Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Feast and Revelry (2)
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“Wow... Miss! I've never seen such beautiful leather in my whole life.”
“This is my first time seeing one that's only been roughly processed, too.”
Elysia and the maid Selma were chatting as they gazed at the decorative rack in one corner of the living room.
It had an otherworldly sheen, as if it had been cut straight from the night sky itself. A natural beauty, complete in its perfection.
It was none other than the hide of a Void Jaguar.
“...Huh? Why is this here?”
A soft, clear voice chimed in from among them.
It was Asha, freshly bathed and fully dressed up.
“The elf knights said they'd yield this much to you.”
“What? Isn't this super valuable?”
“Indeed. Especially the leather from the torso—it's something you can't buy no matter how much money you have.”
Because the supply is woefully short compared to the demand, Elysia added with a smile.
“The elves sure are generous. They know honor.”
“That's true, but... is it really okay for me to take it?”
“Should I send it back, then?”
Asha blinked at the words.
She actually seemed to be pondering it.
Elysia chuckled softly and spoke.
“If you refuse, it'll put them in a tough spot instead, Asha. Washing their hands of a debt like that would feel like a stain on their honor.”
“...Really?”
“Mm! Sometimes kicking away goodwill is the real breach of etiquette.”
She wondered if she should explain a bit more. With that thought, Elysia opened her mouth again.
“Think of it this way instead. They yielded it so readily because your performance was that outstanding. Remember when I told you about shares on the way up the mountain?”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
“Look closely at the hide. The leg parts are missing, right? The elves took all the meat and other byproducts too. They're no fools—they took what they wanted.”
“Aha...”
Asha lightly clapped her hands.
Then, as was only natural, she offered words of praise. They were her genuine impressions too.
“They're truly honorable people!”
“Hehe, so when you meet the elf knights at the banquet, there's something you should do.”
“Give them my thanks?”
“Mm.”
Elysia nodded with a peculiar expression.
Thanks, huh. It wasn't wrong, exactly...
But hearing an elf put it that way feels so unfamiliar.
If it were a typical elf Elysia knew?
They'd laugh boldly first, saying it was just what anyone would do. Then they'd bask grandly in the praise that naturally followed. And lift up the other person too...
A scene where they'd show off their own dignity by praising the other in return. That's what would unfold as a matter of course.
Put nicely, a sociable virtuous cycle. Put harshly, empty formality.
Of course, it had clear pros and cons.
A perfect example was today's events. The elf knights yielding the hide. Just look at Knight Errun—he'd been drooling over the Void Jaguar carcass they were hauling.
That such a treasure had come their way.
Receiving much meant they had to give much in return.
As the elf knights had willingly yielded their share, it was only right for Asha to praise their honor without stint.
The silver lining, at least...
Elysia glanced sidelong at Asha, who was innocently fiddling with the hide.
“Miss Selma. It's plenty big—shall I cut some off for you? How about a handkerchief or something?”
“Pardon? N-No way, Miss!”
“As thanks for all you do for me usually.”
“Oh, come on, that's just my job! Besides, you can't make a handkerchief out of hide like this!”
Selma waved her hands frantically, but she couldn't hide the smile spreading across her lips.
She hadn't coveted the precious hide to begin with. It was the young miss's sincere care for her that truly touched her heart.
A moment when unfeigned kindness exerted its full power.
Watching them, Elysia shook her head slowly.
Just like always, she'll handle it fine on her own.
It was true she still felt a bit worried, like watching a toddler take its first steps...
But she'd be going along anyway.
Last night's brief chat with the elf knights flashed through Elysia's mind.
...There was something reassuring I could've told Asha. But maybe it's not needed.
Instead, Elysia brought up something else.
“That aside, Asha. I think you could use a little more adornment.”
“Eh? What?”
“I'll lend you some of my accessories. Even if this banquet is an informal internal event, it wouldn't do for the star to be too plain.”
“Aren't the elf knights the stars? It's a welcome-back feast for them.”
“To me, you're the star.”
Asha's face noticeably flushed at those words.
This banquet, hosted by the Knight Order, was a small gathering to welcome back the elf knights and the other knights who'd been out on mission.
An event focused purely on strengthening internal bonds, without inviting outside nobles.
As such, the venue was the banquet hall within the Knight Order headquarters.
It's way bigger than I imagined.
Asha had been inwardly tense in the unfamiliar place and situation.
But she relaxed upon confirming it was a casual affair without much formality.
For reference, the main reasons were that it was an internal gathering emphasizing rest and commendation, plus the vice captain's prior notice.
Knights in comfortable tunics sat around a long table, chatting amiably.
Roasts steaming invitingly were paired with cool mugs of beer passed around.
Squire knights were there too, urging drinks on the knights and chiming in on jokes to liven up the mood.
