Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 161 - A Half-Elf Ready to Be Showered with Affection

Chapter 161 – A Half-Elf Ready to Be Showered with Affection

 

Back when it was still a game, Pendrick was a Tier 1 companion.

The reason was his absurd trait, [Master of the Sword], which increased the tier of every swordsmanship-related Mystery by two levels whenever he held a sword.

Even Astrimia, despite having been cursed into becoming nothing more than an ordinary albeit beautiful sword, displayed overwhelming strength.

And besides Pendrick, there were still five more Tier 1 explorers yet to be recruited.

“Let me briefly go over our upcoming schedule.”

The Moonlight Expedition Team’s lounge.

Every member had gathered in response to Captain Karr’s summons. Odilon had also been invited in his capacity as the expedition’s founder and financial sponsor.

“First of all… I intend to recruit a new member.”

I casually pointed toward Pendrick.

“An explorer whose talent is on the same level as Lord Pendrick’s.”

“Mom, question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Just how amazing are they if they’re on the same level as Blackie?”

“I’m not going to tell you that just yet. After all… there’s always a chance we might fail to recruit them.”

Expectations were dangerous. If they became too great… They could later transform into disappointment.

I’d learned that lesson painfully after spending an entire week excited over the rumor that the demonic Manager Choi might be transferring departments… Only to discover it had been completely false.

“For now, I’ll only provide a brief overview.”

Using [Illusion], I wrote words in midair.

[Parrot Jo-in / Butcher / Brightfeather]

“Brightfeather. That’s the name of the explorer we’re recruiting. Their class is Butcher. Their primary weapon is a bow.”

Odilon raised his hand slightly.

“Cultist Karr. If you call someone an exceptional explorer… then they must truly be a remarkable talent. I’ve decided I won’t doubt the information you provide anymore.”

“Really?”

That meant he’d begun trusting me, at least a little.

Delighted… I hurried over and attempted a high-five.

“…”

“Aww.”

“No.”

“Then Big Sis, please do it instead.”

In the end… Rosalia slowly raised her hand. We exchanged a high-five.

“…So. Where is this person now?”

“District Five. They’re affiliated with the Association of Other Races.”

“Then sending the butler to make contact first won’t be easy.”

Within the name Association of Other Races, the phrase “Other Races” referred to every race except humans.

The Association’s core ideals were: Freedom. Equality. Brotherhood.

Freedom from humans.

Equality among every race except humans.

And universal brotherhood… For everyone except humans.

“…Honestly. I don’t ever want to go back to District Five.”

Pendrick scratched his head awkwardly.

“Last time I went there to learn a martial-type Mystery from Lord Huztis, remember? Following your advice, Captain, I pretended to be a half-elf. But quite a few people suspect me of not being one. Humans simply don’t possess the natural fragrance flowing through a half-elf’s body…”

“He said he felt so self-conscious the whole time!”

Astrimia neatly cut off Pendrick before his explanation grew any longer.

“Don’t worry. I understand exactly how you felt.”

Nodding, I continued.

“Sir Bartimir and I will visit District Five together and meet Sir Brightfeather.”

“I’m in!”

“…Hold on.”

The young master quickly raised a hand.

“Why those two specifically?”

“Because we’re the captain and vice-captain.”

“…Since when did the black mage Bartimir become vice-captain?”

“Just now. I appointed him. Young Master… Besides me, is there anyone else suited to the role?”

Odilon slowly looked over each member before nodding.

“Marlin the Thief would be the next best choice… but she’s still too young.”

“Fine. You can have it.”

Thus… Bartimir officially became vice-captain.

As I massaged the shoulders of my demon daughter, who stood proudly with folded arms… Odilon spoke again in an already weary voice.

“Take one more person. If only the two of you go… people will think your expedition consists entirely of weirdos.”

“Then please recommend someone.”

“…Now that’s a difficult decision.”

The young master’s careful selection process began.

Pendrick and Lucius were humans. Disqualified.

Rosalia was too quiet. Rejected.

Marlin was busy training with Gléléré of Frost and building affection with AKarr.

“Though he’s still too young… Abel is the only option.”

“I’m also busy becoming familiar with the martial Mystery Master Charlotte taught me.”

“I see…”

We lacked manpower. It was the unavoidable limitation of a small elite expedition rather than a guild.

“…”

After some careful thought… I spoke.

“There is one more companion we could bring.”

“You mean Pierre the Beast Tamer?”

“Absolutely not. I know perfectly well that my friend Pierre isn’t suited to being an expedition member.”

There was one person.

Not human. Not excessively silent. And not particularly busy.

“Shall we recruit the Demon King into our expedition?”

 

***

 

Ding.

The cheerful sound of the doorbell echoed as we entered the library, Leaf of the World Tree.

Pendrick, whom I’d brought along to help recruit our new member thanks to his incredible sociability, glanced around the interior.

“Despite the name… this place doesn’t really feel fresh.”

“A truly charming place is one whose reality doesn’t match its name. Just like me.”

“Lord Karr, your mismatch is a little too extreme.”

“You mean my name sounds cool, but in reality, I’m far too adorable?”

“…If that’s how you want to think about it….”

 

I led Pendrick upstairs. Through [Soul Bond], I could feel my lord’s presence above.

“Gyaaaah…”

Fifth floor. Standing outside the librarian’s office… We heard screaming from inside.

“…Someone sounds like they’re suffering.”

