Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 198 - The Grand Gathering of Interracial Harmony – Total Chaos (5)

Chapter 198 – The Grand Gathering of Interracial Harmony – Total Chaos (5)

 

“…Both the past and the future?”

Flutter.

Flutter.

Flutter.

The butterflies began fluttering about even more frantically.

“How is that even possible?”

“Would you like to spend another one of your questions on that?”

Round and round. Butterfly Little Sister pressed herself even closer as we continued spinning.

At first, it had been a dance one might see at a noble’s ballroom.

Now, it had devolved into movements with no style or foundation whatsoever.

“Think carefully before choosing your questions. You won’t get another opportunity like this until much later.”

She then gently offered me her cheek.

“If you kiss me here… I might even give you one extra question.”

“……”

Only two questions remained. There would not be a fourth.

For a long while, I simply followed Butterfly Little Sister’s lead, continuing the dance while thinking.

Then I asked again.

“What is your objective?”

The Half-Elf before me possessed power that was on an entirely different level from my younger sister as she existed now.

If her goal aligned with conquering the Nightmare Dungeon, she could become an invaluable ally. But I couldn’t rule out the opposite possibility.

“Now that’s an excellent question.”

Flutter.

A second butterfly… this one green… landed atop my head.

“First of all, I’m not some villainous cultist plotting sinister schemes. Rather, I’m a wholesome Half-Elf who dreams of limitless futures.”

“…Wholesome?”

“Yes. I’m very healthy and sincere.”

Butterfly Little Sister once again leaned her face closer.

“My objective… could be described as observation.”

“Be more specific.”

“I’m sorry. But that’s all this question gets.”

“How stingy.”

“I’ve told you repeatedly. You’re not supposed to be here yet. Even this much is a special favor.”

Still holding my hand, she spun me around once more, smiling softly.

“Now there’s only one left. How about asking something truly important? For example… my secret personal preferences that I’d rather keep hidden.”

“I don’t need those.”

“Hmph. How mean.”

The longer I watched her fool around, the more exhausted I became.

As our conversation dragged on, a strange, bitter emptiness welled up inside me more and more frequently.

Round and round.

She apparently couldn’t think of any new dance moves anymore, because she simply kept spinning me in circles. It was time to end this conversation.

“One last question.”

Gripping Butterfly Little Sister’s hand tightly enough to crush it, I spoke.

“Tell me the Hidden Piece of Final Stand… or the method for triggering the labyrinth enhancement… that can become the stumbling stone capable of bringing down Jerix… and which the world still doesn’t know about.”

“Eeh…?”

Her brilliant golden eyes widened slightly.

“Are you really satisfied with that? You could ask how to recover your memories instead.”

“I know you’ll just give another vague answer anyway.”

Who would fall for the same trick three times?

At least, I wasn’t that foolish.

“Enough. Just answer.”

Information that could benefit me immediately was far more valuable right now.

Flutter.

A third golden butterfly landed atop my head.

“Very well. To be honest… I’d prefer that question myself.”

“Fine… but stop spinning me already.”

Forcing the twentieth spin to a halt, I placed my free hand on her shoulder.

She simply smiled, moving even closer.

“Very well. I’ll give you high-level information… Knowledge belonging to new content.”

“…New… what?”

“For now, just know that even your ordinarily knowledgeable little sister doesn’t know this information yet.”

The butterflies decorating the empty air grew even livelier.

A magnificent spectacle of countless colors, resembling flower petals scattered across a spring breeze.

“The Great Shaman Neuamshi. The one currently maintaining the unique domain Chaos Disturbance Field… was ultimately slaughtered by the Valterium Imperial Army in actual history. Because, just as the labyrinth’s name suggests… they refused to surrender… and continued fighting until the very end.”

“So finding that shaman was the Hidden Piece?”

“Correct.”

The Hidden Piece of Final Stand is already known throughout the world.

Meeting the Great Shaman Neuamshi, who continuously relocated his hideout to remain hidden.

“Any expedition that meets the Great Shaman… will thereafter know the locations of every Valterium Imperial soldier in real time. Within Final Stand… explorers become volunteer soldiers of the Meterdegus Kingdom.”

From the standpoint of clearing the labyrinth, it was certainly a reward that couldn’t be ignored.

