special.
"Hm... Suddenly reminds me of a story from a century ago."
"Yulia Silvern?"
"Haha! Great minds."
They nodded again in sync.
After standing mesmerized for a bit, admiring her beauty, they naturally started walking over.
Both shared similar thoughts.
'We've benefited so much from Asha on this trip.'
'Might as well play it social now—hype her up big in front of the kids.'
In a small village, nothing spread news faster than kids.
Their innocent words would reach their parents unfiltered, then ripple through the whole village.
Reputation built up just like that—it was bound to help Asha's future a little.
As Rina's father approached Asha and the kids, he opened with an exaggerated tone.
"You all heard the stories, right? Us grown-ups got tons of help from Asha too."
Logan played along.
"Asha's so amazing! Our whole mercenary band couldn't take her even if we all rushed her."
"Whoaaa...!"
The kids gasped in awe at Asha, then turned back to the adults.
"More! Tell us more!"
"What else did Asha Sis do?"
Hands shot up, some spun in place.
All of them buzzing with excitement, eyes shining bright.
Seeing the kids so hyped, Asha felt she should calm them a bit.
Blushing embarrassed, she cautiously spoke up.
"Um, everyone? It's not that much..."
But the adults cut her off with shouts.
"That Woodhorn deer wasn't just any deer! It was a monster, after all!"
"Just the horns alone are worth a fortune! You'd have to pay in gold!"
"Whoa! And Sis took it down?!"
"Monsters are super dangerous, they said!"
"......"
The story had grown wings.
Asha gave up on reining it in and quietly sat listening along.
No point spoiling the mood when the kids were this thrilled.
Watching her, the adults thought,
'Humble to boot!'
The epitome of an honorable, noble elf!
Scratch scratch—
[Additional record on the elf girl accompanying us during the journey: Complete.]
The accompanying elf girl responded to the sudden nighttime ambush without a flicker of emotion.
She assessed the situation in an instant and selected the perfect counter—like a seasoned commander.
Not personally witnessed, but multiple consistent testimonies claim she defeated a Woodhorn bare-handed.
Defies standard martial frameworks; likely a special clan secret technique.
This elf girl might just—
"...Ah, shoot."
Elysia halted her absentminded scribbling.
She'd nearly tacked on a personal line that didn't fit the record.
With a wry smile, she wrapped it up.