Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 177 - I'm About to Become Obsessed with Gold

Chapter 177 – I’m About to Become Obsessed with Gold

 

The Harbinger of Catastrophic Upheaval. Okail, the Evil God of unwavering falsehoods and purposeless transformation, preferred offerings that had lost their original form.

The most common method was altering their appearance. Beyond that, He welcomed anything that involved change, whether it was the corruption of one’s rank, the loss of one’s identity, the degeneration of one’s soul, or anything else.

Clink.

The sound of chains rattled from the tattoo on my thigh as Okail conveyed His will.

‘I am watching.’

As always, His revelation was practical, saying only what needed to be said.

He seemed indifferent toward me, yet the fact that He had reached out first already meant He regarded me as a cultist worthy of considerable interest.

As I gently stroked the tattoo on my right thigh, I spoke.

“Please watch with ease. I’ll present You with an abundant offering that’s delicious as well.”

Today’s ingredient was the giant Grangtum. Among all the races that fell under the category of people that I’d offered to the Evil Gods so far, he was undoubtedly the highest-grade offering.

First, I gripped the Full Moon Executioner and summoned a temporary altar.

“Isn’t it too small?”

Bartimir, who had been resting his chin on my shoulder, made a perfectly reasonable observation. It seemed that, as an active mage of the Book Devouring Magic Tower, he still hadn’t completely abandoned rationality.

“Logic and reason may be the most important things in magical research and development. But in rituals, what matters is context and intent.”

As long as the intended meaning was established, rational theories didn’t matter.

That was why there was no need to recite the prescribed prayer word for word every single time. As long as my sincerity was conveyed, slightly shortening or freely altering the contents to suit the Evil God’s disposition did not affect whatsoever the outcome of the ritual.

“Please place that enormous arm on top of the altar.”

Compared to Grangtum’s body, the altar looked like a tiny model.

Still, it was more than sufficient to fulfill its role.

“Got it!”

My energetic demon daughter struggled to lift Grangtum’s arm before placing it atop the temporary altar.

Watching him, I casually began planning today’s offering recipe.

Crackle.

“Su’eje. Starting by searing the face is hardly appropriate. Please be a little quieter when I’m conducting a ritual for someone else.”

Wriggle!

“Lord Lriria, why are You joining in too? A giant’s skin is far too tough to roast properly with fire.”

[The Wise One insists that the giant’s foolish head absolutely must be removed!]

“Foolish? For a giant, Sir Grangtum is actually one of the intelligent ones. That’s why he’s the Hunting Grounds Warden.”

Perhaps it was because I served four Evil Gods. Their constant interjections made it rather difficult to concentrate.

I folded my arms, puffing out my cheeks seriously.

“If You continue sending revelations before the offering ritual is complete… I’ll ignore Your revelations for quite a while.”

For a deity with fewer than a hundred followers, that was practically equivalent to a twenty-year prison sentence.

Before I even finished speaking, the Great Ones fell silent… just like Marlin checking the contents of the allowance pouch I’d given her.

“Thank You for Your cooperation.”

Just as I was expressing my gratitude to the well-behaved Evil Gods for listening to me…

“Captain Karr.”

My lord, who had been wiping blood from the Drizzle Trident, approached and gently rested a hand atop my head.

He slowly stroked it. Gradually reducing me to a helpless mess with just one hand once again, He leaned close before speaking.

“If there is anything I can help with, simply say the word. What pleases one of My people… is My own joy.”

Because of [Soul Bond], I understood immediately.

His words genuinely contained heartfelt gratitude toward me for giving Him such an enjoyable experience.

“…Thank You. I’m deeply honored.”

“Don’t say things like that. A ruler looking after the well-being of His vassals is only natural.”

“A ruler?”

Sylphren, who had been sitting nearby resting, raised one corner of his mouth.

“At this point, you people aren’t even trying to hide how suspicious you are anymore.”

“Sylphren. Why is the Celestial suspicious?”