However, the purpose of this tournament wasn’t exploration. It was stopping Jerix.

Knowing where the labyrinth’s ghosts were held had little significance.

“However… if you have a very pleasant conversation with Lord Neuamshi… some interesting things may occur. For example… a Hidden Labyrinth Enhancement.”

“…You’re refusing to answer clearly again?”

“Yes, I am. Do you know why?”

Without warning, she embraced me… and kissed me.

Our lips touched. A strangely warm sensation passed between us.

“The arrogant belief that you already know everything… creates exactly this kind of opening.”

Smile.

That infuriatingly refreshing smile.

“…I’m seriously going to kill you.”

My hand instinctively reached toward my waist, where my dagger should’ve been.

There was nothing there.

“Oh, dear. Why so angry? You’ve already joined me in our dangerously intimate dance of love.”

Unlike my real younger sister, who was smaller than I was, this one was roughly my height and surprisingly strong.

No matter how much I struggled, her embrace only tightened.

Eventually, I simply stood there, motionless. If I stopped reacting, she’d lose interest soon enough.

“…Tch.”

Just as expected, she quickly became bored, finally letting me go.

Then she elegantly bowed.

“One last parting gift.”

Flutter.

Flutter.

The three butterflies resting upon my head flapped their wings, circling around me… before suddenly sinking into my body.

“What is this?”

“My love.”

“Take it back.”

“In reality… It’s merely a tiny possibility… that may prove useful during your future explorations. So please, accept it.”

The moment she finished speaking, my body slowly began drifting away from the butterfly-filled space.

I was returning to reality.

Rather than feeling sadness at parting, I only felt relieved to finally escape.

“Oh, right.”

Just before I disappeared completely, her quiet voice reached me.

“Twenty thousand hours. Have you ever honestly thought… that it might simply be too much time… for one person to bear alone?”

 

***

 

“Sis!”

When I opened my eyes, the Tiger Beastman’s face was directly in front of me.

“Are you alright…?”

“…Yes.”

“Thank goodness…!”

With Brightfeather’s help, I sat upright.

Immediately, I surveyed my surroundings.

The battle was still raging.

“Grrrr!”

“……!”

To the left, the gigantic golden wolf continued fighting the giant Blank Soldier in close combat.

Crackle!

Bzzzz—!

To the right, the Half-Elf captain’s black lightning clashed against the mind-shaking resonance produced by the Mind Dominator.

The wolf didn’t appear to need assistance. Thanks to Artein’s blessings, Pendrick completely dominated the fight.

“Let’s help the captain.”

“Yes…!”

I leapt into the world of shadows. Once again, I looked upward through the mage’s shadow.

Flutter.

Suddenly, a crimson butterfly emerged from within my body, circling gently around me.

“……?”

Was this the gift Butterfly Little Sister had mentioned? It was cute enough, but seemed useless otherwise.

Pushing the question aside, I gripped Whoosh Whoosh Bang Bang and prepared to leap upward.

At that moment, the butterfly landed upon my forehead.

Flutter!

The crimson butterfly melted into me. Instinctively, I understood. It hadn’t merely entered my body.

Flutter.

Flutter.

“…Ah.”

I could see it. The path ahead… revealed by a tiny butterfly flowing along the current of possibility.

As though possessed, I slowly stood upright within the shadows.

Then…

Slash!

I was cutting across the Imperial mage’s back.

“…Ghk!”

Apparently, his attention had been completely drawn toward the Half-Elf captain this time.

Unable to let the attack pass through, the mage violently swung his wand.

Bzzzzzz—!!

A violent sound wave spread outward.

Then, without warning, the mage multiplied. He now stood in several places at once.

“You actually endured Nightmare… pointy ears.”

Hundreds of mages spoke simultaneously.

Judging from the hatred burning in his eyes, I expected him to unleash a barrage of spells at me.

Instead, he proved more rational than anticipated.

“I’ve already analyzed all of your minds. The next time… things won’t go like this.”

He’s trying to flee.

Bzzzzzzz—!!

After casting a large-scale mental Mystery, visible only as the faint outline of an enormous nail suspended in the air…

“Pray… that you never meet me again.”

