“Lifa is happy to, as well — “
Just as Ron and Rosalyn were about to reach out and shake hands for a pleasant cooperation, Lifa, who felt she had been ignored and reduced to a third wheel, stepped forward and grabbed Rosalyn’s hand first.
“Hehe~”
Rosalyn wasn’t surprised. Hearing Lifa say she was happy while seeing her little face puffed up with displeasure, she found it quite amusing instead.
‘It seems that the relationship between Miss Lifa and Mr. Ron is not as simple as master and apprentice or assistant…’
Rosalyn came to this conclusion, while her interest in the various unknown mysteries Ron displayed grew even stronger.
“Miss, someone from the Adventurer’s Guild wishes to see you.”
Just as Rosalyn intended to use Lifa to indirectly pry for information about the two, the old butler walked over from the same path Ron and Lifa had taken.
“Hmm — “
Rosalyn furrowed her brow.
“I’m busy. Tell the guild members to speak with you. If there’s trouble, go find the Peace Officer to settle it.”
She was quite unhappy about her interest and thoughts being interrupted.
“It is the President of the Enid branch, Mr. Falga, who has come in person.”
The old butler wiped the sweat from his temples and bowed his head, quickly adding the details he hadn’t managed to explain yet.
“Oh?”
The Adventurer’s Guild’s influence spread across all human kingdoms on the Uthis Continent, and the status of a branch President in Enid was equal to that of Rosalyn, the acting lord.
Therefore, not only Rosalyn but even Ron, who was off to the side, quietly began to listen seriously to the old butler’s report.
“Mr. Falga did not reveal his purpose, only saying that there is an important matter he needs to discuss with you in person.”
After the old butler spoke, he bowed and stepped aside.
“Fine, I understand.”
Rosalyn then lifted her skirt and gave Ron an apologetic look and a parting gesture.
“Please wait here for a moment, Mr. Ron and Miss Lifa. I will return as soon as possible~”
Since they had decided on a cooperative relationship, Rosalyn wanted to keep Ron there to discuss things in more detail.
“As you wish. However, President Falga must have something important to discuss with you. Why don’t Lifa and I take our leave and return to visit tomorrow?”
Ron didn’t mind staying or leaving, but seeing his little Lifa getting emotional again from Rosalyn’s teasing, he thought about taking her back to the inn to comfort her and explain the situation.
“Well~”
Rosalyn seemed somewhat reluctant. She glanced at the darkening sky and thought of something, then gave an order to the old butler.
“Have the kitchen prepare dinner for Mr. Ron and Miss Lifa. Bring out a bottle of the elf wine my father left behind.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Rosalyn then raised her hand to stop Ron from politely declining.
“Mr. Falga likely won’t stay with me for long. Could it be that Mr. Ron isn’t interested in this President’s business at all?”
“I understand. Thank you for your hospitality, Eni — “
“Rosalyn~”
Afterward, the prospective countess departed, accompanied by the old butler.
Before leaving, the butler informed Ron that he would arrange for a servant to notify them once dinner was ready.
“Teacher.”
Only Ron and Lifa remained in the garden pavilion. Lifa, who hadn’t been able to get a word in and didn’t want to disturb her teacher, sat down beside Ron.
“What is it? You have many things you want to ask, don’t you, little Lifa?”
Ron looked at Lifa and put back on the mask he had removed while talking with Rosalyn.
“There are many questions, but Teacher…”
Lifa wanted to phrase her words carefully, but her face turned red, and she eventually just tugged at the corner of Ron’s clothes in a bit of desperation.
“I’m not like that woman who can say so much, but I want to remind you, Teacher… she’s using you! And… and I hate that fake act of hers.”
What Earl, what grandmother President, what spatial technique…
Even though Ron had explained quite a bit, Lifa still didn’t quite understand these things.
She only knew that she had none of the things Rosalyn possessed. Aside from providing some insignificant protection, she couldn’t offer her teacher much more help.
‘Teacher needs that woman more right now…’
Lifa remembered Aunt Ruth’s ‘pre-marriage theory of mutual need’ from the village. Her worry and anxiety were now manifested in her dejected expression.
“I know~”
Ron didn’t know the girl’s inner feelings, but he understood Lifa’s simple concern and thoughts.
