Chapter 7: Follow Me, You Kanph

Breezing wind. 

A restaurant near a bustling street that takes pride in its decent-quality menu.

James, a waiter working there, kept muttering the words “Oh my God” repeatedly.

He even pinched his thigh slightly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

It was because he was facing something he had never seen before—a real elf, standing right before his eyes.

“An elf using polite language? And eating meat first? What on earth? Did something happen in the Great Forest? Did a fire break out, and they inhaled smoke and lost their minds?”

No matter how he thought about it, that seemed to be the only explanation. 

Seriously, how else could this make sense?

Those elves who would glare fiercely at anyone who made eye contact, snapping, 

“What are you looking at?” 

Or condescendingly spouting insults about others being lowly creatures.

But now, an elf speaking to him politely, without complaints, and even enjoying meat?!

“Unbelievable.”

Could these pointy-eared folks have gotten into opium as a group? 

Or was the world ending tomorrow?

While imagining every wild possibility, James tried to observe the two elves sitting over there more closely.

Clang!

The entrance door of Breezing Wind swung open roughly, and yet another guest entered.

James, who instinctively got up from his seat, hurriedly moved to greet them at the entrance.

“What is this?”

“Excuse me, a guest?”

“Get out of my way, and scram.”

An insult flew at him right off the bat. 

James couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

This person was a guest, and he was the waiter. 

Naturally, they were supposed to interact in a host-and-guest relationship.

But the moment he tried to provide guidance, he was immediately told to scram.

He hadn’t stepped on their foot or acted rudely in any way, so why this reaction?

However, he quickly realized the reason behind this behavior.

As the guest pulled down their hood, golden hair cascaded down, and pointed ears peaked upward.

The identity of the guest, who had roughly pushed James aside, was yet another elf.

“Wow. What is today? Why are there so many elves coming in?!”

While James stood there dumbfounded, the elf moved toward the most secluded spot in the restaurant.

They clearly had no intention of associating with the humans present.

Muttering under their breath about how noisy it was, complaining that humans were always the same, and even before sitting, they were grumbling endlessly.

Once seated, they continued grumbling, questioning if the place was even cleaned properly. 

Everything seemed to be a source of dissatisfaction.

If they were going to be like this, why even bother coming to a restaurant? 

James cursed inwardly.

Then, the elf’s expression subtly changed. 

They had spotted the two fellow elves sitting nearby.

But their face soon twisted in disdain when they saw what was in front of those two.

Seeing them casually eating a human restaurant’s menu, the elf clicked their tongue in disapproval.

“Right. That’s what an elf should be. Those two who came earlier are the weird ones.”

Shaking his head, James grabbed a menu and approached the elf.

“Excuse me, before you order, I need to inform you…”

“Freshly baked bread, warm milk, and a salad made with freshly picked greens—nothing but salt added. And at least three seasonal fruits.”

“…”

“What are you standing around for? Go and bring me what I said. Human.”

This isn’t a shop in the market, you damn Kanph bastard.

Shouldn’t you first check if what you want is on this restaurant’s menu?

James mentally repeated the word “patience” three times while maintaining his business smile.

“Sir, our restaurant only serves what is listed on the menu. We do have bread, milk, and salad, but the main dishes include either meat or fish…”

“Then just leave those two out and bring me the rest, can’t you?”

He had a point. In fact, Windy Plains Restaurant had once catered a similar elf-specific menu.

Bread, milk, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. It was exclusively prepared for elves.

But it didn’t even last a month before both the chef and the restaurant owner agreed to discontinue it.

“Ugh! This bread! When was this even made?! I clearly said to bring freshly baked bread! Are you mocking me?! And why does it smell like blood?!”

“Ha! This salad. The vegetables have all withered. Did you pull this out of a garbage bin? And what’s wrong with the fruits? Even worse, there’s a disgusting stench of meat and fish coming from this! Are you expecting me to eat this?!”

“If you’re serving us this kind of food, you humans must be deliberately insulting us. I’d rather die than eat this garbage.”

Although it wasn’t top-quality, the flour, vegetables, and fruits used were certainly decent.

Yet the elves nitpicked and complained as if they lived for that very purpose.

Their endless grievances came in day after day, to the point where the chef was losing hair from stress.

And of course, there was no blood mixed into the bread nor any meat or fish in the salad.

