Chapter 109: Bonfire Night

It was supposed to be specialty food, but after it was served, it did not really feel much like a specialty.

It seemed to be just an ordinary salad.

However, Liuli had no intention of complaining in front of the Elf sisters; she still understood that much etiquette.

“How is it, Little Fox?”

“It’s hard to say. It feels like there’s no difference from a normal salad.”

Liuli shook her head as she observed her surroundings.

After confirming that the Elf lady was not paying attention to them, she spoke in a low voice.

“Is this really an Elf specialty?”

“Yes. The vegetables and fruit you are eating, Little Fox, are varieties that only grow within the Elf Race. Although they might not taste very different, they can replenish some Magic Power, so they are quite popular.”

“Replenish Magic Power?”

Liuli hurriedly checked her Magic Power reservoir, only to find that there seemed to be no change at all.

“Did it really replenish anything? I don’t feel a thing.”

“Of course it did, it’s just that the effect isn’t that strong. Your total Magic Power is terrifying, Little Fox, so it’s normal that you can’t feel the change.”

“So… health food can’t replace medicine, right?”

“While your phrasing isn’t exactly appropriate, it’s basically correct. You could say it has a similar effect, but it’s unrealistic to rely on this kind of thing as a primary source of Magic Power recovery.”

“At least the taste is fine.”

Liuli looked at the customers dining around them.

Everyone seemed to have no major complaints about the flavor, eating with apparent relish.

“If only it were a bit more filling…”

For Liuli, it was too difficult to fill her stomach with just salad, let alone after being busy for an entire day.

Seeing the Little Fox’s clearly unsatisfied expression, Serveyia shook her head helplessly and ordered her a plate of fried noodles.

“Phew, finally full. Where are we going next?”

“They’ve set up a bonfire in the center of the square. It should be about time to light it.”

‘A bonfire? Another place with a lot of people,’

Liuli reflexively wanted to refuse, but then she remembered it was the Academy Festival.

Every location would likely be crowded, so perhaps the bonfire party would be a good choice after all.

“Will people dance around the bonfire?”

“Some will. Others will just gather around it. There will be all kinds of people.”

Hearing Serveyia’s description, Liuli’s interest was completely piqued.

If things were as Serveyia said, then this bonfire might actually be a decent place to relax.

Moreover, at Saint Laia’s bonfire party, there surely wouldn’t be any cheap or fake activities, right?

“Serveyia, is there any special significance to the bonfire at Saint Laia?”

“Significance? What kind of significance do you mean, Little Fox?”

“Like… is the bonfire party the best chance to confess one’s feelings? That kind of significance?”

Liuli’s knowledge of these events mostly came from anime.

After all, as someone born and raised in the Human Empire, she was only familiar with the customs of her own hometown.

“Why? Do you have feelings you want to express, Little Fox?”

“No, I just think a bonfire party is a very special occasion. Generally speaking, shouldn’t people do something special at a time like this?”

“So, aren’t you saying that because you actually want to do something, Little Fox?”

“……”

Serveyia’s persistent questioning finally left Liuli unsure of how to answer.

She couldn’t even clearly explain whether she had something she wanted to do.

If she had to say, perhaps she really did have something to say.

Serveyia had accompanied her for a long time; shouldn’t she do something for her?

“Little Fox, if you don’t speak, I’ll take that as a silent admission.”

Serveyia’s words undoubtedly put Liuli on the spot.

She couldn’t move forward or retreat, and it felt like any response would be inappropriate.

Was she really supposed to think of something to do right now?

‘What a joke. I don’t have anything with me. How could I possibly come up with something to do? But if I say I’m not going to do anything, will it make Serveyia sad?’

Sometimes, she really hated her current personality.

She clearly only needed to explain herself to resolve the situation, but for some reason, she couldn’t say it at all.

It was as if the words were simply stuck in her throat.

“Don’t daze off, Little Fox. We’ve arrived.”

“Eh?”

Liuli was still lost in thought when they reached their destination.

She hadn’t decided on anything yet.

It seemed she would have to improvise.

Unfortunately, they had arrived a bit late and missed the moment the bonfire was lit.

Now, all they could see was a group of people dancing around the fire, while even more people were just chatting nearby.

“Serveyia…”

“Yes?”

“I kind of want to know… how do you see me? Not as a Maid, but just as yourself. How do you, Serveyia, view me?”

“Do you want to hear the truth, Little Fox?”

Liuli’s heart skipped a beat.

Usually, when someone said those words, the answer was bound to be disappointing.

Liuli watched Serveyia cautiously, afraid she wouldn’t get the answer she wanted.

“To be honest, when we first met, I wondered if the Academy’s guardian deity had made a mistake. How could such a wretched man be the Princess of Saint Laia? It was around that time that I realized why Fina hated men so much. Your behavior back then was truly annoying, Little Fox.”

“Uh…”

Liuli didn’t know if she should defend herself.

After all, at that time, she was a hot-blooded male college student with no girlfriend.

It was surely normal to be a bit repressed, wasn’t it?

At that age, which could be called the peak of suppression, meeting a beautiful woman who perfectly fit his preferences… it was surely understandable, right?

“Then, how do you see me now, Serveyia?”

“Now? To be honest, it’s much better. I can only say that a beautiful face can indeed lower one’s guard significantly. Plus, your recent performance has been good, so I don’t find you that repulsive anymore.”

“Rather, from the moment I took this job, I was prepared for you to have any kind of personality. To be honest, even if you were useless, as long as you could obediently fulfill your duty as a mascot, Saint Laia could afford to take care of you.”