Sir Roland.
[Ace POV],
As random thoughts flashed through my head several times, it was only when I heard the sounds of footsteps approaching the living room did I pull myself out of my thoughts and focused on the direction the sound of footsteps were coming from as a figure appeared in front of me.
It was an old man. He was even older than the old man who had brought us here.
The village headman appeared to be in his early to mid-sixties, while the man in front of me who was coming in my direction appeared to be in his late seventies. That much was obvious from his appearance.
As I considered this, I looked at the man approaching me, and Emma's stance changed instinctively as she focused her eyes on the old man.
Even without me knowing what was going on in her head, I had an idea of what it was since I also saw what she saw as I stood up to greet the man with Emma.
[Rank 1 Swordsman Level 27],
The old man in front of us was unexpectedly a rank 1 human.
For one, this proves that there's a form of magic in this world or there's at least the supernatural in this place.
As I thought of this, Emma and I had already mimicked the greeting position of the village headman that led us here as the old man that just came too also followed as he extended his greetings.
Though I was certain that there was a distinct manner for females to greet, Emma and I had little choice but to go with the flow.
As I was thinking this, the old man who the maid had earlier identified as Sir Roland spoke, gesturing to the wooden seats we were sitting on before he arrived.
"Guests, please sit and we'll talk after that," Sir Roland remarked as he took his seat before we did with the village headman.
Emma was going to sit as Sir Roland gestured for us to do so, but she managed to stop herself in time.
Though the Etiquette here seemed to be different from the one taught to me at Dawn College, such as the method of greeting, I found some similarities.
For one thing, there was the superficial greeting before any conversation between unfamiliar and formal people, and then there were the manners.
Emma's desire to sit now demonstrates her lack of awareness of this, which likely means she never attended a royal school or failed to learn Etiquette when she was taught.
From what I know, Anna also attended the royal academy, but for some reason, she never gave me the feeling I get when I'm around nobles and wealthy children.
As these random thoughts raced through my head, I concentrated on what Sir Roland in front of me was about to say as I watched him open his mouth. It was during this time a maid brought a tea set and kettle as they serve everyone in the sitting including me and Emma tea.
"Guest, I wonder what business people of your status are doing here in this humble village," Sir Roland said, taking a sip of tea from the cup set in front of him by the maid.
Seeing this, I did not respond right away as I was sipping tea from the cup the maid had set in front of me.
'Good,' I thought after tasting the tea.
Of course, I was cautious of tea in case something else was placed inside but I wasn't bothered as my mind was already in the store and I was only required to confirm my will to buy the product my mind was on and an antidote will quickly emerge in front of me.
I opted to take the tea to show my side to Sir Roland before we had a discussion since no one will openly share anything with someone who doesn't even exhibit a semblance of trust for the other party and instead display the opposite.
This was my method of expressing my trust before we began talking.
Of course, my studies in Etiquette class had an impact on this action as well.
Who would have guessed that the knowledge of the old age would be useful in this situation?
I opened my mouth and was about to answer Sir Roland in front of me when I was halted by a voice.
"Sir Roland!" Another one has gone missing!" As a figure ran inside the room, a person whose voice appeared to be female yelled.
It was yet another maid.
'Seriously, how many maids are in this building', I thought as I continued to take my tea as I examined the scene in front of me.
'Good Tea'
Sir Roland who heard of this, instantly exploded the mana in his body as a pressure that could only be released by people who were rank 1 species was ejected from his body.
Emma and I could also produce this pressure but it is not as powerful as those who were on the same level.
This, of course, decimated the area around Sir Roland, since everything flew away in the other direction.
The gush of wind caused by Sir Roland's exploding mana did not affect Emma and me, but the two ordinary humans in the room were unlucky.
Fortunately for them, Emma was able to cast light shields in front of them to keep them safe.
Sir Roland, who quickly saw the damage he had created, cooled himself and apologized to the two ordinary individuals in the room.
"I'm sorry I almost hurt you just now, Maria and Tom," he apologized as the village headman and maid swiftly responded to Sir Roland, claiming everything was alright.
Looks like the maid is Maria and the old man who led us here is Tom.
But there's something I've been wondering about. Since a rank 1 person appeared here, why are there ordinary humans in the first place?
It couldn't be because they don't have the primordial chronicle to level up, can it?
Sir Roland turned to face Emma and gave a bow before speaking, as I was thinking about these things.
"I sincerely thank you for your assistance just now, miss," he continued, bowing again before turning to face me.
"Please excuse this old man for not being able to entertain you guests any longer due to some.....problems that have occurred here," Sir Roland remarked, bowing again.
I've been wondering why Sir Roland addressed Emma and me with formal titles in the first place, given that he was not like the village headman who was duped by our attire.
When he emerged, it appeared as if he already knew we possessed powers, but that didn't make sense.
Surely teens like us shouldn't be unusual since anyone can just kill monsters to level up.
Despite the odd thoughts that passed through my mind, I responded to Sir Roland in front of me as I got up and spoke.
"It's okay, we understand", I added as I took a pause before speaking again.
"Why don't we come and see if we could help?" I said this while gesticulating to Emma and myself.
This could be a clue to the quest; I can't ignore it.
As I thought of this, I looked at Sir Roland who had an apprehensive expression on his face.
When I saw this, I spoke up again.
"Don't worry, we'll just follow you and if there's support you need, we'll provide it. It's better we walk out now before the situation outside intensifies", I said as the hesitancy on Sir Roland's face faded as he nodded before making his way out of the building.
Seeing this, Emma and I followed him while some thoughts ran through my mind.
....
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