After being taken to the guard post, I was seated on a chair and questioned by a gatekeeper.
「Alexis, sixteen years old」
「Yes」
「Woodworker」
「Yes」
The gatekeeper—her name seems to be Kate-san.
Kate-san looked at the paper where she had written down my appraisal results and confirmed them again.
「As the appraisal showed, I am a woodworker」
「That seems to be the case」
「A woodworker… Well, I have not completely given up on becoming a warrior who uses swords or magic in the future, though…」
For now, I am a woodworker, and I have a feeling I will end up staying one, but I have not entirely abandoned that kind of future.
「…What are you talking about?」
「Ah, sorry about that」
I somehow started talking about my future out of nowhere.
That is not it. It is not like I wanted to suddenly start a life discussion here.
「Anyway, as the appraisal shows, I am a woodworker, and I have no history of committing any crimes. I am not a bad elf」
「That does seem to be true… But with that appearance, you look like you are about to commit a crime」
「Hmm…」
It seems that is how I look after all. Because of that suspicion, I was brought here.
「So, what is with that mask?」
「Ah, well, yes. This mask is… um…」
「Hm?」
「Uh…」
「You cannot say?」
It is hard to say…
After discussing it with Jisrare-san, we decided to explain things honestly this time, but saying 『Because I am too good-looking』 myself is still difficult.
As I hesitated like that—
「That mask was made by me」
Jisrare-san, who was beside me, continued for me.
When I was taken here, she came along to the guard post as well.
「You made it?」
「I made it」
And as usual, she declared it with a somewhat proud tone.
「You made his mask… Before that, may I ask who you are? What is your relationship with him?」
「Me? I am Alec’s partner」
「Partner? Is that the kind of relationship?」
「Yes」
Huh?
…Well, we are not exactly in that kind of relationship right now. At least, not yet.
Still, if it means 『traveling companions』, then calling it a 『partner』 might not be wrong. Jisrare-san probably meant it that way too.
However, it feels like Kate-san is misunderstanding…
「…He is only sixteen, right?」
「That is what makes it awesome」
「…………」
What exactly are you talking about, Jisrare-san!?
Depending on how it is interpreted, that sounds very questionable, you know!?
「W-wait a moment, Jisrare-san. So what you mean is, um… um… 『He is amazing because even though he is a young elf, he is allowed to leave the elf realm』, right?」
「Yes」
I tried my best to interpret her words and confirmed my conclusion with Jisrare-san. It seems I got it right… You really do not use enough words, Jisrare-san.
「It seems that is what she meant」
「I see…」
Kate-san muttered quietly while lightly patting her own hair.
Perhaps realizing her misunderstanding, she looked a bit embarrassed.
「We got a little off track」
「Yes, we did…」
I have always been known for going off on tangents, but this time it was Jisrare-san. Come to think of it, she tends to do the same.
Anyway, the misunderstanding has been cleared, which is a relief. And thankfully, there is no longer any risk of Jisrare-san being charged under child protection laws.
「So in the end, why did you make him wear a mask?」
「Alec is――extremely good-looking」
「Hm? His face?」
「Very handsome」
「He wears a mask because he is handsome…?」
As we had discussed beforehand, Jisrare-san explained things honestly.
…It is the truth, but hearing it from the outside makes it hard not to tilt your head in confusion.
「Well, he is an elf, so it makes sense that he would be good-looking…」
「He is so handsome that it must be hidden」
「That much…? But why? From talking to him, I do not quite get that impression」
…Nana-san said something similar before.
What was it… something about being a destroyer of beauty? That I become disappointing once I speak. Right now, my face is hidden and only my mouth is visible, so I only show the disappointing part.
「Alec is truly handsome. Even among elves, he stands out」
「Is that so?」
「He is even called 『The Treasure of the Elves』」
「The Treasure of the Elves?」
The Treasure of the Elves…?
…Wait, I have never been called that before.
What is that supposed to be…? Did Jisrare-san come up with that title herself?
Maybe she made it up as a kind of flattering catchphrase to help me get through this inspection?
Even so, calling me the Treasure of the Elves feels a bit too exaggerated…
「That is quite an impressive nickname…」
「He is that handsome」
「Handsome enough to be called a treasure…」
After hearing Jisrare-san’s praise, Kate-san turned her gaze toward me, trying to see what was under the mask.
Being stared at like that makes me a little embarrassed.
「By the way, I have been wondering for a while now――where exactly are you looking?」
「Huh?」
「It feels like our eyes are not quite meeting」
「Ah…」
Well, um, I think I am looking at her face. I believe I am talking while looking at Kate-san’s face.
But, how should I put this…
「Alec is looking at the ears」
「The ears?」
「He finds beastkin rare. Whenever he meets one, he keeps staring at their ears」
「The ears…」
As Kate-san heard that, her beast ears twitched.
And as expected, my attention was drawn to them again.
Just as Jisrare-san said, what I had been looking at――were Kate-san’s beast ears.
I mean, of course I am curious. Anyone would look at them…
Those upright ears on top of her head. They are strangely captivating. They look a bit like dog ears, so maybe Kate-san is from a dog-type beastkin tribe.
Well, more importantly… it seems Jisrare-san had noticed this for quite some time.
She had clearly realized that I was fascinated by beastkin ears and had been secretly staring at them…
Honestly, I cannot hide my shock. I had no idea she knew…
Maybe all this time, standing next to me, she has been thinking, 『This guy keeps staring at ears』…
Next Chapter: Retreat
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