Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Banquet and Revelry (4)
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Asha followed behind Roderick down the corridor.
The noisy clamor from the banquet hall gradually faded away.
After turning the corner once, there was a long bench suitable for sitting.
"Let's sit and talk. Make yourself comfortable."
"Yes."
The two sat on the bench with an appropriate distance between them.
It started with light small talk.
"Miss Asha, were you satisfied with your long-awaited meeting with the elf knights?"
"Thanks to your consideration!"
Asha, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, flashed a bright smile.
Roderick, similarly buzzed, gazed at her face intently.
Beneath her sweet smile, he caught a glimpse of pure, childlike joy.
Unlike the typical elves who grinned obnoxiously, it was innocent and pristine...
'...Well now, looks like I'm a bit drunk after all.'
Roderick let out a long sigh into the air.
He turned his head back and spoke.
"I'm glad you're satisfied. It had been weighing on my mind that I couldn't introduce you right away."
"Oh, really? You should've told me it wasn't urgent."
Asha bowed her head slightly in apology as she looked up at Roderick.
Unconsciously, she pressed her knees together more neatly and smoothed her skirt.
Every such gesture and mannerism felt unfamiliar to Roderick.
To be precise, it was fascinating that an elf would think and act this way.
Fortunately, since it wasn't his first time, he managed to stay composed.
Feigning a calm demeanor, he got to the main point.
"Miss Asha. I know you're a thoughtful and prudent person. That's why..."
Roderick's voice dropped even lower.
"I would especially like you to join us. As an honorable elf knight."
Asha gave him a puzzled look.
"All I showed you was one game of chess. Why place such high expectations on me?"
"Because that's more than enough."
"...Aren't you investing too recklessly?"
"Ha ha!"
Roderick burst into a chuckle at the blunt question fueled by alcohol.
"Didn't you say it yourself? If you have no teeth, use your gums. Since I don't know exactly what you want, I simply offered everything I could from my side."
"Wow... You applied that proverb in such a way?"
Asha's eyes widened round as her mouth fell open slightly.
At her innocent reaction, Roderick laughed heartily while stroking his chin beard.
Soon, his expression sobered, and a sharp glint entered his eyes.
He asked in a serious tone.
"Well then, let's hear your answer to the proposal."
Asha's face returned to composure as well. She opened her mouth after a slight delay.
"What I mean is..."
...After Asha left and returned to the banquet hall.
A young man approached Roderick, who remained alone gazing at the night sky.
"Out for some fresh air, sir?"
It was Knight Errun. He plopped down onto the empty spot on the bench.
"Hm? Looks like someone was just here."
The bench still held some warmth. It had to be someone's body heat...
"I was talking with Miss Asha."
"Ah, that explains it."
Errun nodded. He shifted his hips once and spoke.
"What did you discuss? Oh, nothing secretive, I hope?"
"You think I'm like you?"
Roderick snorted and tore his gaze from the night sky to look at Errun.
"I asked if she had any interest in joining the Knight Order."
"Ahh... That old topic again. So, did she give an answer?"
"Mm."
"...Was it a refusal, by any chance?"
"No, not a refusal."
He added a beat later.
"But it wasn't acceptance either."
"Pardon?"
As Errun blinked in confusion, Roderick grinned playfully and asked.
"Before joining the Knight Order, you received your knighthood through your family, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. But why bring that up?"
"Miss Asha said something among the sayings she knows: to reach a high place, one must first be in a low place."
Pffft..., Roderick let out a snort.
Errun tilted his head quizzically.
"Uh... Does that have some deep meaning?"
"Mm. She said she'd rather take it step by step instead of jumping straight to a knighthood. She needs time to understand those she'll lead by walking beside them."
"...Wow, my goodness."
Errun let out an exclamation without thinking.
Even a passing scholar spouting such words would impress with their eloquence.
An elf saying something like that?
That race who loved being in the highest places more than anyone?
"Is that really an elf?"
"Think it's fake?"
The two knights exchanged glances and chuckled simultaneously.
It was autumn.
The next day.
Asha, lightly dressed up, stepped out of her room.
