“Daniel, it’s been a while.”
BAM!
Eve made a grand entrance, with Tana trailing behind her. Tana shot me a disgusted glance, likely reacting to my instinctive behavior, so I cleared my throat to break the awkwardness.
By the way, the moment I turned my back, Sen started punching me from behind.
“It’s been a while. You’ve been well with Tana?”
“Yes! Especially the time spent in the Mayas family library was truly fantastic! I wish I could live there forever!”
“I was just the one delivering food, so it was dull for me.”
Hahaha…
Seeing Eve stuck in the library for so long likely made Tana worried, so she must have brought her some food.
“But you had fun with Ben and Valtory, right?”
“I actually went there to hang out with you.”
Ben Mayas and Valtory Mayas.
Not long ago, Tana was quite uncomfortable around them, but now they seemed to be pretty close. That’s good!
Ahem, “Anyway, I’m glad to hear that. I actually have something I want to ask you both.”
“Something you want to ask?”
“It feels like just a casual request.”
Tana and Eve immediately furrowed their brows but awkwardly smiled and avoided the topic.
Still, I couldn’t seriously give these two any dangerous tasks. They understood that much, so they accepted with little trouble.
“Tana will probably have separate tasks from the Mayas family. Since there’s a lot to prepare, you’ll be responsible for following my orders.”
“Ha, so it’s true what the head said. The continent will collapse, and the culprit is Ares?”
When I went to meet the king, the head of the Mayas family was also present. So, of course, Tana, who is my friend, got the information too.
Seeing her not overly shocked, I nodded.
“Being a student means I can’t do much, but I’ll still ask for your help.”
“What can I even do? Just some support, I guess.”
I knew not to expect too much from Tana, a student. Eve, who was next to her, seemed to think she’d just be supporting Tana quietly.
“Eve, come with me to the dragonkin.”
“Huh?”
Eve was taken aback when I suddenly mentioned taking her to the dragonkin. My focus was briefly distracted by the swaying motion, and Sen’s fists tightened as she continued punching me from behind.
“Hey, that hurts now.”
I wondered how long this would go on, but it felt like she intended to continue until the banquet ended.
As I twisted my body, Sen was still looking up at me with an upset expression.
“……”
Sen was giving off the vibe of someone locked in an unyielding battle. I stealthily moved aside and gathered the three of us in one spot, saying, “Sen, listen well. You’re also coming with me to the dragonkin’s land.”
“Huh? Me too?”
“Yep, it’s necessary.”
I needed to meet Shakallim, the dragon god known as the dragonkin, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
Since Sen was skilled at moving secretly, I included her in this trip.
“It’ll be the three of us: me, Sen, and Eve. Everyone else has their business, so it’ll be a minimal group.”
“I feel a bit uneasy, but okay.”
“Me too, I’m fine with it.”
I was worried they might refuse, but Eve and Sen accepted without complaints.
“Though I understand Sen coming, why am I being taken along?”
Eve, with her blue dress rustling as she rubbed her opposite arm, looked a bit anxious, so I eased her concerns.
“Don’t worry; you’re coming because you likely know the most legends and stories about dragons. Just think of it as a tour.”
“Aah, is that how it is?”
She clenched her fist confidently, proud of her expertise. Meanwhile, Sen, who had been watching blankly, quietly edged closer to me.
“I’ll admit.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a bit burdensome, but it seems like a good idea.”
“……”
“I think I’ll just go eat some bean dishes.”
“……Good luck.”
Maybe it was the thin fabric of Eve’s dress, but with the slightest movement, her chest shook considerably, making any nearby man glance her way at least once.
“This overwhelming sense of defeat is a first for me.”
Sen grumbled and walked away. While wishing her good fortune, I turned to Eve, who didn’t even realize her victory.
“Do you like beans?”
“Beans? Eww! It’s my least favorite! I won’t eat them at all.”
“……Well, don’t tell anyone that.”
At this point, it’s easy to think the Chokugen Faction is the bad guy. While I continued chatting with Tana and Eve, I noticed a short-haired girl busily moving around the banquet hall and approached her.
