Chapter 175

"Come on, let's take a look around the streets! Anyway, we have plenty of time!"

Elpheira stretched broadly and laughed heartily. In the afternoon, the city bustled with countless crowds.

Every visible road was perfectly paved, and there were hardly any buildings below five stories. Occasionally, massive buildings even had small airships anchored on the rooftops.

True to their aerial dominance, the offloading of goods did not happen on the ground. Instead of carts delivering goods, short airships buzzed around like bees in a hive.

As a result, the ground level of the city was rather quiet. Elves did not particularly enjoy moving on foot. Only a few humans working as laborers walked around with sullen faces.

"Get lost!"

Turning their gaze toward the direction of the loud voice, a human, covered in waste, was rolling on the ground. He had been thrown out from a shop selling small cakes.

A guard approached the human. The human cowered in fear. Soon, the guards fined the fallen human and left. The charge was for soiling the street's cleanliness.

"Hmm..."

Elpheira made a subtle expression at the sight. It was a commonplace, trivial event, but she became cautious of what the human beside her might think.

"Sir Yeremov... that is, um."

"I know."

"Pardon?"

"I know that officially, elves do not use slaves. These humans are a working class lured by the high wages in elven cities. It's a natural social phenomenon."

"Ah, yes, that is true, but..."

"I do not judge individuals based on their race, Elpheira."

Even on Earth, where brilliant civilizations flourished, racial discrimination and xenophobia were prevalent sentiments. In fact, it was natural for discrimination based on class differences to exist even among the same race.

Fundamentally, social culture develops based on class and discrimination. Especially if even races are different.

Ivan walked on without a change in expression. Elpheira sighed deeply at his response and walked along.

"Is there anything you'd like to eat? If you have a favorite food, I can guide you to the best place!"

"Somewhere located in a high place, easy to monitor, close to the center of the island, and with a route connected to the port."

"That's a rather straightforward preference... Are you specifically describing a restaurant?"

"Yes."

Elpheira chuckled as if exasperated by Ivan's answer.

"Sorry, but this restaurant is for elves only."

"Oh my, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Elpheira Grykencos, the daughter of Veolgrin Grykencos. Could you perhaps repeat what you just said?"

The elf, dressed in a high-end suit, shook his head with a smile despite Elpheira's burning gaze.

"How could I not recognize Miss Grykencos? I only ask that you be considerate of the distinguished guests who visit us."

"And just how important are these people that they warrant such caution?"

"It would be difficult to enumerate each one of our esteemed clients."

"What the—!"

In Isabelle's hometown, yes, even the nobles would return home and hold feasts.

Ecdysis, that girl, bragged that she even brought her father for a formal meeting.

Meanwhile, back in her own hometown, even in this area which could be considered her domain, Ivan couldn't relax enough to visit even one restaurant.

She overlooked the fact that it didn't help to seek out the best restaurants. The best places she could go were pretty much all labelled 'Elf-only.'

"This person is not just an ordinary human. He is not a worker but a noble!"

"Oh, I see."

A sly smile curled at the corner of the clerk's mouth. In elf terms, it was a very blatant expression of disrespect, akin to inquiring about one's parents. Elpheira unwittingly felt her hand twitch.

Suddenly. At that moment, someone grabbed her wrist. When she turned her head, Ivan stood much closer.

"Calm down. It's alright."

"Yes, Sir Yeremov."

"Apologies for the disturbance, elf. Carry on with your work."

"Thank you for your understanding, human."

The clerk stood there, still smirking. As Ivan turned, Elpheira cautiously followed with her wrist still held.

Any feeling of anger or shame quickly evaporated. Her mind went blank, and her ears drooped as if they had melted away.

Unconsciously, her lips twitched as though she was about to laugh.

It was then.

"The Grykencos family certainly has stooped low, associating with humans. How vulgar."

She could hear a small voice. It was the clerk muttering as he turned away. That meant that what she heard was also clearly heard by Ivan.

His hearing was acutely sharp, able to pick up even the tiny footsteps of a passing rat. Elpheira shuddered as she looked up at Ivan, who had already let go of her wrist.

"I'm alright, really. Sir Yeremov."

"No. This is not alright."

Ivan turned around and walked back to the clerk. Sensing his presence, the clerk looked at him with a bright smile again.

"Is there anything else you would like to say?"

"Elf. You should have maintained your dignity. You insulted me and my companion."

"That's truly unfortunate."

"Indeed. As a guest in this country, I will give you one last chance. Apologize to my companion."

Elpheira, who had come closer, cautiously grabbed Ivan's sleeve. She looked up at him with a bewildered face.

Ivan was still expressionless.

"Sir Yeremov, what's wrong? I'm fine."

"You're not fine."

"No, I really am fine."

"Elpheira. You are a member of the hero party."

"...What?"

"Heroes have the right not to kneel even in the presence of the royalty. It's an authority granted by the kings of the united kingdoms."

To kill the Demon King, the strongest warriors were selected. But even those warriors had no guarantee that they would come back alive from the Demon King's territory, where the Demon King and his Seven Dragon Generals lay in wait.

All fronts were being disastrously pushed back, and one-third of the united kingdoms had fallen in an instant. The population loss was even more severe, to the point that it was predicted it would take a century to recover from the population void created by the war.

In such a situation, the only hope for the united kingdoms was the assassination of the Demon King. Humanity could only survive by killing the Demon King, even if it meant losing the entire hero party.

