It is enjoyable

Eothai had tasted many meals before in his life as a Lion Knight in service to the Kingdom of Maidhor, his status as a high-ranking knight and scion of one of the most powerful noble families earning him the privilege of eating fancy meals only the commonfolk could dream of. Meals so refined and elegant, even Human kings could not hope to replicate them with their own cooks.

So rich and elegant, he actually began to grow bored of it.

And in Maidhor, Elven table manners involved very low volume in communication and a strict adherence to the order of dishes served and cutlery used, be it outside or at home.

Now though, he was in for the culture shock of his life.

"And you know, he just shot all ten arrows into the bullseye, just like that! I mean, isn't it cool?" Youko exclaimed, messily shoveling rice and curry into her mouth like a pig, "And he's just so refined and elegant, he makes everything look so effortless!"

Indeed, due to his extremely strict upbringing and education, every action he performed, even the art of eating, was done with flawless monastic grace. Though perhaps it was so commonplace in Maidhor, he thought nothing of it.

"So you say," Miyoko nodded, "Eothai, exactly why did you enroll into Gohanyama High in the first place, and why the archery club?"

"I was trained in archery since adolescence, and it is my favourite sport," Eothai answered, "I enrolled in Gohanyama due to my personal work commitments here in Kobe, Japan, and because it is nearer to my home and workplace than other schools here in the region."

"Alright, and can you tell me exactly what work do you do outside of school?" Miyoko probed further, taking another bite of curry-dipped cutlet.

"Mostly business dealings with companies of various industries from agriculture to manufacture, and even robotics," Eothiai answered in a heartbeat, "Legally, I'm not allowed to go into detail about what those transactions entail."

The Otake sisters were impressed with his flawless answer; back in Maidhor, due to his status and position, Eothai had to conduct meetings with various nobles and merchants who dabbled in all kinds of fields. It was primarily to support his family, who themselves were a prominent producer of agricultural goods, but also to secure political alliances and connections to strengthen and maintain their influence. At times, he acted on orders directly from the Crown, and entered negotiations to do the same as he did with his family, or to **** the surrender of hostile houses.

"Eh, that sucks. I was hoping to know more," Youko pouted, "Maybe it's like in those TV dramas, with a lot of bold words and monologuing or epic fight scenes!"

"I can say one thing about them: They're mostly boring and do not involve fistfights," Eothai corrected, "If that happened, the negotiations would fall through."

"He's right, you know," Miyoko added.

"Oh, come on! Let a girl dream sometimes!" Youko whined.

"You are awfully different at home than at school," Said Eothai.

"Can't be helped; everyone's always looking at me as the honour student with top grades in archery, so I have to maintain such a stiff attitude," Youko admitted, "At least here I get to relax and unwind."

"So I see," Said Miyoko, "Actually, on that topic, could I borrow you for a chat in private later?"

"Nee-chan, don't go making moves on him!" Youko suddenly exclaimed, "You can't just pounce on any ikemen you see and try to make him your boyfriend!"

"That's not my purpose!" Miyoko said exasperatedly, "I just need his advice on how to conduct negotiations with business executives! There's a case I have to take on tomorrow, and that involves questioning particularly stubborn CEOs!"

"Oh, that's it! It's just work!" Youko sighed in relief, "As long as you keep it short, I'm fine with it."

"Truly?" Asked Eothai, "Did you not say you wished to watch a movie with me later?"

"It's fine! I still gotta prepare the snacks and drinks for tonight anyway," Youko reassured.

"Then I shall humour your request, Miyoko," Said Eothai.

The moment Eothai was alone with Miyoko, however, the air suddenly turned a little oppressive, and it made the Elf knight assume a stance instinctively.

"So, Milady Miyoko," Eothai addressed, "What do you wish to ask me about?"

"I want to ask you, Eothai, and please answer me truthfully," Miyoko said, her tone brooking no argument, "Who is Elwur?"

The moment he heard that name, Eothai felt his hands twitch, and through years of practice he restrained himself from exposing any kind of body language.

"May I ask where did you hear that name, Miyoko?" Asked Eothai.

