Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. – Chapter 207 – The Grand Gathering of Interracial Harmony – Finale (3)

Author: Cireng

Chapter 207 – The Grand Gathering of Interracial Harmony – Finale (3)

“What a peculiar fellow.”

Jerix descended from the air and lightly kicked me in the face.

It wasn’t a full-powered strike. Just a somewhat gentle kick.

Crunch.

Then, he graciously stepped on my head, grinding his foot back and forth.

“Ahh… As expected of the Invincible One…!”

“……”

I wanted to live like this forever. To spend my life as Jerix’s footrest, to be endlessly trampled beneath his sole like an insole firmly stuck to the bottom of his foot… what an honor that would be.

But I, Karr, was a model cultist who knew how to keep work and personal feelings strictly separate. I had no intention of letting love and desire interfere with the mission.

Crackle!

Transforming my entire body into lightning, I became a Half-Elf bolt of lightning and reappeared a short distance away.

— Go on ahead.

The moment I issued the order through telepathy, Pendrick immediately hoisted his Majesty the Elven King onto his back and started running.

The other companions followed close behind, sprinting along the spiral path carved into the surface of World Tree Number Two’s trunk.

“You work together well.”

Jerix, the Goblin who possessed both overwhelming strength and composure, graciously kept his gaze fixed solely upon me rather than looking toward my companions.

Partly because of the effects of Sin: Lust. But also, because the gap in strength between us was simply too vast to overcome.

“Golden Crow Karr. I’ve heard your name has been making quite a splash lately. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

“The Invincible Jerix knows my name…! Haaah….”

My heart pounded violently, its overwhelming presence forcing me to hurriedly place a hand upon my chest.

“If it wouldn’t be rude… may I remember this very moment… and use it later when the opportunity presents itself?”

“…I have no idea what you mean. But don’t.”

“Yes.”

Obediently nodding, I held my right index and middle fingers together.

“So, did you defeat my friend Mek… and the moderate explorers?”

“I did.”

Reaching inside his clothing, the Goblin Chieftain produced a bundle of bracelets.

[Bracelets — 16]

“So… You let two escape?”

“As expected of a Cultist of Twisted Truth. Correct… While I was dealing with some insolent Human calling himself the Empire’s Archmage… those two slipped away.”

Chairman Blackbeak’s request to me had been simple. Delay Jerix as much as possible. Everything else, the moderate explorers from the Chairman’s direct guild, would handle themselves.

But judging from the situation, it seemed I’d have to become something greater than merely a stumbling stone.

“Chairman Blackbeak must be rather embarrassed.”

“To be honest… I simply got lucky. While I was struggling inside Mek’s trap, that Archmage happened to intrude and overturned the situation.”

The labyrinth enhancement, which had plunged everything into even greater chaos, had illuminated Jerix’s path.

Still, his journey wasn’t entirely blessed. Along with it, he’d been burdened with an unimpressive appearance and weakened physical abilities… hardly fitting for someone called Invincible.

“Even though you’ve become more modest than before… I don’t mind.”

Crackle!

Black lightning began gathering in my right hand.

“My revered Sir Jerix, allow me to lighten your burden. Cast aside the heavy title of Invincible… and instead accept the disgraceful title… of the Hero defeated by a mere Level 5 cultist. Once you’ve lost your honor… becoming so pitiful… that no one even glances your way….”

My heart raced as I slowly looked him over from head to toe.

“Then……I alone… will treasure you… keeping You safely inside my room… gently caring for you forever…!”

BOOOOOOM!!

Lightning raged violently within my right hand. Charging Flash Kwaa-Kwang.

Ordinarily, this also consumed mental strength. But now, I no longer needed to worry about headaches or the assorted gift set of mental illnesses.

[Remaining Mental Strength: 1,800 / 2,000]

Because Grand Chaos Disturbance Field had converted my absurdly healthy vitality entirely into mental strength, I could unleash every Mystery without restraint.

“You say you’re Mek’s friend?”

Jerix tilted his head slightly.

Crunch!

Without warning, a gigantic beast materialized beside me and bit into my shoulder.

Such a forceful greeting.

Unable to hide my embarrassment, I bashfully twisted my body.

“You’re awfully rough right from the beginning. How embarrassing.”

“…Hm.”

The moment Jerix crooked his lips, the beast vanished, and my severed shoulder returned to normal.

