Chapter 78
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 78
As far as I remember, this world is a fantasy with a Western vibe, now mixed with guns, gunpowder, and quite advanced levels of science and technology.
Ah, just in case, if anyone thinks I’m imagining this world and its people into a novel, they should stop.
This place is definitely real, my previous life is my previous life, and I’m sticking to my current life. It would be even stranger if this was my life in the first place and I didn’t stick to it.
So why all this talk about the world’s foundation now? Well, the foundation is there, but it’s mixed with strange cultures in odd places.
For example, in the Western vibe, you wouldn’t usually hear ‘Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!’ or see dishes that seem like bread made of flour but subtly using Eastern ingredients.
‘This hot spring we’re going to is one of those. Gives off a vibe like a neighbouring island nation.’
At first, it was bizarre, but now I’ve decided to just roll with it. Since it’s a fictional world, after all.
“…But seriously, those hydra like bastards. Isn’t it a bit much to have them at the hot springs?”
The place where the four of them dragged me to prepare for our hot spring trip was none other than a swimsuit store.
It’s fascinating to see such open clothing styles in a fantasy world, but what’s even stranger is why wear swimsuits to the hot springs?
Come on, guys. Swimsuits are for summer. Summer! Go wrap yourselves in white towels or robes! And put down those shorts that look so out of place! Oh, look at those women’s swimsuits. They’re so, so… inappropriate!
“Hey, Shulifen. Get rid of those trunks that look like underwear right now. I thought you were a fifty-year-old man.”
“No way. What’s up with that ridiculous neon color, Wilhelm? Do you want to die?”
“Just take off that Hawaiian shirt when we’re having a serious conversation, Alexander… I’ll explain later what Hawaiian is just take it off for now.”
“Of course it’s small. It’s marked as ‘for kids.’ Joachim, you idiot…”
You foolish and ignorant protagonists. Please. Hot springs aren’t swimming pools. They’re not the beach either! No means no!
So stop it with those! We still have half a year until summer, and I’m going crazy!
“Cease all movements. Trainees. Drop what you’re holding right now. Execute.”
“E-Execute?!”
Thankfully, they still remember their days at the training camp.
Calling them trainees and having them reflexively respond with drill commands might not be a bad idea to just send them off to the military forever.
“My proud friends. Do you think there will be any need to swim at the hot springs?”
“But! I heard they wear swimsuits!”
“Just go and wear a towel or robe.”
“But what about when we go into the tub?!”
“Wrap a towel around yourself loosely when you go in. Or just take it off.”
Maybe it’s because I’m reminded of my past life, but the idea of going into the tub with clothes on suddenly seemed absurd. Just imagine. Going into a hot tub filled with hot water with clothes on… Ugh!
Even in this world, when you go into the hot springs, you either wear a robe or take it all off. So why are they insisting on wearing swimsuits?
‘Yeah. Alright. Well, I suppose I can tolerate swimsuits for now. Not everyone will, but some will wear them. But seriously. Seriously, why neon-colored swimsuits and Hawaiian shirts?’
At this point, I can’t help but think, ‘Are they trying to test whether I’ll go insane?’ Perhaps they are. It’s possible that me dating Selena is making them feel uncomfortable.
‘…You’re not really trying to do that, are you?’
Ugh, I splash some water on my face.
Those guys, usually so normal, suddenly become comedians when something weird catches their attention. It’s so bizarre that I almost think they planned it.
Meanwhile, what’s even more surprising is that they’re a hundred percent serious about it.
Look at them. Right now, they’re even arguing, ‘What’s wrong with wearing swimsuits to the hot springs?’ right in front of me. I really want to tear up that neon-colored swimsuit they’re holding. Ugh.
“I really, occasionally think about it, but I’m seriously worried about the future of the Marquisates and the Empire.”
Just as I’m barely convincing the four of them and about to leave the store…
“…Huh?”
Over there, I see a strangely familiar back of the head. I thought it might be a mistake, but it wasn’t.
A pointed ear sticking out amidst the hair. Just seeing that, I knew who it was.
“Eloise?”
What’s this? Why is that woman here at the swimsuit store? Did she get lost…? No way.
It seems like she’s doing something similar to my four companions next to me.
Thankfully, Eloise didn’t seem to notice me or the four of them nearby. More accurately, she seemed too busy chatting with the store clerk amidst all the swimsuits.
“What’s up, Karl? Why are you staring like that…. Oh.”
