Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: But I'm an Elf (3)
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In this world, knights can be broadly divided into three types based on their way of life.
First, fief-holding knights who possess their own territories.
These are vassals who swear loyalty to their lord in exchange for villages or farmlands granted to them.
They normally govern their own fiefs and live their lives accordingly.
They only arm themselves and join the fray when summoned by their lord.
Next, salaried knights affiliated with a city or knight order.
These are individuals who receive a salary under contract rather than owning specific territories.
They work according to scheduled shifts and off-days, enjoying relative freedom outside of duty hours.
However, they aren't completely free.
It's customary to report in advance if leaving the city or being absent for an extended period.
Unlike fief-holding knights, they also have obligations to undertake expeditions or dispatch missions.
They handle high-risk, high-difficulty tasks and earn rewards befitting their high value.
Elysia was a prime example of a salaried knight.
Finally, wandering free knights with no affiliation.
These are mercenaries building renown to gain patronage, their loyalties as fickle as the swing of a sword.
"The knight order is quite large, isn't it?"
Asha asked as she walked, guided by a squire boy.
On the way to the lounge, she was having her curiosities answered one by one.
"Has it always operated this way since ancient times?"
"Not quite. This system developed around a century ago."
"Oh..."
Asha paused for a moment.
A century ago.
The phrase stirred a sense of déjà vu.
"A century ago... does that mean...?"
"Yes, exactly what you're thinking. The heroes who averted the catastrophe. Among them, Lady Yulia Silvern is said to have had a tremendous influence on the development of knight orders."
"......"
You again?
Truly, a hero was a hero. Her name popped up at every turn.
"That's when the concept of noble knight houses began."
"Ah, I see."
It was a familiar term.
Asha recalled a recent memory.
The day at the inn when Elysia had offered to introduce her to the elf knights.
She had definitely called the Raglain Count Family a knightly house then.
'So that's how it connects.'
Did that mean somewhere in this world, there was a knight order that had inherited Lady Yulia Silvern's legacy?
As fresh curiosity bubbled up.
"This is the lounge."
They had arrived at their destination right on cue.
The squire boy gave Asha a brief introduction to the interior before taking his leave from the building.
Left alone, Asha scanned the room with eyes full of curiosity.
A person lounging comfortably in a plush chair, spacing out.
Another dozing in the sunlight by the window.
And then.
Clack, clack—
The sound of chess pieces clicking together.
Asha's gaze fixed briefly there before sweeping the room again.
In case an elf knight might be around.
'......Looks like there aren't any here.'
Maybe they were all diligently training?
Elysia had said she'd probably be at the training grounds unless something came up.
She could meet them after Elysia finished her report and returned.
In the meantime, to pass the time, Asha approached the group playing board games.
What they had was chess.
She wondered if the rules matched what she remembered.
Asha observed the pieces' arrangements and movements intently.
Three teams, paired off two each, faces focused on their boards.
"Check."
"......Hmm, using the knight like that?"
"Come on, make your next move."
"Ah, wait! Didn't see the bishop? Can't I take it back?"
"No way! Once you let go, it's final."
"Come on, have some honor! Just once!"
In their lighthearted bickering, one team's game came to an end.
With a groan of defeat, the loser flung his body back dramatically.
At that exact moment.
His eyes met Asha's, who happened to be looking that way.
"......Huh? An elf?"
'Don't recognize the face.'
He straightened up, turning his chair with a creak.
His gaze, starting from her pointed ears, traced the curve of her body-hugging sky-blue kirtle all the way to her toes.
Sizing up this unfamiliar, radiant intruder.
That's when Asha spoke.
"Hello. I'm a guest of Lady Valtline and was told to wait here."
"Lady Valtline?"
"Guess she's back."
Soft murmurs arose.
The other chess teams had also noticed Asha.
True to their knightly demeanor, they greeted the guest politely.
However, no one invited her to play.
An elf wouldn't be interested in chess, a game of strategy and tactics.
If she showed interest in anything, it'd be the people, not the game.
