Lorian’s so-called “soul pieces”—I honestly can’t find a human word in this world to describe them.

Beren’s moves, though, gave me a few guesses. This Elf, who felt she’d been “humiliated and… trained,” came to my family’s castle to vent her gloom and that rising shame.

This time, she didn’t go bother my pregnant Elf stepmom. She came straight for me.

No—correction. For me in men’s clothes, the legendary “Confidant Butler—Alisha Da.” That was our agreement.

Of course, if I didn’t spell it out, this Elf probably wouldn’t recognize me in a lifetime.

...

Afternoon. Sun blazing. Even the air had turned a bit stuffy.

For Elvenfolk who live in forests year-round, it was a perfect day for a tea party.

To settle this troublesome Elf’s troublesome worries, I even borrowed a suit from the castle butlers. I dressed like a proper male butler.

A straight-backed butler poured tea. The Elf girl, worry still between her brows, waited patiently...

If not for the awkward history between me and Beren, this scene was perfect for Flan to paint.

Reality, of course, wasn’t that pretty.

After spicing up what happened and “complaining” to me, Beren lifted her cup. She stared at her reflection in the tea and sighed.

“Haa... why are those two humans targeting me like this?”

It’s because you got cocky at the start, silly Elf. Otherwise Lorian wouldn’t have zeroed in on you...

“Of course, some of the blame is mine.”

I was about to speak when Beren propped her chin and dropped a confession that surprised me.

“I didn’t mean to, but I think I hurt that human’s leg. Same as when I first met you—once I panic, I lose track of what I do.”

“I wanted to use this chance to fix things with them. But... but...”

“That human princess, under the name of art, made me do such shameless things! Pinned... by that man’s son against a tree. His hand got bold and slipped into my clothes. I struggled with all I had, but I couldn’t block his pressure. In the end, that brute finally began to violate my lower body, and helpless me even if I—”

Stop, stop!

Hold it! Elf! Don’t think you can spout nonsense just because no one knows!

From “pinned to a tree,” your story started veering somewhere weird, didn’t it?!

I don’t recall my hand going into your clothes, much less “violating” your lower body!

Lorian would murder me on the spot!

I was screaming inside, but as a gentleman. As a butler. As a man named Alisha Da who “totally has no idea who Arisa is,” I couldn’t blow my cover.

And to my slight surprise, this Elf wasn’t that dumb.

She did feel guilty, though she only moped in private after the fact...

This proud yet broody personality is indeed a pain.

“So... you’re not actually mad at them? At those two.”

I asked blandly and topped off her empty cup.

“Elves aren’t that petty.”

She looked at me, cheeks puffed in protest.

Uh-oh. Too cute!

If this silly Elf makes that face a few more times a day, she might outshine Serica!

“And I want to find time to apologize to that man, Arisa. It’s just... I’ve had headaches lately.”

The gloom soon settled back on Beren’s face.

I had a decent idea what she was fretting over. Two words summed it up—discipline.

Beren hadn’t come alone. A bunch of other Elvenfolk elders traveled with her.

She’s nitpicky, sometimes biased. But compared to those ossified elf grandpas and grannies, Beren counts as the reasonable type.

To avoid letting the “senior Elves” see human students act “shameless,” the Academy started a full sweep on misconduct.

Sneaking into empty classrooms after dusk to get intimate—banned. Couples cuddling and groping in the night grove—punished. Worse, even obscene magazines were confiscated on sight.

That’s why Beren was checking “discipline” at the gate before. She’s the gentle type—just scolded offenders and let them go.

And now, Beren had a new headache?

Shouldn’t a Discipline Elder, a spirit born for discipline, be thrilled to enforce it?

“Actually, the Academy’s about to crack down on students visiting... improper red-light venues.”

Improper... red-light venues?!

Wait, you mean those places all over Luo City—luxury to shabby, pricey to cheap, beauties to... not-so-beauties...

“J-just brothels.”

Beren flushed scarlet against her fair skin and peeked at me.

Don’t—don’t blush over that. It’s just a brothel...

Those places do offer lots of pay-a-fee, get-your-bliss services. But I’ve only ever heard about them.

Given my constitution plus a childhood friend like Lorian, brothels became the farthest thing from me.

“S-Students go to places like that? Students aren’t even of age, are they?!”

“That’s what I thought, but an elder said he saw kids in uniforms going in and out. He told me to investigate...”

Beren’s voice grew smaller.

“I-it is a discipline issue, but a place full of gross human men... ugh... h-how could I even go.”

“What if... just like when I modeled, I run into some h-human per... pervert on the way back. He strips me... then with that filthy, stinking low—”

Stop, stop!

Enough! Quit free-associating, Beren!!

Keep going and this book’s getting censored!

“I-I’ll go with you.”

Butler “Alisha Da” pressed a hand to his forehead in pain.

It was a task from my stepmom. And Beren’s looks really do attract perverts...

“I’ll help you, alright? So stop staring at me with those baby-animal eyes.”

I resolutely ignored the little stars sparkling in her eyes.

“A proper gen—gentleman... is obliged to protect ladies.”