“You almost choked me to death.”
El was gasping for air, “Murdering your own husband, huh?”
“I didn’t expect you to still be able to laugh after eating the Awakening Fruit,” Nia explained. “I thought humans couldn’t eat this.”
“This thing is called Awakening Fruit—is it because it refreshes your mind after you eat it?” El glanced at the fruit in his hand and asked.
“That’s what you humans call it. The elves call it Poneka,” Nia said. “In the forest, we usually mix its juice with other fruit juices to create a different flavor.”
“So you’re not supposed to eat it directly?”
“Not exactly. Theoretically, you can, but no one can stand the sourness, so it’s usually used as a seasoning,” Nia winked. “Besides, you seemed pretty happy eating it just now.”
“I wasn’t happy because of this thing.”
“Then why?”
“Have you heard the phrase ‘a feast for the eyes’?”
Another unfamiliar term; Nia didn’t know what it meant. She shook her head, looking at El with curiosity.
But this time, El didn’t explain as usual. He pretended to be mysterious.
“No idea. It’s better that way. I’ll tell you next time when there’s a chance.”
When did he learn to be so teasing?
Nia wanted to ask more, but before she could speak, El pulled a skewer from his space pouch.
He skewered the half-eaten fruit onto it.
“What are you doing?”
“Do you even need to ask? I’m going to roast it to see what it’s like. Maybe it’ll taste better after roasting.”
When Nia heard he wanted to roast it, her eyes went wide.
What kind of weird idea was this? Was El possessed by some evil spirit?
Can fruit even be roasted?
Watching the little flame flicker on his hand, Nia realized he wasn’t joking.
El slowly roasted the fruit over the small fire.
The once bright green berry’s skin started to carbonize and blacken, crackling as the flames licked it.
Only when the whole fruit turned golden-brown did El bring the skewer to his mouth.
He bit down.
“Can you even eat this?” Nia stared at him without blinking.
El chewed a few times and replied.
“You know, it’s actually pretty good roasted.”
Really?
Nia doubted his words.
After all, he was the one who ate Poneka and still laughed, so logic didn’t really apply.
Seeing her doubtful expression, El extended the skewer toward her.
“Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.”
Was he trying to get back at her for calling him out earlier by pretending it was delicious?
Nia stared at him a while longer, then felt he wasn’t lying.
Well… might as well try it.
Swallowing nervously, Nia parted her cherry lips and bit into the part El had already bitten.
But the expected sourness never came.
The Poneka slid down smoothly, the warm flesh settling pleasantly in her stomach.
Compared to her memory of Poneka, the sourness had nearly vanished, replaced by a refreshing caramelized fruit juice flavor.
“Maybe this is the right way to eat it,” Nia thought, delighted by the taste.
“How is it? Didn’t lie, right?” El looked quite proud.
“Yeah… definitely different from what I expected.” Nia savored the flavor. “But how did you know to roast it?”
“I didn’t. I just planned to try different ways of preparing it. Roasting is the easiest right now.”
“…”
Nia thought about it and let it go. That was exactly the kind of thing El would do.
He was the kind of person who would even eat magical beasts without hesitation.
Now that she knew this new way to enjoy Poneka, there was no reason not to bring back a couple more.
After wandering the forest all afternoon, they returned with what could be considered a full haul.
…
On their way back, they ran into an old acquaintance in the mountains.
“El?”
“Frank?”
Seeing the knight of Belorn Town in casual clothes, El was surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“After you defeated the Dragon Demon, you disappeared. Someone said they saw the magician who came with you take you away,” Frank said. “I was worried something happened to you. I was heading to Danf to report the losses of the adventurer squad and thought I’d check on you.”
Frank’s eyes scanned El from head to toe.
Finally, they rested on El’s leg.
“Your leg?”
“A little injured, but it’s nothing serious.”
“Are you sure? Should I go back to town and get a doctor to take a look?”
“Really, I’m fine. Someone has already treated it.” El smiled and waved his hand, changing the subject. “The threat to the town’s been eliminated, right?”
“All gone, thanks to you and this lady here. The town’s losses weren’t much—if anything, Uncle Carter’s warehouse got blown up. Rebuilding will take a lot of time and effort.”
Frank looked at El as if meeting him for the first time.
Such powerful magic… For a knight from a remote village like his, it was unheard of.
Since this man first came to Belorn Town, countless mysteries surrounded him.
He was more and more difficult to read.
“When my leg heals, I’ll go to town to help him. After all, I was the one who blew up his warehouse,” El said sheepishly, scratching his head.
Frank snapped back to reality and chuckled.
No matter what, he was still the El he knew.
“Don’t worry about it. Without you, the town wouldn’t exist anymore. It wouldn’t matter how many warehouses were left. Everyone in town is grateful and wants to thank you.”
Frank patted his shoulder with a smile. “The Harvest Festival is in ten days. You have to come to town. Everyone wants to dance with you at the ball.”
“I’ll be there,” El said thoughtfully, nodding. “Can I bring two people with me?”
“Of course. Your friends are our friends.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“No need to be so formal.” Frank’s smile faded. “Alright, now that I know you’re alright, I should get going to Danf.”
“Before you leave…”
Frank paused, then solemnly gave El a salute.
He knelt on one knee, pressing his clenched right fist to his chest and lowered his head to El.
El, sitting in his wheelchair, looked awkwardly at Frank, then turned to Nia with a helpless expression.
“What is he doing?” El quietly asked Nia.
“It’s the human warrior’s salute, a way warriors show respect,” Nia quietly replied.
“What should I do?”
Nia smiled and came behind El, pushing him forward.
“Just listen quietly.”
“I’m a child raised in this town. My parents and ancestors have all lived here. If it weren’t for you, everyone here would have lost their home.”
Frank lowered his head and said, “On behalf of all the people of Belorn Town, I sincerely offer my respect to you and this lady.”