Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 192 - I Could Accept Even a Hundred Requests

Chapter 192 – I Could Accept Even a Hundred Requests

 

The underground region of District 5, on the outskirts of Gold Dust Park.

“It feels so deserted.”

After taking a look around the underground garden created for races weak to sunlight, Marlin tilted her head.

“It’s the day of the tournament finals. How can it be this empty? It’s completely different from the Guild War.”

She was right. Instead of crowds cheering for the explorers who had advanced to the finals, the only people visible in Gold Dust Park were gnomes casually eating dirt as usual.

None of the other finalist expedition teams were nearby, either.

Every team had to wait at its own designated location, far away from the others.

“It’s because the tournament was thrown together in a hurry.”

Sitting on a bench, I sipped Charlotte’s healthy juice before speaking.

“Sir Jerix rushed everything through for the sake of his objective, so there was barely any promotion.”

“But you said there were lots of spectators during the two-versus-two combat preliminaries.”

“They could watch those in person, but the exploration competition in the finals won’t be broadcast live because of technical difficulties. They’ll only release a recorded video afterward.”

Since no one could follow the competition live anyway, there wasn’t much reason to come watch.

Of course, if this had been District 3, where countless exploration fanatics lived, people would’ve flocked here just to learn the results as quickly as possible.

But District 5 was home to people who preferred a relaxed life free from constant competition.

“So it’s only natural that nobody’s paying attention.”

Sylphren, who had come for work, inspected the flying tool he’d given me as a gift last time while speaking.

“No one knows the real reason Jerix pushed this tournament through. Even I didn’t know, and I’m supposed to be one of the Association executives!”

Sylphren confidently gave a thumbs-up.

I returned the gesture, nodding.

“You couldn’t have known.”

“After all, the one in the wrong is Sir Jerix, who’s using harmony as an excuse to beat up his fellow Association members.”

“Even so… I still feel guilty for being so oblivious to the Association’s internal affairs….”

“You should reflect on that a little by volunteering to help our expedition…. Hehehe.”

Letting out the sinister laugh of a proper cultist, I beckoned to Pendrick, currently disguised as the Gray Orc Dmirik.

“Come over here. Entrust your swords to Sir Sylphren… he’ll infuse them with fire using Flame Infusion.”

Flame Infusion. A racial Mystery possessed by Fire Elves.

When used on objects, it imbues them with the fire attribute for several days, making it highly sought after among warrior-class explorers.

“My thanks.”

Pendrick drew two swords from the scabbard in the Hall of Swords and presented them.

Astrimia is a high-quality single-edged sword.

Since Astrimia was also a well-known weapon from the Ego Series, she had decided to alter her appearance while Pendrick was acting as Dmirik.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

While Sylphren infused the single-edged sword with fire, I accepted Astrimia with both hands and asked,

“Is there any appearance you prefer?”

“I want a blade that sparkles brilliantly!”

Before the beautiful sword herself could answer, Brightfeather, obsessed with anything flashy… blurted out his own suggestion.

“How about one side sparkling like the stars in the night sky… and the other shining as brilliantly as sunlight?!”

When it came to his favorite subject, he didn’t even stammer.

Unfortunately, it seemed slightly lacking by Astrimia’s exacting standards.

“No. I don’t want to imitate scenery that already exists in nature. I’m already uniquely beautiful without copying anything.”

“Ah! My skills were still lacking, Master!”

“…Since when did you start treating Astrimia as your teacher?”

“Sir Brightfeather, if you continue forging your own path, I’m certain you’ll eventually reach a completely new realm as well.”

“I’ll continue striving!”

Just as the birdfolk and the sword became completely absorbed in their master-and-disciple roleplay…

“……”

Rosalia, who had been silently standing behind the bench, lightly tapped the back of my head. Then she grabbed the top of my head and turned it sideways.

With my forcibly redirected field of vision, I saw someone sitting beneath the shade of a tree… a place where no one had been only moments before.

A crow Birdfolk sat there in formal seiza, slowly drinking alcohol.

His clothing resembled that of a Taoist. His eyes looked thoroughly bored with the world. There was no mistaking who he was.

 

[Blackbeak (39, Crow Birdfolk), Chairman of the Interracial Association. The current head of the Interracial Association. Most details are unreadable due to the overwhelming difference in strength, though you already know them anyway, so you can stay confident!]

 

“Greetings.”

I immediately bowed deeply, then slowly approached.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chairman.”

“……”

Pour…

Without saying a word, Blackbeak poured himself another cup of alcohol… Only afterward did he speak absentmindedly.

“I came to thank Golden Crow Karr and everyone from the Moonlight Expedition… for participating in the tournament. For harmony embracing every race that’s been marginalized… Uh… what came after that again?”

Scratching his head for a moment, the Chairman slowly took a sip of alcohol before lazily fluffing his wings.

“Anyway, Thanks.”

“What touching words. I can truly feel your heartfelt gratitude toward the explorers participating in this tournament…. It’s an honor, Chairman.”

“Y-Yeah…. Something like that.”

“This tournament won’t be the end of it. From now on, I’ll continue devoting, burning, and tearing apart my very body for the harmony of every race… I still have something else to say.”

Marlin, who had quietly come to stand behind me, spoke into my mind through [Yay Yay, Friends Forever!] 

— He doesn’t look like he wants to have a conversation at all….

— What are you talking about? We’re clearly exchanging words. Even if our intentions and emotions aren’t being exchanged, that’s still unmistakably a conversation.

— …Right. Sure.

— Don’t give up on me. Scold me a little more.

— No thanks.

Even while we quietly bickered inside our heads, Blackbeak’s one-sided, non-communicative conversation continued.