“That won’t happen.”

Just before the mage escaped, Perrin suddenly extended a hand from high above.

“You’re going to die here.”

Bzzzzzzz—!!

Another enormous mental nail appeared, driving itself simultaneously into every one of the countless mages.

The Mystery imitation granted by the Mimic Parrot’s constitution.

“Gaaaah!”

Caught completely off guard by the copied Mystery, the mage staggered, clutching his head.

I immediately stepped upon the shadow beneath my feet. My location changed instantly.

Now, I stood atop the shadow of one among the hundreds of mages.

Crack!

Without hesitation, I kicked him.

Apparently, I’d chosen correctly.

The mage tumbled across the ground.

“…What?!”

Blood spilled from his mouth.

His expression became one of utter confusion.

“How did you know?”

“No idea.”

He might still have another trick prepared.

Without hesitation, I thrust my dagger.

A crimson trajectory flashed through the air as Whoosh Whoosh Bang Bang buried itself in his heart. 

[Extreme: Penetration.]

CRAAAACK!

The straight line carved by the blade pierced not only the mage’s heart, but the earth beneath him as well.

“…Urgh….”

Unable to endure any longer, the mage went limp.

Just to be certain, I decapitated him as well, grabbing the severed head by the hair and throwing it aside.

Without stopping, I stepped into another shadow.

“Grrrr?”

This time, I emerged from Pendrick’s shadow.

Before the giant noticed, I leapt upward and slashed across the center of its back.

[Extreme: Severance.]

A crimson line etched itself through the air, leaving a river of blood flowing across the giant’s back.

I ended up drenched in blood, but Pendrick seized the opportunity and finished the giant.

“Grrrr!”

There was no need to help further.

I stepped back into the shadows, moving to a safe location, then wiped the blood from my face.

“……”

For some reason, the usually carefree Half-Elf captain stood there, staring blankly at me with her mouth slightly open.

“Didn’t you just teleport? Since when could you do that?”

“For a while now.”

“…Did you gain some kind of enlightenment?”

“Something like that.”

Shadow Leap… an ability unlocked once Shadow Tribe reached a sufficient level of mastery.

It allowed movement directly to any visible shadow, skipping the intermediate process.

Ordinarily, it remained far beyond my current abilities.

But thanks to the crimson butterfly’s guidance, I could use it now. Though it felt like only a temporary power, limited to this expedition.

“……???”

Astrimia’s expression grew even stranger.

She clearly knew that such a feat should’ve been impossible at my current level.

Still, I was already abnormal enough that she probably wouldn’t dwell on it.

What truly occupied my thoughts was Butterfly Little Sister’s outrageous ability.

‘…How did she do it?’

A Mystery capable of temporarily elevating someone else’s painstakingly earned mastery.

I’d never even heard of such a thing.

Even the Mysteries of most Good Gods probably couldn’t accomplish it.

It felt like something only an extraordinarily rare artifact might achieve.

“Did something happen?”

Pendrick, having defeated the giant soldier, walked over and asked.

Marlin tilted her head.

“Sir Karr unexpectedly carried the fight and defeated the mage.”

“That’s good to hear. Isn’t it… Master?”

“…Yes.”

The Half-Elf captain gently stroked Pendrick’s forearm, let out a quiet sigh, then looked toward the distant World Tree.

“Let’s get moving again.”

“Wait.”

I walked over to the captain and relayed the information Butterfly Little Sister had given me.

“…You learned about the Hidden Piece… inside a mental world?”

The captain stammered after hearing my brief explanation.

“Well… that’s certainly fascinating. T-To think there’d be a Kar… I mean… me… living inside Big Sister’s mental world.”

She seemed to be acting even stranger than before.

Since she’d never been particularly normal anyway, I ignored it.

After a moment, the Half-Elf captain slowly nodded.

“At the very least… it sounds like information worth investigating. Our objective… is to create variables… that can disrupt Sir Jerix’s plans.”

The Grand Gathering of Interracial Harmony had only just begun.

“Alright! Let’s go! Forward!”

 

***

 

“???”

The Whisperer, Zmurtal, stared wide-eyed at the branching paths of fate.

“I’m only holding on to a single destiny… so why is everything becoming more chaotic?!”