Estheria Episode

Is the firewood ready yet?

I chopped it all...

I never thought we'd end up at an inn run by an ancient Death Dragon...!

Why is someone like you running an inn here...

Got a problem with that?

It's pure curiosity!

I always thought it was odd. How could a mere innkeeper take down Imperial soldiers and thugs so easily...

An ordinary innkeeper can do that.

You need to change that stereotype first.

Hmm... fair point...

Most of our successes came from breaking convention anyway.

Exactly. Those bound by convention achieve nothing.

Like a Death Dragon running an inn...?

Are you asking to be hit?

If you want, I can put you in bed for a few weeks.

...I'll pass.

Of all the inns, how did we end up staying here... I'll never know.

There had to be inns with kinder innkeepers...

What did you just say?

Ah! That slipped out!

I'm honestly speechless. It's no coincidence you're here.

Anyway, spare me the whining and follow orders. How long will you act like a child?

Urk...

Enough with the chatter.

More importantly, start moving. I want this done before we open.

I finished the work...

Next is the roof repair.

So cold... you could at least let us rest a bit.

At Estheria's cool gesture, I dragged my feet. Guess I'll work till I drop again today.

...Don't you think you've been working me too hard lately?

It's fair labor. I feed and house you.

Why are you talking in your true form...?

Do you have a complaint?

Her presence is so overwhelming it's scary.

Good. Then it's effective.

So you did it on purpose...

Fix the entire roof and I'll cook you something good. You can manage that, can't you?

I was just asking.

Keep babbling and I might toss you outside.

If you don't work properly, there's no dinner.

Next scene: Another Side of the Innkeeper

Kgh...

Got it. I'll do it...

A poor adventurer can't beat hunger. I surrendered to reality.

2. Another Side of the Innkeeper

53 lines

After the morning training, Estheria had returned to her former look.

Oh, you're in Ria mode today, huh.

I'm hiding my presence it because I have to go out. No need to cause a stir.

You're secretly considerate, you know.

...Only because it would hurt business.

So where are you going? You're in the inn most of the time.

Would an innkeeper's day really be any different? The Ria I know waits in the inn like a housebound spirit.

And she's suddenly going out... no way?!

Are you trying to ditch us and run...?

...I did seriously consider it, briefly.

You're here on the condition you help my work, yet you keep leaving and not returning.

I remember the days I had to handle the flood of guests alone.

Sorry...

Lucky for you, it's just an ordinary outing today.

Estheria, no, Ria, picked up the basket on the table.

I'll be back before sunset, so you...

Keep the inn running, right? Sweep the floor, wipe the tables, no problem!

...You finally understand your role. Shall I reward you with a maid outfit?

Why?!

If you don't like that, I have a spare bunny girl outfit.

I'll wait without slacking...

Then I can leave with peace of mind.

I gave a limp wave as Ria left. I don't know what for... but I'm free...!

She said before sunset, but she returned when it was pitch dark. The basket was gone.

In her true form with a troubled face... it bothered me.

Estheria? What happened...? You look angry.

Honestly, I don't understand.

What? What happened?

You don't need to know. Don't mind it.

It felt tricky to approach. Still, I couldn't just leave it, her mood is the inn's mood.

I slipped into the kitchen and brought warm tea and cookies.

...What is this?

Bought it at the market earlier. Tried it on break, pretty good.

....

You don't have to talk if you don't want to. I just want you to feel better.

...Is this how you pick up women?

How did we get there... I just wanted to cheer up a friend.

Without a word, Estheria lifted the cup. Must've been parched.

Haa...

Well then, I'll get out of your hair.

Answer me... just one thing?

Hm?

Estheria quietly asked the puzzled me,

Do you think fights could ever disappear from this world?

I think so.

If everyone works at it. But... it won't vanish easily; every era has had conflict.

It's impossible.

Human history is basically a history of war.

It'd be nice if it did, but rather than that hope, we should care for those scarred by war.

Next scene: Is It Okay That She's a Dragon?

I see...

...Thank you. Still, I'd prefer you didn't leave your post next time.

For some reason, there was a faint smile at her lips as she nagged me.

