The twilight painted the distant evening sky a brilliant crimson. Bell stopped before a notice board. He hadn't overheard Hestia's conversation with the two elves, but from the results, it seemed their act of pretending to be lovers hadn't been exposed. Though the goddess had been a little sulky, she had thoughtfully updated Bell's stats. Judging by that, it seemed best to give Hestia some time to cool off.
With some time left before dinner, heading into the Dungeon would make it difficult to return on time, so Bell decided to take on a simple quest. Apart from the usual material gathering and escort tasks, there was another board with quests within the city. Bell skimmed through the various requests and focused on the one that seemed easiest. It was nearby, simple to do, and the reward? Fried potato balls?
"One hundred freshly fried golden potato balls..."
The amount of gold made sense, but who would take on such a request? Just as Bell silently complained to himself, a blonde girl walked up to him.
"Bell... you're interested in... this quest too?"
The beautiful human girl blinked and then tore off the request slip without hesitation. Bell raised an eyebrow.
"Ais-san? The reward is fried potato balls, you know?"
"Mm... you're coming too..." Ais grabbed Bell's arm without hesitation and began dragging him out.
"If you want the reward, you have to do it alone. If I go with you, I'll take half the fries," Bell said with a wry smile.
"No... that's fine..." Ais turned to face him, stepping in closer. She tossed her long golden hair and adopted a pitiful expression.
"Bell... won't you help me?"
Her gem-like, beautiful eyes were mere inches away, and her lips, so tempting, radiated a warm, sweet scent. Bell blinked, taken aback by her closeness.
"...Ais-san, who taught you to act like this?"
Bell was sure this enchantingly cute behavior wasn't something the airheaded girl in front of him had come up with on her own.
"Riveria-san... She said if I did this, Bell would help me with anything... so... does it really not work...?"
Ais lowered her head, looking dejected. Bell sighed and tried to comfort her.
"Riveria-san, of all people... You don't need my help, Ais-san. You're strong. Finding a cat is such a small task. You'll finish it quickly."
"Last time... I searched for half a day..." Ais gave a childlike, pitiful look that made Bell's heart soften.
"I understand. Let me help you," Bell finally said, unable to resist.
"Mm..." Ais nodded, then, in the blink of an eye, dashed off.
In the twilight, the blonde girl raced against the warm breeze, leaping up onto a tree in an instant. Bell blinked, standing frozen for a moment.
"...Ais-san?"
Bell finally understood why the legendary Sword Princess would seek his help even for something like finding a cat. That sharp, swift figure was no longer searching for a lost pet; she was chasing down a despicable monster. In the face of such a terrifying, hunter-like presence, the poor little cat would naturally flee in fear and hide in the shadows.
Just as Bell was spending considerable effort to get Ais to calm down, Syr happened to pass by, carrying a vegetable basket.
"You're the tavern girl's boyfriend...?" Ais omitted the boy's name.
"Bell? Ais-san?"
Syr hurried closer, hooking her arm through Bell's.
"Hey—someone checked in with me then rushed off, leaving their girlfriend hanging to date another girl? That's not how it works, right?"
"Syr, you've got the wrong idea. I was just helping her with a quest."
Bell felt the gray-haired girl's peculiar envy and gave a bitter smile.
"Is that so... I guess I got a bit carried away since Bell likes blonde elves..."
Syr responded with a light laugh, her affectionate gestures unchanged.
"Bell... likes blonde elves? Blonde hair or elf... which matters more?"
As if catching a keyword, Ais asked.
"Definitely not blonde hair!"
Syr pouted, snapping back first. The girl seemed deeply resentful about the precious time stolen from her and her lover. If not for Ais's appearance, Syr would undoubtedly be enjoying their reunion date right now. Moreover, as a beautiful blonde girl, Ais's directness pushed Syr's envy another step forward. She insisted the boy preferred elves over blonde hair, aiming to undermine Ais's confidence. But instead, Ais merely offered a faint smile.
"What... what was that expression?" Syr felt a wave of frustration wash over her.
"Bell... likes elves..." Ais noted the information down again, as if cheering someone on.
"Bell... I'm coming with you to find the cat."
Faced with the unbreakable, naturally airheaded girl, Syr abandoned her offensive and instead turned to the boy with a pout.
"Sure, but don't you still have work at the tavern?" Bell asked.
"Sneaking off for a bit is fine. Lunoire's handling things."
Amid Syr's sweet smile, the trio began their "date." Twilight cast a warm glow over the bustling streets.
"Ais-san? Still on duty? Why buy potato balls?"
"Syr... Can you really see farther from my back?"
"Ais-san, that's not a monster—just kids playing a prank..."
"Syr, don't trick Ais-san into searching the fountain center for cats!"
...
After countless trials and tribulations, Bell finally completed the quest. Ais happily collected the reward and promised to compensate him with a token of gratitude. Bell watched the blonde girl's retreating figure and sighed deeply.
"Syr... You deliberately placed the kitten on your chest and stood up when I tried to grab it, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
"Oops... busted? If you knew, you shouldn't have changed your pose—just grab it right away." Syr responded with a mischievous grin.
"If I'd really done that, who knows what Ais-san would've done... Do you dislike her, Syr?"
"No, just a little envy... I gotta get back to work. You'll have to make it up to me tonight."
Syr reluctantly let go and headed toward the tavern.
...
"Syr, you're finally back, nya!"
Anya approached with teary eyes.
"What's wrong? Did my slacking off get exposed?" Syr asked softly.
"No... It's Ryuu who's having trouble, nya! Ever since she came back, she's been acting like a total useless piece of junk, nya!"
Before Anya could finish speaking, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the air.
"Ryuu! You've already dropped it seven or eight times in just half an hour! Are you and Syr teaming up to deliberately drive me crazy?!"
Amidst Mia's roar, Syr slowly stepped into the shop. The usually composed elf girl dared not meet her friend's gaze. Her cheeks still flushed crimson from her earlier delusions.
Noticing Syr's arrival, Ryuu turned and fled in panic. Unable to catch her friend, Syr resolved to ask Bell later that night what had happened. But what she hadn't anticipated was...
That night, the boy never came.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
[email protected]/PinkSnake (70 Chapters Ahead).
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.