Half Dragon Girl And Elf
Chapter 9's

The Second Street of Free Trade City, one of the major roads leading to the city center, is colloquially known as Food Alley. As the name implies, at night this place is filled with busy voices and appetizing aromas. As far as the eye can see, many delicious foods can be eaten— skewers served in iron pans, grilled ham sandwiches and cheese with tomatoes, etc, the shop squeezes fresh fruit into juice right in front of you. This is where the fresh ingredients brought to the city are converted into food. The place was always busy and, just like the food, people also came from various places. A group of people observed the crowd gathered.

“Yeah, they're busy today. What do you want to eat, Krista?”

“Everything is fine. But if I have to choose, I will choose something sweet.”

“Hey, come! Dinner must be meat! Isn't that right, Captain A'lu?”

“If it smells good, I don't think it's a problem!”

They were members of the Rose of Ice, the greatest adventurer group in the city. As they walked through the street, the crowd quietly parted in front of them. Yet they did not force anyone to step aside; this was merely the silent force of their presence. They were tired of the typical atmosphere of people who had seen combat. Sasha, a friendly girl, bows apologizing to the passers-by.

“Alright, for starters, how about those ten skewers, and—”

“Wait, Garen! Be careful not to buy more than we can eat!”

“I'll eat more!” garen.

“Or Krista will do it.”

“I don't want to overeat,” Krista replied.

“I'll eat what I can.”

“Baby lucky. No matter how much she ate, her figure was absolutely perfect.”.

Of course there was nothing left of those ten skewers. Traveling is hard physical work. It makes sense for them to add calories when they can. They went on to buy everything delicious they saw and satiate themselves until their stomachs were full. Then, after they passed Food Alley and arrived at their lodging in the Central District, Krista ate a large crepe as a dessert. He insisted that the food be put in a separate stomach that he had only for candy.

“So, what do you think about the job this time?” Garen asked.

“For a gift, it's not bad. Not bad also the rewards,” replied A’lu.

The job in question was a request from the nobles of Free Market City to exterminate the large-scale bandit group Black Fang. Most of them were peasants who turned to bandits to get out of a life of poverty, yet some of them were fighters skilled enough to handle most of the mercenaries. It is said that there are about a hundred. Over the years, they have expanded their influence, and now they become the largest bandit group in the region. They were large enough that they started attacking the wagon where the nobles were sending their goods. That was why they had a fugitive price on their heads—which was large enough to attract the attention of people like the Rose of Ice.

“In other words, our proud nobility finally deigned to break away from their fat attitude and do something for a change. Not that I'm complaining, I guess.” Sasha hates nobility. His words were filled with venomous sarcasm.

“Ya,” says Garen. “Even a few hundred bandits is no match for us.” It was indeed a pride, but Garen was not a fool. What he said was the truth. The four of them had proven themselves to be the strongest in the world. No B rank adventurer could stand against them, let alone a force made up of cultivators and mercenary cultivators*h.

“Then does everyone agree to accept this request?” Krista asked. He did not raise his voice at all, but his words were clear and precise, piercing through the air like a sharp sword. Krista's face rarely showed any emotion.

It seemed like he forced himself every time he spoke. However, his friends had been with him for a long time, so they knew that this peculiarity of his was the result of his immense magic power. But with cream whipped from the crepe still smeared on her cheek, she looked like a child.

“I'm coming.”

"I am too."

"I'm three."

Krista Niese Branrichter, also known by her nickname the Ice Queen, is a young, A-ranked adventurer. Despite his young age, his strength had already far surpassed the limits of human abilities. There was no doubt in anyone's mind about his ability to clear an army of bandits, even alone. At least until he met her...

“I didn't think I'd meet you here, among all places..Dulan the Ibl*s Sword.”.

His friends have fallen. Krista herself stood up, facing her opponent with a drawn rapier.

“Make this tasty..” the man replied almost without a sound.

*

At that moment, Aisha walked after Kaleesh, who had slowed down her steps to match Aisha's steps, and looked so excited that she looked like she would sing at any moment. Aisha calls him “Nyonya” and vows to serve him until the end of time. Kaleesh doesn't know if this is a change affecting Aisha or a sign that her wish has been exhausted entirely, but he doesn't care. She was happy that Aisha was accompanying her.

“Mistress,” “end times”... Everything sounds so amazing and dramatic. Technically that is true, considering Aisha has become a servant of her soul, but all Kaleesh wants is a companion on the road. Still, Aisha had spoken those words, and Kaleesh had accepted her role. If that was what Aisha wanted, she would be the perfect mistress.

“Waah!” Aisha tripped over a root that was sticking out of the ground and almost fell face down, but it didn't. Kaleesh reflexes are very fast. She held Aisha down before she knew what was going on.

“Are you okay, Aisha?”

“A-I'm sorry, Madam! I'm doing fine! I'm healthy again thanks to you, and I'm ready to walk and walk!” For some reason, Aisha was beaming with joy, frowning her cheeks and smiling widely. Kaleesh had no idea what made him so dizzy.

“Well, I'm glad you weren't hurt,” he said. “I can carry you if you are tired, know.”

“Wah?! I-I don't know.” Aisha blushed and muttered to herself, immersed in her happy little world.

Kaleesh cleared his throat, deliberately changing the subject. “Yeah, anyhow!” she said. “I'm glad you were lucky enough to meet me in the forest, Aisha, but why don't you go to a bigger city or another village?”

“Y-Yeah, I.. I have never been out of the village before,” Aisha explained. “I don't know how to get to Free Market City, and.. I don't want to go to another village..”.

“I understand..” says Kaleesh. “Sorry to bring up those memories. I swear, I'm surprised that no one wants to help a sweet girl like you. So you went to the forest looking for food?”

“Y-Yes. I sometimes hear the sound of subtle creatures near the forest. I'm sure it's the spirit that guided me to you, madam. I thank them..” Aisha giggled. And then, being interrupted by their conversation, he stumbled once more. “Wah!”

"Are you okay? The road is a bit complicated here. Do you need to hold my hand?” Kaleesh reached out his hand, but Aisha only reacted with panic and confusion. Honestly, it's a little funny.

“A-A-What?!” he said, “But it was very inappropriate..”.

Regardless of his words, his hand pulled towards Kaleesh's hand. It floated in and out of Kaleesh's grasp until he grabbed Aisha's hand.

“Technically you may be a mistress and a waiter,” Kaleesh told him, “but I prefer to treat each other equally. There is no need to worry about whether something is inappropriate or not. Sounds like it's not fun at all.”

“O-Oh!” exciting Aisha. “I'm very touched! It's an honor!”

* * *