Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 120 - Of Course I Didn't Notice

Chapter 120 — Of Course I Didn’t Notice

 

The guild that won the Guild War would officially receive the authority to administer District Three through an investiture ceremony.

However, the current King of Pletica, who had ascended the throne twenty years ago, disliked needless formalities, so these days the procedure had become quite simple.

“When are they coming?”

In front of the Ash Wolf Guild headquarters. As we watched the orderly rows of guild members from a distance, Marlin yawned with a bored expression.

“It’s already been quite a while…”

The authority to manage District Three was formally granted through a ceremony in which a knight of the Royal Guard visited and bestowed the king’s reward.

But even after an hour had passed, the knight had yet to appear.

“It’s merely a contest of wills. It’s a delightful tradition that takes place every year the Guild War is held.”

He was deliberately arriving late. It was an indirect warning that the authority they enjoyed meant nothing before the royal family, so they shouldn’t get carried away.

Considering that the Guild War had originally been established because the guild that previously governed District Three had attempted a rebellion, the tardiness actually had a rather reasonable justification behind it.

“…Ah, he’s finally coming.”

After waiting another full hour, the knight finally strolled leisurely down the boulevard.

He looked every bit the typical knight, clad in full plate armor. A human man with a neatly groomed mustache and a prominent jaw, giving off a relaxed air.

 

[The Late Knight Servan Moricard (Human, 34 years old). A fellow whose greasy mustache makes you want to yank it off. Despite having a face that makes you want to punch him, his Soul Rank is actually quite high.]

 

“Have you been waiting long? My apologies. Something urgent came up on the way.”

Smiling slyly, Knight Servan stopped in front of Targon. Despite the considerable difference in their sizes, he showed not the slightest sign of intimidation. Just as one would expect of a knight.

“Shall we begin?”

“Very well.”

“Well then, congratulations.”

Servan reached into the subspace hanging in midair, rummaged around, and took out a statue before handing it over.

 

[Gold Dragon Statue]

[A golden statue depicting a majestic dragon taking flight. It serves as an honorable prize certifying that the authority to govern District Three has been granted, and possesses the function of cursing anyone foolish enough to sell it.]

 

Once that was handed over, the investiture ceremony was over. That was literally the entire event.

Yet he had arrived two hours late.

“Still, another victory for the Ash Wolves…”

Servan chuckled quietly.

“To be honest, I really thought things might change this time. After all, wasn’t there that incident where all your personal Mystery information was leaked?”

It was hard to tell whether he was joking or being serious.

Naturally, High Warrior Targon displayed no particular reaction. But inwardly, it was surely unpleasant. After all, that information leak was directly tied to the death of his close friend and vice guildmaster, Rigobert.

“I heard some half-elf ninja nearly turned the entire Guild War into a disaster. His Highness was absolutely furious when he learned about it.”

Still smiling faintly, the knight met Targon’s eyes head-on.

“If you hadn’t achieved that unprecedented victory through the Hidden Piece, the Guild War would’ve disappeared into history, and the authority over District Three would’ve been reclaimed by the royal family.”

“…”

“You were fortunate. Recruiting such a talented cultist saved you from the worst possible outcome.”

Standing beside me, Bartimir quietly muttered,

“I kind of want to punch him.”

Abel nodded in agreement.

Yet Targon remained completely unmoved despite the knight’s blatant provocation.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

At the Gray Orc High Warrior’s indifferent question, Servan’s expression stiffened ever so slightly.

“…No.”

“Then shall we end this here?”

Perhaps embarrassed by receiving such a dry response, Servan scratched his head a few times before turning away.

The investiture ceremony had come to an end.

After handing the statue over to Elvira, Targon immediately walked toward me.

“Thank you once again for the Guild War. And thank you for participating in this unnecessary ceremony as well.”

“Not at all. I wanted to stay until the very end.”

“Are you heading back to District Six now?”

“That is the plan.”

“I see.”

The High Warrior Orc gave a small nod before bending down slightly and speaking in a low voice.

“Be careful.”

A rather unexpected warning. As I quietly waited for him to continue, Targon frowned.

“That knight just secretly observed you with Mystery seven different times. Did you notice?”

“Of course I didn’t.”