Brightfeather, who had been decorating Bingbing’s neck with accessories, quickly turned around.

“His movements are as elegant as His appearance. And He’s always been kind to me too…?”

“Well… Never mind. You’re in the same expedition now. You’ll figure it out sooner or later.”

Sylphren lay back on the ground, using one arm as a pillow while crossing his legs.

I beckoned toward Brightfeather, who merely blinked blankly.

“Would you perhaps like to watch? The offering ritual.”

“No!”

It was the first truly decisive answer I’d heard from him since we’d met.

Brightfeather shook his head, then turned back toward Bingbing.

“So you’re capable of giving clear answers when it matters.”

Reficul slowly stroked His chin.

“He has firm convictions. He never hesitates to express what he likes and dislikes. A remarkably straightforward child.”

“Indeed.”

Brightfeather was anything but weak.

Just moments ago, during our exploration of Giant Hunting Grounds, he’d trembled with anxiety in unfamiliar situations… yet he’d still accomplished every task entrusted to him perfectly.

“From now on as well… he’ll undoubtedly accomplish everything expected of him.”

Because he was a Hunter worthy of that confidence.

“I put it where you wanted!”

Bartimir ran back and once again rested his chin on my shoulder.

“What should I do now?”

“Now we appreciate the result. Please step back, both of you.”

The fake Celestial and my demon daughter quietly moved behind me.

Holding the Full Moon Executioner in a reverse grip, I raised my right hand before my face, while clasping my left behind my back.

It carried no particular meaning. It merely looked impressively mysterious.

“Ooooh…”

Brightfeather, who had firmly refused my invitation only moments ago, let out a small gasp of admiration.

“Thank you for waiting.”

Spreading both arms, I used [Transformation] to recolor Sky Invader into gold.

This, too, had absolutely no deeper meaning. It was simply for style.

There was no need to worry about offending the Exalted One who had bestowed this sacred relic.

Crackle.

Su’e seemed quite pleased. As long as His cultist looked more beautiful, He was the sort who would happily watch me tear His sacred relic apart before committing suspicious acts.

“Now then. Karr’s magnificent offering ritual begins.”

Today’s theme: Gold.

To be honest, it was a concept I intended to quietly start pushing from now on.

Since I’d already earned the nickname Golden Crow, becoming a cultist clad entirely in gold from head to toe hardly seemed like a bad idea.

Rustle.

I even transformed the blade of the Full Moon Executioner into gold before speaking solemnly.

“Okail. Please await Your feast.”

Today’s recipe wasn’t complicated. There was almost nothing to prepare.

Offerings for the Chaotic One rarely required much physical alteration.

“Sha-la-la-la!”

Adding my own sound effects, I used [Illusion] to make Grangtum’s plain body magnificent.

His unnecessarily gigantic body, composed of nothing but muscles, became a small physique shining brilliantly in seven different colors.

A miraculous full-body transformation beyond the reach of medicine.

“So pretty…!”

Brightfeather, who adored anything colorful, lightly flapped his wings.

“Did you completely change his appearance?”

“It’s merely an illusion. Only his outward appearance has changed.”

The actual body remaining unchanged didn’t matter.

In rituals, meaning was what mattered most.

“…Phew.”

Excessive use of [Illusion] had nearly exhausted my Mental Strength.

Still, I should have just enough remaining.

“Falsethy.”

“Yup!”

Next, I summoned the illusion created by [Eyes That Whisper Falsehood] and had it approach Grangtum’s now human-sized illusion.

I couldn’t touch him directly. Behind the illusion, his actual body was still the size of a giant.

But Falsethy could approach without issue.

“…Done.”

Falsethy, interfering with the illusion itself, placed a hand atop the small giant’s head, then recited the prayer in my place.

“Okail. The offering has been prepared.”

Recipe Name: The Tiny Rainbow Giant.

A refined dish in which the essence of giantkind… their enormous and powerful physique… had been transformed into something tiny and brilliantly colorful.

However, it still wasn’t a completed offering.

“Your meal is ready.”

