The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Gerard of Yusave, Life Guard (Side Chapter)

***The Holy Consulate, City of the Mouth of Calabria Branch, Kingdom of Calabria***

The atmosphere inside the Holy Consulate fell the moment the Lady Henristone narrated the events that led to Kuro's death, according to the stories of the four saints who were with him on his last day. The Duchess of Malvette couldn't believe what happened to him, and that they all forgot him for six years...everything felt surreal for her.

"Honestly, I'm not aware of that story..." Lady Malvette uttered, her face went pale. "And to think—goodness...then, that man back in Cherwoods..."

"We still don't have any proof that he's the real 'Kuro of Arles'," Lady Henristone pointed out. "That's the reason we're here right now; to see for ourselves this guy claiming to be 'Kuro'."

"Actually, ladies..." the Elf Saint entered their conversation. "I...I have something to tell you about him..."

"Your Holiness?"

Lady Hinwe had difficulty in saying her words, "I...I summoned him. The man who calls himself 'Kuro of Arles'."

Complete silence enveloped the room as the paladin captain, the Cherwind ambassador, the Holy Consul and the other guards stared at the Elf Saint, as if expecting her to elaborate more on her statement. Lady Hinwe, in addition to her woes because of the news of the coup d'etat in her home, wanted to disappear at that moment, for she felt responsible for all that was happening.

"Y-Your Holiness..." Lady Henristone finally broke the ice. "I-If it's fine with you, can you please tell us...who is that man in your tree palace?"

"Err...can you call—"

"Your Holiness!" it was Gerard, putting himself in-between the human ladies. "Please take a break now. You're already tired from our travels."

"Gerard, I order you to stop!" the Elf Saint countered. "These women with us wanted to know about Mister Kuro, and I should tell them the truth! Would you please consider their feelings?"

Stung by her rebuke, the elf guard stepped aside, though he showed everyone he didn't agree to their talk.

"Please call the others," Lady Hinwe requested, to which, the Lady Henristone ordered a paladin to do. It took the lady-at-arms some time, but a few minutes later, Eris, Salis, Tama'lee and Nari came into the inner room, with the lycanthrope bringing in several trays of food with the help of the Elf Saint's maid, Meanor.

"Oh?" the consul exclaimed, "I didn't know we still have food in the kitchen!"

"The Tambara cooked it, Your Excellency," the paladin who fetched them said.

"I'm sorry..." Nari's face was red.

"No! No!" the Lady Curzon smiled at her. "Please don't mind it. I know you traveled far, and because of the attack on the train, you ladies didn't enjoy your dinner. Feel free to use the kitchen."

"Nice!" the orc-girl laughed and slapped the lycanthrope's back. "Hear that, Nari? Tama gets to enjoy your food while listening to the boring talk!"

The presence of the two demon girls lightened the mood of the inner room, and soon, the Lady Hinwe chuckled. However, her guard, Gerard—as suspicious as ever—asked Nari on the dish she cooked.

"What's this?" the elf guard opened one of the bowls, scooping the thick yellow broth to taste it.

"It's called a Filipino snack dish," the lycanthrope revealed. "The recipe books call it 'lugaw'." (1)

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And so, with the food brought by Nari and Meanor, the ladies resumed in their talk. Lady Hinwe explained to the women from the Holy Palatial Gardens how she met Kuro, and how he became her adviser.