Chapter 141

Chapter 141

“Haha. As if Stoneville’s scent of money wasn’t enough...”

The elf with a pointed smile exhaled a thick cloud of smoke as he stood up.

He casually approached Ian's table, continuing, “To think, now even disgusting would-be demons are crawling in here.”

His voice was as cold as his appearance.

It’s convenient that he came over himself but....

Ian calmly chewed on his bread and glanced at Charlotte. Her expression remained unbothered, mirroring his own. As Ian subtly shook his head at her, the elf stopped beside their table.

He dropped his cigarette to the floor and ground it under his heel, speaking further, “There’s no place here for filthy beasts like you, beastfolk. So quietly finish your meal and get lost. Unless you want to end up as a rug in Viscount Calderdale’s mansion.”

So he works under the Viscount.

Ian took a bite of his sausage. Viscount Calderdale was the lord of Stoneville and the owner of the manor on the hill.

The elf didn’t even glance at Ian, acting as if he didn’t exist. Charlotte, however, watched for his reaction before finally setting down her mug and laughing quietly.

“Right. Thanks to that guy, I almost forgot how despicable your kind are.”

“If you want, draw your sword anytime. I’ll let you feel what it’s like to be hunted like the beast you are.” Charlotte, smiling with her fangs bared, slowly stood up. Straightening her back, she towered over the elf by nearly half a head.

Looking down at him, she spoke, “Seems like you’re not confident on your own.”

“What...?”

“If I disgust you so much, you could’ve thrown me out yourself instead of threatening me with your boss.”

“Ha... you must have a death wish.”

“As long as you’re willing, pointy ears,” Charlotte whispered, her voice dripping with menace.

A cold smile spread across the elf’s face.

“Then I’ll kill you without damaging your pel—”

The elf’s words trailed off as Charlotte suddenly grabbed him by the collar and slammed him onto the table. She twisted his arm behind his back and pinned him down with her elbow. The spilled beer soaked his face and hair.

As the elf’s companions instinctively rose, Charlotte added, “I’ll cut your ears off first. It’ll sting a bit.”

Ian, who had anticipated this and held a plate of sausages in one hand, said to Charlotte as she reached for her dagger, “No blades. Only fists.”

He didn’t trust the elf to fight fairly. If things went south, he would likely flee and return with reinforcements. Drawing weapons would escalate the situation. Plus, it would mean losing their hot bath and warm bed—though that was a secondary concern.

Ian wanted to ask the elf something, but if Charlotte used her dagger, she wouldn’t leave him alive, regardless of Ian’s orders.

She placed her dagger back and replied, “Fine, that works too.”

At that moment, the elf’s arm swung upward with inhuman flexibility. He twisted his body, and his fist shot up toward Charlotte’s chin.

Charlotte released his arm and leaned back. The elf sprang to his feet, looking at his companions with annoyance.

“Stay back! Just block the door!”

They hesitated but complied, taking their places by the door with their weapons at the ready. They didn’t look like amateurs. Each grabbed a drink and positioned themselves defensively.

Meanwhile, the elf lunged at Charlotte again, now using his bare fists. Of course, wearing steel gauntlets made them a formidable weapon in their own right.

“Oh,” Charlotte exclaimed in surprise, dodging and countering his punch.

The elf deflected her blow with his arm and closed the distance. A fierce hand-to-hand brawl ensued.

Smack! Thud! Crash—

The tavern quickly descended into chaos. Tables flipped, and pots flew. Ian continued his meal, as did the elf’s companions, watching the fight with interest. The brawl between two non-human fighters was a captivating spectacle.

Crack—

But it soon became clear who had the upper hand. Even an elf couldn’t outmatch a beastfolk in strength. He was as fast as Charlotte but lacked her power and technique.

Charlotte didn’t dodge all his attacks, but she gradually pushed him back.

The elf’s head turned slightly toward Ian as Charlotte’s punch landed. The arrogance and composure were gone from his face. His eyes glowed faintly, a sign he was starting to use magic.