“That’s the elf exchange student, isn’t it? Eloise, right?”
“Yeah, Eloise. That was definitely her name. But…”
As the four of them mutter, Eloise receives something from the clerk and smiles satisfactorily.
In her hands, there’s a swimsuit that looks quite dangerous at first glance.
And it’s not just any swimsuit. It’s a black bikini… Well, I guess you could call it a mini bikini.
“Wow. They even have swimsuits like that. Surprising. Who would even wear something like that?”
“Wow, elves as a race, they’re quite appealing.”
“Hey, don’t jump to conclusions. Does that really cover anything?”
“It seems lacking to me…”
Okay, that’s enough. If anyone overhears, they’ll think we’re just a bunch of lowlifes, not promising individuals of the empire.
To avoid catching Eloise’s attention, I quickly tried to usher the four of them out.
But suddenly, they all turned their gaze towards me and stared silently.
“…What. What is it?”
“Well, I just had a thought.”
What kind of thought did you have, Hydra recruits?
“I can’t help but think, Karl, maybe you should pay more taxes.”
“Why are you suddenly saying that, Shulifen? Taxes for what?”
“I agree with Shulifen this time.”
“Me too.”
“Agreed.”
* * *
That guy over there definitely seems like he’s purposely not looking. Right? Yeah, that’s it. He’s purposely not looking!
‘I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but… that’s too much. You’re not an easy man, are you?’
I knew before I even walked in. I heard his voice, and I’ve seen the faces of the noble students who accompanied him before.
Yet, I pretended not to know on purpose, just to see Karl’s reaction. Honestly, I expected him to at least pretend to know.
But Karl wasn’t going to make it easy. It was like he was saying, ‘If you don’t pretend to know me, I have no reason to pretend to know you.’
‘Is that one of those things where you’re not going to look at anyone else because you’re in a relationship?’
Humans had something to say about that… Oh, right. Monogamy? I think that’s what they called it.
Even among elves, such love exists. More accurately, as long as one of them doesn’t die or change their mind, the rule of one man to one woman applies.
While my people might call it a beautiful love that won’t easily break, from my perspective… well. Must it always be that way?
‘It’s unfair. Just because there’s a desirable man, does it mean I can’t even look at someone else for more than 10 seconds? And what if he has multiple wives? So what! If there’s a capable and handsome man, I want to taste him too!’
That’s what I liked about human society. Much better than the elves!
I think I understand why they call their own kind ‘Kanfra’! They’ve been living like that for so long, with so much pride and no change, that the humans they looked down on have caught up with them!
We need to change! Get rid of the old and accept the good! In that sense, my husband Karl, had a bigger heart, more ability, and was more handsome than an elf… Ahem. Well. That’s enough.
Anyway, I found out a few days ago that Karl has started dating a woman.
More accurately, I heard about it from the fellow exchange students at the academy before I did.
“The academy has been oddly tense lately. What’s going on?”
“Don’t you know? Selena Ifrit, the girl that the boys at the academy have been asking to date for years now?”
“I’ve heard of it. But what about it?”
“That girl, Selena Ifrit, has reportedly started dating a boy named Karl Adelheit, who recently received our prestigious Legion of Honor medal for elves.”
“Is that why there’s all this commotion? Anyway, humans are really…”
Ugh. Idiots. That’s why I say no to elves, because they are so closed-minded.
If you can’t understand their hearts, what kind of exchange is this? Just turn around and leave! Do you know that all your studies at the Imperial Academy here were paid for by their fellow kin’s taxes?!
It’s a bigger problem than I thought. Selena Ifrit. Selena. I’ve seen that woman once…
‘That woman was definitely pretty. A bit lacking in confidence though.’
Come to think of it, it’s a bit absurd.
When I first met him. When we met on the train, Karl didn’t even bat an eye at me. So I thought he was a man who didn’t care much about appearances.
But what the hell?! Looking at it like this, he cared about his appearance more than anyone else! But why! Why do I have to put on a show!
… Anyway, it seemed like it was going to be quite a tough fight.
Right now, I can’t even break through the barrier called ‘Rika’. I don’t know about this woman Selena… but judging from Karl’s reaction, even if it’s Rika, she seems unlikely to oppose her as much as she did me.
“Hmm.”
I examined my reflection in the full-length mirror inside the dressing room.
Well. At least this much should create some gaps. After all, they say less fabric is better, right?
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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