“I know she wants to use our strength and knowledge, little Lifa, but…”
He was also using Rosalyn.
In Ron’s mind was the struggle for succession that would take place in the Royal Capital of Falosha in the future, but returning to reality, he stroked Lifa’s blonde hair, which was kissed by the evening breeze, and spoke with utmost sincerity and seriousness.
“Everything is for you, little Lifa~”
“Nn.”
“Of course, I also want you to become stronger so you can protect me better.”
With just a few words, light returned to Lifa’s emerald-green eyes.
This made Ron feel that Lifa was probably the easiest child to coax among those he had ever raised.
“Besides financial sponsorship, with this recommendation letter, you and I can enroll in the Royal Academy of Falosha.”
“Didn’t you used to long for the school life I told you about? And there, you can learn many new things and make new friends~”
“The headmaster of that Royal Academy is an eighth rank female swordswoman whose strength is equal to the Hero Isis. When the time comes, I’ll find a way to have her guide your sword techniques!”
Ron saw that Lifa’s mood had improved, so he began to tell her about the benefits of collaborating with Rosalyn and the many new things waiting for her in the Royal Capital of Falosha.
Lifa was listening, of course, but she was mostly immersed in the words Ron had just said.
‘Teacher is doing all of this for Lifa…’
Although she still felt a bit angry and inferior regarding things related to Rosalyn, it was like a final victory after successive defeats.
She was very happy now.
“Respected guests, dinner is ready~”
Afterward, Ron explained some history and circumstances of the Kingdom of Falosa to Lifa until a maid came to inform them that they could dine.
Walking out of the vast back garden and passing through several buildings and corridors, Ron and Lifa were finally led into a small room with sophisticated, classical decor.
“Lifa, the seat the maid arranged for you is over there.”
The table was filled with a variety of rich dishes. The maid pulled out the first two chairs on either side of the head of the long table for Lifa and Ron.
But Lifa wasn’t satisfied with sitting across from each other, especially since Rosalyn might sit at the head of the table later. She sat directly in the seat next to Ron.
“Well, I didn’t take that woman’s seat, and there was already a seat here anyway.”
Lifa had her own reasoning, and Ron only smiled, asking the maid to move the utensils over.
“Hmph~”
Lifa, whose mood had improved significantly, changed her attitude toward the dinner Rosalyn had arranged.
It went from ‘I won’t eat that woman’s charity’ to ‘I must eat more to make that hypocritical woman feel the sting in her wallet.’
Shortly after Ron and Lifa began to enjoy the delicious food, the familiar old butler entered the room.
In front of him was a two-tiered trolley, on which sat an unopened bottle of fine wine hidden under ice.
“Mr. Ron, Miss Lifa.”
“This fruit wine comes from the distant elf kingdom. It was brought back by the Master when he was an envoy to the elf kingdom in his youth.”
“Even in the entire Kingdom of Falosa, it would be difficult to find a few bottles of equal quality.”
The old butler introduced the wine with great solemnity as he opened it.
He believed that Mr. Ron, whom the Miss valued, would know its worth and understand that this reflected the high regard and hospitality of the Earl of Enid’s line.
“Very thoughtful.”
Even as the liquid was just being poured from the bottle, quite far from where Ron sat, everyone present smelled a refreshing, heart-warming fragrance.
“Is Miss Enid still meeting with President Falga?”
Ron took the goblet and asked the butler about Rosalyn’s situation.
“Yes, the Miss said for you and Miss Lifa to eat first.”
The old butler introduced the wine sets and items accompanying the fine wine to Ron, then exited the room, leaving the dining area to the two of them.
“Come, this is for you, Lifa.”
Ron confirmed the effects and value of this fine wine after observing and tasting it.
Translating it into the original game system, this was one of the few precious drinks that could directly increase attributes.
“Eh!?”
With such a good thing, Ron naturally prioritized giving it to Lifa, who urgently needed to improve her strength.
However, the young woman, who had only recently become an adult, showed a rare timidness after taking the wine glass.
Because having once sneakily drunk the Village Chief’s collection, she knew…
Her alcohol tolerance…
She would get drunk after just one drink…