Ian’s intuition sent a small warning right after.

Typical elf...

Ian’s eyes narrowed, understanding the elf’s intention.

At that moment, Charlotte threw another punch. The elf twisted his body, taking the hit on his shoulder, and closed in. In his lowered right hand, a sharp dagger appeared, its blade glowing ominously with magic.

Ian smirked, as the elf, having stared at Mev briefly, spoke.

“I am Findrel Aynas, a knight employed by Viscount Calderdale. This conflict stemmed from a minor misunderstanding, but it has been resolved through conversation with this dark-haired man.”

“....”

“To prevent further escalation, please allow us to leave.”

His tone was confident, but it wasn't very convincing. Besides, the tension between Ian and Charlotte alone was already palpable. With the arrival of Mev and Philip, the balance was completely shattered. The subordinates of Findrel, caught between Mev and Charlotte, looked uneasy. This was especially due to Mev.

Instead of responding, Mev looked toward Ian. Though his face was hidden, Ian could feel the gaze asking what he wanted to do.

“Hmm....”

After a moment of thought, Ian nodded, signaling to let them pass. Charlotte frowned, but Mev and Philip obediently stepped aside.

Findrel jumped down from the table and walked past, speaking as he did.

"You've made a wise decision. Sir, now that we have met, why don't we introduce ourselves?"

Mev remained silent. Findrel, not waiting for a response, walked across the room and gestured to his companions to follow.

“Alright, then, excuse us.”

Despite his calm tone, Findrel opened the door hurriedly and exited the tavern, followed closely by his companions.

Once the door closed, Philip immediately spoke up.

“Couldn’t you wait a moment before getting into another fight?”

Ian shrugged and turned around.

Philip, crossing the chaotic tavern, muttered, “He seemed like an elven knight. What happened—”

“He started it. Typical arrogant elf. I should’ve just cut off his ears.” Charlotte replied angrily.

While she vented, Ian walked over to the waitress, who was peeking out from beside the kitchen.

Upon meeting his eyes, she gasped, “Please, spare me, sir...!”

I didn’t say a word about killing you.

Ian chuckled and extended his hand to her.

“Here, take this. We won't need the extra food or rooms, so this should cover the cost of the damage as well.”

“Y, yes, sir...?” The waitress blinked, taking the coins in confusion.

Without another word, Ian turned and approached Mev.

“Sorry about the trouble as soon as you arrived. We should leave immediately. That guy will be back with a bunch of soldiers soon.”

“So, we’re just running away?” Charlotte asked, her eyes wide.

Ian frowned. “Do you want to kill the soldiers just to get to him? Then eventually, we’d have to kill the viscount too.”

Charlotte, looking sheepish, nodded. “Right, you’re right. I got too excited.”

Ian shrugged. He didn’t bother mentioning that Findrel would likely come to them on his own.

The fairies of the game were as mean and persistent as their pride. Even worse, that one was a knight. Having left with his pride thoroughly wounded, he would surely seek revenge in some way. He would probably return to his manor immediately to gather those who shared his sentiments. He believed there was a relic here, so he wouldn't give up easily.

And that was precisely what Ian wanted. He held back now because they were in the middle of the city, but next time, he wouldn't need such polite conversation.

That's why he didn't bother asking the question he had in mind. Whatever he asked now would only waste time and elicit evasive answers.

In a freer environment, with the help of a dagger, he could coax answers out of that pointy-eared fiend's mouth like pulling noodles from a pot.

Losing the bath and bed is annoying, though... fuck....

“Fate is funny, isn’t it?” Philip muttered then.

Philip didn’t look disgusted as Ian had expected but instead wore a curious expression as he quickly shouldered their gear. Mev was no different.

“Indeed, it is quite ironic....” Mev said, raising her visor and looking at Ian.

“I was about to suggest leaving the city immediately as well, Ian. For similar reasons.”

“So, you had some trouble too....”

Seems like I wasn’t destined for a bath today. Ian thought, nodding, and gestured toward the door.

“Let’s hear about it on the way.”