Or perhaps she was just extraordinarily bored.
A shared psychology left unspoken.
'They're all so into it.'
Watching them resume their games, Asha thought absently.
In her previous life, whenever she was bored, she'd play chess with her adoptive father, Min Hyeong.
They called it for culture and refinement, but Asha knew the truth.
It was just an excuse for awkward father and daughter to have something to talk about.
Though later it devolved into a prideful battle with no quarter given.
'I miss it......'
A faint smile bloomed on Asha's face as she sank into memories.
The rules seemed much the same as she remembered.
Asha scanned all three teams, dredging up old reading skills buried in her mind.
How much time passed like that?
"Check."
"......Ugh! Fine, I lost. Lost."
"Not begging for a take-back this time?"
"You wouldn't anyway. You honorless guy."
The same team from before bickered to another conclusion. Same result.
Asha subtly shifted closer and stood by them.
"Um..."
The two seated men looked up at her with puzzled expressions.
"Could I play a game too?"
"?"
"?"
The two froze, blinking in unison.
They gaped blankly before exchanging glances.
Asha added with a pretty smile.
"Seeing you two have so much fun made me curious too."
"???"
"???"
Meanwhile, in the knight order headquarters office.
Roderick Kreutz, vice-commander of the Raglain Count Family's knight order.
He read the 'Mountain Recluse Investigation Report' with a businesslike expression.
"......No luck this time either. Good work, Lady Valtline."
"Not at all. I'm only sorry I failed to complete the mission."
Roderick nodded, eyes fixed on the report, in response to Elysia.
He pondered briefly before speaking.
"So, about these details. What on earth is this supposed to mean?"
Roderick's face twisted in dismay.
A reverent spirit venerating martial prowess. An elf girl who transcended worldly status to grasp the essence of glory.
Up to here, the embellishments were flowery but not outlandishly so.
But...
'What? The elf's wise ambush... saved us from crisis?'
Combat always starts with ambushes, and her skill at it was unparalleled?
He nearly misunderstood from sheer absurdity.
Unparalleled skill at ambushes, no less.
'What's next.'
Considering victory and beyond, a virtuous and wise demeanor?
Awe-inspiring insight worthy of strategic reference?
'An elf, wise?!'
Roderick felt a headache throbbing.
......Fine, her enjoying luxuries could be called virtuous in some twisted way. A guest might feel that way.
But wisdom? Awe-inspiring insight?!
And it didn't end there.
She defeated a Woodhorn barehanded!
If that's possible—
"Lady Valtline."
"Yes, speak."
"......No, nothing."
"?"
Roderick bit his lip hastily.
He'd almost asked if she'd written the report drunk.
He couldn't insult her like that to her face.
Besides, considering Elysia's usual knightly dignity, even more so.
Her battlefield reputation might be middling, but in pursuing knightly ideals, she was the epitome of grace among lady knights.
The kind this modern age would call old-school.
For such an Elysia to submit this report...
'Is it real?'
No, but she's an elf?
Torn between irreconcilable contradictions, Roderick rubbed his temples hard.
Squeeze—
A moment later.
Having sorted his thoughts, Roderick spoke again.
"This elf girl."
"Her name is Asha."
"Right, Asha. Lived alone in the mountains? Any chance she's a criminal?"
"Absolutely not."
Elysia's face hardened firmly.
"Her parents might have issues, but Asha herself is no criminal. I stake my sword and honor on it."
"That certain?"
"You'll feel it when you meet her."
"Hoo..."
Roderick drew a dry breath.
"Then why do you think she lived in the mountains? What's your take?"
"As a noble forest knight—"
"No, no. Spare me the report verbatim..."
Interrupting, Roderick let out a small sigh.
"So. Has this elf girl Asha come to Hiragart?"
"Yes. She's in the lounge right now, actually. I'm set to introduce her to our order's elf knights."
"Is that so?"
Roderick stroked his chin with his thumb and stood.
"Perfect. I need to see and confirm for myself."
If wise elves really existed.