When someone in Delcour spoke of “the bell,” they meant the great bell in the central square. As I waited beneath it, Eve came running over in a beautiful white dress. She possessed both the grace and beauty of a noble young lady. Every man nearby turned to look at her, which left me a little anxious about whether I was fit to stand beside her.
“Sorry I’m late!”
“Not at all. I just got here.”
“Really? Then let’s go! The food is delicious, so look forward to it!”
Eve led me to a small restaurant a little way off the main street. It was a tranquil place coated in white plaster, almost like a little castle. It suited Eve very well.
When we entered, an elegant older gentleman welcomed us. His white mustache was neatly trimmed.
“Oh, Miss Eve. It seems you’ve brought a companion today.”
The old man smiled warmly.
“Yes!”
“Right this way. I’ll bring you the menu at once.”
He guided us to a window seat. The interior was immaculate and had the atmosphere of a rather expensive establishment.
“The food here is delicious, but the prices are reasonable! My recommendation is the lunch special with Rain beef stewed in red wine.”
Looking at the menu the old gentleman handed us, it seemed we could eat for a little over one large copper coin. The atmosphere suggested it would cost three, so that certainly was reasonable.
“Then I think I’ll have that.”
“Okay. Two Rain beef lunch specials, please.”
Eve called the gentleman over and briskly placed our order.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“You should. It’s really good! It’s amazing that you opened a stall after only a few months here, Sibyl.”
“Honestly, appraising things is all I can do. I rely entirely on Neon to sell them. So as a merchant, I’m…”
“But you’re working hard, aren’t you? Being able to appraise merchandise alone is amazing!”
Eve’s straightforward praise made me feel bashful.
As we talked, a waiter brought our lunch. A delicious aroma and steam rose from the plates. The smell was so appetizing that my throat bobbed.
The moment I tasted the red-wine stew, the rich flavor infused with all the savory goodness of the Rain beef nearly made my cheeks melt.
“D-delicious!”
The word escaped my lips on its own.
“Isn’t it? The Rain beef is simmered for a long time, so it’s wonderfully tender and delicious.”
When I tried the beef, it was so tender that it fell apart as I chewed, filling my mouth with flavor.
“As expected of you, Eve. You know a wonderful restaurant.”
“You’re embarrassing me when you put it that way. I heard the owner trained at a famous restaurant in the royal capital. Apparently, he returned to his hometown and opened this place.”
That explained the quality.
“This beautiful restaurant suits you too. Dressed like that today, you look like a noble young lady. Of course, your gallant knight’s uniform suits you as well. Come to think of it, your uniform has a different design, doesn’t it?”
Unlike the other knights patrolling the town, Eve alone wore a predominantly white uniform. At first, I’d assumed it was because she was a woman, but apparently the other female knights dressed differently too.
“Oh, that’s right. You came from another country, Sibyl, so you wouldn’t know. This is the uniform of the Imperial Knights.”
The Imperial Knights guarded the royal capital and answered directly to the emperor. In other words, they were the elite. The other knights in this town served the lord who governed Delcour. So they belonged to different organizations.
“I see. That explains why you were so strong.”
“I didn’t earn my place through ability… My parents are nobles.”
She looked a little sad as she said it. I might have stepped on a land mine. Still, judging by the magic I’d seen, she seemed plenty capable.
“Your technique was magnificent! It saved me, and I think you have wonderful skill that will let you save many more people. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a noble. The person who saved me was Eve—the woman sitting right here.”
At my words, she smiled.
“You’re kind. But there are monsters—and people—I can’t defeat.”
This time she said it in a joking tone.
“Then next time, I’ll save you!”
“Hehe, thank you. But in that case, you’ll have to get a little stronger.”
She gave me a mischievous smile. It was terribly cute, but she had struck where it hurt. Perhaps I really should learn a little more swordsmanship.
“I-I’ll do my best.”
“Good. I’m stationed here for now, but I want to do everything I can and protect the people of the territory.”
Still, if Eve was a noble’s daughter, why had she been stationed here? Even in my country, the sons of nobles sometimes trained with the Royal Knights to gain prestige. But VIPs like that rarely left the royal capital, since it was safer there. Were things different in the empire?
“I’m sure you’ll protect them, Eve.”
But I thought it might be rude to pry too deeply, so I let the matter drop.
Afterward, Eve took me to many places around town. She must have helped all sorts of people, because many called out to her as we passed.
“Thank you for today, Eve. I had a wonderful time.”
“I’m glad! Keep working hard at your shop.”
Our outing came to an end as the sun began to set. I didn’t know whether I’d done well, but I had enjoyed myself. I hoped she’d had at least a little fun too.