Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 106

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 106

“You’re exactly the same as Garulus…?”

“Me?”

“Yes! You always scold the Young Master, calling him a troublemaker, but you were the same way!”

Kermanomon, who had been frowning and pondering deeply, belatedly realized this fact and hardened his expression seriously.

“…So that’s why Fel was so happy every time I talked about Garulus?”

“I guess it was all the Grand Duke’s karma after all.”

Mellis covered her mouth with one hand and giggled softly. Just as the two were becoming deeply absorbed in past stories they hadn’t known about each other.

Mellis, who had spotted something behind Kermanomon, blinked her eyes blankly.

“Grand Duke, there’s something over there.”

Behind him, a single blue light the size of a pinky nail was floating up gently. Unlike her surprised reaction, Kermanomon answered in a calm tone.

“It seems to have started now.”

“What?”

Before long, Mellis could fully understand what he meant. They were the ice fireflies, the village’s spiritual creatures. Starting with the first one she discovered, blue lights began floating up from all directions, and they soon filled the space around the two of them.

“Could those be…?”

Her amazement at the scene before her was brief, as Mellis became completely captivated by the river shimmering brightly with blue light. Moonlight reflected off the gentle ripples by the riverside, sparkling brilliantly.

“This is unbelievable, it’s so beautiful…”

“This is my first time seeing it in person too, but it’s more beautiful than I imagined.”

As Kermanomon unconsciously reached out toward the fireflies, Mellis came into his view. A gentle smile like snowflakes was spreading across her face. To think she was a woman who could smile as if she owned the whole world over such a small thing.

In that moment, Kermanomon vowed to protect her smile for the rest of his life.

“Oh, Grand Duke. Hurry and make a wish! A wish!”

“What wish all of a sudden?”

“I heard from a village resident earlier that if you make a wish when the ice fireflies fly up, it will come true. Before they all fly away, hurry!”

With those words, Mellis squeezed her eyes shut and clasped her hands together, urgently making a wish. Watching this scene with a small smile, Kermanomon also silently closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

“…”

His wish was simple, but it contained more sincerity than ever before.

* * *

The two people who had gotten off the small boat began walking back toward the village. The festival seemed to be winding down as well, with the street stalls also starting to pack up one by one.

“Today was really fun!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks to you, I also had fun without noticing time pass for the first time in a while.”

“Really?”

At those words, Mellis felt gratitude and somehow a sense of pride. It was one thing for her, but to think it had been enjoyable for Kermanomon too! With that thought, she suddenly felt a sense of regret.

“Should we head back now?”

“How about we stop by just one more place?”

“I don’t mind, but where? From what I can see, all the merchants seem to be packing up.”

“That place is probably just getting started now.”

Kermanomon’s gaze turned toward where Mellis’s fingertip was pointing. The place she indicated was the large tavern at the village outskirts. Understanding her intention, he curled up the corners of his mouth and spoke.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. It’ll definitely be fun. Let’s go!”

Mellis firmly linked arms with him and headed toward the tavern, and at her dignified appearance, Kermanomon finally let out a small laugh.

“Welcome!”

In the bustling atmosphere, a kind-looking shop owner greeted the two of them. Whether it was because the festival had ended and all the people from the surroundings had flocked here, the tables were packed full, and on the small stage positioned in the center, wandering musicians were playing lively music.

Kermanomon looked around with interest. Soon Mellis, who had barely found an empty seat in the corner, led him over.

“Order whatever you want to eat. I’ll pay for everything here!”

“Then I won’t refuse.”

Kermanomon, who had been scanning the menu with spirited eyes, soon furrowed his brow. Not only were there many menu items, but most of the names felt unfamiliar to him.

“Have you decided?”

“Not yet. What kind of food is this ‘Feraprate’ here?”

“It’s a somewhat thick stew that’s spicy… Grand Duke, is this your first time at a place like this?”

“…Yeah.”

When he nodded slightly, Mellis beamed with a bright smile.

“Really?”

“That’s what I said. Why are you so happy about it?”

“No, it’s just so amazing that there’s something you haven’t tried, Grand Duke! How should I put it, you always seem to have mastered everything, and you have so much experience. Since you’ve lived for so long…”

“Isn’t that just teasing me for being old?”

Actually, Mellis’s words weren’t wrong at all. Though he was born into the imperial family, he had been dragged to all sorts of battlefields from an early age, so he was comfortable with most cultures. It was just that this was his first time formally visiting a tavern, so it felt a bit unfamiliar.

“Then just trust me. I’ll take care of everything!”

However, Mellis was rather delighted by his appearance and skillfully finished placing their order.

“You must have come to places like this often?”

“Where else would I have learned to drink? I often joined in when the people from Bin had company dinners. Oh, at my first company dinner…”

Soon the drinks Mellis had ordered arrived, and Kermanomon, loosely propping his chin with one hand, sipped his drink while focusing on her story.

It was when their conversation had been going on for quite a while.

“Hey there, brother.”

A rough-looking man with a large build approached the two of them. Naturally thinking it was a drunk picking a fight, he muttered in a low, subdued voice.

“What?”

“You there, from the looks of it, you seem like you’ve got some strength. How about an arm wrestling match? We’re looking for a contestant right now. If you win even one round, I’ll pay for your drinks!”

“Arm wrestling?”

Only then did Kermanomon lower his guard and scan the direction the man was pointing. As he said, well-built men were gathered there making a commotion while playing games.

Arm wrestling – it wasn’t that he lacked confidence, but he didn’t want to waste his time with Mellis carelessly. Just as Kermanomon was about to decline the man’s proposal, Mellis muttered while watching the men competing.

“Wow, that looks fun…”

“Alright, I’ll participate. Lead the way.”

Kermanomon sprang up from his seat and approached that area while lightly loosening up his body. The man, whose spirits had risen along with Kermanomon’s active attitude, triumphantly introduced him to his group.

“Alright, make way. We have a new contestant!”

However, unlike him, the others looked at Kermanomon with lukewarm expressions.

“He’s got a good build but looks too young, doesn’t he? I’m betting three nifs on Tek again this time.”

“I’ll bet five!”

Tek, a man who was clearly a bear beastman, seemed to have won several consecutive matches and was receiving enthusiastic support from the surrounding people. Kermanomon, who had been watching the nif pile up in front of that man, turned his head to look at Mellis.

“What are you doing, not betting? We should try to make some easy money too, shouldn’t we?”

The atmosphere around them heated up at his provocative remark. At those words, Mellis let out a small laugh and took out a silver nif from her wallet, placing it on the table.

“Then I’ll bet ten nif on my boyfriend.”

“Wow, you must be confident?”

“How bold!”

In an instant, coins piled up on the table. When Kermanomon and Tek clasped hands, the referee who held both their hands shouted in a booming voice.

“One, two, three, start!”

As soon as the referee let go, strength entered both men’s arms. When Kermanomon’s arm tilted slightly, enthusiastic cheering poured out.

“I told you Tek is the best!”

“No, that guy is holding up pretty well too!”

“Huh, huh?”

Kermanomon let out a small snort at the surrounding people’s chatter and instantly flipped his opponent’s arm to the opposite side as if to show off. At the completely unexpected result, loud cheers erupted from around them.

“No way, Tek lost!”

“Damn it!”

The spectators’ emotions were divided over the victory of the unknown stranger. Mellis, beaming with joy, threw her arms around him.

“You really won!”

“Of course. Whose boyfriend do you think I am?”

Just as envious jeers were pouring out from around them at the couple’s affectionate display, the band began playing lively and cheerful music.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————