episode_0007

Yulia Pentenburg.

Known as the Witch of Pentenburg.

As the matriarch leading the Pentenburg family that has governed the small mountain village of Pentenburg for fifty years, she maintains Pentenburg’s independent status amidst the cracks of powerful nations.

Her secret lies in potion trading.

With the established reputation of Pentenburg’s potions being top-notch, they are sold abundantly every year despite their high prices due to limited production.

Even elixirs produced only in Pentenburg have contributed significantly to her renown.

One bottle of elixir can cure any ailment, making the price synonymous with its worth.

By accumulating wealth in this manner, Pentenburg strategically leverages its proximity to several powerful nations and borders, functioning as a financial hub.

Did someone say it was just a small mountain village?

It may be small, but it is no ordinary rural town.

Situated at an altitude of 2000 meters, it is a financial city where money from around the world converges.

To draw a comparison in the real world, it is akin to Luxembourg with Wall Street.

“You know, Eugene? Elves strictly adhere to a patriarchal society. If you marry an elf, you have to change your surname to a strange Elvish one, live in a peculiar vine-covered house, and only register children with pointed ears. Ugh. Just the thought is dreadful, isn’t it?”

“Yes…”

And now, Jill and I are packing our bags to head towards Pentenburg.

You might have noticed from the mention of leading Pentenburg for 300 years, but Yulia Pentenburg is not human; she is an elf.

Essentially, she embodies the stereotypical race found in fantasy novels, engaging in alchemy until the brink of death, maintaining a youthful appearance with pointed ears, and upholding an exclusive demeanor.

Merely chanting about innovation while ultimately recycling race settings from a genre novel crafted by a master long ago.

“Ugh, I hate elves. Join me. Quickly.”

“I hate elves.”

“Once more!”

“I really hate elves.”

“That’s right!”

Even if you call Pentenburg elves, there’s likely only Yulia.

The intent behind indoctrinating blatant elf hatred is too transparent, almost overt.

At this point, it would be better to speak candidly.

“If you make eye contact with an elf, consider yourself dead.”

That’s how it goes.

“But what exactly is our current relationship?”

Humming a tune, Jill packs her bag.

Observing Jill in this moment stirs up complex emotions within me.

Objectively speaking, how should I define Jill’s and my relationship among the many dynamics?

A chatterbox young lady and a maid or perhaps a nanny.

A prodigious girl and her stress-relief doll.

A sycophant and a dupe, and so on.

It’s challenging to encapsulate it in a single term.

However, one thing is certain among our myriad relationships—there is no romantic involvement.

“We’re close, but not romantically involved.”

Jill is heavily reliant on me at the moment.

Having managed well on her own until she found a complete confidante in me, Jill has let down all her emotional barriers.

While she still exudes charisma in front of others, when alone with me, she quickly reverts to a childlike state.

If I were to demand a deeper relationship right now, Jill would likely accept without hesitation.

If I were to declare that I’m tired and leaving, Jill wouldn’t be able to bear it for even a moment, thus, she has no choice but to fulfill my requests.

“Oh, by the way, Eugene. I bought a building in your name. You can do whatever you want with it, whether rent it out or anything else.”

“I transferred ownership of that building back under the Lady’s name.”

“Why?! Why on earth aren’t you accepting it?”

Lately, Jill seems restless, perhaps feeling uneasy about our one-sided relationship, constantly unable to give me gifts.

It seems she believes that the only thing she can offer me is financial gain.

In reality, she has made tremendous progress by studying Dakiaryu swordsmanship, but…

Although Jill has witnessed my training firsthand, she still thinks I am only skilled in flashy swordplay.

“Sometime, it would be amusing to see the questioning eyes widen when the real showdown happens.”

“I didn’t become the Holy Maiden’s guardian for money.”

“Then, is it for honor?”

“That’s part of it. But the biggest reason is simply because serving the Holy Maiden brings me joy.”

“Why? Why does Eugene treat me so well? Even the maids raised in our family are not as humble and loyal as Eugene.”

Why indeed.

It’s just because we’ll be saying our goodbyes once we reach the ending.

Those words are swallowed down without a second thought.

“Well, maybe it’s love at first sight. Deciding that this person is the one I should serve.”

“Love at first sight? When was that?”

“When she reached out and wrinkled her nose, calling me dirty.”

