Chapter 51: Does Townsperson A Receive a Personal Request?

“That’s my Allen. You’re a lifesaver.”

Sherilralra said this while still clinging tightly to my back. For some reason, however, Ana was staring at me with eyes as cold as ice.

“Hey, Allen. Just what is this woman to you?”

“Huh?”

“Hey, Allen. Who is this little girl?” Sherilralra asked, peering around me.

“A ‘little girl,’ you say?!” Ana bristled, her voice rising an octave. “A brat even smaller than me has the nerve to call me a little girl? You insolent woman! Identify yourself!”

“Oh? What’s wrong with calling someone younger than me a little girl?”

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly volatile, and while I stood there bewildered, the two of them suddenly turned their sights on me.

“Hey! Allen! Do something about this insolent brat!”

“Oh, Allen. You’re on my side, aren't you?”

Wait a minute. What exactly am I supposed to do here?

Finally losing her patience, Ana reached out to yank off Sherilralra’s hood.

“A-Ana! Stop! Not that! Anything but that! It’ll cause a scene!”

I managed to block her hand at the very last second. If the long ears of an elf were exposed in a place like this, it would cause a massive uproar.

“Oh, Allen. You really are going to protect me, aren’t you?”

“Hey! Allen! Are you really not on my side?!”

Sherilralra spoke with a cheerful, bouncy tone, while Ana looked like she was on the verge of tears as she directed her anger at me.

“Ah, geez. Enough, both of you! We’re going somewhere we can actually talk!”

Without waiting for an answer, I grabbed both of their hands and started walking.

The argument had already started to draw a crowd. If Sherilralra’s ears were revealed here, it would be a disaster.

I pulled the two of them along until we reached the Adventurer’s Guild. Once there, I asked my master to let us use a VIP reception room. I requested that we not be disturbed, finally securing an environment where we could talk in peace.

“Now then, Allen. Introduce her.”

“Yes, Ana. This is Sherilralra-sama. She is the daughter of the Queen of the Elven Village. Sherilralra-san, this is Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett-sama. She is the daughter of House Ramslett, and she’s the one who looks after me.”

“...What?”

Ana froze—literally. After several seconds of total paralysis, her noble mask slid back into place, and she immediately performed a perfect lady’s curtsy.

“I offer my deepest apologies for my extreme rudeness, as I was unaware I was addressing Her Royal Highness. I am Anastasia, daughter of House Ramslett. Princess Sherilralra, it is an honor to meet you.”

“Hmph. I see. As long as you understand. So, why are you making that weird pose?”

“Huh?”

Ana froze again.

“Ana, I’m sorry for the late explanation. They don’t have those kinds of formalities in the Elven Village. Social status doesn't really carry much weight there.”

“What…?”

“Anyway, Sherilralra-san. What exactly is your business here?”

“Ah, that’s right. I came to give Allen a... personal request? Is that what it’s called? There’s a summer festival in the Elven Village that only happens once every ten years, and I came to invite him. I don’t know much about it, but adventurers come if you give them a 'personal request' or something, right?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, Allen, you haven’t visited at all lately. Milly, Ro-sama, and everyone else in the village is lonely, you know?”

Wait, I haven’t visited? I was just there during winter break! Why on earth would she risk the dangers of traveling to a human town for something like a summer festival?

“Um, Sherilralra-san? You do realize that human towns are dangerous for elves, right? Besides, you didn’t say a word about this when I visited last winter. Why didn’t you tell me then?”

“Ah, well, you see... umm. I mostly just wanted you to let me ride on that flying boat of yours again, Allen.”

“Don’t put yourself in danger for something that trivial!”

“Ugh, I’m sorry…”

Actually, what am I going to do about this? Now the secret of Vuitol has been exposed to Ana, too.

“Hey, Allen. It seems you have quite a bit of explaining to do.”

“...Yes.”

Ana’s gaze was incredibly cold.

“To start with, how is it that you have an elven acquaintance?”

“That’s obviously because Allen is the benefactor of our village,” Sherilralra answered before I could.

“Ugh... Fine. And why is Allen a benefactor?”

“Because Allen is the Child of the God of Wind, who descended from the heavens when the village was attacked by evil spirits!”

“The Child of the... God of Wind?”

“Oh? You didn't know? Hmph. You two seem close, but I guess not. Ah, could it be that you’re just forcing him to obey you through your authority?”

“Hey! Sherilralra-san!”

Ana looked visibly shaken.

“Please don’t bully Ana so much,” I interjected.

“Oh, dear. Allen, is a little girl like that really your type?”

Sherilralra laughed merrily, the sound ringing through the room.

“Please stop teasing us. There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t.”

“Hmm? Well, fine. At any rate, Allen, you’re coming to the summer festival, right?”

“Sigh. I mean, sure, but... when is it?”

“It starts tomorrow.”

“...What?”

“Oh, for you, it’ll be instantaneous, won't it?”

“Well, technically, yes, but...”

“W-Wait! If Allen is going, I'm coming along as well!” Ana interrupted.

“Pardon?” I asked.

“No,” Sherilralra countered. “We can't allow humans other than Allen into the village. If you were Allen’s wife, that would be one thing, but you’re not, are you? You two don't even seem to get along that well anyway.”

Upon hearing that, Ana fell silent, completely turning to stone.

Man, what am I going to do? This is going to be a headache.