"Hmm~ Hm-hmm~"
She hummed a little tune, her steps light and bouncy.
She planned a quick outing to pick up some necessities.
As she crossed the living room, she spotted Selma, who was cleaning at just that moment.
Their eyes met, and Selma spoke.
"Heading out?"
"Yes. What about Elysia?"
"She had some business today and left a little while ago."
"Ah, got it. I'll head out too then."
Asha nodded and resumed walking.
During the spare moments as she left the house and headed to her destination.
Asha calmly reviewed the events from the banquet hall the previous night.
'I think I handled the vice captain's proposal just right—vaguely enough.'
Instead of a flat-out rejection, she'd opted for an ambiguous hold.
The classic "I'll give it positive consideration" maneuver.
Guessing he liked proverbs, she'd improvised on the spot, and his expression suggested it landed well.
'As the proverb goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'
What a great saying.
Asha grinned.
'And I got to chat well with the elf knights too.'
She'd left early with Elysia, who wanted to head back sooner than expected, so the conversations weren't exhaustive.
But it didn't matter much.
She'd achieved her modest goal.
Her connections with the elf knights weren't ending there.
She'd even made plans to attend another banquet at one of their estates later.
All Asha had to do was wait for the invitation and carry on with her own tasks.
'...I still can't quite figure them out.'
That was her impression from bonding with the elf knights yesterday.
Honorable noble knights perfectly suited to this era.
They had some unexpectedly simple sides, but nothing overly eccentric.
'Maybe?'
There was a slight sense they were a bit out of touch.
Honestly speaking, if people were practicing superhero landings in the middle of the banquet hall out of nowhere, even she'd watch from a distance rather than join in.
'Now that I think about it, they are a bit odd.'
But that was the extent of it.
Eccentric personalities existed in every race, after all.
At least so far, she didn't feel unfairly treated under the grand premise of friendship.
Of course, yesterday was a jovial atmosphere all around, praising honor and such...
She had no intention of jumping to conclusions prematurely anyway.
'Figuring someone out at a glance would be the weird part.'
Asha gave a wry smile.
In any case, combining the first impression from Elysia's stories and the second from direct conversations—both passed muster.
They willingly offered precious hides and approached a stranger warmly for chats.
Wasn't that clear proof that elves were noble and kind beings?
She even felt grateful to have been born an elf, living among such people!
Asha giggled happily.
'Wonder when the invitation will come. Can't wait.'
A private banquet would offer a different vibe from the boisterous Knight Order event.
Probably—no, definitely—a more refined atmosphere for cultured discussions.
It might be a good chance to ask if they knew anything about Yulia Silvern, since she hadn't found proper info yet due to lack of time.
Plus, she'd heard Sir Pien was married with an elf wife.
'A lovely noble lady!'
Asha pictured it in her mind.
A beautiful greenhouse preserving nature's charm. Sitting across from elves at a serene table.
Savoring tea aromas while exchanging intellectual thoughts on recently read books.
'...Sounds great even just imagining it.'
Hmm! In high spirits, Asha skipped along lightly.
Then, by chance, a ladies' clothing boutique caught her eye.
Through the glass window, dresses in vibrant colors gleamed as if begging to be worn, adorned with pretty, ornate accessories sparkling in the sunlight.
'...I should probably get my own clothes instead of borrowing forever.'
She'd need dress code options for future greenhouse visits too.
Hmm... Asha swallowed thoughtfully.
She peeked around the boutique entrance but eventually turned away.
'I'll ask Elysia to come with me when she's free.'
It absolutely wasn't because she was scared to go alone. No way.
And so, the place where Asha finally stopped was in front of a weapon shop.
A weapon shop with a wooden sign depicting what looked exactly like a dwarf!
'A dwarf? Does a dwarf run this place?'
Now she was curious. Incredibly curious!
Maybe, as per the classic trope, they disliked elves or something...
'Won't know until I meet them.'
What kind of race were they? Asha couldn't contain her curiosity.
"Hello..."
She cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
At that moment, the owner behind the counter looked at Asha and...
"......"
His expression hardened for an instant.
It was a fleeting moment.
But Asha clearly caught the frown.