Chapter 8

“Let go, you half-elf brat, before I kill you.”

The air froze at Airi’s words. Camelian Peony was clearly over 70 years old, and Airi had just spoken like that to someone more than four times her age.

And calling her a “half-elf brat”? That’s blatant racial discrimination, no, species discrimination. Moreover, Camelian is a half-elf, so the term “half-elf brat” is more appropriate. In other words, it’s a wrong expression from an elf-discriminatory perspective.

The Confucius, Martin Luther King, and General Garitos inside me screamed. They shouted that it’s against morality, discrimination is bad, and elf discrimination isn’t done like that.

At Airi’s threat, Camelian let go of my collar.

“You have a disciple with excellent manners, Werner.”

Oh, that’s 100% sarcasm. Like, “Wow~ well done! Clap clap clap!” kind of thing.

Camelian handed me a pouch containing the promised reward.

“Here’s the promised reward. And regarding that matter, I’ll give you some time. Think carefully and answer.”

Camelian said that and walked towards the café’s main entrance. As she placed her hand on the door handle, she suddenly slashed at me.

For a moment, I thought, “If you’re angry, you should slash at Airi, why take it out on me?” But the slash disappeared right in front of my nose.

“Hmph… You noticed but still acting coy.”

What do you mean I noticed? How scary you are, that’s what!

Camelian left the café with these words.

“I spared you because you’re the leader’s child, but remember, there won’t be a next time.”

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Werner’s house.

It was late at night after dinner, with the moon hanging in the sky.

Airi slammed the table and shouted.

“Master! By the way, who is that elf woman?”

“Who? She’s your dad’s friend and the older sister who took care of me.”

“She grabbed your collar… I really hate her!”

“Well, Sister Camelian probably feels the same about you.”

In <Draghinty Fantasy 2>, Camelian acknowledged Airi’s abilities but never showed any friendliness. It’s only natural since she caused Werner’s death, whom she treated like a younger brother.

“Oh my, I didn’t know our disciple liked me this much.”

“Yes, I like you.”

Huh? If your dad heard this, my head would’ve been chopped off.

“Airi, wait, what are you…”

“I have no friends, and my dad and mom are both gone now… So, you’re my friend, my parent, and…”

“Wait, wait, I get it, don’t cry.”

Tears welled up in Airi’s eyes. Well, it’s natural to like your master, not romantically. There’s a 12-year age gap after all.

“So, Master… please never leave my side.”

“Sure, I plan to.”

I have no intention of dying and will wait for your parents by your side.

“No matter what happens, promise me with your pinky.”

“Alright, I got it.”

Reluctantly, I made a pinky promise with Airi.

“If you break the promise, I’ll cut off this finger.”

What are you, a yakuza?

“Our disciple is so scary, I can’t even meet women freely.”

“Don’t meet them.”

“What?”

You’re not a yandere, why are you meddling in my relationships? This is next-level obsession.

“Master is too naive… If you meet the wrong woman, you’ll definitely get taken advantage of. So, always stay by my side.”

“Hey, I’m not naive.”

You’re the naive one from the original story, Airi.

“Master is naive, sacrificing your life for others… and still smiling like that.”

Wow, her character analysis is spot on. How did someone like her get fooled so much?

“Sigh, alright, I got it, I’ll behave.”

“Good job.”

Then Airi patted me. I felt the hardness of the ring on her hand. Speaking of which, where have I seen that ring before?

“By the way, Airi, what’s with that ring?”

Did I see it in the official 4-panel manga…? Or in a DLC chapter…?

“Eh, it’s just a ring.”

Airi tapped my forehead with the red gem part of the ring. My forehead felt hot, but it must be my imagination.

“Guess I overthought it. Go to bed early.”

“Today, your cute disciple met such a scary woman in the morning… Shall we sleep together?”

“Don’t act spoiled. You’re a grown lady, asking to sleep together.”

I flicked Airi’s forehead. This is Werner’s revenge for the broken pot.