“Shouldn’t we help?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

After knocking three times… I opened the door.

The room wasn’t particularly large. There were more beds than desks.

In the open space… Kiji, the demon librarian, was doing push-ups in training clothes while groaning.

“I… I can’t do any more…”

“No! You can do it!”

Standing beside the librarian… The Demon King clenched a fist.

“I have already perfectly assessed your physical capabilities. If you can only wash away the laziness and sloth clinging to both body and soul… then even two hundred repetitions will pose no difficulty!”

“Ugh…”

“Come! Try again! Only twenty left!”

Tremble…

His body shaking as though he’d collapse at any moment… Kiji somehow completed all two hundred repetitions before finally collapsing face-first onto the floor.

“See? You could do it after all.”

The Nameless Demon King patted the collapsed librarian on the back before turning toward me.

“You’ve returned, Grand Duke.”

“I have returned, my Lord. During our time apart, I was so anxious and fearful that Your Majesty might feel uncomfortable living in an unfamiliar city that I found myself unable to concentrate properly on my expedition…!”

“…Did you really?”

Astrimia sounded as though she’d never heard such a thing before.

Choosing the strategically sound option of refusing to answer… I knelt before the Demon King on one knee.

“Grand Duke Karr. Your eloquence truly is admirable.”

Creating a throne from demonic energy… The Demon King elegantly crossed His legs.

“Meeting you again in this city was truly heaven’s blessing. As promised… allow yourself to receive all the affection I wish to lavish upon you.”

Pat. Pat.

The Demon King tapped His lap. The meaning was obvious. I immediately obeyed.

“Like this?”

I quietly sat upon the Demon King’s sturdy lap. The so-called… “Receiving Affection” position.

Pazzzzt!

[It’d be nice if there were a Mystery that could block Su’eje’s filthy and obscene revelations for a while!]

The Demon King gently stroked my back.

“Grand Duke. First… I owe you my thanks. Thanks to you, for the first time since being released from my seal… I feasted upon a positive concept.”

“Did the taste not trouble you?”

“The flavor was somewhat unusual. A taste utterly unfamiliar.”

“Well, naturally….”

The beautiful sword whispered quietly.

“Which only made me like it even more!”

The Demon King smiled brightly, clenching one fist.

“If one is to eat… then trying new flavors is far more enjoyable than repeatedly consuming familiar ones!”

“Oh? It seems we think alike.”

Sensing an opportunity… Pendrick quietly joined the conversation.

The Demon King looked toward the prodigious swordsman with interest.

“Ho… How dazzling. You possess absurdly brilliant potential.”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

“Are you the Grand Duke’s companion?”

“That’s right! I’m Pendrick, a swordsman! And this is my beloved, Astrimia.”

Pendrick lifted Astrimia into the air.

Just like always… His positivity never wavered, no matter where he was.

“Beloved?”

Kiji narrowed his eyes. After a moment… He slowly nodded. 

The Nameless Demon King likewise showed no discomfort whatsoever.

“Well… A sword is relatively normal.”

“Indeed.”

“During the prime of demonkind… our people were deeply fascinated by negative concepts. Choosing companions such as the Plague of Death, Hell Thorns, or Bloodstained Claws was quite common. Love transcending the limits of existence!”

“Truly… those were romantic times.”

The Demon King looked at Pendrick and smiled.

“May your love remain beautiful forever.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you!”

The atmosphere became much warmer. This was precisely why I’d brought Pendrick.

The tendencies of demonkind in their prime, combined with the Demon King’s own personality… Guaranteed, he would look favorably upon the love between the prodigious swordsman and the beautiful sword.

Now that we’d established common ground… It was time to subtly steer the conversation toward today’s objective.

“Since Sir Pendrick and I became members of the same expedition… we’ve conquered many labyrinths together.”

I spoke gently, making sure my true intentions weren’t too obvious.

“In the labyrinth we recently explored, he played an especially decisive role. Had Sir Pendrick not been there… our expedition might still be buried beneath the snowstorm.”

“There were companions who contributed even more than I did… but I won’t deny the compliment.”

The prodigious swordsman smiled modestly.

“You two… possess truly heartwarming friendship and camaraderie.”

Those emotions… Friendship. Companionship.

Both belonged to the category of positive concepts. They were probably among the finest delicacies imaginable to Him.

After quietly observing us… The Demon King suddenly stroked my chin.

“Grand Duke. Is exploration truly that enjoyable? Labyrinths existed in my era as well… but I never found entering them particularly entertaining.”

“Naturally. Not every labyrinth is filled with joy.”

Some labyrinths were simply dull from beginning to end. Others were merely troublesome without being especially enjoyable.

“However… if you’re with me… every labyrinth expedition is bound to become enjoyable. Because no matter how exhausting and difficult the journey… a rewarding and deeply satisfying conclusion always awaits.”

The precious reward earned after enduring hardship and adversity.

The ideal I pursued… Could itself be considered one of the positive concepts consumed by the mutant Demon King.

“What do you say… Your Majesty?”

I met my lord’s eyes at close range.

“Would you like to join our expedition… and enjoy exploring labyrinths together?”

“…”

The Nameless Demon King pondered briefly before replying.

“Very well. I shall first experience for myself… the labyrinth expeditions you provide.”

Exactly the answer I’d hoped for.

“Then… Would Your Majesty care to enjoy a labyrinth date with me today?”

A labyrinth omakase, specially prepared for the Demon King, was already waiting.