He may have retreated in haste after being intimidated by Targon’s presence, but he was still Level 8.

He was a named knight, after all. There was no way a mere Level 4 cultist like me could sense such covert probing.

“That said, I understand his intentions. There’s no need for you to worry too much.”

If I simply continued exploring labyrinths diligently like I always had, he would naturally make his move sooner or later.

But that was still a matter for the distant future. There was no need to concern myself with it just yet.

“I see… Very well.”

Giving a slight nod, Targon extended his enormous hand toward me.

“You’ve worked hard. Until next time.”

“Until next time.”

High Warriors did not linger over farewells.

Targon immediately returned to the guild headquarters.

Elvira also gave me a slight bow before following him inside.

“It’s really over now.”

Perhaps tired from standing around for so long, Abel lightly patted his thigh.

I placed a hand on his head and said,

“Then let’s head home.”

Back to our somewhat quiet, yet comfortable, District Six.

 

***

 

There was a hideout in District Six’s slums that had once belonged to the Black Sword Guild.

A small but cozy chamber hidden underground.

It had been concealed so thoroughly that it was nearly impossible to notice its existence from outside.

“Search every inch of the place.”

At the command of Karsha, Guild Master of the Hyena Guild under the Silent Alliance… a one-eyed cat beastkin wearing an eyepatch… the guild members spread out and began tearing the hideout apart.

Every one of them belonged to the Hunter class.

Among them were even Trackers specialized in searching, So it didn’t take long before they found what they were looking for.

“We found it, Guild Master.”

One of the birdfolk guild members called out, holding a dagger infused with sinister energy.

“Let’s see it.”

Karsha immediately took the dagger and examined it carefully.

Thanks to a Detection-type Mystery, The guild master quickly learned everything tied to the weapon and frowned.

“Yep. This was our thief’s.”

The favorite dagger of Black Sword Guild Master Maken.

Though ordinary in itself, It had been used to kill so many people that it radiated overwhelming sinister energy.

That wasn’t all she discovered.

“…Wood Elf poison?”

There were countless Wood Elves in the world, So that alone made it nearly impossible to identify whose poison it was.

However… the person who had reported wiping out the Black Sword Guild happened to be closely associated with a certain Wood Elf assassin.

“At this point, I don’t think we need to investigate any further.”

Karsha sat down upon a throne-like chair that appeared to have belonged exclusively to the Black Sword Guild Master.

“I believe the Black Sword Guild was eliminated by a Wood Elf assassin from Brites acting under the orders of the half-elf Karr. Does anyone disagree?”

This wasn’t one of those overbearing bosses who asked for opinions after already deciding the answer.

“How about this possibility?”

“I think…”

Several guild members freely voiced their thoughts.

It was a unique culture found only within the Hyena Guild… quite unusual for an outlaw organization.

There was no oppressive atmosphere. Everyone casually enjoyed robbing and murdering explorers.

“Well… the conclusion is that there’s an extremely high chance Half-Elf Karr was responsible for the Black Sword Guild’s destruction.”

Scratching his ear with his little finger, Karsha turned toward the guild member who had remained silent the whole time.

“What do you think?”

The gathered guild members all looked toward the brown-haired dog beastkin.

A rising star of the outlaw world.

Despite joining only recently, he had already overwhelmed all his seniors through sheer ability… an exceptional newcomer whom even the guild master trusted deeply.

Pierre answered in a dry voice.

“I think the same.”

“Right?”

Though it was merely the opinion of a rookie, not only the guild master but the rest of the guild visibly relaxed; the achievements he’d displayed and proven thus far were simply beyond imagination.

“Good. Now I finally have a report that the Boss will like.”

Karsha curled the corners of his mouth upward.

“We’re capturing Half-Elf Karr alive. Even the Boss, paranoid as he is, won’t criticize us once he sees evidence this clear.”

“Guild Master, the problem is how we’re supposed to capture him.”

The horse beastkin vice guildmaster spoke calmly.

“I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that if we make too much of a scene, the Peacekeeping Corps will show up.”

“…That’s true.”

The Peacekeeping Corps, one of the four royal divisions directly under the Crown, normally guarded only the borders between districts.