"There were a series of slayings all over the metropolitan area, many of former business shareholders and associates of Matoi Corporation and the rest being Yakuza of the Kojuro Family. As it so happens, all of them are guilty of ****, extortion, intimidation and power harassment, and all of them were slain with not a single clue as to the perpetrator's identity," Miyoko listed down with every finger, "Not to mention it was far too clean, and the perpetrator suddenly vanishes. And then I hear of a gang of punks who suddenly kidnapped my sister, and then here she is, safe and sound with not a scratch on her person, both she and the rescuer also fled from the scene."

Miyoko stepped closer to Eothai, measured in her steps, her hands itching towards a nonexistent gun.

"You're the one who slaughtered all of my sister's kidnappers, didn't you?"

Eothai narrowed her eyes at Miyoko, silently impressed by her meticulous research. He peered deeply into her eyes and then her soul, and he realised there was no escaping this. He sighed and said, "I must admit, I did not expect you would piece things together so quickly."

"Then you are the one who killed those punks," Miyoko concluded.

"To be fair, they **** my hand, and they drew knives and other weapons on me, so I reacted in self-defense," Eothai said, "Although since it ended in a brutal mass killing, I suppose the law enforcement won't accept that."

"No, they wouldn't," Miyoko sighed, "But for the record, I don't intend to treat my sister's rescuer so harshly."

"What?" Eothai asked.

"I can tell you're not a really bad person, and you willingly went to her rescue even though you could have turned a blind eye," Miyoko said, "That makes you far better from so many men who're all bark and no bite."

"It is hardly worthy of praise, Milady Miyoko," Said Eothai, "I merely did a knight's duty."

"...So you're a knight, eh?" Said Miyoko, "And I have to ask, do you know Elwur?"

"You insist on knowing?" Asked Eothai, "Do know there is nothing you can do about him even with all the evidence in the world."

"I know that," Miyoko sighed in frustration, "It's not as if a mere police detective like me could hope to catch an elusive assassin like him."

Eothai slowly nodded, and then said, "Elwur is an assassin. To be more specific, an assassin belonging to a secretive organisation."

"Their motives and location?" Asked Miyoko.

"That, I truly don't know," Eothai shook his head, "I only know they are dedicated to eradicating evildoers of the world whenever they appear, and... they had good reason to eradicate the corrupt politicians of my homeland."

"Were they truly corrupt, or were they just convenient scapegoats?" Miyoko pressed onward.

Eothai sighed, and he began to display immense regret and shame, "They truly were corrupt. They sold out political rivals as slaves and enemies of the state, and to hide their corruption, they continually undermined the state apparatus, eliminating upright and talented people and replacing them with sycophants and yes-men. My own family was not spared this."

He remembered his poor parents, his brothers and sisters, carted off to gods-knew-where, and despite his wishes to search for them, the war for Maidhor took priority.

"And then my own unit was betrayed," Eothai added, "During a mission, my men were... slaughtered, by our fellow countrymen. I was... the only survivor."

Miyoko could see the tell-tale signs of a war veteran - exhausted mentally and plagued by constant nightmares - and a deep-rooted sadness that never seemed to fade away.

Miyoko said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring back such unpleasant memories for you."

Eothai shook his head, "It's ancient history now."

"But do you despise Elwur still? And... what sort of person is he?" Asked Miyoko.

"...It's hard to say I don't - I still do," Eothai admitted, "But I also know he never kills without due reason, and even then, he never kills indiscriminately."

"Then I take it he's no threat to anyone in Japan? Aside from those evildoers?" Miyoko enquired again.

"Only them, and those who directly threatens those he treasures," Eothai said.

"Then that's all I wanted to ask," Said Miyoko, "Thanks for explaining everything. And please, take good care of my sister. I'd like to do that myself, but with my work and all..."

"It is no hassle, Milady," Said Eothai smilingly, "I shall protect her to the best of my ability."

"Thanks Eothai," Miyoko smiled.

Behind the other side of the door, however, Youko listened to the entire exchange, a deep frown on her lips. She walked slowly towards her bedroom, trying to calm herself and make sense of what Eothai just said.