Chapter 34 - 32: Maintaining a Man’s Dignity is a Woman’s Modesty

"Those greedy and shameless hyenas?" Elanna appeared to have an epiphany. In fact, this group was perhaps the most loathsome among all the nobles.

But in a way, they were indispensable. Even though Elanna had never been involved in the management of the territory, she understood the advantages of money in resource allocation.

"Grandpa White, do the merchants of the Charles family have a lot of connections among themselves?" Kael looked at Old White, always believing that the old man would know more.

And as always, Old White proved reliable.

"Young Master, for years the Charles family has mainly dealt in magic potions, equipment for professionals, and monster trading. To ensure a steady supply, they do have significant dealings with those big merchants. But how harmonious their relationships might be, only they themselves might know."

"Then we can be certain of the Charles family’s intentions. It must have been tough for them these past few years," Kael chuckled softly, bending slightly behind Elanna.

Perhaps because Kael moved closer, she felt a bit uneasy, her usual confidence now replaced with a shy, young girl’s demeanor.

Kael’s right hand brushed past Elanna’s hair near her ear, as if embracing her, his fingers pointing to the different names on the letter.

Noticing the red-haired Sword Maiden’s unease, Kael’s little tail stood erect, swaying slowly behind him.

Old White looked at the two, his gaze becoming much gentler.

Indeed, bringing Miss Elanna was the right choice. Look how much happier the young master is today.

"Ordinary emerging nobles, big merchant nobles, a teaching mentor from the Scrolls Mage Academy, and even their own children... What a well-thought-out plan, using the banner of the Scrolls Mage Academy and dividing the emerging nobles into two factions internally. The problem is, a lot of border lords have died in recent years, and the Noble Council already has quite a few grievances about it.

If the big merchants among the emerging nobles choose to switch sides under all the pulling forces and start using their connections... If the Charles family pushes a little from behind, they might actually succeed."

"Isn’t there any way to stop them? I noticed that Lord Fox from the Bronze Cross seemed quite displeased with this. Can we leverage the Lionheart Knights’ power?"

Elanna hesitated for a moment, then added, "Actually, if you insist, I might have some say. In a few days, when I return to the Knight Academy, I could try to ask my teacher.

She holds the title of Honorary Knight in the Lion Heart Battle Group, she should be able to help put in a good word. She’s always been kind to me, though her personality is somewhat peculiar..."

"Peculiar?" Kael was taken aback. The Royal Knight Academy was known for its strictness, being a preparatory institution for knights across the Duchy of Lancaster.

Though not every instructor had the same demeanor, finding one with such an unusual personality was rather challenging, given most were retired military officers from various regional corps.

"She’s actually quite beautiful, but she loves to smoke and drink, and even when there’s no training, she enjoys consuming high-calorie foods. Additionally, it seems the Headmaster can’t control her. Sometimes I worry the Headmaster might lose patience and expel her...

After all, many of her behaviors don’t seem very fitting for an Honorary Knight."

Kael chuckled softly. "Perhaps your teacher has significant backing, knowing she won’t be expelled from the Royal Knight Academy.

Don’t fret. Earning the title of Honorary Knight in the Lion Heart Battle Group is no small feat. However, let’s hold off on troubling your teacher for now.

I suspected the Charles family would react in some way. While their countermeasure is somewhat unexpected, it’s still within controllable bounds... or rather, it’s just as I hoped."

Seeing that Kael had a plan, Elanna didn’t insist on contacting her teacher. She simply smiled and said, "As you wish, but if you do need my help, please don’t hesitate..."

She turned her head to look at Kael.

She felt she could sense the resolve in Kael’s words.

This had nothing to do with gender, empathy, or self-satisfaction. The first day she met Kael, there was not even a mesmerizing moonlight, only the midday sun cascading over him, making him seem to glow.

In that moment, she found it hard to look away from him. Was it the allure of the incubus? Or something else?

But she knew she wished he would look at her that way too, his ears blushing just like hers, like a thief holding roses.

Then she raised her head, looking earnestly at this boy, man, and future companion, and said:

"Kael, you should have noticed that I don’t know the etiquette of noble ladies. Including the dress I wore today, it was custom-made to fit noble fashion standards, but wearing it only makes me feel that it looks good; there are no other emotions.

Moreover, I don’t know the Elven language, opera, dance, painting, or even how to appreciate wine and tea. My only strength lies... in sword combat.

I can’t help you much, but if you need, please rely on me. Upholding a companion’s honor is a knight’s pride, even if the opponent seems insurmountable.

Kael paused for a moment, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He spoke softly, "Alright, if I need help, you’ll be the first I turn to. But until then, let me play this out with them."

"Alright, as you wish," Elanna responded with a gentle laugh.

…

In the afternoon, under Kael’s guidance, Elanna toured Titan Town.

There wasn’t much conversation.

Both sides maintained a certain tacit understanding.

After all, although they had privately agreed to the engagement, it had yet to be formally recorded in the Noble Council. Even if Elanna wanted to get closer to Kael, she still had to maintain some distance from her future companion.

What Elanna didn’t know was that Kael’s thoughts were continuously changing at that moment.

There was a mix of shyness and melancholy, but more importantly, there was unease.

Because a thought vaguely surfaced in his mind—

The noblewoman with wine-red hair had her knight’s spear taken away, her body impaled and nailed to an outer wall of the Lord Mansion’s second floor, her crimson blood smearing the wall.

In the original game, was Elanna killed because she wanted to investigate her fiancé’s death, or was there another reason?

There was a critical issue here. Since Elanna was investigating her death in Lancaster’s territory, it implied that the original body’s last known location was in this land.

Where was Grandpa White? And Jonathan? And the Rangers?

If they were still alive, why did Elanna end up that way?

If it wasn’t that they didn’t want to save Elanna, then...