<Chapter 15>

During the process of handling three months’ worth of work for the Tatio Dukedom, Ensis had ordered an investigation into Ledithern City Academy. His capable aide, Chepello, arrived with a report distilled to only the essential details less than a day after the directive was given.

‘Ren… huh.’

A gleam flickered in the golden eyes scanning the report. Herr Helian, who had escaped a slave caravan after a fortuitous encounter. Viscount Helian, who had unusually recommended a mere commoner named Ren for admission to the academy.

To anyone, it seemed suspicious. With a faint smile curling at his lips, Ensis retrieved a sheet of paper he had stored in the lower right drawer.

Dipping the pen nib in ink, he swiftly scrawled letters across the page, then dotted the final sentence with satisfaction, gazing down at the document.

[Ledithern City Academy Enrollment Application]

* * *

Having enjoyed a deep sleep for the first time in ages, Ensis visited the Mercantia Dukedom the next day with a refreshed countenance. After being cooped up in his study for so long, the pouring sunlight inexplicably lifted his spirits.

It was regrettable not to meet the duke’s wife, who was away, but the primary purpose of today’s visit was to see the head chef, Dorben. The finest handmade cookies, said to tame even rampaging orcs.

In his buoyant mood, Ensis hummed a tune as he strolled the corridors of Mercantia, and as always, the maids paused in their duties, their faces turning dreamy.

Radiel, the maid transplanting flowers into pots, momentarily doubted her eyesight. The golden hair shimmering in the reflected light seemed haloed from behind—a beauty that, no matter how many times seen, one could never quite get used to. As she stared blankly, a rose slipped from Radiel’s hand.

“Radiel, the flower from the pot has fallen.”

“…”

“Radiel?”

When no response came from Radiel, Head Maid Cecire waved her hand in front of her. Even so, Radiel’s gaze showed no sign of shifting. At its end was Ensis, sauntering down the corridor with a radiant face, his steps light and fluttering.

Cecire had reached a state of resignation toward this scene that unfolded with every visit. She decided to think of it as mere flower-watching.

“Naias, stop right there!”

“No, ow!”

A child burst out from the corridor corner at high speed and collided with Ensis’s leg. Ensis looked down, and his gaze met that of the child who had fallen back, rubbing their nose. Was there such a small creature in Mercantia? Ensis lifted the one who had tumbled after bumping into him.

“Nai…! I greet Young Lord Ensis.”

“Kana.”

Kana, who had hurriedly rounded the corner, wore a troubled expression at the unexpected appearance. Ensis alternated his gaze between the bowing Kana and the pouting child.

A young elf rarely seen even in deep forests and an exceedingly rare half-elf. Beings hard to encounter in the human realm existed in pairs within the Mercantia Dukedom.

“Who are you? I haven’t seen you before.”

“Who are you, then?”

The sharp tone and prim expression reminded him of someone he knew. Ensis carefully set the young elf down to stand properly. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the elf darted behind Kana, hiding herself.

Observing the behavior intently, Ensis tilted his head. The elf’s body visibly flinched under his golden eyes brimming with curiosity. Clutching Kana’s hem tightly, the elf whispered in a voice meant only for her.

“Kana, that human man… his gaze is incredibly suspicious.”

Of course, it reached Ensis across from them as well. Incredibly suspicious, huh? That stings a bit. Ensis bent his knees to crouch at eye level. As he flashed a diplomatic smile meant to win favor, the elf’s expression crumpled further—as if seeing right through the facade.

“I’m En. And you?”

“…Naias.”

The one introducing herself as Naias remained rigidly on guard, hiding behind Kana. After scrutinizing her closely, Ensis spotted something glittering near the elf’s neck. He shifted his gaze to Kana, his eyes seeking explanation.

The sudden appearance of Naias, absent during his recent visits to the Mercantia Dukedom, piqued his curiosity immensely. Especially since around her neck hung a ring that Laren had never once removed. Noticing Ensis’s interest, a look of dismay crossed Kana’s face.

“She is the young lady entrusted by my lord.”

Trying clumsily to conceal it would only invite deeper probing, so Kana confessed cleanly. Ensis’s eyes narrowed as he met Kana’s pale green gaze. Reading her resolve to say no more, Ensis turned his attention back to Naias.

“Shall we have a cup of milk tea?”

Naias, receiving the invitation for teatime, fell into contemplation. She alternated glances between Kana and the human man who had introduced himself as En. The scales tipping in her mind leaned to one side.

Faced with the thick tome Kana carried, sharing a cup of milk tea with the human man seemed far more beneficial. Judging him not particularly suspicious, Naias obediently followed.

“The garden might be better than the reception room?”

“Yeah!”

The maids nearby felt their pupils quake at Naias’s casual address toward the dukedom’s heir.

“Leave it be.”

Kana halted the flustered maids from intervening. There was no way a young elf would understand the human realm’s class system.

Ensis seemed unbothered as well. Watching their receding figures, Kana sank into thought. Was it really okay for those two to meet?

* * *

In the garden overflowing with rapeseed flowers, Ensis, sensing Naias’s discomfort around crowds, dismissed the maids. Left alone, Naias remained stiff at first, merely sipping her milk tea, but her expression gradually softened as she took in the blooming flowers.

“Hmm-hmm.”

Since beginning her stay at the dukedom, Naias’s favorite spot in Mercantia was the garden. The space where various trees and flowers coexisted eased the heart of an elf born in nature.

As the persistent wariness slowly faded over time, Ensis smiled subtly. It was peaceful. The young elf girl’s humming blended oddly harmoniously with the familiar garden scenery.

“Would you like another cup of milk tea?”

“Sure!”

