10 minutes after entering the Duke’s Garden.
We witness a huge mansion that can be called a castle.
A bright blue roof and chalk walls. There is no such thing as a castle wall, but the mansion looks huge, spreading in all directions.
The inside must be like a labyrinth.
Just thinking about it makes me feel the chills.
A lady who tied her rich black hair in two welcomed us at the entrance.
It’s not like we were greeted with a colorful dress. She wore light clothing with little exposure and had a quiver on the side.
It’s almost like she’s going out for a hike.
“Thank you for coming here, Zelet-sama. My name is Rafina Zard Astowari….”
Instead of a passionate red dress, the girl grabbed the hem of her solid silk pants and bowed to me as if she was inviting me for a dance in social circles.
It is neither intimidating nor showing off her intellect.
The bright blue eyes shine innocently like a child, and the white skin is also dazzling. I could clearly see the small face, which still had innocence, and the big breasts, which seemed to bulge out, even when she was dressed in light clothing.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Ah … No …”
I look away reflexively.
I don’t think I’ll fall in love with you.
The style and the elegance that emits from her are all first-class. Moreover, she is still close to a rough stone in my opinion. Maybe she will be even polished from now on.
“Excuse me. I’m Zelet Winter. This is my disciple Prim. She’s the wolf Rir.”
“Thank you, sister!”
“Wow!”
Purim and Rir greet her in a friendly manner.
Even though I am a little nervous, they don’t seem to care about it.
“I haven’t seen you for a while, Rafina-sama.”
“It’s been a long time, Olivia. How are you guys doing in the guild?”
Rafina reaches out and takes Olivia’s hand. Even in such a case, there is no arrogance. She showed a natural smile as if she had met an old friend.
Apparently, Miss Rafina is a little different from the aristocrats I know.
“Now, I’m about to guide you to the mansion, but could you please play with me for a while?”
“Play?”
When I look at her suspiciously, Miss Rafina takes the bow from her side.
“Today, after talking a little with Zelet-sama, I would like to hold a little party.”
“Rafina-sama, I have nothing …”
“Yes. That’s why I said it now. I just decided on my own, so I haven’t prepared the essential ingredients. I’m going to catch it now, so I’d like to ask Zelet-sama to accompany me.”
Rafina looks at me challengingly.
The lady-like face up until now was nowhere to be found. It must have been her fake appearance. Perhaps this is Rafina’s true face.
Perhaps this is a test.
To test my ability. I don’t know why she wants to give that score, but she may have some purpose.
For example, whether I deserve to hunt S-rank monsters.
It’s a foresight that my desires will pass a little, but it’s not too far away even if I don’t hit it.
“Don’t you feel like it, Zelet-sama? That’s right. After all, it’s a child’s play. Let’s do this. Actually, there are few monsters living in this vast garden.”
“Yes ?? Is there a monster in the Duke’s garden? Really, Rafina-sama” ( Olivia probably)
“It’s true”
It was me who affirmed. I quickly pointed to Rir’s ear.
Her ears are moving frequently. At such times, Rir is proof that she knows where the monster is. It may be a coarse fish anyway, but it seems that there is no doubt that it is nearby.
“Among them, if I can catch a monster with a rank higher than the monster you catch …”
How about making a request to subdue S-rank monsters?
“―――― I got it!”
“It’s an immediate answer.”
Rafina smiles.
“No wonder”
“If you say so and withdraw, you’re not Zelet-san.”
Olivia also smiles.
“Then, if you lose, can you listen to whatever I say?”
“What? Anything? Rafina-sama, no matter how much …”
“I do not care”
“Ehh! Zelet-san?”
Olivia tries to stop me, but I decided already and so Rafina smiles.
“Aren’t his words important for a man’s pride?”
“Of course. I don’t think the young lady couldn’t do it later.”
“I know”
“Then I’ll do it too !!”
Yes, Prim also raised her hand.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s more fun to play with a lot of people.”
“Um … then I’ll wait here.”
“Fa ~”
Olivia decides to wait, while Rir makes a big yawn. She just got hungry. It seems that the unfamiliar carriage movement was harder than I expected.
“The time limit is about 2 hours. What if the ranks are tied?”
“At that time, it’s okay for the young lady to win. I’m a professional. It’s just the right handicap.”
At that moment, I didn’t realize that Rafina had a cunning smile.
“I understand. Then —-“
The hunting starts! !!
TLN: and finally an update. Sorry for taking so long the new house that I transferred to had no proper internet connection so I was living in hell pretty much. Should be able to upload the stocked up chapters now.