The moment Falsethy removed its hand…

Clatter!

A colorless aura flowed from my right thigh, forming a long chain that wrapped around the shrunken Grangtum.

Immediately afterward, violent sounds of the giant’s body being crushed echoed out.

Since reality was currently covered by illusion, the actual process of the meal couldn’t be seen properly.

[Now!]

Following Truth’s perfectly timed cue, I immediately layered another illusion over reality… one in which chains tightened around the colorful Grangtum.

At the same time, I removed the light, allowing darkness to descend.

Craaack… Craaack!

In rhythm with the harsh sounds of the chains, multicolored fireworks burst forth.

A grand fireworks display celebrating the recruitment of our new companion.

A splitting headache struck from excessive Mental Strength consumption, but it was more than worth enduring.

“Magnificent!”

Reficul even applauded, opening His eyes wide.

Astonishment was unquestionably a positive emotion. He’d been genuinely amazed, making all my effort worthwhile. And the pleasant emotions I felt in return would naturally flow back to my lord through [Soul Bond] for Him to consume.

It truly was the perfect virtuous cycle.

“Woooow…!”

Meanwhile, Brightfeather shuffled excitedly in place.

“Are offering rituals always this beautiful?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll have to watch them often from now on!”

“You’re welcome anytime.”

“Thank you!”

“…You’ll regret it.”

Regardless of Sylphren’s muttering behind him, Brightfeather continued happily watching the fireworks.

【Excellent.】

While the feast continued, Okail finally bestowed an oracle.

【A splendid offering.】

Even through His voice, I could sense a faint trace of satisfaction.

Perhaps this meant He now regarded me as a cultist worthy of His attention.

“Thank You. I gave it my all.”

Unlike with the other Gods, I couldn’t joke around with Him.

He’d immediately become expressionless.

Suppressing my desire to act playfully, I instead forced myself into an uncharacteristic silence.

Patience wasn’t exactly close friends with me, yet occasionally it still lent me its strength like this.

【State your reward.】

Even now that we were communicating directly rather than through transmitted intent, He still didn’t waste words on idle conversation.

If I hesitated, He might simply leave. So I immediately requested the Mystery I desired.

“[Clone].”

【Granted.】

The tattoo on my thigh stung. Savoring the more welcome pain than usual, I lowered my gaze.

 

[Fifth Hierarchy Mystery — Clone]

[Consumes flesh or other parts of the user’s body to create living beings.]

[A Mystery perfectly suited to someone with your exceptional regenerative abilities!]

 

I quietly nodded.

‘I finally obtained it.’

At last, I’d acquired the key Mystery that would compensate for the Immortal Cultist build’s lack of offensive power.

【Pursue chaos.】

Leaving behind only that brief command, Okail’s presence immediately vanished.

I dismissed Falsethy, then turned around.

“Sir Sylphren. I’m planning to introduce our new companion to the rest of the expedition. Would you care to join us?”

“Me?”

“Yes. As an ally of the Moon Expedition.”

“…I’m already considered an ally? I don’t really mind.”

Chuckling, Sylphren stood up alongside Brightfeather.

“Let’s go. We probably won’t have many chances to meet like this anymore…”

“…Sniff.”

“You need to start getting used to living apart from me. We can’t stay together forever.”

Watching Sylphren comfort Brightfeather, I began walking toward the gate together with everyone else.

As we walked, I casually asked my lord,

“You enjoyed this expedition, didn’t You?”

“It was splendid. Although I fear My decisive role at the end may have diminished your own enjoyment somewhat, Grand Duke Karr.”

“Well… that’s true. Still, an expedition like this isn’t bad every once in a while. Sir Bartimir, don’t you agree?”

“I liked it too! If you two enjoyed it… Then so did I! Suuuuuck!”

“…Aaah!”

Chatting leisurely all the while, we stepped through the gate.

C-Rank Labyrinth Giant Hunting Grounds

Cleared successfully… together with our new companions, the Nameless Demon King and Brightfeather.