Does Estheria dislike fighting...?

3. Is It Okay That She's a Dragon?

47 lines

Estheria was busy from the morning.

Something up? You look busy.

We have group reservations for year's end and New Year. More lodgers, crowded dining hall.

Right. That time already...

What are you getting sentimental about?

Huh...?

Busy ahead means thorough prep.

Ah, right. I'll work hard!

But you're in your dragon form today? Isn't that inconvenient for work?

Stress is high, so I'm staying like this. Like shedding cumbersome clothes.

So your usual look was the inconvenient one...

Only you are here now, but I'll switch once we open.

Yeah, you should. Others might faint seeing that.

...That would be troublesome.

Exactly. Even without ill intent, ordinary people can't withstand the raw fear from such a powerful, alien form.

Like a herbivore facing a predator...

...What about you? Am I scary to you?

Estheria's eyes flashed strangely as she asked. The sudden question froze me.

I...

I think you're cool.

Very draconic. Stylish wings and horns... textbook fantasy!

Is that so...?

Yeah. Every time I see you, I'm curious, I want to touch them.

Like how they meet your skin, how they move, and so on...

...That's enough.

...Okay.

I prefer your usual Ria.

I know you're amazing, Estheria. I'm not scared.

But... it's not the look we're used to.

Even if that's the real you, if you ask which is better... I'd choose our prickly innkeeper.

Understood.

I worried she'd take it badly, but she understood. Thank goodness.

So you're a pervert who's into glasses.

No!

In any case, I understand. I was simply curious, no need to fret further.

You're the only humans who can truly look at me anyway.

With a bitter note, Estheria took a turn around the inn.

This is the only place I belong, whatever form I take.

Yeah... no need to care about others' gaze.

You're a pretty good person, Estheria.

You run this inn and look after many, helping us stand against the Empire.

...It's just a pastime.

Anyway, if you're done talking, clean the hearth. If you don't, the bread won't bake evenly.

Eek?!

Didn't you say you'd work hard? Don't tell me you lied?

Next scene: The Secret to Her Cooking

I'll go clean...

She may be the innkeeper, but she's still a dangerous Death Dragon.

4. The Secret to Her Cooking

49 lines

A savory smell hit me from the morning.

Swallowing, I turned to see Estheria bringing out steaming chicken.

Whoa! Days like this exist! Was that for me?

Of course not.

Right... of course not...

It's a new dish for the dining room. We got a lot of chicken recently.

Given everything that happened, I get why there's a glut of chicken.

Then put my tongue to use, new menu items need tasters, right?

Hm... fair enough.

Very well. I'll await your evaluation.

Bon appétit to me!

As I chewed, a rich, gently sweet sauce filled my mouth.

In a place used to dry, salty, or bland dishes from lack of sauce, it was practically heavenly.

It's so... so good...!

...Is it worth that much awe?

Eating is one of life's joys. This is exactly what I've been missing.

Ask about the cooking.

How did you get so good at cooking, Estheria?

At first I just threw things together. Thanks to a certain big eater...

So that person made you improve?

Perhaps.

Say everyone will love it.

At this level you could sell it now. We'll get more customers.

I'm not sure. You all eat a shocking amount.

Ah... yeah, we do have someone who's very into meat.

Keep it up! If this is our reward, I can work hard.

...How materialistic.

I don't think my cooking is that special... I've just done it for ages.

No... of all the cooks I've seen, you're the best.

Any secret?

You humans are so endlessly curious.

Clicking her tongue, Estheria continued coldly.

At first, I simply ate things as they were.

What?

Animals.

R-Right...

Then I started adding seasonings and ingredients, tried roasting, steaming, different methods.

Maybe I just wanted a new diversion from a dull eternity.

And that's when you met that big eater.

...Let's say that.

Lots of experts start with a hobby. With someone to taste, improvement comes easy.

Now it makes sense. No wonder Morgana never wants to leave.

....

Enough pointless chatter. You said you'd work, go butcher and prep the chickens.

Since you said it's good, I'll put it on the menu starting today.

Prep...? How many?

We'll start light, about a hundred.