“What’s got you so busy?”
“Daniel? I can’t help it. Now the Ren family is solely my responsibility.”
“Don’t think too hard about it. You have a strong background.”
“Elise? Well, she’s a good person, but she seems very strict about keeping work and personal life separate.”
What a strange remark.
“No, I’m the one known to have Elise’s favor. I’m right next to you. Just borrow some time. It will definitely change how people treat you.”
“……Thanks.”
Most nobles are aware that Elise has overwhelming trust in me. A few have approached me, and some glanced cautiously at me.
If I chatted with Hayun for a long while, those nobles would likely start to assume there’s some close relationship between the Ren family and Elise.
“Honestly, it was really tough. Once they learned my uncle passed away, thinking a 17-year-old brat became the head, other nobles probably think it’s practically a complete downfall.”
They assumed that there’s no point in befriending a collapsing family, expecting only unreasonable requests in the future.
Moreover, the Ren family was closely tied to the Priestess of Time, a notorious criminal.
Ideally, one would expect a collective punishment, but if you look closely, most nobles had their connections to the Priestess of Time.
So, I deliberately cut off ties so the nobles wouldn’t be affected.
Hayun checked to see if the nearby nobles were watching us and smiled slightly while holding a glass.
“Definitely effective. Next time will be easier.”
“Yeah, this is how you use friends too.”
Though it wasn’t alcohol, just simple juice, we clinked our glasses. At that moment, Hayun noticed the Love Bracelet on my wrist.
“Ah, I almost forgot about that.”
Last time, she cut the bracelet on my wrist while emphatically wishing my love with Eris wouldn’t work out, which was nearly a confession.
But since I gathered people again before she could cut it this time, the bracelet remained on my wrist.
“Let me see your hand.”
Hayun seemed like she wanted to cut my bracelet again, yet I willingly extended my arm and asked, “You’re not planning to cut it again, right?”
“……”
Is there a better example of someone flinching? Hayun looked at me with a perfectly read expression.
“Is it… that obvious?”
“No, not at all. So I haven’t thought about it until now.”
Despite hearing that, Hayun pulled out a small sewing scissors from the pouch at her waist and snip cut it off.
“What? Is it okay to be so indifferent? That was a slight shock for me.”
Nah.
You’ve already told me enough, and I was quite flustered back then. Therefore, I withdrew my now empty wrist and said to Hayun, “I can’t give you an answer right now. But when everything is over, I’ll definitely give you an answer.”
“……”
“I’m sorry I can only say this much now.”
Hayun lowered her head at my response, staring at her glass with both hands before slowly turning her gaze to me.
I don’t know if it’s because the lighting is bright, or someone added alcohol to Hayun’s drink, but I had never seen her this red.
With a somewhat displeased look, Hayun said to me, “I need to revive my family, so I have no intention of casually dating or getting involved with guys.”
“Hmm?”
Seeing my dull expression, Hayun seemed to feel a bit satisfied and less tense, adding, “It means I won’t just end at dating. The moment you say everything is over might not actually be the end for me.”
“……”
“I’ve just started. Though some might say I have no chance by coming in late compared to others.”
Moistening her lips with the drink, Hayun declared, “Originally, the one who draws late should be the one to strike first. That’s how my swordsmanship works.”
Seeing her apply even love to her swordsmanship, I let out a chuckle.
“Yeah, that Double Draw is pretty cool.”
“Huh? You’ve seen it?”
“You practiced in the village, remember? Your stance was a bit awkward, but it’ll improve once you correct it.”
“Cheh, I was planning to show it off once I perfected it.”
Hayun gazed toward the entrance while pouting, and with a sigh, she pointed with her chin.
“I think we should go.”
Following her gaze, I saw an elf, who could be called the pinnacle of beauty, staggering into the banquet hall, her face flushed.
“I told you to just sleep in the room.”
THWACK!
I slapped my forehead and apologized to Hayun before heading toward Eris.
SWISH!
Behind me, I heard Hayun throw the cut Love Bracelet out the window.