It hadn’t been a real wound, only an illusion created by an Illusion-type Mystery.

“How… are you completely unaffected? Even devout priests or stalwart Orc warriors scream disgracefully when struck by that.”

“Because pain… is a beneficial sensation… that proves I truly exist.”

Pain and fear. The twin pillars of coercion are capable of turning even innocent people into criminals.

To me, they were nothing more than a source of moisture for my dry heart.

“Now… please accept my feelings as well.”

BOOOOOOM!!

A massive bolt of lightning burst forth. Maximum-output Flash Kwaa-Kwang.

“How fierce!”

The Invincible Goblin casually raised one hand.

With a simple wave, the lightning’s trajectory curved dramatically… and came flying back toward me.

“Kyaaa!”

Such a simple-looking defense, yet accomplished through the wondrous overlap of multiple Mysteries!

Unable to contain my admiration, the slender Half-Elf’s body was swallowed whole by the returning lightning.

“Ahahahaha!”

Completely roasted, the Half-Elf burst into laughter, spinning joyfully in circles.

“……”

Jerix narrowed his eyes.

Hummm.

The illusion covering the world dissolved.

The roasted Half-Elf struck by the reflected Flash Kwaa-Kwang disappeared, revealing instead a charred section of the World Tree’s roots.

“You’re not without skill.”

Jerix abruptly turned his head.

Still concealed by Illusion, I was happily skipping along the World Tree’s pathway, following after my companions.

I cheerfully waved.

“Sir Jeriiix! Come catch meee!”

I’d always wanted to do something like this with the one I loved.

We weren’t exactly dating, but he was the Goblin I loved, so wasn’t it close enough?

“I spared you… because there was no need to become enemies. But now….”

After briefly stretching where he stood, Jerix tapped the ground twice. A moment later, he appeared only a short distance behind me.

The spatial movement Mystery, Narrow Shortcut.

Limited to short distances, but one of Jerix’s signature Mysteries, requiring extremely little spiritual power… the Shaman’s primary resource.

“It seems… I’ll have to fight seriously now.”

“Oh my. Please don’t be too rough with me.”

Crunch!

Without so much as a reply, he crossed space and drove his knee into the back of my head.

Caught completely off guard, I helplessly tumbled down the sloping bark.

“Ohoho… You’re quite intense.”

“You’re enjoying it this much… so why ask me not to be rough?”

“If I openly asked you to hit me harder… wouldn’t I seem like an awfully promiscuous Half-Elf?”

“…… I suppose.”

Immediately jumping back to my feet, I lowered my left hand.

Fwoooooosh!

A massive fire erupted across the World Tree’s bark.

It would naturally extinguish before long, so I could happily become an arsonist for the day without feeling guilty.

Continuously releasing [Death · Flame · Transformation], I ran backward.

Ordinarily, I’d have tripped immediately and cracked the back of my head open.

But now, my legs moved lightly, swiftly.

[The blessings bestowed upon Elven bloodlines by the World Tree, combined with the spirits aiding you as the Elven King’s escort, now flow through your body!]

Two buffs, stacked together. Final Stand, with its still-living World Tree, was one of the few labyrinths where being a Half-Elf was actually advantageous.

Continuing to spray flames behind me as I ran at full speed, I soon caught up to my companions.

“Sir Kaar!”

Astrimia, running near the rear, noticed me approaching and waved.

“Monsters keep appearing here!”

“Really?”

Ordinarily, nothing should have appeared along this path. Unable to suppress my curiosity as a gamer, I immediately ran ahead, taking a look at the mysterious creatures.

“World… Treeee… Die….”

Strange creatures. Half spirit. Half smoke.

I’d never seen monsters like them before. Fortunately, I possessed a Mystery capable of reading the information of all things.

[World Tree Parasitic Wraith (Level 5)]

[For countless years, the souls of evil beings defeated by World Tree Number Two remained bound within its trunk, serving as spiritual energy. However, under the effects of Grand Chaos Disturbance Field, those souls finally obtained physical bodies, regaining their freedom.]

“Ah. I see.”

I suddenly wanted to return to the surface afterward and witness every change this Grand Chaos Disturbance Field had brought upon the world. Perhaps after the tournament, I’d come back again.

“Sir Karr!”

Slice. Slice.

From behind, Astrimia repeatedly chopped at the back of my neck with the edge of her hand.

