Gepard, You're Too Formal

Forget it, forget it. It was enough to just fantasize about that kind of thing.

Stelle was no longer the little Stellaron Spirit who had known nothing when she first boarded the train.

After her journey through Penacony, she understood the will of Trailblazing even better. How could she surrender without a fight and become a deserter just because Amphoreus, the place she was about to set foot in, was fraught with difficulties?

As she proudly praised herself in her heart—I really have grown up. I'm such an adult now—she followed Gepard into the alley.

The atmosphere inside the alley was much like Aurum Alley on the Xianzhou Luofu, with the steaming scents of food rushing at her.

Gepard had said he would treat the Trailblazer to a meal, and he kept his word. He had Stelle obediently save them seats in the dining area, then turned and left as though he had made some kind of firm decision.

If Stelle had not seen wrong, was Gepard walking straight toward the Rock-Grilled Cave Salamander stall?

Stelle: ...

No, please!

Stelle reached out and opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she merely mumbled and lowered her hand again.

When someone was treating her to a meal, how could she be picky? Whatever Gepard bought, she would eat.

Fortunately, Gepard had not bought anything too bizarre. The Rock-Grilled Cave Salamander he bought was actually food he was bringing back for other Silvermane Guards on duty.

Stelle breathed a sigh of relief and helped Gepard arrange the food on the table. Although there was nothing in particular she craved, Gepard had clearly put considerable thought into treating the Trailblazer to a meal.

Cold-Eaten Sunset Fish, Mixed Vegetable Soup, Belobog Sausage, Fried Rockcrab, Dark Bread Soda Iceberg—the table could barely hold it all.

"Gepard, you're being too formal."

The gray-haired girl scratched her head. Though she said the polite words, her actions were anything but restrained. She smoothly picked up her chopsticks, lifted a tender piece of Sunset Fish into her mouth, and chewed. Her expression turned utterly amazed as she repeatedly gave Gepard a thumbs-up.

"It's delicious, delicious! Gepard, you really know how to pick them."

The blond young man unconsciously looked away, seemingly too embarrassed to accept the girl's praise. A flush abruptly rose to his cheeks.

He took a hard bite of the bread in his hand, then seemed to remember something and furtively raised his head to look at the Trailblazer.

"Stelle, do you have any plans for the next few days? How long are you planning to stay on Jarilo?"

There was, in truth, a selfish motive behind Gepard's question.

The Trailblazer was a little bird soaring through the skies, free and unfettered. He, meanwhile, was like withered branches and fallen leaves trapped in this frozen world, bound to the Upper District by his identity as a Silvermane Guard—the glory of the Landau Family, with barely enough spare time even to board the train.

He could not go see her whenever he wanted. So, while she had this rare chance to come to Belobog, could he spend more time with her? Could he see her a little more?

An indescribable emotion lingered in Gepard's chest. He removed his glove and pressed his palm firmly against his heart.

"Hmm..."

Stelle paused her chopsticks, pretending to think. Aha had said that the Express Crew would Warp to Amphoreus in ten days.

So the most reasonable schedule would probably be three days each in Belobog, the Xianzhou Luofu, and Penacony to say goodbye to everyone, then spend the final day resting up on the train.

"I'll probably only stay for three days, and that's in the best-case scenario. You know, the Express Crew is pretty busy. We're always flying around, and who knows when I'll next come to Belobog and happen to run into you again."

The girl shrugged and smiled rather helplessly.

...Was that so?

Gepard's brows drew together almost imperceptibly. The emotion clogging his chest and making it hard to breathe became even more intense. He wanted to say something, but the words suddenly caught in his throat. Apart from nodding in agreement, he could no longer manage any other response.

Stelle took a spoonful of Dark Bread Soda Iceberg as Aha chattered endlessly in her head: Did you see Gepard's expression? I think that kid definitely likes you. Hearing that you'll only be staying in Belobog for such a short time made him unhappy.

The girl secretly glanced up at Gepard and quietly agreed with Aha in her heart.

Then what would be the best way to win Gepard over?

Her gaze fell upon the many stalls behind the young man, and at last, she spotted the Mulled Wine stall she had been longing for.

Stelle stood up and flashed a smile at Gepard, who had just looked up. She pointed behind him to indicate that she was going to buy something. The hem of her coat swept through the air, and the faint misty fragrance clinging to her drifted into Gepard's nose with her steps. For an instant, he lost himself.

Cold. Too cold.

Stelle returned holding a cup of Mulled Wine. Naturally, she had only bought one for herself. Mulled Wine had to be bought fresh and drunk right away; if she bought two now, then by the time she returned to the hotel to find Sampo, his cup would be cold and no longer taste good.

As for Gepard, he was still wearing his Silvermane Guard uniform. If he drank and ended up with a bright red face, it would not reflect well on the Silvermane Guards.

So Stelle held her little cup, sat back down across from Gepard, and took small sips of the sweet-and-sour dark red liquid inside.

Unfortunately, she had once again overestimated her alcohol tolerance.

Back when she was with the rest of the Express Crew, everyone had witnessed the destructive power of a drunken Stelle throwing a fit, which was why they would not let this little Stellaron Spirit drink recklessly. But it seemed to have become a vicious cycle: the less they let her drink, the more Stelle wanted to drink.

Sure enough, Stelle got drunk. The moment no one was watching, she tipped her head back and drained every drop of Mulled Wine from her cup.

Gepard had merely lowered his head to take a bite of bread. When he looked up again, he saw Stelle's originally fair cheeks flush crimson in an instant. She crushed the paper cup in her hand, propped her chin up with both hands, and stared at him with moist eyes as she smiled foolishly.

The moment Gepard met her gaze, his heart thumped violently.

The person across from him apparently still thought that was not enough. Her feet kicked about wildly, her spotless boots striking Gepard's shins again and again. The man did not find it excessive; to a Silvermane Guard, that level of force was barely anything.

It even sent waves of itchiness through his heart, as though someone were lightly brushing it with a feather.

"You're the famous Silvermane Guard, Gepard, right?"

When Stelle was drunk, she could not see people clearly. At that moment, she strained to open her eyes wide as she looked at the handsome blond man across from her and giggled foolishly. "So handsome...! Handsome guy, I'm lost. Can you take me back to Goethe Grand Hotel, Room 123? Th-thank..."

Before she could finish, Stelle's eyes rolled back, and her head dipped forward as she was about to collapse onto the table.

Gepard hurriedly caught her. The Trailblazer was already completely drunk—how could she possibly show the slightest sign of sobriety?

The young man sighed. Looking at Stelle's utterly defenseless face, he gazed at her and, as if possessed, reached out, wanting to brush the fruit-scented corner of her lips.

In the end, reason prevailed over impulse.

He restrained every emotion that should never have been allowed to grow. His tightly clenched teeth betrayed the turmoil he was suppressing.

He entrusted the food he had meant to pack for his colleagues to a familiar nearby vendor, then picked up the Trailblazer and turned to leave the alley, heading toward the Goethe Grand Hotel.