Chapter 2 - Guinevere's request

***

"Guinevere?"

Kazuki unintentionally said that name.

Upon hearing her name, Guinevere spun around and her gaze landed on Kazuki.

[Wait, I am not supposed to know her...]

Guinevere started walking towards Kazuki and at the same time, he felt a stand rising behind Miya. That strange sword-wielding demon had appeared behind Miya again, and it looked angrier than ever. The arrival of her logic-defying stand was always related to other girls. The guide, who suddenly felt a sense of danger, hurriedly left the restaurant, but not before shooting a frightened gaze at Miya for a second.

The darkness in Miya's eyes and her expression that resembled a Hanya mask was clearly etched with the words--

How do you even know her name?!

However, before anyone could say anything, Guinevere had already appeared in front of Kazuki.

Her mouth opened, expressing her inner thoughts.

"Do I know you?" She looked Kazuki up and down as she circled around him, examining every inch of his body.

The demon stand started to grow bigger as Guinevere approached Kazuki and looked at him from a pretty close distance, where the faces were only inches apart.

"Hmm...no matter how I look, I have never seen you before. Especially someone with features such as you. You are a human, right? How do you know my name?"

Kazuki quickly formulated an idea as he spun his words without batting an eyelid.

"The Baroque family is pretty famous in the Empire. And you are the daughter of this noble family. Of course I would know your name."

Guinevere then placed a finger on her chin as she hmm'd interestedly.

"Hmm...a valid reason. But, why did you call me by my name?"

"Huh?" This time it was Kazuki who was confused.

Cough! Cough!

"Most citizens living here address me as Miss Baroque. You are the first person outside my family to call me by my first name."

How was I supposed to know that? Kazuki could not help but retort in his heart.

Miya then leaned in close as she whispered into Kazuki's ears.

"Most people address noble families this way. At least for the humans. And..." Miya's voice became softer, into barely a whisper, but her words were laced ice-cold--

"How do you even know her name, Kazuki?"

Before Kazuki could say anything, Guinevere suddenly noticed Miya as her eyes lit up. It seemed she had only now noticed as Guinevere headed towards Miya.

"Please excuse my sudden question but...You are a Moon Elf right?!" Miya was taken aback by the sudden enthusiasm that she released her own stand.

"Yeah...?" She answered with a hint of hesitation but Guinevere's eyes lit up even further.

"That's great! Please, if you can, there is something I need your help with." Her voice was tinged with a sense of desperation.

The other people in the restaurant perked up their ears. It was not a rare sight to see Guinevere in the city but never did they expect her to make a request to strangers.

This time, it was Kazuki who whispered into Miya's ears while Guinevere stared with pleading eyes.

"We should see what she wants. After all, having connections with a noble family will definitely help us down the road."

Miya nodded her head before she entangled her hand with Kazuki, as if showing off their relationship.

Guinevere who noticed that raised her eyebrows slightly but she didn't say anything.

"While it may be rude to reject a noble's request, we are also interested ourselves. But, I think we shouldn't speak here." Kazuki gestured with his head towards the surrounding people.

"Of course. There is an Inn nearby which I freqeunt recently. Please follow me."

[She stays in the city frequently? What about her own castle?] But, Kazuki didn't say that out loud as Guinevere led the two of them.

***

According to Guinevere, this Inn had very good food and was in a rather safe neighbourhood.

The entire first floor of the inn was its restaurant, and when they arrived they found a few people eating there. And just like before, everyone's attention was drawn to the girls at Kazuki's side. They ignored the stares and walked up to the counter, where a lively girl of maybe fifteen came out to greet them.

"Welcome! Are you here for a room or for a meal?"

"I'd like to rent a room. We came here on Miss Baroque's recommendation."

The girl nodded in understanding as she bowed her head to Guinevere before returning her attention to Kazuki.

"How many nights will you be staying, sir?" She continued briskly.

"Oh, just one night."

"A-Also, umm, how many rooms would you like? We have both two-person and three-person rooms available, so..." There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she asked that. She was around that age where she was interested in things like romance. Though Kazuki wished that the other guests would stop trying to eavesdrop on the conversation too. Although, he could understand their reasons for staring. One of them was an extremely beautiful Elf while the other was the daughter of the Baroque family.

"A three-person room would be fine." This time, it was Guinevere who answered. Silence descended upon the other guests. No one had expected the daughter of the noble Baroque family to make such a request.

The surrounding guests all stared in awe. Eyes burning with jealousy, they glared at Kazuki. The innkeeper had gone red as a tomato as she glanced between Miya and Guinevere. An intimidating aura began wrapping itself around Miya as the girl started to spout some rather scandalous words.

"...I-If you're getting a three-person room...d-does that mean you're going to do them both at once? A-Amazing..." The poor girl had lost it as her imagination ran wild, causing Miya's gaze to be as cold as a winter blizzard. Even Guinevere started to blush slightly at those words while Kazuki could not help wonder what it would be like having the both of them at the same time.

However, that cold gaze from Miya was so terrifying and nerve-racking that the girl quickly composed herself as she apologetically handed over the room key.

***

"So, what do you need our help with, Miss Baroque?" Kazuki broke the silence first as he took a seat on the sofa while Miya and Guinevere each took a respective bed.

Guinevere smiled as she replied.

"It's ok, you can just call me Guinevere. It isn't often I get to hear someone apart from my family calling me that. Now then, where should I start..."

Guinevere took a deep breath as she started explaining.

"As you know, the Baroque family is one of the few noble families in the Land Of Dawn. But, what makes us most prestigious, is our skill in fencing. I never liked fencing so I never took it up and I practised magic instead...."

She gathered her thoughts again before continuing.

"A few days ago, my brother Lancelot left the castle without informing anyone and since then, he hasn't returned. We know he loves to drink so we have been searching different bars but there have been no results yet. Since a young age, my brother showed exquisite talent in the art of fencing, garnering the praise of the masses and although he doesn't openly say it, I know that he loves to bask in joy from the admiration of others. His character flaw is being too proud..."

Guinevere's face showed a gloomy expression.

"I am afraid that because of that pride, he has offended some people. That is the reason why he hasn't returned home yet. I fear that he may have run into some sort of trouble. That's why..." Guinevere once again looked to Miya but she beat her to it.

"You need my help in finding your brother?"

Guinevere clapsed her hands together as she stared at Miya with puppy-dog eyes.

"I heard that Elves are good trackers, so I was really shocked when I saw you. I was already planning on heading to the Enchanted Forest to seek help if I couldn't find my brother soon. Please, will you help me find my brother?"

Guinevere looked from Miya to Kazuki as she bowed her head. Miya scratched her head as she turned to Kazuki.

Kazuki returned a smile as he stood up. Helping the Baroque family find Lancelot would make them indebted to him and since their mission was to recruit potential allies to fight against the Abyss, having the backing of a noble family would make things easier as well.

And...

Kazuki looked at Guinevere.

Just how could he reject her in the first place?

"Of course, if a noble is even willing to bow her head to strangers just to find her brother, how could we reject such heartfelt sincerity. Leave it to us, we will help you find your brother."

Guinevere flashed a genuine smile, causing Kazuki's heart to flutter slightly and Miya's stand to rise again.

***

Soon after, the three of them left the Inn.