“Oh, please stop bringing that up…”

I added some light-hearted jokes to control the situation, but Jill will believe without a doubt that I truly respect and follow the Holy Maiden.

This should be enough.

Jill won’t fear me running away anymore.

“O-Okay, just pack up! Stop with the nonsense!”

“I’m already done packing.”

“Then help me pack my things!”

“Should I help you pick out your underwear?”

“You!”

Once Jill gains trust, the next steps will be much easier.

***

“Have we arrived?”

“Wow…”

“Holy Maiden, your mouth is drooling.”

“Hehehe. Eugene can wipe it for you.”

As we emerged from the tunnel, it was Petenbourg.

So mesmerized by the view outside the window, I almost let out an exclamation of awe myself.

In this world dominated by medieval fantasy elements, Petenbourg stood alone, resembling a modern city with its angular gray buildings.

The skyscrapers rising in the middle of the plateau seemed utterly alien.

It felt like a scene straight out of nostalgia.

“You can’t take your eyes off it, huh? Is it very fascinating to you? Hehe. This is the epitome of magical engineering!”

“You speak as if it’s your city, Holy Maiden…”

The train soon arrived at the platform.

The air felt thin enough to make breathing slightly difficult.

The wind was cool, the air refreshing, but the sun beating down was sharp on the skin.

A climate entirely different from the unpredictable weather of Hameln, where rain would drizzle on and off throughout the year.

“Ah!”

“Don’t forget. Your skin will burn.”

Jill pressed a large hat firmly onto my head, a hat I almost forgot to wear.

I had an urge to see Jill’s pale skin again, but I resisted.

Even though Jill and I are fine, the elders of Dinerka would be in an uproar.

Saying that the trip to Petenbourg has turned the princess into a complete rascal.

“Eugene, your hand!”

“Here you go.”

“Hehe!”

The way she demands my hand is somewhat peculiar.

Usually, one would show their palm and ask the other to place their hand on top.

Instead, Jill prepares to raise her hand, demanding to see mine.

Well, that’s fine too.

What’s important is that we’re holding hands like this in the bustling crowd outside.

Thanks to leaving Hameln, hardly anyone knows the face of the Holy Maiden, and even if they do, dressed casually, no one would think this mischievous girl is the dignified Holy Maiden.

Moreover, we’ve informed Petenbourg that we’ll arrive tomorrow.

Meaning, for the next 24 hours, we can tour Petenbourg peacefully without any disturbances.

“Ready, Eugene?”

“What preparation are you talking about?”

“Preparation to collapse from exhaustion! We’re going to have fun all day today! I heard there are various attractions in Petenbourg like flying ships and trains in the sky, and also! And also…”

Laughter escapes me.

It seems Jill still thinks of me as a fragile knight due to the penalty.

Having taken various potions and completed sub-quests to raise basic stats, in addition to everything else…

[Stats]

[Strength: 13(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Stamina: 12(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Magic: 12(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Agility: 20(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Luck: 14(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

Never once has the Guardian Knight trait been turned off while accompanying Jill.

It feels like sightseeing right before Jill collapses.

Supporting the staggering Jill, who can barely hold herself up, I guide her back to the hotel room.

Upon taking out the contents of a bag brought while Jill was in the bathroom, her eyes widen.

“Alcohol?”

“I have a special drink only available in Pettenburg. You might regret not trying it.”

“I’ve decided not to drink alcohol. The elders at home dislike it.”

“Oh, really? Nothing I can do then. I’ll have to drink alone.”

“What, what did you say? You wanted to drink that badly?”

“Yes. I must drink it, even if I’m alone.”

“Why drink alone sadly? Let’s drink together…”

Operation successful.

I’ve succeeded in breaking Jill’s abstinence, an icon of temperance and restraint.

As you can see, the dynamic between Jill and me is not one where I am led by Jill.

Quite the opposite.

I hold a psychological advantage, and Jill seems nervous, trying to meet my expectations.

“Hmm? Is this all? I heard all the alcohol here is bad and tasteless.”

“Haha. If you start with that, you’ll never want to drink again. First, you need to acquire a taste.”

“Delicious! I didn’t know alcohol could taste this good!”

Jill may not know her own limit, but I do.

Jill is quite weak when it comes to alcohol.

And the drink I’ve given Jill is a cocktail known as the ‘Lady Killer.’

It’s dangerously sweet; keep drinking, and you’ll be gone before you know it.

Of course, I’m closely monitoring and regulating her pace.