It was simply that the main dishes of the restaurant revolved around meat and fish, so the smell inevitably lingered.

But the elves detected it with uncanny precision and immediately raised hell, making it impossible to think positively about them!

“Let me repeat myself. We only serve what is on the menu, and if it’s not, we don’t accept orders…”

“Such arrogance for a mere human. Fine. Fine. I suppose you’re asking for money first? Here, take this money.”

Humans, honestly. 

The elf pulled something out from their belongings and snapped their fingers.

Soon, with a clink, a coin rolled haphazardly on the floor before coming to a feeble stop.

A blatantly condescending attitude as if dealing with someone beneath them.

An action devoid of any respect for the other party.

It was so clearly over the line that even those seated at nearby tables began to grow tense.

“Isn’t this enough to cover the price?”

Damn it. 

Anyone watching would think they’d thrown a gold coin or something.

But it was merely a little more than the original price they were supposed to pay.

Rather than accepting the money and enduring this torrent of insults, it was better to refuse outright.

This wasn’t just James’s personal opinion—this was already agreed upon with the kitchen staff.

Earning a bit more was fine, but what was the point if you collapsed from stress?

Once you caved even once, it would happen again and again, so it absolutely couldn’t be allowed.

“Sir, this isn’t about money but about fairness. I hope you can understand.”

“Oh? Doesn’t seem like you’re starving for money. Even though you look lowly enough, working here because you struggle to make ends meet, you still have your pride. Tsk tsk.”

“…..” 

“Humans are truly amusing. You’ll kill your parents or children for money, yet in moments like this, you act differently. This is exactly why I despise you humans.”

Perhaps because everyone heard the elf’s entire tirade, the previously noisy restaurant fell silent in an instant.

Of all things, parents. 

Of all things, children. 

Because the taboo subject was deliberately mentioned.

All the ‘human’ guests present couldn’t hide their obvious discomfort.

But despite the gazes directed at him, the elf continued speaking undeterred.

“Well, fine. I was debating whether to come to this stinking place anyway. But I heard it was the best, so I came personally, only for it to be a waste of effort.”

Was he saying he’d leave? Please, just do that. Otherwise, I might actually end up cursing out loud—

“Hey, human. Pick up that coin and place it on the table before disappearing.”

“Excuse me?”

“Did you not hear me? Pick up the coin and bring it here.”

What kind of pettiness is this? 

Wasn’t he acting all rich and superior just a moment ago?

All that talk about money and pride—was it just him bragging? 

This wretched elf!

He insults humans but then becomes stingy about the money he owes them?

Frustration boiled inside, but there was nothing that could be done. 

He’s a customer. 

Worse, he’s an elf.

Living in this castle, I know all too well how absurdly powerful elves are.

Anyone would know the price to pay for messing with one.

On the surface, they seem weaker than you. 

It looks like even the chef could snap them in half.

Whether male or female, elves always appear delicate by human standards.

But anyone who dares to pick a fight with an elf, nine times out of ten, does so because of that fragile appearance.

However, the destructive power that comes from those thin bodies far surpasses anything human.

Stronger, faster, and on top of that, possessing ridiculous magical skills and spirit arts.

I once saw a group of burly mercenaries get subdued by a single female elf.

They seemed to have lost their senses, bewitched by her beauty—a choice that turned out to be their worst.

Not long after, every mercenary ended up with broken arms and legs, completely bedridden.

‘Seriously. These damn elves! They should all just disappear from this world!’

James cursed the elf silently over and over in his mind.

But that was all he could do. 

The only thing he could do now was pick up the coin.

If he were a confident and skilled warrior, maybe it’d be different. 

But he was just an employee.

If the elf wanted to, he could break all his limbs in an instant.

Sure, it hurt his pride, but that was better than being stuck in bed for months.

So, swallowing his anger, he prepared to do as the elf ordered—

“……Aaaaaaagh!!”

A piercing scream erupted, loud enough to shake the restaurant.

Startled, James looked up to see what was happening.

“What, what are you doing?! Argh! My ear, my ear! Aaaagh!”

“Shut up and quietly follow me.”

“L-let me go! I said let go!”

“Enough. Stop disgracing us elves any further.”

The elf, who had been smiling politely just moments ago while respectfully addressing James and enjoying his meat deliciously.

It was the sight of him grabbing the ear of his struggling kin and dragging him out.