16. Sleeping on a Washboard (Seeking Tickets at the Start of the Month~)
The sudden approach of the Elf Saint Izalis truly startled me!
I’ve been through many “teasing” scenarios, and as someone who knows the script well, I’ve seen it all. But… I understand the plot where the blonde guy is infatuated with the female lead’s beauty, only to be beaten up by the male lead. This is a common trope. However, seeing a standard rich and beautiful girl set her sights on a scruffy boy and wanting to snatch him from the original partner? That’s a first for me!
I hurriedly checked the content in the script!
[Izalis wants to understand Oujili De.]
There’s nothing about “infatuation” or “pursuing,” so I thought to myself, what we’re encountering in this era shouldn’t be a script about romantic luck!
In contrast to me, Kefir and Nilu reacted much more quickly. They probably both thought simultaneously: this Elf Saint is not easy to “handle” in various aspects. The two of them even skipped exchanging glances and immediately took a protective stance, shoving me behind them.
“Miss Saintess, regarding your protection, since we have chosen to accompany you, we naturally wish to fulfill that duty. However, we all have our personal privacy and relationship issues. If you inquire freely… will it truly be beneficial for your position afterward?”
“…” Izalis, who had to retract her movements, glanced at her slightly reddened hands, which had been rubbed by Kephiel and Nilu’s tugging, and tilted her head to look.
I couldn’t tell if it was my illusion, but I felt that this was the first time the elven Saintess before me was seriously assessing Kephiel and Nilu.
“It seems that your identities are not so ordinary after all. To give me such a reminder… Kephiel, are you… from a royal family?”
What a precise guess! But Nilu and Kephiel were not unprepared for this.
This time, it was Nilu’s turn to interject.
“No comment.”
I did not stop the two women from showing their slightly prickly attitude towards Izalis.
First, in this era, we are absolutely “outliers.” Our arrival is solely to fulfill the main storyline in the script, which is to prevent the “newly manufactured” elven triplets from committing some irreversible act that would lead them to become the so-called “saints” who only want to kill me, spouting nonsense in the future.
Second… I fear my wife. I certainly do not want any strange gossip to arise between me and this elven Saintess, leading to a night where I can’t hold my wife’s thigh while sleeping, only able to hug the washboard.
Moreover, by now, I could see clearly: the elven Saintess Izalis is also a clever person.
She did not mind Kephiel and Nilu’s somewhat impolite attitude; perhaps… she initially just wanted to understand my thoughts. Seeing my tacit approval, Izalis wisely chose to back down.
“It seems this misunderstanding is my fault. ‘Fate’ has granted you the appropriate companions, and there is indeed no room for interference in this matter.”
I finally breathed a sigh of relief. If Izalis’s earlier approach could still be described as “the Saintess herself is very curious,” then the recent commotion, where even Kephiel and Nilu intervened, was undoubtedly a genuine “interest.”
Now, we only needed to avoid excessive conflict with the white-haired elves of this era.
“Anyway, my Lady Saintess.”
“Just call me by my name in private; not everyone is willing to maintain a tense demeanor and enjoy their status at all times, Lord O’Keel.”
“Then, Izalis.”
I no longer held back and continued, “In any case, our task from now on is to protect you, right? However, on that basis, please do not mind our private activities too much. We would like to take advantage of our identities to conduct some investigations in this kingdom, but rest assured, we are not spies from foreign races; we simply wish to understand for personal reasons.”
“Isn’t that recruiting accomplices?”
“Not at all!”
I wanted to refute her, but the way this elven saintess joked around was so ethereal, so full of divine grace, that I found myself at a loss for how to respond.
No wonder Kephiel and Nilu reacted so strongly; to be honest… just being in the presence of the elven saintess was enough to draw one in involuntarily!
“So, what would you like to know?”
In the next moment, Izalis floated back to her chair and sat down. “Rodland is a kingdom inhabited solely by white-haired elves. From the moment of its birth, it has adhered to the will of ‘order’ and branched out accordingly. I have existed as a saintess since that time, observing and maintaining the balance of ‘order.’”
“An increasing understanding brings about a more rigorous ‘order,’ so… as long as it’s something I know, I will share everything about ordinary matters with you, Lord Oqulid. After all, isn’t the existence of a ‘saintess’ meant to impart wisdom and grant order?”
[Izalis is willing to answer Lord Oqulid’s questions.]
The script appeared, and setting aside the elven maiden’s sincere demeanor that could drive any man to madness with just a glance, Izalis’s attitude in the script was devoid of any ulterior motives.
Though it felt strange to suddenly have such a level of “assistance,” too… swift, too simple, I reminded myself that our purpose in this era, to disrupt the script of death, was inherently an act of adventure. At this point, we had no time to hesitate.
“Then I shall comply, Izalis.”
I got straight to the point and asked, “What are your thoughts on the recent attack?”
This was what concerned me most: if Izalis’s experience during the recent ritual could be brushed off as mere “coincidence” and “bad luck,” then the earlier appearances of those who feigned being near the saintess, but were actually elven elders from the three elven princesses, could not be dismissed so easily. I couldn’t help but lean towards a “conspiracy theory” regarding this matter.
The elven saintess of this era was far more intelligent and powerful than the counterfeit Ikusis, and she was no mere talisman. Yet… it seemed she was currently facing some kind of danger, and… it even came from the three elven princesses. Could it be that the elven sisters in this era had become the kind of ruthless figures who would eliminate their rivals by any means necessary, the “big bosses” of the script?
However, after listening to my question, Izalis’s response left me utterly astonished.
“I have no thoughts on it, because… the attacker ran away afterward~ so there’s naturally no way to investigate much. I’m very sorry, Lord Oqulid, but I’m afraid I can’t help you in this regard; you’ll have to play the role of Sherlock Holmes yourself.”
Then why are you so cheerful about it!? I can’t believe you can maintain such a calm demeanor in the face of what is clearly developing into a “conspiracy”!
I was at a loss for words to express my frustration, and in my helplessness, I glanced at the script. Sure enough… Izalis’s recent words were accompanied by a dangerous development!
[Izalis is attacked and killed by anti-order elves.]
This was clearly a death script aimed at this elven saintess!
Quietly avoiding Izalis’s gaze, I paused for a moment before saying, “Then there’s no need for you to think too much about it. In any case, let’s first fulfill our task and protect you; the previous matter is unlikely to end so simply.”
“Thank you, Lord Euclid. Meeting you may truly be a matter of ‘fate.’”
I really shouldn’t be saying such mystical things in front of Kephir and Nilu while I’m tossing and turning on my bed at night!
I sighed inwardly; after all…
I’ll have to explain to Kephir and Nilu later that it’s not that I lost my soul at a mere glance from Izalis, but rather…
This elven saintess seems to be genuinely entangled in the “main storyline,” and I must ensure her safety above all else.
——
Everyone, the monthly ticket event and new activities have been updated, just over in the separate chapter.
Those who won last month, please come find me in the group to claim your prize; otherwise, I can’t send it without an address.
Let’s give this book some monthly tickets in October! Thank you, Eggplant! New prizes are also being prepared!