Ensis personally poured the milk tea into Naias’s cup. Naias extended her teacup innocently, unaware, but to any onlooker, it would be shocking.

The heir of the Tatio Dukedom personally serving tea was something that should not and could not happen. Typically, maids handled it, or those of lower rank poured—it was standard custom.

Thus, Ensis had scarcely any experience serving tea in his life. There had been one exception, but as of today, it became two.

“Is Naias Laren’s close friend?”

“Laren… Yeah!”

Naias hesitated for a moment, more accustomed to the name Ren. The fact that a curse had changed her gender, turning her into a boy, was a secret shared only between Laren and herself. Recalling that elves were a race bound by promises, Naias steadied her resolve once more.

“How did you meet Laren?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Hmm, okay. How old are you, Naias?”

“Seven.”

Though a child with unclear standards of beauty, Naias could tell that the man called En was extraordinarily handsome. Her gaze was drawn involuntarily to his golden curly hair and the way his eyes curved roundly when he smiled.

He possessed a beauty fit for royalty among elves. Sensing the hidden intent mixed within his gentle smile, Naias suddenly recalled the emphatic warning Laren had given her.

[Naias, if you ever meet a guy named Ensis in Mercantia, run away!]

[Ensis? Why? Is he a bad human?]

[Huh? Not exactly a bad human… he’s just incredibly annoying. Really annoying.]

Earlier, when they first met, Kana had definitely called the human man before her Ensis. So En was a nickname, and his real name was Ensis! Feeling like she’d broken the promise, Naias snorted dismissively. Ensis, observing the young elf’s expression shift from moment to moment, found himself smiling for some inexplicable reason.

“I want to be friends too.”

“No.”

At the outright rejection, Ensis deliberately put on a wounded expression, his eyes drooping sadly. Naias felt a pang of guilt inwardly but didn’t show it. Undeterred, Ensis dragged out his words playfully.

“Why~?”

“Laren said not to play with you.”

He nearly burst into laughter at the prim response. Ensis licked his lips and propped his chin on his hand.

“Why’s that?”

“She said you’re an incredibly annoying human.”

“…”

“Really annoying.”

In the end, laughter erupted. Ensis clenched his fist, trying to hold it back, but he couldn’t stop the outburst of guffaws. Burying his face, he chuckled for a long while before barely composing himself and wiping the tears from his eyes.

‘Why, why is he laughing?’

With a sense that something was off, Naias recalled the warning once more. As expected, Ren’s words were always right; the advice to avoid him wasn’t given without reason.

“Then, do you think Laren is an annoying human too?”

“Hm?”

For the first time since their conversation began, curiosity sparked in Naias’s eyes. Ensis, who had been laughing heartily, now felt a sudden awkwardness at her question. He blinked, staring into the young girl’s pure, innocent eyes devoid of malice.

“Not… annoying.”

“Then? What kind of human is Laren?”

For a moment, words failed him. It was a simple question, yet strangely, no answer came forth. Brushing his lips, Ensis’s reply came a beat late.

“…Well, a childhood friend?”

* * *

The sword, glinting under the moonlight, sliced through the air. After a swift spin and landing, the maid Viya’s body was drenched in sweat.

Judging by the thickened mana veins, the realm of Sword Emperor was not far off. (Swordsmanship realms: Mere Swordsman → Sword Emperor → Sword Expert → Sword Master)

Having finished her evening training and sheathing her sword, a heavy object flew toward Viya. With a light catch, she grasped a bottle of fruit wine.

“How about a drink?”

“Radiel.”

A dark figure emerged from the shadowy thicket. Radiel, who had recently cropped her dark red hair short, jingled the fruit wine bottle in her hand.

Radiel was a senior maid who had joined Mercantia before Viya. She’d been doing odd jobs in a gambling den when Laren brought her in.

Laren Mercantia, Viya’s somewhat unusual lord, often hired people during secret outings. Or more precisely, she tended to bring them along. Since their lord acquired new personnel every time she escaped the estate and returned, there was no need for Mercantia to hire separately.

Laren had permitted Viya to learn swordsmanship within the dukedom. Not just her—everyone employed at Mercantia, regardless of status, was learning one thing they desired.

A strange lord with strange rules. Yet the people here loved that strangeness.

“I hear our lord went so far as to run away this time?”

Radiel, taking a swig of the fruit wine, burst into hearty laughter. Her bold gestures drew a subtle smile from Viya as well. What used to be three-day escapades for their lord had now stretched to lengths beyond counting on fingers.

“I hope she returns soon. I heard Ribonia released new dresses! I want to dress our lord in them right away. The last limited-edition velvet dress tore when she mounted her horse!”

“Yeah, I wonder where she’s gone.”

“The duke doesn’t seem inclined to search.”

“Our lord would just escape again the moment she’s caught. It’s the wisest decision.”

Everyone acted as if it were routine, but they were all eagerly awaiting Laren’s swift return. This time, their lord’s escapade—who adored jewels and dresses—felt off somehow.

The only items missing from her chambers were a modest sum of funds. To leave without even her cherished accessories—Viya’s mind conjured the ever-bustling back view of her lord, always darting about.

“By the way, I heard the Gildein Caravan was attacked by monsters recently. That’ll mean more work.”

Radiel, emptying the fruit wine bottle with a shake, smacked her lips. At the news, Viya’s eyes widened slightly. The Gildein Caravan was one that had been closely collaborating with Mercantia lately.

“What? Last time it was the Loop Caravan in Weldion.”

“Exactly, the monsters’ movements are a bit strange. I’ll have to bring the duke a headache remedy tonight.”

At the same moment, the Duchess of Mercantia was wracked with a headache.