“So… what time do the finals start again?”

“About ten minutes from now. There won’t be an opening ceremony because of internal Association circumstances, and no closing ceremony either. When the time comes… don’t move. Just stay together with your expedition. You’ll automatically enter the labyrinth.”

Even though he was clearly talking to me, he hadn’t looked me in the eyes even once.

If I’d secretly swapped places with Bingbing the Strong Tit, I doubted he’d have noticed.

“Uh… Well, any questions?”

At last, he looked at me.

I seized the opportunity, cupping my cheeks with both hands like a flower.

“Would you prefer me to be upright and virtuous? Or filthy and promiscuous?”

“……”

The Chairman blinked quietly, then slowly poured another cup of alcohol.

“If I said the latter… would you become my minion?”

“I’m a broad-minded cultist, I can embrace anyone.”

“Whoa.”

Gulp.

Draining the tiny cup in one swallow, Blackbeak stretched lazily.

“You already seem to know all about the internal situation, and apparently, you know who needs to be stopped. Did Mek tell you?”

“He didn’t.”

“No… Considering the reputation you’ve built recently as a cultist of Twisted Truth… you probably figured it out yourself.”

“Yes.”

“That explanation makes more sense. Can you hear anything I say? If I can receive help… there’s no reason to refuse it.”

Blackbeak effortlessly demonstrated the art of asking a question and answering it himself.

Then he looked at me again.

“As Chairman… I’d at least like to preserve a shred of dignity. So rather than asking a favor… I’d like to entrust you with a proper request, as befits an explorer. What do you think?”

“Of course I’d be happy. Extremely happy. I could accept even a hundred requests.”

“Excellent… Excellent.”

Setting down both bottle and cup, the Chairman extended his index finger.

“You already know everything, so I’ll get straight to the point. The stubborn old man’s Invincible Expedition and the Night Noble Expedition, led by that blood-sucking undead… Interfere with those people.”

The Invincible Expedition, led by Jerix the Invincible.

The Night Noble Expedition, led by the vampire explorer Adrian.

All we had to do was interfere with the two hardliner teams that had advanced to the finals, preventing them from disguising their assault on fellow Association members as a friendly exploration competition.

He wasn’t even asking us to stop them completely.

“Just interfere with them as much as possible. My direct expedition guild… the Unity Guild… will handle the rest.”

“What if they all fail to stop Sir Jerix?”

“Then…”

Blackbeak stared blankly into empty space for a while before answering.

“I guess everything just falls apart.”

“……”

Marlin poked my back, sending another telepathic message.

— Somehow… I don’t find him very reassuring. Will this really be alright?

— Of course it will.

Although Blackbeak was a Birdfolk who’d long since divorced himself from motivation, he wasn’t the type to do sloppy work.

If anything, he was meticulous. He couldn’t rest until every responsibility had been handled perfectly.

Ironically, that was exactly why he still hadn’t fulfilled his dream of retiring as Chairman as quickly as possible.

“As for your reward… well… I’ll empty out the Association vault if I have to. You’ll receive something valuable.”

“I understand. I accept the request.”

“Much appreciated.”

Picking up his bottle once more, Blackbeak looked toward the ceiling of the park.

From the neatly carved stone ceiling, purple mist slowly drifted downward.

An unknown fog filled Gold Dust Park, appearing at a slightly different time each day.

[Entrance to [Final Stand][

“It’s time.”

After leisurely taking another drink, the Chairman casually plucked a feather from his wing and flicked it into the air.

Whoosh!

The feather transformed into six golden bracelets, one descending onto each member of our expedition.

“You absolutely must wear those bracelets. If another explorer steals yours… you’re immediately eliminated. If you’re eliminated… remain where you are. And…”

“…and?”

“The introduction of the event staff!”

Sylphren, having finished inspecting the flying equipment, quickly raised his hand and interrupted.

Only then did Blackbeak continue.

“Ah… Right. You’ll need to travel to the labyrinth’s final destination… together with the Association’s event staff.”

“Our Sky Flight Corps will be serving as the event staff!”

The Chairman lazily waved his hand.

“Sylphren. Hurry back to your position.”

“Understood!”

“Everyone from the Moonlight Expedition… you have to win!”

“Laife! Do your best!”

Riding Bingbing, Sylphren flew off toward the gathering point where the event staff waited.

“…I’m leaving too.”

Holding both bottle and cup, Blackbeak briefly met my eyes… then suddenly disappeared.

A wondrous movement technique that gave no warning whatsoever.

“The time has come.”

Putting the bracelet onto my right wrist, I looked upward.

The purple mist had already descended to just above our heads.

“Shall we all hold hands nicely? Marlin, give me your hand.”

“I don’t really see why that’s necessary… but alright.”

“Sister, as Captain Karr’s closest confidant, please take my right hand.”

“……”

Soon, every member joined hands, forming a circle.

Whoooooom.

The mist completely enveloped us.

“The moment we enter… our minds will immediately be swapped.”

As my vision became dyed in deep violet, an overwhelming headache… far worse than any labyrinth entry I’d ever experienced… shot through my head.

“……”

When I came to, we were no longer in the underground park. Instead, we stood in the middle of a forest.

Our formation remained unchanged… we were still holding hands.

But the companions before my eyes had changed. My eye level had also become noticeably higher.

And then… Karr stood to my left.

“Ahem.”

I spoke experimentally.

The deep voice felt profoundly unfamiliar.

Lowering the mask that covered my mouth, I smiled.

“Our little Karr is just too adorable and lovable.”

Half-Elf Karr… had become… Wood Elf Rosalia.