The Milky Way’s handled each district’s internal security.

However, if a serious incident occurred, they would deploy immediately to arrest the culprit or conduct an investigation.

And once that happened… every problem became very simple.

“If the Peacekeeping Corps catches our trail, we’re finished too. In that case… we’ll wait until he enters a labyrinth and follow him inside. What do you think?”

“That’s probably the best option.”

“I don’t think we have a better one.”

“Let’s do that!”

Including the vice guildmaster, every guild member agreed with the classic strategy of secretly following an explorer into a labyrinth.

“Guild Master.”

At that moment, Pierre, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.

Karsha’s ears perked up immediately.

“Hm? What is it?”

“If we want to avoid being discovered, it’s better if only an elite few participate. The rest should return to District Four.”

“So even if the worst happens, the others will remain safe?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm.”

It was a persuasive argument.

The Peacekeeping Corps had likely already noticed them to some extent during their journey into District Six.

They had split into small groups rather than traveling together, but people capable of seeing through tricks that simple couldn’t be underestimated.

“Alright. We’ll do as you say.”

“I’ll participate in the capture operation and give the orders. I’d appreciate it if you’d allow me to choose whichever guild members I want.”

“Fine by me. Anyone object?”

No one raised a hand.

With Pierre, who was both clever and an exceptional fighter, taking command, there was little reason to object.

“Good. It’s settled.”

Standing atop the chair, Karsha raised both arms high.

“Our target is Half-Elf Karr! Everyone… It’s hunting time!”

Since making too much noise might attract the Holy Knights of the Church of Harmony, the guild members cheered quietly.

“…”

Pierre smiled as he casually waved one arm.

‘My side is ready.’

Now, everything else depended upon Karr’s preparations.

He didn’t believe this operation would fail.

There was no way the very hero who had won the Guild War would struggle against a handful of “fake outlaws” handpicked by Pierre.

‘My heart is racing.’

For the first time in a long while, Pierre felt a pure emotion. Anticipation. The hope that he might finally take one step closer toward his long-cherished wish.

‘Please… don’t disappoint me.’

 

***

 

“Karr! A little faster!”

I was running through District Six together with the siblings.

Our usual morning exercise, which we never skipped unless something special came up.

Since Tobirek still hadn’t finished my left arm, its absence threw off my balance, granting me the delightful experience of tumbling across the ground several times.

“Patron, please stop daydreaming and focus on running.”

“…Alright.”

Now my Stamina had surpassed that of an ordinary person, so I no longer tired easily.

Even so, I was still slower than the siblings, meaning I had to push myself a little just to keep pace.

“Finished!”

After completing five laps, we arrived at Odilon’s estate.

Breathing heavily, I plopped down onto the ground.

My clothes were soaked with sweat, but it had all been worthwhile.

[Through continuous training, your “Stamina” has increased by 1!]

“…Status.”

Perhaps because it had been a while since I’d used the feature,

Truth fumbled slightly before displaying the familiar text.

 

[Karr ??? (Level 4), Cultist of the Twisted Truth]

> Strength — 1 | Dexterity — 2 | Faith — 17

> Stamina — 12 | Perception — 3 | Wisdom — 19

> Agility — 1 | Charm — 21 | Knowledge — ??

 

My Stamina had now reached 12.

If I activated both Ghoul’s Mobility and [Life · Reverse · Cycle] , it would leap to at least 23.

I could now proudly call myself an aspiring immortal.

“Karr.”

Marlin sat down beside me, wiping the sweat from her forehead as she spoke.

“When are we going into the labyrinth again?”

“Why?

Starting to feel restless already?”

“No. Astrimia just wanted to know in advance when we’ll be entering another labyrinth.”

“In that case, tell her this.”

While straightening Marlin’s messy hair, I said,

“We’re going tomorrow morning.”

“…You’re not going to rest a little longer?”

“When would I have time to rest? Those lovely labyrinths are waiting for me.”

“Patron, what rank of labyrinth will we be entering this time?”

“I was planning to tell everyone once the entire expedition team had gathered. But at least remember this.”

Looking at the siblings, whose ears perked up in anticipation, I whispered softly,

“This expedition… will be the hardest one we’ve faced so far.”