Shadow Slave-Chapter 2294: An Eloquent Cavaliere

Despite the fact that Rain's current situation was far more unusual than those of her friends, unlike them, she had actually experienced a more typical childhood. Beyond that, she had more practical knowledge — Telle and Tamar might have understood how to handle high society better, but for this stylish outing, Rain was their leader.

...And her leader was the Bastion Gazette.

Following the agenda she had been carefully studying since the last time Telle visited Bastion, they enjoyed a stroll of the Lakefront Promenade, went on a modest buying trip on the Fashion Street, and finished in a park with her purchases safely kept in the Bag of Withholding.

Rain's spirits were high, and the temperature was pleasant. The three of them sat on a bench and relaxed in the sunshine, enjoying the wind.

Telle sighed.

"Why don't we go to a beach and swim a little?"

Tamar looked at her, then shook her head.

"We can't go to a public beach. More exactly, we can't let anyone see Rain in a swimsuit — otherwise, we'll have to fight off a wild crowd of fans. It'll be worse than Godgrave."

Rain chuckled.

Tamar might have been kidding, but she was also somewhat right. If the three of them wore swimwear and showed up on a public beach, it would probably cause quite a commotion — after all, most people there were mundane.

Telle examined Rain up and down and sighed.

"...True."

Rain smiled.

"You two aren't so bad yourself. In fact, a couple of guys have been watching us for the last ten minutes."

Tamar lifted an eyebrow.

"Huh? Where?"

She seemed a little uncomfortable — after all, she was supposed to be the bodyguard, and yet Rain noticed that someone had been observing them first.

There were indeed two young men not too far away, apparently enjoying a picnic. They were not very obvious about it, but Rain had not missed the intense looks the young men were sending in their direction from time to time.

Telle glanced around, then frowned. Her face darkened a little.

"Oh. I think I know one of them. Let's... go somewhere else. Please?"

Neither Rain nor Tamar had any objections, so they left their bench and moved toward the park exit.

The two young men just happened to catch up with them a minute later, though.

Rain observed them with interest.

They were a little older than the three girls and seemed sincere enough. They were quite attractive, too... too attractive to be mundane or merely Awakened, even. Their bodies were slim and fit, and their light summer clothes did nothing to hide the clear lines of their shaped muscles.

She would not have minded giving them a little time, but Telle's negative reaction had already created a bad first impression.

'Can this be...'

One of the young men smiled and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, fair ladies. I am deeply sorry if my friend and I are disturbing your walk, but we could not help but admire your amazing beauty from afar. Truly, it can only be compared to the tempting wonder of the Mirror Lake shining under the bright sun... fresh and lively, full of promise so captivating that no sweet words can describe..."

Rain blinked and stared at him with wide eyes.

'W—what is he saying?'

The other young man froze, then paled and quietly raised a hand to cover his face.

"...and thus, captivated and enchanted by the three stunning fairies that must have come from heaven to brighten this sad world with their youthful charm, we cannot help but hope that you would join us for a humble picnic. Please, I ask of you... will you grant the valuable gift of your sweet company upon us? My heart is like a bird caught in a cage, beating wildly in expectation!"

The strange guy finally stopped talking, looked at their shocked expressions, and then added quickly:

"Oh! Forgive my poor manners... I was so charmed by your amazing beauty that I forgot to introduce myself. I am Master Tristan, and this is my friend, Master Mercy."

'Ah... now, how do I refuse them politely?'

Rain blinked a couple of times, Telle moved slightly, and Tamar just stared at the two young men with a blank expression.

A few moments later, she said flatly:

"Tristan? You're Tristan of Aegis Rose?"

The young man smiled brightly.

"So you've heard of me. Well, I can't say I'm surprised. The tales of my combat skill have spread far and wide, after all!"

Tamar nodded.

"Oh, I think I killed a cousin of yours at Godheart."

The young man froze.

"P—pardon?"

The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓.

Tamar examined him for a few moments, then shrugged.

"Well, who knows? I might have. I am Lady Tamar of Sorrow, formerly a centurion of the Seventh Royal Legion. And these are my friends..."

Tristan's face changed.

"Seventh Royal Legion? Seven Royal Legion?!"

The other young man opened his eyes wide and reached for his friend.

"Tristan, wait!"

But Tristan did not wait.

"The army of that dishonorable, evil wench, Seishan of Song? Bah! I take it back, then. I have to! My honor will not allow me to stay quiet! You are no fairy, my lady. You must be an evil temptress, instead!"

But before he could say anything else...

There was a loud noise, and Master Tristan was suddenly facing the other way, the outline of a delicate palm clearly marked on his cheek.

Rain shook her hand in the air with a hurt expression.

"Ouch!"

Her hand hurt, but she was pleased. This was a full outing experience now!

Granted, it would have been better if the person she slapped was not a Master. Masters really had hard jaws.

Looking at the shocked Ascended, Rain smiled.

"That was not very chivalrous of you, don't you think, Master Tristan? After all, you approached us first... how can you call my friend a temptress?"

She shook her head.

"I am sorry, but we will have to decline your invitation for a picnic. Now, if you'll excuse us..."

Giving the other Master a slight bow, she grabbed Telle and Tamar and pulled them away.

Rain waited until they were far enough away before bursting into laughter.

...Tristan and Mercy, meanwhile, were left behind to their own matters.

Tristan rubbed his cheek, a puzzled expression on his face.

Did this slap... feel strangely familiar?

Eventually, he sighed and looked at Mercy with disapproval.

"...The worst thing they can say is no, huh?"

Mercy took a deep breath, shook his head, and walked away in sad silence.