“Stop standing there! Tell us how to deal with them!”

The breathtakingly beautiful Pendrick, holding the front line, swiftly swung his single-edged sword.

The half-spirit, half-gas monsters split cleanly in two… only to regenerate moments later.

“Oh…”

“This isn’t the time to be admiring them!”

Astrimia chopped the back of my head again.

Perhaps because her original body had been a sharp sword, she’d become noticeably less patient.

Had she originally been a round, blunt shield, she probably would’ve waited a little longer.

Fwoooosh!

At that moment, the crimson flames I’d started vanished, and Jerix calmly walked through.

“Oh, dear. Now really isn’t the time for this.”

Perhaps it was also the influence of the Grand Chaos Disturbance Field.

Like Astrimia, my own personality had become somewhat distorted. Unlike my usual self, I alternated unpredictably… sometimes strangely impatient, other times excessively relaxed.

My mental strength had become enormous, while every other aspect of my inner self had been reduced to ruins.

“All the more reason not to rush. We’ll solve this problem… one step at a time. Lady Astrimia… the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“You’re impossible!”

“But… couldn’t you simply sweep them away using your starlight aura?”

“…Ah!”

Aura ignored over thirty percent of an enemy’s defenses, while also allowing one to strike foes that ordinary blades couldn’t even touch.

That was precisely why the Knight class, the only Warrior class capable of learning Aura without relying on shortcuts… ranked among the strongest.

“Move aside, Pendriiick!”

The beautiful Elf gathered starlight aura into both hands, then unleashed it forward like a tidal wave.

BOOOOOOM!!

The monsters were effortlessly swept away.

“Perfect! Let’s keep going!”

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

Jerix, having crossed space to appear beside us, closed his hand around empty air.

“Ghh?!”

The surrounding atmosphere wrapped around us, crushing us.

Joyfully crumpling beneath the pressure, I spoke.

“So…You can’t use your highest-tier Mysteries as freely as before…”

“…Haaah! Please stop enjoying this situation!”

Still curled up beside me, Astrimia’s eyes suddenly glowed blue.

Shiiiiing!!

The surroundings became dyed in blue light. Jerix’s knee joints began glowing blue.

Merak. The Second Star, which revealed weaknesses.

“L-Let us go…!”

Brightfeather fluttered his arms, clenching his hand.

The Mystery copied through the Mimic Parrot.

Jerix’s weakness… his knees… which Astrimia had exposed for only a moment, buckled slightly.

“Hyaaaah!”

Immediately afterward, Marlin let out a bizarre battle cry and froze the Goblin Chieftain’s lower body with Gléléré of Frost.

“…Hup!”

The restraint around us broke.

Then Astrimia’s eyes shone once more.

Every one of us… including King Hariel… became enveloped in a protective barrier.

Phecda. The Third Star is capable of blocking at least one fatal attack.

“Take this opportunity… and go ahead.”

As I gave the order aloud, I also sent another instruction through telepathy.

— If he catches up again, make Sir Jerix angry enough that His judgment starts slipping.

“Yes!”

Astrimia, acting as temporary captain thanks to her experience, immediately led everyone farther up the World Tree.

Craaack!

Effortlessly breaking the ice, Jerix casually patted his knees.

“…This enhancement to the unique domain… is rather troublesome. My usual capabilities… have been cut in half.”

“Oh, dear. How unfortunate.”

The stumbling-stone strategy. Our original plan, to trip Jerix… was proceeding successfully.

But it still wasn’t enough. Like the Hero he was, he would soon completely adapt to the body-and-mind inversion caused by the Grand Chaos Disturbance Field.

If that happened, our expedition would ultimately be wiped out by Jerix.

“Sir Jerix… would you perhaps care… for one of my massages? I devised a very special one. It gently… yet thrillingly… embraces your entire body….”

Crack!

While I chattered away, a whip of wind shot from Jerix’s hand, lashing across my body.

“Hyaaaah!”

“You’ll regret thiiis!”

Screaming like a third-rate villain, I rolled all the way down the slope.

“…You’re too troublesome. I’ll let you go… for now.”

Jerix glanced briefly at me, then resumed running.

The instant the Goblin Chieftain disappeared into the distance, leading his adorably small body onward, I immediately jumped to my feet.

Then, I pulled Full Moon Executioner and a set of candles out of my subspace.

“…The time has come.”