Chapter 41: The hair was shaved in fashion

We finished the endurance training to a satisfactory degree.

Now, all that’s left is the practical test…

Whether Lunari will pounce on people or not, it’s time to find out.

I smiled at Lunari.

“So, what do you think?”

“Ugh… Isabel, do I have to wear this?”

Ugh… Of course!

The reason I’m in this world!

It’s to dress heroines like Lunari in outfits like this.

“Beastkin Works Part-Time Today Too! Lunari Evergrace” Ver.

The waitress outfit from the CG!

Finally, a rare scene unfolds before my eyes.

“This is really uncomfortable!”

“Tsk, no complaining!”

I spoke firmly, and Lunari tilted her head.

“Whyyyy?”

“Because…”

Because you’re cute, my sweet, darling, honey, baby, squirrel-chan.

…I wanted to say that.

But I couldn’t.

She wouldn’t understand, and…

Even if she did, she wouldn’t take it well.

I smiled softly and told her,

“Because you need to practice living with humans.”

“…Humans! I think of them as food…! I hate this!”

She still sees them as food.

But… it’s much better than before.

At first, she tried to pounce on them without hesitation.

This is nothing compared to that.

“Hmm? You don’t like it? I was going to give you bread if you did well…”

“Bread?!”

The magic word, bread.

“Delicious! Churu!” is truly invincible.

With this single word, Lunari will obey anything.

“Okay! I’ll do my best!”

“Ah, but you must wear this.”

“Huh…?”

The “Headband.”

An item to conceal Lunari’s distinctive ears.

She absolutely has to wear this while working.

Especially since those ears are so noticeable.

At least visually, even without using any skills, it’ll look like she’s wearing an animal headband.

“Alright, you’re all set. Shall we go, Lunari?”

“Yeah!”

♥

…We’re diving headfirst into the situation, but…

Working part-time at a tavern isn’t easy.

Dealing with drunk customers makes it extremely difficult.

This is a place where you’re likely to encounter troublemakers.

However, working in a place like this will also build her resilience.

“…Are you out of your mind?”

“Hmm, what do you mean?”

“Do you really think it’s right to make her work here?”

Han glared at me.

I shrugged and gave a small smile.

“You’re the one who allowed her to work here.”

“…Don’t be ridiculous. Who was it that threatened me?”

Threatened…

Did I hold a knife to him or something?

I just said, “I’ll summon the White Mages!” if he didn’t listen.

I just mentioned beings that don’t even exist.

It’s the “Baldy’s” fault for believing me.

“…The moment our tavern suffers any damage, I’ll wring your neck.”

“Haha, yes, yes, of course.”

I took a sip of my drink and continued,

“I’m also worried about Lunari, so I’m waiting here, aren’t I?”

“…”

Han clicked his tongue and sighed, clearly displeased.

“Hey! A drink over here, owner!”

“Oh, yes! Kaira!”

Han hurriedly passed the ordered drink to Kaira.

Kaira seemed busy, taking orders and serving here and there.

…The only one not busy is Lunari.

Han looked at me, then at Lunari, and sighed.

“—Hey Lunari, take this over…”

“Okay! Baldy!”

“Y-You little…! I’m not baldy! I’m naturally bald…”

Why is he even explaining that…?

How sad.

‘Fashionably bald,’ my foot…

“This baldy, it’s fashion. Got it? Don’t tease him…”

“Okay! Baldy!”

…Persuasion only works on those willing to listen.

Persuading Lunari, who’s already set on calling him baldy, is pointless.

Han sighed deeply and muttered,

“Anyway… Hurry and deliver that.”

“Got it!”

Lunari hummed as she took the drink and placed it on the customer’s table.

“Here you go!”

“Oh, thanks.”

“No problem!”

Lunari, seemingly delighted by the thanks, bounced over to me.

“I did it! The human meat thanked me! He said thank you!”

“Yes, well done.”

I smiled and stroked her head.

“But… I wanted to eat that human, but I held back…”

She drooled a little.

Her cannibalistic instincts are still there.

But she has to endure.

This is also part of her endurance training.

“I’ll give you delicious bread after you’re done working. Okay?”

“Hehe, okay!”

“And, always remember… you can’t show your tail. Understood?”

She can hide her tail well now.

At my words, Lunari raised her right hand in a salute and replied,

“Yeah, got it!”

“And one more thing… how are you supposed to speak?”

“Clear.ly.and.slow.ly!”

Clearly and slowly.

During training, and…

While getting dressed…

Lunari becomes different when she speaks properly.

“That’s right. You can’t mumble. Okay? Clearly. And. Slowly. And lower your voice.”

“Got it. Ahem. Ahem!”

Lunari cleared her throat a few times at my words and replied clearly,

“Yes. Is this right?”

Oh… she looks completely different when she changes her speech.

Her seemingly seductive voice is quite charming.

She’s a beastkin known for enchanting people for a reason…

According to the “Lilith Tycoon” lore, Lunari Evergrace is a fox who seduces men.