Asha took the seat beside Elysia and glanced around.
That boy from the corridor the other day is here too.
Suddenly, as if sensing her gaze, the boy turned his head. Asha gave a light eye-smile greeting, and he blushed, bowing his head.
Then he chugged the beer in front of him.
Watching the boy turn red up to his ears, Asha thought, He must not hold his liquor well.
She pursed her lips in a smile and resumed surveying the hall.
Swish. The slender necklace around her neck swayed, tickling her skin. Every time she turned her head, the unfamiliar sensation slid lightly over her collarbone.
It was an accessory Elysia had lent her. Purely decorative, not practical. The new feel made Asha fiddle with the necklace absentmindedly.
Then, suddenly.
No elf knights here?
Asha noticed the elf knights weren't at the banquet.
She quickly scanned from one end of the long table to the other.
No sign of them even on a second look.
Asha leaned toward Elysia beside her and asked.
“Are the elf knights not coming?”
“As if.”
Elysia chuckled softly, took a sip of her beer, and replied.
“They're just running a bit late. No need to worry—they'll show up.”
Elysia offered no further details.
She saw no need to explain. It was familiar territory anyway.
“Makes sense. The stars always make their entrance last, right?”
“...”
Asha casually dropped words that nailed the situation.
Elysia stared at Asha's lovely face with a bemused expression.
She was usually just a pure-hearted girl. But sometimes these offhand remarks hit right at the core.
Strange... and impressive, I guess.
“Asha, this really is your first banquet?”
“Of course! I've lived in the mountains forever. Ah, shall we toast?”
“Uh, sure. Let's.”
The two women lightly clinked glasses.
It was right then, as they pleasantly quenched their thirst.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Vice Captain Roderick Kreutz approached with a glass in hand.
“Enjoying the banquet?”
“Yes! Thank you for inviting me.”
“Haha, I'm the grateful one. Thanks to you, we captured those bandits safely and saved the Knight Order's face.”
With that, Roderick raised his glass.
A beat late, Asha raised hers in response.
Gulp, gulp. Roderick drained his glass, wiped the foam from his mouth, and said.
“By the way, Miss Asha, about that previous offer. Changed your mind at all?”
“You mean joining the Knight Order?”
“Yes. Let me ask seriously again. Letting talent like yours slip away would be negligence as vice captain.”
Eagerness dripped from his tone.
Asha's mouth fell open at the sincerity—it wasn't empty words.
Praise always felt good, especially from someone high up.
Still, I should refuse...
Ahem. As Asha opened her mouth to speak, Roderick raised an empty hand to stop her first.
Then, in a low, serious tone, he continued.
“Normally, you'd start as a squire and go through the steps. But you're already a finished warrior, aren't you? Plus, the insight and refinement you showed on the chessboard—even seasoned knights would have to yield.”
Extravagant praise.
Asha's cheeks tinted pink.
Roderick pressed on without pause.
“You've already proven your knightly dignity. I'll handle the tedious procedures myself. Just say yes, and I'll propose it to the count right away. Minimal training after that.”
A truly exceptional offer!
Nearby knights who'd overheard whispered among themselves.
“Insight on the chessboard? What's that about?”
“You weren't there, huh? That elf girl's chess skills are insane!”
“An elf? At chess? You drunk already?”
Doesn't sound sane. As he muttered quietly, the chatting knight chuckled.
“Don't even ask! She beat Errun and Brita four times straight. She could take you blindfolded.”
It might really be true.
That terrifying fact made the knight who'd spoken shudder.
Meanwhile, Roderick was promising Asha generous pay and benefits.
His silver tongue was so persuasive that Asha's eyes began to waver.
Whoa, even work-life balance...
Maybe being a knight wasn't so bad?
As she pondered amid the alcohol's buzz.
—Being a knight means you're basically a high-class laborer on 24-hour standby.
Her foster father Min Hyeong's past words flashed through her mind.
He seemed proud of knighthood, yet he'd occasionally let slip biting sarcasm.
Asha pulled herself together.
On second thought, the vice captain's offer was full of holes.
All sweet talk, no mention of duties or restrictions.
And all verbal promises—who knew how it'd actually go.
Asha carefully set her beer mug on the table.
She glanced at Elysia.
Eyes closed, arms crossed, nodding contentedly.
Approval of the vice captain's proposal, no doubt.
But.
She was a knight too.
Couldn't rely on her judgment now.
Asha took a short breath.
This world's totally different from my past life, but there are common threads.
An extraordinary offer indeed. What response to give.
“...”
Asha steeled herself.
It was right then.
A commotion arose at the banquet hall entrance.
“Haha, kept you waiting!”
“Alright, now that the stars are here, let's get this party started for real!”
The elf knights had finally made their appearance.