“Heeeng… Then, Master, you should sleep early too.”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it, sleep well, Airi.”

Airi went upstairs. Speaking of which, why is the protagonist’s room always on the second floor? Is it some kind of cliché?

While having such random thoughts, a bird suddenly flew in through the window.

What kind of bird is out at this hour? There was a note tied to its leg. Unfolding it, it read:

[Scorpion Tail Tavern, come immediately. -Camelian-]

She said she’d give me time, but it’s this short? Long-lived people give such short time. What’s already there is more, indeed.

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In front of the Scorpion Tail Tavern.

A man came out, supporting his fallen friends.

“I told you not to mess with sword-wielding elves. Why did you flirt with her, damn it…”

I could roughly guess. Those guys must have approached Camelian and got beaten up badly. At least she didn’t kill them, so they should be grateful for the rest of their lives.

Creak— As I opened the door and entered, I immediately saw the person I was looking for.

Long black hair like Werner’s, pointed ears, and a beautiful figure—such a woman is rare.

Sitting across from Camelian, she looked up and stared at me intently.

“Werner…”

“Hey, Sister, I’m here. What’s the matter?”

“Do you hate this sister so much? This sister only has our Werner… *hic*…”

Ah, she’s drunk. Come to think of it, in the drama CD included with the game’s first edition, she was like this when drunk.

“Sister, are you drunk?”

“Of course, I drank alcohol, so I should be drunk! If I’m not drunk, it’s watered-down alcohol, so I should kill everyone!”

Her usual cool and composed demeanor must have been eaten by a passing dog. Camelian, her face flushed red, came closer to me.

“I was worried our Werner might get hurt, but you don’t understand this sister’s feelings…”

“Alright, Sister, I was wrong, okay?”

“Then you’ll follow this sister, right? Right?”

“Uh, that’s a bit…”

Then Camelian chugged a bottle of rum from the table. The spilled rum flowed down her neck and into her chest. Wow, if I posted this on a forum, it’d be a top post.

“Werner, do you hate being protected by us?”

“No, it’s not that, but it’s a bit burdensome.”

I know that the <Draghinty Fantasy 1> party members, including Camelian, still treat Werner as the youngest, but at 29, he’s no longer the youngest.

“Werner, you once said I was like your sister…”

“Yeah, I did.”

Werner resembled Camelian’s younger sister in hair and eye color. That’s why Camelian cherished him more. Thinking about it, the difference between having something and not is quite significant.

“At first, you were like a younger brother… So this time, I wanted to protect you… Just for my own satisfaction, I wanted to protect you.”

“And now?”

Well, now it’s because we’re comrades, friends, right? Game characters are usually like that.

“Now… I’m not sure either.”

“What, Sister?”

Camelian grabbed my cheek and forced me to look at her.

A bit lighter blue than Werner’s. Like sky-blue crystals, Camelian’s eyes reflected my face.

By the way, the smell of alcohol is overwhelming. How much did she drink?

“I thought of you as a younger brother… But seeing you after so long, you’ve completely become an adult… Where did the cute kid from before go…”

I think that’s not my fault. You should blame the 12 years of childcare stress Werner went through.

“Hey, Werner…”

“What is it, Sister?”

“Have you ever been with a woman?”

I was flustered. Originally, I was a virgin, and Werner, busy raising Airi, had no time to meet women. So, we’re both virgins.

Ah, so that’s why I ended up in Werner’s body.

“No, Sister, why are you suddenly…?”

It’s a sensitive topic, so I tried to steer the conversation away.

“This sister is asking. Don’t answer a question with a question, I told you before…”

“Sigh… When would I have time for that? I’ve been busy taking care of our leader’s daughter for 12 years.”

“Really?”

Camelian seemed somewhat pleased. Is it that funny that your younger brother hasn’t been with a woman? This is why elves…

“Then, Werner…”

“Sister… what is it now?”

“Then… do you want to sleep with this sister?”

Oh God, what is happening? Didn’t Camelian cherish Werner like a younger brother? Why is she trying to merge at the entrance now?