Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Feast and Revelry (1)
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Asha moved lightly on her feet and stood before Elysia.
She gave a brief summary of what had happened.
The elf knights' gazes sparkled as they followed Asha.
'That young lady's the rumored rookie elf?'
'The one with the monstrous strength going around in rumors?'
'Hmm? She looks close with Lady Valtline.'
Each one lost in their own thoughts. They exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
The bandits would be handled by the subordinates anyway.
The elf knights snorted and strode toward Asha.
By then, Asha had already finished explaining. There hadn't been much to explain in the first place.
"What should I do now?"
She glanced at the approaching elves as she asked.
Elysia's eyebrows twitched slightly as she followed her gaze.
'Oh no... They're all hyped up from the post-battle adrenaline.'
In that state, actions often came before words.
Continuing the conversation like this didn't seem wise.
Asha, so refreshingly elven, might end up influenced in who-knows-what way!
Elysia wanted them to communicate in as gentle an atmosphere as possible.
She had resolved to take good care of Asha ever since introducing the elves back at the inn.
It was a sense of responsibility.
"...Asha, could you head down first and brief the ones watching the horses? So we can depart right away."
"It's okay if I don't stay and help?"
"We'll handle the cleanup. Right, Errun?"
"...Y-yeah, sure."
Knight Errun, who had been staring off elsewhere, gave a vague reply.
He had been blinking his wide eyes at the void jaguar's corpse.
'Its head... completely smashed clean.'
How could that even be possible?
Errun's gaze alternated between Asha's dainty little hand and the jaguar's crushed skull.
It couldn't have been smashed with a fist... Did she really spear it into the ground?
While he stood there dumbfounded, the elf knights approached.
Elysia straightened her back and spoke firmly.
"You lot, I understand how you feel, but let's finish the mission first."
"...Hmm?"
"Why bother? The underlings can handle it."
"Come on, you're all too excited. Think it over."
Elysia shrugged nonchalantly, deliberately raising her voice.
"Tales of valor are best enjoyed at a feast, aren't they? Way more thrilling that way."
"Hmm... Can't argue with that."
"You need booze and snacks to really get the party going."
"And we knights must maintain our dignity. Asha's an outsider, after all."
"Mm... You're right! As expected of Lady Valtline. All sound advice."
"We lost our heads for a moment there."
They said as much, but the elves still cast persistent glances at Asha.
They let out long breaths, then flashed bright smiles when Asha looked their way.
Every one of them had striking good looks.
But at that moment, Asha felt some strange sensation.
'What... is this?'
It felt like she was receiving intense attention all focused on her.
...Had she made too good a first impression?
Come to think of it, she had made quite the stylish entrance today.
Showing up like a hero in the nick of time, even pulling off a superhero landing.
It hadn't been intentional... but the stares were a bit overwhelming.
Asha decided to carry out Elysia's instructions promptly.
"If you invite me, I'll definitely come to the feast!"
With that, she hurriedly left the scene, nimble as a quick squirrel.
As Asha began descending first, the elves' shining eyes followed her back.
...A short while later, in the office at the Raglain Knight Order headquarters.
"What? You saying she slammed a void jaguar into the ground with Kampfringen and killed it?"
Ha! Vice-Commander Roderick let out a hollow laugh as he questioned the report.
Kampfringen. Otherwise known as combat wrestling.
This technique was originally a grappling art used by armored knights tangled up in battlefield melee.
A classic, practical grappling move for ultra-close range.
And she used it on a monster? On a beast-type like the void jaguar, no less?
"To be precise, it's a bit different..."
Errun, giving the report, smiled wryly.
"According to eyewitnesses on site, she dodged the charge, grabbed it, spun it around, and smashed it straight into the ground. The result..."
Errun tapped his temple with his fingertip. Then he clenched his fist and spread it open wide.
"Its skull was utterly shattered. I saw it with my own eyes."
"......"
Roderick's eyebrow twitched as he fell silent for a moment.
In his mind rose the image of the elf girl gracefully playing chess.
So elegant and refined. The epitome of innate dignity.
That petite frame...
'Smashed a beast-type monster with raw power and skill.'
Ha ha ha. Roderick let out a sigh.