Naturally, if she behaves normally, she can’t help but be charming.

Even her voice feels magically seductive.

She truly lives up to her reputation.

“Then, I’ll be back to work, Isabel.”

Lunari smiled with her eyes and left to do her job.

“…Hey, is she really that idiot from earlier?”

Han chuckled in amazement.

“…It’s really funny. Until just now, she spoke so clumsily and… looked like a fool…”

Han slammed his hand on the table and shouted,

“What!? How dare you compare my daughter to that idiot!?”

“Hmm? Our Lunari an idiot? You’ll take back those words soon. Our Lunari will become much smarter, you know?”

Han snorted and shook his head.

“How can that beast-like girl become smart…? You’re quite the doting fool. Absolutely impossible. It will never happen.”

“Just you wait and see. She’ll become smarter than an elf.”

“This kid, really…!”

A daughter fight…?

No, it’s more like a fan war between heroines…

Still, seeing Lunari working like this, not acting like a fool, gives me hope.

“Hey! Another drink over here!”

“Pretty ladies! Another lemon drink over here!”

Amidst the cheerful laughter and lively atmosphere…

As customers placed their orders…

Heavy footsteps entered one after another.

I muttered softly as I looked at them,

“…Patrolmen?”

Why are they suddenly here?

It’s unusual for them to enter a tavern in broad daylight wearing armor.

For soldiers to be in a tavern during the day is dereliction of duty.

They should only be active after their shift is over…

Why…?

“—Is the owner here?”

A soldier who appeared to be the captain strode forward.

Han glanced at me and gave me a look.

His eyes seemed to say, ‘Behave yourself and find a way to avoid them.’

I subtly nodded.

Seeing this, Han laughed loudly and looked at the soldier.

“Hahaha. Yes! What can I do for you?”

The soldier, with a stern expression, replied in a low voice to Han’s question,

“You’re aware that a beastkin is hiding in this village, correct?”

“Yes, of course.”

“…We’re here to inspect, in case she’s hiding inside.”

Wow, sharp…?

Kaira gave an awkward smile at the surprisingly intelligent soldier’s words.

“…Um, there’s no one like that here…”

“Pointed ears… are you an elf?”

“Yes? Ah, well…”

As Kaira became flustered, Han laughed heartily and answered for her,

“She’s my daughter. Is there a problem…?”

“No, not particularly, but… it’s just surprising to see an elf working in this village. It’s actually illegal for pointy-ears like her to work here.”

Is this racism…?

Racism exists in this world too.

Humans looking down on elves and demons…

“Excuse me, but what’s wrong with an elf working? Where is it stated that it’s illegal?”

“Humans in human villages, elves in elven villages, demons in demon villages. That’s how it is. Don’t you know?”

At his words, the customers coughed awkwardly and started to leave one by one.

Perhaps they felt uncomfortable, not wanting to get involved?

The customers quietly slipped out.

Finally, when only the tavern staff remained…

The soldiers suddenly blocked the door.

“What are you doing!? Making the customers leave…!”

“Making them leave? We’re just performing our duties. And… take off that woman’s headband.”

The time has come.

He’s telling Lunari to take off her headband.

Judging by the situation, Lunari doesn’t look happy, and…

If things go wrong, an atrocity could occur.

[Lunari Evergrace is about to commit an atrocity!]

[Lunari Evergrace is getting angry and wants to kill all the soldiers!]

These…

Ominous premonitions are never wrong.

I quietly observed Lunari’s expression…

Her eyes looked like she wanted to pounce on them and kill them right there and then.

Now, if that’s the case… shall I begin my work?

I smiled leisurely and stood up.

“Excuse me, just a moment.”

“?”

I asked the captain slyly,

“Haha, are you the captain leading these patrolmen?”

“I am. Who are you?”

“Greetings. I am Isabel Leonhardt, the Black Hound.”

“…The Black Hound?”

The captain frowned at the mention of Black Hound.

“What’s a noble’s dog doing here?”

“I was enjoying a drink. This young lady is my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend…?”

I casually approached Lunari and put my arm around her shoulder.

“Do you have some business with my girlfriend?”

“…Isabel?”

I whispered softly,

“…If you endure this, I’ll give you five pieces of bread. Okay?”

“…”

She trembled slightly, as if suppressing her anger at my words.

After calming Lunari down, I addressed the soldiers,

“What do you mean by taking off my girlfriend’s headband?”

“…There’s been a beastkin attack in this village. We’re searching for her. The witness said she was with a man.”

“Haha, and so… you suspect us?”

“…Not exactly. But, there’s always a possibility. What are you waiting for? Go and take it off.”

Two soldiers quietly tried to approach us.

I held out my hand again to stop them.

“Just a moment.”

“What is it? Why are you stalling?”

“…I’ll take it off myself. I don’t want other men seeing her.”

“…”

The captain stared at me suspiciously.

Unfazed by his gaze, I removed Lunari’s headband.