“Oi, where are you going?” called out the man to leaving Elrianthe.


    “I have a bad experience with blondes,” she replied, without even turning toward him.


    For a moment, she began to regret that she wasn''t as ignored as she had been in her former life. There she was treated like air, while here she aroused interest like a celebrity. It was too late to change her appearance now, but thanks to another woman she had a chance to ward off suitors for a while.


    < Research >


    [ Half-elf Cornelie ]


    [ Level: 11 ]


    [ Class: Magic Thief ]


    [ HP: ? MP: ? ]


    Cornelie had light green hair, resembling the pulp of a kiwi fruit. Long and straight, it was partially tied back in a large ponytail. In front, it flowed freely down to her shoulders, covering part of her face and ears, which were shorter than Elrianthe''s.


    Her eyes - also green, but darker than her hair, with a blue accent - could be seen from behind her bangs.


    She was dressed in light armor that provided a compromise between protection and freedom of movement. A black hooded cloak covered the whole thing. She did not stand out in any unusual way; half of the criminals in the city wore similar clothing. However, meeting a half-elf is an unusual occasion.


    “Hey,” Elrianthe greeted, taking a seat at the table across from her.


    Cornelie looked at her ominously, trying to pressure the woman, but Elrianthe did not let herself be intimidated.


    Wire: “Brave. What could this doll want? Maybe it''s an undercover Coyote? Time to leave.”


    The half-elf got up without a word and was about to leave when she heard the blonde''s strange statement: “It seems to me that it''s more profitable for you to stay.”


    Cornelie stopped, confused. “What do you want from me, human?”


    “You piqued my interest,” Elrianthe replied.


    “Huh?”


    “I am interested in the elves. I saw you sitting alone and wanted to talk to you,” Elrianthe replied.


    Cornelie scowled, “I don''t eat human kids, I don''t kill virgins and I don''t put curses on infertility. That''s what you need to know about us. The rest should not interest you,” she replied unceremoniously.


    Prejudice against elves was strong, and not just for those of pure blood. Elves were reduced to one category and treated with equal contempt, regardless of species or origin. It didn''t matter much to ordinary people; they often couldn''t tell them apart.


    “I know, that''s why I don''t like how elves are treated,” Elrianthe said.


    Cornelie laughed. “Seriously? Why do you care? You''re a human. You are the source of these slanders in the first place!”


    “I know a certain elf. One of pure blood. And I don''t like people''s attitude toward her,” Elrianthe replied, taking a sip from her mug.


    “Haha! You think I''ll believe you- Wait. Do you really know anyone of pure blood?” asked Cornelie.


    “Yes.”


    The half-elf stood like a statue for a brief moment, shocked by the answer. She was even more stunned by her own skill. Cornelie couldn''t believe what her ears had heard, even though she knew very well that it wasn''t a trick.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Wire: “She is serious. My skill didn''t detect any lie,” Elrianthe heard, eavesdropping on her thoughts.


    This complicated a situation that was already precarious. The half-elf seemed to be falling for her bait, but Elrianthe had to play it out in a way that would allow her to gain trust.


    ''I have to choose my answers carefully...''


    Cornelie returned to her seat. “Let''s say I believe you. However, it''s unlikely to me that a pureblood elf would trust a human enough to reveal themself. I never met a true elf personally, and I think I have a better chance of doing so than you do.”


    “You can think what you want. The truth is what it is,” Elrianthe added.


    Cornelie''s curiosity didn''t let her ignore the opportunity and she decided to check Elrianthe again, “Tell me... Do you know the last name of this elf? If she decided to trust you, it shouldn''t be a problem.”


    Elrianthe smiled. Elves attach great importance to their name, much like medieval noble families, proudly emphasizing their membership in the upper ranks of society.


    “Of course,” she replied.


    Cornelie raised the corner of her mouth in a devious smile. She grabbed the dagger attached to her belt and, playing with the blade between the fingers of one hand, turned to the blonde: “Reveal it to me. If you lie or hesitate, I will slit your throat.”


    Elrianthe, completely unfazed by the attempted intimidation, took another sip from her mug.


    None had asked her name before. It held no meaning for her and she had never identified herself with it. Indeed, she revealed it only once, at the request of Alison, who almost fainted upon hearing it. From her reaction, Elrianthe understood that it had some value, but Alison was obsessed with her and would have reacted the same way, no matter how much the name meant in the elven world. But how will someone who has more in common with elves than a random priestess react?


    “Atlanta,” replied Elrianthe briefly.


    At that moment, Cornelie''s dagger hit the tabletop, bounced off it, and fell to the ground, making a distinctive sound.


    The chatter in the room quieted, and people turned toward a table at the end of the room. They expected an argument or a fight, but the women sat in silence, staring at each other.


    “What happened there?”


    “Did she paralyze that elf?”


    “I knew she was crazy. No normal person would sit down with an elf.”


    “We''d better leave before there''s a bigger brawl here.”


    The murmurs of onlookers timidly made their way to Elrianthe''s ears, who looked Cornelie straight in the eyes.


    The half-elf froze after her answer, her hand still hovering motionless in the air.


    ''At least she''s not screaming,'' thought Elrianthe, taking another sip of beer.


    Cornelie, still in severe shock, slowly rose from her seat to pick up the dagger lying on the floor.


    After tucking it back in its sheath behind her belt, she bowed her head to Elrianthe. "I behaved inappropriately towards you, but I ask you to forgive my behavior due to my ignorance and suspicion. If I had known that you were the messenger of such an important person, I would certainly have shown you proper respect and manners.”


    Elrianthe seemed to ignore her words, still sipping her beer.


    The awkward silence and lack of response made Cornelie begin to tremble, not from fear or anger, but from the realization that she had probably wasted the biggest opportunity of her life.


    Listening to Cornelie''s thoughts gave Elrianthe an advantage in manipulating her behavior. At that moment, she was convinced that the half elf had always wanted to meet a true pureblood elf, and would have done anything to fulfill that dream.


    “I am not a messenger. You don''t have to apologize to me. Sit down before people make a laughing stock of us,” Elrianthe said to the bowing Cornelie, who sat back down at the table with trembling legs.


    “Why?”


    “Why what?”


    “Why did you come to me?” asked Cornelie timidly.


    “I said before,” replied Elrianthe.


    Cornelie sat with her hands folded, which she tucked between her clenched legs. She felt stupid after what she had done and, although the blonde was not angry, she felt annoyance and embarrassment coming from her. Finally, she gathered her remaining courage and asked: “What did you want to talk about?”


    “I would like to know why you work for criminals. Spying, intimidating... You are a tool in the hands of the people you hate so much. You are destroying the reputation of elves with your actions. Does that suit you?” asked Elrianthe, recognizing that it was time for the more serious part of the conversation.


    “So you know... I''m not proud of it, but it''s the only thing I have left. I need money. Nobody wanted to accept me anywhere when I was looking for a job. Human beings are afraid of elves and they despise them whenever the opportunity arises. Thanks to the gang, I was able to take it out on you- them, and earn a few coins in the process,” Cornelie confessed.


    Elrianthe saw the guilt in the girl, not for the harm done to the people, but for disappointing her expectations and contributing to the tarnishing of the elven reputation.


    “Let''s make a deal. You help me, and I''ll lead you to an elf,” she proposed.