Thus, the hero party had the right not to kneel before any ruler. It was a mark of consideration and respect for those who walked into death's jaws, devoting themselves solely to humanity.

The era had come when the fame of the hero party was forgotten, but not anymore. The united kingdoms were barely holding on, day after day, like a sandcastle that could collapse at any moment.

Although it was hard to say that the current party was ready, Ivan at least had to respect them. He could not stand by and watch anyone insult them.

Did not Jill Ber ask him? Did not the former generation recognize the current hero party?

"Lift your head. The hero party didn't bow down even before those who called themselves gods."

"Sir Yeremov...."

The righteous do not fear slander.

Even amidst despair, they must be a model for all humanity. The hero party never lowered their heads, not because they didn't want to, but because of the weight of the duty they carried.

On a dark night, they had to split the heavens and lift their heads toward hope. It didn't matter if no one acknowledged these children as the hero party. Ivan himself was evidence, and he intended to prove it as many times as necessary.

"Are you ordering a human to apologize to me now?"

And so, setting aside all such miscellaneous reasons.

Ivan silently nodded as he saw the approaching elf's pale face with a smile.

And actually, merely.

Without any specific reason. It was mostly because he didn't like seeing Elpheira biting her lips and lowering her head in dejection.

-Crunch.

The grip that shot out like lightning to clasp the neck of the approaching elf locked in firmly. Ivan grabbed the elf by the neck with one hand and slammed him into the ground.

-Bang—!!

"Yes, Sir Yeremov!"

"It's okay."

"The law of this country is unfavorable to humans! L-let me go quickly!"

"I know."

He firmly pressed down on the groaning elf. As the carotid artery was blocked and the blood flow stopped, the elf soon turned pale and rolled his eyes back.

Ivan brushed his hands off and stood up. The surroundings were quiet. Numerous elves were staring blankly at him.

"I am Ivan Petrovich Yeremov. Is there anyone left to apologize on behalf of him to my party?"

"What, what kind of outrageous behavior is this?!"

But it didn't seem to bother Elpheira, as her ears twitched wildly.

In the distance, approaching guards could be seen.

'Now at least those who were monitoring Elpheira will know my name.'

The elves know that Edelplat was dispatched to Krasilov. Even that they were defeated by a 'human'.

It's impossible that the human's name would not be known. The elves' external intelligence is flawless.

Now the elves will know that the human who appeared in their nation is 'that' Ivan. Some, those with rich imaginations or dense information networks among the high-ranking nobles, might guess that 'that' Ivan is Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Petrovich of the Cleanup Unit, who was reported dead four years ago.

There is no need to arduously provoke each member of the Privy Council, plant bait, and wait for a bite. Isn't it a situation where time is lacking in the first place?

No one knows how or when or in what way the situation will unfold. The lack of information was severe. Moreover, it was a situation where he had to suspect even Veolgrin.

Already, it was sufficiently troublesome. Aren't things annoyingly complicated enough to make one's anger boil?

However, sometimes, complex situations can be solved with simple solutions, much like Alexander cutting the knot.

"Stop. Everyone."

Ivan frowned as he looked at a group of approaching elves. The guards and the elves watching from a distance frowned and quickly stepped aside.

The approaching elves each had a sword hanging from their waists.

"Swordsmiths...!"

As recalled once, elves detest physical training that involves sweat.

In such a social culture, learning swordsmanship means they are that much obsessed with it.

"They are our guests. Step back."

The man at the forefront smirked crookedly as he walked. Even the guards, who tried to stop him, frowned and retreated.

"Or complain now."

"Rude bastards...!"

"Oh, the one who just spoke, come forward. I want to hear it again."

"..."

There is a famous saying among elven nobility. Do not step within the reach of the blade of an elf carrying a sword.

The man with his hair roughly tied back scanned Ivan with sharp eyes as he approached.

"Our master asked me to come out, and sure enough, you've caused trouble. Humans, quite typical."

"Did Edel send you?"

"That's why I'm here. How about you stop slaughtering those poor folks for no reason and come quietly with me?"

Just the fact that this man had defeated Edelplat in a duel told exactly how skilled he was. The man looked around and let out a small chuckle.

This 'human' was extraordinary. At that time, only a handful of people, including the warrior party, could stand against Edelplat.

In the realm of dueling, Edel had never lost once. Throughout those long years, she earned the nicknames 'The Undefeated' and 'The Duel Representative of the Privy Council.'

"Back in the old days, one could gouge out the eyes of anyone who couldn't recognize someone stronger and still be innocent, but that's not how it is now. Let's go peacefully."

Ivan nodded at the man's words. In any case, he had achieved his purpose. Spreading his name in the elven society.

Now it was time to see how that name would return to him. If Edelplat's subordinates treated him with the utmost respect, his name would spread even faster.

Not bad.

"Sir Yeremov."

"Yes?"

"Do you have any plans for children?"

With a flick of his ears, Ivan approached excessively close, shedding Elpheira who was grasping at his sleeve, and began walking.

*

"So when he said 'see you in two days', did he mean for us to kill time quietly by sightseeing or something?"

"Hmm."

"But then you suddenly tried to start a knife fight in the middle of the street?"

"I didn't draw my sword."

"What a boast, Jhon. What a boast. His Majesty was so taken aback that he ordered you to appear at court first thing tomorrow morning."

"That's great."

We've finally managed to use our time efficiently.

Hearing Ivan's words, Edel pounded her chest and burst out in frustration.