He might've been less shocked if she'd just beheaded it with a sword. Wrestling, though!
There's even a saying in martial arts: "All swordsmanship fundamentally roots in wrestling." Meaning power and technique are key in close quarters.
In other words, this elf girl Asha was already a battle-hardened warrior who grasped the fundamentals of swordsmanship—a true knight.
Unconsciously, Roderick's hand went to his waist. He caught himself late and chuckled, straightening his posture.
It had been ages since his competitive spirit flared.
'I really want to recruit her into the Knight Order...'
Of course, he hadn't verified her strength firsthand yet.
But Roderick had no inclination to doubt it.
Thanks to the impeccably refined first impression Asha had left.
"...I'll invite her to the feast and talk it over."
"Oh, right, I heard her say if we invite her, she'll definitely attend."
"Is that so? Did she now?"
Roderick stroked his bearded chin.
He hadn't properly shown Asha the Knight Order's appeal yet.
Even after issuing her an access pass, she'd never once visited the training grounds—an odd pattern.
Fine, learning horsemanship was one thing, but...
'Spending her free time in the library!'
An elf, no less! Her footsteps were so peculiar it made you wonder where such an elf even came from.
Roderick chuckled in disbelief, closed his eyes, and pondered.
What if Asha joined the Knight Order and became a proper knight.
'And proved her own abilities.'
Then one day, as a banneret knight wielding command authority alongside military discipline!
Wouldn't that create an elven cavalry force with overwhelming might, mastering strategy and tactics to perfection?
Who could possibly stand against them!
Thump. Thump thump.
Roderick's heart began to race hotly.
Of course, it was just imagination—whether it would really happen was unknown.
For all he knew, Asha might excel while her elven subordinates remained unruly.
Or she might lack commanding talent altogether.
But the mere existence of possibility...
'It's been so long since my heart pounded like this!'
It stirred excitement enough to forget his age.
Roderick grinned, lips curling up.
"How should I tempt her..."
Meanwhile, Asha had returned to Elysia's residence.
"Haaaah... This is bliss..."
She was enjoying a bath in the perfectly prepared warm water by maid Selma.
Living in the city—in a stylish house like this—one of the best perks was this.
Just ask the servants, and a steaming tub appears ready.
Compared to life in the mountains...
"Unngh... Should've come down sooner..."
Of course, that was just idle talk.
She could enjoy this comfort thanks to her good ties with Elysia.
If she'd come down alone, her starting point would've been worlds apart.
Broke as a joke in that case...
"Haa..."
Asha languidly sank deeper into the tub.
As her flushed shoulders submerged below the rippling surface and warm water tickled her lower lip, she drew in a small breath.
The bathwater rippled from her breath, spreading faint waves. Amid the steamy mist, her submerged silhouette left a dreamy afterimage.
Asha closed her eyes languidly, resting her hand on her smooth thigh underwater as she thought.
'Need new clothes tailored, and a sturdy sword too. So many things to spend money on...'
With the gold she had now, it shouldn't fall short.
But it wasn't enough to splurge wildly either.
Sure, she was freeloading room and board from Elysia for now, but she couldn't live like this forever.
She needed to hustle diligently or score a big win to make real money.
'Not that I plan to become a knight.'
First reason: aversion from foster father Min Hyeong's repeated stories. Second: knowing so little about this unfamiliar world.
Hiragart in Raglain County was an incredibly appealing city. Tempting enough to live here forever.
But settling down already felt premature.
The whole world was vast; this was just a tiny piece. Who knew what wonders and connections awaited on the broader continent?
Belonging to a group meant that much less freedom.
Rights come with responsibilities, after all.
Asha still wanted to observe the world with open, unbiased eyes.
'Of course, keep all options open!'
Not doing it and being unable to were entirely different.
Splash—
Asha dunked her face under too. Bubbles. She savored the warm stillness underwater for a moment.
Then, with a puha!, she shot up in one go.
'...Anyway.'
She'd tackle things one step at a time!
For now, the invited feast.
Whether the elves were cramp or not—she'd experience it firsthand through direct conversation, not hearsay.
She left her hesitations in the tub.
Amid the splashing water, Asha's pale, smooth legs stretched out beyond the tub's edge.