“Hehehe! Why didn’t I drink alcohol sooner? It feels so good! Hiccup!”

As expected, Jill gets drunk quickly.

To the point where she wouldn’t notice being carried away like this.

One more sip, and she’ll likely collapse and fall asleep.

“Meow.”

“Meow?”

What’s going on?

After downing a cocktail, Jill suddenly lies on my thigh, purring like a cat.

There’s no sign of embarrassment on her face, despite being heavily intoxicated.

“Do you want to raise a cat?”

“I already have one. A feisty, tearful, and playful kitten.”

Although she’s too big to be called a kitten, I decide to play along.

As I receive gentle paw punches and belly scratches, soft moans of pleasure escape her.

Jill’s overt display of cuteness is quite rare.

Until the end of the game dialogue, I had no idea I would witness this side of Jill.

“Meow. Meow. Then adopt one more kitty.”

“Should I?”

Tickling Jill’s neck as she laughs mischievously, in a fleeting moment of spontaneity.

“You want to adopt another one? Really? Ha. Do you enjoy seeing me go crazy?”

“······.”

Jill’s tone changes abruptly as she runs her fingers through her hair.

Surprised, I see that Jill has completely returned to a human posture, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Her dazed eyes are now clear and sharp.

The cute kitten is nowhere to be found; there’s only a cold stare from a lioness.

It seems this role-play has tested my attitude.

Of course, I knew it all along.

If you mention adoption, she goes on a rant like this; if you don’t, she sulks, wondering if she’s fallen out of favor.

Isn’t it a love-hate relationship?

Exactly.

Nevertheless, I deliberately chose the former.

“The Holy Maiden won’t go insane.”

“Right? It was a mistake, wasn’t it? Hurry, say that’s true, Yujin. Tell me. Quickly.”

“······.”

“Please. Can’t you tell me? Huh? Yujin. Please······.”

“······.”

Since I’m in a position where I must eventually completely betray expectations, I must practice abandoning them in advance. In the end, I am destined to abandon expectations and leave. The Holy Maiden I know won’t collapse just because I disappear. At least, that’s what I believe.

“Grrr… Huuuh······.”

Jill’s sobbing breaths as she clung to me gradually grew fainter. She seemed to have fallen asleep drunk. Even if I roughly embraced her and threw her onto the bed, Jill only tossed and turned without waking up at all. Perhaps she won’t wake up no matter what I do, nor will she remember what happened.

Operation successful.

“Phew… I barely escaped.”

As I step outside, a refreshing breeze greets me. Wiping off the cold sweat, I give myself a high-five internally. Jill probably won’t open her eyes until tomorrow morning. Until then, I am free.

“How long has it been since the Paladin’s penalty was applied? I missed this feeling of liberation.”

I exceeded my limit in a flash, but Jill fell asleep gently without vomiting or reaching the foam-at-the-mouth stage. And now, I have the opportunity to stroll the streets alone and enjoy my freedom. Moreover, this place resembles a modern cityscape, evoking a sense of beauty.

Ah, just walking here is healing.

If I ever settle in this world, I should live in Petenbourg. Of course, that’s unlikely to happen.

I will definitely return to reality.

Definitely.

“Hmm?”

The light from passing carriages flashes on a large bridge. In the middle of it, I spot a small figure.

No, not a dot. It’s a person.

“Oh. No way.”

At first, my heart raced.

She wouldn’t be trying to jump off, would she?

In Petenbourg, there are quite a few casinos targeting tourists. Maybe she lost all her money there and became disillusioned with life…

Oh no.

Receiving the Paladin’s penalty with a weakened body, I sprint towards the center of the bridge.

“Excuse me!”

“······?!”

Grab.

I seize the wrist of the black-haired woman leaning on the bridge railing and pull her back.

Only after seeing her bewildered face do I realize.

She wasn’t attempting suicide due to despair, of course.

“Yulia Petenbourg?”

Not only that, she is the owner of this city and the second main heroine, Yulia Petenbourg.

I didn’t expect to meet Yulia here.

With pointed ears proving her Elven heritage, curly black hair, and a beautiful appearance that maintains its charm effortlessly even as an Elf, despite the dark circles under her eyes, she exudes a mysterious and aloof aura.

“Uh… Uh… Um… There… There…”

Suffering from communication disorder due to 300 years of isolation, Yulia struggles to communicate.